Doin' the Cyber Cha Cha (Ok so the title has nothing to do with the post...but it did have a nice ring to it.)

Hey Jana...WELCOME--Friend! My first new blog buddy. :) I'm no stranger to cyber-friends, however. I have been a part of an online message board for nearly 9 years. The women on that board are dear to me and we've 'been through' a lot together. They live all over the nation...even the world ( a couple are from Canada and Australia). There were times when everyone posted several times a day...and then times when there hasn't been a post for a couple weeks. But that doesn't change the fact that they have made an impact on my life. I have learned from them--learned about their lives and in turn learned about myself.

There is nothing I like better than learning new things and making new friends. This blogging world is amazing because of the networking possibilities. And I don't mean for business reasons I mean networking ideas, thoughts, inspirations, laughs, fears, rants, and frustrations.

The world seems a little smaller each time we find out that there are 'real' people out there. People that may or may not be the same as us--different races, religions, nationalities...but still in essence the same. They are still people...part of the human family. We share the basic human emotions of hope, love, friendship, worry, heartbreak, sorrow. Those feelings, though, instead of dividing us can unite us.

I love to say, 'I want to know what makes you tick'. The blessing comes when understanding is reached...we will not always agree on things, but that is a good thing. What a sad world it would be if we did not have our agency to think, and live as we choose. And what a wonderful place it is when we use that agency, while maybe not changing our minds, to understand the motives of our friends.

Ok...sorry to get all sentimental on you...

Insert*Group Hug* and everyone start singing 'It's a Small World After All."

(Just once through though as that song can really get on your nerves.)

P.S. Are there any other unknown cyber buddies out there? Not that I have any illusions that what I'm writing is so riveting that there should be...but IF there are you are welcome to join in the fun. :)

Congratulations Tim!

Tim received his Arrow of Light last night. The highest award available in Cub Scouts. I can't believe it but we are done with Cub Scouts for another 5 years.

Here Tim is walking down the path away from Cubs towards Boy Scouts.

All the Eagle Scouts in attendance were the steps for Tim.

Congratulations Tim! On to your Eagle!

Living on the wrong side of town

One Road...

Two Climate Zones...

Guess Which one is mine?

Bedtime Blues

The Clock Strikes Eight
The hour begins which we all hate.
Kid's ears get plugged and run around
My patience wears, I spiral down.

Pajama's lost--though here before
'They are not to be found I'm sure I'm sure!'
Have you looked or searched or even opened your door?
'On what am I stepping knee deep on this floor?'

Each tooth must be flossed and brushed
Each set of worries talked and hushed
Prayer's irritably flung at the ceiling
Mom's yells keep everyone reeling.

What happened to that peaceful scene
That fell upon us at 7:15?
No I'm wrong it was a zoo
and had been since a quarter to two.

Each day I try to better be
But alas the devil sinks claws in me
He shakes and shakes and doesn't let go
Until in me the tears do flow.

Finally to their peaceful beds
But the pillow nary touches their heads.
They got tucked in--but not for long
They come back out for a question or song.

At last asleep, so sweet in there
When time just past I was a bear.
Please help me to see the sweetness when
They are still awake to view me grin.

8 Things

Tagged by Sharon...
8 Favorite TV Shows
(Are there 8 shows I like??? Not sure.)
1. The Office (Hand's down #1--thank goodness for DVR)
2. Wings (in reruns)
3. Iron Chef America/Food Network Challenge/Alton Brown /Ace of Cakes
4. (Shhhhh don't tell anyone) American Idol (That's embarassing LOL)
5. Don't Forget the Lyrics
6. Curious George (Not so much for the watching value as the working value I get when its on--It's Ethan's fav! Once again thank goodness for DVR so we can watch it whenever)
7. Ummm racking my brain here...M*A*S*H
8. Seinfeld...I really can't think of anything else.

Things I did yesterday
1. Laundry (not enough)
2. Babysat 3 boys for my friend
3. Helped Tim make a catapult
4. Watched Tim's Basketball game
5. Traveled to my sister's house for a family party
6. Ate Peggy's famous egg rolls, and other yummy Chinese food for our late Chinese New Year Party.
7. Foound out I'm an Ox and Mike is a cock which ARE compatible *whew*
8. Listened to Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince on CD in the car.

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Maddox
2. Ruby River
3. Applebees
4. LaBeau's
5. Cafe Rio
6. The Olive Garden
7. Chilis
8. Pretty much anywhere because I'm not cooking.

8 Things I Wish For
1. SPRING
2. New Books
3. Happy Children
4. Vacation with my kids
5. Vacation without my kids ;)
6. Bread
7. To be a morning person
8. Photography Classes

8 People I Tag
1-8 IF there are 8 people reading this...the 8 people that want to do it. :)

More Bread Supplications

So it has come to my attention that my SIL ,who is a master chef in all areas, has been perfecting her bread recipes of late as well. (Where I cook, she creates, where I pull out rhodes dough rolls, she bakes to die for orange sticky rolls) It's like the difference between Kraft Macaroni and cheese and Food Network Star Penne Alfredo. Anyway, she's a really incredible cook and I love it when she brings food to our familiy get togethers...AND...she told me she would SHARE. SO...I am imploring her to bring it on with her recipes...I believe she has one for wheat bread, and artisan bread, and banana bread. (And the orange rolls of course) So BROOKE, for the sake of me and my bread baking buddies...do share please! :)

Attention Bread Baking Buddies

It has come to my attention that I have two friends that are on the path to creating the perfect loaf of bread. :) I don't know if you read each other's blogs, but if not, I feel the need to network for you.

Brenda--Marni

Check out these links...

Brenda's bread links
http://foodstorageandpreparedness.blogspot.com/search/label/Bread%20Recipes
I'm sure there were more but I can't find them.

Marni's bread links
http://stillswinging.blogspot.com/2009/01/bread.html
http://stillswinging.blogspot.com/2009/02/bread-making-progress.html


I do this with the full selfish intent that if you keep my mouth watering with awesome bread posts then I might actually get off my duff and make some...especially so I can teach Emily as she has been asking me to teach her how to make bread. (Wow what a run on sentence--deep breath)

So see...I knead you!

Food Wars

Mike made me think with his last comment...he'll be happy to hear that I'm sure. :) Anyway, we, as in my extended family, have a few food quirks. In fact, anytime anyone comes into the family the first question extended is Miracle Whip or Mayo? And the second is do you like yams?

Now mind you, if you answer the question 'wrong' you aren't banished from the family or have to sit at the kids table or anything like that. It's more of a 'sorting' question. Which camp do you belong in? The miracle whip camp tends to be natural born Thornley's and the Mayo camp tends to be those that married into the clan. Each group tends to stick together at family parties and reunions. There is often a 'high five' given when someone chooses the 'correct' condiment. And naturally, there is always a BIG discussion about who is in their right mind with their tastebuds and who has walked off the gustatory cliff. (Cool word eh? I just learned it. You probably already know it, but if not here's the definition)

In our own little family I've taken to not serving either as the debate between my kids is FIERCE! Girls go one way, boys the other...right now Ethan's on the edge and each side is trying desperately to sway him.

The other food in question is Yams aka Sweet Potatoes aka the best part of Thanksgiving.

Actually Yams and Sweet Potatoes are quite different and to be fair, the good ones are only the best part of Thanksgiving if made properly from the recipe handed down from generation to generation by my Grandma Anderson. Mike has a polar opposite view on yams due to the recipe handed down generation to generation by his Grandma Clark. While the debate still rages between my kids...Mike and I actually don't argue this point anymore because during our first Thanksgiving together I promised him that if he would try my Yams, and still didn't like them, I would not bug him about it forevermore Amen. And, despite the fact that he actually swallowed the yams without them hitting his tastebuds...I am good to my word. (Where is that cheese face picture when I need it?) (As an aside, while looking for a candied yam picture I actually found one made with bleu cheese! I will have to add an emphatic YUCK...on that recipe.)

So the question is....

Miracle Whip or Mayo?

And....Yams or no yams?

Bleu Cheese

I regularly get mocked about my love for bleu cheese. I usually take it with grace and good humor, after all...I'm eating mold right? Well after today's yummy salad topped with bleu cheese dressing and garnished with catcalls and mocking from my family, I decided to do a little research. What I found...did NOT help my cause. I fear I will only be fueling the fire, but here goes: (Facts taken from Wikipedia...and we all know how reliable that is.)

• The characteristic flavor of blue cheeses tends to be sharp and a bit salty. (Not bad.)


• Blue cheeses are typically aged in a temperature-controlled environment such as a cave. (ooh caves...now doesn't that sound adventurous?)


• The smell of this food is widely considered to be pungent, even smelling like feet. (Hmmm crumbled stinky feet on my salad...now we are in for trouble)


• Blue cheese (or bleu cheese) is a general classification of cow's milk, sheep's milk, or goat's milk cheeses that have had Penicillium cultures added. (Does this mean if I am allergic to penicillin I shouldn't eat it? Sounding dangerous!)

Alright...I may have to hold my nose...(and plug my ears.) But I'm not giving up this:

LONG LIVE BLEU CHEESE---AND THOSE WHO EAT IT!

The Rest of the Story--First Kiss

Mike's side of the story...well addition to the story. :)

P.S. He got more Hershey Kisses for this V-Day

The Rest of the Story--Harrison Ford

(*Disclaimer---this is taken from my memory...Sharon will have to make corrections if I'm going crazy)

I spent a summer in Jackson WY (the one I didn't want to come home from) with my cousin Sharon. We tried to experience all the fun of the place at minimal cost so one day we went to a day time concert...could have been a dress rehearsal for the Teton Music Festival. We settled into our chosen seats and just before the concert started in came Harrison Ford. If memory serves, he had his son with him too....Sharon, you may have to help out with the details. He was a couple rows ahead of us and maybe 10 seats down the line. We along with the rest of the crowd recognized him at once. There were several sets of ladies around and when he got up during intermission so he wouldn't have to talk to people a few ladies got up and took his seat. I guess they thought he would have to sit by them when he came back. But when the concert started up again, he noticed that and chose new seats. Same row as us a few seats down. As he passsed in front of us he said. "Excuse me" (I thought but of course Han Solo/Indiana Jones) but instead Sharon and then I too simply said 'No, problem' And we meant it. :)

25 Random Things About Me

1. I have visited all but 7 states in the US of A. (Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware.)

2. My favorite food is popcorn...not microwave or air pop. It has to be popped in oil in an old pressure cooker.

3. My favorite instrument is the bassoon. I received a 'mini' scholarship to play it in college. (That's not really too hard to do because there are not many bassoonists.)

4. I've talked to Harrison Ford....He said excuse me...I said no problem. ( I share this one with my cousin...as we kind of both said it together)

5. My favorite book is Papa Married a Mormon by John D. Fitzgerald.

6. My favorite kids book is Go Dog Go! by Dr. Suess (Well at least one of them)

7. My dream car is a hybrid Toyota Sienna with seating for 8. (Pathetic huh--doesn't even exist. :()



8. I love hiking. I love the outdoors, the smell of the trees, the beautiful views, the peace of nature.






9. Out of all the places I've been there has only been one that I didn't want to eventually come home from. Jackson WY./Grand Tetons.

10. I sold cheap toys at Wall Drug in South Dakota...what was I thinking?







11. I used to be a Discovery Toy consultant.

12. I have a commercial mat cutter in my basement...waiting for me to become a framer again...picture framer.

13. I have a not so secret desire to live in New England temporarily (a year or two).

14. I strongly believe schooling should not get in the way of education.

15.I got my passion for voting from my Grandma Thornley. Once she was a citizen of the U.S. she never missed an election.

16. My favorite animal is the elephant. Has been since I was a little kid and everyone was 'choosing' their favorite animal as either cat or dog. I wanted to be different.

17. I love basketball...I wanted to play in high school but I was too chicken to try out. :(

18. The place I would most like to visit in the world is Venice Italy...I did a report on the place in second grade and have wanted to go ever since.

19. If I could choose between an Alaskan and a Carribbean cruise I would choose Alaska without a second thought.

20. I have an extrodinarily strong hate for mice.

21. I have a somewhat secret desire to actually use my journalism degree for what it was intended someday.

22. I have NO regrets for putting my career as a mother ahead of my career as a journalist.

23. I'm a newly made cat lover.

24. My favorite movie is Princess Bride.

25. I love camping in Logan Canyon...especially Sunrise Campground.

First Kiss

15 years ago on Valentines Day, Mike and I shared our first Kiss. *Insert deep sighs and sappy music* This is how it all went down. Mike and I met our Junior year at USU at a church volleyball game. I was ward hopping with my best friend and cousin Sharon, and Mike and his buddy Phil were desperate to play and needed girls on their team. The four of us made a pretty good team. I don't remember if we won even one game, but we did laugh A LOT. The four of us along with some other friends 'hung out' frequently over the next 4-5 months. One of our friends, Carol, left on her mission in January and I was excited to receive a letter from her a few weeks later. She told me a few chit chatty things in her letter then closed with, "Give Mike a kiss for me."

This was surprising as none of us had paired off persay...it was always a group thing. But, who can say no to a missionary? If they ask you to do something...don't you think you should? Afterall, they are on the Lord's errand and we should do all we can to support them. Sharon thought I was nuts when I mentioned my intention to follow Carol's instruction, but she agreed to come with me anyway.

We stopped by Mike's apartment. Strangely, ALL four of the guys living there were actually there, not a Valentine's date between them. Sad really, but it also meant there was going to be an audience. I looked around the room. There were 8 curious eyes looking at me and one set (Sharon's) looking embarrassed for me. Then I made the announcement to Mike, "Carol, told me to give you a kiss for her." Instantly a look of pure terror filled his eyes. Incredulity filled the eyes of all the other guys, but you could see they perked up a bit. Remember, this took place back in the days of quiet, shy, Kathryn. (See Who am I anyway?) So I girded up my loins (what does that mean anyway? I hope its not the same as hiking up your panties) leaned slowly over Mike who was sitting on the couch....puckered up my lips.....and

dropped a handful of these in his lap.

Brownie Points

Whereas Ethan had yucky goo leaking from his eye and

Whereas Kat had to volunteer at the School Library and

Whereas Because of the before said goo, Ethan couldn't visit his best buddy Ryan like planned, and

Whereas Mike volunteered to take off work to take Ethan to the Doctor, and

Whereas the wait at the doctor's office was MUCH too LONG and

Whereas Mike also took Savanna, and

Whereas he also took them out to lunch, and

Whereas he had to deal with the daily drama of a 3 yr old and 5 yr old, and

Whereas he still was smiling when I got home

I am proud to award all the BROWNIE POINTS to my awesome, wonderful husband

Mike!

Tragedy + Time = Comedy

My Brother in law wanted a writing challenge...so I sent him this comic strip. And I decided to take up the challenge myself.

Tragedy + Time = Comedy

It was a dark and stormy night...well actually it was a cold, but sunny day in February 1991. I was driving my regular groupies home from school in the old Tan 1980 Buick Land Yacht. Technically it could fit 6...but we regulary put 10 in there. It was a monster...but handy. I was in a hurry because there was only 3 hours to prepare for the big Girl's Choice Do Everything But Actually Dance Dance. Just as I was preparing to turn left on to my street the school bus that was stopped flipped on its lights. So I stopped...but the person behind me didn't. We pulled off to the side of the street. The dirt on my bumper was tragically scratched. The whole front end of the girl's car behind me was crumpled. GO LAND YACHT! It was decided that I would go find a phone to call the police. I quickly took my friends home then called the police from my house then went back to the scene of the accident. Though I was terrified, the policeman was really quite nice. He quickly determined that it was the fault of the girl behind me and let me go on my way. Then came the dilemma. You see one of the 'lovable' quirks of my barrelling hunk of steel was that the horn boomed out reverberating for anyone in a 3 block radius to hear any time and EVERY time I turned left. The policeman said I could go...but I had to turn left to get back into traffic. I tried to ease in but no luck my fog horn roared...I took took off in a flash without a look back.

I lost an hour of preparation so I hurried to get everything ready for the dance. For obvious reasons I didn't want to drive the Buick It's a little hard to go anywhere without turning LEFT at some point. I arranged with my brother to trade cars for the evening. As I met up with him I learned he had just got a flat tire and the only spare he had was a donut.

Donut--Foghorn Donut--Foghorn. I chose the donut.

The guy I had asked to the dance was a boyfriend. We had been a 'couple' for 2 or 3 months, but in the last day or two he had a change of feelings. I guess he thought it was too late to call it off, so we went. When I went to pick him up he wasn't ready...Maybe his Mom was in the back giving him a lecture on how he couldn't back out at the last moment...I'm not sure...but what's up with a guy not being ready for a date??? We started off to our dinner...Slowly...we had to travel about 25 minutes north...but on our donut it took about 50. Conversation was forced, traffic was bad and a sour date was starting to go south. We reached our destination in time for dinner to be done. So we had to eat leftovers in a corner.

High School Dances...why do they call them that anyway? They should be High School Social Torture Chambers (accompanied by music). The dreaded pictures took up most of the time as we stood in line. The final product was somewhat frightening because the guy could have passed for an axe murder judging by the expression on his face. We danced...tried not to look each other and not hold on too tight. Can you say awkward? Finally it was over...my friends went to another house to play games and have dessert, but my date only wanted to go home.

That would have been fine except, one of my friends parked her car in my driveway. As we only had a driveway wide enough for one car at a time and the ground was covered in 2 feet of snow...her car ended up nearest the garage with my families' two cars behind. I fell asleep on the couch thinking she'd be there in an hour to get it. 2:00 in the morning...still no friend. At that point I was pretty worried about her so I called the friend's house where the festivities were. Who answers the phone at 2:o0 in the middle of night...yep the friend's Dad. He was not amused and the party had broken up at midnight. *Sigh* Where were cell phones when you needed them? The girl dragged herself in in at 2:30.

I pulled both of my cars alternately onto the road and left them running to faciliate a quick change. She pulled her car out...but our driveway is not straight and in the darkness she missed the curve and pulled straight into our snow covered lawn. STUCK. Thinking it would be a quick fix...I left both cars in the middle of the road still running and ran over to push her out. No luck FURTHER STUCK. There was really no answer but to wake my Dad up. Thank you Dad for not being a yeller...or even a question asker in the middle of a dark February night full of stupid teenagers. We pulled out some metal grates and some crushed glass for traction and attempted to push the girl's van out. Unfortunately, we didn't do it fast enough...we saw the police car drive past our house...and saw him turn around this time with lights. BUSTED. The cop got out of his car...hustled over to us with a menacing look then did a double take at me.

Finally he said, "You are having a bad day aren't you?" Yep...it was the same cop that presided over the accident that afternoon. I just rolled my eyes and didn't have to answer.

Honestly...Honesty?

So one of the many hats I wear is school librarian. My kids go to a charter school and as such funds are tight and parents volunteer. I was lucky enough to get the best draw. School Librarian. Well not THE librarian...one of many...but still pretty cool label I think. I've learned lots of things...if you want science books look in the 500s, Art books--700s, biographies? Make your way to the 920s.

A few other things I've learned:

• Pokemon is cool
• Both boys and girls like Pokemon
• When there is only one Pokemon book in the entire library there will be a very long waiting list for it.
• Nancy Drew & Hardy Boys...not so cool.
• There is NO waiting list for either
• A LOT of kids like to read dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs...etc.

Who knew there was even a non-fiction section in the library? I don't think I ever entered the realm as a kid except for school research project but probably 50% of the books kids check out are non-fiction. Of course today's non-fiction books are WAY more cool than the ones 'back in the day'--cool pictures, Internet links, exciting titles the works.

So...to get to my point. (Yes I do have one) Now that school has been in session for 5 months we are accumulating the excuses for why books are overdue...way overdue.

I've had my share of overdue books so really I thought I knew most of the excuses:

• It got eaten by the monster under my bed.
• I put it in my Dad's car before Christmas then he left with his girlfriend.
• It got run over by the garbage truck.
• My dog peed on it. (That one was true...the mom just sent a note and money)

The interesting thing...is to see the kids that don't have excuses.

Me: "You have two books checked out and one is overdue so you can't check out any more."

First Grader: "Oh, I put it in the book return."

Me: Looking in the book return, sure enough there was the title. "Ok then, let's check it back in"

First Grader: Eyes shift and no longer make contact

Me: "Hmm, looks like this is the same title that you checked out but it isn't the same copy"

First Grader: Slinks away...knows she was caught. She had gone to the shelf found the title she had checked out and knowingly dumped it in the return box.

I gotta hand it to the girl, it was a creative solution...but what's up with 6 year olds creating all out cons?

It has made me contemplate the honesty of our society. I'm guessing the kids learn it from the adults...yep...as a society we suck at honesty. We have a Secretary of Treasury that 'forgot' to pay his taxes. That shouldn't matter because now he is the big boss OVER the IRS. No conflict there. We have Governor's of states that take bribes for anything and everything including holding children's hospital funding ransom or appointing senators...no big deal 'It's how politics is done'. We have presidents of corporations that while eliminating 10s of thousands of jobs see that it is no biggie to pay out huge bonuses to the top tier execs. Or CEO's whose companies have just received billions of dollars in bailout money (translation...YOUR MONEY FOR EONS TO COME) that feel that they MUST renovate their office because it is impossible to do business as is and spend 1.2 MILLION dollars to do it. $85,000 alone on a rug. Yep we suck. And our society is paying for it.

A 2002 article from CNN.com shows how teenagers view cheating:

• A national survey by Rutgers' Management Education Center of 4,500 high school students found that 75 percent of them engage in serious cheating.
• More than half have plagiarized work they found on the Internet.
• Perhaps most disturbing, many of them don't see anything wrong with cheating: Some 50 percent of those responding to the survey said they don't think copying questions and answers from a test is even cheating.

I found this great link...that should be required reading for all gov officials, CEO's, and in short all those that may bring about the downfall of OUR society.

HONESTY FOR DUMMIES

My Drunk, Redneck Customer...

As you may know I own an online kitchenware business. A major portion of my job is customer service. We pride ourselves on great customer service...but there are some customers that just can't be satisfied. I've had some doozies over the years, but this one might just take the cake. I received an email from an unhappy customer Sunday morning...and while I generally don't work on Sunday, the tone of his email made me take a look at his order. Spelling, capitalization and sentence structure is unchanged.

(For best effect read aloud with redneck accent)

I quote," whey are you having problems you done already took my money for it i'am real upset with you ether give money back or send me what i have ordered from you "

Obviously the man is upset...thinking there may have been a delivery delay I looked up his order. He placed his order at 11:30 PM on SATURDAY night...I received this email at 2:45 AM SUNDAY morning. Laughing it off I was amused to find this email in my box this morning--sent Monday at 1:33 AM.

"i guest you don't email people back that you steel money from "

Yes, my redneck friend...You guest rite...when I done steel money from people I do'not email them back.

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!

Yes, its that day of days, the celebration of celebrations. Groundhog day, the day we find out if we have six more weeks of winter (or only six weeks till spring. ) :) According to tradition, Puxantawney Phil is the best weather prognosticator in the world. Here's a bit of history about him: http://www.groundhog.org/innercircle/phil.php

Here are some fun facts for you to share during your own groundhog celebration today: http://www.groundhog.org/about/funfacts.php

I've been celebrating groundhog day for many many years, but I have to give a shout out to my cousin Paul for really ingraining it into my holiday rotation. He threw the best groundhog day parties...complete with groundhog sculpting, groundhog games...and there might have been some groundhog calls...not sure.

Have fun celebrating the best day of February (absent leap day of course)...and don't forget the sausage.