Luxor, Micah's Cat!

A few weeks ago I was unpacking some things I brought back from California, one of which was a blanket. Before I even had the chance to pick up the bag - Micah's cat (yes I mean Micah's cat) climbed into the bag. She has this fetish climbing into any bag left unattended. Just the other day it was the big black trash bag that I was using to clean out miscellaneous cabinets through the house. Lucky for her she was not tossed out with a box of crackers from our Christmas party.

January 26th, 2002 - 7 years later January 26th, 2009

So for those of you that don't know me well, may not know what a sentimental person I can be. The other day I came across my scriptures that I was given the day I was baptized. Although Micah gave me the scriptures - it was his sister, Sara that wrote a message to me inside. So I wanted to share it.

The feeling that one receives, The one that says "I believe."
The knowledge of right and wrong, Is the thing that can bring you home.
The truth we can all receive, The knowledge we can believe.
The one who saves us all, Is the thing that can bring you home.
We can return home, To live together again, In the home we all were once in,
This is the hope to bring you home.

Written by: Sara Smith

The remaining message reads: "Tanya, You are making a great step in your life. You will be blessed. I know this church is true. I know you are a great friend and a special spirit. I know Heavenly Father brought you to Paso Robles and we were meant to be friends. Best Friends."

Not often am I asked how I came to find the church - So I thought I would take a moment to share my story. I moved to Paso Robles, CA in 1992 - shortly after moving to the area I became friends with several people as I got to know each of these people I learned that each of them was a member of the LDS Church, however each of them seemed to be living life in thier own way. Every one of those members became one of my best friends during my High School years and from there I grew to kbnow many other members.

The most important people I came to know was the Smith Family - what a group they were let me tell you! There was Sara, my bestest friend and partner in crime during our Junior and Senior year! Her father Ken and mother Debbie - to be honest I had never met two people like her parents, Then finally there was Sara's little brother Micah! Circumstances came that I moved into their home and was welcomed as if I had known them all my life and was introduced to the church.

As time went on I had come to know some facts about the LDS Church, and in 1999 I said good bye to best buddy Micah who was on his way to serving a two year mission for the Utah Ogden Mission. While Micah was away I received my monthly letter from Micah trying to convince me to meet with the missionaries or allow him the chance to teach me the gospel upon his return. At that time I was not ready and was living my life as a 21 year old adult.

Micah returned home in May 2001 and I honestly don't know what changed between us, but we started dating. Eventually, I took the missionary dicussions in December 2001 and it took a while for me to commit to bapatism until I was sure I was making the right choice - I have always been the type of person to think about everything and then think about it again, I wanted to make sure it was a commitment I could live with . . . FOREVER!

I was baptized January 26th, 2002 by Micah T. Smith

Sadest of News to Share . . .

Those of you who know I helped my parents a few years ago care for an elderly man named, Jerry. At that time Jerry was 93 years old and had been given a few weeks to live in June 2005.

Needless to say when I came to California in August 2005 - I never expected that I would leave November 2006 and he would still be alive!

My 'little man' as I referred to him as lived a good life, had the opportunity to travel all over the world, received a letter for his work from former President Jimmy Carter, and although he never had any children of his own he unofficially adopted my Dad in 1996.

My parents were able to care for him 24-hours a day in the comfort of his own home for nearly five years. He was often visited by members of the community who knew him and had daily visits with his cats. Momma Kitty passed away in 2006, however, his loyal friend Gangeous was by his side to the very end.

Jerry passed away January 21st, 2009 at 5:45 am in his home located in Paso Robles, California. His remains will be sent to Scipio, Montana where he will be reunited with his Father.

Basement Progress . . . .

A work in progress . . . always a project to do, finish or to start at our house! And now that we are free of the house guests we have been busy working on basements projects.

Our latest project has been to work on the basement cabinets, stripping the old paint, sanding, filling holes, repainting and installing the cabinets in our basement family room.

The cabinets are from a salvage house project from Micah's dad's friend in California. So when the cabinets arrived I was not too sure what to expect. So when they showed up the color of periwinkle and blue I about fell over. . . . Needless to say Micah reassured me that with a little TLC and a lot of paint stripper they would be new again.

So here we are now, all the old paint has been removed, we have replaced the paint and added some color to the room. Micah is working on adding the finishing touched to the cabinet doors - Now all I need to decide is if the inside of the doors will be red or cream!?!?

Quick blog message . . .
I am going to California for four weeks!
Since I am not working and I need to pay the bills I will be helping my parents out for four weeks.
Micah will remain in Utah and keep busy working!

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cap packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I prefer the mini morsels)
2 cups chopped peanut butter cups (1 bag of Reese peanut butter miniature cups)

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. stir in chocolate chips and chopped peanut butter cups.

Drop by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet and bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 2 mintues before removing to wire rack.

Damn Cat has a NEW HOME!

I am happy to report that the stray cat that adopted my house before Thanksgiving has found a NEW HOME! Micah was none to excited to have a third cat, therefore I was not to name him or even let him in; I ended up letting him in and he never went away. I also named him 'Damn Cat'. Anyways . . . I contacted a Feline Rescue organization and after a week she found him a new home.

Happy New Year!!!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy New Year and all the best for 2009.