A Recipe I Love

If you wonder what kinds of things I make, don't wonder too much. ALL I make are easy and fast things. If it's not simple, I do NOT do it. Period. I think life is all about happiness, and a long complicated recipe that keeps me in the kitchen for hours and hours is NOT happiness for me.
One such recipe, which has been a HUGE hit every time I make it, is Can't Leave 'Em Alone bars.

Can't Leave 'Em Alone Bars
1 box white cake mix
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
Mix together, and press 3/4 of mixture in greased 9x13" pan.
Melt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cube butter
Pour melted mixture over crust, then crumble remaining 1/4 of mixture over the top.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
Wait until it cools before cutting and eating. (Serious, molten chocolate BURNS!)

I'm SO Glad I'm a Grown Up!

It's interesting the people we run into and have conversations with....

Case in point: I went on a fun "date" with Steve to the Temple. It had been closed for weeks, and we'd heard about the new updates and we were anxious to see them for ourselves (they're GORGEOUS, by the way...)

While on my way to the dressing room, I ran into my old high school science teacher, Miss Jordan.

When I had Miss Jordan, I was a self-centered, snobby teen. To my mind, Miss Jordan was a million years old, and would NEVER change her ways. She was known for wearing a bun (ALWAYS) and for wearing her springy key-ring around her upper arm. And she was a "Miss." She taught school FOREVER, had a very monotone voice (for a woman) and was VERY particular with our assignments. We had to fold our assignments lengthwise, and write our name and class period on the OUTSIDE of the paper. Her love in science was with ROCKS! The woman would lecture forEVER on rocks, tectonic plates, and the different layers of the Earth. Yes, I have many memories of this woman...none of them are happy or with me being very kind to her.

Back to today, she stopped and looked at me, and I kindly said, "Hi, you probably don't remember me, but you taught me a LONG time ago." She smiled, her wrinkly smile, and said, "You look familiar...."

We went on to talk for a few minutes. It was a VERY nice time. This woman, who I was so RUDE to, was interested in my life. She asked about my family, and even, get this one, JOKED with me!!

I guess time is a good thing....and I'm so glad that people don't hold my past against me! (I'm afraid I would have NO friends if that was the case!)

Apology

I don't know how much I'll be online this week....I've got the end of school coming up. (If you were to ask Cam, he'd hold up three fingers and say, "Free days weft!")

I'm TOTALLY obsessing over these season finales going on this week! (Did anyone watch my favorite?? Heroes!? SO GOOD!)

Then I'm helping my mom prepare for camping this weekend.

And I'll be babysitting most of the week. (Making up for my lack of support LAST week, and my missing out this weekend and the beginning of next week.)

I'm just surviving the week, really....I can't WAIT to go camping....and I really hope it RAINS this year! ;)

Thinking Blog

Whoa...I've been nominated!? And for THINKING!? *snickering quietly* Okay, but I have to thank Suzanne from A Rose By Any Other Name for nominating me. Honestly, I didn't realize that I had so many blog friends, still. I've been SO bad at reading other's blogs lately! But, thank you anyway!

And today, I was just going to do some bullet point blogging...you're lucky...you get MORE!

• I watched the "American Experience" on PBS last night. The topic?? The Mormons. Overall, I was glad that it wasn't a total bashing event, but I was disappointed on the things that they DID choose to focus on. (Polygamy, Mountain Meadow Massacre....) I'm anxious to watch tonight...see how they paint modern Latter-day Saints.
• HEROES is back, and I'm SO happy! I'm sad that there are only 3 episodes left, and I'm FURIOUS that my hubby refuses to give this show a chance! He tells me that there is NO way this show can survive another season...I don't believe him! (And to find that a dear high school friend ALSO loves Heroes is an added bonus! MORE happiness for me!)
• As some of you know, I watch The View daily...just to watch the Rosie train-wrecks. Now to find that she's leaving...I have to admit, I'm not sad to see her go....taking her soap-box with her! *sigh* There isn't a show that I've watched lately where she hasn't mentioned one of these topics: Bush, Iraq, or Democrats. We know your stance lady, but can't you let the OTHER opinions talk too?! Now with her leaving maybe Elisabeth can get a word or complete thought out without being interrupted!
• I'm THRILLED that the trees here are FINALLY in bloom! While driving down the road, I pointed to an extremely bloomed tree and told my husband, "Look, it's FLUFFY!" Of course, he laughed!
• On an upsetting note, my LOVELY neighbors had some little kid POUNDING on their piano earlier today, I was FURIOUS...I had both boys napping, and I was pleasantly snoozing as well. The piano sounded like it was IN my living room! ARGH! After Baby J woke up, I stood up, stormed over to the wall, and began knocking...in the process, I knocked 2 of my pictures off...breaking the glass in one of the frames! :(
• AND it's MAY!! That means two things, 1. Camping for Memorial Day weekend! I'm SO excited, I can't even begin to express! 2. Steve's 30th birthday is coming up...I'm WAY excited for THOSE plans too! ;)

And now, blogs that I think are WORTHY of the Thinking Award are like little insights into people that I feel I know well, even though we haven't met in real life!

1. I know she's been nominated before, but I HAVE to nominate Mel from Gizmo-isms. Honestly, she goes through SO much, and can still be positive and inspiring.

2. Blackeyedsue from For Better or For Worse. This woman makes me feel so glad to have her a part of my little sphere of bloggy-friends. She not only talks about her struggles and frustrations, but she inspires me to do better.

3. Sketchy from Spitting Prohibited. When I DO get around to catching up on my missed blog-reads, she always cracks me up. She has my sense of humor, which in this world, is a fun surprise! :)

4. Rachelle from Teacher, Mom, Mad Woman. Honestly, other than my IRL friends, she's the first blog I read that I instantly clicked with! She's a wonderful woman who helps ME find the inner strength to go through my trials with my head held high.

5. And finally, Millie from Thoroughly Mormon Millie. She is one of the blogs that I find myself drawn to day in and day out. Her thoughts just make me LAUGH! She enjoys her life, and shares things that I love...She makes me happy!

The participation rules are simple (if you so choose to participate, that is!):

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote.

Random Blabber

Okay, so I'm not FINISHED watching baby J...yet! My cousin is still working at her current job until the 6th of March, then she's trying to find another job! HOPEFULLY, this will all work out, so I can keep watching him! Although, if we have another day like today, I may go crazy!!

Today Baby J was looking wiped out! He came over just red in the eyes and with that sleepy look! His usual naptimes are 9 and noon...so I tried to get him going....uh, a few snags.

1. We had a fairly good snow storm move through last night, and I wasn't about to take him with Cam and I out in the snow in his stroller with the snow this deep! So once I got home from taking Cam to school, I had to shovel our sidewalk...pushing naptime and snuggle time back...just a bit! 2. He was super cranky and crying out in pain for a long time. And guess what!? No pain killers! It was NOT fun...although, a cold, milk bottle helped for a while.

Yeah, I was feeling pretty calm...even when he was screaming out in pain, and Cam was covering his ears begging me to make him stop crying. *patting myself on the back* Luckily, with him being SO tired, he had two REALLY good naps...even if they were off from when he NORMALLY takes them!

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This week is my "go see the doctor" week. For some reason, all of my doctor appointments landed this week. Yesterday I went to see my diabetes doctor, and he's decided to put me on some more meds. Whoopie!? Luckily it's covered by the patient assistance that I'm on....YAY! And I continue to lose weight. Not a LOT, but after the last few weeks where I've been GORGING myself on chocolate, I'm impressed! And he really wants to put me on this cool weight loss drug that is, so far, only approved for people with full blown diabetes. He says that they're looking into starting a study on people (like me) who are morbidly obese with pre-diabetes. I told him that if they do it...sign me up! He took my name and told me that he can't guarantee anything, but if it happens I'm in!

Then today I had my eye doctor appointment. I haven't been to the eye doctor since the beginning of 2005, and I've been wearing my glasses that I got the prescription upped in 2003...it was definitely needed!! My right eye has taken a definite turn for the worse...which he fixed just by flipping those funny lenses. He's going to try me on disposable contacts, which I had a hard time with a few years ago, but says if we can find something that works, it will be worth it! (When I tried them before, one eye would be fine, but the other would spin uncontrollably, and I HATED it, let's hope we can find something this time!)

Then on Friday I have my dentist appointment. This is the one I'm NOT looking forward to. I've slowly been getting my dental work done. Starting in December when I could NO longer stand it, I have been getting teeth pulled, extreme cleanings, and fillings. The thing that is KILLING me, are the fillings!! Why does it not hurt until after they put them in?? I mean, I haven't had ANY pain with my cavities, but once the filling is put in...OUCH!! It may make me lose even more weight....I won't be able to eat!!

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I had a really good talk with my sister today. We talked for a while and just laughed and giggled. I love her so much!

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I've got a new reader!! It's kinda funny too...she's my visiting teacher!! (HI, ELENA!) I wonder if you can count it as a visit if you read their personal life on their blog!? :D

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I'm so HOUSE-hungry right now!! I've decided that I'm more house-hungry than I am baby-hungry!! I drive past a for sale sign, and just dream! I want a house, not an apartment...I want wide open space...not hearing my neighbor's screams through the walls. I WANT A HOME OF MY OWN!!

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The message board that I LOVED, is down. I'm so frustrated!! Luckily, we have a back-up board to go to, but it's just not the same!! *SIGH*

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I'm dreaming constantly about a baby girl....does this mean she'll be coming soon, or am I just getting my hopes up!? The weird thing about the dream....the name Steve and I decided we want for our little girl didn't fit. She just didn't look like that name! So, in my dream I completely renamed her...and I've decided I like it better...what do you think Steve will think?

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After my doctor's visit yesterday I went to visit a good friend who I haven't seen forever!! (Well, since last summer...) And I had a ball! :) I hope I didn't bother her just showing up unannounced! I love just chatting with friends, laughing, and catching up!

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And after having that really fun post last week, I've decided to make every Friday free-for-all question day! It was SO much fun! SO start thinking now!!

I.....Can't.....Help.....Myself......

It seems like every time I turn around...there it is....waiting to be watched! It's not that I go looking for it, but when I come across it...I can't help myself, I've GOTTA watch!

Since the first time I watched it I was in love with the plot, music, and just the idea that it might have a sliver of truth to it....I was in love. Granted, the first time I watched it I was 12, and very much into that kind of thing.

Saturday's Warrior is one of my all time guilty pleasures. I know, the plot is cheesy, the story is complete fantasy, and the music? Well, it's a musical...

When I was that young, naive 12-year-old watching this funny movie I was dragged in by the Julie story-line. The fact that she was in love with being in love...that was ME!! I love the song that she sings to her "true" companion in the "pre-existence," Circle of Our Love. I grew up thinking, "When I meet that one guy I'm supposed to marry, it will be JUST LIKE THIS!" The whole slow-motion, love-struck, musical moment....it would be mine!

Of course, when the actual moment came...there was NONE of that, but we were in a heavenly choir!! *snickering*

Whatever it is, I just love the cheese and will forevermore love the cheesiness of this movie!