Uncontrollable

Do you have those foods in life that you seem to have little to NO control over when it comes to your consumption of?  You know, those foods that seem to just go down so easy that if you didn't have that "uh oh" inner voice speak up after a socially disturbing amount eaten that you just may partake until you slip slowly into an indulgent coma?  Those foods that make you feel so good that you justify your previous attempts to control yourself?  It's almost as if they are outside of your realizable realm of personal responsibility.

I do.

Let me introduce you to three of my top "uncontrollables"

#1 - Now I like most corn chips, BUT Santitas White Corn Chips take the corn chip cake for me.  My favorite part is the CRUNCH.  Sometimes, I hate it when there is a delay from the end of one chip to the beginning of the next.  That's when I eat about two or three more and "uh oh."

#2 - YOGURT!  Specifically Strawberry and Peach.  It has a natural way of going down, but only after squishing it around in my teeth, that makes all right with the world.  I would consume this for dessert DAILY if I could.  We now purchase this by the pint . . . just for me.  Megs gets her own smalls.  Then, almost every week, Megs comes up to me, just a day or so after we have purchased it, and says, "Where did all the yogurt go?" . . . "Uh oh."

#3 - And finally, the BIG-UN!  PEANUT M&M's . . .  My addiction has evolved to the point that I have now given "the heads up" to most family/friends.  It seems to be the combo of crunchy and chocolate that just does me in.  If unsupervised, I could devour an entire jumbo bag without even so much of a cautious thought.  This one is definitely beyond the "uh oh" stage of consciousness.

So there you have it, my weaknesses. . . {Insert your validating comment here.}

A pot, a pan, a broom, a hat

If you know where the title of this song comes from, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

Anywho, here are a couple This 'n That things from this past week.  Some weeks are just like, not cohesive, but good all the same.

Earlier this week I took a little stroll through THE WILKINSON CENTER (aka "the Wilk", BYU's on-campus dating and social connection facility, bookstore, cafeteria, convention hall, lecture hall, huge massive all-in-one building) to attend the "Opportunity Fair" (aka, teaching how and who on campus is going to give free money!!!)  Well, it wasn't that day . . ., BUT I decided to not make my journey a complete waste and took the opportunity to investigate some school club booths that were up that day.

#1 - BYU Vegetarian. 

These Mormon's LOVE cows!  They even gave me a pin and backed up their ideas with scripture . . . I wish I could remember them.  It made me think about how I can contribute to the earth.

Currently, we have THESE in our freezer.  They are BOCA BURGERS!  They are vegetarian burgers that really are not that bad.  I enjoy them every now and then when I am feeling extra granola and earthy. 

BUT, mostly I eat THESE.  Chicken patties with mustard sauce, lettuce, and tater tots on the side.  They just hit the spot.  It may be simple food and void of concern for those poor little chickens, but it is delicious and good for the soul.  Sorry chickens, you lose!

Oh yeah, Megs and I also print on 100% recycled paper and we heavily consider using paper bags at the grocery store each time.  We also reuse yogurt and butter tubs as "tupperware".  (Mostly so we don't have to give ours out to people that forget to bring them back.)

#2 - BYU Sci-Fi Fantasy Club

This was the second booth I investigated.  I know that stereotyping is bad and all, but COME ON!  First, there's a CLUB for these people? I thought they only did that online?  Second, they were HARDCORE about explaining their "product".  Their skin was a little pasty and freckled and they wore glasses, sweats, and black jeans.   I stood around to investigate them a little more (I like watching people . . . in a non-weird way, of course.)  Half of what they said was foreign to me.  They LOVE gaming.  Here's to you, hardcore BYU Sci-Fi Fantasy/Gamers!  You are NOT ashamed.

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Yesterday, Megs and I went to yet another one of her OB appts (after our next visit in two weeks, we start the ONE WEEKERS!)  Our doctor is on 39th South in SLC . . . and so is the SLC ROBINTINO'S!  It has almost become a Dr. visit tradition.  (THIS Robintino's has a SALAD BAR!  Cheryl, ALL the beets your heart desires! . . .and sides of ranch!)  While we were there, we say next to this table of grandmas.   They were really quite nice and each had their own animal/floral sweater on.  We overheard one of them ask (in a quiet, shaky voice) "I just wonder how many years of friendship are sitting at this table?"  What a great thought.  They have probably seen and experienced so much in their lifetimes and still have stuck together.

Specifically, I thought of this little ol' grandma (I like to think her name is Mae).  At one point in her life, she was young, good lookin', probably a thrill seeker, parked, and generally had a great time.  Now she is grandma hot.  You know, sweet, smells like warmth, is cuddly, and misses the Lawrence Welk Show.  It just reminded me that Megs and I really are just at the beginnings of what life has to offer.

There you have it.  With the exception of one ornery night, this has been a pretty good, "A pot, a pan, a broom, a hat" kinda week.

Becoming a REALITY!

So... we officially have the crib set up and in place for Baby Girl Larsen! Every time I walk past her room I stop. I peek my head in and stare at the place that my precious little bundle will rest her little precious little head. We don't have a mattress yet, but we do have a bumper, a baby sized duvet cover, and a little flower pillow sitting in their place ready to complete the look.
It's amazing how quickly the room became something more than "the other room" or "the storage room." I can't wait to complete the room. My goal is to have it finished by the end of January, but I don't know how realistic that really is. Especially since my dream "changing table" is WAY out of the budget! One day... this will be mine!
Remember how Greg and I have stretched the gift cards from our wedding for over a year and a half and still have quite a few left? Well Pottery Barn just so happens to be one of the places that we still have a pretty penny of gift cards to!
This WAS a reality for about 24 hours, until we called our dear friend Matt, who works at Pottery Barn, and he told us that you can't use gift cards and still get the employee discount.
Hopes SHATTERED... Both Greg and I are WAY to logical to think about dipping that far into our savings and splurging on this beautiful piece of furniture. Especially right now.

Explained

Why have I not blogged?  Because I am ornery.  Ornery about school and endless amounts of homework and reading and group projects and papers and presentations and weird co-workers and insurance and trying to stay positive and on top of it all.  And I am also ornery that life really doesn't seem to care.

That is all.  I'll get over it, that's my promise to you.  Now quit reading this and go and make me something good to eat.

The end.

Man tape

Every man needs his man things.  He needs good food in the refrigerator, he needs a full and comprehensive set of tools, he needs a good few pairs of over sized basketball shorts, he needs a bar of soap, he needs duct tape, and oh yeah, he needs toilet paper. (He also needs one more thing, but that's not "socially acceptable" to write here.)

If a man has these things he can function properly.  If he does NOT have these things he has a few options: be GRUMPY, go and BUY them as to function properly, OR he can IMPROVISE and use one thing on the list to temporarily replace another thing on the list.  (Ladies, we really are much more simple than you think.  If we are having a rough day, just review the list and see where you can supplement.  You will be pleased with the quick results.)

Today I was missing an item on my list.  I chose to improvise and I came out a winner.

Our shower head is plugged and vinegar was the answer.  I went to pull out my wrench from my man tools . . . and realized that is the ONE tool I don't have.  What man does NOT have a good solid wrench?  I couldn't get it off the pipe so HERE was the answer.

Man tape to the rescue!  Today, I am thankful for my man tape.  Here's to you man tape!  You've done me proud.