I voted today!

Capricorn

Minus the good looking part, mine was pretty right on…Aly


CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they Want.



AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious.. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.



PISCES - The Dreamer (Feb 19 - Mar 20) Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't like details. Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful.



ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19) Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.



TAURUS - The Enduring One (April 20 - May 20) Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not.. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings that are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard - passionate. Express themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous.



GEMINI - The Chatterbox (May 21 - June 20) Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic. Adaptable But needs to express themselves. Argumentative and outspoken. Like change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense.. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent. Beautiful physically and mentally.



CANCER - The Protector (June 21 - July 22) Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.



LEO - The Boss (July 23 - Aug 22) Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos. Attractive.



VIRGO - The Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22) Dominant In relationships. Conservative Always wants the last word. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often shy. Pessimistic.



LIBRA - The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22) Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, en energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible.



SCORPIO - The Intense One (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long Relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.



SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Good-natured optimist. Peter Pan syndrome (doesn't want to grow up). Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.

McClellan Boys-Happy Halloween!

The 3 McClellan Boys

Will, Ford, & Mac

(These are the boys of my oldest sister-Marion.)

Joe Biden...Scary!

For those of you who watched the VP debate, when asked if you support Gay Marriage, both Palin and Biden both said no. In fact, Biden continued to say that Obama didn't support gay marriage as well; however, now Biden says he is voting AGAINST Prop 8. What the Hell? Is he confused too, along with his running mate or forget what they say just moments earlier.

Yes on 8!

I got this from my friends blog and felt I should post it on mine. Please read. Aly

Dear Friend,

The institution of marriage is in cardiac arrest in California and I am pleading with you to help save it. Please set aside what you are doing for a minute and pay close attention to what is happening with Proposition 8. Marriage as we know it is in a life or death moment.

Gay activists held a fundraiser on Tuesday night at billionaire liberal Ron Burkle's mansion in Beverly Hills where they raised an astonishing $3.9 million. Even as guests were being entertained by Barbra Streisand, Melissa Etheridge and Mary J. Blige, No on 8 operatives were busy launching a sneak attack on the institution of marriage. They began dumping $3 million into television commercials this week alone. That is on top of the nearly $4 million in air time they already had purchased for this week, meaning they are spending an unbelievable $7 million on air time this week alone!

In the middle of the night last night, they began airing a new commercial featuring liberal Democrat Jack O'Connell, the California Superintendent of Public Instruction, designed to trick voters into thinking that gay marriage won't be taught in California public schools. The No on 8 campaign realizes that this is their Achilles heel, and they are going to say and do whatever they need to in order to confuse and trick voters.

O'Connell slyly but shamelessly misrepresents the law, saying that California does not 'require' that anything about marriage be taught in public schools. What he doesn't say is that his own Department of Education reports that 96% of schools DO TEACH the courses that include marriage. The Supreme Court's legalization of gay marriage unquestionably means that young children will be exposed to gay marriage in school, just as they are in Massachusetts.

Here is the situation we face: Unless we raise $3 million in the next week, we're going to lose.

Our campaign is presently on the right track and has momentum, but we cannot withstand this onslaught of spending – getting outspent by $3 million this week and by who knows what next week. We have emptied our accounts to put $1 million more on TV to respond, but that leaves us bare. We need to add $1 million more to our advertising schedule in the next 24 hours for this week, and at least $2 million more for next week.

If you love the institution of marriage, this is one of those moments that you will remember the rest of your life. This is the moment when people of faith were given the chance to make a great sacrifice and save this precious institution. We have all worked hard as volunteers and contributors, but this is the moment when traditional marriage as we know it will either live, or it will die.

Years from now, when we look back on our lives, this will be a day to remember. The day when marriage went into cardiac arrest, the victim of a ruthless and false assault on the truth. The day when you had a chance to sacrifice greatly to save God's precious gift to us.

This is Code Blue for marriage. What is your response?
Frank Schubert
Campaign Manager
ProtectMarriage.com - Yes on 8

Even though we don't live in California, we are donating because it is that important. Please consider what you can do, and donate here.

If the link doesn't work, here:

https://www.icontribute.us/protectmarriage/initiative/codeblue

Political Trick or Treating...

Tagged by Jana...

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1. House
2. Private Practice (just started watching)
3. 48 Hours Mystery
4. Criminal Minds
5. Cold Case
6. Fox News
7. CSI
8.Kath & Kim (just started watching)

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Ran with my sister, Marion, and brother, Dan. Sadly, we lost Dan and he ran 12 miles, when he was only planning on running 4 miles...long story. Hope he isn't too sore today!
2. Went to my dad's Hall of Fame
3. Drank 3 diet cokes
4. Ate way too much-what's new?
5. Almost threw up-what's even newer?
6. Got on a plane back to Utah
7. Kissed my children
8. Fell asleep watching tv-surprise, surprise!

8 Things I look forward to:
1. Bedtime
2. Going to the gym
3. Going to Hawaii (hence #2)
4. When Darrin comes home from work
5. Dinner time
6. The Fall (Halloween and Thanksgiving-love them!!)
7. Cooler weather, hot drinks, & jeans
8. Possibilities

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Ruth's Kris
2. Macaroni Grill
3. Houstons (in Boca Raton)
4. Cafe Rio/ Chuy's (Austin)
5. Papacito's (Austin)
6. Green Picalo (Cobham, England- Yum!!!)
7. The Kebab Center (Maidenbower, England)
8. Fish N Chips (Redhill, England-the best fish & chips in the world)

8 Things on my wish list:
1. tile for the basement bathroom
2. carpet for the basement (almost there)
3. to lose 16 pounds
4. a full time maid
5. the 3 L's: lasik, lipo, & laser hair removal
6. a vacation home on the Olympic Peninsula
7. to be prettier, but don't think that's going to happen, even with the most money and best doctor!
8. more money

Congrats Dad into the Hall of Fame!

This past weekend, my dad was inducted into the Clayton Valley High School Hall of Fame for track and football. I was thrilled that I was able to be a part of it. On Friday morning (October 17th), we flew to San Francisco, where we walked around "the town," enjoyed real sour dough french bread, fresh seafood, and, of course, Ghiradelli ice cream!

Later that night, we met up with my dad's brother, Scott, and wife, Kathy for dinner at the hotel. Before that, we drove over to Clayton Valley High, where we walked around the campus to allow my parents to reminisce olds times...

While walking around San Fran, Marion saw shorts with the following:

"If you think I am a b***h, you should meet my sister!"

We wished we both bought a pair... We thought it was funny.

Hall of Fame Brunch 2008

Clayton, California

Dan, Adam, Dad, Marion, Mom, & Aly

Aunt Kathy& Uncle Scott Ford and Rod & MaryAnne Norling

Ford Family Cookbook

This is Adam's picture to our Ford Family Cookbook. Definitely the best drawing for the cover. Thanks Adam for drawing this up for us. Love it!!! Can't wait to have the final product in hand.

So very long ago...

Look How Young We Look!!!

Darrin was even 26 in this picture and I was 24 1/2-we weren't that young either.

July 30, 2000

We both ended up staying the night at Grandmother and Granddad's. (Darrin was supposed to be celebrating his birthday with his friends, but then decided to crash in Bountiful with me...Love sick, poor guy!)

Our Engagement Announcement Photo

(July 2000)

Fall 1977

Fall 1977

Dan & Marion (back row) and then Corrine and me (sitting)

I was about 22 months old in this picture.

My mom just gave me this picture a couple of days ago. I remember exactly where my dad used to have it in his office growing up. This was so many years ago. Heck, Adam is not even in the picture. And what is up with those outfits? I am sure that my children will be saying the same exact thing in 30 years from now.

Aly's Political Soap Box-because I can...

The Newsweek magazine (for some reason, I get the magazine, never paid for it, but it still shows up at my door) this week with Palin on the inside cover says: “Ready to be VP. Please!” The front cover says: "She's One of the Folks. And that's the problem." I am thinking about sending them an e-mail and to one: stop sending me their liberal magazine, as it only ends up in the recycling can and two: for my points stated below. One thing that has really bothered me about this whole election is that if Obama were white and Palin were a man, would they be more criticized or not? Meaning, would the American people vote a white man with only 2 years (if that) of senatorial experience to be the Chief Commander and would Palin be more glorified because she is a man and was able to accomplish all that she did in her office?

Did you watch the debate? On factcheck.org, it says that Obama plans to cut back so much that we will have a surplus of $850? Billion dollars. In fact, they state that with his deductions, he will actually go over $350 billion dollars, only adding to the deficit. Secondly, when McCain announced the $300 billion bail out-so to speak-of the mortgage crisis. That money has already been allocated (almost 6 months ago) and in fact and is not part of the $700 billion dollar bailout. So when people hear another $300 billion mortgage thing, it’s not new money. I wish McCain could have clarified that.

Lastly, for anyone who has ever lived (not vacationed, but lived) outside the United States, knows very well that national healthcare isn't a solution. I firmly believe in the notorious phrase: "You get what you pay for." When the government starts taking control of the healthcare, do you believe it's their first priority when it comes to budgets? Where do you think the government gets their money to back up their government funded health care-from us. When we lived in England, we were taxed at 40%. 40% for anyone making over something like $50,000 year! Also, for those of us who have lived outside the US know that you are no longer allowed to choose your doctor; one is allocated to you by where you live. Your doctors work the normal 9-5 shift. When times of emergency and need to take that trip to the ER, all I can say is: "take a number and get in line."

When I shattered my ankle on my mission in France, I remember vididly my hospital experience. After surgery, I woke up in a waiting room, no nurse or doctor to me found. They were literally taking a smoking break! The pain was unbearable. The hospital didn't have ice for the swelling. So my companions froze water bottles and brought them to me to ice my toes (as they were the only visible thing out of the bandages). I had cockroaches in my room and no air conditioning. When I was released almost a week later, my companions escorted me out of the hospital, no wheel chair, no crutches. I had to go buy them myself, along with the materials for my cast! Yes, my cast. My companions had to buy the plaster and bandages for my cast.

When we moved to England, we happened to have moved to one of the most populated counties in England-Surrey-next to London. It tooks months before we were assigined to the local doctor and that was on the notion that we promised to never get sick...literally, they asked me that. Well, having only been in England two months, I had an UTI-awful! Since I didn't have a doctor and wasn't a UK citizen, the only place that would treat me was the AIDS/STD department at the East Surrey hospital. It was awful. (Darrin's company was fortunate enough to offer us private insurance and in time, we learned how to use it, but it wasn't convenient. [We were only allowed to go to two hospitals: Gatwick BUPA and one in downtown London.]) Needless to say, I firmly believe that healthcare is a priviledge, not a right.

School Pictures

Megan (2 years and 10 months old)

Jack (4 years and 7 months old)

Second Year of Preschool at Monte Vista

I can't believe how fast my children ar growing up. Comparing last year's pictures to this year, what a change! Jack is such a little boy and Megan seems to be growing out the toddler stageso quickly (not enough to want to be potty trained though). Oh, I just love them so much! Every mother has to feel that way about her children, as I know that's how I feel about mine. September 2008

Wendy's Chicken Tortilla Soup

Need a fun soup on a Fall Day, here's my sister in law-Wendy's- Tortilla Soup. It looks really yummy to me and so I thought I would share. Enjoy! Or should I say: Bon Appetit!

Wendy's Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 chicken breasts & stuff to boil w/
2 carrots
1 stock celery
1 onion
1 zucchini
1 yellow squash
1 red (or yellow) pepper
1 c Costco corn
1 can diced tomatoes w/ jalapenos
1 can diced tomatoes
4c water
2 Knorr chicken bouillon cubes
1 can diced green chilis
1/2 bunch cilantro

Boil the chicken breasts (with skin & bones) with some carrots, celery, onion, salt, and pepper. Shread the chicken. Save the broth and discard everything else. Skim the fat off the broth. Chop all of the vegetables. In the broth, boil the celery and onion until tender. Add everything else and cook until done. If you want it hotter, add some Cholula. Serve it with cheese and thick tortilla chips.

Ford Family Cookbook

Help!! I am helping (ok, let me rephrase, my sister-Marion-has done most of the work, I am just making the finishing touches) print a new edition to the Ford Family Cookbook. A phrase we so often use in the Ford Family home is: "Never Trust a Skinny Cook." In fact, one year for Christmas, my sister-Marion-had the phrase printed up on a cute block to hang in each of our kitchens. It still hangs... Any who, on the cover of our book, I plan to have it say: "Never Trust a Skinny Cook;" however, I am unsure which picture to go with it. Unless Adam, you would like to draw something up for me. Hint! Hint! (My brother, Adam, is an illustrator for Disney, yes, Disney! You can see his artwork on his blog link below.) In the mean time, please vote on a picture, please, oh please, that you think would look cute on the cover of our recipe book. Thanks!!

Fat Chef #1

Fat Chef #2

Fat Chef #3

Fat Chef #4

Allred Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Allred Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Pedigree - Ancestory