The Letter Game - YOU choose who is writing for which character

A couple of months ago Melissa Simonsen, my extremely talented, capable, dear friend from Texas (who acted as the Assistant Director of Joseph Smith - Lover of the Cause of Christ in TX) came to Utah and we had a brief visit together. We talked about our current projects and she mentioned something she had worked on in the past, but hadn't done recently due to a busy schedule. She described a writing activity that I had never heard of before, but completely fell in love with called The Letter Game. Below is a basic description from Wikipedia:

"A letter game involves the exchange of written letters, or e-mails, between two or more participants. The first player writes a letter in the voice of a newly created character; in this first letter, the writer should establish her own identity and that of her correspondent, should set the scene, and should explain why she and her correspondent must communicate in written fashion. In subsequent letters, plot and character can be developed, but the writers should not talk about plot outside of the letters and the characters should never meet. Letter games can be a writing exercise or a form of collaborative fiction."

Melissa had discovered The Letter Game from a book written by two of her favorite authors and decided to try it out with some of her friends. They spent hours researching the time period they chose to set their letters in, customs and norms of the locations they lived in, as well as important historical events. They created compelling characters and wrote back and forth in character, developing their own plot, climax and conclusion together, without discussing it with each other outside of the letters. Melissa told me that she looked forward to her letters and fell in love with the characters, subjects and places as though she was completely familiar with them.

Although this exercise may sound weird to some people, it sounded like the perfect creative outlet to me. It not only provided an opportunity to create the world of a character (one of my favorite things about acting), but it also allowed a place to exercise and improve my writing skills (something I am always in need of).

So Mel and I decided to begin our Letter Game a couple of months ago. She told me to create the time period, basic situation/relationship between the characters and the reason the characters are separated (which required them to communicate through letter-writing). I was supposed to create my own character and she would create hers based on mine.

I thought for days about what sort of character I should create. The options were endless and each one presented exciting challenges. Finally, I thought of something a little different and presented it to Melissa. I asked her if we could choose historical people and combine our creativity with historical facts - (like historical fiction). In other words, we could use available given circumstances (time period, location, situation, physical descriptions, etc.) from what we discovered through research and then invent all of the details surrounding it, including information about the characters. This would make the historical figures come to life and we'd learn a lot in the process.

Well, Melissa humored me (as she always does :)) and decided to give it a try. We each picked our own characters and began The Letter Game. When Melissa first showed me a writing example of what she and her friends had been doing, she asked me to read the letters and try to guess which writer was Melissa - it was a lot of fun. And so, I ask you to try to guess which character name I'm writing under and which one Melissa is writing under (for those of you who know her). Below are our letters so far. We'd love to hear your thoughts! We'd especially love it if someone else gets inspired by them and wants to start their own Letter Game.

Background for letters: The time period is during the 1540's under the reign of King Henry VIII in London, England. One of the characters is Queen Catherine (or Katherine) Parr, the last of the 6 wives of King Henry (he had most of his other wives beheaded). King Henry VIII was complicated where religion was concerned (but definitely against Protestantism) and Queen Catherine was privately a Protestant sympathizer during a huge religious rebellion in England. Queen Catherine's motto was "To be useful in all I do" and she was. Although she did not always agree with the King, she tried to be loyal and dutiful and in her own way stood up for her beliefs.

The other character is Anne Askew - a poet and leader in the Protestant movement and an eventual martyr for her beliefs (also the only woman on record to be tortured in the Tower of London). Anne and Queen Catherine were long-time friends, as Anne was from a prominent family and was once in the Queen's court. King Henry VIII had Anne imprisoned twice for heresy and the Queen and Anne wrote letters to each other throughout. The following letters are set during Anne's second imprisonment in the dreaded Tower of London.

The following letters were sent through email so some of them have a cover email and an attachment letter. Remember, choose which character you think I am and which one Melissa is!

ATTACHMENT LETTER #1 From Katherine Parr

Dear Miss Anne Askew,
You will please meet Lady Jane of the fine House of Gauntt. She is a most trustworthy attendant and will await your reading and response. Upon completion you will understand that it will be necessary to burn all remnants, and in return you will expect the same courtesy. This ritual is not to be perceived as anything more that a prevention of unkind eyes taking bits and pieces out of context and shaping them for their own means. I am sure that you will understand the importance of this measure and respect in kind.

With that said, I must add my pleas to the many others requesting you abandon this endeavor. Surely it is obvious to you that God has not sanctioned your self-proclaimed missionary work. How could he desire for you to abandon your family and end up shackled? You have been in my prayers every hour. What can I do? In His own time God will reveal His plan. You may yet be redeemed. Word has reached the Court of your tremendous talents in other areas.

Please accept the pastry Lady Jane will present you at this time. A dignitary from the Orient has recently visited and endowed these Pastries. Our Dear King has attained a measure of relief from a hunting injury upon eating one and wishes to know of the ingredients. Is the coloring the result of Saffron? Our kitchens look forward to your response, as do I. If you are able to provide a name for a supplier of the healthful ingredient then I would be grateful, as a devoted wife to my ailing husband.

Upon receipt of your response you may expect that Lady Jane will provide ample writing supplies for further correspondence and personal reflection. Today she will leave four pages and ink enough for you to write your family as well as Lord and Lady Richardson.
K.
_____________________END OF LETTER

REPLY #1
Cover Email Letter:
From Anne Askew

Most Beloved Queen Catherine,

Thou art truly merciful and generous. The writing supplies and sustenance were thoughtfully provided and gratefully accepted.

Humbly,
Miss Anne Askew

**For the REAL letter, see letter attachment letter below. When the document was originally opened, it appeared blank because the font was in white (in order to disguise the letter if it were intercepted by the King's men). The receiver was told to push the Ctrl and the A keys at the same time, which highlighted all the text. She was then instructed to change the font color to black. Once this was done, the text appeared. The purpose of this was to provide a modern version of invisible ink, which was used in the 1500's at the Tower of London.
(This will make more sense after you read the letter)

REAL ATTACHMENT REPLY #1 from Anne Askew

Dearest Kate, Year 1546
Forgive the lack of formalities. I would address you as Queen, but my devotion to you as a Sister is greater than any allegiance I could hold for the Crown.

I trust Dear Jane has thoroughly explained the measures I have taken to conceal our communication. A childhood discovery has proven useful. I have carefully collected the nectar of eight oranges in a narrow-mouthed bottle and so apply it with the tip of my pen. Before it reaches your fingertips, Jane will heat an iron and flatten the page, readily exposing my remarks for a time. An uneventful letter is written in ink over the invisible letter, in order to diffuse suspicion, if intercepted. I prithee, write your response in a like manner and we will be spared accusation.

Now that we can converse without pretense, I can speak plainly. I will not be stung by your sharp rebuke, but rather sympathize with your position. You must keep your head in the Kings court and this I mean in a most literal sense. Your association with a Protestant has already caused you much grief. Hence, I beseech you to remember that the trials and testings that come into our lives as Christians are not accidents, they are appointments. Sufferings, afflictions, persecutions are not foreign to the believer.

I have long admired your devotion to duty, you are useful in all that you do. Yet do not forget your courage, which may at times diverge from duty. To be courageous in Christ is our supreme duty. You are no stranger to this gallantry. ‘Twas your petition to the King that delivered me out of prison the first time. Your valor carried the truth of the gospell to courtiers - behind the ears of the King. And even now you continue our correspondence despite possible peril.

I would thou couldst see past mortality and into eternity. Wouldst thou rather be Queen of England or an heir of the kingdom which Christ hath promised to them that love Him?

I know not how long I will be detained. I know not what they will do to me. I know not if I shall ever see my dear children again. I know not the pain I will endure or for how long I can endure it. What I do know is that in life or death, God will not forsake me. How can I forsake Him?

Although my tongue is loose, please do not tighten your heartstrings against me. Pardon my faults. Your companionship, though in spirit and not in body, is worth more than gold to me. This wintry, dismal tower will be warm and bright with your response.

Always,
Anne
Post Script: Of a truth, the pastry was passed through my lips and set in my belly at a most improper speed. Dost thou think pastries will be served in heaven?

LETTER #2
Cover Email Letter

Dear Miss Anne Askew,

Your previous response was insufficient. I must insist upon a fully detailed description of the ingredients in the pastry gifted. I have enclosed an additional page in anticipation of your recipe which I will directly send to the kitchen upon it’s return.

I am pleased you have received the pages and ink provided for your comfort.

K
___________________End of Letter____________________________

REAL ATTATCHMENT LETTER #2 from Katherine Parr
(Again, the text in this attachment was in white (like invisible ink) and had to be changed to black in order to read it)

Annie,

Your mind, your knowledge of the medicinal and practical uses of foodworks is truly a gift from God. How you happened upon the discovery of orange nectar I do not believe I will ever understand. Unfortunately Jane, as one from Noble Blood, was not experienced in the proper care and treatment of heating elements and burned a hole clean through a section before I was able to read it all. It was in the left bottom corner. Do you recall your message in that portion? She has already discreetly obtained instruction from a servant and I pray our communications will not be damaged again.

I am quite serious concerning the answer to my question regarding the pastry ingredients. The King’s injuries are worse than most know and he is convinced that the pastry is the missing cure. He has sent scouts about in search of the Oriental Ambassador, but if you were to respond with a sufficient answer I am positive the greatest leniency will follow quickly. There are far too many people awaiting your response that will not forget, from the King and his doctors to the kitchens.

On a most positive note I am at liberty to share with you that when you express a wish to serve in our kitchens with your vast experience and knowledge (which of a course must be refused you understand) Sir Lightly has readily agreed to offer his own kitchen. Sir Lightly’s residence is from such a great distance that he rarely attends court. Therefore his request will not be worked over as others. I have an acquaintance with his family through relations of my first husband. I believe they are a good, God loving people to be trusted.

This is the only olive branch I have to offer. My supplications are filled with requests for your deliverance, but my thoughts can not come together. Please take this opportunity. I can not imagine whatsoever those jailers could be doing.
Annie, has it ever occurred to you that God has instilled these many talents and gifts in you for your use? Even for the betterment of all? Are you not overlooking less grand opportunities to serve in God’s Kingdom? Is it possible that God has been placing stumbling blocks in order to help you to slow down and rather seek out the pathway filled with all the blessings evident to a gifted woman?

I recognize that my words may seem ingenuine as I am writing from the Queen’s Chambers. You must realize of course that this is not a pathway of my choosing. It is one that was thrust upon me, and I have appreciated every moment to serve with every single talent at my disposal. Was this truly a pathway of God’s choosing, or one of your own? I believe that when you take a moment to reflect on this you must bear in mind that God does not endow us with gifts He intends us to neglect or ignore completely. Are your gifts truly being used to their fullest capacity? I need not remind you what happens to the unprofitable servant, whom I do not for a moment believe you intend to be.

Please forgive my lecture. It is meant with all the Love in my Soul. Please comfort me this once with assurances that you have indeed considered all of these things and I will leave it all alone. I will have full trust in God’s Will.
Much Love, K.

Reply #2 from Anne Askew
Cover Email Letter

Honorable Queen,
At your request I have outlined the ingredients with medicinal properties in the pastry you have sent:

Saffron, as you supposed, has an anodyne or pain-killing effect.
Dustfall, a spiky grass grown where ashes of the dead have been scattered also eases pain. It must have been infused before placed in the pastry.

I would also humbly recommend applying calendula to the wound to condense healing time.

Well Wishes to the King,
Anne

REAL ATTACHMENT REPLY #2 from Anne Askew

June 30, 1546
Dear Kate,
I regret that I have been much delayed in my response. If you had stood near me at the rack, you would be acquainted with the reason. I can think of no other way to tell you of my torment, except to say that I have been so badly mangled, that both my legs and my right arm have been pulled out of their sockets. My body has been stretched to near death. To be able to walk again is not practicable. Nevertheless, I glory in my Lord, who spared my left wrist for the use of my pen and resolved my spirit, despite its likely fate.

Soon after the receipt of your concerned letter, Master Rich took me from my chamber to be tried in front of the Privy Council. Master Rich and the Bishop’s questions did not differ from those in my previous examinations. Nay, except one question. They inquired about you, my dear queen and queried in manifold ways, but to no avail. Their desire was to catch me in my words, that I might implicate thee as a believer and a heretic. They gained no advantage, however, as I left your name without spot. In preceding courts I had been protected, but the Privy Council is not bound by law to their treatment of prisoners, as you well know, thus they sent me to Newgate.

After arriving in Newgate, they did put me on the rack, and thereon they kept me a long time, and because I lay still and did not cry, my Lord Chancellor and Mr. Rich took pains to rack me with their own hands until I was nearly dead. A lieutenant was so disgusted at my treatment that he left the torture chamber, notwithstanding threatenings and begged the king to pardon him for not following orders. Whereupon Mr. Rich and the Chancellor discontinued the racking. As I attempted to stand, I swooned and fell to the floor. Once I awoke, I was questioned further on the bare floor for at least 2 hours. The men soon told me it was time to return to the tower, but I found that I could not use my legs to stand. At last I was carried out of Newgate and arrived back in my chamber yesterday.

Forgive me for not writing you at once. I have spent the last day in practice that I might write you with my left hand in a decipherable manner. I have not slept since Newgate and have spent the night documenting my experiences during the first and second examinations, from my first and second imprisonments. I have privately sent the documents to a Mr. John Bale, a trustworthy friend and fellow Protestant who plans to publish them for all of England to read. I know your position prevents you from agreeing with this public voice I have found, but your country deserves and demands truth. I hope you do not think me an unprofitable servant.

You must protect yourself Kate. My own fate is indubitable, but yours is not carved in stone. I have used my gifts to this end, but your gifts can be used by your living. Soften the king’s heart toward you, before he meets you with accusations (as he means to find you a traitor). Pray, side with him completely if it keeps you in his favor. You must survive his reign. And once you have done so, share the true gospell with all of England. Do not fear it, but embrace it.

Please reply speedily. Indeed, my days are numbered as well as my nights. Please do not feel pity for me, as all things are as they should be. My body feels pain, but my spirit is as merry as one that is bound toward heaven.

Annie

Post Script: I will miss sweet Lady Jane’s good intentions, despite her awkward nature. The bottom corner of my last letter asked you to pardon my faults. I also thanked you for the pastry. You have been very good to me.

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****Below are the final two letters between Queen Katherine Parr and Anne Askew:
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Letter #3 from Katherine Parr
Cover Letter

Miss Anne Askew,

Thank you for your herbal remedy identifications. I confess that I find the origin of dustfall distasteful. However is one of respect to grow such a thing? Nevertheless it would be folly to ignore the obvious benefits. We have located the Saffron and Calendula. Who is to be trusted with supplying honest dustfall, and how is it to be infused in the pastry? Please respond immediately as the doctors are recommending vipers be let loose on the leg.

Well Wishes,
K

REAL ATTATCHMENT LETTER #3 from Katherine Parr TITLED: Vipers
(Again, the text in this attachment was in white (like invisible ink) and had to be changed to black in order to read it)

July 4, 1546
My Dear Annie,
I have begun this letter no less than 20 times, and thought it out in my mind many more. I am at a complete loss. Your account is unbearable. How do you move forward with such injustice? My prayers do not seem to be answered in the least. Perhaps my supplications have not been pleasing to our Dear Lord. I have pondered the matter and am trying to determine what it is that He would have me ask. Your example of peace is Angelic.

Over the last days I have been imploring the court for word of your status. I have no reason to doubt your words but the accounts in court are very curious. Mr. Rich has spread very rapidly that he was initially sent to offer you a reprieve and that you spat upon his face whilst shouting bible verses. At least I believe that is the origin of the story. In still another the devil had sent you to prove a woman knows the will of God better than any man. The stories are as diverse as I have ever heard. Not once has word of your torture on the rack been whispered amongst the gentry. My ears, and those of my acquaintances, are ever open for a hint.

I am still not clear how you have been able to pass on your accounts outside of the Tower. Even as it is, my Personal Attendant must bear the letters between us. How do you get them out and avoid peering eyes? Lady Jane has been apprehended every time she takes leave of you. Please know you are in my every prayer.

I must confess that I envy your time alone. Please do not think that I mean to belittle your experience. No! It is just that everything is rather upfront and honest in your situation. Motivations are clearly stated, and then you are left alone. Your warnings to be ever on my guard are heeded, but it saddens me. I had hoped that the power seeking schemes of men would have ceased with his ill health. I do not believe that My King could ever have ill will of me. Their efforts are misplaced.

They are mistaken to believe that ridding the King of his Queen would rise anyone. Perhaps in the past Rumors and Royal Attendants have brought families out of obscurity, but those days have past. My own Mother served as an Attendant, I am not ignorant of the schemes she witnessed. They are all mistaken to underestimate The King although I do wish they would leave him alone. I shudder to think what it must have been like for him to live his entire life surrounded with vipers. And now, as he suffers so with his injuries. Only this morning I spent an hour with him, telling him stories to distract him from his suffering.

Nevertheless, I promise to ever be on my guard as you requested. The intrigues of those around are weighty. I implore you with all of my heart, what is it that you would have me to do?

Please, where can we obtain these herbal remedies you have identified?
K

Reply #3
Cover Email Letter

Queen Catherine of England,
Below is the recipee from the Smithfield Kitchen, as you rekwested:
Poor Knights Heirloom Recipe
4 Slices of stale cake or bread
2 Eggs beaten
200 ml White wine
1/2 ts Cinnamon
1 1/4 tb Sugar
Oil

Bread or cake: Cut off crusts and cut into quarters. Place in a deep dish.
Mix eggs with wine, cinnamon, and sugar in a bowl. Pour, once mixed,
over the bread and leave to soak for 3 minutes. Heat the oil [1/4
inch deep]. Drain the bread and slide it into the hot oil.
. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

REAL ATTACHMENT REPLY #3
17 Julii, 1546
Queene Catherine of England,
At Miss Anne Askew’s rekwest, I am writing your majestee. Forgiv me, I haven’t Anne’s gift for the pen, but I share in her cause. You must know by now that Anne has at last eskap’d the vipers of this world. On the night last, the 16th of Julii, dear Anne was taken home in a chariot of fire. Unable to walk due to her injurys from the racke, Anne was caree’d in a chair to the stake to be burned in Smithfield. Gunpowdr hung ‘bout her neck, but peace was ‘bout her face. She died with three of her followrs. From London to York, town persons are calling Anne a ‘Christian marter’. Some even call her a saint.

Her accounts of questioning and torture have all been delivr’d to Mr. John Bale who is having them publish’d for all of England to reed. I delivr’d Anne’s writings to Mr. Bale personilly. My dutee in the prison was to empty toilette buckets eech week and met Anne in these cirkumstances. I spoke with her freekwentlee and knew that our God was with her.

After her torture, I offr’d to asist in any way I could. She welkom’d my help. So I tightlee roll’d her Examinations and hid them in a slit in the side of her wooden toilette bucket. I remov’d them once I’d dumped the contents of her bucket in the waste pile and then I carried her works in my stocking until I reach’d Mr. Bale’s residens. He rejoyc’d when receeving them and is taking great lengths to publish them.

The last tyme I spoke to Anne, she ask’d me to write you one last lettr. First, she wanted me to assur you that she has not recanted or deni’d her faith. Her persecuters have said othrwise, but do not give way to their deceet. She also wanted me to thank you for your sisterlee love and all the kindneses you show’d her. You were a ray of light in her darkest days.

She told me to warn you once more of the vipers within your own bed. She urges you to support your king and your freedom will in turn find its way to you. Do not envy Anne’s time alone, as yours will come soon and joy will accumpanee it.
Last of all, she ask’d me to collect something for you after her death and send it with this lett’r. This morning I saw a short, spikey grass growing near the stake apon which she stood for the last tyme. Her ashes undowtedly touched the spot where the grass lye. I pick’d some of the grass, at Anne’s rekwest and have inkluded them with this lett’r. Anne told me to tell you that this is Dustfall. Althow not akwired honestly, it could not be any purer.

Do Not Feer, only beleeve,
A Humble Servant of Miss Anne Askew, Follow’r of Jesus Christ.
---------------------------------------

Angie

Parker Praying

Pleasant Parker

Parker, our 2-year old son is all personality (as I'm sure most toddlers are). He has a priceless sense of humor, a crazy side (which manifests itself at 5 pm every day) and a gentle, cuddly side. He has been with us through more moves than most adults have had in a lifetime and he seems to adjust very well.

Yesterday I was at the computer working on something while he was watching Sesame Street. Burt and Ernie started singing a sweet, slow song about friendship and Parker came over to me and laid his head on my knee. Then he wrapped his arms around my legs to give me a hug. He looked at me with those big eyes and smiled up at me. It seemed that the song on TV made him a little sentimental (sounds like his mom). That was a moment I will never forget.

Parker's favorite word is "zapata". No, it does not mean shoe in Spanish, to Parker it means airplane. Everywhere we go there's a zapata and he won't stop saying the word until we say "airplane" and acknowledge his observation. We love it! It's lucky that he likes airplanes though because we decorated his room with an airplane theme before he was born. Now that we're unpacking his stuff and redecorating, he is loving all the opportunities to say his favorite word.

He is loving nursery during church. The nursery leaders told us a few weeks ago that he ate all his teddy grahams and asked for more until the batch was all gone. She said she couldn't believe how much he ate! Well, that would be because we don't feed Parker sugar (except for natural sugar in fruit, etc.), so teddy grahams must've been a serious sugar binge for him :). Once Parker is old enough to ask for sugar and really care about it, we'll let him have some, but we just decided that we wanted to keep him in the dark about how good it tastes for a little longer :). Itt was pretty funny to picture Parker totally focused on the food while the other kids were playing though.

Parker is all about small compartments. It gives a whole new meaning to men compartmentalizing. He is like a little pack rat and stores his treasures throughout the house. I recently found a kitchen timer under one of the vent covers and we uncover new items on a daily basis. It's especially difficult when we need to find his shoes or his sippy cup. It ends up being a whole-house hunt. We are constantly amused at what we find throughout the house while doing our daily tasks.

Last week David and I were both busy doing something and Parker went in his room to get a blanket and come downstairs. He has never fallen down the stairs and has been a very confident stairmaster. Well, he ended up tripping on his blanket while going down, fell the rest of the way and hit his forehead on the wood floor. We ran to him and comforted him as he bawled. My heart was broken and I felt guilty for days for not watching him better. The bruise on his head is nearly gone, but it still makes me sick to think about.

David and Parker are adorable to watch. Yesterday David had an extremely tough day at work and a busy evening with his calling (Scoutmaster) when he got home. He was pretty stressed out and we had just finished eating dinner. Parker was thirsty for attention (his 5 pm hyperactivity) and needed his dad. David was on his computer finishing working on stuff and then he decided to take a break and play with Parker even though it was the last thing he had time to do. He acted as a human jungle gymn for a few minutes and then sat with him. It meant so much to me (and to Parker) that he would willingly take time for what was most important. I love that man.

As Parker is getting older, he is getting to be more fun, we just wish he had a sibling to play with. We're hoping it happens soon, but we know that the Lord has his own timetable. In the meantime, we are loving our little guy and are very grateful for him.

And The Secret To A Happy, Healthy Life Is...Breakfast?!

I like to eat. I love good food and I seek large portions. Unlike most girls who opt for a salad (minus the croutons), I'm all about the main meaty entree with all of the trimmings. In college, I prided myself in eating contests with the boys and surprised them with my belly-stretching abilities. I was a lightweight girl with a heavyweight appetite. Even now, I am usually the last one at the dinner table after David and Parker have finished eating.

Somehow throughout all of my years of food handling, I've missed out on one of the most basic rules of engorgement. Breakfast. I have not eaten breakfast consistently my entire life. What I mean is, when I have eaten breakfast, it's usually been in the form of next-day chocolate chip cookies or leftover muddy buddies. I have honestly skipped breakfast for as long as I can remember.

In Junior High I went to the school nurse about once a week because I felt sick (not realizing it was because my blood sugar was low). In high school I woke up at 5 am every morning for seminary and suffered through until lunch every day. In college I was so busy that the time to break the fast was lunch, if I was lucky. As a new wife, I survived grumpily until lunchtime and now, as a mom, I'm finally realizing what all of you have likely known your whole lives - breakfast is a necessity.

My basic reasons for not eating breakfast were:
1.) I am NOT a morning person and would much rather sleep-in than try to dig through the refrigerator for something to eat.
2.) David is broken-hearted whenever I say this, but I don't like cereal (his favorite thing) and nothing ever sounds good when I just wake up.
3.) I am too lazy and tired in the morning to cook anything that sounds remotely palatable.
4.) I'm usually running too late in the morning (see sleeping-in above) to make anything.
5.) Breakfast food is usually unhealthy and if it is healthy, it's usually unappetizing.

So there you have it. All this time I've been committing Nutrition 101 suicide and without any good reasons. Now that I'm a mom and recognize the need for extra energy throughout the day, I decided to change my ways. I've realized that skipping breakfast has caused me to eat huge portions for lunch and dinner, crave chocolate and sugar to no end and given me stomach aches at night (from eating too much, too late the night before and not having time to digest it) and a stomach ache/headache every morning (from lack of protein and low blood sugar). My metabolism is not what it used to be and eating these large portions are not helping the waistline.

Two weeks ago I made a plan to change things. I created a list of foods that I could handle eating in the morning, that didn't require too much work and wouldn't spoil quickly (like fruit). I then looked on Amazon.com Grocery and checked out breakfast foods. They have a lot of healthy breakfast options on amazon, so I took notes. I bought a large variety of foods online and at the store and have been trying them out ever since.

Out of all the foods that I've tried, I like the Erin Baker's Breakfast Cookie best. http://www.bbcookies.com/ They're all natural, they taste great and are packed with protein and complex carbs. I bought a variety pack, so I get to try a new one everyday. The surprise sadly makes me excited :). I've also been liking Carnation Instant Breakfasts. I know they're full of sugar, but I never drink milk (it forces me too) and they're refreshing and filling in the morning. I figure, at this point, it's better that I eat SOMETHING for breakfast, even if it's not the ideal.

What have I discovered in two weeks of breakfast eating? Much more than I thought I would.
1.) I have way more energy throughout the day.
2.) I don't feel sick in the mornings anymore.
3.) I am hardly craving chocolate or sugar!!! (This is a triumph for me.)
4.) I am only hungry enough for small portions at lunch and even less for dinner.
5.) My stomach doesn't hurt at night.
6.) I am losing weight. My metabolism is getting jump-started in the morning and I'm burning more calories. Plus, I'm not eating as much late at night, so my belly isn't full when I'm burning fewer calories during sleep.
7.) I'm actually looking forward to eating breakfast!
8.) My mood is elevated :).

I know that this epiphanic post makes the reader want to shout "Duh!" But for me, it is an epiphany. If you're a woman, imagine not conditioning your hair for your entire life and then suddenly applying it for the first time. No more gnarly, ratted hair that you have to forcefully pic out after showering. Your routine is now a lot easier and less painful. If you're a man, envision fertilizing your lawn for the first time. What a difference! The lawn that was brown and prickly is now alive, refreshed and inviting. Which is exactly how I feel. I am feeling great. And all of that from eating breakfast - a foe that has now become friend.

I still love food, but with a less temperamental love. I am no longer a respecter of mealtimes. All meals are created equal...but breakfast may actually deserve some preferential treatment :).

"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper."

Going Green?

It seems like everywhere we go these days we hear mention of protecting the environment by doing our part and going a little greener. Green happens to be my favorite color, so naturally all this 'Green' talk has peaked my interest :). Sarcasm aside, I am actually no stranger to Greenery.

When I was in the fourth grade, I won the official "Earth Day" award for my master plan to save helpless seagulls from getting their feet and beaks stuck in the plastic 6-pack holders that beachgoers carelessly left on shore. Could anything be more useful? Later, in the fifth grade, my best friend Jessica Jones and I created our own neighborhood recycling company called J & A Recycling. Our mission was to go through everyone's garbage in town and separate rubbish from recyclables, all for a small price. The posters were made, the flyers were distributed and we thought we were saving the world one trash bin at a time. It didn't take long after going through our own household garbages to realize that we didn't have the stomach for it.

Those days in the Green are full of good memories, but that was when we lived in Oregon and they actually knew what and when "Earth Day" was. Since moving from Oregon at the age of 12, I haven't thought twice (let alone once) at the anniversary of Earth Day. But all that is changing now...

Fastforward 16 years and I am married to a wonderful man who (luckily) appreciates the eccentricities of his wife. In other words, he is always supportive of my big plans and my next big life-changing goal (like staying off of chocolate through an entire pregnancy...who could do that?!). However, this time, David was the one with the Greenest idea to date! Before I reveal our most recent world-saving step, I need to give you a little background.

We just moved to South Jordan, Utah from New Boston, New Hampshire. New Boston was a new world for us. We lived 30 minutes from a grocery store (add up the weekly gas bill if you want to feel pain) and lived on 3 acres of land. It was gorgeous - wild turkeys, deer, woodchucks, birds the size of small dogs and even porcupines. Beautiful as it was, it was the most inconvenient place we'd ever lived. The city did not operate their own garbage pick-up, so small private companies were available for hire. We were not given a garbage can, we were only told to put our bagged garbage at the end of our long driveway the night before pickup and they would get it in the morning. This seemed ridiculous considering there was no container to protect our trash from wild animals, but we did it anyway (and often picked up the mess the giant birds strung everywhere).

After the first day of garbage pick up, we noticed that most of our bags had not been picked up. Instead, they had been labeled with a large orange sticker and left for us. Thinking that we lived in a customer-oriented, capitalist society, I called the garbage company and asked what the deal was. They told me that the garbage man could tell by the weight of our bags that we had not separated the recyclables from our trash, so we would need to do that before they would bring them to the dump. When I got off the phone I think I used the phrase, "You have got to be kidding me!" about 14 times. They wanted us to dig through each bag by hand and take out things that could be recycled and put them in separate bags! I could not imagine any company expecting us to sift through rotten food, etc. and pull out aluminum cans and milk cartons. I thought it was the most inconvenient request I had ever heard. Apparently New Boston has a mandatory recycling law that everyone was supposed to follow. Since I am originally from the west coast (where land fill space is still abundant), I didn't realize the importance of limiting waste and the 3 R's. I guess I thought it was a choice to recycle and not a law! I'm sure it doesn't take a genius to realize that we learned our lesson and recycled from that day forward (better before the garbage goes out than after!).

Being forced to recycle really opened our eyes to a lot of things. We started being more careful about leaving lights on, began using fluorescent light bulbs and even tried to light a fire or two instead of turning on the heat.

Our stay in New Hampshire only lasted about 4 months, but it helped me to rededicate myself to the Green ways of my childhood. Living in South Jordan, we have a large garbage can and a large recycling bin. It is heaven! The best part is that we actually fill the recycling bin more than we do the trash can.

But the biggest earth-friendly decision we've made happened last week. David works in SLC, about 30 minutes or more from South Jordan. He calculated that he's been spending $12 a day in gas going to and from work. That is $60 per week and $240 per month!!! Each month we've been paying $117 in car insurance for his vehicle, not to mention the cost of maintenance, car washes and oil changes. David's car is paid off (luckily), but even without a car payment, we've been paying about $360 per month and about $4,400 per year!!!! These figures are just what this car has been costing us, not including the physical cost to the environment.

Once he realized this, David decided to sell his car to a dealership. He took a small portion of the money he received (less than $1,000) and bought a bike. He is now taking his bike to a bus stop everyday and riding the bus. His bus pass is free through his work and we pay $0 per month in gas, insurance and maintenance for him. He's also getting some good exercise and enjoying 45 minutes of reading time on the bus. Our pocketbooks win and so does the environment.

I honestly think we are the only couple in our entire neighborhood who only have one car. Most families have 2-3 +, but we like being a little "peculiar", even in Utah. I've also been thinking about one of President Hinckley's Be's - which involves Thrift & Industry and getting out of debt. Although we were not in debt because of the car, we were bound to pay a lot of money every month that could have been well spent in other areas. If you had an extra $360 every month, what would you do with it? It could be used for some fun date nights or family time. $4,400 per year is a great family vacation each year. Or think of the acts of service that could be done with $360 a month. We could help support someone on a mission or in college. We could help a single mother or a family who is struggling financially due to illness or unemployment.

So all in all, one small sacrifice can be financially ($4,400 per year), physically (exercise), mentally (less stress), emotionally (good feeling) and spiritually (service opportunities, frugality) fullfilling...and those are just the selfish reasons. The choice is also beneficial to the environment. An environment that I would like to leave better than I found it - for our children's sake and for everyone else.

To ease your mind, we have not turned into hippy granolas - David's hair has not formed into dread(ed) locks and I am still shaving my armpits. We still ask for plastic bags at the grocery store (they're good for dirty diapers) and my computer is on 24/7 (email is part of survival). So we are far from an Earth Day Award, but we are getting slightly closer. Next on our list is planning and planting a garden (using our land for something other than just looking pretty), actually rotating our food/toiletry storage (instead of just letting it all go bad and replacing it) and becoming more self-sufficient as President Hinckley suggested.

The seagulls may not be any safer and the neighbors may not have their recyclables sorted, but David and I are sleeping a little Greener at night.

Staheli Update July 9th, 2008

Okay, so I've been completely neglectful to this dear blog that my sister so kindly created for us. I am hoping to rededicate myself to the blogger cause and give an official Staheli update.
We recently moved from New Hampshire to South Jordan, UT and are very happy to be here.

We were only in NH for 4 months, but we made a lot of good friends there and learned a great deal. The company we originally transferred to NH for was not working out for a variety of reasons and so we decided to make a change. David is now working for the LDS church as a Software Architect (which he is really enjoying) here in Utah. We moved to South Jordan in the Ivory Crossing development and love our neighborhood. Our church building is actually in our backyard, if you can belive it. It definitely beats driving a half an hour to church like we did in New Hampshire. There's a nearby park and swimming pool, so Parker is getting much more outside time and interaction with other kids - hallelujah.

Parker turned 2 on June 13th and he had a great party at mom & dad Staheli's house. He ate the healthiest birthday cake I could find - a scone from Great Harvest Bread and he loved it. It was fun to watch him open gifts this year and his cousins were around to share in the fun.

Parker is into his ABC's right now and loving them. He especially loves "The Letter Factory" DVD from Leapfrog. I definitely recommend checking it out if anyone's interested. He has become so interested in letters and their sounds after watching that DVD and says the letter names and sounds all the time now. He's not completely accurate yet, but he's getting there.

Parker's other favorite thing is...you guessed it, cars and trucks. I thought he'd be more into computers like his dad or drama like his mom, but he's definitely a cars and trucks sort of kid. He is extremely detail oriented and he notices things before anyone else does.

Yesterday I gave Parker a snack and set it on a wooden step stool. I then started working on something else and he didn't think I was watching. From the corner of my eye I saw him kneel by the step stool, fold his hands, squint his eyes and say a prayer. He then said his version of "Amen" and started eating. I was completely blown away and excited. It's pretty amazing how much they learn from watching their parents. I hope he's not picking up too many bad habits from me.

As for me, I am working on writing another play called "In Search of the One" and still researching and planning plot/character details. It's nice to have something to work on to keep the juices flowing. I'm not one of those people that can live life from day to day without a project to work on.

"Joseph Smith - Lover of the Cause of Christ" was performed in Austin and Philadelphia with success and I am so grateful for all of those that participated and made it happen. The entire experience changed my life and testimony forever.

David's dad was recently called to serve as the Mission President in Paris, France and they just left a couple of weeks ago. We miss them already, but hope to visit them in Paris sometime in October. It's nice to live by some of David's sisters (whom I adore) and we've had some great family get togethers.

My family is doing well in Washington/Nevada. I miss them so much and wish we could all live within 30 minutes of each other. My mom is doing well in Vancouver, WA and serving a lot at church and outside of church. Josh's family is coming to Utah for Kara's play in August and Gary and Bonnie will also be here for BYU education week. Jeremy & Christy's family is well in Arlington, WA. Christy finished writing an incredible book and is sending it to publishers. Jen & Randy will be moving to Spokane soon for Randy to start school there. I haven't heard from Jake and Amanda for a while, but I'm sure they are well and as happy as ever. My dad is in Las Vegas with his wife and doing well.

Life as an immediate family is going well. We've had some great times in Utah already and are loving it. We went to This is the Place, Heritage Park for Fourth of July and it was a great experience. We learned a lot and Parker loved the petting zoo.

Well, I'd better take a shower before Parker wakes up from his nap! We hope all is well with everyone reading this! P.S. I'm new to all this blogging stuff, so forgive the crazy layout...I'll get the hang of it!