Friday, December 19, 2008

Shoveling, Snow and a Great Dad

Growing up I loved the snow, I still do.  I remember waking up in the morning, looking out the window at the fluffy snow, and wanting to be out in it.  It usually didn't take me too long to get there!  Later, when I began driving to school myself I remember going out to find the sidewalks shoveled and even a path across the grass to my car cleared for me.  My Dad was amazing, he would get up early, shovel our walks, create paths to all the cars that anyone in our house should need to drive that day, and sometimes shovel the walks of our neighbors.  
  Now, here I am several years later :-) needing to shovel my own walks.  I was so excited to find a $0.50 used snow shovel this summer that I bought it with only the hope of snow in my minds eye.  Today, New England winter has arrived.  School was let out 3 hours early, and the Governor asked that any non-essential state workers stay home because of the upcoming severe weather.  I got home to find 3 inches of snow on my steps and front walk.  "Wahooooooooo," I thought!!  I can get my shovel and go to work.  So, to prove it, here is a picture of me and my shovel, look closely and you will see the somewhat shoveled walks in the background.  Even though only 3 of the 12 inches of the expected snowfall had arrived, I put my back (and knees) to the task and was proud of the results!!  I know that tomorrow morning I will need to get up and do it all over again and I look forward to it. 

Monday, November 17, 2008

Happy Birthday Momsie!!



Happy Happy Birthday, Mom!!

My mom has hit a milestone today!!  She probably wouldn't appreciate me sharing her age all over the Internet, so I won't, but she should be proud of all that she has done in her wonderful life.  I would not be the person I am today without her.  I love you mom.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

This Tuesday

Hello Friends.
  For those of us in the United States, this Tuesday represents a huge opportunity to exercise our freedom.  Every year we get the chance to vote and this year we vote on our nation's president.  I have chosen to vote for John McCain.  I have found that on the issues I find to be of greatest import, namely abortion rights and marriage rights, Mr. McCain stands with my beliefs. 

For those of you who have not decided for whom you will vote I am including the links to both Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama's official websites.  Please take the time to make yourself aware of the issues and what is most important to you.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Web Page

Hello Folks.  So as part of starting at Simmons I am required to create a web page using html or xhtml.   In other words - I created in raw unadulterated code!
 It was hard work!!  If you would like to see what I did click on the link below!
Share it with others I would love to hear what others think!!
Take care....

Monday, September 29, 2008

Best Autobiography


Thanks to barnesandNoble.com for the use of this image!  Now, if you're looking to read something that will have you rolling in the proverbial aisles, this is the book for you.  It is the humorous autobiography of Jon Scieszka (said sheska, I believe), a well known children's book author.  He wrote "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs", "Math Curse", the Time Warp Trio series, and many others.  His growing up is the thing of Beaver Cleaver moved up a few decades.  I have made good friends with a fellow book lover who works in several libraries and a children's book store.  She provides me with all sorts of new books to read, and this was one of the best.  I sat in my school's library as the kids checked out books.  All of a sudden I burst out in giggles, and even with a hand over my mouth could not contain the true humor I found in this book.  I got some weird looks from the kids and many, "Ms. Bingham, what are you reading?"  I encourage anyone to read it, but especially those with many brothers or who grew up in a house of males!  Be prepared to laugh hysterically.  Beware, every grown male member of my family will be receiving this book for Christmas! Yes, it is that good.  Enjoy!!

Sigh

Well, it has become apparent that my camera was stolen.  I did find the camera case in the Lost and Found at church but, alas, no camera and definitely no SD cards.  What's the deal with technology and me the past few months?  My hard drive crashes and I lose my journal, my camera and cards get stolen and I lose the last 3 years of my life, photographically speaking of course.  Sigh.  A moment of silence for the loss....

Friday, September 19, 2008

Joy


Joy.  
What a small word to describe a most important feeling.

I felt joy this past week when I spent time with my family in ID.  My parents, and whatever children and grandchildren are available, always go to the same place the same time every year.  It was the first time in quite a while that my parents and all us kids were able to be together for vacation. 
I felt the importance of being close to family, both emotionally and physically.  To see my nieces and nephews enjoying each others company was great and I hope that as we all grow older and go about our lives that we still come together and celebrate as a family.   Family is such a unique and amazing institution. 
So, allow me to share some of my joyful moments with you from this past week:
* Spending two hours watching my sister, brother, nieces and nephews shake their tushies on Wii fit.
* Getting up on water skis and a wake board!!!
* Laughing over completely ridiculous and silly things.
* Feeling completely comfortable in a group of people.
* Going to church with my family.
* Meeting my niece's 3-legged chihuahua and falling in love with it.
* Reading my scriptures in the morning of a beautiful clear day sitting on a dock over calm water.
* Eating my sister's yummy homemade salsa and cheese dips
* Holding my nieces hand while we walked
* Seeing mountains again
* Breathing clean air
* Just being close to my family.

What has brought you joy recently?

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Monday, August 18, 2008

Procedural Dating




I was browsing through The Paper Source store the other day - in their 75% off section 
(of course!! - I can't really afford much else there) and I stumbled upon this invaluable find.  I wanted to share it with the world - but especially my single friends.  It is called.....


(Click on the link above to see what the kit contains - it's worth your time even if you are married - trust me you will be laughing)

I, of course, purchased it immediately ( it was 75% off and I am single, after all).  After bringing it home and perusing it's pages I decided it is worth a try.  I especially liked the "Notification of Attraction" card.  You simply give it to someone you find attractive.  On the back there are possible reactions for the person to choose as a response!!  

Who else is with me on bringing romance back to a real manageable (and negotiable) experience??!!  

Friday, August 15, 2008

Whale Watching, Good Eating, and Good Company


   My mom is here visiting me for the next few weeks - I am loving have her here!!  Since she arrived we have been spending a lot of time working on Girl's Camp stuff as it is next week and I am in charge of the 4th year girls.  My mom is coming as moral support for me and I think they will be putting her to work in the kitchen!!!   And she thought she was coming for vacation :-)
  Yesterday we took a little break from Girl's Camp odds and ends and had some fun.  We went whale watching!!  What an incredible time.  We left in the morning and took a high speed catamaran (along with 150 other folks) about 30 miles east of Boston.  The particular area they took us is a feeding grounds for the whales.  I guess the same ones come back year after year.  There were so many whales to see!!  It was incredible to see these huge creatures so close.  I am constantly amazed at the variety of life that is upon this earth.  
We saw so many whales!! 
Fun photo of the whale blowing air out.  We saw three types of whales - the two pictured are both Humpbacks, I believe.
Capturing the first few moments on the boat!
I wore this from the moment I bought it, through lunch at Legal Seafood and all the way home on the train!!  I am so bringing this to girls camp next week.  If I ever move back to MT I am looking for a moose or elk antler hat!!  I was all over this lobster hat, though!!
  In Boston they have what is called Restaurant Week twice a year (I think).  It is a great idea.  Restaurants all over the city - many of them very upscale and normally extremely expensive - offer a three course meal (hors d'oeuvre, entree, and dessert) for a fixed price.  My friend Helen and I had gone to a fabulous restaurant during the last Restaurant Week and so with my mom in town (who appreciates new and interesting foods) we decided to try another one this go around.  WOW!!  It was amazing.  It's called the Elephant Walk Cafe and offers a French Cambodian menu.  We were lucky and got a four course spread for the same fixed price ($33.08) as the three course offering in other restaurants. If you live in Boston or are planning on coming here soon - this is the place to go!!  Great presentation, amazing flavors and beautiful atmosphere!!   

Friday, August 1, 2008

BIG SIGH

My hard drive crashed.  My information was irretrievable by MAC store geniuses.  If I want my journal pages from the past year, photos, music I bought, any projects I worked on - in short - anything that I have worked on in the past 12 months I have to pay to have my computer sent elsewhere and hopefully the info can be retrieved.  Is it worth it?  Or do I just bite it, chalk it up to experience and remember to back up my information on a regular basis from now on!?!  Blech, blech, blech.  I feel like crying.

Luckily, I saved money by switching to GEICO on my car insurance.

Okay, so the last sentence is not true but it was the perfect place to say something stupid like that.  I did save money by purchasing AppleCare when I bought my computer a year ago.  So, all of the replacements are free!!  Yeah for a positive side.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

A question of dating, hanging out, and making friends...

Hey folks, spurred by a recent FHE conversation and personal pondering I am hoping you will do me a favor.  Read the following talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and leave your comments to the following questions:


 1. What is a date?
 2. How do you make friends with members of the opposite sex without giving or receiving the wrong impression?
 

Monday, July 21, 2008

All God's Creatures Gotta Place.... just, please, not in my kitchen!
















I came home late on Friday  night to find a new room mate.  It was late and I was tired.  I was not prepared to deal with this new addition to our apartment.  I thought about just leaving him (or her) until the morning, perhaps with a little sign pointing him (or her) out to my unknowing room mates (the photos don't do the spider's web justice - he/she had made an absolute palace out of the cookie sheet and the dish towel).  However, I was feeling squirmy thinking of my little friend chilling out over night on the top of my stove.  Nope, I had to take care of the problem tonight.  No squatters allowed!!  So, my little friend and I came to a compromise, I let him/her live and he/she found a new residence in the back yard.  
Needless to say, the stove top is now cleaner.  And, I think all of us in the apartment will think twice before we leave out a pan or dish towel for an extended period of time on our kitchen counter.  
Blech, I still get creeped out looking at the pictures!!

Friday, July 11, 2008

This is what happens....

...when you forget to charge your batteries:  One picture of a gorgeous storm on the Charles river and no fireworks.  Bummer.  This was actually the third of July but unfortunately I neglected to charge my camera batteries that night and so I had NO working camera on the 4th of July.  Mind you, I was on the tenth floor of a fabulous apartment building in Cambridge with a perfect view of the Hatch Shell fireworks!!!  Boston Pops and Rascal Flats in the background, and amazing fireworks.  My favorites were the ones that turned into smiley faces and those that floated like comets (actually I thought they looked like the Dementors of Azkaban from the Harry Potter movies, but that's just me).  Sorry, no photos!!!!!! But, trust me it was gorgeous and amazing.


Monday, June 30, 2008

Broken Shower Door

Behold the broken shower door!  It fell off its glider somehow and the frame fell to the tub floor and CRASH! out came the glass into millions of tiny pieces!  Luckily I was outside the shower and not inside when it happened!!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Ice Cream, Summer Nights, and Friends.



A few weeks back I took my two girls (lest anyone get the wrong idea, I babysit for two lovely girls after school and all day during the summer) to something called the Scooper Bowl here in Boston.  It was a blast!!  It is a fundraiser for cancer research and consists of a bunch of ice cream vendors from all over the US coming together and handing out bottomless amounts of ice cream to very happy ice cream lovers.  It's a "pay one price and eat as much as you want" kind of deal.  We tasted all sorts of lovely things, Moose Tracks, mango sorbet, and even Lobster Tracks (this is New England, after all - fear not, there were no real pieces of lobster, but it was good).  I enjoyed every spoon licking last drop of that flavorful and oh so fattening treat.  However, my heart was won by the Pineapple Coconut ice cream dished out by the folks at Haagen Daz!!!  If you've never tried it, I suggest you get yourself a tub and a spoon (don't even worry about a bowl, you won't need it) and tuck into it some hot summer evening!!

Last week, for my birthday I was feeling a bit lonely (okay, I was feeling sorry for myself and homesick for family).  It's ridiculous, really, because I got phone calls from all of my siblings wishing me happy birthday - most of them singing some version of "Happy Birthday" over the wires, and I couldn't ask for better friends than those I have made here in Bean Town - and those who have shown their support for me across thousands of miles that separate us from one another.  In the end it turned out to be one of the best birthdays.  A friend and I discovered we both enjoy the same Pineapple Coconut ice cream.  So, we grabbed a carton, two spoons, and sat out under the stars eating and talking.  It was a clear night and the moon was so big and beautiful.  I couldn't have asked for a better birthday ending - good friend, beautiful night, and delicious ice cream!  So, thank you to those who invented my new favorite ice cream, and thank you to my friends and family who took such good care of me on my birthday, and thank you to a loving Heavenly Father who has allowed me the opportunity to experience all of it!!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!!


Happy Birthday to all of us June 19thers out there!!! 

Friday, June 13, 2008

Self-Esteem - Please read

Hello.  This past week has been a bit difficult for me as I reflect on my past.  I have felt sad, lonely, and homesick.  For a few moments I forgot all that God had done for me - over this last year, especially.  But, I found a beautifully uplifting talk by President James E. Faust that so instructed me and comforted me at the same time.  I wanted to share it with all who might read this blog in hopes that you too can feel uplifted as I have been.  Please read it!
Much love to you!

I am Woman hear me ROAR!!





This morning I got into my car, backed out of the driveway and heard a FLOP-SQUASH, FLOP-SQUASH coming from the right side of my car.  Of course, I gently breaked and  pulled over.  Wouldn't you know - a squooshy flat tire!!  I was already late for work and needless to say I was even later by the time I finished.  I could have called for a tow truck, or even driven a few blocks on my flat tire to the nearest service station, but I knew that I had a spare and didn't need to rely on someone else to do what I already knew I could do.  Luckily, I hadn't left the drive of my house.  So I changed and got down on my hands and knees and changed my tire.  I believe learning to do things like this is part of following the counsel of our prophet and other church leaders when they ask us to be more self-sufficient.  Like food storage, 72-hr. kits and staying out of unnecessary debt.  
Here's a photo of me with my newly changed tire (notice the jack in the right of the picture:-).

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Tattooed at FHE!!!

   I can hear the headlines now... "Local Boston resident, Karen Bingham, is in critical condition and is lucky to be alive after foolishly allowing her FHE brothers to draw a battle scene on her biceps (and my, they are nice biceps) with scrap-booking markers."
   As may of you know I have been in charge of my ward's whole group FHE since January.  FHE stands for Family Home Evening and is a time for families (or friends as those in my congregation are single) to get together, discuss gospel topics, and have a fun time.  I have had the best time getting to know people and having my testimony strengthened by hearing what other folks have to say about the various topics we have discussed.  The topic for this week's FHE was gratitude and taking care of the one (I used Elder Wirthlin's most recent conference address as my guide, click here if you'd like to read it).  Our activity for the evening was to write something uplifting or inspiring on a piece of paper for everyone in the room.  At the end of the night, everyone would have a paper full of nice things just about them.  
   Well, two of my amazing FHE brothers were looking for my paper and couldn't find it.  So, as I was tired of hearing them call out my name I made the following offer (bad move on my part), "Okay guys, here's the deal.  If you can't find my paper you can write something nice on my arm."  You would have thought I had give them free money for how excited they were at that prospect.  Of course, I was not expecting them to take me seriously. 
   And yet, they did.  
  Below you will find a photo of the soon to be famous artists and, of course, an example of their work.  
(I am sad to report that after one night's bathing the artwork was destroyed, never to be seen again.)(sniff-sniff)

Allen and Doug, thanks!

Monday, May 12, 2008

ACCEPTED!!!!!!

The big news in my life of late.... I was accepted to the Master's of Library Science program at Simmons College!!!  Wahoooooooooo!  Click here for more information on the program!!

Monday, May 5, 2008

Welcome to Boston!

A big Welcome to my niece Jessica and her roommate Aimee!!  They just finished their freshman year at BYU and decided to come visit me in Boston.  

The exciting news in my life, among many exciting things:  I have two beautiful girls visiting, I have moved to a new place that I love (there are trees, and grass, and it takes me only 10 minutes to drive to work, so many pluses!!  Though, I do miss Trader Joes and Whole Foods being just a few blocks away and super yummy restaurants!  Oh well, the sacrifices one makes for comfort and cheap rent!!), I was called to work with the Stake Young Women's program specifically with YW in a spanish branch (Yeah!!  I get to be with the young women again AND I get to polish up my Spanish), and... and.... well, I guess that's it.  But, I think it's enough for now.  

Oh, and Feliz 5 de Mayo!!  Tonight I planned a fun FHE for the ward celebrating the battle of Puebla (you don't know the battle of Puebla or the reason 5 de Mayo is really celebrated??  No it is NOT Mexican Independence Day - click here and find out the real meaning!!)  We had a brief history lesson, played indoor soccer, whacked a pinata until candy flew and ate yummy Mexican food.  All in all a great day!!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Argh, I've been tagged!

Here are the rules: 1) Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog 2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. 3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. 4) Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I have the secret goal of trying out for Christine's friend in "Phantom of the Opera". She sings "Where in the world have you been hiding......"
2. My grandparents taught school in Samoa in the 60's and I would love to go and teach there too.
3. Someday I want to open a Hot Chocolate bar - with hot chocolates from around the world, plus juices and other interesting drinks that are completely Word of Wisdom friendly.
4. I kissed a stranger in an Italian piazza/square (funny story).
5. I prefer listening to kids stories and songs than popular music. My favorites: "Raspberries" by Jay O'Callahan, and just about anything from Bill Harley (especially "Dad Threw the TV Out the Window").
6. My favorite sports are volleyball and baseball. But, I really don't know a lot about either of them. I used to play baseball with the boys out at recess during 4th grade and I bat left handed even though I'm right handed.
7. I have never taught the same grade two years in a row!!

Hmm, I don't know 7 people with a blog so I will tag who I do know.... thomcarter.com
Lizard Leavitt (I'm the only one who can call her that!), and Maria Stahl.

This is my addition: If you read this leave me a note telling me one or two or ten random things about you that I didn't know!! Thanks.
Smooches,
Karen

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

A New Beginning

May I say how grateful I am to so many of you for your love, prayers and support through a very difficult period of my life.
Today, I return to being legally single.
I have felt sad and angry but in the end hopeful. Life moves forward whether or not I join in. I choose to join in and enjoy each day of my life. I have felt the absolute love of my Heavenly Father throughout this difficult time. How grateful I am for healing, forgiveness and hope...

Thursday, April 17, 2008

At least I got some exercise...

So, I did a stupid thing.  It's debatable whether the stupidity happened last night, today, or continued from yesterday through today.  Here's the scoop: 
Because I didn't have to baby sit last night and could get home while there was still plenty of daylight I planned on cleaning my car after I got home.   I parked it in front of my apt and ran upstairs to take care of a few things.... Well, as it so happens, I never left my apartment again that day.  This morning I get up, get ready, grab all my gear and head outside.  It takes me 10 minutes to walk to the lot where I park my car and as I enter it, I look around and realize - my car is not there.  Then, it dawns on me, I never moved my car from the day before.  This is a bad thing.  In my city there is no overnight parking.  So, I sigh, and start trudging back to my apartment.  I am so sure my car has been towed I stop at the ATM and withdraw the correct amount of cash (at least an arm and probably part of a leg's worth) before turning the corner to my street.  Ahhh, the sun never shone on a more beautiful sight then the dust covered hood of my little Honda.  Whether it was because I still had my Montana plates or the policeman was feeling generous (or tired, the $30 ticket I found on my mirror was time stamped at 5 a.m.) I'll probably never know.  Really, I don't care!  I am just grateful that my little baby didn't get towed!!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Rats, Diet-Coke, and Sushi.

I love FHE (Family Home Evening)!  Especially when it involves comedy and great gospel conversation.  Lucky for me, last night's FHE incapsulated both elements.  Let me just say that printers thrown from second floor balconies do not, I repeat, do not survive.  In fact, they shatter and create quite a mess.  Diet-Coke and Mentos really do cause a volcanic like reaction!  The best part of last nights activities was seeing several rats (yes, the kind with fur and long, scaly tails) slinking along the ground among the leaves around the area of our experimenting.  In case you are wondering, city rats really enjoy lapping up Diet-Coke.  The evening ended with some amazing Sushi from a little place around the corner from my apt.   

In truth the most enjoyable time was spent sitting together with my little FHE family talking about The Family:  A Proclamation to the World.  The proclamation is a statement from the General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints regarding marriage and family and how vital they are to the plan God has for each of His children.  (Here is a link if you would like to read it yourself:  Family Proclamation )  We discussed the proclamation by comparing what it says about family and marriage to what the world says regarding these things.  The differences are great.  I think about my own family and how much I love them and respect them.  Through difficult times we have stuck by each other.  I grew up knowing the principles of chastity and fidelity in marriage.  I was surrounded by a family who valued children and put family first.  I am so grateful for that example.  This Family Proclamation has strengthened my belief in the importance of families and increased my love for my own family.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Introducing.... Sergio!

This is my little friend Sergio!  He has been my companion through thick and thin these past 4 years.  It is so interesting to me how well my Heavenly Father knows who I am and what I need.  From the very big, like breathing, eating, shelter, to the in between, like friends, jobs, to the very small like my little friend Sergio.  I have learned that God loves me and desires my life to be one of joy. And if it is true for me, it is certainly true for the rest of God's children as well (i.e. YOU)!  
Enjoy your Sabbath and the blessings of God in your life.  They are there, look for them.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Howdy!

Well, if you are seeing this, I must have successfully created my blog.  What a day!  I am currently in my school's library watching the kids learn a belly dance - are you jealous or what?!?  My class just got back from a trip to the Science museum - and wow! am I exhausted.