Blah...Blah...Blah

1 - I don't realize how many days have past since I have last logged into Blogger or Facebook until I try to catch up. Then I realize that I missed some interesting stuff.  Not necessarily on Facebook but from my bloggy friends.  I would say that I will try to do better but it probably won't happen.

2-  Something happened to me the other day. Some would say it was a spiritual prompting or whatever.  I ignored it and something bad happened.  It would have happened anyway but I still should have paid attention. That night in my prayers, I told Him that I don't do subtle.  Next time strike me with lightening, throw a tree limb at me, help me to feel like I am not a crazy person if I tell someone about it.

3 - Project Me is not going so well.  I don't feel different, better, or happier.  It sucks.  I've been reading "The Gifts of Imperfection" but can't seem to make myself finish.

4 - I have a love/hate relationship with the Biggest Loser.  It motivates and depresses me at the same time.  Make sense? 

5- I checked out the Biggest Loser Diet online.  You know the one where they send food to your home.  It costs over $100 a week.  That doesn't work for me when I also have to buy food for a 16 year old boy.  I guess I need to make my own diet  food. BLECH!

6 - DIET is my least favorite 4 letter word.

7 - I am really blessed to have such a great son.  Austin is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  Even if he is somewhat responsible in a round about way for the extra weight I've been carrying around for the last 16 years.

8- Anxiety and worry are my constant companions these days.  I am anxious about moving in a few weeks and everything that entails.  I am worried about my uncle who has been in the hospital for the last week.  It doesn't look good. 

9 - My feet are really cold so I should probably go to bed.  I love having cold feet in bed.  I know weird.  But when my feet are too warm, I can't sleep.

10 - If you made it this far in my blah post.  Congratulations!  I hope you have a great Thursday.  I am going to bed and will pray that I feel better tomorrow morning. 

Day at the Museum

One of my "Project Me" goals is to get out and do what I want to do - without talking myself out of it.  I'm not sure why but Thursday I spent sometime online looking up local museums.  I made a list and planned to visit a couple of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP) museum.  Friday morning and early afternoon was busier than anticipated and then I needed to make a trip to Lehi.  But I still wanted to visit a museum.  Lehi has a pretty good natural history museum that I thought my 5 year old nephew would love.  I called my sister and offered to take her son for the day.  Of course she said "Yes" and he and I were on our way.

After a long drive to Lehi, courtesy of I-15 construction, and a quick errand we found our way to the John Hutchings Natural History Museum.  The last time I visited the museum was on an elementary school field trip so I wasn't sure what to expect.  The museum exceeded my expectations.

Tracer in front of the museum

In 1955, John Hutchings and his wife, Eunice, donated their collections of rocks, minerals, fossils, shells, stuffed birds, eggs, Native American artifacts, pioneer items, Wild West guns and other memorabilia to the non-profit Museum corporation to be held in trust for the people of Lehi (Hutchings Museum Pamphlet). The collection continues to grow as others have donated their collections.

The museum is very inviting and kid friendly and well worth the price of admission - $4 for adults and $3 for children.   There are thirteen different displays so there is a little but of something for everyone.  Having an inquisitive five year old with me made the trip fun. Even though I probably missed about 40 percent of the items on display, his wonder and excitement were contagious.

Checking out the Caterpillars in the Butterfly and Insect Hall. 

Signs showing a hand print means the exhibit is "Hands On" - allowing the kids to touch items on display.  In the Bug Hall magnifying glasses are available to help the kids see all the icky bug details.

Petting an Armadillo shell as we walk into the Bird and Egg Room

Comparing his hand to an Allisaurus Claw in the Fossil and Shell Room.

Little Paleontologist

Trace loves dinosaurs and wants to be a Paleontologist so this exhibit was perfect for him.  This activity display was finished the day before our visit and Trace was the first kid to try it out.

With a Camarasaurus bone.

In the Pioneer Room.  He wouldn't go in the cave because there was not a "Hands On" sign.  

Grinding corn (above) and tapping out a beat on a drum (below) in the Native American Room.

In the Wild West Room, I met an interesting man who was looking at the Porter Rockwell* exhibit.  I took a picture of him next to the exhibit and will mail it to him but did not get his permission to post.  The man studies all things Porter Rockwell related and owns the brand Porter Rockwell used for branding his horses.  In a twenty minute conversation, I learned quite a bit about Porter Rockwell, more than what was depicted in the display.

I couldn't have asked for a better experience.  I have been to larger, more expensive, and fancier museums but this one is high on my list of favorites.  I would love to visit again.  To the readers in Utah, I highly recommend taking the kids. You can find directions and more information at HERE.

As we were leaving Trace exclaimed "This is the best day ever!" 

* Porter Rockwell is a colorful and controversial character in the history of the West and the LDS church.  He was characterized as a gun-man and religious zealot.  He was reputed to be the Mormon "Destroying Angel".  He was a lawman and  bodyguard to Brigham Young.  He operated the "Hot Springs Brewery Hotel" (http://porterrockwellutah.com/). He is a legend in LDS history and the history of the West.

Priceless

Corsage: $16.00
Dinner: $40.00
Wearing Grandpa's thirty year old tuxedo to prom: Priceless

"BZZZZ"

Said the big, black fly before I swatted it out the of the air -mid flight -with my ninja fly-swatter skills.  Yep.  I did that.  Pretty proud of it. 

The title really should have been "Thursday Tidbits" since my mind is scattered all of the place.

I am really glad the President chose not to release the postmortem pictures of Osama Bin Laden. If the families who lost loved ones during the September 11 attacks would like to see them than the Pres. should make exceptions for them but they do not need to be released to the masses.  Many say it is proof that he is dead. Really?!? In the digital age a picture can be manipulated to be almost anything you want it to be.  Where is the proof in that.

I have discovered that one of my favorite statements/questions is "Really!?!"

SPF 70 sunscreen applied several time throughout the afternoon on Wednesday did not prevent my poor shoulders from getting a sunburn.  

As my doctor was squishing the life out of "the girls" yesterday looking for lumps, he mentioned that there are some folks questioning the scientific validity of self-breast exams.  Before I could spout off a sarcastic comment, he filled the void with "I didn't think science has a lot to do with self-exams anyway but it doesn't mean they aren't important."  So ladies, scientist may not think they are valuable but we have to make sure we look out for ourselves.  Bottom line:   Self check.  

For dinner last night, we made delicious Barbecue Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps courtesy of Rachel Ray and the Food Network website.  Check them out if you are a fan of lettuce wraps but don't expect them to taste like PF Changs.

I finally got sick of Internet Explorer and downloaded Mozzila Firefox.   Now I can actually read everyone's blogs without getting some funky IE error which then closes my browser.  Delightful.

A friend called me today to get my weekly NASCAR driver pick, he always starts the conversation with "Hey Sugar Lips" which never fails to make me smile. 

And that is all.  Have a great Thursday everyone. 

 

Yummy Buffalo Wings

My favorite menu item at Chili's is the Boneless Buffalo Wings.  There are days when I just crave them but rarely do I treat myself.  Today I found a copy-cat recipe for these delicious spicy boneless wings HERE.

I modified the recipe a titch - replaced the hot sauce with KC Masterpiece Buffalo Marinade - and I think they tasted pretty darn similar to the original.  I found that after frying all the chicken pieces and tossing them in the buffalo sauce, the chicken cooled a little too much for my taste, so next time I think I will throw them in a hot oven for a few minutes to keep them warm and help bake in the flavor of the sauce. 


The finished project.
 I left the Buffalo Sauce off a few of them and even those were delicious.



The finished product received kudo's from my sisters, a brother-in-law, and friend.  My son wasn't a huge fan of the Buffalo Sauce but really enjoy the one's without. This is definitely one to add to the meal rotation. 

I have to admit the ideal time for trying a new non-diet recipe is not the day I realized that it only took two months to gain back the ten pounds I lost during the previous six.  However, these were worth it.  I had mine on a salad so that should also count for something. Right?

Tomorrow's new recipe will be Rachel Ray's Lettuce Wraps.   I'll let you know how they turn out.