Funny Things

Okay...So last night was AWESOME.

My friend Terra just got home from her mission in Russia and we went and saw the Moscow Boys Choir.  SO cool.  I seriously had tears through the whole thing.  The first time I cried was because they sang Ave Maria, one of my favorite songs, and it was absolutely beautiful and powerful.  It is amazing that those little ones have such talent.  And I have never seen cuter tuxedos in my life.  Just little dudes wearing tuxes is awesome.  So anyway, the first time I cried was from the beauty.  The next few times was because of them being so funny!  They sang this and it made me die laughing.  It was so much fun!  And at one point the pianist came out wearing a cowboy hat!  Their director is a woman with an astounding voice.  If you get the chance to see them, go!  And really, what were they doing in small town Utah?   This has all of their current videos.  So cool.

Now for the moment of moments...The funniest thing that happened there...

They sang "Feliz Navidad".  Now, that made me laugh so hard.  I honestly thought I was going to pee my pantalones.  We are sitting here in America, with some Russian singers who are singing in Spanish.  HAHAHAHAHA.  The best part was just when I thought it couldn't be more awesome, one of the singers breaks out the maracas!!  It was like getting the best Christmas present ever.  It made me so happy.

Then, I got to watch Terra speak RUSSIAN to them!!!  It was so cool.  I wanted to say, "Yeah, I'm friends with her."  It was so awesome.

After the concert, we got to see Juli and welcome her home.  That was so weird and fun and exciting and scary all in one.  I loved it though.  And her cute nieces and nephews made me chase them like the "scary chicken".  It was fun!!

Terra took me home and my stupid neighbors were so drunk.  They thought that sliding down a steep, icy driveway was a good idea.  We watched them fall countless times.  People are so dumb.

Thanks Terra and Juli for making it a fun night!

Janalee

Lessons Learned 2012

So, I learned some lessons this year, both good and difficult.

Here is a list of things I've learned:

• Modern Family and Go On are two of the funniest television shows ever.
• Few things make me happier than good music and food.
• I don't need or want anyone in my life that doesn't need or want me in theirs.
• When you are trying to be happier, almost everything will fight against you.
• Sometimes, you just need a day when you can stay home and just be.
• These five things can make any bad day better:  
• Good food
• Coca-Cola
• Prayer
• Sleep
• A good drive

• Shopping for Christmas all year makes me happy.
• Bad drivers are easy to find.
• Letting go of bad things/situations/people is the best thing you can do for yourself. 
• My choices affect others, whether I mean for them to or not.
• Don't take people you love for granted.  Sometimes they die or leave when you least expect it.
• Do things that make you happy.  For me these are getting my hair cut, new makeup, good books, Christmas or Birthday presents for others, creating something beautiful, making dang good food and desserts.
• Don't keep putting things off.  Do them now...or at least soon.....
• Visiting the Emergency Room three times in one year is far too much for my liking.  I am not cut out for watching people in pain, especially people I love.  Note:  I do make great jokes while in the ER with you.  For instance, I was trying to cheer up my sister when they were doing Xrays and she was in a lot of pain.  I said, "Hey!  Aren't we so lucky Michael Jackson isn't our dad?!"
• Stand up comedy can make great days even better.
• I love being called Gramma.

Those are a few of the things.  I decided the list would get too long if I allowed.   Hope you are all having a tremendously wonderful Christmas season.

Janalee

Stuff that I love...stuff that I don't...

Dude.

Hi.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So...today I was thinking about what a weird holiday this is.  

And so I made a list of things I'm thankful for.  And a list of things I'm not thankful for.

How do you like them apples?  Huh?  Punk!

Nonthankful list

1. People who actually enjoy Twilight.  I think the last movie was probably the worst movie I've ever watched...And I'm dead serious.
2. Charlie horses that wake me up at 5 am.  Not cool.
3. Dust.
4. Having a ton of creative ideas and being too afraid to act on them.
5. White eyelashes.  You have no idea how much I wish I could not wear mascara without looking like a frightening mess.  If you have dark eyelashes, you should thank God for those.
6. Drug dealers.
7. People who think I can predict exactly what the weather will be anytime from today to three months from now.  I know that I am super smart, but this is overkill my friends.
8. Pineapple.  Coconut.  Scary fish.  Flan.  Expired milk.  YAMS.
9. Black Friday being moved to tonight...not thrilled.  Kimberly...you had BETTER not bring your coat in this year.  I will kill you.
10. Unpredictability.  I'm a little bit of a boring person I think.  I like to know what is happening and not be too surprised by things.  I hate change.  Even when it is necessary, it scares me.

Thankful list

1. Neil Diamond.
2. Christmas music.  Anytime.  Anywhere.  I LOVE Christmas music.
3. Children.  I had the best thing happen to me at church the other day.  This little boy, Aaron, who was one of my nursery kids came back into the chapel and he totally ran at me to give me the best high five EVER.  Holy crow.  It made me so happy.  Then he proceeded to go back to his mom and wave really big at me.  Nothing makes me happier than knowing such a great kid is my buddy.  And knowing that my youngest niece calls me Gramma.  I love that so much...even though my mother does not....it makes me happy.
4. Dancing and singing to great music.
5. Ben Folds.
6. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!  SOOO excited!
7. People who will go with me to an awful movie...say Twilight...and make fun of it the entire time.  I'm so glad to be friends with people who are hilarious.  I thought I was going to throw up from laughter last night.  My friends are the best.
8. Crafts.  In all honesty, I think that I would be completely happy to stay at home all day and make pretty things.
9. My job.  Holy crap.  I am SO lucky.  It is the best thing I've ever done.  I love my Troopers and The Best Boss in the Whole Wide World (its true!  He has a plaque that says so!)!!!  I learn new things everyday and the pranks they play on me completely could not be cooler.  I am so so so so thankful for my job, my boss, my Troopers, and that they love when I say, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!" with spirit fingers :)
10. My friends and my family.  I honestly can't think of anything more fun than spending time with my nieces.  I love them.  We all have flaws and differences, but isn't it the imperfections that make life more special?  I am thankful for each of them for different reasons.  I will say that my sister Kim can get me to do things that nobody else could, for the good or evil.  Annie likes my sarcasm, which in turn makes me like her more.  My mom makes really good fried chicken and homemade lasagna.  The way to my heart is through delicious food...My dad would do anything to help people.  And he makes me laugh a lot.  I was telling my friend, Ming (Who I LOVE), about how after the Columbine shooting, the media told parents they needed to be more involved and know what their kids were doing.  Every time I saw my dad after that for years he would ask, "Have you been making bombs in your room?"  HAHAHAHAHA...I would usually reply, "Thanks for thinking I am smart enough to make bombs, Dad.  Really.  I don't even know how to change oil in the car...How would I make a bomb??"  He would say, "Well, they said to ask you and so I'm just doing my part."  Good grief.  I love him.  My friends are amazing.  So many of you have helped me through so much.  

So anywho, I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and eat mashed potatoes and gravy and most importantly, Stove Top Stuffing.  That is all I eat on Thanksgiving.  It is so on.

Janalee

Good people :)

So, I'm really cold today.  And its a good thing because I got to wear my peacoat for the first time (outside of showing my friend Katie) and I just love it.

Aside from that, I just read an article about how women can't get pregnant from a "legitimate rape".  Whatever that means.....I'm all for prolife and everything, but I think that statement was ludicrous.  Seriously.  This is the article I read.  I love that Tina Fey said, "Now I can't even finish this sentence without getting dumber; it's making me dumber when I say it--but it's something about the body not being able to get pregnant when it's under physical stress. Mr. Akin, I think you are confusing the phrase 'legitimate rape' with the phrase 'competitive gymnastics.'"  She is one of the funniest women around.  But really?  I agree with her about how stupid his statement was.

Another thing...I am really lucky to have people that are awesome as my friends.  I got treats and a cd from a great friend last night and it made my morning routine way good today.  Another friend went to Taco Bell with me and watched Modern Family.  And then another friend brought me a Coke and helped me feel better.  And then I ate my very own homemade snickers with another friend and life seemed pretty awesome.  Another friend laughed at my inappropriate joke in class.  The teacher said, "There is One that nobody can hide their actions from, no matter how hard they try."  I whispered to myself, and my friend heard me, "Santa!!!"  HAHA.  Silly, silly.  Not to mention inappropriate.  But it was funny.  Another friend texted me out of the blue.  I'm pretty lucky with the friends that I have.  Thanks for being who you are.

Good people sometimes seem hard to find, but they are there.  I can feel it in my bones.

Anyway, I guess I better go turn the heater up :)

Bye.

ugh.

So...I'm not much in to politics.  I don't like when people argue or lie.  I have been watching debates and all the news that follows.  Its irritating to say the least.  I have come to the following conclusion:

If Nicki Minaj and Honey Boo Boo are for something, I am against it.


So.  I have sent in my absentee ballot (so convenient) and I feel good about it.

I almost didn't vote, but remembered something one of my professors taught me:

"Women fought so hard to vote.  If you don't vote, you are not respecting the women who fought for you to have equal rights."

So, I am thankful for those women who gave me the chance to vote.  And for all the freedoms we have.  Mostly, I am thankful that I have never seen an episode of Honey Boo Boo and I will not ever be a Nicki Minaj fan.

Weird post, but I am hoping to still be friends with people who view things differently than I do :)


Anyway, vote if you can.  Or don't.  My friend always says, "If you don't vote, you lost the right to complain."  Please don't just vote so you can be a whiner...

Okay?

Okay.

And lets get down to serious business:  

I ordered my first real grown up coat!!!!  I got a mustard colored PEAcoat and can't wait for it to get here.  I've been rocking a $10 coat for the past four years.  It is red and a little bit thicker than a windbreaker.  I am so, so excited!!!!  I have always, forever wanted to have a peacoat and be like Ming, and now I am moving one step closer to being super cool like her.  YAY!

Happy Trails :)

Janalee 

Wasting Time

So...I made a huge mistake.

Huge.

I set up the converter box and antenna for my television so I could have something to watch besides DVDs.  That happened last night.  Thanks Ginger and Katie for the help :)  And random dude at Big Lots.

Once upon a time, I had the ability to prioritize things.  I would do crafts and clean while listening to music.  Now, I feel like I may never, ever, ever get another thing done.

I have 21 channels and I have learned the following in less that 15 hours:

• NPR has a tv station!!!
• There is a country music that plays only music videos!  Its like CMT in the 90s.  LOVE it.
• You no longer have to avoid putting up Halloween decor!  There are new ads for wall savers so none of your decorations "ruin your home".  "Want to have Halloween decorations, but don't want to ruin your walls?"  My question still remains, what kind of decorations are these people using??!??
•  CBS is not on my list...this saddened me at first, but then really encouraged me.  This way, I will not cheat and watch Survivor or The Amazing Race without my friend.  Well played.
• This election is super annoying.  Seriously.
• Watching other people cook is surprisingly interesting.
• Commercials are stupid.
• I cannot watch Dateline.  Or Revolution.  Or 48 hours.  Or Law and Order.  Or anything that could make me think someone is going to murder me tonight...
• Watching news in the morning and eating breakfast makes me feel like a real grownup. 
• I still hate Dancing With the Stars.
• The Voice...wow.  Christina Aguilera...You need to look at what you are wearing and think, "Does this leave ANYTHING to the imagination?  Gross.  Keep them in your shirt.

 So thus we see, Janalee's life has now been infiltrated and will be spent wasting time.  Wish me luck.
Oh!  Modern Family is already my favorite.  But if you think of other great shows, please let me know :)

Janalee

Common Sense and Compassion

Alright.

I hate the way some people talk.

The other night, someone said, "If you suffer from depression or anxiety..." and the dummy behind me said, "GET OVER IT."

It basically took all I had not to turn around and say, "Okay, Tom Cruise.  You are an idiot."  Or something meaner...okay...a LOT meaner.

Depression and anxiety are both real feelings and not really something to just get over.  I don't think its that easy.  Or that that is even a REAL option for some...

Sure, there are things we have to "get over" but someone who truly suffers from those things could have a medical condition, chemical imbalance, an abusive relationship, etc.

Maybe instead of being completely ignorant, you could be compassionate.  After all, isn't that what life is about.  Yeah, we all have crap to deal with.  But making it together is a lot easier than doing it alone.  Or so they say...

So, I guess what I mean is BE NICE.  Don't be a douche.  Nobody likes it when you act like that.

Goals For September...

August is over.  Well after today.

And I did really good with my goals except for that one really awful week I had where Coca-Cola was the only thing holding me together...

Anyway, there are more days with stars on my chart than without, so that is a positive thing.  I have noticed that I am super happy when I get to put stars on there, but really disappointed in myself when I can't.  Silly, I know.  So I probably should stop caring so much about that...

Now, on to September.  My goals for September will be in addition to my August goals.  Ugh.  If I can do them.  HAHA.  I'm going to be able to, I'm just tired so I am unsure.  September is going to be my Spirituality:  Contemplate the Heavens month.  And the goals are:

• Pray more.  Prayer is proven (did you read that study too?) to relieve stress and sadness and clear your mind.  Prayer will help me feel closer to God and hopefully help me be nicer than I am currently.  I do pray already...and I feel like it is important to be real with God, so I will continue focusing on that.
• Read scriptures more.  Reading about the life of Christ helps me be more believing.
• Keep a gratitude journal.  Henry B. Eyring said, “You could ask yourself, 'How did God Bless me today?' If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God's hand in your life.” I'm hoping that by focusing on the positive things God has given me, it will help me be more thankful and hopeful.

So anyways...Happiness to all and to all a good night.

Janalee

Happiness

So my Happiness Project kinda hit the dust this week.  I'm starting back up tomorrow, but I had some stuff going on that required my attention much more than my quest for happiness.  And I actually can see a difference in myself when I am working toward happiness versus when I am in survival mode.

Basically, soda is my downfall.  I do good at the rest of them, but when I am stressed, soda is my go to friend.  I know that sounds ridiculous, but truly, it has helped me through the past 5 days.

And I'm hoping on Thursday, I can have enough energy to face the day on my own.

So anyways, the other things are going good still...just not soda.

So wish me luck with the next ten days.

Janalee

Necessarily Deliciousness

So...

I was just thinking about something that I am going to make for a friend of mine that helped me out this weekend.  She requested Chocolate Caramel Bars and I have been debating if I should share this recipe, or be a selfish hoarder and keep it to myself.  I decided it was really weird to be so protective and creepy to be so obsessed with a treat.  But really...I have problems letting my baby out into the world.  Here goes nothing.

But first, a little background for you.  I got this recipe when I was 19.  It was in...get this...The Essential Mormon Cookbook.  Cheesy as all get-out right?  I thought I would make them in the morning and then take them to class.  Then, because this was before everyone texted (makes me sound so old), my friend Kristi CALLED me.  People actually used to talk to each other on the phone!  Anyways...She was crying and said, "I'm not going anywhere today!"  I didn't go to class without her unless it was a life and death matter or if she promised we would go to Wendy's.  I'm a sucker.  I told her that I would come over and we could talk things over.

I got her a little plate of my newest found creation ready, and headed over.  I got there and she was just having lots of things go wrong.  Then I asked her, "What started all of this?  Why are you so sad?"  While I was asking her this, she took her first bite of a CCB.  She said, "Shut up.  Don't ask me anything.  Answer this:  Where did you buy these?"

I said, "Oh...I just made them this morning.  Why?  Are they gross?"

Side story:  I have this weird habit.  If I've never made it before I want people I love to try it first.  Not to torture them or anything.  Just a tradition, I suppose.

She said, "What are these?"

"They are called Chocolate Caramel Bars...for the Bishop.  Are they okay?"

"And YOU made these?"

"Yes.  Anyways, why are you having such a bad day today??"

Then it happened.  Honest to goodness.  She looked at me and smiled and said, "I can't even remember why I was having a bad day.  These are delicious!"

I said, "Holy crap...I gotta try one!"

"UH...NO!  This in MY plate.  Get your own!"

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

I took some later to my friend Dusty's house for his birthday.  His wife called me an hour later and said, "I ate most of those treats.  Can you give me the recipe so he doesn't know?"  HAHA

After that, I went home immediately and tried one.  The results are horrifyingly good.  Okay...maybe I"m over selling them.  But not really.  You know that quote "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"?  Well...I haven't made these in six months and I might die of happiness today just thinking of making them.

Weird.

Abnormal.

Obsessed.

So I took more over for his birthday and we ate and drank so much milk with them I thought I was going to be sick.  But it turns out, I was just sick about how much I love them.

I'm a freak.

So, here is a piece of my heart and soul.

Chocolate Caramel Bars
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease the crap out of a 9x13 pan.  
Brace yourself.

Mix in a medium bowl:

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Smush (that's right) half of this sticky mixture into the 9x13 pan.  Throw or gently place in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

Now for the caramel mix:

Melt together on LOW heat stirring constantly:  (Don't you dare let it sit, or it will burn and be gross and hard to clean.)
14 oz bag caramels, unwrapped (this part is super annoying, unwrap all of the caramels found in a 14 oz bag.  Don't eat them.  Just unwrap them.  Don't leave them wrapped.  If you do that I just don't know what to tell you.)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream  (if you are poor like I have been, milk is fine too.  It will be thinner, but its not a big deal.)

Once that is done melting, your sticky mix in the oven should be about ready to come out.  Take it out and pour caramel mix on top.  Then, sprinkle (that's right) a 12 oz bag of MILK chocolate chips over the caramel.  Finally, carefully place the rest of the sticky mix on top.  Throw it back in the oven, bake for another 10-15 minutes and relax.  You will need to let it cool for about 20 minutes unless you want to burn your tongue to the point of inhuman pain.

The final requirement is milk.  Delicious with the bars and makes you feel like at least you are getting your calcium in...

Or something like that.

I could eat the entire pan.  But instead, I like to think of who has been best to me recently and shower them with baked goods.

And like I said, I just might die of happiness thinking of them.

Happy trails to you.

Janalee

Awkwardness

Dude.

Hi.

I just wanted to say a little sumpin sumpin.  I need to get a few things off my chest and of course, this is the place not to do it.

However, I wanted to address the issue of my dating life...

Some people say, "You are so cute!  Why aren't you married?"

Or...some people say, "Are you EVER going to get married?"

And...others say, "You need a man!"

Others say to my mother, with a look of sorrow, "I feel so bad for her.  Is she so lonely?" 

(Side note:  I know it all with good, kind intentions.  But still.  Its like asking someone who can't have kids why they don't have any.  Or asking someone if they are pregnant when they just have a belly.)

Here is what I answer to all of these questions:  I'm happy.

Does it matter if I'm married or not?

And let me tell you why I'm not married:

I'm not in love with anyone.
 
How is that for an answer?

Shocking?

But really.



True, I want to get married eventually.  But I also feel like worrying about it and wishing and hoping just makes you feel like you are crazy, or may just make you crazy.  And I am determined never to settle for less than what I want.  I don't want to fall in love with someone just to have them leave me.  I don't want to marry someone because they are "good enough" or they'll change.  I want to marry someone that I'm in absolute love with.

Sounds crazy doesn't it?

And it makes me sound like a romantic.  But I'm not.  I just have seen so many people who are married to people who are jerks, liars, creeps, abusive, etc, and even just people who don't treat them bad, but don't really treat them good either.  If I'm going to "take the plunge" so to speak, I want to have someone that loves me despite my flaws, and who is going to treat me well and help me be happier, not sadder.  I would rather stay single for the rest of my life than marry someone and be miserable.  Life is tough.  Its tougher if you are stupid.  Or married to stupid.  Or whatever.  It makes me want to say this:

Anywho, just in case you were one of the people who have asked me any of those questions, I'm not trying to be mean.  I just want people to know you can be happy no matter what your circumstance or situation may be.

Just to be clear, I believe in marriage.  I think it can be a great thing.  And I am a proud supporter of smart marriage decisions.  One day, maybe I'll even be married.  But as for now, I'm happy being married to my single life.

And dating gives me a ton of stories...dating men who like to pretend they are not gay when they really are...things of that nature.  Or liking someone that is a total jerk.  And to be perfectly honest, I'm really glad none of my relationships have worked out yet.  I feel like it will happen when its supposed to.

Bored out of your mind yet?

Me too.

So in a nutshell, here is what this post is about:

Happy hunting.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Janalee

Happiness

So...

I am 6 days in to my happiness project.  It is going good.  I have found that putting a star on my chart for each goal, each day makes me ridiculously excited to get more...WEIRD?  I know.

I struggled on Friday to do all of my goals.  It was just one of those days that I have sometimes.  But, every other day I have met my goals and THAT makes me happy.  And when I got sad the other day, I went walking and that really boosted my attitude.

Zumba has been a fun exercise too.  At first, I was totally embarrassed, but went because it was a fundraiser for a friend of mine.  Then, my sisters who love it kept inviting me.  Now I am into it more, but I still look like an idiot dancing around.  Oh well.  It makes me happy to be drenched in sweat from a fun exercise.  Endorphins are awesome.

I have been getting things done that have needed to be done for a long time, but I've been putting off.  It is such a relief to cross them off the list.  Again, I know its weird.

On day one of my happiness project, my boss came to work with a huge surprise... I GOT FULL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I could not be happier.  It definitely made my life so much happier just from that!  I didn't believe him at first...and I told him if he was just teasing me I would cry.  HAHA.  But he was serious.  I am in LOVE with my job and the people I work with.  I couldn't be more blessed.  FANTASTIC NEWS (right, Katie?)

Anyways, so far so good.  I like having  goals that make me happier.  I have been struggling with the "need/want" stuff, but I am going to get that through my head if it is the last thing I do.

Here's to your happiness and mine,

Janalee

Friends

Change sucks.

And sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things don't work out.

But it will be okay.

Someday things will work out.

And you'll be happy.

And yesterday, I was sad about changes that were taking place.

But then, I went to Zumba class with an awesome instructor and afterwards got to talk to my best friend.

Life got better.

I think that God gives us people in our lives to help us.

And no matter what, friends make everything better.

And if they don't, they are really friends.

I wanted to write a word, but spellcheck keeps telling me that "Shopkeeper" is the closet word.

Whatever.

My point is this:  Life sucks and its difficult and sad and all that crap.  Friends turn bad situations/days/weeks into good learning and hopefully, if you have a great bff, they will talk crap out with you and talk crap about whatever is bugging you. 

Things will work out.

I think.

I hope.

Whatever.

"Heartbreak is more common than happiness.  No one wants to say that, but its true.  We're taught to believe not only that everyone deserves a happy ending, but also that if we try hard enough, we will get one.  That's simply not the case.  Happy endings, lifelong loves, are the products of both luck and effort.  Call it God's plan, but we are all at its mercy.  And sometimes, God doesn't seem so merciful." - Jane Austen Ruined My Life  (now, there are a ton of great quotes in that book but the ending blows...just fyi)

So here is to wishing myself and yourself lots of luck and effort so we can get a happy ending :)

Until next time...

Janalee

Triple Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Yo...

Some people say that zucchini doesn't belong in cake.  I say if you eat a piece of this cake, you can count it as a serving of veggies.  Whatever.  To each their own.  I'm just saying that I don't love cake...but this cake is enough to make me rethink that.  It is super soft and so chocolatey.  They said it only serves 12 people, but it has served WAY more than that the two times I've made it.  I got the recipe for Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake from Tasty Kitchen and tweeked it both times to be more chocolatey.  For their recipe click here.

I made it last with my niece, Savannah, and she has been asking for more even though that was on Sunday and its Thursday now.  Guess its just that good.

Ingreds:

1/2 cup margarine, mostly melted
1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 bag (or more if you want) MILK chocolate chips


So you mix the first six together, then add everything but the zucchini and cchips.  Mix really well.  Now throw (literally.  Just kidding) the zucchini and cchips in and mix some more.  Pour into an extremely well greased and floured bundt pan.  Throw in the oven for 62 minutes (just depends on how gooey you like it) at 350 degrees.  Cool it.


Icing Ingreds:


1/2 cup margarine, completely melted
2/3 cup baking cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 or more cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla


Heads up:  I could eat the icing without the cake and be okay with it all.


Melt the marg, then add the cocoa til its mixed good.  Mix in one cup of sugar at a time.  Then the milk and vanilla.  Beat it baby.


Let the iced cake hang out in the fridge.  Be prepared with a glass of milk or a huge scoop of ice cream to go with it.  Or not.  Whatever floats your boat.


Welp...Enjoy.

Goals...for August

So my quest for more happiness is underway.  I bought a pedometer, made a poster to put my star stickers on, and I am trying to start practicing for the new goals I have made.  So far I can see that Sundays are my least productive day and I'm okay with that.  I think I will save Sunday as my day off on most of the goals I have.  So six days a week, I will be trying to boost my energy (body and mind) by:

• Walking 10,000 steps.  Did you know that 10,000 steps a day makes your heart happier and healthier?  Yeah...I didn't.  I've been working on this one already and it is AWESOME.  Love this goal.
• Exercising 30 minutes a day.  Whether its Zumba, which is hilarious and a good workout, or Taebo at home, or just walking, this makes me feel better about myself.  Good ole endorphins!
• Sleeping for 8 hours, bed by 11, up by 7.  Most people need 8 hours of sleep to feel positive and if you aren't getting enough sleep you get sick more frequently.  I have an awful habit of staying up way late and then getting up early.  Thus, I am tired and I have no energy to do anything that I want/need to do.  And sleeping is one of my favorite things to do. 
• Writing down my meals and activities through the day.  This way, I will try to only eat things I want to write down
• De-cluttering my apartment...this one will be awesome.  I will use the five minute rule, so anything that takes five minutes of less gets done.  I will also be doing the evening tidy-up.  I like waking up to a cleaner home and so this will be great.
• Not drinking soda pop.  Ugh.  This one with be my demon forever.  I love soda pop.  I do.  I'm not ashamed.  In fact, it is not that bad.  There are a lot of worse things in the world...but nevertheless...I am going to give up my soda for the time being.  I did it for Lent this year and did great.  I lost ten pounds by doing nothing different other than not drinking soda.  Its not a healthy habit...Sound like I'm trying to convince myself?  Yes.  I am.  In fact, as I type this, there is a Coca-Cola with lots of ice keeping me company.  Jealous?  I will be too when I read this in 15 days.
• Doing things!  Okay, I have been putting LOTS of stuff off so this month I will do one of those things each day and get crap done!  That way I'll stop worrying about them and just get them outta the way.

The end results I'm looking for?  A happier home.  Healthier choices.  More motivation.

So as the end of July closes in, I'm drinking all the soda I can, walking more often, trying to get to bed earlier and focusing on my new goals.   Gretchen Rubin came up with 12 commandments for her happiness, so I thought I would too for me.  Some of mine are the same as hers.  My 12 commandments are:

1. Let things go.
2. Breathe.
3. Wants and needs are different.  You don't NEED people to love you.  (This one is because I often only like myself if other people do.  But that is not the way it should be.  Whether people love you or not doesn't affect your worth.  Or at least it shouldn't.  This one will be a tough one for me, but I'm ready for the challenge.)
4. Look for the positive in each situation.
5. Do it now.
6. Be fair.
7. Enjoy the process.
8. Read.
9. Pray.
10. Let yourself feel how you feel.
11. Laugh.
12. Worrying helps nothing.  (Even though I'm PRO at it.)

Welp...
I guess that is all for this post.  Wish me luck!  But I don't NEED that so nevermind.  Ugh.

Janalee

Happiness

Welp...On the 4th of July, I went to get a book for the CC Library Book Club, A Midsummer Nights Dream.  But after I picked it up, I saw a book that I have been wanting to read and putting off for 2 yearsish.  The first time I saw The Happiness Project was in SLC with my best friend Chelsea.  We were in Anthropology and while she tried on pretty clothes, I looked at books.  So Wednesday, I thought about which one I would rather have and The Happiness Project won.  Sorry Shakespeare.  

It has made me think, if life is about being happy then we should be really good at that, right?

If you have not taken the time to define what happiness means to you, what have your spent your whole life pursuing?  Bo Bennett 

Ugh...what indeed?  I made a list of the daily things that make me happy.  Here are just a few:

music - not a day goes by that I'm not jammin.

work - I have the best job ever.

my kiddo friends - their phone calls, calling me Gramma, etc.

friends - absolutely necessary.

food - I love making it and eating it and giving it away. not always in that order...

crafting - its amazing how you feel when you create/recreate something.

reading - give me a book and my day will get better nearly every time.

Gretchen Rubin wrote the book and takes each month to add new goals.  My first happiness month will be August, so I'm just in the prep stages, but I'm so excited that I've started some of my goals already.  I even made a chart to put star stickers on for each day I succeed in my quest for being happier.  Silly?  Lame?  Don't I know it.  But if it helps me to find more happiness, so be it.

I have been focusing on more external things thus far in my pursuit, but it should be the Internal that I focus on:

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.  Denis Waitley

I agree.  And I believe that God wants everyone to be happy.  No matter who you are or where you are in your life, that is what we're here for...Right?  Can I get a witness?

Some days you might feel like Robert Mapplethorpe when he said, "Happiness?  No.  Its not there for me."  But keep your chin up and work for it and maybe it'll come to you.  Or maybe you are meant to be sad all the time.  But I don't think that is true for anyone.  Except maybe Oscar the Grouch.  Its in his name not to be happy.

So.....Here's to beginning the quest for happiness.  Join me?  Okay fine.  Don't.  Whatever.  You know what?  I just remembered this quote:  "If you expect another person to make you happy, you'll be endlessly disappointed."  So there.  HAHA.  I'm crazy.

Welp...Happy Trails to you!!!

Baking/Crafting

This one is for you Missy.  Melissa.  Whatever they call you....

So, I make these delicious Corn Starch Cookies and I was bragging on them the other day...So I decided instead of just typing them for one, I would type them for all.

Corn Starch Cookies

1 cup butter, MELTED

3/4 cup corn starch (that's right)

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 cup flour

Mix in first three ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well.  Beat in flour until mixed thoroughly.  Drop by small teaspoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Flatten them out with flour-covered bottom of a glass.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Now, for the best part:

Cream Cheese Frosting

3 oz cream cheese, softened.  I like to put mine in a mixing bowl on top of the stove while the oven preheats.  That way, it is softened, but not melty.  And perfect.

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla...or more if you like.

Beat together until smooth.  You can even add color if you want.  If the frosting isn't runny enough for your taste, add more vanilla or you can even add milk in teaspoons if you like.

Frost the cookies.  And just you wait.  They melt in your mouth.  And they are tasty.  Tasty.  I might have to make some tonight.  Dang it.

And might I just add this:  Cream Cheese Frosting could cure all of the world's problems.

And now for the crafting part of this blog...

I found a quote the other day that made me laugh and so I made it for my bathroom.  I then showed a coworker.  And I made one for him.  It said, "Wash your hands and say your prayers cause germs and Jesus are everywhere."

So anyway...I have been crafting a lot lately, and I have come to feel that it is a great way for me to handle stress in life and a great way for me to feel like I am doing something worthwhile.  Even if I'm the only one who sees most of the stuff I make, at least it makes me happy.

Right?

 Anyway, Happy National Beauticians Day (Shoutout to Amy Garfield) and also Happy National Chocolate Pudding Day!  I shared my puddin with you!

:)

Have a great day!

Books

Wow.  I just finished the first book of  The Hunger Games series.  Wow.  I hated the ending, not in the this ending sucks way, but in the way she treats Peeta.  Poor guy.  If you haven't yet read these, you probably will like them if you do.  I'll admit that the first 100 pages were slow for me.  I kept thinking that I should be more in love with the people and the book itself.  But then once I got past that I couldn't put the book down.  I was reading it while testing people at work.  It was a two minute typing test they did three times.  So I read for two minutes, got up, helped them start a new one after recording the score, and then read for two minutes, on and on for nine hours.  It was quite humorous.

I will admit, I feel like I don't know enough about him to be team Gale.  I am team Peeta currently.  I think Gale was a great friend to her, but Peeta loves her.  And I think if you went through the crap they did together, you would need each other to recover.  I guess we will see what Catching Fire and Mockingjay bring.  I already hate President Snow.  Such a jerk.  And I hated Cato as well.  I think Foxface was quite tricky, but I'm glad she didn't win.

Favorite character:  Rue.  No Cinna.  No.  Rue.  Okay...its a tie between them.  I love Rue and Cinna, both.  Oh.  And Haymitch.  At first I thought he was weird, but I really liked him by the end.

Oh, I guess I should say that I saw the movie prior to reading the book.  I like to do that so the book isn't ruined by the movie.  I think they did great casting the movie.  I heard people complaining about the girl who played Rue, but I think that she was fabulous.

Anyway, read a book.  It is good for your soul...
And you don't want a book to kill itself because you didn't read it...
Seriously.
Read a book.

And have a great day :)

Books

Seriously.

How lucky are we to have access to such great and powerful objects?  I have been rereading a favorite book of mine.  Its called The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

This will be the third time I've read it...  And each time, new things stand out to me and I fall in love with it for a new reason.  Its about a little girl named Liesel who moves in with foster parents during World War II.  The street where she lives has lots of great characters on it.  At first, I hated Rosa Hubermann because she calls everyone she loves mean names.  But then that is just her way of showing them she loves them.  I know its opposite of what it should be, but that is how she does it.  The book is narrated by Death.  Weird?  Not even.  Totally awesome.

I cannot recommend the book enough.  It is sad, happy, funny, heart wrenching, and just wonderfully amazing.  Its a lot like life is really.

Its about losing.  And gaining.  One of my favorite quotes from Death is this, "I witness the ones that are left behind, crumbled among the jigsaw puzzles of realization, despair, and surprise. They have punctured hearts. They have beaten lungs."  So from Death's point of view, and my own personal point of view, its much worse to be the ones who live on.  Seriously.

Anyway, if you like good books, read this one.  If you don't like good books, I just don't know what to say...other than this:  We need to talk.

Enjoy.

Marriage

Best Marriage Invitation EVER.

I watched this twice this weekend, and now I want to sing it every stinking day.

Enjoy.

Cancellations...like this one

Today has been canceled.  Go back to bed.

Good Shows

Wow.

I'm in love.

With this.....

And it makes me want to be British and to wear pretty clothes and punch Mary, Thomas and O'Brien in the face.

Amazing.  I watched the first season on Friday and Saturday and I officially have no patience to wait for season two.  So, I may have to do something about that.

Here is what I will tell you:

It is good.  It is addicting.  I might be the most in love with Mr. Bates.  I hope he and Anna end up together.  I love them both.  And Carson.  Wow.  I love it.

So here is what I'm wondering:

Do you watch it?  Do you love it?

Why or Why not?

Who is your favorite character and why?

Who do you despise on the show?  (Oooh...So many to pick from.)



Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Jana

My first time blogging...

Welp, this is my first trip on the blogging ride...  I'm a little nervous about it, but I have friends who keep telling me to have a blog.  So here is goes.  I love reading and baking and Pinterest and movies and just making life better everyday.  Some days I am good at making life better.  Other times, I fail.  But I guess that is life.  So, I guess first off I will say that I love my job and the people I work with.  I could not be more blessed.  I have only sisters and nieces which is sometimes an estrogen overload.  HAHA.  Some of my closest friends have mostly boys, so that is a new adventure for me to observe.  I love my calling in church in the Nursery.  The party starts when they are 18 months old and ends when they are 3.  I love my kids.  They make me laugh every week.  Especially when they tell me random things about their lives.  So great.

A lot of people tell me I have a gift for baking.  Let me tell you, ANYONE can bake.  You just have to work at it like anything else.  And love the end products.  I have to give most of my end products away or I would be severely diabetic.  Especially these.  I could eat them every single day and not ever feel guilty.  Or sad.  Or anything but pure love and joy.  Sad, but true.  So I give them away mostly.  But in my heart, those have a special little place.  Even to the point that sometimes I wonder if people truly deserve them.  Wow.  I sound like a freak!  Enough of that.  I just love baking.  And cooking.  And food in general. 

I suppose some of this blog will be about books.  Ones I love, ones I could've lived without, and ones I simply do not like.  Reading always helps me be happier.  A quote I will leave you with today:  "If you think reading is boring, you're doing it wrong."

Those are the thoughts of the day.  Welcome to my world.