Things We Take for Granted

Remember these?


They're called manual locks and manual windows, kids, and everyone thought they were extinct. That is, until I got a rental car this week (a 2010 model, no less!) and discovered I could no longer remember how to roll down a window manually. My own car is not expensive by any means, but it does have some handy features - like the radio control buttons on the steering wheel, and yes, power windows and locks. I'll be glad to get it back.

Taste Test #2

I am always on the lookout for easy meal ideas to take with me to work. I, like many of my siblings, am not a fan of bread for sandwiches. We think we overdosed when we were little by taking a sandwich to school every single day. I do love sandwiches on a bagel, but there is always so much bread, it's more than filling, and I definitely don't need to have that much bread. So, while I was perusing what was new and exciting at Harmon's the other day, I came across these Bagel Thins that come in different flavors. It's still a bagel, but only a fraction of the size, thinly sliced and only 110 calories as well. I love "everything" bagels, so I tested out the "everything" thins and I am a convert. I made myself the yummiest ham and gouda cheese sandwich that was just right without too much bread. I will definitely get these again.

Taste Test

I love a good taste test and I had heard good things about McDonald's new Maple Oatmeal with Fruit so I thought I would give it a whirl. I am not a big breakfast person, but this met my needs on several levels:

• Available in the drive-through

• Sells for $2.99 and that includes any size and any type of drink . . . this includes my beloved large regular Coke. Everything is better washed down with Coke.
  

• Available with brown sugar or without. Is that even a question . . . brown sugar of course

• I like apples - both red and green and they are already mixed in.
  
• And it's healthy . . . just 290 calories . . . and that's with the brown sugar mixed in.
  

Overall I liked it. I don't recall if I have ever had oatmeal (don't judge) and so the consistency is interesting. I opened the container and there was some milk on the top and I learned from the Good Things Utah hosts that it is actually cream . . . even better. Has anyone else tried this?

Liar, Liar

For my church calling, I get to visit lots of people who really don't want anything to do with the church. We have many lists of people in our ward boundaries who don't attend church, and we try to find who these people are, and determine if they would like to perhaps join us at the ward building for a nice time for 3 hours on Sunday.

It turns out, that a lot of these people don't want to be found, and really don't want to go to church so much. So I get to hear a lot of reasons/excuses about why people can't attend church. To date, one of my favorites has been when a woman gave us her address, and we could not find where she lived for weeks. We eventually realized that she had given us the address of the clubhouse. And I know that they won't let anyone live there, because my request to move in during the summer months for easier access to the pool was rudely denied.

Tonight I heard a doozy that is now ranked #12 in the little notebook I keep of things that make me chuckle. We knocked on a door and were told by the roommate (who I have a sneaking suspicion was actually the person we wanted to meet) that "Susan" is disabled and in a wheelchair. She therefore attends church at the disabled ward, and is very active in that ward. We said goodbye, and as we started to descend the THREE flights of stairs to go back to our car, realized that "Susan" and her wheelchair might have a difficult time going up and down these stairs since there is no elevator in the building. Well played "Susan," well played.

Neck Pillows

I am a head bobber when I doze off. I get this from my father. I can't help it - I can fall asleep almost anywhere, and it's very noticeable when I do it because my head is bobbing and weaving all over the place. So in preparation for an upcoming plane trip, I am taking a hit on my pride and buying a neck pillow.

Here's the problem: neck pillows are funny. And now I've become one of those people who travels with a neck pillow. I think the neck pillow manufacturers must be aware of this stereotype, because they've taken proactive measures to make wearing a neck pillow look as luxurious as possible.

Here are actual photos from my online shopping:

Don't these people look so relaxed? Almost like they're at a spa instead of cramped in coach with no leg room and a giant sausage around their neck.

This one's my favorite:

I am Old!

Gabrielle Carteris, i.e. Andrea on Beverly Hills 90210 turned 50 today. And I think I just died a little inside.

I Can't Stop Watching

I know that New Year's has come and gone and my Christmas decorations are still up and not put away. I, however, cannot stop watching the new shows on the Oprah Winfrey Network this weekend that just started. I have been an Oprah disciple for years and love relationship-type shows, which is the bread and butter for her new network - and it has sucked me right in. From the backstage look at how the Oprah Show is produced - to learning about rapper JayZ on the Master Class. Then there is Peter Walsh getting to the bottom of people's unorganized homes and lives and also watching kids kidnap their workaholic father. Between these and many more - I'm hooked!

The other show that has us addicted . . . House Hunters. If I have to be somewhere and a new episode starts . . . I have to turn the TV off before I find myself waiting to see which house is chosen. It's terrible.