A Champion Among Artichokes

So, a couple of weeks ago I decided I needed to get back into running. I found a nice little 5k coming up in 3 weeks and signed us up.

(Me before the race, sure of my eminent domination)
I thought 3 weeks was plenty of time to get in shape enough for a good time in such a short race. I hit the treadmill and worked up to a speed which I though would insure complete race domination... 

(A less than enthused pre-race Dan)

Then came the day came for our big Castroville Artichoke Festival 5k! Turns out treadmill running is a bit different that actual running. Actual running has things like an incline, differing terrain, weather, and there isn't a ground moving beneath you propelling you forward. Actual running is hard. And I suck at it.

(the course went through the artichoke fields.)
I finished, at an okay time - but I'm now moving my running activities outdoors. It's for the best - though I'll miss watching Biggest Loser while jogging. 

Dan however did great at our little 5k! He got 13th Overall and 1st in his division. He got a medal and is very proud of it. I'm happy for him, but I can't tell you how many times I've heard "Lauren, how does it feel to be married to champion?"  "Do you know who I am? I am a Champion." etc etc etc.

I'm just happy I have this awesome shirt to sport around town.

We were also the lucky recipients of two artichokes a piece, for which I need to find a purpose. Not gonna lie, I've never cooked/bought/touched an artichoke before. Perhaps I'll just put sunglasses on them.

A Mother's Day Shout Out

(She's so cool, and pretty good at shooting!)

My mother, Lesley Lyn Hales Benson is simply the best. My mom makes everything special: amazing themed birthday parties, wondrous holiday traditions, exciting family vacations. She's smart, setting an example of education as she earned her degree in Physical Therapy. And then setting an even greater example in her choice to stay home and raise me and my sisters. She tolerated the spirited child that was Lauren which is a feat in and of itself. She listened patiently as I reported every detail that happened in my intense kindergarten life. Even as a child she treated me like I was a person on her same level. I loved feeling like I was my mom's friend, that we could talk about subjects we both found relevant. Today she is still one of my best friends. No one and nothing has had greater bearing on the person I am today and the happiness I enjoy, than my Mother. 

A year and half ago I gained a mother in law! And luckily, I got a good one. Denise is so kind and thoughtful. When Dan was at basic she would drive all the way to Provo, just to take me to lunch at Cafe Rio. When Dan and I moved out, she was on the scene helping pack and clean and carry. She is so talented! Denise is the world's best seamstress. She sewed ALL of my bridesmaid dresses, and interestingly still talked to me afterward. She is thoughtful. I mentioned I was having trouble finding SAF yeast and she sent some out the very next day. She's so easy going and I always feel welcomed and relaxed at her house.

Through marriage I also got to have Dan's wonderful Nana as part of my family. Ann lived for most of her life in LA, so she's instantly cool in my book. Dan has all kinds of cute memories of visiting her in California. She taught him how to boogey board in the ocean when he was little- what a cool Grandma! And she's super sweet, sending us a card and a gift for every holiday!

I'm lucky to have my own two Grandmas as well. Grandma Peggy, my love of carbs grew exponentially when she taught me how to make homemade bread! I have many a fond memory of sitting on her bar stools and having a slice of her bread, toasted in a toaster oven, and slathered in butter. Nothing is more delicious. I think of grace and refinement when I think of her - she always has her hair done, make up on, and well dressed. I also think of walks to the cemetery :)

G'ma Hales - Oh what a fun Grandma. The yearly summer cabin trip holds many special memories of time spent with G'ma.   She has such a sense of humor, breaking out all her dance moves at the annual "deck dance".  She's a good sport, allowing 10 year olds to do her make up and paint her nails. Her health has not been good for many years, but she never complains, and never stops serving others. She continues to cook up amazing food and is constantly showing her love for our family

With all these amazing Mothers in my life, I just don't think I should ever have kids. Too much to live up to.

Lo's Thoughts (on whale trials)

Another deeply reflective post?  On my weeks off, I have too much time to think... I found myself reflecting pretty deeply on my life while on the treadmill. As far as trials go in life, I know I've had it pretty easy (Dan says I'm cursing myself by saying this out loud.) But it's true, though I've had things I've struggled with, I've never gotten leprosy or been swallowed by a giant sea mammal ("Whales aren't fish!" My little Sunbeams are so smart). To me, this experience in Monterey has thus far been my Whale in life. I've never had something I wanted so bad and had no control over that I prayed multiple times a day, fasted for, spent every Sacrament meeting pooring my heart out about - trying to procure intervention from someone who does have control over it. 

•  First it was wanting Dan to succeed in the Persian class. We prayed so hard for him to be kept in that class, to be able to keep going and graduate after so much work. But, the answer was no.
• Then we hoped for a spot in a restarting Persian class, that Dan might be able to not throw away all his Farsi skills and keep in a language he wanted to learn and would be beneficial later. After a few weeks of hoping, again the answer was no.
• French it was. We were happy to be starting in any language, just as long as it was soon. Then we found out he doesn't have a spot till September. But there is a chance he could get a wait list spot in the May class, that way I could still make it to my much needed fall semester at BYU! So again, we poured ourselves into prayer that this would work out. Today at 1:00, we found out that it didn't. There was no spot in the May class for him. 

 Again, it hasn't worked out as I wanted.  But its not about what I want, its about what Heavenly Father wants for me. I'm trying to gather what I am supposed to learn, and I think one of those things is trusting that Heavenly Father knows what is best for me, and he's getting me there, even if I can't see where its going. And Patience. I think he's trying to teach me lots of patience.

And while this is already churchy wordy overload, an anecdote: One of my favorite little sunbeams turned to me, "Sister Mealy, can I tell you a secret?" Yes of course I said, bracing myself for something intense. "Flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp." That is an awesome secret Cambria, thank you so much for sharing it with me.

A Pizza Stone! And other (not so) exciting things.

I know I recently vowed to "never sew again" following the Alice in Wonderland dress debacle. But its a known fact that I'm full of empty threats. I've threatened to kill myself 4.5 million times, yet there is not a hesitation mark to be found on my wrists...  Back to the sewing. I've got to hold some babies lately. My favorite kind of babies too: darling tiny baby girls with cute names. Which DOES NOT make me want to have one. But instead lead me to want to SEW for them... Check it out:

I know on the difficulty scale bibs are pretty low. But I'm working my way up. You know, starting with easy projects instead of lined dresses with gathered sleeves and fitted bodices...  Dan was inspired by my craftiness and began work on his own sewing project: a ghillie suit. His seams are still straighter than mine.

Also, we got a new car!

We wish, this is just our new rental. After a recent trip to Costco resulted in a 45 minute hunt to find a parking spot large enough to accommodate the sheer manliness of the DODGE RAM, I knew we needed a change. Enterprise presented us with two options 1) Take a PT Cruiser, which Dan and I make a regular habit of mercilessly mocking or 2) Pay $6/day and upgrade to a black Cadallic CTS (a dream car of mine in my dream color). The frugal money saving option was clear. But I'd rather be shot than seen in a Cruiser. We handed the man our credit card and drove away in the CTS. We shall greatly miss our brief stint with a luxury vehicle, especially the way the seat warmer toasted my cold buns while driving Dan to school at 5 am....

The only other news worthy thing to report: We got a Pizza Stone. (I know, its been a boring two weeks when you're writing about a pizza stone.) We have an unhealthy (in many ways) obsession with Pizza. I've spent weeks researching and waiting for the arrival of my pizza stone. Its maiden voyage today as a fast breaker was a disaster. Transferring my creations from a Pizza peel on to a Pizza stone ended in a mess and tears (I was very very hungry.) In the end, it tasted okay, but was ugly.

• Dan continues to put in long days doing menial jobs at the Presidio while waiting for his reserved spot in SEPTEMBER to start French
• I continue to put in long days making the world more superficial and less wrinkled while trying to figure out what I want to REALLY do with my life...
• Though were ready to "get moving on," we feel fortunate to both have jobs to put long days into. And we have each other. And Pizza.

Continued Melodrama

My 12th grade English teacher (shout out to Bart!) once had us write a short essay on the quotation
 "It hurts to find out that what you wanted doesn't match what you dreamed it would be." 

So true. I have a chronic problem of finding something I like, obsessing over it to the point of losing sleep, researching reviews for months, finally ordering and then... Being totally disappointed.

Exhibit A:

Kiersten w/ her camera. Its easy to become very jealous of her and her beauty. 

Fancy camera. It began with envy for Kat and her cool Canon. And grew into an obsession that was sated only when I purchased my own and gianormous lens that were "totally necessary" in order to record my Middle Eastern exploits.  I love taking pictures with it, I do. But a much smaller, much cheaper, Canon would have been just as suitable for the kind of photography I do. 

Exhibit B:

the mixer that didn't change my life

Kitchen Aid Mixer. I wanted one so bad. Spent months comparing models. Ordered one as my Christmas gift, completely confident in the knowledge it would fill my life with joy and bring my culinary prowess to new heights. It hasn't. 

Yes, my legs really are that white. 

Latest case in point: Shabby Apple dresses. I've been looking at them for approximately a year, and getting as far as putting them in a shopping cart - then backing out, for about 3 months. So I finally pulled the trigger under the pretense of an Easter Dress. I narrowed it down to two, ordered them both, and then planned on deciding which to keep when they got here. 

Really wasn't kidding about the translucent legs
They came in time for Easter and I was elated! Except, they are totally shoddily made. Not as bad as "Lauren made her own Halloween costume", but still pretty bad. Dresses of that price point should at least be lined and have smooth zippers! Another obsessive purchase disappointment.

My getting a picture of the dresses turned into an episode of America's Next top model, with Dan serving as both Nigel Barker and Miss J

So... The point of all that is, this blog post is to serve as a reminder to myself that OBSESSIVE PURCHASE DO NOT EQUAL HAPPINESS (on to the theory that impulsive purchases do). 

In other news...
My beloved and faithful Civic took a beating on Sunday when Dan got rear ended as part of a big rain storm induced crash. 

Poor Civic is in the shop getting fixed up. The logistics of two people sharing one car is tricky, but no car is impossible. So we have a rental car in the form of this monstrosity:

 I feel incredibly dangerous and self conscious driving it. I feel like I'm always about to hit people and in their heads they're thinking "Stupid Red neck in that bright blue dodge!" But it came in handy for the Boy Scout camp out that Dan is currently on.
Maybe it is the loneliness of being home alone all weekend (having already watched the new Glee three times), but I really really want a dog. I even miss this little demon:

On to the New Recipe of the day: I have a have an unwavering love for Chocolate Chip cookies. Their batter is my favorite "food", which I generally eat till I feel extremely ill.
I've been intrigued for a while by a recipe that I've seen on several food blogs for a New York Times Choco Chip Cookie. Its a recipe from this famed baker, and I thought I'd give it a go. I required several things I normally don't have: Bread Flour, Cake Flour, Unsalted Butter, 60% Cacao baking rounds, and enough patience to let it chill undisturbed for 36 hours. It wasn't easy and required a small fortune spent at Whole foods. But I made them. And they were pretty good.

 But not the mind blowing food experience I had hoped. More dashed dreams. Back to my good old Nestle friends. 

Lo's Thoughts (on Motherhood/Education/Careers)

(me in Haifa, Israel- has nothing to do w/ the post)

In my recent quest to be readmitted to BYU, I've given a lot of thought as to my return to BYU and what will happen after I finish those 15 dang credits and graduate. I gave myself an ultimatum for deciding what to do with my life: spend a whole year off school in Monterey and decide what to do by the end of it. Well, its been 8 months and I'm still no closer to a decision.

 As a young BYU Cougar I was perplexed/outraged at how many Young Women stuck to conformist roles and majored in either A) Elementary Ed or B) Nursing. As I grew in my cougar years, I watched as my female peers "gave up" on dreams of Medical or Law school, finishing a Bachelor's degree (in the best cases) and then opting for a life of Stay at home wife/motherhood - and I was again perplexed/outraged.

Well, in my (partial)year of soul searching, I've come to a great realization: There is a reason women do this. 

1) The most important job women have is motherhood. For a lot of Young women this is a "duh". But for me it took a while to gain a testimony of. I'm a person who likes validation and recognition, and motherhood does not offer the same level of that (at least from the world) that say becoming a brain surgeon does. I now truly believe that I will find no greater fulfillment that when someday (in the far distant future) I become a mother.

 2) Women have time restraints. It is near impossible for a woman to attend school full-time (as is required for Law/Medical/Most post bachelorette programs) and fulfill her responsibilities as a wife and mother. So while men have the option to have a family while still pursuing education, women really don't.

3) Many women have to become the bread winners in their families at some point in their lives for a myriad of reasons (divorce, injury, death, or unemployment of spouse.) And when it comes time to step up to the plate, it is important that she not only have a degree, but skills that qualify her for the workforce. Such as Nursing or Teaching! It makes sense! A liberal arts degree (like mine) qualify one for... I'm not sure what? I still think women should pursue their interests, but also have a plan as to how their interests translate into a marketable skill.

And that is where I messed up. 

In this month's Ensign their is an article about a Single Mother returning to school to support her family. The church employment counselor laid out for her a few education choices: all of them with a terminal vocational ending. I hope I never have to be the sole income supporter for my future family. But I want to be prepared if I do. So, onto more contemplation on how to remedy my situation (I still have at least a several months left - no word from Cougarville). But to my younger sisters and others: Start out with a plan!

Fugitive Harboring and EASTER

We had another visitor this week! Actually, the experience was much more similar to harboring a fugitive, than to entertaining an out of town guest. Meet Roxy:

(I think its kinda cute how only one ear sticks up)

Roxy is a Minature Pinscher/Retard Mix, who, in a moment of weakness, Dan volunteered to watch for an ENTIRE WEEK.  At OUR HOUSE. Did I mention we are absolutely FORBIDDEN FROM HAVING PETS in our lovely apartment? Awesome experience really. Every time we took her out, one of us had to make sure the coast was clear, then create a diversion. We often relied on the cover of darkness to camouflage our potty runs. 

(She likes to lick faces. Gross.) 

Roxy was alright, I actually kinda miss her companionship. Its not her fault she's a small, somewhat retarded dog who gets so excited she pees. She served as a reminder that we are waiting to get my much anticipated canine companion till we have an actual yard/house. And that when we do finally get said dog, it will be larger/older/mellower/have better bladder control.

Dan gave me some EASTER flowers. I think it was also to soften the blow of him leaving to go backpacking w/ Mark for two days, thus leaving me with sole dog smuggling duties. 

We got together with some our friends and had an EASTER Extravaganza. Beginning with a Brunch on Saturday, for which I made Dan's family's traditional Conference Cake (its Coffee cake.)

(Rebecca and Quinta showing how its done)

We then moved on to Easter Egg Dyeing. 

This was my best one using the "Stocking and Leaf" method

And this was my best one/only one that really turned out from the "Silk Tie" method

So before Priesthood session, there was a Potluck at the church. I was pretty amused with the lengths Dan went to in order to secure the crock pot for the 5 minute drive over. Speaking of Conference, it was really good! I thought there were many great talks about Women and their importance, and roles as mothers. I was in no way outraged by Julie B Beck this year. Which is always a good thing. 

(Can't see it here, but the plastic wear had GLITTER IN IT! I was so excited by this.)

Sunday we had a Big EASTER FEAST!

We had lots of delicious food. Like "no amount of Jillian Michael's could save me at this point" delicious food. Lamb, scalloped potatoes, Appetizers, Rolls, salads, Jello... and homemade CHEESECAKE.

happy easter!