Dear Oprah,

Dear Oprah,
Often times on your show, you refer to certain moments as Ah-ha moments or a whisper that is warning you of something. I would like to clarify these moments as what is called the Holy Ghost, often referred to as the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost is a constant companion we can always have with us as we live righteously and are baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Holy Ghost is able to let us know the truth of all things. The way the Holy Ghost communicates through us are through a still, small voice, also known as a "whisper." "His communication to our spirit carries far more certainty than any communication we can receive through our natural senses" (lds.org). Until one is baptized, they are able to experience the light of Christ, which is basically a temporary Holy Ghost. I know you believe in God, and all the miracles you have seen and demonstrated on your show, I thought you may want to know what this mysterious thing is that has helped with all these miracles. If you would like to know more information, my name is Tiersha Whitmore, one of your biggest fans or you can contact the local LDS missionaries there in Chicago. I love that you have really done so much good with what God, Heavenly Father, has blessed you with. Thank you for helping to change the world.

With much love and support,
Tiersha Whitmore


A little background on this letter:
Every time I watch the Oprah show and she talks about "whispers," etc., I constantly talk to the TV saying, "it's the Holy Ghost, Oprah, duh!" Obviously if I wrote her a letter it would be a little more thought out and talk about the wonderful Book of Mormon. I am so grateful to be a member of the Church; to have answers to "unanswered" questions, to know what the Holy Ghost is and what he is there for, to understand the importance of marriage and families and that it's not only til death but much past that, and all the other truths that have been restored through the gospel. I wish every one knew and understood this the way I do. And I look forward to learning more and trying to understand it more and more each day.

Sorry if I rambled, just want Oprah to understand what I do ;)

Leftovers

Lately, I have been making a meal every night. Surprised? I am! This past weekend was a little different. We ate out in Park City Friday, were invited to our friends for dinner Saturday and then to my cousins on Sunday. Three nights in a row I didn't have to cook. It was awesome! Last night I made tacos. Yum! As I was cleaning up and putting the leftover meat and chopped up lettuce in the fridge last night, I noticed that we have some good leftovers. Besides the tacos, we have spaghetti and Chicken Alfredo pasta. Guess what we are having for dinner tonight? LEFTOVERS! For one, I am running out of room in my fridge to put things, and two, I have no more tupperware or pyrex to put more left overs in or take my lunch to school in. I want to make some more dishes, but we really need to finish what we have before it goes bad.

I have entertained the idea of making a bunch of meals on Sunday and saving them for throughout the week. Do any of you do this? I usually get home around 5:00 and then I am in the kitchen for a while. I am not complaining by any means and luckily doesn't have a husband that expects it, but I actually enjoy doing it. Probably because it's just the two of us.

If any of you have good techniques or strategies for making meals, let me know!!

The Thrill of a Deal

Here it is, up and running...my new blog that captures all the great deals I find. If you like to save a buck or two...or 20, you will love my new blog. I will post as often as I go shopping on all the great deals out there. Your hubby's/bf's will love it too! Happy Shopping!!

http://thrillofdeal.blogspot.com

Thank You Martin Luther King, Jr.

This was a long weekend...hip hip hooray! Josh hardly had any homework and I didn't have any so we got to play the whole weekend and relax. Saturday we had a super date! We started our day with breakfast at the Cracker Barrell in Spanish Fork. Afterward, we came home to get ready for the gym. Well we got back in our warm bed and I fell asleep (go figure). So Josh went to the gym without me. I have been super tired lately and ended up sleeping for three hours! I better get that checked out. When he came home we got ready and went to the Temple. I love that it is seriously a five minute drive from our place. We did sealings and it was such a neat experience. When we got home we decided against bowling and went to the mall to return some stuff. On our way home, we red boxed "Dinner with the Shmucks." It was a very awkward, stressful movie. I don't recommend it. Regardless of what we did that day, it was so nice to be with Josh the whole day. No work, homework, didn't have to plan a Sunday school lesson, it was great! The next day, Josh slept til about 10:30/11. I didn't care, I was cleaning and made myself french toast. Then we got ready and went to church. The "big game" was on so when church was over, I had a little visiting teaching meeting. Josh got the keys from me and turned on sports radio in the car. haha. That night we had Filet Mignon. It was delicious! (Two steaks at Wal Mart for $5) Skyped with my family and then went to Tahnee and Tyler's. Trevor and Michelle were there as well and we ate ice cream and brownies, played Battle of the Sexes and watched the Fugitive. Four hours later, we headed home. Yesterday, we had been invited over for breakfast to our friends place, which was delicious. Then Josh ran to work for a few hours. I cleaned, did laundry, ran errands. When Josh got home, we met up with Tahnee, Tyler, Trevor, and Michelle at Trafalga Lehi to do Laser Tag. Let's just say, good thing we got hooked up and played for free. It was an absolute zoo there! But still fun of course. Last night as we were watching TV and unwinding from the day, there was an interview with Oprah and Piers Morgan. He told her that it is Martin Luther King Day and brought up the fact that two of the most powerful people are black. I started to think about that and how, despite everyone's opinions and the negative aspect of our country, we, as a people, have come really far. I am sure that back when my parents were young, if you had told someone you would have a black president they would probably have laughed. Yet look at our country. Also, I would not have four of my siblings without Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream, his courage, and bravery to stand up for what he believed in. There were lots of things about him on TV last night and it was nice to reflect on what he did for this country. I just want to say, Thank you Martin Luther King, Jr.

Warm Nights in Utah

Every night I am so cold I can't even stand it. I have talked about buying an electric blanket for months now that I finally splurged and did it. Man, are they expensive. I bought one at Target for $74.99...but I justified it because I found a $40 Target gift card from our wedding recently. Can I just say, why didn't I do this sooner? I am sleeping so well and am perfectly warm. Everyone needs to invest in one of these suckers. Josh got a little too hot the first night, but not me. I turned it on while I was getting ready for bed so it warmed everything up. Usually I take my blow dryer to bed (yes, I got that from my mother) and/or take a shower to warm up every night. But now, no more blow dryer! Any way, just thought I'd post!

Santa Claus Came to Town

Man, I am really slacking on my blogging responsibilities. Let me first update you on what Josh and I did over the Christmas break. December 18, we left for Connecticut. Our flight went really smoothly and we arrived at about 7:00 pm (east coast time). Basically to sum up our trip, we ate, sat, ate more, went to the mall, ate, then had a huge dinner, ate dessert, played Nerts, watched Parenthood while we ate more. Yes, this is pretty much what everyday consisted of. Heaven, right? Yes. On Christmas Eve, Josh and I had the chance to go to New York City (one-hour train ride away) and see the Radio City Rockettes. It was amazing!!! Josh's family saw the performance on his mission and he was only family member that hasn't seen it, so his parents sent the two of us. When we first got to NYC, we walked around for a couple hours. It wasn't as crazy as it was last year when we went Dec. 30. There were still lots of people out shopping though. We walked to Times Square for a little bit, trying to stay in doors because of the freezing cold. Then we ventured back to Fifth Avenue...yes, SAKS Fifth Avenue. We did a lot of window shopping and then went in a few stores. If you have ever been that way, you know there is not a whole lot of dining venues. So we found the place we ate at last year, Prime Burger, grabbed a burger, and were on our way. When we arrived to the Radio City Music Hall, the line moved very quickly and we were in! It was a winter wonderland inside. Every inch was decorated for Christmas. We took our seats and the show started. It was the perfect amount of time (hour and a half) and very entertaining. Afterward, we looked up the train time back to CT. It was in like twenty minutes (maybe fifteen). Just my luck! We started booking it to Grand Central Station. Due to the running and cold air, I was clearly having a hard time. I could barely breathe, but we needed to get to the train or wait another half hour. And we wanted to be home in time for dinner. We made it with just a couple minutes to spare! Phew! It was such a fun day. Any day in the city is. I keep telling Josh I want to go in the summer. Every time I have been to NYC it has been cold or rainy. Ok, more about the trip...The next day was Christmas. We must have been good this past year. Josh got me the Fossil bag I have been wanting and surprised me with a COACH cover for my phone. Josh's parents got me a lot of jewelry (I never have to buy any more the rest of my life), things from Spain, and other great gifts. Thank you! Meg drew my name this year and got me a pair of Sorel boots!! I love them. Josh got some clothes (from me), Inception (he is obsessed with it), gift cards and more. And of course my parents treated us well too. I got COACH flats from my mom!! Josh's family opens gifts at night. I was very anxious all day, but I think I will adopt that tradition. It gave us all something to look forward too. The next day was Sunday and the East Coast storm hit. Church was canceled. Eve got us hooked on Parenthood. It's a primetime TV show on NBC (?). It is all about a family that deals with real problems and real issues. Josh and I both like it (me a little more). One night we watched like three (hour-long) episodes in a row. It was really nice to spend time with Josh's family. We always see my family and it meant a lot to him that we spend the whole Christmas break in CT. Everyone was there and it was just an all around great two weeks.

Getting back from the trip, I was afraid that I had gained a lot of weight. I don't think any of you will understand how much we ate...seriously. Well the next day we got home, we were back to the gym. After working out I stepped on the scale and sure enough it was seven pounds more than what I weighed before the holidays. I actually started laughing. Then I went to UVU's Wellness center, where I had originally weighed myself, and it was only two pounds more. What a relief! I have been watching what I eat and working out. Josh says he can already tell a difference! It was well worth it over the break, but it's back to reality.

Since I have been back, I have been cooking a new meal for dinner. I am actually enjoying it. I never thought I would say that. Of course, I like the simple dishes, but still it's always different and I am getting the hang of it. Josh is enjoying them too and that's really what matters. Wednesday nights I have a class from 5:00-7:30, so those nights, Josh is cooking!! Last week it was turkey burgers and sweet potato fries. Sounds good, huh? Wonder what it will be tonight?? I am so glad that Josh and I understand we are both in school, both working 20 hour weeks, and that we need to help each other out.

My poor mom is still in the hospital. We need to get her out...so everyone pray for her!! Those babies need their mom home. I totally know what she is going through and it's no fun. I just want to tell everyone that has helped my family, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I feel really bad that I can't be there to help out. It's so nice to be surrounded by family and friends like my family has always been. Good luck Mom! You'll pull through this fast enough!! We love you and are rooting for you :)

Not much else has been going on. Just getting back into school, work, and the normal daily routine. This semester is going to be more tough than the past, but I'll come out on top ;) Josh and I really want this cold weather to pass on. The snow is not fun and it physically hurts to go from our front door to our car.

I will try to be better about blogging in the new year. Hope everyone had a great holiday season and have a wonderful 2011!