The Betty White of the Snow Family

Yesterday we went to lunch with Dan's great-grandma Ann.  She is 98 years old, and a complete inspiration.  When we came to pick her up, she gave us a tour of her whole building, saying hello to practically everyone we passed and knew everyone's name!  She is so active and fun-loving.  I hope that I'll be able to be like her when I'm old.
She is so funny, and her mannerisms are exactly like her son's (Dan's grandpa).
It was just so cool to see this lady walking around and keeping up with us, not even using a cane, when almost all of the other residents were using walkers.  Again, she's awesome.  Those Italians...

Carrie and her Grandma Ann

So presh.

Change.

I got a job.  I'm now a part-time receptionist for a software company.  I start on Monday.

We got an apartment in South Pasadena.  It is so cute.  I'm so glad we were able to get it.  We're moving on Saturday...so that's kind of fast, but still good.

I started writing my book again.  I feel like I need to go through and rewrite what I've written before.  I think my writing style has changed a little in the past two years.  Hopefully for the better.

Ok, this isn't really a change, but it is exciting.  Some people that live down the street were getting rid of a bookshelf and a cute old desk.  So I snagged them, and Carrie and Kim helped me clean them up.  Two less things we need to buy!  Woo hoo!  Here are some before and after shots.  

Sometimes, I feel like I'm praying for things that are a little silly.  Like, can we please get this apartment, or can I please get a job that won't cause me to have a nervous break down.  It always sounds a little selfish next to much more spiritual sounding things.  When I pray for those "silly" things though, I always try to think about why I really want that.  I want an apartment in a nice area so Dan and I can have our own independent household and prepare ourselves for a family.  So that we won't be an extra burden to Dave and Carrie.  I want a job that doesn't cause me to pull my hair out so that I won't be cranky or tired when Dan comes home.  Maybe these are silly, human things, but they matter to me.  And I know the Big Guy Upstairs is listening, even to my mundane wishes.  I know the next few years are going to be tough, but I also know that they're going to prepare us for the rest of our lives.  Which is really scary to me.  But it's also really exciting.

How does your garden grow?

My perfect baby peas.

Rosemary.

Hopefully lettuce and not a weed.

I had a job interview today.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Quote of the Day:

"Nobody talk to Mason anymore.  Shun him." --Carrie Snow

Keeping busy?

So far my job search has gone nowhere.  I broke down and applied at Target the other day.  I know it's a recession and it's hard to find jobs, but I feel like such a waste of an education.  Then there's the fact that half of me feels guily because I have no ambition or drive.  Getting a job scares me.  Sometimes I feel like Beth in Little Women--not understanding why everyone wants to leave home and move on with life.  Which is weird because growing up I always saw myself as Jo.  Le Sigh.  Enough feeling sorry for myself.

Since I don't have school or work to occupy myself with I've been doing these sorts of things instead:

Planting a garden.

Dave and Carrie have graciously allowed me to grow a garden in their backyard.  I decided to do this one day when I was helping Carrie in the backyard pulling weeds.  The Snows tried to grow a garden this summer, but between the bunnies and the gophers they didn't get a single thing.  So I'm going to do my best to make sure that doesn't happen again.

I planted: peas, lettuce, carrots, marigolds, thyme, cilantro, parsley, oregano and chives.  Plus I have two pots inside (one of basil and the other of rosemary).  I also want to plant pansies and sweet peas, but I'm waiting until the weather gets a little colder.  After I finished planting and organizing all of this I felt pretty accomplished because it was the first time I'd planted a whole garden entirely by myself...we'll just wait and see if anything grows.

I also tried out a new recipe, and can I just tell everyone that it was BRILLIANT.  I give you: Chocolate Peanut Butter Layered Cupcakes:

(Recipe from Modcloth's Blog)

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Layered Cupcakes

Makes about 18 cupcakes

1 1/2 cups flour      
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 large egg
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/4 cup Reese’s peanut butter chips
1/4 cup Hershey’s semi-sweet chocolate baking chips

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Place a paper baking cup in each of 18 regular-size muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Add the oil, water, vinegar and vanilla to the flour mixture, stirring just until smooth (do not over mix).
3. In another large bowl, beat the egg, cream cheese, peanut butter and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar; beat until creamy.
4. Spoon 1 level tablespoon chocolate batter into each cup; evenly spread 1 level tablespoon peanut butter filling on top. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with peanut butter chips and chocolate chips.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (do not over bake). Cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove from the pan to a cooling rack; cool for 15 minutes. Serve warm or cool

My latest obsession has been online scrapbooking.  It's starting to spill over into that wasting time arena though, so I should probably watch myself.  In the past week since I started doing it, I've completed three scrapbooks (including our wedding), and am working on a fourth.  Yeah, probably should knock it off.

Dan had the day off yesterday, and it was nice to be able to spend time with him.  We ran a few errands and then just chilled at the house.  We played outside for a bit and I think that was my favorite part of the day.

I'm thinking about getting back into writing again...I've had a few people comment that I should pick up my story I started freshman year.  We'll see.  The amount of work involved in a full length novel is a little intimidating, but it's something productive, right?  Right.
Also, I wish I remembered french.  I should have taken more classes.
Should have should have should have.  Story of my life.

 These are the cute little mushrooms I'll have to annihilate if they get any closer to my garden.  But I don't want to kill them yet, because they remind me of my friend Lacey.  I miss having friends.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my big 2-1!  And it was awesome.  Especially the part where I got a new camera!  (Thanks Mom and Dad).
Dave and Carrie (Dan's parents) made a delicious pancake breakfast in my honor, and Dan gave me my birthday present--SEASON FOUR OF BONES!  Yeah, he loves me.
Dan was a good sport and took me shopping at the outlet malls...and then we went to Ross because the prices of brand name clothing (even at the outlet) depressed him.
Dan's parents took us out to dinner at Macaroni Grill.  Funny story: after the host sat us, he took away my and Dan's wine glasses, and then proceeded to tell Dave and Carrie where to find the wine list.  Normally I wouldn't care since I don't drink, but on my 21st birthday, REALLY?  Later, when our waitress came to take our drink orders, she asked if we were out for any special occassion, and Dave said we were out for my birthday, informing our waitress that I was "legal."  The waitress looked at me and said, "Oh, it's your 18th birthday?"
I've joked before that I look like a high school student, but I thought I was just being my usual hyperbolic self.  Guess not.
Carrie made me a delicious cake, and got me supplies to go with my sewing machine she gave me for my graduation present. 
And thanks to all the birthday wishes via text, facebook, and phonecalls!  I feel so loved and blessed.  I am the luckiest.