New email subscription box...

I'm working on my new look. It's been ages since I updated our profiles or pics...so that is next.

This week, I found Blogger added an email subscription feature that I had previously gotten from a different service. In an effort to keep it streamlined, I am now using the new one. If you have subscribed to email updates of my posts in the past, I don't know if they will continue. If you do seem to be missing my posts, just submit your email in the box under my profile information and you'll be all set!

An apple a day...

About 2 1/2 years ago, I bought a caramel apple at my kids' school fall fair. It was covered in caramel and drizzled with white and dark chocolates...I couldn't resist! Half-way through, though, my mouth began to tingle. I'd never experienced anything like it.

I wondered if I was allergic to something it was made with. I tried out variations of the ingredients....caramel, fine...chocolate, DEFINITELY fine....apples, not so fine. I had never had a problem with apples, but had a friend that suddenly became allergic to nectarines, so I knew it was possible. The dilemma? I LOVE APPLES!! I mean, not just some apple pie, or the crunch of one once in a while. I ALWAYS have apples in our fruit basket.

So I wondered, since we were in Europe, was it a pesticide thing? A locale thing? A variety thing? Over the course of the next year, I washed apples with soap; I tried Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious; I waited until we came back stateside and tried them here; I peeled apples; All with the same result...minor itchy mouth and a little phlegm, like with a cold. I tried taking a Benadryl in conjunction with eating some apple, and it did help. The only apple variations that are symptom-free are cooked apples or apple juice.

Plus, when we were moving back stateside, I grabbed a handful of fresh cherries. Mid-way through, I started getting the same symptoms. Uggghhh! I was losing my fruit choices! I did a little online research and found that a fruit/vegetable allergy often stems from an allergy to a particular pollen...for apples it's birch tree. And, with that allergy, there are more items I could have issues with, carrots, almonds, etc. None of which I ate as often as apples. Or I'd miss as much.

So, for the last year, I've stayed away from my fruit of choice. Longingly staring in the produce section...only buying varieties my kids enjoy. This week I was reading an article that referred to it as "oral allergy syndrome" (not to be confused with my allergy to speaking in Sacrament). It explained that my "mild, mouth only symptoms" should go away in a few minutes, and that only classic food allergies (fish, shellfish, soy, eggs, wheat, nuts, milk) should be concerning and warrant a doctor's attention.

I've missed apples so! I've tried to substitute tropical fruits which are plenty where we live now. And, I love them. But, they aren't the same for me...that crunch, that watery juice, the tart of a Granny Smith. And, I know I'm not eating near enough fruit anymore. So, I think I'm going to add them back into my diet. Maybe smaller portions. Every now and then. With a Benadryl.

Sometimes the reward is so worth the mild irritation. I'm sure mothers would agree...(wink!)

Time's a changin'

Just a heads up to all of my followers...yes, both of you.

I've had this blog background and name for over 2 years now. It's been two years of growth and self-discovery, and I have updated my life. So, it's time to update the blog accordingly. Look for a fresh new look at a fresh new address.

Coming soon!

Great Quote!

I finally got the hankerin' for some chocolate this afternoon and ripped into a small box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts given to me as a gift. It was wrapped in some netting with a great quote attached.

"A grateful heart...comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives."
Thomas S. Monson

This speaks to me right now. I'm feeling so grateful for the people in my life lately. I feel so full from the love I've been given and the people that make me strive for greatness in all that I do. I am who I am because of those people that I choose to share my life with. What a true blessing!

Noble Woman Challenge

Ok, so I'm behind...what else is new? And, since I have had two sets of visitors in the last 3 weeks...plus you'll notice my last update was of Christmas. I have lots to post. I've just been lazy about doing so. But, I've had something on my mind...

When Krystal came for her whirlwind visit to Hawaii, it was the best girl time! We laughed, and we played, and we talked. Really talked...about kids, about marriage, and about gospel doctrine. I can honestly say, she left me better than she found me. That's a beautiful friend that can do that. I've been trying to make great improvements lately, and I loved our discussions about that so much.

I also recently stumbled upon a blog, Mormonmomma, with some really thought provoking topics. I love the author's charitable and realistic views of life and others around her. And, while I love a good discussion, I feel that a few of the commenters on some posts are a little close minded, and a tad judgemental. I think that one improvement I've been trying to make is to keep lightness around me. I want to be like Krystal, bringing joy to others, having an open heart, and improving myself every day.

So, thanks to my friend, Julie, I was steered toward HessesMadhouse. Now, SHE seems amazing, which can be a little intimidating, but I like her "voice" so I think I'll follow for a while. I especially enjoyed a recent post about a blog she found that had a A Woman of Noble Character Challenge. I think this goes right in line with some of my goals for the year, so I'm going to try it. She notes that she just recently started it, so I'll be catching up right alongside her. It seems that each week's challenge is based on parts of Proverbs 31.

The challenge states, "Celebrating A Day In Our Life is wonderful and being grateful for the many blessings God has bestowed upon us is good, but are we blessing those around us with strength and dignity. Isn't it more important to be A Woman of Noble Character? Are we worthy to be rewarded for all we do?"

So, for as long as I can keep up, I'll use my blog, not only for family updates, but for reflection, more "musings" and hopefully a little self improvement.

Week 1's challenge: Proverbs 31:10-12 Are you a virtuous and capable wife more precious than rubies? Does your husband trust you, and do you enrich his life? Do you bring him good everyday? Write a post about something you would like to change about yourself, and something you love about yourself. How does this add to the enrichment of your husband's life?

Hmmm.... That's a good question. I believe I'm virtuous...I like to think I have value above rubies. As a daugther of God, I know I do...but some days.... You know...you're tired, and life just gets you behind the eight ball. I know my husband trusts me, and I trust him. We are actually, after 20 years together, in a really good place. I know I work hard to keep our home and raise our kids, so I know that enriches his life. But, I also know that I don't do enough personally just for him.

One thing I love about myself, is that I am organized and can multi-task. I know I accomplish a lot, and have been told by more than one person that it can be intimidating to keep up with.

So, I think that's the one thing I'd also like to change. To slow down, stop trying to do it all. Not that I'd like to accomplish less. But, I want people to feel enriched by me. I want my husband to know he has my full attention. I want my friends to know they don't need to feel less around me. I want to make sure people know I have time for them, not that I'm so busy they can't keep up, or that I can't spare a moment. That will help me enrich and bring joy to him...and others.

You can't whaaaaat?

Dear Leslie,
You may have thought that you had encountered the only crazy person working in a military facility...But, I have to tell you that AAFES does not have the monopoly on hiring people with mental disorders.

Tonight I went looking around the appliances at the Navy exchange. I have been contemplating red appliances (I know, you're thinking "I luuuuuv me some red!" right now...) So, I saw on an aisle they had on display a red toaster, coffee maker, crockpot, rice cooker, and hand mixer. I started looking for the toaster...an off-brand, but hey, for $15, I could afford to replace mine for a trendy pop of red on my counter.

So, I finally found a box....uh, empty. None other could I find. But, a salesperson was right there. I asked her about it. She said it was probably the display box....

Me: I don't see any others...
Her: We've probably sold them all.
Me: Can I have the display?
Her: We don't sell the display.
Me: Are you going to get more in?
Her: No, it was promotional for Valentines.
Me: So....what happens to the display?
Her: It's NEX policy, we don't sell any displays (as she leans down to PUT THE EMPTY BOX BACK ON THE SHELF!)
Me: So, why do you have a toaster on display you can't sell me?
Her: Um....
Me: Don't you think you should take down the display if you don't have any more, and can't sell the display?
Her: Oh, we will....(as she turns and walks away from me, back to the end cap she was straightening...)

Yes, Leslie, Navy has their own brand of crazy! BTW, had the ending ruined for any movies lately?