Comparisons

I have been asked twice, yes twice in the last week if I am an identical twin. Not just a twin, but an identical twin. In the last five days! And by really random people. Yes, I do have a sister. Yes, we do have a lot of similarities. No, we are not identical. Here is the rundown:

Lacey
29 Years Old
Married, 1.5 children

Of all the people I could look like in the world, I am grateful it is Lacey! She is beautiful inside and out. She is the best sister a girl could ask for. While I think we definitely look like sisters, I would never say twins. Lacey is slightly taller than I am. Her hair is a darker red and has much more curl than mine does. Because of this, her hair can usually be found in curls, while mine is more commonly done straight. We are built very differently, so we can't share a ton of clothes, though some we can (and shoes we can!) She is a much calmer person than I am, and takes her time so that everything she does gets done well. The biggest difference between us at the moment is that Lacey is pregnant with Niece #4 (Liz is expecting Niece #5 three weeks after Lacey. We sure do like our girls!)

Me (Katie)
25 Years Old
Single - No children!

I really had to search to find a picture to use here. Yes, it is 1 1/2 years old. Oh well, it is what I have got! I am the shorter of the two of us. My hair is a brighter red, and at the moment significantly longer. I have some wave in my hair, but not much real curl so I usually keep it straight. Where Lacey does things more calmly and slow, I am one who gets most things done as quickly as possible. I would prefer to be out running or hiking, two things which Lacey does not enjoy.

I do not think that we are similar in face shape and features, but it seems that most people do! I have always said that if we shaved our heads we wouldn't look much alike at all! I think the thing that is most similar with the two of us is our mannerisms. We really do act alike in lots of ways.

We didn't start getting mistaken for each other early in life. There is a 3 1/2 year age difference, so it wasn't until Lacey got back from her mission that we really started to get mistaken for each other. I had graduated from high school on gone off to college while she was gone. Suddenly, we were CONSTANTLY being called by the wrong name in the store/on the street/ at school, everywhere! When someone I don't know asks me how I have been really enthusiastically, I respond politely, knowing they likely think that I am Lacey. She does the same. I am not sure who gets mistaken more, but it happens all the time.

Here's a clue: if you see one of us wandering around and wonder which of us it is, check the belly. No, I am not pregnant. So if she's got a baby bump, it is Lacey!

Thankful Thursday #4

Today I am thankful for Books.

Seriously, life would not be nearly as enjoyable without them. I have always been a reader. I remember riding my bike with my sister to our local library as a child all the time to stock up on books. Summers were spent reading almost constantly. It is a passion that has stayed with me my whole life.

I am always reading a book, and generally have several on my side table waiting for as soon as I finish the one I am currently reading. I love having a purse big enough to fit a book. I hate getting stuck in the doctor/dentist office without a book to read!

Though I love books, I own very few. I am not a fan of buying books. I would rather check them out from a library, or borrow them from a friend. If I truly love a book after reading it (the five-star, going-to-read-over-and-over-again-for-the-rest-of-my-life kind of love) then I am willing to buy it.

There are, however, occasions when I do buy a book before I have read it. It is just rare. I have wanted to read this book, Matched by Allie Condie, ever since I saw it for the first time. I tried to resist, I looked at the library (a six month waiting list) and finally caved. But, this book is totally worth owning! it didn't disappoint! If you were a fan of the Hunger Games, read this one! It's a keeper!

YAY for books!

Does anyone have a good suggestion for my next read?

That Time I Went on a Polygamist Date

I am breaking my rule about not blogging about dating, because some stories are too priceless to lose! So here goes the story of how I ended up on a polygamist date:

Last summer I met a really nice guy we shall call Bob (name changed to protect his identity). We hit it off pretty quickly. We had a bunch in common, and due to a really long drive, had a lot of time to talk. During this time it came up that The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my all time favorite books & musicals. Bob told that the musical was coming to town in about a month. He asked me if I would like to go with him. I agreed, of course. I mean, it is The Scarlet Pimpernel!

Sounds like your average Boy-Asks-Girl-On-A-Date, right? Wrong. We got together several times over the next few weeks, and one time he asked if I thought my friend Abby would like to go with us. I thought he meant a double date (Abby was kind of dating a guy at the time), so I said she might be, and he should ask.

He did ask Abby if she would like to go with us. But just Abby. No other guys. Hmmmm. This kind of confused me (and Abby as well). I thought that maybe it wasn't really a date, but just a group of friends going to a play together.

But Bob insisted on buying all the tickets.

And picking us both up (at my house).

And opening the car doors for us.

And even gave us both a good-night hug on my porch at the end of the night (not at the same time, that would have been even more odd!)

Can you say AWKWARD!?!?! We have refered to it as the polygamist date ever since. I guess if you date two girls at once you can date many more girls! I still find this incident baffling, and amusing!

Thankful Thursday #3

This week I am thankful for good cereal sales. I know it sounds silly, but I really am grateful for them! I eat cereal daily. My favorites are Oatmeal Squares, and Cinnamon Life. The problem is that these kinds are pretty expensive. I get so excited when they go on sale! The last two weeks there have been some AWESOME cereal sales, so I have stocked up. I have bought as much as my little pantry can hold.

I know it doesn't look like much (especially to those of you who have large families) but for me, this is a lot! It makes me smile to think that I have enough cereal to last me until the snow is gone, and I can run outside again. Yippeee! Yay for cereal sales!

Possibly the best discovery EVER!!!!

As you know, I am a big fan of chocolate. Especially when it is something chocolate and warm. Cakes, cookies, brownies, you name it I probably love it! My problem is that I can't bake these things often, or I will eat an entire batch of bad-for-you-goodness. Have you ever heard of Mug Cake? I have tried several recipes because I love the idea of a one-serving dessert. I have been searching for the perfect Mug Cake recipe for a while. After sorting recipes, and tweaking them like crazy, this is the closest I have come, and I LOVE it!!!! It is so simple, cheap, and oh-so-good. Here is the recipe:

Cake for One (in under a minute)

• 1 box Angel Food Cake Mix
• 1 box Regular Cake Mix (I went with dark chocolate. Shocking, I know)
• Chocolate Chips (if desired)
  

That's IT! Just mix the two cake mixes together and store in an airtight container. When you are ready to indulge in some instant happiness, measure out 1/3 cup of mix into a microwave safe cereal bowl. Mix with 1/4 cup water. Sprinkle with chocolate chips for an extra dose of chocolate. Microwave for around 50 seconds, and ENJOY!

Some things I have learned through experimenting with this recipe:

1. Don't overcook, or it will be dry and only okay. Watch as the top begins to dry out and take out as soon as it looks cooked. It takes a few times to figure out how long it will take in your microwave.
2. If you do overcook, I find that pouring milk over it brings it back to life :-)
3. You can make this in a mug (it will take longer to cook) but I found a bowl to work better, especially if you add chocolate chips. In a mug all the chocolate chips will sink to the bottom and you won't get them until the end.
   
4. This recipe makes approximately 24 cake bowls, and each bowl has LESS THAN 200 calories, even with the chocolate chips!
   
5. You can match the Angel Food Cake mix with any other type of cake. I think strawberry with white chocolate chips would be yummy! Make sure you don't substitute the Angel Food Cake Mix, though, it is essential.
   

I have always loved Warm Delights, but they are too pricey to eat often. These are seriously almost as good. I am in love! They are so easy and so cheap that I am going to have to limit myself to how many I can eat a week. HEAVEN!

New Calling (again)

Yep. It's that one. Though I have been in Relief Society Presidencies for pretty much the past three years (with only a few months break) this is the first time that I have been called as the president. I was called clear back around Thanksgiving. I wasn't actually sustained until yesterday. This was good for me because it gave me a chance to become (more) comfortable with the idea. I went from terrified, to overwhelmed, to even being somewhat excited! I am still overwhelmed, but the excitement helps to balance things out. Thank goodness we're not required to be perfect - wish me luck!

WHAT?!?

I am not one to check my daily horoscope. I have always thought it was silly. However, I have always known that since my birthday is June 22nd, I was a cancer. I have never liked my zodiac sign. Cancer. Ug.

However, I have recently discovered that zodiac signs have changed! Apparently the shift of the universe over the past several thousand years has made enough of a change that it has realigned whatever it is that gives us each our zodiac sign (I really have no knowledge of how this works). My zodiac sign is now Gemini. Much prettier than Cancer.

But here's the best part - there is a whole new zodiac sign! That's right, if your birthday falls between November 29th and December 17th, your zodiac sign is an Ophiuchus. Yep, another attractive one!

Who thinks up these things?