#OccupyYourMind

"Oh, get a job? Just get a job? Why don't I strap on my job helmet, and squeeze down into a job cannon and fire off into job land, where jobs grow on jobbies!" - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

So I never get political on my blog.  Mostly because my views are the exact opposite of my family's, J's family and several of our friends'.  I just don't want to get into it.  I know what I research but being able to regurgitate said research is NOT my strong-suit.  With that being said, I think it is important to pay attention to what is going on in the world.  I stay up on the Euro crisis and the various countries running to China for help but I won't pretend to know more than the articles I read each day.  All I can say is that the world is changing. 

I read a quote the other day that basically said most families are one illness away from poverty.  The quote struck me... hard.  As in, had nightmares and trouble sleeping for several days.  Our country is in shambles and it's not healthy to pretend like that doesn't exist.  Sure, we are living our lives the same way we always do but we are lucky. 

J and I talk about it a lot.  I think it's hard to have a movement with no defined leader.  No MLK Jr. out there showing the way to reform.  I also think that the importance of the Occupy movement has been overshadowed by the "Wandering Moochers" ...  I am calling them that because they are lost and are desperate for some spark of excitement and something to believe in.  They have leeched on to the cause as a way to make a statement rather than being part of the statement that already existed. 

I remember reading one of the articles where the Occupy movement had been forced out of the park they had been living in.  One of the main contenders in the movement was interviewed and expressed his gratitude for being forced to start over.  He said that the movement wasn't supposed to be a camp out with tents and sleeping bags, it was supposed to be about their concerns and reforms getting acknowledged by the powers at be.  This man said the people with all the tents had distracted from the true meaning of the movement and the 99%. 

Sure, I thought the same thing at first.... Why are all these people out here protesting?! What the heck are they thinking they are protesting with all their disorganization?  Why don't they just get a job or go to work?

It's silly to think about now and I feel a little remorse about the thoughts I had.  I have a job.  I am one of the lucky  ones.   I survived being laid off and we were able to make it work until I got hired.  Many people are not that lucky.  They don't have the survival net I had of friends and family willing to chip in at every moment. 

Before I ramble into Never-Never Land.... please watch this video.  And keep your eyes and ears open... we are the 99%.

Tofurkey Nonsense

Well folks, we did it!  We survived our first Vegan Thanksgiving.  I'm not going to lie, I was pretty dang nervous about staying strong with our new eating style for the holidays.  And... so far, so good.

I am a holiday nut!  I love them!  From Thanksgiving through Christmas Day, I am in complete bliss!  Christmas is my favorite holiday and I love the traditions I had growing up for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Well, living away from my family has always been hard on me for Thanksgiving.  I miss the traditional Thanksgiving routine...

• Watch the parade while mom finishes up the cooking
• The moment Santa does his wave, head to the kitchen and start the pies
• Prepare the table and greet the family as they arrive
• EAT to my hearts content
• Eat pies to my hearts content
• Play games in the dining room like Rummikub and sequence
• Watch a girly movie in the den while the men watch footbal (AKA Nap) in the living room
• Eat a quick dinner (usually another piece of pie) then head out to see a new holiday movie

 I know it sounds ridiculous but I miss my mom's food!  I miss the traditional dishes that were a staple every year.  I had some major preplanning for our holiday experience this season. 

A local store that sells ONLY local produce had a Vegan Thanksgiving Package on sale for $15!  It came with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, 2 rolls and seitan.  Now, I have heard A LOT about seitan but had never been interested in really eating it.  I mean wheat gluten does not sound appetizing.  But I knew this year would be tough so I figured the reinforcements were necessary.  They only had a single serving item of each thing so I also made my own mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy for leftovers.  It was my first attempt at making gravy EVER but I love it and all its mushroom goodness :)

I was also able to make my favorite side dish (Spinach Souffle) and my favorite dessert (Chocolate Layer Pie) by substituting it with almond milk and vegan cream cheese.  Normally, I don't like to count on foods that need substitutions but I was THRILLED!  Overall it was a wonderful Thanksgiving and I really enjoyed spending the afternoon at J's Sister's house with his family.  They are such pleasant people to be around and I always feel completely welcomed. 

Looking back at yesterday though, it was amazing how dumb it seemed to be eating the seitan.  I am big on eating being an experience.  Everything about it should be an experience.  The atmosphere, the company and the tastes.  But eating some fake meat with gravy  just so I could feel like I was having a "Thanksgiving Meal" was just dumb.  Actually ABSURD.  It's been 8 months with no meat except fish and it was weird not only not wanting the turkey but not wanting anything that resembled it. 

His brother-in-law asked us whether our dietary changes were one of "addition" or "depletion"  .... we hesitated for a split second and said "both" at the exact same time.  It's the depletion of dairy and most meat but it's the addition of so many wonderful foods that I had never given a chance before.  Despite the changes, it was the perfect Thanksgiving!  I couldn't be more thankful for my loving husband, family, in-laws and friends! 

Hope everyone had a blessed holiday!

PS> only one month 'til Christmas!  Oh the joy! :)

Advice to the Happy Couple

At my friend's wedding recently they did a really cute thing for their RSVP cards.  With the RSVP, they had people fill out a fun little card that had numerous blanks and advice for the couple.  I thought it was a really fun idea and thought I would share what I decided to write. 

My advice was to never forget the feeling you had when you met that person or realized they were the "one."   Now, I've only been married a few years so I know I am a bit of a newb but this is what holds true to me and where I stand today. 

I'm an extreme romantic so most people will probably think this advice is silly but for me it holds true.  When you're married, you tend to fall into a routine and things can become complacent.  When all the excitement from the "newness" of the relationship wore off, I started constantly reminding myself of the butterflies I had the first night I met J.

I remind myself of the nervousness that involved me flying to see him the first time. 

And I remind myself of the complete joy I felt from being around him finally rather than over the phone. 

In a weird way, doing this regularly has helped me find those little moments in everyday actions that I would otherwise pass by without acknowledging.  It is a constant reminder of why I fell in love with him in the first place and why I fall more in love with him every year that passes.   

So silly as it may be, it is the only newlywed advice I had to offer.  Well that, and talk about everything and anything :)

Gift-a-holic

So, I love giving gifts!  Like LOVE IT!  If I could make professional gift giving into a full time job, I would be in heaven.  Sometimes I wish I could be a bazillionaire just so I could give cool things to people all the time!  Friends, family and complete strangers. 

With that being said, my lovely husband found a piano on the internet that he has been salivating over since I first visited him in 2006.  The piano was a complete steal and the best deal he's ever seen.  Halloween night he shows me the piano on our local classifieds site called KSL.  I was surprised how good of a deal it was and sneakily put the seller's info into my phone.  Throughout Halloween night, I took Cleo out to do "her business" several times so I could speak with the seller.  And wouldn't ya know, it was STILL available.  Not to mention the guy selling it actually knows and LOVES J!  The next afternoon I faked some important errands and paid for the piano.  I coordinated some covert, spy-like action with our friends Ryan and Jessie to bring the van up on Thursday to haul it away for me. 

After much debate with Jessie on the phone and serious stressing over whether or not I would be able to find somewhere to store the monstrous thing for 3 months, I decided to give it to him Thursday when we picked it up.  I bought a card that basically said HAPPY BIRTHDAY 3 MONTHS EARLY and had my timeline in stone. 

Fast forward to last night.... the band my husband has been recording paid him up so they were even.  He comes home from the studio and with a twinkle in his eye says "Guess what?! Now I can buy that piano off KSL."  Me, being in complete and utter shock, awkwardly tried to convince him not to do it that night.  Finally, I just grabbed the card and said "Happy Birthday! You already own it."    He was FLOORED!  He was so excited he danced around the house with a grin on his face for the next 2 hours and then proceeded to watch videos of people playing the same type of piano all morning. 

It's a beaut and I am so thrilled to see how excited he is!  The piano was purchased from The Music Garage here in Salt Lake.  It is a really neat venue that has a ton of functions and is really inspiring to see.  I recommend if you have kids or are in a band here in SLC, that you check into their website.  They offer a little bit of everything.  I loved that the cost of the piano went to such a great cause at the same time.

So here's to my awesome husband! Happy Early Birthday J! :)

Gobblins, Ghouls and Booze... Oh My!

That's right folks, we have officially passed Halloween Weekend!  Back in Oklahoma, my fam was holding down the fort in some cute costumes of their own...

My sweet Niece as Dorothy....

My AWESOME Mom as a Margarita Swirl.... *believe it*

And my sister representing at home.... 

Here is Utah, we did a pretty chill Halloween weekend.  Friday, J played piano at a local venue with a good friend.  The friend was "Elliot Smith" for Halloween which means he played all Elliot Smith songs all night which was pretty amazing!

Saturday, we went to our good friends' Dan and Garity's place for their annual party! Garity is my creative idol and she sent us this cute invitation:

When we showed up at their house, I was as giddy as a school girl looking at all her decorations.  Anyone who reads this blog probably already knows that I love to be the Hostess with the Mostest.  I love themes, festive food, and fancy decor... oh my! She had the WHOLE house decked out!  From front door to back yard and it was awesome!   Here are some cute pics of her food area:

Garity really went all out and we had a terrific time!  (Even if a certain drunk friend thought I was a fancy indian..... FLAPPER Jake, Flapper!) 

Oh well, all is forgiven :)  But I look like a Flapper ..... right?!  Just say yes. ;)

Hope everyone had a fantastic Holiday Weekend!