Cupcake Fiasco

Tonight I was on top of the world--work and class finished--just me and the kitchen for a couple of hours. It was pure bliss at first.

My inner domestic goddess was firing on all cylinders. I threw a couple of pots of water on to boil, and tumbled the laundry on my way out to grab the mail. Seriously, I was loving this productivity.

I secretly wished Dane could see me managing dinner (lemon pepper chicken, smashed garlic red potatoes, and steamed broccoli) and baking some killer cupcakes at the same time (melting stuff for the frosting and taking perfectly-cooked cupcakes from the oven).

And then it happened! Of course that evil thing hubris was present--and I really believe that it ruined everything. Seriously, people--don't you get cocky!

I decided it was time to let the frosting cool on the burner, so I proceed to turn it down to just a warming temperature. It was the logical thing to do--well, I turned down the burner for the boiling pot of potatoes instead. Oh, dear--did that frosting burn up. After wondering why it started to boil and wouldn't stop, I finally noticed that ill-fated mistake earlier.

With very little time to correct before mutual, I salvaged what was left and topped the perfect little cupcakes--tainting those little things. I was sure that the girls wouldn't notice--they still tasted okay. And Dane did some cute little piping to make them look like Hostess cupcakes too. That would certainly cover up any flaws.

On my way out of the car, ready and pounce and set that room up at the church, I nearly lose the cupcakes to the cold asphalt below. My cat-like reflexes came to the rescue, only to smash those cupcakes to pieces.

Only one person was willing to eat my cupcakes. Another leader Lindsey, bless her heart, ate two. I called her after mutual to thank her for eating. She noted that she thought they were great, and then she followed by saying that she will eat anything chocolate that I placed before her. Seriously, I rose and was dropped again!

Needless to say, my fear of sharing baked goods was reaffirmed. On a positive note, I was reminded that this little cupcake fiasco will not end my little world. I am at home now, ready to do some much-needed exercising, Glee watching, laundry folding, and studying.

Whew! Happy Tuesday to you all!

During the Superbowl

Right now the Superbowl is playing on our television--and I am doing some much-needed blogging and journaling. Dane and I love sports, but we don't really get into the NFL. The Superbowl is fun to watch, but it really isn't a big deal. So, I hope no one is really offended that this game doesn't get me incredibly excited.

1. The cutest commercial was just on--the Volkswagen commercial with the little boy dressed as Darth Vader. So great!

2. I am so excited for a third Transformers! Eek! I was a little disappointed in the second one, but I think the third is looking up.

3. Dane and I got a guacamole pack from Bountiful Baskets yesterday, and we were pretty excited about it--so much that we already made a gigantic batch of guacamole. We pretty much downed an entire bag of tortilla chips too. So good!

4. I just finished the most productive, wonderful presidency meeting ever a while ago! I felt like the group was so great at working together and planning with purpose. I can't help but feel grateful for the time others put in and for their thoughtfulness and consideration. What a great group!

5. Lately I have felt a little frustrated with my changing body. No one has noticed the changes yet, but I really feel like I am getting just enough of a tummy to look overweight and not enough to look pregnant. Is this stage hard for anyone else? Last weekend Kelli and I went out on the search for clothing for Kayla's wedding, and I had a breakdown in the middle of a Target dressing room. Thank heavens Kelli was there to make things better. She was a saint of a shopping companion.

6. Recruitment season is almost done! Hallelujah! I feel like a free woman--especially since our crazy events are finished up. This next week is going to be beautiful.

I think that is enough for today. I am hoping that I start blogging a little bit more. It is really just fun for me. So, with that, have a great Superbowl Sunday evening!

Hand-Me-Ups

I was blessed with two very beautiful, very schnazzy sisters. Do note that they are not only pretty on the outside, but are fabulous women on this inside too--and that's really what matters. Isn't it crazy that I can refer to all of us as women now! Yikes! No more Sucher girls--we are women, hear us roar!

Anyway, this weekend I got to spend some premium down time with Kelli, who I consider one of my bestest buds. I will blog later this week about the cheer competition, but I really want to talk about her kindness to me. In the family, I would say that I am the frumpiest and worst-dressed. And I don't mean that in a "pity me" kind of way. I have two super-trendy and cute sisters, and I happen to go into mental spasms if my daily routine and dress take more than fifteen minutes. I just can't take it. Thank heavens for curly hair.

Kelli "cleaned out" her closet and donated a bunch of absolutely adorable clothes to a much-needed source--muah! Oh, the joy when I took home a whole new wardrobe to wear. I feel like a new woman.

Anyway, I am really thankful for Kellli's donation. She is so thoughtful and willing to help if I ever need anything. I am so blessed to have her as my little sister and think that she is one incredible woman--I have no idea how she is able to manage her load, but I am incredibly proud of her and can't believe I am lucky enough to have her in my family.

Don 't Be "Spacey"

When I was in high school, I was definitely known as one of the village ditzy, gullible girls. So naturally, when I ran for student body office, I made one of my slogans, "Don't be spacey, vote for Kasi." It was a great fit, and with the smooth campaigning of my sophomore sister and video producing ability of my good friend Stuart Summers, I luckily managed the win. To add to your understanding of my air-headedness, I will tell you that one girl who was clearly in the lead for getting the senior "ditziest girl" award started a campaign to rally against me for the annual senior publication. She didn't want that spot just as much as I didn't want it either. Thank heavens not too many jumped on that bandwagon and my picture did not appear in the spot. Whew, crisis averted! Not that it really matters though, let's be honest. We are all past those high school days--on to bigger better things like having careers, getting really educated, and creating beautiful families.

After that whole blurb, I just have to say that this last week or two have epitomized my spacey nature. I have dropped the ball on some Make-A-Wish volunteer efforts, forgotten books for class, managed to miss calling some students--it has been quite a learning experience. And I am reminded, especially during those weeks where I attempt to be "free" (aka: without a planner), that I really do need some type of to-do list.

I just want to introduce you to my daily agenda--a helpmeet, advisor, and taskmaster all in one! And I am about to fill out my page for today (it may be close to noon, but late is better than never in this case).

I use the 8.5 x 11 version to track meeting notes, meals for the week, exercise habits, goals, and those daily to-do's. I just adore it and know that it helps keep my life on track. Oh, how I am thankful for simplemom.net and this gem of a free download. There is even a mini version to save trees. I try to be a bit more environmentally conscious by printing duplex. Anyway, happy planning!

Ode to the Best-Dressed Team in College Football

Last night I got to hang out with the boys and take in some good old college football. The BCS championship game took precedence over anything else in our lives for the night. It was the ultimate priority, and I loved it. I have to admit that I love just hanging out with Dane and his friends. (Dane's friends are a bit more tolerant of my commentating, though!) Going to ISU games and watching sports events on the big screen are some of my favorite memories. Is that sad?!

Anyway, I just have to give a shout-out to the Ducks. I love you, and if I could choose anywhere to play (based on facilities, sponsorship), I would Oregon. I am sorry about the game last night. We were all rooting for you, and you gave us some exciting, clutch plays. However, seriously--why did you try to rush the ball in when you were in the red zone? You tried a dozen times before you finally ran an option, realizing that the run wasn't working. That Auburn defensive line is tough! Enough negativity--great season, great players, great game. It was a fun game overall to watch. And, you guys sure did look good while you did it! The best-dressed team around. I feel like I can hardly wait to see what you are wearing each time I watch an Oregon game (fulfilling my feminine love of fashion).

And that is all--best of luck next year. I will be rooting for you if you are in the ship again--or any other non-SEC team. That conference powerhouse needs a bit of humbling.

Image found here.

Jumping Back In

Over the last few weeks, I have found myself lacking a bit of motivation. And, after a fairly long hiatus, I am so ready to get back into the swing of things. That Christmas break tends to really throw off my groove. I'm telling ya! Seriously, I pretended like I was 18 again and went to sleep at 2 or 3 in the morning--on purpose! And waking up at 10 really isn't the sunniest little start for the day. That whole situation really doesn't work any more!

Anyway, I am so excited for this new semester, a fresh new start. I almost feel like a new semester is like a brand new year, and I feel so nervous but so excited about the possibilities. I felt like there were a thousand little bumps in the road today (like nearly dying, dropping the ball on a Make-A-Wish item, not getting my class schedule to work, etc), but no--I was not about to let them get me down. Not at the beginning of a new semester. No way!

I participated in a conference call last week with the JKAF group who started the "Go On" campaign in Idaho. What an incredibly inspiring group! I thought I would add this little ditty to remind myself and others about what amazing possibilities we each have, especially right at the beginning of the semester and year. It is going to be beautiful. (New goal to add to my bucket list: volunteer for JKAF. Please, oh please, oh please take me on!)

Happy New Year

Just a quick post to say...

I usually have a list of 8 to 10 different resolutions, each one very specific and detailed. This year I have only 2:

1. live more fully in the moment and genuinely experience life

2. be more devoted to my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ

Very simple, without a number to times to do something each day or week. These are my favorite resolutions yet.

So, best of luck on your new day, week, month, year, and decade. It is going to be great!