General Conference

What a fantastic weekend so far! I love General Conference. Two excellent sessions yesterday. I had some questions answered. The BIG news of conference yesterday was President Monson announcing two temples(Tucson, AZ and Arequipa, Peru) AND, AND the lowering of the minimun age for missionaries both elders and sisters(which is the one I really care about). As an option for young men, if they are ready and worthy, they may go at 18. For sisters they can now go at 19 instead of 21. I freaked out. I cried for joy. Not that I'm 18 or 19. But for the girls that don't have to wait anymore. I talked to a friend of mine who is 20 and is preparing her papers. She had already emailed her bishop. She can send in her papers this month now, instead of January. She can leave that much earlier.
Two wonderful sessions. The talks were all beautiful. I felt the spirit and learned something from all of them.
My Relief Society had an activity during Priesthood session. We made some compassionate service meals(Taco Bake) and some tied fleece blankets for the hospital for still borns. After we finished we talked, sang along to Disney, danced and counted how many times we could get our one friend to snort(she snorts when she laughs). It was hilarious. We got to 221!
I'm excited for today. It is going to be rich.


Watch General Conference here

Family History

My ward was cancelled today because the city was replacing fire hydrants on the street during the time we have church. Instead, I got to go to the ward that meets 3 blocks from my house. It was pretty sweet getting to walk to church. It was a nice meeting. Sunday school had a great lesson on 3 Nephi 9-11 given by my friend's dad. Relief Society was combined with Elders Quorum, Young Men and Young Women. Again, my friend's dad, graced us with a lesson. This time it was about doing family history. It was probably the most helpful one I've had. I'm really excited to actually get going on my family history. I know some of it's been done. I know that I can do more. I especially want to take names to the temple. In a previous post I listed my goals for this year and one of them is to take 12 names to the temple. Luckily I have a fantastic roommate who is a family history buff. I'll post again on my progress.

This is a link to the New Family Search website for doing family history.

New Family Search

Color Vibe

Today was really fun. I did the Color Vibe 5km fun run/race.
It was not the best weather...
Rain? Check. Wind? Check. Cold? Check.
We had a great time though.

This is us before.

...and after.

It was hilarious. 

There are a few colour stations around the track and people there to throw it at you. There was a lot at the end. We were the last heat and got the rest of all the colours on us. We were mostly blue. We were called "The Avatar group". We were that blue.

I've showered and I'm still blue and purple in spots. Too funny. 

www.thecolorvibe.com

NEW YORK CITY!

I'm so excited! I'm going to New York City tomorrow. The only thing is it's nearly midnight and I haven't finished packing and I need to shower. I have to get up at 6am tomorrow to catch a bus to where I'm meeting my friend who is driving me. Yikes! Today was such a long and busy day. I ran to the grocery store at 8am to buy a few things to make cake. Tomorrow two of my friends have their birthdays and I wanted to make cake for them. I used a meat pie tin. I called them "cakelettes". They're bigger than a cupcake and smaller than a regular cake. Thus, "cakelette".
Bed time for bear. Sleep sweet.

Week One

So far so good on the many goals I have made for myself. I missed a photo one day, but I went back and took it.
fatmumslim blog

30 August-Card
I thought this was perfect timing because it was my birthday.
















              31 August-Hidden 
My sister hides her money in Casablanca. Don't tell her I told you.

1 September-You, Now

Me at my favourite mini golfing place. It's my birthday tradition. 

I also one a free game this year! Woo Whoo!

2 September-Father

This is my brother-in-law. The father of my nephew and nieces. 

3 September-Far Away

The train tracks taking me far away.

 4 September-In my mailbox/postbox

Nothing for me today.

 

 5 September-Bright

I found the fantastic solar powered patio lights at Ikea.

6 September-Everyday
Reading my scriptures daily is one of my many goals.

7 September-Natural

This is my awesome little lemon tree.

                                      

8 September-Night
Looking out my front door tonight.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday. Hurrah!

It was a pretty rough start. I had to get up early to drive 2.5 hours to the funeral of a good friend. I cried my eyes out. It was really hard to see them like that. It hardly looked like them. Thankfully I was surrounded by friends who were also feeling the same way. I am grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life to bring me peace in these tough times.

After I got home I bused to the Museum of Nature. I met a few friends there and we enjoyed learning about dinosaurs, mammals and birds. I even ran into a girl from high school that I haven't seen since! It was pretty fun. They even surprised me with birthday cake! Yum! It was chocolate, if you wanted to know.

The point of this post is actually about how I make a number of goals for the number of years I'm turning. This year it's 29! These are my goals:

1. Go to Greece

2. Read The Book of Mormon 4x's

3. Learn the Ukulele

4. Learn the harmonica

5. Pay off OSAP

6. Take an art class

7. Save 1000$

8. Get G2

9. New Recipe Every month

10. Photo every day

11. Learn French

12. Blog once a week

13. Read Much Ado About Nothing

14. Do income tax on time

15. Run 1/2 marathon

16. Only have a sugary dessert once per month.

17. Buy a bike

18. Go to the Hill Cumorah Pageant

19. Daily act of service/kindness

20. Temple Monthly

21. Study Preach My Gospel

22. Buy new luggage

23. 12 Names for temple work

24. Write in my journal everyday

25. Write a missionary once per week.

26. 100% Visit teaching

27. Set and live by budget

28.Learn about astronomy

29. Call Mom once a week

For the most part I have a plan for each of them. I have a rough calender to get them done. I divided them into daily, weekly, monthly, once, and ongoing categories to help me keep track.  I am going to have to work really hard on some of them. I already have #10 started and an appointment set for #14.

Wish me luck!

Still, not a good day

You know how you wake up feeling great, there's a bounce in your step, the sun is shining and the sky is blue?

That is how my day started. It quickly diminished from there. I got to work and my manager is outside talking to a coworker in her car and walks over to me with a grim look on her face. I knew it was bad news, but it wasn't the bad news I was expecting. I work in a retirement home. Bad news happens. This was worse, much worse.

My dear friend and coworker committed suicide. It has been a difficult day. I loved my friend. I knew they were going through some really tough times. No one expected this. I don't even know what to think or what to feel. I feel like I'm in a haze.

I am well acquainted with death and grief, but this was new for me. My neighbourhood grandfather passed away when I was 19. My Gramma at 20. My boyfriend, three weeks before I turned 22. And many since then. It doesn't get easy. I, thankfully, know where I can find peace. I know that I will see them again. I know that they are not gone forever. I know.

Until We Meet Again

This is a short video from a talk that President Thomas S Monson, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave.

Delish!

I love to try new recipes. I enjoy trying new foods. I especially love use my friends...to try the new things I try to make, that is. A new fan favourite is a fantastic recipe for banana bread I found in a recipe book I got on my mission from someone in Vancouver, WA. It's called, "Best Banana Bread." With a name like that I didn't think I could go wrong....and I didn't. I made most of it into mini loaves to give away. I gave one to a friend of mine and he polished it off in one sitting! And now he's got me the things I need to make him more.

 Best Banana Bread

1 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

4 1/2 cups flour

2 small boxes instant butterscotch pudding

1/4 cup milk

6-8 ripe mashed bananas

2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Cream shortening, sugar and eggs. Add dry ingredients, then milk and bananas. Stir in pudding and chocolate chips. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

I used mini aluminum loaf pans and they took about an hour. I made a large loaf and it took about an hour and a half.

Enjoy! 

The Golden Rule

At work a couple of weeks ago I had a bit of drama. I work in a dining room in a retirement home. I'm a server. I love my job. There are two smallish containers that we keep the little butters and Becels and two largish bowls for crackers and bread sticks. The drama: it is all too frequent that either myself or my coworker in the morning have to fill them up before continuing with the task at hand. I was doing this task the other week and found them all mostly empty. I snapped a little. I left them empty so that the kids that come in at night would have to fill them to do the same task.

It didn't work the way I was expecting. The next day I came in and found both containers completely empty and both with a note taped to the bottom that said, "Please fill butter container" and "Please fill Becel container". I did not. I got what I needed from the fridge and left them empty. I knew the person that left the note would be working again that night. The person that left the note is not one of my favourite people to work with. They have the tendency to be bossy, lazy and disrespectful. They were not impressed. The person and another coworker complained about me. I know this because a good friend of mine was working that night as well. I texted my boss and she replied with, "What goes around comes around." I felt justified in my taking a stand at this issue. 

Which brings me to the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This is a rule I live by. If I want people to be good to me I'm going to be good to them first. It is the best way to get anything done that is good. It can be as simple as holding the door for someone carrying a lot of things or leaving a note of encouragement. 

Do you want good things to be done to you? Do them for others first.

Golden Rules for LivingIf you open it, close it.If you turn it on, turn it off.If you unlock it, lock it up.if you break it, admit it.If you can't fix it, call in someone who can.If you borrow it, return it.If you value it, take care of it.If you make a mess, clean it up.If you move it, put it back.If it belongs to someone else and you want to use it, getpermission.If you don't know how to operate it, leave it alone.If it's none of your business, don't ask questions.If it ain't broke, don't fix it.If it will brighten someone's day, say it.If it will tarnish someone's reputation, keep it to yourself.Author Unknown

And if you empty it, fill it up!

Temples

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. It blesses my life greatly. I know that this is Christ's church on the earth today. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet today. I love going to the temple.
The temple is a special place for me. It is the place where I feel closest with my Heavenly Father and can feel his love for me.

Today marks 18 months in a row that I have gone. The Montreal Quebec Temple is about 2.5 hours away. There is some degree of sacrifice in going. It is not always easy getting there. Since I don't drive I have to plan a bit in advance to get there. God has commanded to go to the temple. He promised that if you obey his commandments that he will provide a way. Sometimes it has been the last few days of the month and I haven't gone, but He opens the way for me to go because I have committed to go to the temple monthly. I am grateful that he does. Going to the temple gives me a renewal of strength and spirit. I find direction and clarity there.

http://www.lds.org/church/temples?lang=eng

It is a heaven on earth.

10

A few days ago I was feeling a bit wishy-washy with my exercising. I didn't have a clear direction or goal. I decided I needed to set new obtainable goals. I love running. My ultimate goal is to do a marathon. A marathon for me will be more of a series of smaller goals adding up to a marathon.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

 
 A marathon is 42.19km. I've done 10km in the past, but because I've just recommitted to running again my present PB is 4.2km. I've got a long way to go. I set my goal to get to 10km by my birthday(30 August). After I reach my goal I want to keep going by adding 1km/week for as long as it takes to reach 42.19km

Pennies From Heaven

Today when I was riding my bike home from work I had to stop for a red light. I looked down and there it was: a little 1982 penny, looking right at me, as to say, "Hey, Love, I'm thinking of you." Pennies are special to me because after my first love, Dan, died I was so sad. It was 3 weeks before my birthday and moving to Sudbury to start college. After, Dan, died and I found this poem I started a jar to collect his pennies in. I keep it on my dresser.

Pennies from Heaven

I found a penny today

just laying on the ground

But it’s not just a penny

this little coin I’ve found

“Found” pennies come from heaven

that’s what my Grandpa told me

He said angels toss them down

oh, how I loved that story

He said when an angel misses you

they toss a penny down

Sometimes just to cheer you up

make a smile out of your frown

So don’t pass by that penny

when you’re feeling blue

It may be a penny from heaven

that an angel tossed to you

It will be 7 years ago this August. I still love and miss him. He still sends me pennies.

And so it begins...

I'm not really sure why I'm doing this. I just had a feeling the other day that I should start a blog. We'll see how this turns out I guess....

I'll probably post the results(and pictures) of trying new recipes on my guinea pigs(friends), what I studied in the scriptures that day, goals, everyday photos and life in general.