Google--My New Best Friend

No offense to my real BFFs, of course, but don't you just love how easy it is to find information on the Internet? No more need for files of junk or stacks of paper. No need to memorize how far the earth is from the sun or when Ohio became a state. Need to know something? Look it up!

And that's what I did when it came to needing recipes last week. We were having a potluck at church, complete with a cookie-baking contest. Not that my baking is by any means exemplary, but I thought it would be fun to try something new. It started with Almond Joy cookies. These were pretty good, but I needed to add a little more coconut and a little less almond (or maybe it was that the almonds were old and tasted funny). I think they could've been quite good, but by the end of the week, I was tired of them and decided to move on.

How about something chocolate? I like mint... These ended up being my kids' favorite and my daughter dubbed them "Maria's Minty Madness." But alas, I cannot take credit just for following a recipe (though they did win Most Original).

But my personal favorite? Cranberry cookies--but I also wanted it with chocolate and oatmeal...is there a recipe for that? Well, yes, there is! Google chocolate chip oatmeal cranberry cookies and you get something fantabulous! The judges thought so too, and I ended up with Most Tempting and Yummiest with that recipe.

Anyway, just thought I'd share. And in case you're wondering, no, I didn't try them with Splenda yet--most people at a potluck wouldn't like them that way--but I'll let you know! Happy baking! And THANK YOU to those who did the real work and shared their tasty recipes with the world!

Tourist, Super Woman...Or Running w/ Diabetes

So I've got a problem. A fashion problem. I've begun training in earnest again (after a long cold-weather/ busy school year hiatus). This year I actually printed off the marathon training schedule (instead of the half), but we'll see when October comes which I end up running.

The thing is, as I go for longer and longer runs, I need to be able to track my blood sugar. I could just assume it's going low and eat but I'd rather not--it could go too high. But I also don't want to end up waiting until it's low enough for me to recognize it (by then I'm too tired to continue) and I don't have a CGM. So I'd like to take my glucometer and snack with me while I run. I already bought a Spibelt (see above) for just such a reason and love it. The problem arises that now I have a huge phone that I also need to carry. Although the Spibelt stretches enough for all, it bounces too much.

So my options are: two Spibelts or this other pouch. Either way, I'll look poochy and touristy. Which would look better? (By the way, the bulk of the pouch to the left goes under the shorts, but would be a might big bulge.) Don't forget that I also have an insulin pump clipped to my waistband, too, so the more I add, the stranger I look.

Are there any other options out there?

We all have challenges and trials at various times in our lives, some more heart-wrenching than others. Often times when we hear of others' struggles, we yearn to help, but lacking a practical way to do so, we offer a prayer and move on. Author Cheri Chesley is providing an opportunity to assist. She explains:

My friend, Rebecca White, is 35 years old and has breast cancer. She got her diagnosis May 11th. She had a mastectomy May 13th. Rebecca is an amazing, strong person. She's so skilled in all those craft-type things that leave me with glue on my fingers and glitter in my hair. She has a happy marriage and three great kids age 10 and under. Rebecca could be me. She could be your sister, your friend, your mother. She could be you. You can meet her and get to know her on her blog.

In general terms, we know cancer can strike anyone at any time. It's not an old person's disease anymore. It strikes children, mothers; in short, anyone. Soon Rebecca will start her chemotherapy. We're all optimistic for a positive outcome, but cancer surgeries and treatments do not come cheaply. Since she won't let me shave my head, I've decided to show my support for Rebecca in other ways. This is more than taking her meals and taking her kids to and from church; I've done that. Anyone can do that, and they do. We have a supportive ward out here. But I wanted to take it a step further.

I'm donating all my book sales income through August 31st to help Rebecca and her family pay their medical expenses. This is something they need, and in order to make it the most effective I need all the help I can get. And this is why I'm appealing to everyone I can. My book sales don't just mean the royalties from selling print copies of The Peasant Queen (which, incidentally, is on LDS Living's Summer Reading List), but also all income from my two e-books--The Wild Queen and my short story, Ghost Bride. 

It's so easy. All you have to do is purchase depending on your interests and ability to help. The Wild Queen and Ghost Bride can be found at Smashwords, which not only offers the e-books for every e-reader including simply your home computer, but also offers the highest revenues.

Printed copies of The Peasant Queen can be found, or ordered, at your local bookstores. You can also find it online at Amazon,  Barnes and Noble, and Borders. Amazon and Barnes and Noble also offer each book for the Kindle or Nook, respectively.

Thank you in advance for your help, and happy reading!

Dry Cleaning Disasters

AHHH! The incompetence! So I've been out of town--at Young Women Camp having a ball whitewater rafting and hiking and orienteering and roasting in a tent. Anyway, in a way, I was almost disappointed to return to cell phone reception and air conditioning and running water (I suppose I couldn't rely on someone else fetch clean drinking water and ice indefinitely) because that meant I'd have to return to unfinished business...namely, the high school marching band uniforms left at the dry cleaner.

Weeks ago, months in fact, I began the process of getting the uniforms cleaned. Last year it wasn't so bad--yeah, it meant a few trips across town, my SUV loaded with stinky polyester, and more than a few hours in a portable inventorying, labeling, returning uniforms in preparation of August fittings. But it was all worth it when I saw the kiddos marching on the field.

So I thought it would be even easier this year. I knew what I was doing this time, after all. But no, the first dry cleaner I used refused to give me a finish date and I felt like I was being strung along, pushed behind every other customer who came in with one or two pieces rather than 80 at a time. After a few frustrating times, I called around, negotiated a similar rate and had a promise all the work would be done within a week (I should have known it was too good to be true) and I thought it would all be done well before the end of school.

Somehow they didn't stick to their original promise, but they assured me within the next two weeks for sure, and I returned from YW Camp naively believing at least half of the uniforms would be finished and waiting on me.

I called. NONE were ready. AND they said they wouldn't start them until another band came and picked up their uniforms (as if I had any control over other band boosters in West Texas). UGH. After a few phone calls and finally talking to the manager who feigned ignorance of my plight and issues that transpiring since she and I had made the arrangements so many weeks ago, she has promised me she'll have it done before I go on vacation.

And stupid me, I'm trusting her. Because she said all the right things and I'm a softie and I don't think all 182 pieces will fit in my van at once. And I'd have to find yet another dry cleaner. Am I crazy? Something about the definition of insanity comes to mind....