Slim Fast Fail

So, we all know that Slim Fast shakes work by having one for breakfast, one for lunch, and then a "sensible" dinner. This is why I couldn't resist taking a picture of how Slim Fast shakes were in reality consumed in one sitting:

St. Patty's Day

Since St. Patrick's Day seems to revolve around beer and corned beef, and I'm a mormon and a vegetarian, I've never done much to celebrate. However, I LOVE food, and trying out new recipes, so this year I tried out some mormon vegetarian recipes.

Dinner was colcannon, fried cabbage, and edamame . . .

(True, edamame isn't exactly Irish, but it is green.)

. . . with soda bread.

(It turned out like a giant biscuit, only slightly sweet.)

And sugar cookies for dessert a la Alton Brown's recipe.

Being a lover of brussel sprouts, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the "fried" cabbage tasted like it's little cousins, only less stinky. The colcannon was pretty good, too, but next time I think I'll try boxty - fried potato pancakes sound tasty!

It took me about two hours to make the royal icing and frost the cookies, but the thick, soft, mildly sweet sugar cookie topped with the crisp, sweet frosting is definitely worth repeating. :)

To the Cats

Dear Sammy, Sunny, Stewart, and Cleo,

There are two litter boxes upstairs and one downstairs. These are where you urinate. If you do not care for these, you are all indoor/outdoor cats, and the entire outdoors is at your disposal if you are so inclined. Regrettably, I must inform you that the carpeting in the hallway, on the stairs, in the living room, and next to my bed are not acceptable places to urinate. Neither are the bathroom rugs or my yoga mat. You have each done such a lovely job of defecating in the correct places, please follow suit with your urination. I'd hate to be forced to contact a violin craftsman.

Thank you.

Role Reversal

So, Wednesday Tyson called me at my work to tell me that he'd been hired and would start work on Monday! Wow! I was reeling. I knew this day would come, but I had given up actively hoping for it anytime in the near future.

We were both quite excited. Since I finally had a position I really liked, I would continue to work for roughly 9 months (depending on health and fertility, obviously). In the meantime, my income would help grow investments and pay down school loans, and we live off his. We tentatively planned to move out of his parents' house in 2-3 months.

Then Friday morning, more than half of my office was asked to gather in one section of the building. The CEO starting talking about the unexpected financial struggles the company was facing, and finally told us that we were all laid off, and that we could pack our things and go home.

Whoa! In a few days I went from "sugar momma" to housewife, and Tyson went from "househusband" to my "sugar daddy" (Well, except that admittedly "sugar" anythings should probably make decent money, but whatever).

Sadly, I had two co-workers who were also laid off who were the sole breadwinners for theirs wives and children - one of them being my brother-in-law. My heart and prayers go out to them.

Certainly, the path could have been easier for us if I'd been able to keep working. However, I am so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord in this matter. Truly, I feel as if we are in His hands.

Or, at least out of the fire and into the frying pan. ;)

The Best Christmas Present Ever

As a Christmas gift to all of us, Kevin and Jacqui paid for tickets and a hotel room for mom and dad to come out here for Christmas. All I can say is, Yay!!!

Tuesday, after I picked them up from the airport and they got settled in their hotel room, mom, dad, and I went to Zupa's for lunch. Then I drove them around and showed them the MTC and the Provo temple. Then we went to Rem and Amelia's place. We talked and laughed for awhile, then I took mom and dad down to Spanish Fork and gave them a little tour of the area and our home. Tyson then joined us and we met Rem and Amelia for dinner at Los Hermanos for dinner. We were really silly and laughed a ton. It was so great to do that over dinner again! After dinner, we all went back to Spanish Fork and Calleen let us pile into her Pilot to go see the local "Festival of Lights."

Wednesday, Tyson and I drove the Pilot to their hotel around lunchtime, then picked up Rem and Amelia and went up to Temple Square. We started with a really great tour of the Conference Center, which was given by a nice of Jonanthan Snow, who dad knew decades ago back in Michigan. We then walked around the outside of the old red mansion next door, then went into the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.






From there, we went to the Lion House for dinner. Then we walked around the temple, stopped inside the tabernacle, and squeezed into the crowded visitors center.







Thursday, I went to see mom and dad in the morning, and together we went to the grocery store across the street. I brought them back to Spanish Fork, and we chilled at home for the rest of the day. While at home, mom and I made chippy chewy bars and marbled coconut bark. Rem and Amelia came over for dinner, and Tyson tried out the Lion House rolls recipe.

Tyson and I spent Christmas morning with his family, which was really great. Then I picked up mom and dad and brought them over, and Rem and Amelia joined us a little later. We finally got to watch "Up" together, which I'd been looking forward to ever since I saw it in the theatre.




After another delicious dinner had settled, we played Apples to Apples. Then we broke out the Beatles Rock Band on the Wii. Mom and I sang every song together, and we had a blast!




Saturday morning I went to mom and dad's hotel room to just hang out. Then we drove to Rem and Amelia's. They, in turn, drove us to Kneader's Bakery and Cafe where we ate a yummy lunch - and pastries!

It was finally a clear day, and Tyson, mom, dad, and I had a pleasant drive up to the airport. Saying goodbye was hard, but we were so grateful for the time we were able to spend together.

Playing Catch-Up

Tyson's computer finally croaked a few weeks ago, and Sundays became busier with all the Christmas choir rehearsals, so I have some catching up to do.

The first thing that comes to mind is that Tyson has put together a nice new computer for himself. He also fixed his laptop, and in the process discovered that none of his photos from Barcelona were lost after all. :)

Some more good news is that I interviewed for and was promoted to the position of executive assistant for the CEO of the company for which I've been working as a customer support rep these past three months. This means a small but significant pay raise and a much more pleasant work day. Unfortunately, the business is making the bulk of its money in a legal but unethical way. I'd love to leave, but with over $450 in student loans each month (and that's just mine, not Tyson's) I don't dare just quit. I've applied for other jobs, and been interviewed for two, but so far I've had no takers. I'm not going to stop looking, though.

Also, there are two other pros to staying with this company. One is that I'm enrolling in medical insurance for the first time in almost five years, and Tyson and I are also enrolling in dental insurance. The other is that the people with whom I work are very warm and supportive. There are some real gems that I just love, and they make work so pleasant. :)

Tyson has yet to find someone willing to hire a man with two master's degrees, a real estate certificate, and who is self-taught in web and graphic design. It's a difficult time for us in this respect, but we have faith that in time this to shall pass.

My service in nursery has led me to volunteer to teach the lesson and lead a "singing time" each week. Truthfully, I'm delighted. I love preparing lessons and songs related to the gospel. I just hope that I can be humble and worthy enough for the Lord's Spirit to be present to teach His precious children.

In less than 48 hours I get to pick my parents up from the Salt Lake airport. I can't wait! Merry Christmas to me! :D

A Semi-Happy ENDing

So, Tyson's friend Raylene is a professional hair stylist, and he asked her to help me out.Wednesday night I went to see her and she managed to turn my sad mess into a nice hairstyle. :)

(I'm just wishing my mom a happy Thanksgiving in this picture. :P )

I think it's even cuter straightened. :)