Woods Family Musings: January 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009

Of course, 25 random things... the famous thing going around on Facebook. Here is mine, here by popular request (Mike, who else?) so enjoy.

1. My passion is reading, one of my favorite websites is www.bookmooch.com. It's a great way to get new books, and if I don't like them, send them on their way... but I haven't picked out too many books I've put down easily.

2. One of my true weaknesses is Jane Austen books and movies. I didn't discover them until a couple of years ago, but one introduction and I was hooked. I made Mike read them too (poor sap) and he was a good sport. He'll even sit and watch the 5 hour Pride and Prejudice with me if I'm sick! What a guy.

3. I have a secret love of shoes. If I could spend money on anything, I would buy pairs and pairs of cute shoes, boots, sandals... someday!

4. When I was single, I somehow picked up the nickname Fran. No one calls me that anymore, but once I was special.

5. I love designing things. When we lived in Herriman, I wanted a swingset for Emma, but it just wasn't in the budget. So one night I had this dream of a swing set made out of 2x4's, and I drew it out for Mike. He put in all the math stuff that was needed and built it for me. I painted it red and hung a Wal-mart swing from it. I felt cool.

6. I have always felt that I have beautiful ears. It's been on the down low, but I guess my streak of vanity is now out in the open.7. If I could have any snack of choice, I would eat orange bell peppers dipped in Italian dressing. Mmmmmm.

8. My most embarressing moment: Just days after I was engaged to Mike, his parents took us out to eat at the East Canyon resort restaurant. I had only met them briefly a couple of times, so this was basically the "meet the parents" dinner. We went for a walk afterwards, and I was really enjoying myself, so I loosened up and unfortunately acted like myself. I was walking along this balance beam with Mike holding my hand, when I got this bright idea to do the karate kid crane kick, you know both arms raised and one knee lifted. Yes, while on this balance beam I jumped, kicked and landed flat on my butt on the ground. I have never lived that moment down.

9. Another favorite passtime is sewing. Yeah I know, yucky crafty. What can I say, I have a lot of fun designing things to make. I have designed three shirts for me, made several outfits for my kids, a Hawaiian shirt for Mike that he actually wears (it's pretty flamboyant). Lately I have been designing bed sets for barbie beds. It is a major stress relief and a serious self-esteem boost when something actually turns out. :D Someday I hope to take pattern design classes and really get into it.

10. An all-time favorite movie: Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken. I always cry.

11. A woman I look up to: Emma Hale Smith. I have read several books about her, and feel a bond. I wanted to name my daughter Emma before I ever met Mike. I hope I can be half as amazing a woman as she is.

12. One of my favorite stories about my daugher: I was checking on her late at night, probably six months ago. I kissed her forehead and said, "I love you". Just then she stretched, yelled, "CAAAAKE...." and rolled over. I couldn't stop laughing.

13. I love love love mineral make-up. I was never a make-uppy girl, but I took this class last year and learned the "correct" ways to apply and use it, and I just fell in love with the mineral kind. I love to play with make-up!

14. I love to waterski! I rarely get the chance, but I've had some of the best times of my life skiing.

15. I have a bottomless appetite for homegrown tomatoes. With lots of pepper. I could spend hours in the garden, even just weeding. I love anything homegrown and fresh from the garden.

16. Getting mail is one of my favorite passtimes. Sometimes I will order a book from Amazon or Half just to get something in the mail soon.

17. Someday I want one of those water wall things. A piece of stone with water running down it. I think they are so cool.

18. When moving, I prefer real packing paper to newspaper. Mike's sister gave us a bunch last time we moved, and I scoffed at it and told Mike what a waste of money it is to buy packing paper when you could just use newspaper! As soon as I started using it, I admitted my error and was converted. Maybe someday we'll unpack our dishes again.

19. I like to read about traveling, or pretend like I'm planning a trip. There are so many fascinating places in the world. I'd just like to wander around meeting random people and ask them questions about where they live. Maybe I'd get locked away though.

20. I like kitchens to have ivy and growing plants. Well the whole house actually. I'm just not the best at watering. Maybe when I'm wealthy I will hire a plant company.

21. In my life, I have had very few plane rides. Each time I am so enthralled with looking out the window that I haven't paid attention anything else. I always wondered what I would look like from the outside of the plane, with my face squashed in the window, and my eyes bugging out.

22. Another secret passion: Whipped cream. The real kind, not the cool whip stuff. It's becoming common at the in-laws hosue for at least one person to ask if I'd like some pie with my whipped cream. But seriously, if I don't get it that often, can you blame me??

23. Secret wish: If I could get over my fear of it, I would love to try scuba diving. Maybe some day I will grow up.

24. I have a horrible curse where my best time of day is actually night. Once the kids are in bed, I begin accomplishing things, and my mood improves. I've actually always been that way so I can't blame it on the kids. But I'd really like to be that way during the DAY!

25. I could always think of things that I want, or wish for or whatever, but when it really comes down to it, I don't think I could ask for anything that would make me happier than I am right now.

25 random things about mike

There has been this thing going around facebook where you list 25 random things about yourself. I thought it would be a good idea if I were to do it here to. For all those who care, I now give you 25 things about Mike presented in all of its original glory!

1. I can't eat cantaloupe. I can eat all sort of food like item such as raw fish. I have never been able to not put down a certain food item. This was really useful on my mission, and when Erin was learning to cook. I can't get a piece of cantaloupe past my tongue. It almost puts me in convulsions.

2. Foosball is the greatest thing that has ever been invented. I didn't like it much at first, but that was only because I didn't understand the internal workings of the fooooos.

3. I wrote most of a book. It was called Ian the Average and it was supposed to be along the lines of Harry Potter, but the point was to tell kids that you don't need magic to be cool. I got rave reviews......from the 3 people that saw it......someday I will finish.

4. I read all of the Anne of Green Gables series up to and including Anne's House of Dreams. This might not seem to odd, but I liked it. I like stories with heart.

5. I am studying Chemical Engineering, but hate Chemistry. This is a matter of faith with me. I feel like this is my field, and I am doing it. If it was my choice, I would probably be a food scientist and make everything taste like cheesecake.

6. Unlike most men, I don't like shoot um up games. I like a game that makes me think. "World of Goo" is and excellent example. Physics, Engineering, and a supply of living Goo balls. Nothings gets better!

7. I can quote most of the 5 hour long version of Pride and Prejudice. I do enjoy a story with heart.

8. Out of our entire movie collection, I can only claim two movies as mine. "Saints and Soldiers" and "Second Hand Lions". The rest are Erin's movies. I don't particularly mind this arrangement either. Erin's movies are awesome.

9. My current favorite restaurant is Tucano's in Orem. It's Brazilian (not authentic I hear) where they bring parts of different animals to you on a stick! Nothing says awesome like a steaming hot cow chunk on a sword.

10. Erin and I didn't date for almost a year and a half because we thought we would get married. Ha, I guess that proves us wrong.....wait......

11. I enjoy baking and have been perfecting the chocolate chip cookie. It's a fluffy cookie made with butter and vanilla pudding. I'm getting the chemistry right at the moment so I can have maximum fluff without removing the much desired butter. Shortening is for biscuits, not cookies!

12. I can't stand to sit and watch sports. I would rather play. Snow football is the best, although ultimate hammer was fun to play (It's like ultimate Frisbee, but with a hammer. We also tried ultimate saw blade which didn't turn out so well).

13. I am scared of heights. I can't tell you how many times I've embarrassed myself on a rock wall. I can make it 6 feet! I couldn't make it to the top of Timpanogos because of the height.

14. I enjoy clay pigeon shooting. My shotgun and I are close buddies. I say "Shoot that clay!" and it usually doesn't. We are working on our relationship.

15. I enjoy shooting, but I have no desire to hunt or kill anything. This probably spawns from when my friends would go hunting in the cold wet mud and come home empty handed. If they do get something, then it's more work to gut it and cut it up. It's just too much work.

16. I am very critical on things that cost money including goods and services. Erin and I are broke most of the time. When we do spend money, it needs to be well spent. For example, I went to a new dentist yesterday. We have a discount plan though the school and no insurance. So yes costly but needed. The dentist and the hygienist never really said much of anything to me and did couldn't wait to shove me out the door. The office was left over from the 70's and I swear I saw a club that they use to knock you out before they drill. The results of my exam are not part of this blog entry.

17. I build and fix computers for friends and family. I have become quite adept at this and usually don't get any compensation from it (which is the way I want it). I have fun building and setting up computers for elderly folk. I almost thought about putting together a business plan, but the market is flooded with these services already.

18. Veggie Tales ROCKS! I haven't seen them all, but the ones that I have seen are funny. I enjoy the religious message in them.

19. Politics make me furious. I used to listen to Sean Hannity on the way home from work. It made me mad for the rest of the night. I vote, let them mess everything up and I'll deal with the issues when I personally face them. Grrrr........politics.........

20. I don't watch TV. Really, I don't. I don't even watch PBS. I just don't have time, or desire.

21. I enjoy building, designing, and putting things together. One day Erin handed me a pile of parts and said "This used to be the photo printer. Can you put it back together?" It took me a bit, but it was more fun to put together then any jigsaw.

22. I hate when the button hole part of the shirt gets all crinkly and doesn't lay flat. That just chaps my hide.

23. My family is the most important thing to me. I usually drop everything (like school, friends, free ice cream, flu shots) just to be with them. My kids are so much fun.

24. Erin and I can usually find a way to fix a car for much less then any shop will charge. This goes back to the fact that we are broke. Erin can find deals on parts that you wouldn't believe. I can usually put them in.

25. My favorite food is Pizza. I love a good pizza and Erin makes the best. Really, you should come over sometime and try it. When we had extra cash we used to order out, but not anymore. We have the perfect recipe. (Cooking is a bond for Erin and I. We love perfecting recipes together.)

There, I did it. I laugh at all the people who said it couldn't be done. HA HAAH AHAHA. I guess no one really did, but oh well I'll laugh anyway. I hope that this hasn't been too much for you. I would hate to have you go blind from sheer awesomeness. And here I take my leave of you. I hope that you have a great night and day and morning respectively. Bye.
......Grrr.....politics..........grrrrrr

Thursday, January 1, 2009

The Christmas Post

Christmas 08

We had a very traditional Christmas this year. For the past 3 years we have spent the night at Erin's Parent's house on Christmas Eve. We promised ourselves that we wouldn't do that this year and have our own Christmas. Well......as we live with Erin's Parents now, we just stayed there again.

Setting up for Christmas was fun for Emma. She loved all the decorations, but loved the Christmas lights the best of all. When ever she saw some, she would yell "CHRISTMAS LIGHTS" again and again and again. It's one of those cute things that got to be a little too much after the 2,000 time.

And now, by the popular demand of a single person, the proof of our cute kids!

This is the traditional setting up of the fake Christmas tree.

This is the traditional explianation of the Christmas decorations from Grandpa. "Don't touch this, Don't touch that, Don't play with these...." and so on.