My friend's new book

I'm blatantly promoting my friend's new book "My Orange Duffel Bag." If you've got an older teen this is a great book to help them realize their dreams and goals. From a parent's perspective I like this book because it helps my own 15 year old understand that her life (and her parents) is pretty darn good compared to the life Sam had growing up.

I highly recommend this book. It's a great book too for all teens but it's a homerun for the teen who isn't a reader. The book is graphically beautiful. Your teen will want to make this their own--it's almost a journaling experience.

Anyway, check it out

Book Description:
In this graphic mini-memoir combined with transformational self-help, Sam Bracken shares his harrowing story of growing up in a family best described as a whacked-out version of The Brady Bunch.
Despite being abandoned at age 15 and suffering unspeakable abuse, Sam triumphed over the odds and offers a message of hope, love and forgiveness.

See Sam's interview on

Monetizing my blog

I am no expert  but everybody seems to be doing it so here goes. Plug in a product name and you'll be linked directly to Amazon. I am a big time Amazon user and it's almost as indispensable to me as Google. I use Amazon mostly for books and audios but I'm moving my life to the Frugal Zone what with Obama-care looming in our future. (Now you know my politics but I can't help feeling like we're going to hell in a handbasket and we're going there fast.)

Oh and another kick I'm on. I experimented with my Mrs. Fields cookie recipe last night and substitued half of the butter with blueberry and spinach puree, added a scoop of flax, and mix my flour with half whole wheat and half white.  I also made only a half recipe.

MRS. FIELDS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

2 c. butter (half blueberry/spinach puree) 2 c. brown sugar 2 c. white sugar 4 eggs 1 tbsp. vanilla 3 c. oat bran (I used oatmeal) 5 c. flour (less 1 scoop and I added 1 scoop ground flax) 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder Add last: 2 (12 oz.) pkg. milk chocolate chips Cream first 5 ingredients until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients. Mix until all ingredients are blended. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-12 minutes. Do not overbake.

Phil and Daysa were gone last night so I tested them on the neighbor kids and I got RAVE reviews. They all said they loved them and I should make more. Try it and tell me what you think.

P.S. The cookies do have a green tint to them.

March 5, 2010 THE GOOD, THE BAD. AND THE UGLY

The Good: Where I Live

This is looking out my window as I sit at the computer.

The Bad: Yesterday's Weather

Backyard shot

The Ugly: Driving to Work in it


Out the front door

Trip to Asia

I'm finally getting around to publishing a few pictures from my trip to Taipei, Tokyo, and Seoul. It was a very good business trip and I love the people of Asia.


This is looking out my room window in Taipei. That is the One Oh One building (once the tallest building in the world).


Outside the LDS chapel in Tokyo.


Thank you Martini family for taking me to church with you and going out of your way to show me the Tokyo Temple.

Folowing are a couple of pictures of the historic Korean Palace grounds in the center of Seoul. Sorry, I don't remember the name. It was VERY cold in Seoul and and it was hard to take pictures because my hands were so cold but I think I got a few good ones.




Below: This is where we had our business meeting. This is very typical to sit on the floor (and remember you take your shoes off so don't have holes in your stockings like I did) and there is always tea and cookies.

Here I am in the courtyard of the publishing house Gimm-Young. This is my good friend Youjeong.

It was a wonderful trip. Thank you to my hosts Dr. Ken Gimm and his lovely wife. I definitely want to return (but not in January).

NO! Not mine.

Phil's fourth grandbaby is on its way. I'm putting bets on a thumb-sucking girl. Laney and Taylor and Henry are expecting an addition to their family in mid-summer. My vote for a name is Ingeborge unless she's born on July 4th then I think she should be named Liberty or Honoria. What do you think?

Speaking of Valentines

This year it was a little harder to go all out for my Valentine. We had guests all week and Valentines fell on a Sunday so I had to get a bit more creative (a different kind of creative because I've been REALLY creative on Valentines in the past). Anyway, this year I decided to do a 50 Reasons I Love Philip and post them all over the house in strategic places--there are some he still hasn't found. Daysa was mortified, Dave and Michelle and their family smiled and said they thought it was sweet. But for those of you who couldn't be here, I've decided to post my

Reasons Why I Love Philip

I love Philip because he’s hot.

I love Philip because he’s a good provider.


I love Philip because he’s witty and funny and charming.


I love Philip because he is romantic.


I love Philip because he served a mission and still married me
even after three Dear Johns.


I love Philip because he’s patriotic and he votes (and usually the way I want him to).

I love Philip because he goes to church.

I love Philip because he’s smart.

I love Philip because he eats what I cook (and never complains).


I love Philip because he’s good to his parents.

I love Philip because he honors his priesthood.


I love Philip because he’s generous.

I love Philip because he’s a can fix the computer (and the car, and the broken pipes, and…).

I love Philip because he has a hairy chest.


I love Philip because he gives good back rubs.


I love Philip because he’s good with his hands.

I love Philip because he’s never complained about being
surrounded by his girls.


I love Philip because he subscribes to the Sunday paper and Readers Digest for me.


I love Philip because he has adorable grandchildren.


I love Philip because we have fun traveling together.



I love Philip because he worries about me when I travel without him.


I love Philip because he plays games with me (oh, and 5 Crowns too).


I love Philip because he is musically talented.


I love Philip because he makes the bed.


I love Philip because he likes to shop for clothing for me.


I love Philip because he always puts the toilet seat down (and always has).


I love Philip because he lets me put my cold hands and feet on him.


I love Philip because he welcomes in all the people I invite home.

I love Philip because he loves Disney.


I love Philip because he encourages my hobbies.


I love Philip because he takes care of me when I’m sick (and cranky).

I love Philip because he’s a true boy scout—always prepared.

I love Philip because he pays the bills.


I love Philip because he manages the budget.

I love Philip because he helps me manage my discretionary fund.



I love Philip because he does the taxes.


I love Philip because every time I travel overseas he helps me figure out which electrical plugs to use.


I love Philip because he is a good father of girls.


I love Philip because he encourages me to be healthy.


I love Philip because when I’m away in the evening he’ll watch my tv show for me and tell me what happened.


I love Philip because he rarely watches Sunday football.

I love Philip because he roots for BYU (when they’re not playing the Utes).


I love Philip because he takes me to the movies I want to see.

I love Philip because when the kids or I are in a bind, he comes to our rescue.


I love Philip because he goes to all my family’s events. I love Philip because he goes to all his family’s events.

I love Philip because he can help the kids with math and science.

I love Philip because he is a good story teller.


I love Philip because HE LOVES ME. Happy Valentine’s Day.