Just Rannin' Around

Monday, November 21, 2011

That is on the baking aisle.

I have been known to put some random things in my baking (like dog food . . . but that is an entirely different blog) but I just about lost it . . . first in disbelief and then in hysterical laughter when the checkout clerk told a customer that castor oil was on the baking aisle.

Common uses of castor oil . . .

It is used in soap.

It is used in inks for printing.

It is used to make plastic goods.

It is used as a lubricant.

But here is the use of castor oil where telling someone that it is down the cooking aisle really gets me laughing. . .  

It is used medicinally as a laxative for constipation!

I bit my tongue for a second to control myself and then turned and looked at the people asking and suggested that they might actually have to look by the pharmacy since castor oil was not used for baking.  I could hear the lady at my check out aisle stifle a giggle. 

Baking with castor oil would definitely create some explosive affects!!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

“A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.”

I couldn’t help but write this blog.  It might be one that some won’t appreciate, however it must be addressed.  Why must it be addressed?  Because I have been thinking about it and really it is my blog and I can address whatever I want (yes I just reverted back to being 6-years old).

This should probably begin with the disclosure that I have been really blessed in this aspect for most of my life.  I didn’t even really start getting slightly concerned about it until three or four years ago.  Considering that I am in my mid-30s, it is a much longer stretch of stress-free time than most. 

Here is my issue . . .

I have gained close to 20 pounds within the last three or four years.  It has come on slowly within that time and I have to admit that it drives me a bit crazy.  However what really gets under my skin is the difference between looks of weight on males verses females.  Let me explain.

Standing barefoot, I am 5 feet 10 inches.  With that 20 pounds of newly found weight I am at 160 pounds.  Now according to my doctor, that is exactly where my healthy weight should be (leave it to me to be right on the exact number of average).  That being said, looking at myself naked I think that I really do need to lose that extra 20 to look and feel better.  That is just the way that I see it.  Then I started noticing a difference that really doesn’t sit well with me . . .

Because I have been swimming, biking and running a lot within the last six months I hear a lot of people discussing their height and weight.  What I have taken notice to is that women at the same height but weigh slightly less or equal to a man still always look like they weigh more than the man.  For instance, I have a guy friend that is exactly the same height as I am and he weighs 190 pounds, but if asked I guarantee that people would think that I weigh more.  In all honesty I don’t see where they are hiding it and logically thinking woman should look more slender as there is a bunch of weight that she is carrying in her chest that doesn’t exist on men (well at least most men). 

So we have two masses of fat that are accounted for that should make us look more slender through the body compared to a man at the same weight.  So where in the world are they hiding it so that they look more slender than we do?  Like my friend, 30 extra pounds than I yet he looks more slender.  This is one of those unfair balances in this game called life that I really can’t wait until I can have an answer in the hereafter.  The other being why is it that men tend to lose weight more easily and much faster than women.

Do you know the answer?     

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Post Script

Sometimes when you think you are done, you aren't really.  I actually think that much of life runs right along those lines.  Anyway, I had a couple of people contact me disappointed that I didn't post certain pictures from my trip.  With over 600 pictures I picked only a very few that went along with my posts.  As I have thought about it though, they are right.  So here are a couple more important pictures from my trip.  If you want to see, please feel free to come and visit me . . . be prepared though because once I start talking about this trip it is difficult to get me to shut up.

So have you seen Indiana Jones?  Well if you have this should look familiar

That is the Treasury in Petra.  It was used in the movie as a backdrop.

The other pictures that people wanted to see are as follows:



Pictures does neither of these places any justice.  Yes, I did walk right up to all these places and touched them all.  Yes, I did go inside.  It was really amazing!!  They honestly take your breath away when you see them appear. 

Hopefully this covers a little bit more.  Now if you want to see more, you know where to find me.  :)

Monday, November 07, 2011

“Be thankful for all the small successes . . . . these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him.  If you consider success to be only the most perfect rose or dazzling orchid, you may miss some of life’s sweetest experiences.”  -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf



There is a bit of sadness that comes with this post.  I have finished typing all 34 pages of my notes from the trip.  I have written in my journal that which needed to be recorded there.  This post is the last thing that I need to write to completely record my memorable trip.  That means that it is time to take my right foot out of Israel and be back home not only physically, but mentally also.



I have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I have a testimony of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I have a testimony of a loving Father in Heaven that is mindful of me individually.  I have had a testimony for as long as I can even remember, it is a testimony that has grown and expanded as I have studied and prayed and gone through trials, tribulations and experiences.  It has been stronger at some points in my life than others, but it is something that has always burned within my heart.  I didn’t go on this trip to gain a testimony.  What I gained was a new dimension to a testimony that I hold as one of my most precious possessions.    

My eyes were open in a different way to the scriptures.  Being able to literally see the places, to walk where the Savior walked, and to grasp actual distances awakened my mind.  Ever read a story and loved that story and lived that story in your mind?  Now imagine being able to actually walk into that story and in small part live that story that you love.  The realness of it hit me straight in the heart and never let go.  It is an opportunity that I truly hope everyone is blessed with in this life.  The Spirit accompanied me throughout this trip.



I testify Christ did walk the streets of Jerusalem and that he did perform the many miracles that were recorded in the New Testament.  I know that he lived his life perfectly and humbly choose to suffer the painful experience of the Atonement for me.  He left me with an example to follow.  He left me with a way to get back although I fail again and again.  He broke the bands of death.  He lives!  He lives to be our advocate, our mediator and we will live because of his grace and mercy.  He is my brother, my friend, my Savior.



How very grateful I am to have been able to have this experience.


 

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