Favorite Halloween Candy

My favorite Halloween candy, hands down, is Take 5. If you haven't tried it . . . you should . . . although it hasn't been easy to find this year. I finally found some at my local Smith's and had to have them. Take 5 has everything . . .sweet chocolate and caramel balanced with a salty pretzel. Yum! What is your favorite Halloween candy?

Birthday Hat

Isn't it fantastic! Thanks, Mandy!

(Don't worry . . . it stops at the hat. No pictures of a birthday suit . . . tee hee)

"Sorry for Stroking Your Chest Earlier"

Yep, I actually said those words today. While wearing a giant banana costume. Once again I wound up emceeing my work's Halloween costume contest and every year I wind up saying something inappropriate. This year, one of the guys was dressed up as an 80s basketball player, fake chest hair and all. I said something to the effect of, "how many people have come up and done this to you today?" as I patted the tuft of fake hair. I saw him afterwards and that's when I apologized for stroking his chest, but luckily he didn't seem to mind. Also, yes, I was dressed as a banana at the time. What a weird day.

Happy Birthday, Julie Friend!

Well, it’s snowing in October, so that must mean that it’s Julie’s birthday! We think she’s just great, and are so glad that she is a part of our family. Since Julie loves lists, here is the 2009 list of things we love about Julie:
1. Julie is very organized, and can whip up a mean agenda in a matter of minutes, with a corresponding DJ Inkers font and pictures. She was recently called to be the YW President (for the second consecutive time!), and for her first Presidency meeting, has already compiled tabbed binders for her counselors. They won’t know what hit them!

2. There are certain things that Julie “must have,” and when she finds them, get out of the way! A couple of years ago, I had gotten one of my first Christmas decorations, a ridiculously cute snowman from Costco. Julie walked into my house, saw it, pushed me aside, and stated that she must have that snowman. Needless to say, it was in her possession within 24 hours. I also just learned that while she keeps her patio chairs out year round, she keeps a spare set in the garage in case they get dirty!

3. Say it with me Julie, if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well! Julie never does anything half way. As previously noted, she not only accepted a very time-consuming new calling, but volunteered to do the programs as well so that they would look better. And I guarantee that they will have all 6 key items. And if you ever need a flier, Julie will not only make you one, but will use her special hole punch that instantly turns it into a flier that you can hang on someone’s door! So much nicer than having to bend down and pick it up off the ground, right?

4. Julie is a hard worker. Don’t let that pretty exterior fool you, Julie and her perfectly manicured fingers will jump in and do what it takes to get the job done. Our parents were always the first to arrive to an activity to help set up, and the last to leave to clean up, and Julie has followed suit. Just ask her about the dinner party debacle where she showed up and somehow ended up fixing the main course.

5. Julie is very loyal. Not only to people, but to her favorite products. I’m telling you, if you treat her well, she will bring you a lot of business. I’m talking to you, Coca Cola company, Chick Fil-A, and the makers of the Trish boot!

6. Julie expects excellence from herself and others. Per Kristen: When I would run ideas for my ward dinner by Julie, she would tell me exactly how she would do it - which would usually be way over and above how I would do it. For instance, when I wanted to do sandwiches, she suggested - in all seriousness - that I have a sack lunch packed and ready to go for people to just pick up. I tried to tell her that you can't do that for 200 people, but if she had been in charge she would've found a way, even if she had to come early and pack each one of those sacks herself!

7. Julie will always tell you what she thinks. This is a good thing. If you want an honest answer, Julie will give it to you. And even if you don't. Ha!

Thanks for being such a great sister, and here's to another great year ahead. Mazeltov!

Bruised and Battered

Flag football is over, and with it I can finally start to heal. My arms are literally covered in bruises! (these pictures don't really do it justice)

Let me tell you, from the first game to the fourth it got a LOT more violent. And I was on the line, so I should know. More than once I found myself getting run into by what I could only assume was a mack track. More than once I found myself involuntarily making a sound similar to "Bwoh!" The championship game consisted of no less than three girls flat on their backs and one ending up in a cast Sunday morning! Seriously, people!

So even though it was totally fun, I look forward to my skin returning to a normal color and experiencing a week where getting up out of a chair is not a big deal. That's not too much to ask, right?

Right after the championship game. The Grey Woofs didn't get the trophy, but I did get some bruises, bloody fingers, and other parting gifts!

New Calling

I'm so excited with my new church assignment . . . making the ward programs! The bishop called me in this week to receive a new calling in our new little ward and right away I asked if it could be making the ward programs. I think I caught him a little off-guard . . . although he said that they did need someone to do them. So after getting the calling that he originally wanted me to do, he also agreed that I could do the programs too, although he didn't know if it was an official calling. I've been a full-time church-goer for quite a while and I love a program that 1) has a little form for new members to fill out; 2) has Sunday School information for where you go after Sacrament Meeting; 3) Birthdays and Phone Numbers; 4) Temple Recommend Info; 5) Announcements; and 6) A little thought and scripture for me to think about during the Sacrament. All this in a neat little tri-fold. I've been itching to get my hands all over the programs. Of course, that did mean that when Bishopric needed to get me the names for the prayers, I got to do one of those as well. Next up . . . I'm going to start pushing for a ward newsletter!

Oh, and I might have been called as Young Women's President again too. So, Holli, to finally answer your question . . . I am still booked on Tuesdays . . . cooking classes are going to have to wait for a while still. With a new ward and all new callings, I wanted to hurry and get my Presidency in place with some fantastic women that I didn't want to risk losing to other callings. I got them all . . . and can't wait to get to know them better as we serve our lovely young women.

New Favorites

I am always finding new things to add to my list of favorite things.

Favorite New Song:
I saw Michael Buble' perform his new song on Oprah, "I Just Haven't Met You Yet". I have since downloaded the happy tune and bop along to it while I type away at my computer. It's fun . . . and may become my new theme song.

Favorite New Scent:
I love my plug-in oil warmer from Bath and Body Works. You buy scented oils and can mix and match them. I find it much better than wax or flames to make my house smell yummy. In choosing some new scents for work, we read the reviews and ordered a bunch of different ones to try. Hands down the new favorite is "Leaves". It's a weird name for this delicious fall scent. We have since tried to buy more in local stores and it is selling out . . . another thing that makes me want to always buy more. If you get a chance to try it, Leaves is fantastic.

Favorite New Take-Out:
Yoshi's is new to Draper and it has yummy sushi and rice bowls that are a great lunch option for under $5.00. We stay away from the Cafe' Rio side because it is way too busy. We can easily get to this location in Draper Peaks and I am loving the peanut chicken. You know how I can lick up a good peanut sauce with a spoon . . . delish.

Yummy Shrimp

Who doesn't love shrimp cocktail? We have discovered what has quickly become my new favorite way to serve shrimp . . . roasted. On Sunday when we were having a birthday dinner, one of the things on the request list was shrimp. Dad's freezer is the best and is always stocked with ready-to-eat shrimp. We used to buy the pre-cooked shrimp and thaw them. However, while watching a recent episode of the Barefoot Contessa, we learned to roast uncooked shrimp in the oven. And, as Kristen will tell you, if Ina does it - then that's the way I must do it as well.

Instructions: Buy the uncooked shrimp (thaw, if frozen), then peel and de-vein. Spread on a sheet pan and toss with olive oil and sprinkle on salt (kosher) and pepper, mix together and lay in a single a layer. Roast at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes and you have the yummiest shrimp ever.

Melinda also makes the best on-the-fly cocktail sauce with a combination of ketchup, horseradish (keep a jar in the fridge for just such an occasion) and fresh lemon juice. As soon as the shrimp come out of the oven, we can't even wait for them to cool and find ourselves standing over the counter and devouring. My mouth is watering as I type this! Many times I find myself buying the uncooked frozen shrimp at Costco and stocking my own freezer so I'm ready with this little treat. You must try it!

Tonight we had our YW Evening in Excellence with our combined wards . . . a last little hurrah before we go our separate ways. Our theme was "Born to be a Queen" and what does every queen need . . . a tiara and a wand of course. These girls are the best!

Love my Laurels. Meagan has been the class president for a year. She is a-mazing.

We'll see what's up next . . .

Boo!

Apparently, it's October already, which means it's time for corn mazes, haunted houses, and for me, way too much candy. While these events are of course a good time, I'm always a fan of doing something different to shake things up. So our friend Brooke stumbled onto a hidden gem right in our own backyard! Unbeknownst to me, every weekend in October, you can take a guided tour to all of the haunted sites in Salt Lake. With this tour, you get to ride on a tour bus while a professional storyteller (yes, that's a real profession!) regales you with tales of all of the haunted places in our little town. I'm sorry, but you had me at tour bus.

So last Friday, we went with 35 of our closest friends (not including the really annoying fella who would not pipe down--he is not my friend) hopped on our Le Bus, and were ready to be scared.

Do we look sufficiently scared here? Or maybe sleepy--I can't tell.

Not only did we get to hear some great stories from the Professional (Kristen, they really are members of a guild!), but I got to see some buildings that I've never even noticed before, all from the comfort of my padded chair with fake planets on it. They let us out to roam around Memory Grove and the Salt Lake Cemetary, which let's be honest, are creepy in their own rite, in the middle of the day. This is the only picture I got of Brooke, and somehow she and Kristy managed to disappear into the night. Along with Kristen's body.
Good times were had by all, and if I'm feeling really brave next year, I'll take the Ogden tour. Now that's scary.

Insanity!

I found out tonight what the entire state was doing all at once: going to WinCo Foods. Yes, the discount grocery store opened near me, so like a good neighbor I went to check it out.

When I walked in, the friendly WinCo Employees informed me that the wait to check out was an hour. An hour? Surely that can't be right. So I proceeded. The next WinCo employee I ran into said to me, and I quote: "Welcome to WinCo Foods. Good luck!"

I would've needed it - had I had any desire left at that point to actually purchase something. Instead, I tried to get out. The lines to the checkout were literally 15-20 carts deep. It was like Costco on a Saturday, doubled or tripled. Their prices were dirt cheap, but worth an hour of your time? I don't know.

My advice, if you'd like to go? I think 4:00 am would be a great time.

Love, Miss Raynor

In response to Melinda's post . . . love it! Thanks, Kim.

I Couldn't Resist!

There I was shopping for prizes for a company event today, when I spied THIS GEM. I had to have it. Plus, you can shape it multiple ways.

"Serious Stache"

"Come Hither Stache"

"The Thinker"

Shopping Buddy

We Birds have a lot of birthdays in October. This Sunday alone we're celebrating three! Julie, Melinda and I decided to each take a niece/nephew and go shopping for some bday gifts for them. I got to go with Jacob, who is turning 8(!). He was a super good sport as we raced around to four different stores. He tried on many shoes, watched the price of everything, and he even took back some things so he could get what he wanted most and stay within the budget. I won't spoil the surprise and tell you what he really wanted (but it rhymes with "snuggie"). I think the other kids were equally pleased with what they got - and of course, we've instructed them to promptly forget about their gifts until Sunday.

What Do You Eat on a Plane?

I love to travel and one of my favorite parts are the snacks and magazines that I must get every trip. After we get all checked in, I love nothing more than going to the nearest little shop with magazines and snacks. Since I subscribe to tons of magazines already, it takes some time to search through and find some juicy rags that I want to read while in flight (heaven forbid, I select a book . . . I won't). After I have selected my reading material, I peruse the snacks. I get snacks for the plane that I don't normally ever choose. I always love getting Cherry Nibs, much to Melinda's chagrin, because then she doesn't want to snitch any from me . . . ha! And I usually get a nice bag of Reese's Pieces too that I can ration out throughout the flight.

Now, once I have safely boarded with my treats in tow, and we have taken off and are ready for drink service, what do you think my drink of choice is? I live for Coke, but that is oddly not my choice. I always pick tomato juice! It sounds so good on the plane. I don't know if I think it goes well with the snacks offered on board, but I love it. And, a little tip from Dad, always ask for a can of whatever you get. They will try to just give you a little cup that is mostly filled with ice. No, no. The Bird way is to maximize what you get by asking for the entire can, which they will give you, along with a cup of ice so you can enjoy the whole thing. It's genius.

The other food item I love is the California Pizza Kitchen in the Delta terminal. I love when we fly through there. It doesn't matter what time of day it is - I must get a Thai Chicken Pizza to go. Fantastic! In fact, our last flight, Melinda and I didn't even have time to eat our pizzas before it was time to board, so we took them on the plane to eat. I don't think our seat buddies were thrilled with the nice pizza odor - but it was oh so good.

Even if I'm not traveling on a plane, but am still going somewhere, I must stock the car with goodies and magazines. What better way is there to travel to Girls Camp than by doing the quizzes in the Tiger Beat magazine about your BFF while eating a Fruit by the Foot.

Question: What do you love to bring or eat on a plane? What is your favorite travel snack? And, do you eat it at any other time or just when you travel?

Does Anyone Have a Mask I Can Borrow?

I don't know if you've heard, but the swine flue is pretty contagious, and is somewhat prevalent right now. The following is a recounting of an actual statement made today in our ward. So this person stands up and says how she is grateful to be in church, because she was initially scheduled to work. Well instead, she woke up not feeling very well, and went to the doctor. The doctor found that she had a fever of 101.3. And you know, with the current swine flu regulations, she was sent home and told not to work for 24 hours. So instead, she came to church. And exposed 387 other people to the swine flu! Is anyone else's throat starting to feel scratchy?

Point Your Toes! Now Block Like a Man!

Melinda and I have a bit of an identity crisis each Saturday morning. We have started playing Powder Puff football - there are four teams in our ward, and let me just say there ain't nothing powdery or puffy about it. It may as well be full contact. Last week I was on the line, and I was so sore I couldn't lift my arms until Wednesday. Usually our post-game chats end with one of us wishing we could've punched someone on the other team in the face.

So where do we go immediately after that? To tap class! Our 80-year old instructor Barb (she is a spitfire!) is always reminding us to point our toes, remain in dance position with our arms out, and to keep "pretty thumbs."

I'm glad for the contrast because it helps me feel more like a lady after running into some other girls head-on. And if I do decide to punch someone in the face, I'll remember to protect my thumbs so they can be pretty for Barb.

I Heart Jim!

The Office is a little too crude now for sure, but I loved the ending to the wedding episode. Question: Does Jim really exist?

Bonus of the Day

Our Grandma Ruth was grateful for everything and always looked on the bright side. She also believed that there was a bonus in every day if you just looked for it. The other day at mutual was my little bonus for the day. One of my cute young women handed me a little note. She had made love notes for several of the leaders and the girls in the ward. We have been anticipating a ward split for months and it's finally here, which is bittersweet. The Stake President said that the average age of our ward is 12! So apparently I'm a senior citizen. With 300 kids in Primary and over 800 members, I guess it's time. Love these girls I've gotten to work with . . . all 32 of them!

Expensive Show

I am in agreement with Kristen that one of the new shows that I am loving this year is Glee. My Mom always said that her years in Glee club when she was in high school were highlights of her youth. I don't know what kind of songs they covered at old East High, but on this show, there are versions of songs from Kanye to Carrie Underwood. I find myself downloading new songs each week because I love them. . . which is going to be quite expensive by the end of the season. One little gem I'm totally going to save for my future wedding video footage, the version of the Journey classic, "Don't Stop Believing!". There will totally be music and dancing in the next life, right?

I Rest My Case!

You have to admit, this is RIDICULOUS!

Do you know what thoughts I'm stuck on ma'am? a) That you can't see through your rear window, and will soon be backing into me, and b) That your boys shouldn't be riding ATV's--they're far too young.

I Heart Smashburger!

We had heard good things about a new burger joint, Smashburger, so one weekend we treked on over to Sugarhood for a little taste test. Even though there are lots of new burger places, this one is not to be missed. We couldn't believe how juicy and delicious the burgers are. Melinda and I went for the classic cheeseburger . . . always a winner . . . and it did not disappoint. Plus, we got a side order of garlic fries . . . one of our all-time favorites. We also love their motto: SMASH. SIZZLE. SAVOR. We plan to! And, next time, we need to leave room for the ice cream shakes.

The Rogue Kernal

As I was changing into my pjs last night, a lone popcorn kernal fell out of my shirt. The thing is, I had eaten popcorn around 4:30 that afternoon - meaning that little kernal had been hanging out in my shirt for eight hours. What can I say? I guess it's comfy in there.

I Heart Fridays!

I love Fridays . . . not really because it's the end of the work week since I work most every Saturday . . . but for the fun surprises I get in the mail. When I come home on Fridays and reach into my mailbox I hit the jackpot! It's delivery day for all of my favorite magazines so I can get caught up on what's going on the world. Love it!