Unhistoric Acts

after school stuff

This picture totally cracks me up. Jordan's in the kitchen right now...talking to me...as I'm posting this. She might make me take it down, so I'd best be quick.

After school today she told me  that she's always in a bad mood after school because she has Calculus AP last period. She didn't want to take Calculus, but the Statistics AP class she wanted conflicted with French. So she was FORCED to take Calculus, even though she hates math. Or, I should say, dislikes it greatly because "it stresses her out."

Then Maddie talked about how everything EXCEPT FOR math "stresses her out." And then they both dreamed of the day they could only take math and English classes respectively. Jordan whipped out the BYU core requirements and started looking at her options. We talked about how my first class my freshman year was an 8 AM physical science class (that I rarely attended). I told her to aim for 9 or 10. And both girls marveled and became giddy at the thought of 9 or 10, especially since they've been getting up at 5 (or 4:45 for Jordan) for the past three years.

And I just thought, "My baby is going to college. Can I really be THAT old?"

As she was listing off the course options...I heard a few I might be interested in.

So....maybe I could go with her?

still cookin'

I'm in a bit of a blog rut. I'm working out exactly what I want this space to be...family record, cool repository of links, food stuffs. Right now it's a bit of everything. Let's call it eclectic. And, maybe that's all it will be. Too much definition makes my brain hurt.

So here's what I'm thinking about right now (in no particular order):

• I recently downloaded the app Momento, and I think it will work great with Project Life. It's a journaling app for the iphone that lets me record daily events. What's really great about it though is that it gets an automatic feed from Facebook and Instagram. So even if I drop the ball and don't record anything on my own...the Instagram photos (and my sage observations on FB) will be there...on the appropriate days. Because I need to remember EXACTLY what day I took pictures of magazines in the dentist's office. Right?
• I've tried out a few new recipes this week. Our Best Bites' Thai Peanut Noodles were a bit hit. They are quick to make...although I wouldn't say they pack a big nutritional punch. Still, I'll make them again. I do recommend that you have the toppings on hand (cilantro, peanuts, limes, green onions). They make it zingy and awesome. (Pretend I'm singing the word 'awesome.') I also made PW's favorite pizza, which includes roasted eggplant and grape tomatoes. It was good AND it has fresh veggies galore  (with crust and olive oil, ahem). It does take some time and planning. The dough needs to be made at least a day in advance. But then, when your husband asks what's in the bowl in the fridge, you answer, "Oh, that's the pizza dough for Wednesday's dinner." And then you look totally on the ball. Not that "on the ball" buys much these days. But you'll feel "with it" for approximately two minutes and 37 seconds. And then you might go back to roaming your house aimlessly in your bathrobe. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything.
• Monday night we attended this special 'meeting of the Board of Trustees' for our school district. They were honoring those kids who had received recognition from the National Merit Scholarship program. Twenty kids from our high school (132 from the entire district) were recognized. Of the twenty kids (from our high school)...15 were girls. Huh. Now, I'm not saying that boys aren't smart or girls are smarter or anything nearly so controversial. But when you spend your days reading 19th century accusations of the relative mental and intellectual instability of women...and then you see 15 women walk across the stage for something like National Merit...you just say BOOYAH! YOU GO GIRL! Also, when Jordan was recognized they said something like, "Jordan plans to attend Brigham Young University" in the Fall. And the woman behind us says very loudly, "She must be a Mormon." Yes she is. Thankyouverymuch.
• The new Ingrid Michaelson album came out yesterday. I downloaded it at the orthodontist's office while I was waiting on Becca and her teeth. Isn't technology wonderful? New music...and you never have to leave the comfort of your dental health specialist's cushy couch.

That's it. But stay tuned...I just might be MAKING something.

going viral

Have you read this? It's pretty much gone viral...and for good reason. This is what good writing does. It takes a single human emotion (or heck, a whole tangled pile of them) and it orders them in nice straight rows for one blessed moment in time. Also, it let's you know that there are other people out there facing the same cruddy (and sometimes not so cruddy) issues as you. Ahhhh...strength in numbers.

So, yes, the above-linked article made me a momastery fan. And I really like what she posted today. She jumped right up on my particular soapbox, from which I'll gladly step aside and even shout out "Sing it sistah!"

 

on being a hermit

This picture has nothing to do with being a hermit, other than sometimes when I'm holed up...I make pretty arrangements of fruit and candles. It seems like a very Jane Austen thing to do. It makes me feel more artsy and less deranged.

I write today in a semi-state of celebration. I handed a chapter in today. Yippee!!

Except it's not really DONE done. It's not even pretty much done. But it's drafted and fairly complete and is certainly a step in the right direction -- that direction being lots of black words on white paper.

As of late I've kinda sorta hit my stride in terms of coming up with a working schedule. Before the "schedule," my plan was mostly reading, blog surfing, lunch with friends, and long talks with myself about buckling down. Now the plan is that I have to work first. I know. It's a simple idea: Do your homework first, and THEN you can play outside. Eat your healthy foods first, and THEN you can have dessert. But still, I somehow didn't think that rule applied to me. Also, I was lazy.

But now -- I get home from seminary, make Parker's lunch, and try desperately to go back to sleep on the couch while Parker and the dog dance around me...Parker chastising Sterling for taking too long even though it's only 7:15 and the school doesn't open till 7:50. Generally speaking, I can't fall back to sleep, so I give myself a little mental pep talk in which I tell myself to stop being such a whiny baby and go sit down in your nice, warm study and write a few words. It's not like plowing the back 40. For heaven's sake.

Then I do. Sometimes I work for specific time periods. Say 8:30-11:30. Lunch and errands from 11:30-1:00. Back at the desk from 1 until the girls get home at 2:45. Sometimes I work towards a specific number of pages written. Last week I wrote three pages each day, but I need to work towards five. I'm not getting any younger you know.

I know a few of you, ahem...friends and family, are suspicious of my "I've got to work" excuse when I refuse a lunch date or don't make contact with the outside world for days at a time. But I really am working. And I need to do it. And unfortunately, the only way I can make this work is if I play the role of semi-hermit. The outside world is too shiny and distracting.

Right now, on my desk, are about 23 books and 1,723 pieces of paper -- these include articles, notes, drafts, and even a few pieces of my actual sanity. Sometimes, when I'm writing, I remember something I read in so-and-so's article and then I look through all 1,723 pieces of paper and can't find it anywhere. Then I look again BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S THERE, and I usually find it about the 4th time through the piles. I could organize my stuff better, but that's a trap right there. I'll spend three days and $143 on organizational supplies all to avoid the writing...which hurts so bad I can hardly believe I made it through the last 40 pages without having a nervous breakdown.

But I did. And I'm learning how I trick myself, what with the organizing, and the careful attention to my works cited page, and the desperate need I have for powdered donuts right when I'm at a difficult point in the theory. See? I'm learning so much about myself.

 

the weekend awaits (not to mention MLK day)

Photo: taken this morning after seminary.

I have to say, all things considered, I sorta like seminary. I like the study part. And I like some of the teaching parts, and I'm working really hard to like the waking up parts -- but that might be asking too much. And no, this does not mean I'd like to do it another year. I'm just trying to have a good attitude here and now.

I don't have a lot of fun to report. Not much fun is generated when you spend most of your day at a desk reading and writing. But I am writing and that is good. I keep pinning posters about how it's better to try and fail than never to try...which is strangely comforting to me as I wait to hear what my advisor has to say about my work thus far.

At any rate, here are a few links to liven up your day:

• I've been using this transfer app to get my Instagram photos to my computer. I agree that it's a little silly to pay for such an app when actually plugging the phone into the computer is not exactly a great feat of strength. But still, I find myself transfering photos a lot more often.
• Dude. I made these brownies yesterday. I don't even really like brownies. Or, I didn't. But now I do. These brownies will make you a believer. Sterling tried one and was all, "We'll never make brownies from a mix again!" And I was all, "That's easy for you to say."

• Got most of my Project Life stuff yesterday. The whole time I was ordering it I kept saying, "I'm not even sure if I'll do this." And I was on the phone with Debbie, who answered back, "I can't believe we are considering this." And then we both clicked the final button and bought the darn stuff. Cuz we need a project. 
• And finally, I made So-Easy Coq au Vin last night. I'm dying to link the recipe for you, but cannot FOR THE LIFE OF ME find it anywhere on the vast Interweb. So I'm going to type it up for you, and hope Better Homes and Gardens doesn't get me for copyright infringement. It was good. Perfect for a wintry evening.

So-Easy Coq au Vin (adapted from Skinny Slow Cooker)

8 oz mushrooms (sliced)
4 medium carrots (sliced)
1.5 cups frozen pearl onions
6-8 large chicken thighs, skin removed
1 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp tapioca
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar (I was out and used apple cider vinegar)
1.5 tsp herbes de Provence
3 cloves garlic, minced
Italian parsley
4 cups whole grain noodles (cooked)

1. Chop mushrooms and carrots and place, with frozen onions, in the crockpot
2. Season chicken thighs with coarse salt and FGP and brown in a large skillet (about 6 minutes). Add to crockpot.
3. Deglaze skillet with red wine. Reduce heat and simmer for two minutes. Remove from heat and stir in broth, tapioca, herbs, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over chicken.
4. Cook on low for 5-5.5 hours OR high for 2.5 to 2.75 hours.
5. Serve over cooked noodles with sprinkling of parlsey.
Serves 6

some disparate things

PJ after school (after school cookie in his mouth).

It's currently 69 degrees in Houston. Blue, blue skies. Slight breeze. If you could bottle up this weather, you could sell it. And get REALLY, REALLY rich.

That not being a possibility, I've been writing my little brains out today. Nothing like writing to make your brain feel teeny, tiny. As in miniscule. A very big part of me feels that the writing should come easier to me, that at this point in the process is should be effortless, that my brain should coalesce all that I've read, the theories I've learned, the texts I've chosen. And yet, it's more like the little engine who could. I'm (metaphorically) huffing and puffing. Not sure if this is normal. Will seek professional help.

Parker's reading grades have been all over the map lately. Nothing really bad, but more mediocre grades than I'd like to see, especially with junior high staring us straight in the eyeballs. I e-mailed his reading teacher and asked where he thought he could improve. He suggested we work on making inferences...understanding those concepts not directly stated in the text. I'll be honest with you, my first thought was to hire a tutor. Because I am lazy. But then I got a hold of myself and reasoned that I could put some of my EXTENSIVE training into my own child's education. So, I took myself down to the teacher's supply and bought two workbooks and that handy-dandy box called, precisely, "making inferences." I pulled out the most difficult card to just see how far off the mark we were. He read the story and answered all of the questions correctly. So...hmmmmm. Tomorrow I'll try some of the workbooks. (I bought the smencils and the doodle book to make the whole proposal more palatable. The grape smencil is to die for.) The point is people -- I'm trying. Can I get some bonus points just for trying?

Also...bonus points for after school cookies. The avocados are for dinner. I have chicken in the crockpot for tacos. And even though I've posted this recipe before (I think), it bears repeating. It's the EASIEST DINNER EVER MADE. Or very nearly so if you don't count cereal.

Chicken Tacos

Time to make: 1.3 minutes
Time to cook: a long time

Throw some chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) into the crockpot. I usually do 4-6 breasts, and they are always frozen. Because I can't be bothered to thaw something out beforehand. Unless I buy fresh. But that's a rare occurrence as well.

Add in a packet of taco seasoning (I used chicken taco seasoning today, but any taco seasoning works), about a cup of salsa (or picante), and 1/2 - 1 cup of water. Put it on low and let it cook all day. Or, if you are like me, put it in at 1:00 and cook that sucker on high.

When you are ready to eat simply shred the chicken in the pot and stir it up with all of the juicy, salsa goodness. Serve with lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocados and some soft, fat tortillas (or crunchy shells if you are Parker). That's it. It's easy and relatively wholesome. Try it.

sunday night. boo hoo.

Here's the whole motley crew at BYU just a little over a week ago. And now it's back to work. And (keep your fingers crossed) to exercising and eating right and writing and doing all of those things that are good for me but that my lazy self really doesn't want to do.

Seriously, tomorrow it's back to my desk. I pulled out the chapter I worked so feverishly on in December. There are some good parts, don't get me wrong, but there are some parts that I want to cut and slash and write in the margins, "What on earth were you thinking here?" That's the obvious benefit to desk editing (which means letting it sit in your desk for a while) -- your mistakes in logic become glaringly obvious. The plan is to tidy up that chapter a bit and then to plunge ahead with the next. No big breaks. No pats on the back. I think that's what's been getting me in trouble...so much patting on the back...which really amounts to me giving myself lengthy breaks. It's all a mind game, and I'm done with it. (Or is that just another mind game?)

At any rate, I think I'll write out my shopping list tonight so I'll have that out of the way. I'm definitely going to try Baked Bree's minestrone soup and pasta and white beans with broccoli pesto (from January's Everyday Foods). I'm also going to serve chicken tacos (ala crockpot) and perhaps one more crockpot dish from the new Skinny Slow Cooker -- a Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication that for the life of me I can't find a link for.

Also, and I can barely type it here...I'm thinking of embarking on Becky Higgins Project Life. I know. No more projects. But maybe just one. I'll just work on it on Sunday afternoons. And only if I've given three pints of blood that week to my dissertation. I swear.

ski pics

I realize this is much like inviting friends over to see our vacation slides...but I'm going to do it anyway. Eventually, someday, when I get about a bazillion free hours, I plan to print this dear blog into books. That way, my future generations can also view my vacation slides. Boredom through the annals of time....THAT'S my end game.

Let me just emphasize here that I did not take any of these pictures. Debbie was good enough to lug her big camera and BIG lens around and captured these images. I did edit them, which I only tell you here in case you don't like the editing...don't blame it on Debbie. It's all me. And I'm a fairly lazy editor.

The whole fam...and Sam...who is family. We will probably one day regret this, but we often refer to Parker and Sam as the old married couple. That's how they operate. Except no fighting. They are an old married couple in complete harmony.

Each day, when we finished skiing, we left our skis at the ski valet. Except one day Parker wanted to bring his snowboard home (to practice his stance). Sterling warned him he would have to carry it himself and that there wouldn't be much time for practicing. Parker still wanted his snowboard by his side. And no, there was no practicing. But he loved it just the same.

On our trip, we also set aside an entire day to visit BYU (and eat lunch at Brick Oven). I swear, everytime I'm there (at BYU), a little birdie whispers to me "You're home." And I yell back, "Well, get me a job here already!" Lazy little birdie.

This picture was taken in the courtyard of the humanities building where I pretended I have an office. The pretending is both inspirational and depressing...all at the same time.

Maddie and her sidekick, Jane.

That's all. We'll be sleeping in tomorrow! 11 AM church. Wahoo!!!!

blooming

Either my paperwhites were slow this year, or I planted them way too late -- too late to bloom for Christmas anyway. This turned out to be a fortuitous circumstance because I was away for Christmas. They waited for me! The first one bloomed the day after we returned home (even after receiving no water for 10 days). They are resiliant little rascals.

Here's the thing about plants. I need them to last forever. And they won't. I'm sure I'm supposed to learn some sort of lesson from that, but I'm resisting the "all things must die -- everything in its own season" lesson. Also, I'm resisting the upkeep/nurturing/constant care lesson. It makes me tired.

But, for now, I'll enjoy these magnificent paperwhites.

Oh, and one more thing:

I took down all of Christmas yesterday (except for the tree, which is still waiting on Sterling to haul it up to the attic). Last year I spent a lot of time organizing the Christmas decor and painstakingly labeling the boxes. So this year, I pulled the boxes down, read the labels, and put the corresponding decoration into the corresponding box. And then...I waited until the kids were home from school and had them hoof all the boxes back up to the attic. That's why I had those kids in the first place: free labor.

As a last minute thought I decided to do something with this year's Christmas cards. Usually I vacillate. I let them sit around for another week or so, feeling guilty over throwing them away. But then I do throw them away because I'm deathly afraid of clutter.

Last night, however, while watching Modern Family, I whipped us this baby:

The good folks at eighteen25 provided the printable for the front cover, so all I had to do was print and punch some holes. I can handle that.

Initially, I printed the cover on cardstock, but it still seemed too flimsy. So I glued it to some chipboard (claimed from a soon-to-be-thrown-away cereal box). But, of course, this left me with an ugly, brown, chewed-up looking back side. So then I added some Christmas paper. Not flimsy anymore. Let me tell you.

And voila! I packed the little book away with our stockings and will bring it out next year so we can all ooh and aah and squeal about how everyone has changed so very much.

Now. Off to the grocery store. See? More with the nuturing/constant care stuff. (Still tired.)

one last thing...

Our last day in Utah we took the kids snowmobiling. Because there is so little snow in Utah right now we had to travel a little higher into the mountains for the good snow...and it was so worth it. At one point we were in powder up to our hips. This was problematic for the snowmobiles but fantastic for us snow-starved Texans. While the girls waited for the snowmobiles to be dug out...they made snow angels, buried each other, and basically acted like Texas girls in a big pile of snow. I thought it was charming. I'm not so sure about the other people with us on the ride. They were a wee bit grumpy.

I can't leave the snowmobiling episode without mentioning that JOSH HIT A TREE. Yup. In all fairness, it wasn't totally his fault. But fault is really not the object here....teasing him FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE...that's the object. I'm a good aunt, no?

We tubed at Soldier Hollow twice. The first time, on Wednesday night, everyone had the BEST time ever. I know this because Parker repeatedly yelled, "This is the best time EVER." And get this...Ryan Reynolds and Coach Bolton (dad from High School Musical) were also there. Brush with fame.

The second time we tubed was Saturday afternoon. Since we considered ourselves tubing veterans at this point, everyone grabbed a tube, got clipped in to the conveyor belt thing-y, and hurried up to the top. See, on Wednesday night we put together huge groups to come down the slide. Groups of 20 and more. The guys at the top helped us get everyone together. They pushed us off. It was all smiles and good times.

But on Saturday conditions were far different. Thursday had brought an inch of rain. This combined with warm temps during the day and freezing temps at night had made the tubing hills smooth as glass. I was down below taking pictures when our BIG group went flying down the hill and through the "just in case" construction fencing, taking out three poles in the process. During the mangle at the end Rebecca's head hit a pole and I spied her limping away with a good sized hole right at her temple. Uh oh.

If you know my family, you might also know that we rarely escape a good trip without at least one medical emergency. At first glance Becca's scrape looked minor, but it was the giant lump under the scrape that was somewhat concerning. Soldier Hollow did have an EMT on staff that looked her over. He thought she looked good overall, but I spent the next day and a half assessing her for concussion symptoms. That was fun. And super peaceful.

While I was home nursing Becca the rest of the family was paying the price on the ice. Jenny, Debbie and Emily all fell on the slippery ice. When a flying tube took out a woman walking by...which necessitated an ambulance...everyone decided to pack it in. I breathed a sigh of relief.

And the next day? We drove and drove and drove. Straight through the night. Without mishap...and even swung by and picked up our dog from the pet resort on our way into town at 8 in the morning. By 9 Sterling was back at work. By 3 that afternoon? The kids had escaped my clutches to reunite with their friends.

Aaaaannnnd. Life was back to normal. Just like that.

The end.

P.S. It is certainly worth mentioning that while I credited Debbie in my last post with staying with me on the mountain, Emily took the responsibility for getting ALL the rest of the kids down. Essentially, Debbie was in charge of me and Emily was in charge of Parker, Sam, Rebecca, Jordan and Madison. Emily is a great skiing partner: she has skillz and doesn't mind sticking with the newbies. Thanks Em!