150 DAY CHALLENGE!!!

1) Both of us have to loose 20 lbs - 250 points
2) Home and Visiting Teaching - 100 points every month
3) Individual Morning and Evening Prayers - 1 point each
4) Couple Prayers - 1 point each
5) Individual Daily Scripture study - 1 point
6) Couple Scripture study - 1 point
7) Exercise at least 30 minutes - 1 point
8) eat 100% healthy - 1 point
9) Mark read Awaken the Giant Within - 100 points
10) Kalinda Read Awaken the Giant Within - 100 points
11) any other book read - 10 points
12) Save our Land Taxes - 100 points
13) Save $5000 - 250 points
14) Have a VISA that has no payments for the whole 150 days - 100 points
15) Organize our house to get ready to sell or develop the basement - 250 points
16) Mark finish school - 100 points
17) Kalinda finish her continuing education - 100 points
18) Walk the Dogs everyday - 1 point
19) Get up every morning by 7:00 - 1 point each


possibility to earn over 5000 points, must earn 3500 points and save $2000 to go on a trip this summer that we both really want to go on.


Last August Mark and I started a 90 day challenge to try and save some Money for a vacation, it was a great motivator, the more we saved the more fun we got to have. When I found out I was pregnant in October though, it kind of got put on the back burner, especially once the miscarriage happened. So now with another trip in mind this summer I feel to learn discipline we should not just be able to go, that we need to earn it and save some extra money on the side aside from the rest of the money we need to save for the hundreds of things we want to get accomplish. Not to mention all of the challenges will help us to become better people. So good luck to us and the future trip.

THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES!!!!

This past month Mark and I have had the opportunity to read together "The Five Love Languages" by Dr. Gary Chapman. It was an absolutely fabulous and easy read and will help our relationship forever. I learned so much about myself and why I sometimes get frustrated with Mark, as well so much about Mark and how I can learn to help him feel more loved. I recommend it for every single relationship. Good, Bad, Terrible, Wonderful. It will help a broken relationship mend and a good relationship become wonderful. Upon finding an image to post on my blog I also found that he wrote many other books about The five love languages of teenagers, children, and the single person. I know 100% I am going to read the other books once I have children, and again seriously recommend it to all of you to read.

BIRTHDAY BASH!!!

So I unfortunately forgot to take pictures, but I wanted to make a quick blog post for memories sake.
Today we had a very enjoyable time with friends (Harker's, Low's, Isackson's) to celebrate Mark's 29th birthday. We had some delicious burgers, salads, chip's and I think my best ever made SKOR cake. We played The Celestial Companionship game to get to know our new friends better, laughed with the children as they played with the puppies, enjoyed some good stories and had some great laughs. I think Mark was very pleased and had a very enjoyable birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE, LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!

GREAT MEMORIES!!!!!

So if anybody went to Youth Dances in Calgary in the year 2000, you might have seen a group of young men that mimicked this routine by heart. I am proud to say I knew every Young Man in that group. So here is a shout out to those Boys (while men now)

MUCH BETTER!!!

So productive day #1

-got in an hour long run
-cleaned the house
-ate healthy all day
-had F.H.E with hubby
-Organized my recipe drawer and book, put some recipes on cards, that were just lying in my drawer.
-read a book for about an hour
-is getting to ready to have a nice long bath
-then off to bed early to get up early tomorrow to have productive day #2

LAZY DAYS!!!!

So for all you women out there who spend almost every minute of your day dropping or picking up children somewhere, getting the house clean, making dinner, possibly working full or part time, keeping a husband happy, scrapbooking, sewing, baking, working out and the many other things that keep your life hectic, honestly count your blessings. This past week has probably been the laziest week of my life, and really for no reason then I wanted to be and I could. I had a cyst removal on Wednesday which made me take it easy for a couple of days and I got a small case of the flu on Saturday and Sunday, but honestly nothing that big. For some reason though I just wanted to be lazy. I went for one run this whole week, ate unbelievably unhealthy (like gain 5 lbs in one week unhealthy), maybe made 2 home made dinners and cleaned my house once. The rest of the time was spent sleeping, watching movies, playing on the internet, eating and reading. I did work 2 shifts this week at work but other then that, my week was a waste. I feel so guilty as I look back on all the things I could have done with my life and didn't. I know all of you busy women reading this right now are thinking, I would love a week to do nothing, and most of you deserve that. However I found at the end of this lazy week I feel sadder, as I thought way to much about the trials in my life, fatter as I ate way to much food, completely unsatisfied as I got nothing accomplished and did nothing to improve my life and guilty for wasting a whole week of this wonderful, beautiful life my Savior has given me. I hope to at least learn from this week and not let days like this happen again. So this week there is a huge long list on my bedroom mirror of things I am going to make sure happen this week.

The Best Wife Ever

This past week I have not recognized the many great and wonderful things that Kalinda does. So right here ,right now is a small list. This list is in no way a comprehensive list.
This week she has, got me a huge Valentines Day Card, put treats in my lunch, made my lunch. Wednesday she brought home a great meal consisting of sushi, ginger beef, sweet and sour pork, and some other thing, with a fantastic dessert which took some serious effort. She got a movie for us and we both loved it. She did all that and that was the day of her surgery. There are countless other sweet things that you do for me,which I cant list right now. Kalinda you are the best, and I love you.

I LOVE YOU ALWAYS FOREVER!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY MARK!!!!!!

FUN, FUN, AND MORE FUN!!!

Last night our Branch mission leader held a dance at our gym. It was so much fun. There was not a lot of people there, but the ones that showed were ready to dance the night away. It felt so good, to get out and have a good time. Mark and I were also blessed to have an answer to our prayer as we invited our non-member neighbours to come, and they showed up. They said they had a lot of fun and we could invite them to any other activities we do.

BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Well another new recipe learned. They were pretty good. I think next time I will try and use a different sauce, as hot sauce is not my absolute fav. Maybe a sweet and sour one next time.

here is the recipe:

• 1 pound ground all-white-meat chicken
• 1/2 small onion, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), for drizzling
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup hot sauce, such as Frank's brand

Pre-heat the oven to 400ºF.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with the onion, garlic and parsley and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Flatten out the meat in the bowl and score it into four portions using the side of your hand. Shape each portion into four balls – you should have sixteen meatballs in total.

Wash your hands after handling the raw poultry.

Arrange the meatballs on a nonstick sheet pan and drizzle them with EVOO. Place in the oven and bake until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.

While the meatballs are baking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the hot sauce and whisk to combine. Toss the baked meatballs in the hot sauce to coat.

THIEVES ARE SO GAY!!!!

This is a quote from my still frustrated husband to his still insanely frustrated wife. Last night Mark had young men's so I decided to go in and swim some laps at the swimming pool. I usually lock my stuff up or share with a friend unfortunately not last night. Last night the women's change room was closed so I went into the family one I threw my bag in a hallway locker. I did not have a loonie or a locker to lock my stuff up but I thought my stuff was safe as I was only going for 30 minutes. Well I was foolish as it only takes about 5 seconds to steal a bag, they had ample amount of time to make off with my Visa, Debit Card, Driver's License, Running shoes, Cell Phone, my favorite work out top, bra and shorts, a fairly new expensive addidas sweater, and of course the bag itself. Lesson learned ALWAYS LOCK YOUR STUFF UP!!!!!!

Are you for real!!

Could you imagine having arms, legs, a stomach that was this buff. I can't even imagine what her butt looks like. I can't even fathom how disciplined you would have to be. You would have to exercise I swear 5 hours everyday and everything you put in your mouth would have to be healthy. I have thought about trying to work towards having a figure that looked like this but honestly I don't even now how it would be enjoyable. I am however dreaming of maybe having a small little six pack. I don't even begin to know how to get there but it will hopefully be fun trying. I have kind of gotten into a rut or my body has decided unless you do something drastic that extra 15 pounds you want to loose will not come off. I am happy for the most part with the look and health of my body right now, I count my blessing as it could be worse and there are those less fortunate that don't have the ability to exercise or the money to eat healthy. However I think it would be a great confidence builder to look at some abs and say "Hey I worked hard and ate healthy to get there, it was not easy but it is so worth it" I know this might be lame, and also vain posting about this and if my attempts at doing this is a success or a failure but I find writing things down motivates me better.

MADE MY DAY!!!

Some people can just make your day. Tonight at work, a gentleman came in and started up one of the most interesting conversations I have ever had. It went a little something like this.

Man: excuse me but where are your glasses that are covered under Indian Affairs.

Kalinda: we'll sir we actually don't have a set selection of frames to choose from, I can figure out what you are covered for and then we can select a frame that best suites you and is covered.

Man: oh man that would be wonderful, I like that idea, I want one of those one's that has nothing there.

Kalinda in her head: nothing there, hum what is this man talking about.

Man: You know the kind that has that wire or something in the bottom.

Kalinda: ah a semi-rimless frame, yeah we have lots like that.

Man: oh good let's go look at some, you know what I am running for chief counselor next year, and I think I am going to get it, do you know what chief counselor is.

Kalinda: No, I am sorry I don't.

Man: oh that is to bad.

The gentlemen then proceeded to try on some glasses, but decided instead of a semi-rimless look he wanted a buddy holly look.

Man: So do you have any buddy holly looks, with running for Chief Counselor I need to look smart, and sophisticated.

Kalinda: Yeah we have a couple frames that give you that buddy holly look. Here try these one's on. Oh and this pair is also a nice semi rimless pair give this one a try as well.

Man: oh yeah I like this one, set these aside for me and I will come tomorrow and get them, and maybe I will get two pairs, but I will look for the other pair tomorrow.

Kalinda: Great I can do that for you. I hope you have a great day sir and thanks for stopping in.

The gentlemen then proceeds to sit in one of the chairs

Man: This is the best CD ever man, do you know this CD.

Kalinda: No I don't who is it?

Man: it is Eminem, best CD ever, I carry it around in my pocket so I can listen to it whenever I want.

Kalinda: oh yeah, I have heard lots of his songs.

Man: yeah it has that one of him with Rhianna on it, man she is hot!!! Hey look what else I got here.

The man then proceeds to show me a toque that has the Ottawa senators symbol on the front.

Kalinda: oh ah Ottawa senators toque, very nice.

Man: yeah most people think I am crazy, because it is not an oilers hat, but screw the oilers, Ottawa Senators rock. Although Oilers have a good young team right now, they will be good again soon. Yeah I know a lot of famous people, I have meet many hockey players, you know that Jarome Iginla's father is a lawyer in Edmonton.

Kalinda: No I did not.

Man: yeah I know him.

Kalinda: really that is cool, I dont' know anybody famous, I once saw Arnold Schwarzenegger about 10 feet away from me in a Hummer, but that is pretty much the extent of it.

Man: well now you do know somebody famous.

Kalinda: oh really, yourself I take it.

Man: yeah I am famous, or at least I am going to be, that is my plain. You know if I make Chief Counselor I will make $156,000 a year.

Kalinda: wow that would be nice.

Two gentlemen then proceed to walk by who know this man, which makes it even funnier.

Man: you see I am famous already everybody knows who I am.

He then proceeds to show both of the men his ottawa senators toque and tell them the except same speal he just told me.

Kalinda in her head: I don't want to be judgmental but is this guy drunk, or is he like this all the time?

After about ten minutes of talking and me trying not to laugh my head off and make it totally obvious I am listening in on the conversation. The three men start to walk out of my Optical.

Man: Man you guys I am so hung over from last night.

and the Man that loved to boast to everybody about his Ottawa senators toque left it sitting in my Optical, for me to set aside and give to him tomorrow as he comes back and purchase his frame that has "nothing there", and a buddy holly pair that will make him look "smart, and sophisticated" as he runs for Chief Counselor.

What a perfect end to a very boring day.

PICTURE PERFECT!!!

I just finished reading this book by Jodi Picoult, it was honestly not one of my favorite books of hers, I did not have it read in 5 days like most of her books. It was good though and helped me to understand something I have often wondered in life. The book is about a women who meets this famous actor she would be the least likely match for him, or atleast that is what hollywood thinks, but as you get to understand this man you realize he is the perfect match for this women. Throughout there marriage he abuses her over and over again and she keeps going back. Abuse is something I have never understood, I do not understand how someone could be abusive, and I do not understand how someone could stay with someone that is abusive. Reading this book though enlightened me and helped me to understand why it happens and why women stay with there abusers. It makes me even have a little but of sadness for the man that abuses his wife or girlfriend. If you have ever wondered about these things read this book, it will help you to understand.

DANCIN' DANCIN'

This song makes me want to do exactly that. You know those songs that if you are feeling blue all you have to do is play it and your attitude will totally change. We'll this is one of those songs for me. Yesterday I danced around like a maniac in my bedroom with my puppies, well my husband looked at me like a crazy person, but I don't care it was so much fun. Seriously try listening to this song and not dance, or at least bob you head up and down. It is impossible.