My Thoughts on Love...

This is my thoughts in love today... please feel free to skip over this... I am more putting random thoughts down from my head!

I told someone the other night that I love to read Trashy Romance Novels. Well I love more just romance novels, minus the trash. I have been able to accept that I am in fact a sappy romantic at heart. Yes I am waiting for Mr. Wonderful or Prince Charming to show up. Yes I want to have someone to come home to at night and talk to. Someone who cares what I think and wants to listen to me, even when I am being a little crazy :)

Tonight I was watching The Lake House. Yes I love that movie, and yes I can separate reality and fantasy, just so that you are all aware. There was a quote in this movie that I really loved. Kate and Alex have been writing and they finally agree to meet. Kate waits for hours and Alex doesn't show. She writes this to him and the dialogue follows.

Kate “You weren’t there. You didn’t come.”

Alex “I don’t understand. Something must have happened. I’m sorry, I’ve got two years Kate, we can try again.”

Kate “No Alex its too late. It already happened. It didn’t work.”

Alex “Don’t give up on me Kate, what about Persuasion you told me they wait, they meet again, they had another chance.”

Kate “Life is not a book a book Alex and it can be over in second. I was having lunch with my mother at Daily Plaza. A man was killed right in front of me he died in my arms and it thought it cant end just like that in valentine’s day and I thought about all other people who love him waiting at home who will never see him again. Then I thought what if there is no one, what if you live your whole life and no one is waiting, so I drove myself to the lake house looking for any kind of answer and I found you. And I let myself get lost, lost in this beautiful fantasy when time stands still but its not real Alex. I have to learn to live the life I have got please don’t write any more don’t try to find me let me let me let you go”

It is true that life is not a book. You can not live the fairy tale life, but can't we hope for it? Do we single ladies have to settle for crap, or can we hope that someone will give us all that we want, dream, desire, and most importantly deserve? Once Kate realizes that Alex was the man at daily plaza she writes this to him.

Kate “Alex, I know why you didn’t show up that night. It was you at daily plaza that day it was you, please don’t go just wait please don’t look for me don’t try to find me, I love you, and its taking me all this time to say it but I love you. If you still care for me wait, wait for me, wait with me, wait, wait two years Alex, come to the lake house Alex, I am here.”

Often we let our fears stop us from doing our best in a relationship, or stepping out of our comfort zones to go after what we want. I think we can all say we have done this. If we didn't let our fears hold us back we could say I Love You so much sooner and with more confidence.

I want someone who will do anything to be with me. Who would be willing to wait two years just to see me. Is that too much to ask? Don't get me wrong when I talk about this I want to be this person for my man as well, it is definitely a two way street. But right now I am tired of having my heart broken. So tired of rebuilding life after someone carelessly shatters your dreams. I know I am not too picky when it comes to love and men. When I love I give my whole heart and would do anything for him. Why is it too picky to expect the same back?

I have seen some wonderful examples of love in relationships and marriage. My parents were great. Do I think they were perfect? No. But they showed me how it could be. Do I want a little of the romance in my life? Yes. Have I had it before? Yes. Do I miss it? Yes. I just hope that I can figure this whole thing out and have a little of the happiness back in my life.

My Two Boyfriends...

Some recent snaps pf Thomas and Luke. They are still so cute, and I will miss them while they are in South Africa. They are so constant in their love for me. Not a time goes by that one of them doesn't leave me a surprise. Usually something white and projectile :D

Life Catching Up!!

I thought I would write a little something and tell you all what I have been doing. The last few weeks have been so stressful for me. You know sometimes when life just catches up with you. I had a huge test to take, papers to write, and assignments to do. Plus lessons to prepare, observations to have, a social life to have, sick family, and much more.

This year is my 3rd year of teaching and I have to meet several requirements in order to get my permanent Utah license. I was stressing about taking the Praxis last Saturday, and was struggling to know how best to study. I came to school on Friday and asked Rex to give me a blessing. It was such a nice blessing and I am grateful for the direction that the Lord can give us in our lives. I felt calm and peaceful about the test. I took it on Saturday morning and it went well, at least I think it did. I have a month to wait for the results.

After taking the test I went and had Red Robin with Lindey for lunch. I love my family who take care of me. I had to then prepare an assignment for my ESL class I am taking. These classes will allow me to receive an endorsement for teaching students whose first language is not English. It is giving me lots of ideas about how to be a better teacher and when I am done I will get a pay rise and it will make me more marketable. All good things!! But the class is rather full on and takes lots of my time. I am enjoying it, but will be happy when I have some time back to myself.

Along with this I have to finish my portfolio for teaching. This is essentially writing 8 essays about my teaching and what I have learned. This takes lots of time and keeps me busy. So all these things have been freaking me out. I also need to have some formal observations done by people at work. Trying to figure all these things out has been stressful.

James has also had his chest surgery and Isis had his tonsils out. Two of my babies in hospital is sad! But they both seem to be doing better. Along with all of these stressful things there have been lots of good things going on too.

I am planning a trip to Montana for Thanksgiving with Suzanne (depending on the snow). We also had a girls night on Sunday. Nothing like Men to bring us women together. If any of you have ideas for how we can find some decent men, willing to commit, all us girls would love to know. Although I have had some people telling me recently that it is my fault that I am not married. Obviously being too picky. I have decided that you can not EVER be too picky. Do I want to be with someone for eternity who I kinda like, or who annoys me, or worse ~ doesn't love me?? I think not!

We also watched Harry Potter this weekend. Yes it was long. I did enjoy it though, which was a little miraculous. I did suffer for it today. Bev and I went out for a chicks day. We went to lunch with Rachel, told funny stories and talked about boys, then went shopping, and got pedicures. It was great, but I came home and promptly fell asleep for 2 hours. I didn't want to wake up!!

With all this other stuff going on, I have been catching up with old friends and trying to move on and find happiness. I have come to realize there is so much I can work on to improve myself. Happiness comes from within and from self reflection and change. I have been doing a lot of reading and trying to improve my communication skills. I like to think I am better, but there is always more I can work on.

Now that I have had my personal little rave, I am going to sign off... Hope you are all well. Love and miss you all back home, or in other parts of the world xxx

Halloween 2010

What is a Halloween party without a butterfly??

This year was a fun year with lots of good times. I had a Halloween party with my class. One of my parents organized the party and we had a blast. Eating lots of doughnuts. The kids loved that I was able to play the game with them and have some fun.



For school I was dressed up like a princess. I got to have parent teacher conferences that night in my old bridesmaid dress. Fun times.

The next night I went out dancing with Rachel and had a fun time flashing back to the 80's. Yes I have that much make up on. I mean what is the 80's without lots of makeup, jewelry, and big hair.



Last of all we had a big party up Hobble Creek Canyon on Saturday night. It was all the singles from around our area. Us girls had a blast, with lots of wings between us. Suzanne, Mark, Rachel, Krista, Ben, Mike, (Sara was there for the photo and party too), and I all drove up and had lot of fun dancing. After we had the mandatory dinner at IHOP and then went to Ben & Mike's house to watch a movie. I was impressed that I was able to stay awake through the whole movie. Suzanne promptly fell asleep on the couch and Mike went to bed... So finally I got to see Gone in 60 seconds.



This year was a little different then last year, but I am so glad for my amazing friends who are always there for me and help me have so much fun.

Love to you all xx

Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies in the Middle of the Night!!!

I woke up this morning at 12:30am and couldn't get back to sleep. What an annoying occurrence. So while I was counting sheep backwards, trying to roll my eyes back into my head, and pleading to get some sleep. I thought of ideas that would use the pumpkin I had in the fridge. I started looking online for different ideas. There are so many fabulous recipes, in fact I found a new one that I want to do next time I make a roast. I had to settle on an old time favourite, well old time since I have moved to America. Choice was made, all the ingredients were put out on the counter and I tried to get back to sleep.

This morning I got up and made the wonderful pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Amazingly yum if I do say so myself. Also so easy. I had it made and cooked in 20 minutes and a dishwasher unloaded and loaded too. I took a bunch to work for Rex and shared with a few other people too.

For those in the pumpkin mood here is the recipe. 1 packets of spice cake mix, 1 small tin of pumpkin, chocolate chips. Mix all together and then bake for 13 minutes in a 350F oven. So good and so quick. If you don't have spice cake mix you can use regular cake mix and then add fabulous pumpkin spices. Good luck with the cooking.

The Soon to be World Famous - Candice's Pumpkin Roll

Tonight was the annual Pumpkin night at Suzanne and Kim's house. I wanted to try something that I had not created before, so the crazy online search for recipes began. I found trifle, cookies, and so many other recipes it was hard to decide. I opted for a pumpkin roll. For those Aussies, this is a Swiss roll, but with a pumpkin based cake and a cream cheese icing filling. It took me total about 20 minutes to make this divine dish. I didn't take a photo, but I am sure that I will make it before the end of the month again :)

It was delish.... So if you are interested I am putting the recipe up. Seriously this was one of the easiest and yummiest desserts I have made in a long time. I found it on allrecipes.com

When I bought it to Suzanne's, Daryl asked me if this was my world famous pumpkin roll? After I tasted it, I decided that it would become a tradition and world famous too.

Enjoy xx

Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll
Prep Time: 20 Min
Cook Time: 15 Min
Ready In: 55 Min
Original Recipe Yield 10 servings

Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch jelly roll pan or cookie sheet.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in pumpkin puree, eggs, and lemon juice. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread the mixture evenly.
3. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 minutes.
4. Lay a damp linen towel on the counter, sprinkle it with confectioner's sugar, and turn the cake onto the towel. Carefully roll the towel up (lengthwise) with the cake in it. Place the cake-in-towel on a cooling rack and let it cool for 20 minutes.
5. Make the icing: In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and sugar with a wooden spoon or electric mixer.
6. When the cake has cooled 20 minutes, unroll it and spread icing onto it. Immediately re-roll (not in the towel this time), and wrap it with plastic wrap. Keep the cake refrigerated or freeze it for up to 2 weeks in aluminum foil. Cut the cake in slices just before serving.
Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 316 | Total Fat: 14.1g | Cholesterol: 100mg

The Laser Saga continues...

"Candice what is that lady talking about?" Isis asked me this morning. I proceeded to tell him about how Mummy and Candice were talking to the lady about getting some laser hair removal done. "You mean they are going to shot you with a hand laser all over?"
Isis is a very visual child and was extremely excited by this prospect. After all was said and done I am getting my arms lasered and my Mo... I don't have much of a mo, but seriously, I am so excited about them arms. Finally!!