Tracie's World

Or so it was according to Connie Stevens back in the day. I don't know if you remember those old commercials? They had the tagline "Ace is the place with the helpful hardware man". With that as an introduction----Yesterday, I had occasion to run to a hardware store. I needed a couple of things that I figured I could find at Wal-Mart, but seriously, who wanted to hassle with that the day after Christmas? So, it was off to the Ace hardware store in downtown to see if they had what I needed. They most certainly did. Not only that, but the place was full of good-looking men. I think I may be on to something here. Now I just need to figure out what other projects need doing so I have an excuse to go back. Ace is most definitely the place!

As a single woman, I've learned over the years to do some things on my own, tasks that are normally left to men. I take out the garbage, take the car to get the oil changed, get something off a high shelf, etc. I've even discovered ways to open those hard-to-budge jar lids. All this independence has helped me get through the daily chores of life quite nicely. But occasionally, there is the odd thing I can't quite manage, so I've learned to ask for help. Case in point: I drive an older model vehicle on which the cap to where you add the washer fluid broke. Those are pretty difficult to replace, so my father, being the ingenious fellow that he is, discovered that the lid from a bottle of washer fluid fits quite nicely on the reservoir. So that's what I've used for the last couple of years now. Usually I manage to get it on and off pretty well. But - the last time I tried, it was darn near impossible. I fiddled with it, I cursed it, and was ultimately unsuc

Kim Peek died over the weekend. Most of you may not have heard of him, but he was one of the people who served as the inspiration for Dustin Hoffman's character in the movie "Rain Man". He was known as a "mega-savant" and had pretty much total recall of everything he had ever read or heard. His brain was so unique, that NASA even started studying it. I met him only the one time. He and his father came and spoke at my ward several years ago for a Family Home Evening activity. Let me tell you, his abilities were impressive. And it gave me one of my biggest thrills to date when he passed around the actual Best Picture Oscar that was won by "Rain Man" and we all got to hold it. He's the only person I ever met who could give me a run for my money on Academy Awards Trivia.

So we all know how crazy life seems to get in December. We're working, attending all sorts of events, and trying to finish up all the things we haven't done. So last night appeared to be a gift. An evening off in December. As I headed out from the office, I had a lingering suspicion that there was something about the 17th, but I had no idea what it was, so went right on ahead with my plans. First, I ran downtown to the dollar store to pick up a few things there. On my way home, I decided I'd better stop at Albertson's to get a few things there. I arrived home a little after 6:00, exhausted, hormonal and wanting nothing more than a bowl of popcorn and some diet pepsi for dinner. So I get undressed and in my pj's, then put the oil in the pan and get out the popcorn jar. I then realize there is not enough popcorn left. I also at that point realize there is no diet pepsi in the house. So....I put the clothes back on and run out to Smith's, because I knew I

Hi, my name's Tracie and I'm a Mormon. That being said, I've provided enough context for the conversation I had with the receptionist at work today: Christy: (Showing me a photo) What picture is this movie from? Me: Mmmm, Serendipity maybe? Christy: No...you should know this. Me: I should? Christy: (Finally) It's from the movie "Charlie"! Me: How would I know that? I don't watch Mormon movies. They're dumb. Now that I've let the cat out of the bag, I guess I should also confess that I also don't listen to Mormon pop music (other than the original recording of The Forgotten Carols), or read Mormon fiction. So sue me. Let's face it, it's not like most of them are of real quality anyway. When it comes to Mormon music, I'll stick with my MoTab and the hymns of Zion.

Just a shout out to all the wonderful men in my ward. Sometimes we girls may not be real good at recognizing it, but I for one would like to say a big thank you to all those men who graciously provided assistance today. We had a major snowstorm today that arrived just in time for the drive to church, and if there's anything I've learned while I've been in the ward, it's that travel to the church and into the parking lot can be very treacherous in the winter. I arrived early and parked in the clinic parking lot, and as I walked up the hill to the church, there were several of them, Bishopric members included, shoveling the walks and clearing the parking lot. Later, after meetings were over, many of them escorted the sisters down the hill to the clinic, cleaned off cars, pushed cars out of the snow that were stuck, and helped us get around other cars who had blocked us in. They all were my heroes today. Hurray for men!

It's been a mostly good year, and I've had some really good times. Here now are some of my favorites of 2009: Movie - "The Blind Side", followed by "Julie and Julia". Music - The Fleetwood Mac concert experience. TV - NCIS, The Closer, and Burn Notice Books - In non-fiction, the Andrew Jackson biography, "American Lion". In fiction, John Grisham's "The Testament". Restaurant - For a sit-down experience, The Spaghetti Factory and Rio Grande. Fast food, Crown Burger. Food Experience - The excursion to the Shooting Star Saloon, and the French cooking class. New Toy - My 40th birthday Tom Tom GPS, and my IPOD with wireless FM transmitter. Most Unusual - The astro turf vans on the way back from the Salt Flats. Best Surprise - The surprise baseball birthday party my family threw for me in June. New Skill - Kind of baking bread Most Improved - My golf game