Year of Miracles #38

Three "mini" miracles for this week. Maybe these are silly little things, but my head is too stuffy to think of much else.

1. This week my hair color was on sale for a great deal (savings of $3). Then there was a coupon in the paper for an additional $2 off. Yay for saving $5 on something I needed to get done.

2. I finished up my manuscript and got it over to Mary to edit. This is something I have wanted to wrap up for more than a month now, so it feels miraculous to get this far. Many of the ideas in it were promptings from the spirit, too, so I feel really good about it.

3. My VT just happens to have snow boots and pants in Sweetie Peach and Kitty's sizes--I did not think hardly anyone in the Phoenix area had snow boots! Especially in kids' sizes. What's more, she is willing to let me borrow them. We need these for our trip we are taking to Denver later this week.

Bonus: Onehm had a good miraculous experience happen this past week. If you haven't read it yet, click here.

Scripture of the Day: Ether 12:6

Book Review: Austenland

A few weeks ago I read Austenland by Shannon Hale. I had been meaning to review it, but I loaned my copy to my mom and that whole "out of sight, out of mind" thing had kicked in. However, now that I have remembered I am making up for it.

Austenland came highly recommended to me by my friend Mary, who is the member of three book clubs. She reads more than anyone else I know and is a gold mine for a book recommendation. (She is also the one who edited my book for me and was incredibly encouraging about it!) Mary had been meaning to find me a copy of Austenland for several months, but one day before that happened I bought it used on e-bay for $1 (not including shipping, of course). And, upon receiving the book via media mail I sat down, read, and learned {once again} how great an opinion Mary has on books.

Austenland is about a 32-year-old single lady (Jane) who is obsessed with the PBS version of Pride & Prejudice. Jane has had a number of poor relationships with men and can't seem to find anyone to live up to Colin Firth's portrayal of Darcy. However, early in the book, Jane is left an all-expenses-paid trip to an exclusive English estate where guests live as though in the Regency era. While there Jane attempts to overcome her obsession with Mr. Darcy. In the process she is woo-ed by both the gardener and a Darcy-esque actor portraying the handsome Mr. Nobly.

I have to admit Austenland was a very fun read. I particularly liked the clash of the modern world with Regency England. And Jane's character comes to some great conclusions about fiction vs. reality that I think many women can relate to. Thanks to Mary for this recommendation!

I am at Deseret Book!

Just a quick note to let you know my book is now available at Deseret Book! Yay for me! They have it back by the primary help books and the preparing for baptism stuff in the store. I need to head down there with my camera and take my picture as soon as I am feeling better.

Police Beat #23

(If this is the guy looking in the windows of the JSB he needs to be referred to standards since his underwear is showing--and not the eternal kind!)

Still sick over here, but glad it is Friday nonetheless.
Have a great day!

Oct. 11: A person riding a motor scooter hit a female student in the crosswalk at 450 East and 1430 North. She was on her way to the football game. The student was checked by the paramedics at the scene and released.

(Comment: Strange but true, by the following week they were engaged! The female student loves to tell people how her fiance literally "swept her off her feet.")

Oct. 7: A female student reported a suspicious male watching female custodians through the window in the Joseph Smith Building. The suspect was estimated to be in his 40s.

(Comment: I used to be a custodian on BYU campus, and believe me those ladies were nothing to be spying on! I am sure this guy could find better looking women to watch on campus.)

Oct. 8: Police discovered a woman on the third floor of the Jesse Knight Building at 4 a.m. She had fallen asleep on the couch and was asked to leave.

(Comment: These sleeping custodians of the Jesse Knight Building need to be retrained by those in the Joseph Smith Building.)

Oct. 8: A concerned observer reported a suspicious male in the HBLL quad at 5:45 p.m. When police questioned him, he said he was Free Running, a game where people run fast toward the corners of buildings or other certain structures and attempt to climb them without assistance and flip or jump. The suspect was a 26-year-old male visitor who said he'd learned of the game through YouTube. Police directed him to go Free Run somewhere else.

(Comment: The guy was later admitted to Utah Valley Medical Center for head trauma.)

Oct. 9: Police questioned two suspicious males who were looking in parked car windows. They said they were leaving business cards on windshields but police didn't see any cards. The suspects were interviewed and released.

Scripture of the Day: Deut. 4:9

Confessions of a Sick Person

I have felt under the weather today. Specifically a sore throat, tired, and very groggy. Like my brain does not want to turn on. As a result I spent too much time on the couch resting and watching television. I am ashamed to admit to how much television I watched today. And that I got nothing worthwhile done whatsoever. Unless you count putting frozen pot pies in the oven for my family to eat for dinner.

Here are the top 10 shows I watched today:

1. The Office - A funny episode about Dwight tricking Angela into marrying him.
2. Oprah - Suze Orman says we should have an 8 month emergency fund. 8 MONTHS! Crazy, huh?
3. Kath & Kim - The coffins were funny. And the puppies were born on white carpet.
4. The Doctors - A pain free root canal can now be done with lasers. They did not give the cost. I would bet it is very expensive.
5. Extra - Kinda tired of the whole Travolta funeral coverage, to be honest
6. Rachel Ray (last 20 minutes only) - She cooked a fish dish. With fennel.
7. Today Show (first 20 minutes only) - More on Travolta and Burris
8. Earl - My husband loved the turtles part. We have three turtles in our pond.
9. Millionaire - A lady lost when she guessed the PGA tournament was held in Hilton Head. It's not.
10. Evening news - Arizona is one of the top 10 states for teen pregnancies. Apparently we need more sex ed here.

I think I will skip ER tonight and go to bed. Let me know what it was about...

Scripture of the Day: Matt. 6:1

What's for Dinner? Tuna Pasta Salad

A month or so ago I saw a You Tube recipe for tuna pasta salad. Ever since I have been wanting to make some, but put it off until today. I loaded mine with veggies to help make it a bit more healthy.

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked whole wheat pasta
1 6 oz. can of tuna, drained
1/3 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup frozen broccoli
1/3 cup carrots, diced
1/3 cup celery, diced
1 green onion, chopped
1/4 cup light Miracle Whip
1 T. fat free sour cream
2 packets sweetener
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Chill for a few hours. Serve on a bed of lettuce if desired. Also works great as a side dish. Makes 4 (1 cup) servings at 3 Weight Watcher's points apiece.

Scripture of the Day: Joshua 22:5

Naughty Words

Apparently some naughty words were written on school property over the Christmas break. Yesterday the principal asked the students to report any vandalism they saw so it could be cleaned up. This morning I had this conversation with Sweetie Peach (age 5):

SP: Mom, we need to go early to school so you can show me where the principal's office is.

Me: Why?

SP: Because some bad kids wrote naughty words on the school and if I see them I am supposed to go and tell the principal.

Me: Maybe you could just tell your teacher and then she can show you where the principal's office is, or will tell the principal for you.

SP: Okay. But how will I know if they are naughty words? Would you make a list of naughty words for me to take to school? Then if I see some I can know and tell my teacher.

Me: I don't think your teacher wants me to send a list of naughty words to school with you. If you are not sure if it is a bad word, just ask your teacher.

SP: Okay. If I am digging in the sand on the playground and I find a word, I will run and get my teacher to see if it is a naughty word.

Me: {trying not to laugh} Good girl.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Nephi 16:3