A Monday Melange

Melange: (fr) a mixture of often incongruous elements

Element #1: My new digs at the school. With my new responsibilities at school I needed to move offices. Hated that. Big time. Big Mess. Big Headache. Done.



I know it's nothing to you, but it's "office sweet office" to me.
(Lisa Marie & Rachel...click it big and you will see some really cute kids on my bulletin board!)



I think I missed my calling, maybe I should have taught kindergarten.

This is the cool part, Lauralee from writingonthewall, soon to be Phraseworthy.com
made this vinyl lettering for my wall. It is 12' across and we love it!! Lauralee reads my blog and told me about her business. This is so cool!! She is also doing some things for Lauren's reception. I will post pictures of those soon! Go check out her stuff, I love it. Thanks Lauralee!!




Element #2: Before I started working at the high school, I catered. I loved the creativity of coming up with new things and meeting new people. It was a lot of fun, but I gave it up when I got hired by the high school. One of my most requested salads was a tomato salad. I am sure most everyone has their own version, but I thought I would share mine. It is Byron's family's favorite!

2-3 lbs of tomato, on the vine are the most flavorful
1 bunch of fresh Basil
1/2 large Red Onion
8 oz Monterey Jack Cheese
1/2 a bottle of Wish Bone Red Wine Vinegarette
2 tsp. sugar
freshly cracked pepper
Large croutons

Cut the tomatoes into eighths and then cut those wedges in half. You want them chunky.
Chop onions into chunks. Cube cheese. Cut Basil into thin slivers. Sprinkle with sugar (this helps cut the acidity of the tomatoes and dressing) Add a pinch of pepper. Shake dressing and pour over salad. Serve with croutons on the side to add to the salad.

Most people use mozzarella cheese, Monterey jack is a creamy, more flavorful cheese. Trust me, it's good!!!

Element #3: The question of what I am going to wear to the BIG event is still up in the air.
I did order the last black dress in the cocoa color and then both Diane N. and Lolo emailed me this dress:


What do you think? Is it too young? Too full? Remember, I'm squat. (it's kinda low, at least the girls will get some air.)


I bought this at Coldwater Creek to wear to the temple. We got a letter, no one but the bride is supposed to wear fancy. I think this is nice and simple.

Element #4: "My shrink says....Blog!"
"Why do people write confessional blogs? It's a creative outlet. It's a form to vent. It's an exercise in exhibitionism. To mental-health experts, though, it's more than that: a blog is medicine."

A short article in Newsweek touts the benefits of blogging according to a new study. It states that blogging is better than writing in a diary, it fills the need for sympathy, it is high intimacy with low vulnerability. In other words, it's good for us. It fills a need for approval and sympathy without the commitment.

So allow me to be personal here...see Byron? All these hours on the computer ARE worthwhile. Would you rather me blog an hour a day or would you rather pay a shrink for 7 hours a week?

I thought so.