If I Had A Million Dollars?

Do You ever think about what you would do with a million dollars? I usually don't think about it until I want to go on a trip, get an expensive catalogue, find a killer outfit, work in my yard and want to make it an escape/staycation location, or pay my taxes.....yikes, TAXES!...I don;'t even want to think about this :(
Anyway, the Million dollar thought has been going through my brain as of late....Some people are really good and want to save starving villages in Africa. I don't usually think that big or generous, and I really don't need much my self.....so why my first or thirty first thought isn't to help the starving in a third world company is beyond me.
I usually want to get me and my family all out of debt first, then I think of the fantastic adventures I would take if I had the money.....
Now, my boys would want to invest it all and live on the interest....this is where men and women differ in my home. The men want to see the money grow and not spend it, and the women want shiny sparkly things.....someone once said that women and fish are alike, both are attracted to shiny objects.
I guess since I am in the list mode I will make a list of how I would spend my million...If I had a million dollars......I'd be rich?
MCC

Monday Mumblings....

WHAT HAPPENED TO SPRING?

In three hours Sunday we got 5 inches of snow! Yes, SNOW! All I know is I went into church and the snow started to fall lightly......when I came out, 3 hours later, my smart car was covered. And the snow storm was at the wined down point......This morning I woke up to 3 more inches of snow....it is crazy! The only good thing about this snow is that is is very wet, so it melts quickly....no shoveling today.

I want to grow old gracefully......I VT a cute lady who is so spiffy and active at 83 that you would think that she might be 70, maybe....She keeps her life busy with things to do and people to serve. I think that is how you do it....keep busy so you don't wither away.

I have a love hate relationship with technology....I love it when it is working in my favor, but I HATE it when i can't get it to do what I need it to do.....my printer today has had a mind of it's own. I tried everything to get it to print and still no success......then when I said , I didn't care.......things began to print. Why, I don't know why?

I can't believe that it is almost APRIL ..... when has my month of action gone? I apparently need a re-do on the action thing. I don't feel as though I accomplished or completed anything....let alone started something. I am in charge of me so I guess the re-do is up to me.

50 by 50---love the idea, but the list was a bit more difficult to make than I thought it would be. When you have a limited time to do things in it is harder to put things on the list. You can't put things on the list that you know can't possibly happen in that space of time. I helped myself out by making my list of things I want to accomplish/see/etc.... in this lifetime. It made making the other list a little less ...... final? My life list is looking amazing....boy if I could live that life...what an adventure. I did however put a few fantastic to do's on my 50 by 50 list....I limited myself to 5% amazing goals, 5% everyday goals, etc.... The best part is I can already cross one item off and several other items have a good beginning.

on to a better week!
MCC

YUMMMMM!

Coconut Birthday Cake with 7 minute frosting....made by my sweet Megan...the baker.

I love coconut and my family knows it. I can't wait for Thanksgiving and my mom's coconut cream pie. So, a coconut cake for my birthday was a real treat....and it was a made from scratch....just like my mom used to make...a scratch cake with 7 minute frosting......what a flash back. Megan told me that she needed unsweetened coconut milk for the cake recipe and couldn't find any in the store....so she made it herself. She was so ingenious she went to the Internet and Alton Brown from Food Network told how to make coconut milk at home......it must have been right, the cake was delicious! She also said the making 7 minute frosting for the first time was a real experience....it made her nervous, but when I told her it was the frosting we would use for our graham cracker villages she was calmer, and knew that she was making it right.

YUMMMMM! Just thinking about it I want another piece!

I have set a goal of eating at new restaurants when we go out....not the same old boring. Last week we went to 'Em's' in SLC. It is behind the conference center....It was very good.

Tonight I am looking for something fun for the whole family to enjoy. We are still celebrating my Birthday......a year ago for my birthday was the first time Laurie went out with us as a family..... I am so glad that she is a part of us now.....any way where to eat tonight....we need fast and fun because they also want to go to a movie. I will have to check out the reviews to decide. I love discovering new to me.....I hope it turns out to be a yum!

MCC

Happy Birthday To ME!

This is what my 48 years looks like....not bad, but I am working on the improvement.
I am a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, a sister a daughter, a grand daughter, a cousin, a niece, an aunt, a friend. I book movies and manage a movie theatre. I don't know if this is defining but it is an influence of who I am. I have always laughed when people define themselves as their occupation...."I'm a Doctor." or "I'm a Teacher." is one better than the other does the occupation really define who you are? To define better who I am I would have to ask other people but here are a few words I hope they would use to define me.....kind, helpful, happy, inquisitive, nurturing, good cook, artistic, fun, optimistic, peaceful...............

To help better define who I am, I have decided to do '50 by 50'....I am making a list of 50 things I want to do by 50. 2 years will come and go, so I feel I have to do something worth while.
Gary has cautioned me not to dream to big for my 2 years.....I say if you don't dream you don't live......and if you don't write it down and plan on it, it won't ever happen.
I know that there are travel things I want to do, and education things....but what about the adventure, daring, risk taking? Am I up to including them on my list?

I have been reading Phil Keoghan's book NOW - No Opportunity Wasted 8 Ways to Create a List For The Life You Want. He says the reason we don't do things is because of the 10 great excuses: 1. I don't have the money. 2. I don't have the time. 3. My job is my life. 4. My family must always come first. 5. In my spare time I need to relax. 6. Not interested in dying right now. 7. My spouse would think I am crazy if I did that. 8. I am too old for this. 9. I am too out of shape and have a bum_____. 10. I just don't think I can do it. After he debunks your excuses he shares 8 themes to help you crate the life you want. 1. Face your fears
2. Get lost. 3. Test you limits. 4. Take a leap of faith. 5. Rediscover your childhood. 6. Shed your inhibitions/express yourself 7. Break new ground. 8. Aim for the heart. All of this is good stuff that I will use to help make my list of '50 by 50.'

On this day I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for my life. They are the best...they started me out right. It has been a great 48 years. I am glad that there have been so many wonderful people around to influence and guide me. I hope that these folks will help me and join with me in my '50 by 50'. Today I will begin again, another year of life, another year of growth, learning and adventure.
Happy Birthday To ME!
MCC

Wednesday Weigh In

So my goal of 5 more pound by my birthday will not be realized unless I stop eating today...which ain't gonna happen.

Anyway 1 more lb. and that is okay.
Yesterday I went shopping with Mom, Melinda, Liz and Christine. We had a fun afternoon. The best part for me was wearing a size 20 pant!!!! I thought I maybe could be in a 22, but a 20, and the 20 is not even tight....that is fabulous!

Last night my new visiting teachers came over...they are both younger and skinnier than me and that is okay......how ever they are both runners, something I have never even wanted to do. Why do people run? It makes me breath way too hard, and hurts my chest, it is torture for my knees, the pounding in my head is awful, and is not fun at all...where is the runners high I am always hearing about? I asked then whey they run and they both said because it is easy...they can do it whenever....I still won't be running....maybe a light jog now and then. Someone once asked me if i would run if being chased? I responded with "No, I would have to out smart them some other way to get away or just give up, they would catch me anyway, I am too slow."

I am still exercising however, even if it is not running. I miss it when I don't get out and do it.....that is a big change for me. I saw a report on Valerie Bertinelli on Today. They were discussing her weight loss and how she got in shape for her bikini cover for People magazine. She is 48 (the age I will be tomorrow) and looks great....she lost the weight but had to exercised to get into bikini shape.....It is all about the exercise!

I'll keep watching what I eat, and step up my exercise....maybe by my anniversary I will be 30 lbs smaller.....I hope so......that would be fabo!

MCC

Monday Mumblings....

This is my birthday week....I have great plans for the whole week, yeah!
I received a wonderful birthday greeting for Elder Call on Sunday...I of course got a bit teary.
I have already received some nice things from my family for my birthday.... Thanks to all, my list must have helped out.

Elder Call update....he found a suit for $50.00 that fits like it was made for him....of course Nelson got a great suit for very little cash. He is the bargain hunter. Now if he will get the sister missionaries to help measure him I can send some shirts etc....I have a package ready to go full of Reese's Eggs...a favorite, and other great Easter treats.

It is just the third day of spring and in Utah it is snowing.......!?!?!?!? That is Utah spring for you.

Our water heater went out...but was replaced this morning. I am so thankful for modern conveniences.

Cold is still lingering or now it is allergies or sinus ..... what ever it is it's 'snot' fun.

MCC

Suddenly it's Spring! Friday Thoughts & Things

So I am my dads daughter....yesterday I killed my self in the yard getting things ready for the garden etc......I was so achy when I went to bed I thought this morning would be hard....it wasn't so. I will have to work a little harder.

I had to stop working when I pulled a hip muscle...I know, I didn't know I could pull that muscle either.....I had to stop anyway because I had filled the yard waste can, and even packed it into the can, and I had made several more large piles of stuff that still needs to be disposed of. I still have tons to do! When Hayden saw what I was doing he just laughed then said "I'm sure glad I wasn't home to help." He did however have to help me clean my tools up.....and will have to help on Saturday....I think I will be extra hard on him because of his comment.

I am glad my family said that I am like my dad in the working hard area......My dad is and always has been a hard worker....doing the job the right way and not stopping until it is done. I hope that I have passed this same work ethic on to my children.

This is Megan as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie at RMT. She is wonderful! Saturday is her closing night. Megan has a great talent for musical theatre. She is studying it at school and is teaching musical theatre classes at a local arts school. I love to hear her sing and hope that she will continue to perform when ever she gets a chance.


My baby is getting ready to take his driving permit test. I'm not worried that he will be driving. Hayden will probably be an excellent driver. He also got his High School registration packet in the mail today... :. ( I'm just sad that he is so grown up....where does the time go? I remember having 'little kids' running around not having a life, being so tired, wanting naps and bedtime to come quicker and thinking I can't wait until they are grown up...well they are all grown up. I love them as adults, it is fun to hang out with them and here their grown up thoughts and ideas and watch them take the lead in their lives, but I sure miss the 'little kid' stage.........okay I guess I only miss the good parts, you can keep the crappy parts, and by crappy I mean the the crap.

My sweet Granny B had a fall a split her head last night. It is tough getting old. She is such a good fun person. I want to be like her when I grow up too. I feel it a great honor when I have someone tell me that I remind them of her.


Off on a fab weekend!
MCC

Keep it Positive....and green

"It's not the strongest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - unknown

To survive we need to change. We don't need to change our values and beliefs, but we need to be adaptable to the current conditions, and grow stronger because of the change......different isn't always better, but better is always different.....enough said

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Maria Robinson

Love this thought...goal setting and course corrections is what it is all about.

I begin my garden today...probably a little late, but I am doing it.
The sky is blue, the weather is crisp, but spring like. The yard and dirt are beckoning me to them....just like the Secret Garden ...."come to my garden." I hope I will find relief and joy in my efforts. My first job will be cleaning up and preparation for the compost mix that will arrive Saturday. I probably won't plant until Tuesday with the weather forecast we have been given.....good moist soil for seeds should be perfect.
My first plantings will be peas and broccoli....I have never even seen broccoli growing but have been told that it loves the cool weather and is easy to grow from nursery starts.......J&L Garden center watch out here I come.


The birds are fighting for space. Their symphony is calling me to come outside...so I am off.
MCC

Wednesday Weigh-In

So I weighed in yesterday...no weight loss :(
Today I am still going to weigh in but not about my weight.......wait for it........wait for it.....

How stupid does AIG think we are? Probably really stupid. First of all our elected officials/us, gave them billions of dollars to help out their ailing company....billions of our hard earned tax dollars.....then AIG who was so poor and down and out sent it's big wigs on a all expenses paid retreat. Now AIG is giving out huge bonuses to the same big wigs ( The company CEO said he wants then to give the bonuses back....but the bird has been freed from it's cage. Fat chance)......This is a company who boo hooed to the Govt./Us, for tons of money because they were in dire need. Their failure was going to wipe out the American economy.....Obviously AIG knows how stupid we/our elected officials are......Please stop the insanity.

and to continue my rant.....

What happened to natural selection, survival of the fittest? If you fail you fail and the strong will survive, the cream will rise to the top. The problem with our present culture is that we save everyone and everything. As a society we are quick with the handout and making an exception. We are keeping the stupid alive.....from the big ailing companies to the individual. We give welfare (giving fish not teaching how to fish), have seat belt and helmet laws, child proof caps, chapter 11 and 13 for bankruptcy, etc.......we allow and give all this because we think it makes us appear more human and christian......Pressure and abrasion makes us all stronger......We need to let people and business fight a little for what they need....we need to stop with the quick hand outs and legislating common sense. If you can't make it on your own and use your God given ingenuity to keep your head above water, or you need a law to tell you not to do something stupid then you deserve to fail.

We were discussing and laughing about this present situation with Hayden the other day. He too sees the irony that we save everyone from their own stupidity......Gary was going on about it all and Hayden responded "but kids ate paint chips when you your a kid dad." Gary quickly replied back "and those stupid kids who did so are no longer with us."

The hit TV show Survivor isn't about true survivors....as in the physically strong will survive, but it is about the manipulators, cheaters and liars, the mentally strong. The ones who win because they played it safe and rode on the coat tails of the physically strong. The winners are the ones who figured out how to "play the game" .....Unfortunately this TV program is a true reflection of our present society. We have made survival a game with our hand outs and legislation.....We have no balance...we need both types of strong, the mental and physical. For our society to thrive and survive we need physically strong, sound, growing enterprises, communities, families and individuals, and theses entities need to be run/ruled by those who are also mentally strong.....smart, not manipulators. We need to figure out how to make it on our own with out a handout, without being the exception, without crying it's not fair. If you can't make it doing what you are doing then you need to make a change from with in. An out side fix is only cosmetic and does nothing to support the foundation or build up the structure.
We need to get a clue. ......let natural selection take place. Let's quit being stupid and bailing out the stupid.....Survival should be of the physical and mental fittest.
So there is my rant.....my weigh in.

MCC

LUCKY!

Irish luck isn't really good luck at all if you look at the Irish historically.....but it is their optimistic attitude, that is what makes them lucky...so for today I am Irish!

On my desk calendar today is reads "If you didn't work hard you'd never get lucky." interesting thought....luck comes from hard work....I guess I won't be getting much luck if it takes hard work.....but all that doesn't matter because today I am feeling Lucky....I'm in the green, but not sick, or rich.....but being rich would be nice and lucky.

I feel lucky because I just got home from the doctors and was given a good bill of health for a few more months. I have been working on my weight /health because I am pre -diabetic.....now that is not a lucky disease....but things are looking better for me. I am managing my weight better and exercising.(This is starting to sound like Wednesday weigh-in).

If you have your health you are lucky.....especially the older you get.

The Irish is starting to bubble out 'o me....hearts, stars and rainbows....

Think lucky thoughts!

MCC