tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50293553168408130062023-11-15T22:13:33.164-08:00Forty by forty....yikesOur "bucket list" if you will, of the thirty things we'd like to do before we turn thirty. Please join us and feel free to add your own bucket list items!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-83062396248582753522017-07-24T01:53:00.002-07:002017-07-24T01:53:40.815-07:00Two down!Another debt paid off!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-4464489578851163172017-04-03T21:21:00.000-07:002017-04-03T21:21:50.449-07:00One DOWN!We paid off our Taurus today!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-3382093697375922972017-03-19T21:38:00.002-07:002017-03-19T21:49:11.105-07:00Emergency Fund - Check!We have our $2500 emergency fund in place.<br />
<br />
After looking at our budget more closely, I think we will be out of debt by May 2019. I hope to cut that number down with comissions, and hopefully with Jared's side business.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-31625715186311135022017-03-07T20:50:00.000-08:002017-03-07T20:50:21.656-08:00Dave Ramsey GoalsWe are enrolled in a 9 week Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey through our ward. Our goal is to get through baby steps 1-5 by the time I turn 40. It would be a super bonus if we also had baby step 6 - Pay off your house - but that may be a bit ambitious in 5 years.<div>
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1. $1000 in our emergency fund - THIS WILL BE DONE 3/10/17</div>
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2. Pay off all debts (including car loans) Goal is by 6/2018</div>
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3. Finish emergency fund (3-6 months income) Goal by 6/2019</div>
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4. Invest 15% (This one is actual easy as we can do it through Jared's paycheck automatically) With our debts paid off and an emergency fund, we will have more money to be able to put it away. Goal 6/2019</div>
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5. College Savings (We will start this in 8/2019) - Paul will be starting 7th grade - so it will give us 5 years. Crazy!</div>
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6. Pay off house early - I think we can get this done 12/2024</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-82730322977065636872017-01-08T23:07:00.000-08:002017-01-08T23:07:22.818-08:00Well, that went well...I really did de-junk a lot in 2016! <br />
<br />
I cleand out my pantry - plus re-organized it so that things aren't stacked, or hidden. Peggy helped me to make a plan so it will stay organized with bins and turntables. It helps that my dad and Jared built a nice big pantry in the playroom for food storage.<br />
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<br />
While Paul was gone to Utah for a few weeks in the summer, I went through all the toys, got rid of a ton, including his train table. Everything now fits in two rubbermaid sets of drawers, and two bins that fit under the air hockey table.<br />
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I pulled out all the bins from the attic, and gave away more of Paul's clothes, as well as toys etc.<br />
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We donated the bunk bed to a family that needed it in December, which created more space in the playroom too. <br />
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I spent one night going through our bathroom counter, and got ride of three grocery bags full of expired medication, and other garbage. I organized what was left so I can actually find stuff.<br />
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I organized the files on my computer too, though I'm not sure that counts.<br />
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I gave our little kid games to Lucy to play with her grandkids.<br />
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Today, I pulled out my craft bin, and pulled out the material I'm never going to use.<br />
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Before I put the Christmas stuff away, I'm going to donate or throw away broken or stuff we haven't used in a couple of years.<br />
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I'm organizing a clothing/toy/household item exchange for our ward members at the end of January, and my goal is to go through the guest room, my clothes and shoes again, and pull out more things from the kitchen. (pans, silverware, plates, and mugs are the priority!)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-85416353019568546012016-01-26T19:23:00.000-08:002016-01-26T19:24:24.770-08:00Simplicity SisterMy goal this year, inspired by my dear friend Shellie, is to leave something behind in 2016. As much as I would like it to be 40 pounds of me I leave behind, my plan is to get rid of as much from my house as I can. I'm going to keep track on this here blog (in theory).<br />
<br />
So far this year I have:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Cleaned out 10 baking things from my cupboards (pans I don't use, baking tools I have never used)</li>
<li>Finished cleaning out Paul's 7 year old clothes</li>
</ul>
<div>
These things I did in 2015, but I'm still counting them</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Cleaned out the guest room closet, gave away 2 boxes of books, threw away a garbage bag full of stuff, and donated another garbage bag of stuff</li>
<li>Cleaned out and donated all of the clothes that are too small for Paul.</li>
<li>Gave away 3 garbage bags of clothes/shoes from mine and Jared's closet</li>
</ul>
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On deck:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Clean out expired food from my pantry</li>
<li>Move stained, ragged towels from bathrooms into rag cupboard.</li>
<li>Move the long shelf over to the corner, get rid of the two small bookshelves</li>
</ul>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-24140031659680675112012-05-19T22:39:00.001-07:002012-05-19T22:43:08.165-07:00Food Storage<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UWwN3clQoZ7JwoY_-uDP6WeZJjZo1GfsZTL436XEdb_g-S7P4OLPdzWMpdr-IYODHdDL3R8LA4CZdrAsiIbLg6lFQRBuf5CijVDn1XvF5J-g7sDUqUR3TwJCjBeV61OaX4ZxPurK7WY/s640/food+storage+list+copy.jpg" width="521" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-68179198929049628262012-01-08T22:20:00.000-08:002012-01-08T22:20:16.727-08:00New Year's and other goalsThese are some projects I'd like to get done this year<br />
1. Print pictures from Paul's third birthday to fourth birthday <i>Due by: January 31</i><br />
2. Print pictures from Paul's fourth birthday to fifth birthday <i>Due by: June 1</i><br />
3. Have a year outline for Cub Scouts <i>Due by:January 31</i><br />
4. Create an update family history book for Brown family <i>Due by:September 30</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-56553182270388295632011-11-21T17:26:00.001-08:002011-11-21T17:29:06.752-08:00Check<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tomorrow, we close on our first home! Major life goal, check!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-47496694256873263062011-09-17T20:50:00.000-07:002011-09-17T21:09:02.304-07:00Wow...30So far, I don't feel so much different. My birthday was nothing magical, and quite frankly wasn't a whole lotta fun so I don't really feel like I'm 30... or maybe that's what 30 is supposed to feel like??? I dunno. But I do know that I got a few more things done before I hit the big 3-0.<br />
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#20 Read all the General Conference talks. They were so good. Must continue reading and re-reading.<br />
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#21 Read another classic. Little Men. It was lovely. Maybe it's just because I have kind of an obsession about Jo March Bhaer and Laurie. I loved it and am definitely going to finish the series. Plus, it's free on Kindle. And around here, we do free.<br />
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#22 I have finally switched every single cleaner I use over to "green" or "natural" cleaners and I love it. Vinegar, baking soda, borax, washing soda, etc. I have been making our own laundry soap for years now, but it's taken me awhile to get the rest of my cleaners switched over. Plus I didn't want to waste what I had already bought, so I used what we had until it ran out and now it's all out of the house except for a few lysol wipes that I keep for tough jobs. I've been washing my hair with Baking Soda for a few months now and I love it as well. I just can't bring myself to call it "No 'poo" like everyone else on the interwebs. I'm not a super big tree hugger, but I wanted to try and keep the toxins out of our house. Especially around November when Cory gets Bronchitis and Jocelyn gets Bronchiolitis every year. I just want to do what I can to keep that at bay. Plus, it's cheap. And around here, we do cheap.<br />
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#23 I wanted to read one more parenting book so I read "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Ted Tripp. It's another Christian parenting book. The first part of the book was completely life changing, and my copy is totally marked up. The middle part I completely disagreed with.... and then there was some more good stuff at the end. But the first part of the book was so fantastic, and was reinforced by the General Conference talk "What manner of Men and Women Ought ye to be?". It pretty much said the same thing but in different language, so it was a nice reinforcement. It gave me a lot of food for thought and a lot to work on. Maybe I'll get it down in the next 20 years. It feels a little daunting, but I'm up for the challenge!<br />
<br />
So, I didn't get to 30, but I was definitely better for having tried. I am still going to try and get my last 7 in before the end of the year. I still need to learn how to use my camera, lose the baby weight, finish the Book of Mormon as a parenting manual, Jesus the Christ (still on chapter 2ish... whoops), and finish the Bible. I did all the reading for the Bible when we studied it for Seminary, but the reading schedule left big chunks out and I wanted to say that I've read the whole thing from beginning to end. Every word. I've read the New Testament over and over again... it's that blasted Old Testament that's been a struggle. I'm aaaaaalmost there.<br />
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Most people get depressed about getting older. But when I think about all the wonderful things that have happened in my 20's and see how I am getting more comfortable in my own skin every year, I am looking forward to what the 30's will bring. In my 20's I got 3 college degrees, got married in the temple to my best friend, had 2 beautiful babies that I love, bought a home, made some great friends, traveled to some amazing places, got a great career-job that I absolutely love, and have learned so much. Every year gets better and better. Not that we don't have hard times, because believe me, 2011 has not been my friend so much. But there's a deeper sense of joy and meaning that has come as I have gotten older that has overridden some of the difficult times.<br />
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Thanks, Amanda, for setting up this blog to make me accountable to someone for trying to change my life for the better, and for turning a good idea into something a little more tangible and concrete.</div>
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Now here's to 40 before 40! (I bet we could get some great stuff done with 10 years to do it in!)coryshayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893224670102853972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-14430794340770278202011-08-25T22:42:00.000-07:002011-08-25T22:42:18.005-07:00Um...October?I can not believe that 30 is about 30 days away, less for Shayla, of course, but still, it's coming. (Sorry for all the comma's. Murlene -help me out) Which means I should be finishing up my 30 goals, and yet I haven't posted since May. Big oops! I was reading back through my goals, and realized I have a few I set and haven't accomplished, so I'm going to try very hard to get through those goals in the next thirty days. And maybe the thirty goals will be accomplished by the end of my 30th year. I decided tonight, that I would work towards that instead of hurrying to accomplish goals that don't really mean anything and won't have lasting impact. I am pleased however to report, we are doing much better in our family prayers, and our 72 hr kit is at least purchased and I will put it together soon. Check and check! I will be participating in a community service project in the next couple of weeks, so check-er-oo on that. <br />
<br />
Also, I was talking with my mom and realized my most important goal, and the main one of my life was realized this spring when I (#18) received my endowment and was (#19) sealed to my sweet husband and my best boy. This was the best day ever and I couldn't have asked for more. Which goes right into (#20) which is that I have attended the temple every month so far - I know - it hasn't been that long, but I'm proud of my record anyway.<br />
<br />
Here is another goal I'm working on:<br />
<br />
#21 Set aside a month worth of expenses in a savings account. Then don't touch it. Seriously.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-87016851304020334102011-08-11T14:51:00.001-07:002011-08-11T14:51:09.101-07:00#19Have a baby...check.<br />
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coryshayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893224670102853972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-29290813107043424132011-07-07T12:00:00.000-07:002011-07-07T12:00:10.197-07:00Conference TalksI'm trying to get through all of the conference talks before the big 3-0. Making good progress...coryshayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893224670102853972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-1124451024820768442011-06-30T23:14:00.000-07:002011-06-30T23:14:17.938-07:00Ah! I mean helloI hope you'll allow me to wander off subject, and by you, I mean Shayla. <div><br />
</div><div>How you do answer the 101 questions that pop into your mind everyday?</div><div><br />
</div><div>Is this the best cereal for my son to eat?</div><div>Am I bathing him enough?</div><div>How do I keep his ears clean?</div><div>Have I done any good in the world today?</div><div>Are we teaching our son all he needs to be successful?</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And I guess it all boils down to:</div><div>Are we good parents?</div><div><br />
</div><div>Because, well, that's why I'm here. Sure I'm here for myself, but I also have this person that I am in charge of, and that I love more than anything.</div><div><br />
</div><div>And that's my random thoughts for the evening.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-53253592733504212582011-06-08T15:19:00.000-07:002011-06-08T15:19:08.980-07:00It's coming...Okay, I have done some more things on my "bucket list"! (Which is good, because September is coming quick!)<br />
<br />
<b>#17-</b> One of the things on my list was to take a piece of choreography to the Regional Dance America/Pacific Ballet Festival. So far, my choreography has only ever been performed locally and I wanted to get out there! So, away we went to Las Vegas where my students performed my piece "Foxhole". It was received very well and was performed for 21 other ballet companies in the Pacific Region. The students did an amazing job and I was very happy with the results. One down...<br />
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<b>#18</b>-Dejunk the house in preparation for and to make room for another little one! I have been working on this for about a month now. It is not done, but it is much much better than what it was. All the clothes I have for him so far are washed and put away (after having made room in Jocelyn's dresser for them). I still need to get some bigger items for him, and make room for them, but we are making progress. And, of course, dejunking is a constant battle. It's never done. But it is close enough that I am going to count it. I still have the dining room table to clear off and get stuff put away. Then the baby can come when he wants (but hopefully not for a little while still).<br />
<br />
One of my bucket list items is to have another baby before I am 30...definitely can't check that one off yet, but I am working on it! I also am reading the Book of Mormon through as a "Parenting Manual". It is taking me longer to get through because there are so many new insights I've had since beginning it with this mindset. So maybe I'll get done before September and maybe I won't. But I'll definitely be better for doing it no matter when I finish.coryshayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893224670102853972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-10241765945933953872011-05-29T15:37:00.000-07:002011-05-29T15:37:38.460-07:00PhotographyI want to know how to use my nice expensive camera before I turn 30. Why buy more than a point and shoot if all you know how to do is point and shoot? I got a book from one of my students who is self-taught and has the same camera as me and has turned into quite the photographer recently. I don't know when I'll get time to start learning, but it's on the docket.coryshayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893224670102853972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-74677223522975100802011-05-03T00:49:00.000-07:002011-05-03T00:49:16.152-07:0012? Really?I'm in trouble. Less than six months away, and I have two goals done. So, here are a few more.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>#12 - Lose 30 pounds - Why yes, yes I have. I know I still have ten to go, but I'm feeling pretty good.</li>
<li>#13 - Learn a new skill - This year I have starting learning about Photoshop- I've been able to design business cards, a presentation poster, and a real estate yard sign. And although it's been freaking hard, I am pretty proud of what I can do.</li>
<li>#14 - Pay off my Kohl's card - Yup - did it</li>
<li>#15 - Learn how to make whole wheat bread - I make fantastic whole wheat bread- not gonna lie.</li>
<li>#16 - Get Paul potty trained - seriously was getting to the point where I thought this was never going to happen - but yay! It did.</li>
</ul><div>That's all for right now. Even though it appears I just sat down and thought of things I'd already done and set them as goals, not true. I have so many things I want to do, I just don't take the time to write down.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Ohhhh - just thought of one - </div><div><ul><li>#17 - Write consistently in my journal - At least once a week - Thanks Chels!</li>
</ul></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-28934670087796205982011-03-31T12:43:00.000-07:002011-03-31T12:43:12.099-07:00Working on it...One of the things I have always wanted to have done is to have read "Jesus the Christ". I've started it probably no less than 50 times, but never made it far. This time, I'm persevering. You can't be 30 and not have read it, right?coryshayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893224670102853972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-27027613571206454392011-03-28T13:06:00.001-07:002011-03-28T13:06:10.838-07:00One more downFinished David Copperfield last night!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-6324414397855682782011-03-05T07:41:00.003-08:002011-03-05T08:06:33.853-08:00Oh Dear...**warning, this is a long post**<br />
<br />
So... we have 6 months and counting until the big 3-0, so we're supposed to be on about #15 right?<br />
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HA!<br />
<br />
Okay, I have been busy, but since I have only documented up to #3 (that's right, three!), let's see if we can check some more things off the list!<br />
<br />
Okay, so one of the biggest things I have wanted to do/become before I turned 30 is to eat healthy, cook healthy, and feed my family healthy stuff so that we can all do all the things that we need to do. I have always had an interest in this, but, let's face it, there is an ocean of misinformation out there and every little magazine you pick up at the Dr. office has advice on nutrition. It IS difficult to sort through all this information and find the truth, which is why I've never really done it before. It takes TIME! (and who has time these days?)<br />
<br />
But when it got to the point where it was affecting the health of my family, and my energy levels in trying to be pregnant and take care of the craziness that has been our life for the last few months, it was necessary.<br />
<br />
So...I started with reading.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #4</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirK8xY1owlVEJat2g8RPpiVk64TPNTwBXvOheWudLgZGZfrBX0ztdIDI0ib0hKqv42yDs7iWydiR5utka-9-yaeIIZqP5XAkqkkivle0AeKaTXUbPrfnkRr6beWXM20ZcIlUEvHZY7YGz/s1600/513S7RRFEGL._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp%252CTopRight%252C12%252C-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirK8xY1owlVEJat2g8RPpiVk64TPNTwBXvOheWudLgZGZfrBX0ztdIDI0ib0hKqv42yDs7iWydiR5utka-9-yaeIIZqP5XAkqkkivle0AeKaTXUbPrfnkRr6beWXM20ZcIlUEvHZY7YGz/s1600/513S7RRFEGL._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp%252CTopRight%252C12%252C-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a></div>Pretty much The-Best-Book-I-Have-Ever-Read-And-It-Changed-My-Life... 'nuff said. I recommend it to anyone, whether you have kids or not. It's just good information on how to live a long, healthy, disease free (including cancer free, diabetes free, asthma and allergy free, heart disease free, etc.) life and have the energy to get the most out of it. Maybe I was just ignorant before, but I've always thought that cancer especially was not anything you could control whether you got it or not...such a stupid idea. The book is very research based and it's almost frightening what we do to ourselves with our "western diet". It gave me the kick start to get in gear and initiate major changes in our lives, and we've already seen some great results. It has a lot of recipes in the back too.<br />
<br />
We've been working with a specialist who has been saying a lot of the same things that I've been reading, so I asked him for some book recommendations. He recommended the next 2 books.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #5</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo25pjuP_kNuTcUb3PfNgYqgyk7-9bxpPmNu3Tckm0v_46wc64QiVlG_b2-wwN9hXC0zwKhj6QbmAX2fyC88S04LBc-hIz8KRg6r5rvDeLx-uLjJfoc4qtmZwY7oP5lZJYWT4Oot8MNhl/s1600/51uJw23z%252B5L._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo25pjuP_kNuTcUb3PfNgYqgyk7-9bxpPmNu3Tckm0v_46wc64QiVlG_b2-wwN9hXC0zwKhj6QbmAX2fyC88S04LBc-hIz8KRg6r5rvDeLx-uLjJfoc4qtmZwY7oP5lZJYWT4Oot8MNhl/s1600/51uJw23z%252B5L._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The specialist we've been working with warned me about the language of the book, but he thought the content was good enough to recommend. I think he was right about most of the content. Obviously, they were marketing it to appeal to a certain type of person... and that person is not me. So I didn't LOVE this book. Good information, yes. Bad language, yes. And let's just say, not everyone is interested in eating healthy to have a sweet a**. I just want to live a long and healthy life... so I don't necessarily recommend this book. Also, there was a huge section of the book that was about animal cruelty, and while I think it is an issue, I don't think you have to scare people into not eating meat any more. People are smart, and we can make informed decisions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #6</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NQzlBdF9yDT01Mx9OmbaQ_ne8ewTtGzRgA1UycOXC4zhrgsvE2tWSqqU8YMKVBzrdubBo2TvrDATLIMJe-KiLl9IxfS6hEwwRDPEKSgxMxgoXjT1SaAg7D19v9H3zflcJSpZ5vDxfqQn/s1600/51T0EAQ3Z4L._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NQzlBdF9yDT01Mx9OmbaQ_ne8ewTtGzRgA1UycOXC4zhrgsvE2tWSqqU8YMKVBzrdubBo2TvrDATLIMJe-KiLl9IxfS6hEwwRDPEKSgxMxgoXjT1SaAg7D19v9H3zflcJSpZ5vDxfqQn/s1600/51T0EAQ3Z4L._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This book was also recommended by that specialist. It had a lot of really fantastic information, but it was not very well written at all. It has a lot of information how hydrating your body properly actually can take care of a lot of common illnesses like colds, migraines, etc. and can help with bigger issues like diabetes, etc. It jumped around a lot and read a lot like a medical journal in some parts, but again, good information.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #7</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVp8uqmRCVO8uu1R20gNiGfqqZH3lKGPWMOryqBWWDvfuRx_DvleFT2AOWrkaodGQTXdyh67xC3nWu8viTYoYunbQBlxk8ww1UjA0BFxLQm_m4Sy5Bq335_z3fzPH8AG8YbQemVamHBfA/s1600/51KOaXm-1aL._SL110_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-sm%252CTopRight%252C10%252C-13_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVp8uqmRCVO8uu1R20gNiGfqqZH3lKGPWMOryqBWWDvfuRx_DvleFT2AOWrkaodGQTXdyh67xC3nWu8viTYoYunbQBlxk8ww1UjA0BFxLQm_m4Sy5Bq335_z3fzPH8AG8YbQemVamHBfA/s1600/51KOaXm-1aL._SL110_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-sm%252CTopRight%252C10%252C-13_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This also goes into the category of The-Best-Book-I-Have-Ever-Read-And-It-Changed-My-Life. And I'm not even finished yet. Why is this information not public knowledge? If it was...I can't even imagine how life would be so different. So good!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And I still need to get to:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI2_eLe6l3fBEnRsm2nnK7ugITRXEUQBIFyRPOx5flFZAIRsY_rZq_dy69p_pTdeUiCEYvPhi9XwTNJgon0zOy5FVdew5RbZupH2MySG97W_DnR-tWoU63-7Z0gyR6xmKLEREP8yjS4Ok/s1600/51asiikI8VL._SL110_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-sm%252CTopRight%252C10%252C-13_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI2_eLe6l3fBEnRsm2nnK7ugITRXEUQBIFyRPOx5flFZAIRsY_rZq_dy69p_pTdeUiCEYvPhi9XwTNJgon0zOy5FVdew5RbZupH2MySG97W_DnR-tWoU63-7Z0gyR6xmKLEREP8yjS4Ok/s1600/51asiikI8VL._SL110_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-sm%252CTopRight%252C10%252C-13_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIa6YCES1FaPtRDxGWQJSZBHcLIzF5th2C4hjEk-a9h5gsWDeqr6nYumxnpYODe-8U8sGvhefysgt8vXJA7EbV3x9nf12woVO4dkgicC7ZQrMPhZf0gAaIyVE9d2Jpipbfz9rFJaElFa1/s1600/41sfVDbOajL._SL110_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIa6YCES1FaPtRDxGWQJSZBHcLIzF5th2C4hjEk-a9h5gsWDeqr6nYumxnpYODe-8U8sGvhefysgt8vXJA7EbV3x9nf12woVO4dkgicC7ZQrMPhZf0gAaIyVE9d2Jpipbfz9rFJaElFa1/s1600/41sfVDbOajL._SL110_.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVus3ohigeveuOW5b5dlStOuxgLa-Vj_Gux3AuENJOHA1xiojNfqKzk0Y-XMJ3pKsyDS548hxTbdPNvVforfzd0Y3j2MaGk9lz_DZxQOyeyVvJMcxLWJJMjrrp7_gljoHUhvoO65FAXI7w/s1600/lunch+lessons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVus3ohigeveuOW5b5dlStOuxgLa-Vj_Gux3AuENJOHA1xiojNfqKzk0Y-XMJ3pKsyDS548hxTbdPNvVforfzd0Y3j2MaGk9lz_DZxQOyeyVvJMcxLWJJMjrrp7_gljoHUhvoO65FAXI7w/s1600/lunch+lessons.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, I have been challenging myself to learn about a new kind of healthy food (or actually use a food I already know to be healthy) and use it in my meals.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #8</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrp97BfH5PHBUuiTPAH9tCXj7QF5z2ris1UVLAVegwI1c3BSmQ8RFR9bUwfMKiDaeZYXsKUZuyZTZE0KxhoE6-eGS0SuAI3SgoOHTNk8fBdgyvqrloVbqivqFTbKliyAcdeDCZiHbMBI7/s1600/quinoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrp97BfH5PHBUuiTPAH9tCXj7QF5z2ris1UVLAVegwI1c3BSmQ8RFR9bUwfMKiDaeZYXsKUZuyZTZE0KxhoE6-eGS0SuAI3SgoOHTNk8fBdgyvqrloVbqivqFTbKliyAcdeDCZiHbMBI7/s1600/quinoa.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Quinoa.... a super food and one of the best protein sources on the earth. I have had some mild success with this. I made a good pesto quinoa tomato salad and it was pretty good as a hot cereal in the morning, but I need to continue to work on it. I just found some good looking slow cooker recipes for it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #9</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtbw4mBJI9BcRze-Low3QkICLTcVZioDC28OQcwzQHB_M3y0h6gu-rNQuqTW0GNVBef5Zdb7V2D3fm2E795ofyN0nBRRO9ukC0HLG-iqnbsCk5v4Pjg79KLUVtmPQxnkjbs3gxAyIECwB/s1600/kale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtbw4mBJI9BcRze-Low3QkICLTcVZioDC28OQcwzQHB_M3y0h6gu-rNQuqTW0GNVBef5Zdb7V2D3fm2E795ofyN0nBRRO9ukC0HLG-iqnbsCk5v4Pjg79KLUVtmPQxnkjbs3gxAyIECwB/s320/kale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kale...Dr. Fuhrman's website sells a bumper sticker that says "Kale is the new Beef". I thought it was funny, but I'm not sure I'm buying it yet. But, I did make a Kale-apple smoothie this morning that was deelish. Click <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/kale-apple-smoothie-00000000050666/index.html">here</a> for the recipe.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #10</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWmq6ClKvLEEpyQrWT-yyj3hAxHX-d5mva2cJKALBdGedac5WfPZ3ONFCiZKk8aXuEgKLZ_4V5B5GQHUKLXzopY0sxaXW_eUU3B0Vwd_A39vAo-gOjpdCfJjk0X1RqdiLQk2fFF6ZQvkl/s1600/220px-WheatBran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWmq6ClKvLEEpyQrWT-yyj3hAxHX-d5mva2cJKALBdGedac5WfPZ3ONFCiZKk8aXuEgKLZ_4V5B5GQHUKLXzopY0sxaXW_eUU3B0Vwd_A39vAo-gOjpdCfJjk0X1RqdiLQk2fFF6ZQvkl/s1600/220px-WheatBran.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bran...I've found some good recipes for this and need to keep experimenting. The best so far has been homemade raisin bran. yumm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #11</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfkh4SIoIFbIm-9wNZWV9LiC0NEPXb_IVrT347qLp3sKNhRaGIGF4fAoI58iIk2zycnS4VbhhckukfDFbUoqbT9UqazTHsApfNrUwOhIo0M33wqeKewqZ7ho2UUgLrGEa8L8rgz_Uz9U4/s1600/flax-seed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfkh4SIoIFbIm-9wNZWV9LiC0NEPXb_IVrT347qLp3sKNhRaGIGF4fAoI58iIk2zycnS4VbhhckukfDFbUoqbT9UqazTHsApfNrUwOhIo0M33wqeKewqZ7ho2UUgLrGEa8L8rgz_Uz9U4/s320/flax-seed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Flax seed...I know a lot of people that are really good about putting flax seed in everything, but I've never known what to do with it before, nor why it was so important, though I've bought it a few times. So now, ground flaxseed goes in everything at our house. Everything.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #12</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqngQc7pruPR20RTKky0X-RzezPa6qGvDlihMJMGBN_mcPB34cMhNPTFc1bX1hHKumkXmRyrHRMgQPLAIB8W0SZ578Ox6xj3wgLH7KRDS5JQ_mS9m-HaTFrfw2Qc1oTOb9qPnptC_cJmHE/s1600/Agave_weberiiLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqngQc7pruPR20RTKky0X-RzezPa6qGvDlihMJMGBN_mcPB34cMhNPTFc1bX1hHKumkXmRyrHRMgQPLAIB8W0SZ578Ox6xj3wgLH7KRDS5JQ_mS9m-HaTFrfw2Qc1oTOb9qPnptC_cJmHE/s320/Agave_weberiiLarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Agave...meaning 100% raw organic agave in place of white sugar. We have not used any white sugar at our house in 2 months and already seen huge improvement. Cory had 2 sebaceous cysts that have almost disappeared completely. And yes, I've read the debate about agave. I'm still doing some research and looking into stevia and other natural sweeteners.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #13</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjYLQtSKHc6VkXMAQjMwE14DVEbDBdsvesdBvwZWfUBcxRrGVAqNdfvkNouQ33WCbA_YuAJ1R49zozqyvAUbpV7_NlpxGfsk8OdMa-xq6AUEMV4XoqY4jKhM3jZagxleC7LxdMzvdO5tO/s1600/Almonds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjYLQtSKHc6VkXMAQjMwE14DVEbDBdsvesdBvwZWfUBcxRrGVAqNdfvkNouQ33WCbA_YuAJ1R49zozqyvAUbpV7_NlpxGfsk8OdMa-xq6AUEMV4XoqY4jKhM3jZagxleC7LxdMzvdO5tO/s320/Almonds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Almonds... I always knew they were good for you, but I've been trying to eat some almonds every day. I put them in all smoothies I make and you can't even taste them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #14</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7crV97ApvgHRhVtucbkXHnnqzIHRbMZAFFEgqc1z7KefxSyF5OQUAyBQt5TBgKiaywZroLQ_n-uMPQCDh1c5Bp26xclsYMWlVsiowsOpp3b2Quzu9uCCpHcHaoOSkTgBFdVA6Ea18oe4a/s1600/white+flour.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7crV97ApvgHRhVtucbkXHnnqzIHRbMZAFFEgqc1z7KefxSyF5OQUAyBQt5TBgKiaywZroLQ_n-uMPQCDh1c5Bp26xclsYMWlVsiowsOpp3b2Quzu9uCCpHcHaoOSkTgBFdVA6Ea18oe4a/s1600/white+flour.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">okay, this isn't really incorporating a new thing, but eradicating an old thing. We haven't used a stitch of white flour for a few months and I gotta say, I don't feel like we're missing anything. good riddance!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #15</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1e8bEFylLebX2EWHwPgMQk1ADDJuX0CbXmJUUFQuWSVExN13IZffvsMTN3v6LEkiSpN8vjbxEvQlMJqY6E1fSKUegTPZDESaKVFd6ckxWNHy8h-1JxGhwVowZGy7-JXHPAmb2U00tXEA/s1600/green-red-and-brown-lentils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1e8bEFylLebX2EWHwPgMQk1ADDJuX0CbXmJUUFQuWSVExN13IZffvsMTN3v6LEkiSpN8vjbxEvQlMJqY6E1fSKUegTPZDESaKVFd6ckxWNHy8h-1JxGhwVowZGy7-JXHPAmb2U00tXEA/s320/green-red-and-brown-lentils.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lentils...I just made the best lentil soup the other day. I've been trying to incorporate a lot of other types of beans too, especially black beans.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shayla's item #16</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm just going to throw all of the little changes we've made into one. Things like Almond milk instead of Cow's milk. Raw peanut butter instead of the "regular" kind... plus this provides entertainment too: Jocelyn loves watching the machine smash the peanuts. Our snacks are now mostly nuts and seeds and raw fruits and veggies. I'm trying to buy organic more than I used to when affordable. No cheese, etc. Just little things that have added up. And I'm not even going to count our failures... that's right, homemade brown rice milk IS as disgusting as it sounds, as is Burger King's Veggie burger (puke).</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd love to start incorporating avacadoes, kefir, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, rye, barley, kamut, and spelt more... but line upon line, I guess. Also, I need to be a lot better about when we eat away from home. At this point, we are eating really well when at home, but when at others' houses and at restaurants, it's been harder to stick to. Let's face it, I've always disliked those people who, when then come to your house, look down on your food and ask "well, what's in it?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So... there you have it. A journey towards better health that will continue. And if any of you have any great healthy recipes, send them to me, please! I am starting to build our repertoire little by little (the first month we pretty much ate the same thing over and over)<br />
<br />
And...I'm caught up! Here's to the next 6 months!</div>coryshayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893224670102853972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-28131171394276964132011-01-23T19:48:00.000-08:002011-01-23T19:48:11.827-08:00Moving right along do do do do doOur relief society lesson today was sharing and discussing our wards goals that were set by our ward council. There were several that have been running around in my mind for a while, but now I'm ready to commit. So here are some goals:<div><ul><li>#6 Family History and/or indexing four hours each month</li>
<li>#7 Community service project at least once a year</li>
<li>#8 Give a Book of Mormon to someone once a year</li>
</ul><div>Check! on #8. I gave one to a friend I work with who asked me some questions after seeing Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD's in my collection. It's the first one I've ever given away so I was pretty proud of myself!</div><div><br />
</div><div>One of my friends is using the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants about having a house of God. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">119</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: super;">a</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/88.119?lang=eng#" id="footnote255" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=88&noteID=119a&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Organize</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: super;">b</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/88.119?lang=eng#" id="footnote256" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=88&noteID=119b&lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">house</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">So this month we are working on:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">#9 Becoming a house of prayer - this means we are trying to say morning and night family prayers. Mornings are hard for us, so we are really trying. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">#10 I'm also trying to step it up in personal prayers - I'm pretty good at praying with Paul and Jared, but don't always take the time to pray myself.</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">Also, Shayla gave me the Deceptively Delicious cookbook, that you puree fruits and veggies and use them in kid-friendly recipes. Because you have to plan to have the purees ready, I decided I'm really ready to plan my weekly meals. I already use Cozi.com as my calendar, so I just have started planning a week at a time. What my goal is to </span></div></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">#11 Get to the point where I have a month worth of recipes, and can simply change they day they are on. I have included ingredients in the notes section so I can include them on my weekly shopping list. I have done one week so far. </span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">I'm excited to go part time next week (I hope!) and will do better on getting my goals done. I have seriously slacked on the playing the hymns, so I need to get some headphones and do that while Paul is napping. So, there you have it. Time to step it up!</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-66616500667527634602011-01-02T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-02T00:18:46.960-08:00Cheating doesn't workWell, I was hoping to "borrow" some of Shayla's goals and make them my own. So far, though, cheating doesn't work. Since my choreography skills are about the level of the Macarena, I will not be attempting that. Since I got a Kindle for Christmas and consequently don't have to haul David Copperfield around to read it, I may try that as well. Maybe cheating will pay this one time.<br />
<ul><li>Goal #3 Read David Copperfield</li>
</ul><div>My next goal comes from the fact that the craft section of my closet overfloweth with unfinished projects. I am super good at starting projects. Something always happens. I run out of money to finish the project, I forget how to do it, it takes a lot more time than I think, blah, blah, blah. So my<br />
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<ul><li>Goal #4 Finish all my crafts in my closet before I start another one.</li>
<li>Goal #5 Get my 72 hour kit together</li>
</ul>So, there we go. One goal down, 29 to go. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-11463672703878324932010-12-31T10:48:00.001-08:002010-12-31T10:54:59.459-08:00Copperfield... check! (Shayla's item #3)I finished David Copperfield this morning! I am so glad I read it. Here is my goodreads review below. Be warned that it contains a huge spoiler...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">** spoiler alert **</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview130707488">This was a phenomenal read! I loved the whole thing. Usually, when reading a larger book, I become more obsessed with how much I have left to really focus on the story, but I was engaged the whole time.<br />
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I had mentioned to my friend, Ashlee, that I was struggling with Dickens because I had just read Great Expectations and it just did not sit well with me. She suggested that I give this a try and I am so glad I did. I love the language, the characters, the clever little phrases, the morals behind all of the plots and sub-plots. It was a great study on humanity and human relationships... no wonder it was Freud's favorite Dickens' novel! And the chapter where David and Agnes finally become engaged was so very romantic... I also kept thinking about Dickens own life throughout reading this (he said it was semi-autobiographical).<br />
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My only critique is that Dickens was very obviously paid by the word in writing this. What he could have said in one page went on for many. But on the flip side, that was part of the charm of the book too. It was nice to not be hurried and to enjoy some delicious description and language that only Dickens can make so interesting. Not to mention, my vocabulary was quite improved with reading this book!<br />
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I Recommend it wholeheartedly.</span></span>coryshayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893224670102853972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-66413947188861074142010-12-10T07:26:00.000-08:002010-12-10T07:26:20.403-08:00The clock is ticking...(Shayla's item #1, #2 and #3 in progress)Okay, okay, I'm here at last. So sorry... too bad I wasted 2 months of the time I could be getting things done for this project. Or did I? <br />
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Actually, when Amanda and I first talked about this when we turned 29 in September, I actually wrote down 28 things (I need to find 2 more still, and I kind of wonder if the rest of my 28 things are actually do-able in one years time considering the pace of life) So let me see, have I actually accomplished anything yet?<br />
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Create 2 new pieces of choreography...check and check!<br />
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I didn't think this would be happening as quickly as it did, but due to the fact that I spent all my budget for my ballet company on costumes (which we desperately needed), I had to come up with all the choreography myself for the concert we had last month. <br />
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It was insane, and I feel intensely drained and like I need to go hibernate for a month to recover, but hey it's worth it if I can check something off my list, right? and I got two checks from that one, even better! (I'm a little type A, I know... remember when getting a sticker was enough incentive for you to do something as a kid? Yeah, that will probably still work on me... just sayin')<br />
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#3 on my list of 30 things to do before I turn 30 is to read David Copperfield... in progress! To be honest, I don't think I would have started it if I had realized that it's almost 1,000 pages long, but I'm on Chapter 18 and making good progress, and it has redeemed Charles Dickens standing in my eyes... I loved Tale of Two Cities and who doesn't love a Christmas Carol, but the last Dickens I read was Great Expectations (No disrespect intended, but what was the point, really Mr. Dickens?)<br />
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So, onward with David Copperfield and on to my 4th item on my list...coryshayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893224670102853972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029355316840813006.post-66873408866364982132010-11-21T21:57:00.000-08:002010-11-21T21:57:23.447-08:00Music to my earsSince Shayla is super busy with being amazing, I thought I would post my second goal. <br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Play each song in the Hymn book for at least 10 minutes before my birthday.</span></li>
</ul><div>Why, you may ask? I am often asked to play the piano in relief society and it would sure be helpful if I had played the song they are requesting. Even if it's only 10 minutes, I am at least then semi-familiar with every song in the Hymn book. I'd like to also have the Primary Songbook under my belt, but I'm not sure I can commit to that quite yet. So there you have it, goal #2 - although this won't be accomplished for awhile.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3