Interview in Brooklyn

Friday, February 20 Peter has an interview for an internship in BROOKLYN. He's flying out early Friday morning and he'll be back the next morning (all night lay-overs, etc.). So, we hope this will be a successful interview. We still haven't heard much from other programs... so everything is still up in the air. Stay tuned...!

Let's play!

Anybody that knows me well, knows that I love board games. Its such a great way to spend quality time with people. You get to know them by engaging in a random activity that can make memories or cause a big family fight (you gotta be careful, or at least the Reynolds do).

I'm so grateful to my dad who cultivated this tradition in our family. As a teenager, I remember playing Backgammon after I got off work at Ned's Krazy Sub or Pretty Party Place. At 9:30pm on a school night, after Dad picked me up from work, and the day still had time for games. We'd talk, laugh, and bond over this simple ritual. Now, I'm secretly, or not so secretly, infiltrating my new family with the joys of board games. Peter has even joined the movement - initially against his will. He's even competitive at times - a true manifestation that he's not just doing it to appease his wife! On Sunday mornings, we play Carcassonne, the new board game that my parents gave us for Christmas. Its fantastic! Doesn't take long, best for 2 people, and plenty of intrigue. I sound like I'm trying to sell it, I know. Just a shout out to the virtues of board games and the the families I love playing them with!

The Master Cleanse

Wow, I did it. I still can't believe I did it!!! I've been living off fresh-squeezed lemon juice, pure maple syrup and cayenne pepper for 10 days now. Its called The Master Cleanse. Tomorrow I get to transition back to real food with orange juice (fresh squeezed!) then Sat and Sun I can have vegetable soup and salad. I haven't been as hungry as I thought I would be, and I have plenty of energy - surprisingly. I actually went to the gym and worked out twice, hard core! and was fine. Weird, but true. My dad, mom, and sisters did this with me (not all of them), and we called each almost daily to offer support and encouragement. The only times I had trouble were when I started letting my mind wander into forbidden paths... pulled pork sandwiches, spaghetti, doughnuts... I had to stop myself from peeking at recipe websites today. What was I thinking!? I actually borrowed Peter's snicker power bar the other day, just so that I could smell it. That was a mistake. It only gave me more food dreams. So, I digress. Truly, it has been a magnificent feat in self-discipline. I've lost 8 pounds and I'll keep them off if I continue to eat healthy and exercise. I feel clean, mean, and in control! Hopefully my inner organs are cleansed of many toxins and are grateful to me. AARGH. I can't wait until Monday when I can go to Chipotle.

Here are a couple of links if you're interested: http://healthandlight.com/TheMasterCleanse.pdf

and http://therawfoodsite.com/ and here's a NAYSAYER site: http://www.thedietchannel.com/master-cleanse-detox-diet

One of many fans

Jake is a fan of the AZ Cardinals. Dad is a fan of the Master Cleanse and the Super Foods. I am a fan of my nephew named Theron! I enjoyed the weather and visiting my family and friends in AZ last week, Theron being among the highlights. I especially enjoyed teaching him to say, "oh-yay-UH!" Is he adorable or what!? I know I am among many fans.

Running Bear.... loved little White Dove

My husband is fabulous. He danced shirtless in front of the extended family, with war paint on his chest, a feather on his head, and a mock loin-cloth over his jeans. Why? Because I thought it would be fun to perform a 50's song "Running Bear" at the Cope Family Variety Show a week before Christmas (mostly becase of an inside joke with his brothers). Peter was indeed a good sport, infact he was the star of the show, after 3.5 year old Caleb, of course. I appreciate his willingness to make a fool of himself, all for the sake of creating memories. And I'm grateful to Cassie who took the pictures to remember it by!
The next day, he went to a Triathalon with his brother Patrick and the so-called "war paint" was still on his chest. Naturally, he got a few interesting looks, smirks, and comments from fellow swimmers. When he told them it was for his wife, the looks got even more interesting.

New Year's Resolutions

Here are mine, what are yours?
1. Finish my thesis!!!
2. Graduate from UNO in May 2009 with a masters in history
3. Lose 20 pounds (I can't remember a year when this was not on my list)
4. Purge my filing cabinet and get organized!
5. Finish scrapbooking for the past two years
6. Get a real job and begin paying back my loans
7. Read the Book of Mormon daily from cover to cover
8. Go to the temple monthly
9. Remember nieces and nephews' birthdays
10. Get the Pete out of dental school

Because Jews celebrate Hanukah, not Christmas

Its a sad day when you realize that all of your education is essentially feckless. Three days ago, I was in a mad rush to secure a retirement community for my Faith in God girls to sing at. I'm in charge of their bi-monthly activities and holly jolly, we were going Christmas caroling on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd! So, I'm calling around, anxious to get this done and off my list, when I find myself on the phone with an obstinate woman who won't let my girls come and sing! Why not? I ask her. "Well, she said, its a Jewish facility and Jews... celebrate Hanukah, not Christmas." Duh. Thats when I looked down at the phonebook and realized I'd dialed up the 'Jewish Seniors.' Yep, folks, guess you actually have to graduate with a masters in history before you can process the details and function properly in society. I won't graduate until May. So, big world, be patient with me! In the end, we did sing at the retirement center at Miracle Hills and had a marvelous time.