Almost a new year - Trying a new start.

I am trying to keep a better record of what happens in my life. I have realized there are a lot of little memories from my past that are gone for one reason or another. This makes me sad. So, hopefully, this will help. :)

Highlights and lowlights of this last year:

I dated, broke up, dated broke up, and dated some more.
I paid off approximately $6000 of my student loans.
My grandma finished chemotherapy treatments.
Moved into a new place with roommates.
Bought a new car.
Joined the Pampered Chef Team.
Taught marching band at Copper Hills.
An old friend of mine from college tragically and unexpectedly lost his life.
I officially got a full time teacher at American Preparatory Academy.
I lost my cousin Casey - another victim of suicide.
My brother, JJ, was able to move back home.
I missed out on being an auntie...twice.
I saw Kelly Clarkson, Josh Groban, and Michael Buble - live.
I drove to and from St. George with a minion.

Of course, there was so much more. I'm grateful for all of it. I am excited to see what 2014 will bring.

The Great Hot Chocolate Experiment

Some background is required for this post.

First, my best friend [Shayla] and I met our freshman year of college. We ended up being roommates before we had ever met. To make a long story short, we bonded over The Phantom of the Opera and have stayed close ever since.

Something that we did on a fairly regular basis was have what we called "hot chocolate parties". We would make hot chocolate (usually in our matching snow buddy mugs) and talk about our day. We reflected on this recently and decided to recreate this event, but invite girls we went to school with to join the fun!

We are also foodies...and decided to make the hot chocolate from scratch.

Vanilla Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:
1 1/4 C Semi Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1/2 C Vanilla Chips
1/8 C Cinnamon Chips (we had a few more, add more to taste)
1 Tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk
Vanilla Extract to taste
1/2 C Half and Half
5 C Milk

We combined all the chips and morsels, the condensed milk, and the half and half in a saucepan over medium low heat stirring constantly until melted.

We then added the 5 C milk. You can add more milk if you want to, I liked it this way, but Shayla felt like it might be able to use a bit more. Totally up to you.

We continued to cook it until heated through and then served with marshmallows (optional).

We love making things together! I'm always grateful for the relationship we have and for the fun we have creating beautiful and delicious things together!

My 2 Cents

I REALLY hate it that so soon after the tragedy hit Newtown, Connecticut that it turned into a gun control battle. I don't know who started it and frankly I don't care. There should have been more time to let the families of the victims and the country as a whole grieve for the loss of these Americans.

But if it's going to happen, if we're really going to let our opinions known, I'll throw mine in. After all, it is my constitutional right to share my opinion.

Taking guns away from law abiding citizens will not solve the killings. The people you should worry about are the people who don't care whether what they are doing is legal or not. Criminals do not care if guns are banned. They will find some other way to do their evil deed because criminals do whatever they want. That has been the case since criminals and evildoers began walking the earth and that is how it always will be.

If there are going to be criminals walking the streets, I want the right to keep and bear my own arms. As a citizen of the United States of America I have been given that right and I refuse to have that taken away from me.

If a criminal came into my home armed and I had no way to defend myself, wouldn't that be worse than defending myself with an arm of my choice? It is only logical.

Are there many gun crimes in the world today? YES. Are those the fault of guns? NO. Bad people kill other people, not inanimate objects. Please use your common sense.

There you go.

In loving memory of those whose lives were taken 12.14.12

This beautiful poem was written in memorium of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting on December 14, 2012. I found it beautiful and inspiring and hope it does the same for you. I heard it on the Rod Arquette show last night and cried.



Written by Camero Smith of Mt. Wolf PA

twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“this is heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“may this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“come now my children, let me show you around.”
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT

Read more: http://www.knrs.com/pages/rod.html#ixzz2FQLlc05j

What Have They Done To You?

Once upon a time, a friend of mine posted a facebook status that intrigued me but I never commented on. I didn't because I didn't want to cause a war and I didn't have the most amazing thing to write, anyway. Well, I think I have an answer - but first, the post.

(It was something to this effect...) I just want to know what exactly has President Barack Obama done to you, personally, to make you hate him so much? He made it so I could have a house and a few other things. Frankly, I think he's done fine by me!

I really wish I could find the original post. But you get the picture.

I have a few answers and then some questions.

1. President Barack Obama has openly lied to the American people, one of whom happens to be ME.
a. Benghazi?? Lie after lie after lie.
i. He told America that all he knew was that there was trouble and they weren't sure of what nature. We have since found that he and several others in the white house had intel saying that there was an attack, that navy seals had been begging to save their fellow Americans and been ordered not to do so, that it was a pre-planned terrorist attack, and other such things. And what did he tell Americans? AND the UN?? It was because of a video made to mock Islam. FALSE.
b. Did you watch any of the debates?
i. He told American voters that the reason that gas prices were $1.87 when he entered office was that the economy was on the brink of collapse. How does that even make sense??
ii. He lied about oil and energy. He has shut down refineries and plants and put many out of work and made us dependent on foreign oil and energy sources.
c. You didn't build that.
d. Where are those shovel - ready jobs?
e. Make it easier to go to college? My eye! I fought hard, worked 2 - 3 jobs while working on a double major and still have student debt that I am desperately trying to get rid of, but since there aren't many jobs around it's even worse!
f. Why WON'T he release his college transcripts?
i. Either he is lying about his citizenship...or...
ii. He is lying about how he received college aide.

2. He said when he was running for office last election that if he didn't fix the economy and all of that jazz in three years, that this would be a one term proposition. I'm just holding him to his own standard he set for himself 4 years ago.

3. He thinks that hiring more math and science teachers will help the economy.
a. Where will the money come from to pay these people? We are already trillions in debt.
b. Teachers don't grow the economy. Don't get me wrong, I AM a teacher. And I am passionate about education. But making more teachers will not boost the economy. Yes, it will train our children (future leaders, if you will) in math and science, but then what?? It just puts more people in the work force without money to pay them.

4. He said four years ago when he was running for office that attacking your opponent on small issues shows a weak campaign. he said that is what happens when you have no record to run on. Hmmm......
a. Big Bird.
b. Romney is going to push grandma off a cliff.
c. Voting for Obama should be compared to losing your virginity.
d. Imaginary 5 trillion dollar tax cut.
e. Republicans are going to magically take away all birth control.

5. "I will have more flexibility after the next election...transfer that to Vladimir..." Uh...Vladimir Putin? NO THANK YOU!!

This is just a sampling of what he has personally done to me. Mostly, I do NOT appreciate being flat out lied to. And neither should you. I don't think we're heading in a good direction.

Now, my questions for you ...

1. What has Governor Romney done to you PERSONALLY to make you hate him so much?

2. What do you really think Republicans believe in? Ask me, I'll let you know!

3. What do you really think Mormons believe in? Ask me, I'll let you know!

Election day is coming so quickly! PLEASE...think responsibly before you vote.


If you post anything rude, hateful, or combative, I will delete it. If you have a different opinion and state it in a non-combative and well thought out manner, I will not delete it.

Thanks.

The Foolishness of Boycotts and Hypocrites

As is traditional for my political posts, I am going to begin with a disclaimer. These are my personal beliefs - my exercising of my right to free speech, if you will. Please, if you have nasty comments, refrain. I don't leave angry, hateful, spiteful things on your pages, don't do it to me. Thank you.

About a month and a half ago, there was a lot of controversy going on around the idea of certain companies (namely Nabisco and JC Penney) supporting gay pride and gay rights. One of the reasons that I am aware of this situation is because I am employed by one of the aforementioned companies, JC Penney.

Many of you know that Ellen Degeneres is the spokeswoman for the JC Penney company. She is in several of their commercials, as shown here.



When I learned of this (in February of this year) I didn't really think anything of it. JC Penney was undergoing several changes in its infrastructure and I figured having a popular celebrity/public figure would probably be great for the company.

In June, during gay pride month and other such festivities, a JC Penney ad featured what appeared to be at least 2 same sex partner families. The ad did not come out and say that was what was happening, but a lot of that could be assumed. For a few weeks we (just our store, not the company as a whole) got angry, hateful phone calls asking how on earth we could support that and that they would never shop in our store again because of this. Our reaction was, "Okay, do what you want. We didn't personally print the ads".

I am going to throw in a little side note - I am not what you would call an LGBTQ hater. I have several dear, dear friends and relatives who live the LGBTQ lifestyle and I still love them for the people they are. My personal belief is that you should love people. I may not love what they do, but I still love them. I do not support same sex marriage or that lifestyle, but I don't hate those who do.

Back to JC Penney and Nabisco - I saw an ad on facebook that was included in the following article. I really agree with what this person had to say.



A friend of mine (who happens to be gay and a liberal) posted a meme with a lot of this same information in it when all of this was going down. I agreed with what he had to say as well. It is really silly to boycott one business to stand up for that cause but continue to support the others - It's also kind of silly to deny yourself of something you love because someone in that company made a statement.

Which brings me to Chick-fil-A...

I will admit, I do NOT know the entire story. I did not read or hear the interview. But I DO know that it has gotten ridiculously out of hand.

Here is something a friend of mine posted about her personal experience with this company.

You know what? Chick-fil-A is a great company. I worked there for two years and have absolutely nothing negative to say. They treat their employees well, they treat their customers well, they are active supporters of charity causes in their communities, they have a scholarship program for their employees, they operate debt-free. We should all eat at Chick-fil-A today, if for no other reason than that we believe in free speech. I question the legality of government leaders (such as the mayor of Boston and several other cities) banning Chick-fil-A because they don't agree with Dan Cathy. I will always support a company that gives back more than it takes.

Something to think about.

Also - I heard or read today (I couldn't find the link...) that this whole thing sprang from an unprofessional interview. Whoever was interviewing Dan Cathy (owner of Chick-fil-A) asked the company's stance on same sex marriage, to which he replied a PC statement about no discrimination, etc. But then the interviewer did something which I feel was out of line and asked him his personal beliefs. And from what he said his personal beliefs were is what brought this whole thing about.

Here is a link stating some very interesting things about this interview...



Regardless of all of this, I feel it is time for this...

People on both sides, liberal as well as conservative, have crossed some lines here. I think that is evident in some of the examples I have cited.

I think that we as Americans need to think about what we say, remember it, and refrain from hypocrisy.

I say that because if the liberals felt it was stupid for conservatives to stand up to JC Penney and Nabisco for their beliefs, then they should not stand up to Chick - fil - A for the exact same reason.

I have always remembered the day that I learned the golden rule in elementary school - DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.
If we truly lived by this rule, so much anger and hate could really be done away with. We all need to calm down, allow individuals to have their own opinions, and just leave it alone. All of these boycotts and protests are not helping anything. Those companies (if they have any moral fiber at all) will stick to their guns and maintain the values they hold dear and people throwing tantrums and hate mail around should not change that.

There - my two cents. Do with it what you will.

Just quit being a freaking hypocrite, and we'll all be fine.

An improvement on perfection?!?!?

I posted a recipe a few months ago for brownies, and Shayla and I made more improvements and they were INCREDIBLE!

2 sticks butter, melted
2 C sugar
4 eggs
1 + tsp vanilla
1.5 C Flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 C baking cocoa + 1/4 dark chocolate hot cocoa
Evaporated Milk
Vanilla Carmels
Chocolate chunks (or chips)

On a VERY low heat, combine the evaporated milk and vanilla carmels in a small saucepan. Stir continually until melted.

Preheat oven to 350. combine melted butter and sugar - blend with hand mixer until the sugar melts and the mixture is smooth. Add the eggs and extract. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Pour into a pan. Pour carmel mixture over the batter and proceed to marble through the batter using a butter knife until it is well mixed in. Sprinkle the chocolate chunks over the top of the whole thing.

Bake for 35 minutes in an ungreased 9x13 glass dish. (I baked for 10 more minutes than suggested...)