Monday Quote 11-17-08

“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” ~Helen Keller


I made it back from my super jam packed weekend in San Francisco. I saw, heard and felt so many wonderful things this weekend. I will be blogging about it as soon as I find time again.

San Fran Weekend

I can't believe that I am in my late twenties and never been to Northern California. I will be off enjoying all the wonderful things the city has to offer. Have a wonderful weekend!

Unique and Useful Tips

Reheat Pizza

Heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.



Easy Deviled Eggs

Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the corner tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.



Expanding Frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar/calories per serving.



Reheating refrigerated bread

To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.



Newspaper weeds away

Start putting in your plants; work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.



Broken Glass

Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken glass pieces of glass- the fibers catch ones you can't see!





No More Mosquitoes

Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.





Squirrel Away!

To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.



Flexible vacuum

To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gif wrap roll to your vacuum hose. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.



Reducing Static Cling

Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks a n d - voila - static is gone.





Measuring Cups

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Foggy Windshield?

Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!



Reopening envelope

If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.



Conditioner

Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...



Goodbye Fruit Flies

To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2"

with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants

Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home," & can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, esp. if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!



Take baby powder to the beach

Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag. When you’re ready to leave the beach sprinkle yourself and kids with the powder and the sand will slide right off your skin.

Monday Quote 11-10-08

"Women are like cell phones. They like to be held and talked to, but push the wrong button, and you'll be disconnected."
---Unknown

Happy Birthday Cameron

One lucky guy!

On Thursday night we gathered at one of my favorite places to eat California Pizza Kitchen in celebration of Cameron turning one year older. He has been a great friend to me over the last few years. I appreciate and value his friendship!

Tagged! Unspectacular Quirks

Okay so Elise tagged me and it was just my luck that I decided to check out her blog. Sure enough as I was reading down on the post I see my name. I guess its 6 "unspectacular quirks" of mine.


1. I am a stickler for promptness. I am always on time. Although I have started to be a lot more relaxed about this especially when there is traffic and I wasn't able to get out the door soon enough.

2. I like to have things clean. This means that I carry baby wipes in my bag so I can keep my hands clean. I may be teased and called the MOM of my friends but when someone has dirty hands they are very thankful I was with them. Also I like to wash my hands with warm water.

3. I am with Elise on this one that I need to have my bedroom door shut at night before I can fall asleep.

4. I have to rise my tooth brush off with water before I apply toothpaste.

5. I can’t go to bed with dirty feet.

6. I can't stand to see dirty figure nails and will never let dirt stay undermine.

So time to TAG 6 others. Kim S, Morgan., Ali B, Aubrey, Lacey, Amy

Quote 11-03-08 Happy Birthday

"You see? Never be late for a plane with a girl. 'Cuz a girl runs like a girl-- with the little steps and the arms flailing out... You wanna make this plane, you've gotta run like a man! Get your knees up!" -Jerry, to Elaine, in "The Airport"

"I can not express to you the feeling I get from a perfect airport pickup."

- George

"I like to stop at the duty free shop!"

- George and Kramer, singing, in "The Airport"

"Look at you! You run like a girl! Run like a man! Lift your knees!"

- Kramer to George

"You *cannot* abandon people in the middle of an airport pickup! It's a binding social contract. We must go forward, not back."

- George

"I never met a man who knew so much about nothing."

- Tia the model to Jerry

"More anything?"

"More everything!"

- Airline attendant and Jerry, who is enjoying his first class meal

"Oh, you got *cookies*!"

- Elaine, sneaking into first class

Today's quotes goes out to my older brother John. Today is his birthday and one of his favorite shows is Seinfeld. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Jack and his toys

This is a short video of Jack picking up all his toys from one couch and moving them over to the other couch. He picked up about 8 farm animals and the big truck by placing the toys under his neck. I was not able to capture him picking up each toy and putting them under his neck. You can hear me in the background trying not to laugh. I love this little boy!!

My life over the last two months

I have been asked by a few when I would began blogging again so this post is for everyone that makes time to see how I am doing. I stopped blogging around the second week of September to work on some new goals and make time for a very special Proposition on the ballot in California. So here is the update from September thru October and a little of what is coming for me in the next few weeks. A few photos from some of my nights out will be posted later.

Here is my list of the few things I have been doing over the last 6 weeks.

September

1. Started reading a new book love walked in
2. Celebrated birthdays with Hillary, Morgan, Jeremy, and Spencer
3. Went to Disneyland 4 times in the month with friends
4. Attended a Tri Stake YSA Luau
5. Coordinated Club day at work
6. Attend the Relief Society General Broadcast
7. Held book club at my home
8. Attended Institute


October

1. Made Prop 8 calls and attend sign events
2. Watched General Conference
3. Attend an client day at Disneyland and took Kawika
4. Went to KNOTT'S HAUNT
5. Went to the Dentist
6. Attend a wedding reception
7. Attended Skate Temple Day
8. Hung out with Jack and Lily Emmet and went to Disneyland with them
9. Went on a date ;)
10. Went to LA with the girls to see a movie premier Flyboys
11. Put on a big Halloween Event at work
12. Celebrated Halloween in San Diego on a Harbor Cruise

Here is what I have on my schedule for the rest of the year

November

1. VOTING
2. Wishing my brother JOHN A HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY!
3. Getting a day off work for Veteran's Day
4. Going to SAN FRANSISCO to visit my friend Kambria for the weekend
5. Going to Utah to Ski at Snowbird (Pray for Snow)
6. Celebrating Thanksgiving in Irvine with family and attending soccer games
7. Running the Dana Point Turkey Trout 10k (6 miles)
8. Enjoying my days off and travels
9. Mailing out Christmas cards
10. Doing some Christmas shopping
11 Attending book club (if I finish)
12. Training


December

1. Going to Mammoth Mountain to ski with Hillary & Avery
2. Going to Logan Utah to spend time with family for the holidays
3. Christmas parties
4. Lots of SKIING

Lets Compare Yes and No

I have to pay all the credit on this post to my dad who wrote this and posted it on a family blog. Hope you all make it to the polls on Nov. 4th. This information is for all California residents.

- The No folks say nothing will change in our schools.
- The Yes folks believe it is likely our kids will be taught something about same sex marriage based on at least one case from MA and another from CA.

- The No folks seem to think that even if children are taught about same sex marriages, it should be no big deal. Let the kids make their own decisions about sexual orientation.
- The Yes folks are more inclined to monitor what is taught about sex and marriage in school and are also more inclined to make decisions for their kids if they think the kids may be too young or inexperienced to make on their own.

- The No folks say equal rights for all and claim re-defining marriage is a 'right'.
- The Yes folks accurately claim that the California family code already guarantees domestic partnerships ALL the legal rights of marriage, including the right to adopt – and that will remain unchanged if Prop 8 fails or passes.

- The No folks think the Yes folks are uneducated bigots trying to push their agenda.
- The Yes folks think the No folks are trying to push their agenda – only with less name calling.

- The Yes folks are worried that small businesses like a wedding photographer that chose not to work a same sex wedding could be sued and site one example where the photographer was subject to litigation, even if they have another business willing to do the work. Doctors have already been sued and lost for refusing to perform IVF for a same sex couple, even after offering a competent referral which resulted in the birth of a healthy baby.

- The No folks say nothing will change with in our various churches.
- The Yes folks are worried that churches that refuse to allow access to church facilities for same sex marriage may face legal action, perhaps for hate speech and even risk loosing their tax exempt status (this has already happened in New Jersey).
- Faith Based adoption agencies that refuse to place children into same sex homes may face litigation and be forced to close as happened in MA.

- The strongest argument I see for the No on 8 folks is that many gays feel like second class citizens if they are not allowed to call their domestic partnership - "marriage". While this is a compelling argument, it is not enough. Calling a same sex union 'Marriage' is not a 'Right'.

- At numerous 'Yes on 8' sign events like the one pictured above, The No on 8 slogan of "No to Hate" is often follow by an "F* You" and/or "Bigot" and a middle finger. Classy.

- A driver of a Prius is most likely to respond with profanity or a middle finger.

- A driver of a Suburban is most likely to respond with a horn honk and a thumbs up.

- For me the balance tips to YES ON 8!!

A short story

Hello Friends~

I have never been a fan of writing or sharing anything too personal but this week has brought about many wonderful experiences I don't believe I would have had with out this special Proposition on the ballot. My job at Irvine Valley College as the Student Development Assistant has me working closely with the students in Government and Clubs. First this week I had a student approach me during my lunch break who is part of the club (KCCC) Korea Campus Crusade for Christ. He wanted to teach me about God and had a nice little pamphlet to go through with me. He didn't get very far because I jumped in to let him know about my Father in Heaven and the Savior Jesus Christ. It didn't take me long to bare my simple testimony and add in the importance of Prop 8. He had no clue what it was about and thought about voting no. I am so grateful for my Savior and the Love my Heavenly Father has for me. Today during a stressful Halloween Event I had the opportunity to meet a student who was handing out NO on 8 fliers recruiting for their demonstration tonight at 5:00 on Alton and Culver. I was folding my table covers and asked him to tell me why he would be voting NO. I added I wasn't here to argue or start anything but wanted to see why he was following a NO campaign. I could sense a huge hesitation on his end and he wasn't sure what to tell me. He gave the usual answer about being equal and the judges making the law fair and everything else we have heard. I explained all the reasons why YES is important to me and just added a simple short testimony. I let him know I respected his decision and that this country gives us freedom to vote. To all my friends and family if there is anything I know without a doubt that we have a Father in Heaven who LOVES all his children and sent his son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins so that we may return to him. As the holidays approach and life continues to stay busy for many of you I want to add that I am grateful for your friendship and examples everyday for making a difference and living gospel centered life's.

Happy Birthday Jen

Jen, Kristin, Laura
January 2006

I love my friends and birthdays so I thought I would do another shout out to my dearest college friend Jen Green (now Bell)! I am so blessed that after 9 years from the friendship beginning we are still in each other lives. She is so talented and I respect and look up to her so much. She served a mission, finished her masters degree and just married her best friend June 21, in the Salt Lake Temple. I made some wonderful memories while in school and just wanted to wish her the very best in the new year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Sorry the photo is old but it is all I had on my computer.

taking offers

I have two CHI flat irons for sale! I believe they are going for $80 - $110 online and in stores. I will not let them go for under $60. Make me an offer if you are in need of a flat iron.

Quote 10-27-08

Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.
Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others.
Remember the sublime words of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he suffered with his companions in the smothering darkness of Liberty Jail: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Quote of the Week 10-20-08

To follow Christ is to become more like Him. It is to learn from His character. As spirit children of our Heavenly Father, we do have the potential to incorporate Christlike attributes into our life and character. The Savior invites us to learn His gospel by living His teachings. To follow Him is to apply correct principles and then witness for ourselves the blessings that follow. This process is very complex and very simple at the same time. Ancient and modern prophets described it with three words: “Keep the commandments”—nothing more, nothing less.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA

Today is Amanda's Birthday and I didn't get to spend the day with her like I did last year on our 25 mile round trip beach cruiser bike ride to Newport Beach. I did get to help celebrate on Saturday night with her many friends for Sushi and dancing after. She is an incredible friend and I am so blessed to have her in my life. I hope this year brings great new adventures and joy in whatever your heart desire! Love you lots!!

This was in October 2007 at Disneyland

This was taken on Amanda birthday 2007 when we rode 25 miles on our beach cruisers down to Newport beach from Irvine.

need a reason to run?

1st Annual Norda's Dr. Pepper, Banana Bread and Cheese Ultra Half- Marathon Run for the Cure.

For all of you that don't know any of the Emmett's you might be missing out. This family all loves Dr. Pepper and my grandmother makes the most amazing banana bread and always seems to have a hot one ready whenever I arrive to town. This is why my uncles and aunt are the coolest people. Feel free to visit http://emmettville.blogspot.com for photos of the run. Since I don't have to live it right now be sure to Pray for Snow!

Jack & Lily are coming to visit

They are bringing their parents but the best part of this weekend is going to be spent hanging out with them. Maybe these two kids are reason to move to Utah?

For Sale- What should I do?

This information is not a surprise to me but has come at well an interesting time in life. When I was making plans to move home from college in July 2004 the house was on the market. It was taken off the market in September because of my father’s new calling in the ward as well you guessed Bishop. I was saved! I was over living in Utah and ready to be back to warm weather year around. I am about 60% behind the idea and am getting more and more use to the thought of moving myself. If I don’t find a better paying job in Orange County before the house sales I will be moving along till something else comes my way. I am asking each you that have an extra minute post a comment where you think I should move next. By far this poll is nowhere close to the voting we can all do on November 4. I will be back blogging again after the elections. Any free time that I have is going to help the grassroots effort for Proposition 8 to protect marriage.

Places that I am considering looking for work

Orange County

D.C

Arizona

San Francisco

Utah

10-13-08 Quote YES on Prop 8

“The issue before us with Proposition 8 is “marriage” – an ancient, yet modern, human institution which pre-exists both Church and government. Marriage, history shows us, is intrinsic to stable, flourishing and hospitable societies. Although cultural differences have occurred, what has never changed is that marriage is the ideal relationship between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation and the continuation of the human race.

-A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of California in Support of Proposition 8: A Constitutional Amendment to Restore the Definition of Marriage.

Sunday

I have learned over the years that when someone pays me a compliment I need to just say Thank You and not try to rationalize why someone would have something nice to say. It always makes me feel better after a friend or even stranger has something nice to say. Since kind words make me feel better I try each day to find the good in other as well. Today while I was driving home from church I had the windows down and was singing along to my church music. It was a beautiful day with clear blue sky's. I was sitting at the light and pulled next to a little older gentlemen who is looking over at me so I turn my head to offer up a little smile and he says "You are very pretty" I said thank you and the light changed shortly and I was off. It felt nice to hear kind words so I hope each of you remember how you feel when even a complete stranger has something nice to say. It can be very difficult sometimes to offer up compliments so start small and let someone close to you know how wonderful they are. Here is to a another wonderful week in October and I plan to be back really blogging again by November.

Quote 10-06-08

"I do not complain," Anne said." Papa says complaining is an activity just as jumping rope or listening to the radio is an activity. One may choose to turn on the radio, and one may choose not to turn on the radio. One may choose to complain, and one may choose not to complain. I choose not to complain."

"Our very lives are fashioned by choice, Mr Ponder. First we make choices. Then our choices make us."

From the book The Traveler's Gift

09-29-08 Quote

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Marin Luther King

Happy Birthday!

This is a special Monday post on top of my usual Monday quote. I am doing well and staying pretty productive with all the extra things I am involved with beside having a job. I should be back blogging by the end of October.

Today I would like to express my gratitude for friendships. After leaving college 4 years ago the most difficult part was saying good-bye to so many wonderful friends. I have been blessed over the years with so many wonderful friends and a great loving family. This post is to wish my newest friend Morgan a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. We met on a jetblue flight to Utah in May when I was fortunate enough to sit on her row. She is kind, funny, intelligent, accomplished, beautiful, sincere and thoughtful just to name a few. I have come to really appreciate her love for the gospel and desire to be a righteous daughter of God. She will listen to me talk about anything and reminds me of how important I am. May you have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY and hope turning a year older brings new joy and adventures living in Newport Beach.

With Love

09-22-08 Quote

“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.”

~Nelson Mandela

Monday Quote 09-15-08

Risk-taking, trust, and serendipity are key ingredients of joy. Without risk, nothing new ever happens, without trust, fear creeps in. Without serendipity, there are no surprises.

Blog Stalking

Hello Friends

I love all of you that check in on a weekly bases. I do feel the LOVE. I have two choices to either stop blogging and let you keep checking waiting to see a post or tell you so you don't waste time checking. I will continue to post the Monday Quote but my blogging days are done till I accomplish some of the list below. I just feel I need to spend time accomplishing new things before this year ends. I image I will make time toward the end of each month to update on my progress. Wish me luck and be sure to come back again.

1. Finish reading the book of Mormon
2. Finish another triathlon
3..................................
4. Meet Mr. Right
5. Ride 100 miles on my bike
6. Start attending a dance class weekly
7. Finish another book
8. Lose Weight
9. Volunteer time with children

LOTOJA

My family in Jackson Hole the next morning

Support Crew for Casey

An old friend from college was also supporting a rider

My sister in law Jackie and me in Idaho for the first stop

LOTOJA is a bike race from Logan Utah that ends in Jackson Hole Wyoming. This was my Dad 6th year and my 5th year supporting. The race is pretty insane, watching over 1,000 cyclist ride 206 miles in one day. I realize the ride itself is a challenge but driving the support car is also very difficult. The two biggest challenges for driving the support car is first getting to the feed zone in time, finding parking, then making sure the water bottles and food are in the muzet bags and are ready for hand off. Then you stand there for 15 minutes watching for the rider to arrive. The second part that can be difficult is driving on the two lane highway making sure not to hit riders and also avoid the oncoming traffic. I was driving my brother's Ford 150 and that is not a small easy car to drive or park. The truck made it safely to Jackson Hole. This year at mile 80 while I was waiting, my brother John arrived after having a massive crash where he went down and cracked his helmet during the 2 times his head hit the asphalt. He got back up and rode with some bloody knees and road rash on his leg. The most amazing part is that he took 3rd place in his age group and did it in just over 10 hours. He is my hero and I admire him so much. (I have photos but am not posting). This is always my favorite weekend to kick off the fall season. Next year I hope I am ready to do the relay with my two younger brothers. Michael will have returned home from his mission and Brian said he is over riding the whole thing. Team Emmett's are ready to make great time. Time to get back on my bike and starting riding more!!

09-08-09 Quote

No matter how old we become, we can acquire knowledge and use it. We can gather wisdom and profit from it. We can grow and progress and improve-and, in the process, strengthen the lives of those within our circle of influence.

~ Gordon B. Hinckley

strike a pose

I thought I would give modeling a shot. Well, not really, but I did manage to get a few great shots out of the 20 minutes I spent with my cousin in Logan. Thanks Michelle! Love you!!