The Truth According to Tanya

Keeping an Allergen-Free Home

2011-12-31T13:27:00.000-08:00

The following tips are for preventing a variety of allergy causing situations:

Dust Mite
1) wash bedding weekly in water that is at least 130 degrees.
2) place dust mite covers on mattresses and pillows.
3) replace carpets with solid floors.
4) use low pile instead of shag carpets
5) avoid upholstered furniture, opt for leather or wood.
6) use slipcovers on upholstered furniture and wash in hot water.
7) check filters monthly: air conditioner, furnace, dehumidifier
8) get rid of clutter, dust weekly.

Mold
1) keep bathrooms dry by running a fan when showering.
2) squeegie walls after a shower.
3) use paint or tile instead of wallpaper.
4) fix leaky plumbing immediately.
5) keep humidity below 50% by using a dehumidifier.

Pets
1) keep pets out of the bedrooms.
2) keep pets clean
3) wash pet bedding or clean places they frequently lay down.
4) get hypo-allergenic pets that don't shed.

Pest
1) hire an exterminator if you find bugs.
2) caulk edges where bugs may enter the home.

Keeping the Bath Sink Clean

2011-12-31T10:35:00.000-08:00

We have dual sinks in our master bathroom. My husband uses one, and I use the other. His sink always has toothpaste drips all over the faucet. After watching him to determine why this was, I realized the following:

Water softens the toothbrush bristles, but he was using it to soften the toothpaste on the toothbrush.

I have mentioned this to him, explaining the effect his wet toothpaste has on the faucet. I have invited him to clean his own sink and tried not to look at it. I have frustratingly scrubbed his sink harder and more often than mine. I have given up and ignore him when he is going to brush his teeth.

My opportunity is with my children. They all get out their toothbrushes, wet the bristles, turn off the water, THEN apply toothpaste. They brush while they hum Twinkle Twinkle Little Star twice through, then they turn the water back on and clean their toothbrush, rinse their mouths then the cup. They put their toothbrush in the drawer and get out the floss.

If I am not supervising, I do find toothpaste in various places in the bathroom. On the hand towel, on the shower curtain, in the sink, on the counter. Their bathroom gets cleaned each day and as they grow in maturity and coordination, the mess is less each year. I just use Huggies Natural Care baby wipes for surface cleaning and a nail brush for scrubbing each week. The toilet brush swipes the bowl each day so nothing settles at the water line. The linens are washed regularly and the mirror gets wiped weekly with a natural window cleaner and a lint-free cloth.

In the end, I clean my husbands sink weekly along with the back of the toilet and floors. I love having a clean bathroom. Then I go buy myself a bouquet of flowers for the diningroom table, and smile as I walk through the house or use the bathroom. My husband knows that flowers are less expensive that marriage counseling, and by seeing the flowers I am able to forgive him a wide variety of imperfections. Having something beautiful really makes a difference in the drudgery of house cleaning.

Annual Retrospective

2011-12-31T10:08:00.000-08:00

What if once a year you asked yourself the same questions and wrote them down for future review? On the inside cover of a single subject spiral notebook you could write some meaningful questions, and then on the first page, write the date across the top, and start answering the questions honestly in full detail to give a picture of who you are at the time. Ask yourself about your hopes and dreams, likes and dislikes, pet peeves and lessons learned, things you are most grateful for and your most precious thoughts to be recorded.

The questions may change, and can be added along with the date on the inside cover. On the outside cover you can write Annual Check In, or New Year Journal, or Birthday Review. Pick a date that brings you to do some self-reflecting and keep it in a place where you will remember to check it out each year. Maybe this is a good time to go through your closet and toss clothes you never wear, or move them into the rotation. Maybe this is a good time to look around your house and ask yourself if you are happy with each item you see. Do your surroundings reflect who you want to be? Are you happy in your environment? Is there anything that you would change if you could do whatever you want? Give yourself permission and see what you can accomplish!

I always thought that I was stuck with my backyard the way that I bought it, when I realized that I had the ability to change it. All I really wanted is a tree moved and more grass planted. Those two things are easy to do, especially if I just work on it an hour a week. My yard looks so much more open and inviting without the tree blocking half of the view. I have also been able to trim and remove other greenery that was crowded and spider infested, so my dark corners are cleaned out and less dismal.

As I look into my closet for something to wear, I sigh because I don't love very many of my clothes. Many of them are waiting for me to lose a few pounds, but the ones that I love, love me the way that I am. I have decided to set aside $5 a week to go shopping at the local second hand store. I don't go clothes shopping every week, so it will add up at the end of the month when I find a sitter and spend the better part of an afternoon browsing and trying on gently used clothes. Wearing clothes that make me smile and feel happy about how I look gives me confidence and helps me be the person I want to be.

The things that we surround ourselves with reflects on who we are. If it is cluttered, we are cluttered inside and we may have trouble improving or accomplishing. If it is warm, and inviting, or cold and impersonal, what does that say about us? What are we trying to say with the things that are around us all of the time? Most of the time, setting aside an hour a week is sufficient to make significant changes over a lifetime. One hour focused on an area. Maybe you can do it while you watch tv. Maybe while you are doing laundry. Maybe while you are upset and trying to work something through in your mind.

For my yard, I have committed to filling my green waste bin every single week. The garbage truck comes on Wednesday, around 5:30 or 6am. I usually check the weather report for the week, and choose the warmest day to set aside an hour or two to clearing out fallen leaves, dead brush, weeds, mowing, trimming back overgrowth. I'm done when my bin is full. The rest is saved for the next week. I find it deeply satisfying to make a difference in my yard each week, and feel happier knowing that I am making progress, and maintaining improvements. I'm also satisfied that I'm saving hundreds of dollars by not paying someone else to do it. Also, I've been able to meet more of my neighbors by being outside regularly for hours at a time.

Brain Balance

2011-12-29T13:03:00.000-08:00

The new self improvement thing is called Brain Balance. The brain is made up of two hemispheres. Occasionally, we get stuck with unwanted behaviors because we are unable to cross the median and access both halves of our brain. There are physical activities that we can do to encourage a leap between left brain and right brain such as crawling. The amount of progress that can be made by accomplishing a few simple tasks suggested by a trained professional is astounding.

I suggest the following as a jumping off point:
www.brainbalancecenters.com/
www.braingym.org

May you live long and prosper.

Creating a Gratitude List

2011-12-29T12:45:00.000-08:00

Toward the end of the year or the beginning of a new year, there is much talk about making lists. I was challenged to write a list of 100 things to be grateful for. This seemed immediately daunting, tho I could go incredibly minute, being grateful for each hair on my head, then I found the suggestions below.

List 10 things in each of the following categories that you are grateful for:
physical abilities
material posessions
living people
deceased people
about nature
places on earth
foods
modern inventions
life experiences
things about today

If you write ten things from those ten categories, you have 100 varied items. This is just the jumping off point, and by pondering what else you can be grateful for, I believe you will be surprised and humbled.

Last Thanksgiving the following poem was shared with me, and I've copied a portion of it here:

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times,
For during those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
They give you opportunities to improve.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
They will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
Because it means you've made a difference.

We are reminded to be grateful for our trials and struggles, and I believe that the easiest way to accomplish this seemingly impossible task is to remember the baby bird who has to emerge from its shell on its own, with no help, to gain the strength necessary for its survival.

As a parent it is difficult to see our children struggle. We can solve their problems efficiently and effectively, but if we do this, we rob our children of the opportunity to grow in that instance. Even offering them the solution keeps them from having to think of it themselves or work toward finding a solution and feeling that satisfaction. This is not to say that we cannot ask them questions that will help lead their thinking in another direction or mentor them in some way that still allows them to grow. How rewarding is it for us then, when they do succeed and we see them reveling in their accomplishment? So much better than the general thought of their innocent incompetence when we used to do it for them automatically.

I am grateful for the miracle of conception and for the opportunity to naturally birth 4 growing and struggling children.

Shiny Muffin Tins

2011-11-13T17:37:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it is possible to keep muffin tins as shiny and clean as they are when they come home from the store. I do know that I do not want to take muffins to an event in a dirty muffin tin. I bought new muffin tins, thinking that they would at least look nicer for a few batches than my old tins, and then I had the most brilliant thought!

I bake in my old tins, then I transfer the muffins to the new tin to transport and display them. Win-Win. Hooray for inspiration.

Four in One

2011-07-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

We have the great opportunity to have my parents move in with us. This means that there are changes throughout the house to make room. First I moved all of the children into the larger bedroom. Here are two bunk beds, and along the wall on the right you can see three dressers lined up. There is tons of floor space so that the room doesn't look very crowded. The feedback so far is that they love it. At night usually, Caeli has to go to her room alone, and Cannon has to go to his alone because Kaden stays up with us until he konks out on the couch, then we put him to bed. We only allow this as an alternative to him jumping on Cannon's bed and keeping him up.
It looks very clean and pretty roomy. They each have their stuffed animals on their dressers so that their beds are clean and empty of things that fall on the floor or clutter the beds so that they are hard to make.There is a chair by the book shelves so that I can sit and read to them at night, or sit and read to myself at night while they are struggling to go to sleep and not keep each other up. To the left are the dressers, to the right is the door. They love all being in the same room. Even Kaden was in his bed sound asleep by 830.Their laundry basket is on top of their shoe cube. To the left is the door, to the right is the closet. They each get a row of shoes in the cube. First Sunday shoes, then casual shoes, then tennis shoes. Some of them have more than one of a kind, so they make them fit somehow, or the extra shoes get donated to someone less fortunate. Cai gets the whole inside of the closet for her shoes and hanging clothes. The shoe limit doesn't apply to her.

Immediate Blessing

2011-06-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

I decided to help with the fundraiser dinner and auction in my church that will help send teenage girls to camp for a week. I also decided that I would help with the food by saving up in my weekly budget to donate it, or submitting my receipts for reimbursement if we really couldn't afford it, because my budget was new and I wasn't sure. Overall, I decided on an amount that I was comfortable donating toward the whole event and committed to not exceeding that amount. After the amount I spent on the food, preparing it and bringing it hot, I was able to spend more on the silent auction and then I was also able to spend more at the dessert auction. It was all within the limit I set.

Well, some things came up unexpectedly, and I started to think about submitting those receipts after all, to try to recover some of my cushion money that I keep for unexpected expenses, and after going back and forth, I finally shredded the receipts and decided I'd already spent the money and I would live with the consequences, since it was for a good cause.

The very day that the check cleared the bank, I had someone call me to see if I could watch their child after school for two days, and another person called to see if I was available to watch their child all day on the third day. Within three days, I had recovered the cost of the food and more which I gratefully donated ten percent of as tithing the following Sunday. It is a true testimony that when we are generous with what God has given us, he will bless us again and we are forever in His debt.

How to Learn in the Temple of the Lord

2011-05-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

The following is from a talk given by S. Michael Wilcox on April 28, 2000 called That All Their Outgoings from This House May Be in the Name of the Lord. I highly recommend that you read the entire article from the www.lds.org website. This is only an excerpt of a powerfully enriching talk that he gave at the BYU Women's Conference on that date.

"The Lord tells us that his house is a house of learning. He desires that our outgoings be filled with knowledge. Because we are taught through symbols in the temple, we may not understand and receive all the truth the Lord desires we obtain. We must learn how to learn through symbols. Let me suggest a formula for temple worship that will help you. Much of our ability to receive the power of the temple depends on what we do when we are oustide its walls. We find this formula in 3 Nephi 17.

"Jesus had spent the day teaching the Nephites and Lamanites. It had been a full day, and at its conclusion he said, "I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time" (3 Nephi 17:2). Are your outgoings from the temple ever accompanied by that feeling? You just don't understand all you've experienced and been taught? The Savior understands our weakness and teaches us what to do. We are not to be discouraged, doubtful, or apathetic. We are to do five things: "Therefore, (1) go ye unto your homes, and (2) ponder upon the things which I have said, and (3) ask of the Father, in my name, that yea may understand, and (4) prepare your minds for the morrow, and (5) I come unto you again" (3 Nephi 17:3).

"Sisters, often we only do the first of the Savior's suggestions-we simply go home. Yet, if we desire that our next incoming to the temple be more powerful, we must ponder (which means to deeply reflect) upon our temple experience. We must show the Lord our desire to receive the full benefits of his teaching by sincerely asking him to help us understand.

"There are many ways to prepare our minds to receive the Lord's teaching, but I think the best of all is to go to the temple hungering after insight and knowledge. As a teacher I know how wonderful it is to teach a class of students who hunger for the truth. The temple uses "teacher" words to help us prepare our minds to learn. We must be alert, and attentive, and reverent. If these words reflect our attitude, we are prepared to receive. Last of all we must return, as frequently as our circumstances allow."

What a great talk. As I reflect on my past temple experiences, I guess I fall under the apathetic category, not hungering, or praying for understanding, just thinking about myself, wanting answers to other questions in my life. I have since committed to attend weekly, and and will work harder at pondering and asking and preparing and hungering to understand the mysteries of God and all that He desires to teach me.

Where Did I Park?

2011-04-25T19:15:00.000-07:00

I have had many cars in my life, and I don't always remember which one I just recently drove to get where I am at any given moment. Sometimes I'm even in a borrowed car. I got tired of wandering around parking lots, trying to remember which car I drove, and where I parked it.

The Solution:
I always park in the lane right outside the front door of the store. Sure, a lot of people park there, and so if I have to park a little farther down the lane, that is good exercise for me, right? Many times there is an open spot within 10 stalls from the door. Sometimes I put all my kids in the cart and run as fast as I can and jump on and we all take a ride, and soon enough we've found our car. That makes it fun, and when I recognize our car, the journey is through.

The only times this doesn't work is at sporting events or airports where the nearest spots always fill up first, and you may have no idea what row you are in, so in those cases it is best to let the crowd leave before you and have them find their cars first, then yours in much easier to find.

This also works for "where is the end of the tape?" If you are conscious about how you set down the roll of masking or painter's tape, you will know that the end is right where you put it, and you don't really have to turn it several times to see where it opens.

The Easter Bunny Illusion

2011-04-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

My kids go shopping with me for stuff to put in their Easter baskets, and I ask them which candy they want within the price range I'm willing to spend, and they are so excited for a whole week asking every day, is today Easter? Is the Easter bunny coming today? Can we eat our Easter bunnies today? The funny thing is that they saw me buy the candy! While they are sleeping, I set the candy out in their different baskets. They saw me buy stuff for Todd, and when they wake Sunday morning, they are so excited that the Easter bunny came. They say, look dad what the Easter bunny brought you! He is the only one that is really surprised because he misses most of the shopping excursions around here.

It is the same process for Christmas. They see me buy things to go in their stockings. They know that Santa puts it in their stockings while they are sleeping. They have something to tell everyone who asks what did Santa bring them. So, why keep up the image? I think that they appreciate it. I'm not being obvious about pointing out the contradiction, I'm just going along with what they say, and doing what I do right in front of them. I'm not telling them that those things don't exist, because I believe in the magic of the moment. Mostly I let them be with me in the store because I hate guessing what someone wants, only to have them not really want it, and then I wasted that money and they are unhappy because they really wanted the other one. This way, everyone gets exactly what they wanted, they know that they will be getting what they want, and we are all happy.

The Envelope Method

2011-04-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

I have a pretty basic budget. I use a spreadsheet to list my monthly bills along with the due date and estimated amount. When the actual bill comes, I update my budget, pay it, and mark the date it cleared my account. At the top, I have our income, then a formula that subtracts each bill and gives me an ending balance. I carry that balance to the new month and continue on into the future, adjusting as needed to see exactly how long it will be until we are able to save up a few paychecks in case of emergency.

It is fun to see when the car loan will be paid off, and when the cell phone contract will be up and we can lower our bill by $20 each month if we don't opt for the "free phone upgrade" which is really code for "pay another $20/mo for two years". I have my annual expenses listed in the month that they appear so that I can make sure that I have enough in the account to cover those when they come. Property tax and car insurance are both twice in a year, and large enough to drown us if we forget to set aside money to cover them in those two months. I just wish that they could be a monthly debit from my account, but the property tax can only be once or twice a year, and the car insurance charges interest if we try to make a monthly payment for "financing" us.

Most of my budget is made up of fixed expenses like trash pick up, and then I have expected expenses but the amount varies each instance like electricity. We use credit cards and pay them off each month to improve our credit rating. It started out as a great way to get cash back on every purchase by putting them on the credit card, but the cash back is only 1% and the amount I overspend just to get more cash back was slowly bankrupting us as we paid them off each month. So after a hard look at the budget, I have decided to put the cell phone bill on one card, the water and garbage bill on another card, and then use the third card for gasoline and medical charges. All other regular bills are deducted directly from our checking account. For food and other discretionary spending, I have committed to using cash, unless I discuss the expense with my husband first because that means that it will be coming out of the money that we are using to pay off our debts, and then trying to put away into savings.

Using cash is scary because suddenly I am very afraid of not having enough money at the cash register. Today was my first cash purchase. I was going to stock up on a few items, and realized that I might not have enough money in my pocket to stock up, if I wanted to make it all the way through the week without running out of money. So I bought one of what I needed and one extra and left the store with change. Later in the day, I had to run to a different store to pick up some things for dinner because we were having company and needed potatoes and salad to go with our turkey. Again, I bought only what I needed, and left with change in my pocket. I didn't realize how addicted I am to impulse shopping. A few extra things here and there really add up on my credit card statement but they are hard to pinpoint because they are hidden in my food receipts.

I am not very good at managing cash, and want to be able to set aside some cash for different things like clothes shopping, pets, date night. I went to the dollar store to purchase some snack sized ziplock baggies. I was looking for the kind with the zipper, but they only had those in the sandwich size at this store, so I got the kind you see here. Then I took some plain index cards and wrote category names on them and put them each in their own baggie. I also took the store cards that relate to each category and put them in the appropriate baggie.

My clothes envelope says to set aside $5 each week to go toward clothes, shoes, underwear, etc. I have a Goodwill frequent shopper's card that gets punched each purchase, and if there is a $10 off coupon in the mail, it goes in there too. I always shop on the half price days. School shopping is coming up in the fall, and I will need to buy new sneakers and Sears jeans that guarantee no knee holes before the kid outgrows the pants, so I really have to start saving up for those. I generally consider clothing to be disposable because I am not very good at getting stains out, but I always buy new shoes and underwear.

My movie envelope says to set aside $3 each week, and I can have this cash added to my movie gift card to safe guard it from getting commandeered into another fund. I love movies and even when there isn't anything good out, I reserve the right to set aside money for the next time in case several good movies come out in the same week. (We have a discount theatre where admission is only $3.)

My food envelope has the shopping cards that relate to the stores I buy food at along with the cash that has not been set aside for the other categories. If I want to buy snack size baggies, it comes from this general fund, reminding me that I am spending money that is also to go toward food. This is very helpful when prioritizing whether I "need" something or not if it means I might have to sacrifice food to get it. In my food envelope I also keep coupons.

I know a lot of people who live on a lot less money than I do, and I have discovered that most everyone I know spends most everything they earn, no matter the amount, people seem to all live paycheck to paycheck, and it is such a rat race. They all think that earning more is the answer, but I have discovered that it is living on less that is the answer. To put this knowledge into practice, I am switching to cash and limiting myself to a fixed amount every Monday. My goal for the week is to make it until the next Monday with money left over. If I can do this, I WIN! and beat the rat race every week that I am successful because the amount I take out is not the rest of my paycheck, it is what I need to live on and that leaves a significant amount left over to pay off debts or transfer into savings.

The experts say that everyone should have 3 months of expenses in savings in case of job loss or disability to get through the transitional time until unemployment, financial aid, or the insurance kicks in. In this economy though, the experts have extended this cushion to 6 months, and even recommend a year, because you could be out of a job for a year once you find yourself unemployed. By living without a few luxuries like a gardener or dishwasher or a home phone, or the data package on my cell phone, I am saving real money each month to pay off my debts and then put into certificates of deposit.

CDs are federally insured and have a guaranteed rate of return, much higher than my interest paying savings account. If I open a 12-month CD every month, then after 12 months have gone by, I will have 12 CDs, and every month from then on, I can add to each one, thus increasing my security and keeping up with inflation by rolling the interest earned back in. The CDs are not immediately available, but I can have a check within 10 days if I have to close one and withdraw the money, and I only forfeit the interest I haven't earned. Any amount earned on a CD is negated if you are paying interest on anything, so pay off debts first, then start building your savings.

Update: I had almost half of my weekly allowance left over from last week, so I created a few more envelopes for things that I have to save up for. For example, the most economical way to purchase cat food is by the case because my pet store gives me a 5% discount on it. So a case of food and two bags of litter is almost one third of my weekly allowance and that warrants a special envelope to set aside one fourth every week because a case lasts a month. Another item that deserves to be saved up for is printer ink. This item is almost three-fourths of my weekly budget, but I'm not sure how long it lasts. Next time I install one into my printer, I will write the date installed on it so that I can budget it out.

I can also leave envelopes home if I'm not planning to use them while out on my various excursions. I have a smaller purse that fits my phone and keys, lipstick and envelopes so that is better than carrying around all of my cash everywhere I go.

Dermatologist Endorsed Skin Care

2011-04-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

Female Dermatologists with the best skin share their own skin care regimens, according to More.com.

1. Use a cleanser with horsepower: Most lather up with formulas filled with glycolic or lactic acid to accelerate exfoliation, and salicylic acid to unclog pores and make them appear smaller. Use morning and evening.

2. Fight free radicals on the inside and outside: Free radicals from air pollution and sunshine and are the primary cause of fine lines and uneven tone. Minimize future wrinkles and blotchiness with antioxidants. Apply a serum or cream that contains a free-radical fighter such as vitamin C, phloretin, idebenone, green tea, or coffeeberry every morning, after cleansing and before putting on sunscreen. Eat yogurt smoothies with antioxidant rich fruit like blueberries or acai.

3. Protection is a priority: Applying sunscreen is as important as brushing your teeth. UV exposure is the chief cause of premature wrinkles and discoloration. Foundation can be purchased that contains a second layer of sunscreen protection.

4. Use Retin-A: Dead skin cells clog pores and give skin an ashy appearance. After exfoliating in the evening, slather on a retinoid cream (a topical form of vitamin A found in prescriptions as Retin-A and Renova or over the counter as retinol) which has been shown to speed up the rate at which the body sheds dead skin. Vitamin A also stimulates collagen production which makes the skin look plumper and fine lines smoother, and normalizes cells exposed to UV rays undoing sun damage. Prescription strengths should be used less often if skin becomes irritated such as a 15 minute mask once a week.

5. Plump it up: Use hyaluronic acid fillers to plump up crevices such as crow's feet, nasolabial folds, forehead lines. Botox or Dysport injections can also be used three or four times a year, considered moderate useage.

6. Maintain skin bounce: Over the retinoids apply a topical containing peptides or a growth factor. Most peptide and growth factor creams are hydrating, so you won't need an additional moisturizer. Body temperatures rise while sleeping, and the heat helps products penetrate skin better.

7. Sleep on your back: Sleeping on your face etches wrinkles into your skin, and fluid pools on the side of the face that is pressed against the pillow, stretching out the skin. Use a pillow that cradles your head and neck so that it is easier to lie on your back.

8. Exercise for better skin: Working out improves circulation and reduces stress, benefits that help appearance. Keep worries off your face. Stress hormone epinephrine causes constriction of blood flow and makes your skin lose its glow. Stop high impact workouts once you turn 40. Over time, it causes tiny tears in the microscopic attachments in the skin which will lead to sagging.

My Birthday Boy

2011-03-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's time for another birthday. Seems like I just posted all of the pictures from each year of him having birthdays already. Here is his current photo. He is very nearly 4 feet tall. Woops, that pic has all of his front teeth. Let me find a more current one...

Oh well, I guess they are on my cell phone. I'll try to download them and post them here later.

The Importance of Stretching

2011-03-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

I have had problems with my feet and jaw. My podiatrist suggested that I buy custom orthopedics and the expensive shoes that they fit in. I did. Then I talked to my chiropractor who said that people with that kind of foot pain always have calf muscles that are super tight. I did. He suggested that I spend some quality time stretching out my calf muscles. Later on my own, I realized that the stretch really needed to stretch up my hamstring and into my glutes. My jaw has given me trouble since I had 8 teeth pulled and braces as a teen. All of the dentists ask about and verify that I have trouble with my TemporalMandibularJoint, but none of them have any suggestions other than not doing things that aggravate it like chewing gum. Then I went to my holistic doctor and he had me open my mouth while he pressed really hard on a muscle or tendon right that opens and closes my jaw and it hurt! To avoid it next time, I stretched my mouth open as wide as I could and really tried to stretch everything holding my jaw to my head. It worked. I no longer have jaw joint pain. I can chew gum. I can stretch it out. What a difference to not feel like a gimp.

More Teeth Lost

2011-03-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

Within a week Cannon lost all 3 loose front teeth. I was afraid that he might lose two on the same day, on a Sunday specifically, because then the Toothfairy would have come up short. Typically, our children get a golden dollar for each lost tooth, then we get them to give it back to us "for safe keeping" before they lose it, and usually after they have had a day or two to play with and admire it, and I catch them leaving it places where it could get lost. Of course, we have only one golden dollar, so we keep using the same one over and over, so we had never planned on a kid losing two teeth in one day, and so far so good.

He lost one tooth on Thursday, the smaller one on the right in this picture. Then Saturday he was playing as boys do and his cousin bumped Cannon's mouth with his elbow. Cannon reached up and pulled his tooth out. Then I told him that the tooth in the middle isn't going to last long without its friends to protect it, and each day it would become looser until today when he could blow it around, and it was hanging by a thread.

Cai bribed him with some Doritos if he would let her tie a string around it and tie the other end to the doorknob and he said yes. She got the string around his tooth, and then tied it to the doorknob, and just as she was going to slam the door shut, he turned his head and it was enough to pull the tooth out. She was frustrated that she didn't get to carry out her master plan, but we were all happy that the third tooth was finally out. You can already see where the new tooth is coming in.

The Tortoise and The Hare

2011-03-10T10:09:00.001-08:00

I was the kind of idealist person that swore that I would always get my kids the best shoes for support for their feet, no matter the expense. Now, 4 kids later, I watch fondly as my 3yo son runs ahead with his shoes at least 2 sizes too big. You have to understand that he will not wear any other shoes. These shoes came from his cousin whom he adores. They also have Lightening McQueen on them, who he also loves. They also light up. Enough said. At least he's wearing shoes, right? If they don't like their shoes, they come off all the time, and I really hate having to put shoes on over again. He can put these on all by himself, and he wants to, and that is the point.

So today is a lovely day. We decided to walk to school. The morning chill is only chilly in the shade. We didn't need jackets. We are still wearing pants because the shorts season isn't until spring break. Still, it was comfortable and I pushed Kaden in the stroller all the way there. On the way back, he said, "Stop the stroller, I need to run!" So I stopped pushing him, he got out and started running ahead. After 50 feet, he stops, out of breath, and pants until I get within 10 feet and he turns and takes off running the next 50 feet. After 1/4 mile of this, I ponder the story of The Tortoise and The Hare. This must have been written about a 3yo. At this age, there is not the endurance or stamina of someone better trained, they simply feel the need to run, and so they do. Then they get winded, and so they stop. I, unfortunately, was the tortoise. I was walking a brisk pace, but I wasn't about to try to run to keep up with him, because I know that he is just about to stop anyway, so I will catch up soon enough. I could run and catch him if needed, but he is just getting his exercise in, so off he goes.

I was watching his form when he runs, and was impressed with how good it is. His stride is long, and he moves fast. He knows I can catch him if I want. The rest of his life, when he has bolted away from me, I was very quick to catch him and stop the chase so that it wasn't ever much of a game. Even if he got a head start, I did have the endurance to catch him soon enough. I am so proud of him and look forward to watching him as he continues to grow and develop. I will encourage and comfort, and even buy him some new shoes once in a while.

The Personal Hand and the Public Hand

2011-02-24T22:39:00.001-08:00

I have a trick that I learned that helps me minimize the types of germs that get spread. I have two hands, and they are designated different duties.

My right hand is offered as a handshake. It is also the one that I use to open doors, or touch things that other people have touched.

My left hand is mine, kept to myself, and used if I have an itch on my nose or an eyelash in my eye. I use my left hand to catch a cough or a sneeze if my elbow or a tissue cannot.

This helps me not contaminate others with my germs, and more importantly, it keeps other peoples germs off of my person, unless of course they sneeze or cough directly on me.

I do wash my hands before eating, after toileting, before cooking, and when I arrive home from a public place like grocery shopping that uses both hands. This is just an additional precaution.

Helping Others Change

2010-12-09T10:13:00.001-08:00

This article is amazing because it identifies that we cannot make anyone do anything, they have to do it for themselves. So it explains that to get out of their way, we have to stop trying to control them, and work on finding our own limits, and setting boundaries, and using our words in a helpful way. Enjoy!

http://now.eloqua.com/es.asp?s=567&e=109406&elq=c623c2f1059e4cd0aac681a8a3186736

"If you want to increase your influence, give up any desire to control your their behavior. In fact, the first question you should ask yourself is, "How can I prepare myself for this behavior to continue forever?" You need to get to the point that you decide how you will control your own choices without centering your life on their choices. If, in the extreme case, you would prefer to live without them rather than with their problem, you need to be clear on that. If you can cope with the problem and would prefer to continue the relationship, lovingly, maturely, and respectfully set boundaries to make it work. Don't "use" these boundaries as a way to manipulate them.

"Help them motivate themselves. The most common question we're asked by those trying to influence a loved one is, "How can I help them want to change?" When it comes to personal change, the answer is, you can't. However, you can influence their personal motivation in two ways:

"Stop standing between them and consequences. Direct experience is life's great teacher, but we often undermine people's motivation to change by standing between them and the natural consequences they would otherwise feel. For example, a drug addict who is financially supported by those who want him to change is protected from the financial misery that might help him connect his choices with consequences he doesn't like. The first thing you and your family can do is examine the ways in which you enable their actions by not letting them experience the natural consequences of this behavior. If you are doing this, find a healthy way to change. If the change will be jarring to them, be sure to have a crucial conversation to help them understand what you will change and why."

"Help them find their own reasons to change. With most bad habits, people have moments of clarity. Moments when we feel a desire to change. Skillful influencers can help others extend the potency of these moments by reacting with a motivational interview rather than a motivational speech. A motivational interview is a simple, structured way to help others explore and crystallize their own reasons to change and plan for doing so rather than taking control and forcing our own agenda on them. How you react during small moments of motivation can either help others capitalize on them or overpower them with your own well-intended but overwhelming motivations."

I also highly recommend the book "I Don't Have To Make Everything All Better" by Gary and Joy Lundberg. It goes into great detail about a variety of unhealthy relationships and how to best set your own boundaries and stick to them.

Picture Day 2010

2010-11-24T12:13:00.000-08:00

I like to take protraits of my kids myself, because I like to try to capture their best in the picture. I attempt this once a year, when school starts, so that I have enough time to see the growth each year. Here is one kid...

You see, he really likes to have his picture taken, so eventually he will smile for the camera. My other son learned from his cousins that taking pictures is more fun if you make impossible faces, plus he really likes to be silly, so it is super hard to get a good portrait of him. My favorite is last, and it's off center. Sigh.

2010 First Day of School

2010-09-10T16:20:00.000-07:00

The first day of school year 2010-2011. They were so excited to wear their school clothes, and make their lunches, and carry their backpacks. Even Kaden had a backpack, even tho he doesn't yet need it. And I made Cannon a lunch on accident because he gets out of Kinder before lunchtime. His teacher asked him to keep it in his backpack, and he ate it when he got home.

Kindergarden will be great for Cannon. He practiced all last year in preschool for the routines and tasks that he will be expected to perform and participate in. It is okay if he doesn't since he is cautious, but the more he does, the more he will learn because we learn by doing. He loves his class and his teacher said that he was doing really well already.

I was able to go into her classroom before school with her and find her desk, meet her teacher, and get settled before the school bell rang. She sits back to back with a friend from last year, so that helped her feel more comfortable in her new surrounding.

Cutest Cowboy Ever

2010-09-10T16:18:00.000-07:00

Is he not the cutest cowboy ever? Can you imagine him in 20 years on a horse tipping his hat to the ladies? They will swoon as I do now.

The Second Lost Tooth

2010-09-10T16:07:00.000-07:00

Within 3 days of the first one, he lost the second.

Playing at Indians

2010-09-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

The boys were playing Indians so Caeli was kind enough to make headbands with feathers for them. She spent a long time coloring and then cutting and taping them. Cannon put his on his dog. I didn't really understand the game, and they were really playing together for quite a long time. They both had headdresses and six shooters and dogs.

Too Tired to Eat

2010-09-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

Nap Time !!

Birthday Boy!

2010-09-10T14:52:00.000-07:00

At 3 years old he is now too old for the class he has been attending since he was 18 months.

Episode Angst Cured by Netflix

2010-09-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

I have a hard time going from week to week to see what happens next in a series. This is true both in books and television. I'm sure it is designed that way so that the viewer/reader is sure to catch the next episode when it is available. I, however, do not like to be baited. I would much rather know that it is a good show/book, and then wait until the whole series is complete, and then view/read the entire series at one time. Sure it is time consuming, but it couldn't be more time consuming than all of those times I spend trying to remember what happened last, thinking about what will happen next, and wondering if there is a new episode ready to be devoured. I like to immerse myself in what I am doing, and it sure is easier to keep plot lines straight when only watching one show at a time.

Netflix is great for this because you can get entire seasons all at once. Hulu is not so great because they tend to only have 5 or 6 episodes at a time, which is great if you need to catch up after missing it for a few weeks, but not great if you just found a great show and want to see all of the episodes in order.

Netflix is also great for watching shows you don't want to own, but do want to see at least once.

Cannon's First Lost Tooth

2010-08-27T14:46:00.001-07:00

We were having some eggs. Cannon wanted bread with his, and he was making an egg sandwich, folding the bread like a taco around the egg and biting into it with his loose tooth. His tooth wasn't very loose. Not like some you see hanging from a thread. He could wiggle it, and it did hang out at an odd angle here and there, but I figured it was weeks from falling out.

Good thing he noticed that it fell out because it looked just like the scrambled eggs in his mouth. He put it under his pillow and the tooth fairy brought him a golden dollar coin, just like his sister gets for her loose teeth. She has had many. She's showing off her six new teeth, and the holes where two more have fallen out.

And not to be left out, Kaden wants the same attention and is sure that he has loose teeth, and even that one fell out while he was eating eggs, too.

Easy Exercise Trick

2010-08-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

I bought my little boy some new shoes. These ones light up. His new favorite thing to do for hours while everyone is at school is run up and down my darkened hallway. If my carpet can stand it, he is getting a lot of exercise.

Readers Den Award

2010-08-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

In elementary school there are many goals for the students, and those who achieve these goals are rewarded. Caeli accomplished the requirements for Readers Den in first grade which includes reading 50 books and completing 8 book projects in the second half of the school year. She received an award and got to attend a fun assembly with a terrific entertainer and enjoy an ice cream sunday afterwards.

She also learned all of her math facts and could pass off the 60 problem timed addition and subtraction tests, as well as learning 14 lists of sight words. She has become quite the reader, though she wishes she knew how to read more words as her appetite for reading is voracious.

Speech Graduate

2010-08-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

Cannon graduated from speech class. This is his last day after 2 years of speech lessons from the local elementary school. His articulation is fantastic. They say that prosody will come with time. We hope that having two years working on speech and language twice a week will give him a boost in the elementary education he is about to embark on in kindergarden this fall. I am so proud of him.

The Ball Pool

2010-08-10T21:05:00.001-07:00

Kaden loves to be buried in the little pool filled with these balls. He says, "bury me, mom" and so I do and he giggles the whole time, then pops up to surprise me.

The Weston A. Price Foundation

2010-08-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

https://www.westonaprice.org/about.html

About the Foundation

Read this article in: Danish French German Italian Japanese Polish Russian Spanish Swedish

The Weston A. Price Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity founded in 1999 to disseminate the research of nutrition pioneer Dr. Weston Price, whose studies of isolated nonindustrialized peoples established the parameters of human health and determined the optimum characteristics of human diets. Dr. Price's research demonstrated that humans achieve perfect physical form and perfect health generation after generation only when they consume nutrient-dense whole foods and the vital fat-soluble activators found exclusively in animal fats.

The Foundation is dedicated to restoring nutrient-dense foods to the human diet through education, research and activism. It supports a number of movements that contribute to this objective including accurate nutrition instruction, organic and biodynamic farming, pasture-feeding of livestock, community-supported farms, honest and informative labeling, prepared parenting and nurturing therapies. Specific goals include establishment of universal access to clean, certified raw milk and a ban on the use of soy formula for infants.

The Foundation seeks to establish a laboratory to test nutrient content of foods, particularly butter produced under various conditions; to conduct research into the "X Factor," discovered by Dr. Price; and to determine the effects of traditional preparation methods on nutrient content and availability in whole foods.

The board and membership of the Weston A. Price Foundation stand united in the belief that modern technology should be harnessed as a servant to the wise and nurturing traditions of our ancestors rather than used as a force destructive to the environment and human health; and that science and knowledge can validate those traditions.

The Foundation's quarterly journal, Wise Traditions in Food, Farming, and the Healing Arts, is dedicated to exploring the scientific validation of dietary, agricultural and medical traditions throughout the world. It features illuminating and thought-provoking articles on current scientific research; human diets; non-toxic agriculture; and holistic therapies. The journal also serves as a reference for sources of foods that have been conscientiously grown and processed.

Shopping with Boys

2010-08-10T18:05:00.001-07:00

This is at the grocery store. They have the cutest little carts, just their size, and small enough that I cannot just reach down and help direct them. I alternate putting things in either cart, sometimes asking them who wants it in their cart, and sometimes just taking turns. Sometimes I even let them get away with "sneaking" something of their own choice into their own carts.

Other times, I just put them both into the cart and add stuff that I want to buy into the part where the baby is supposed to sit, or on their laps if they feel ownership over it, or under the cart if it is too big to fit in the basket with them. They like it when I run fast and ride on the cart with them through the parking lot. In this picture Kaden is silly with his glasses on upside down. They love wearing sunglasses in the sun. The rule is that they have to leave them in the car so they don't get lost. I made an exception this time because they were contained, however Kaden kept wanting me to hold his, which I didn't because I was shopping, so he threw them in the store and didn't want them anymore. I saved them, but don't know where they are today. They aren't in the car.

Being Pinned Down

2010-08-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

The best way to get my 2yo to nap is to go and lay down with him and pretend to be asleep. The more believeable I am, the easier he falls asleep. Sometimes though, I fall asleep and he doesn't. I like to take a 15 minute nap, which basically is that once I wake up enough to realize I was alseep, I'm good to go. He likes to take a 2-3 hour nap, otherwise he is cranky and difficult the rest of the day, wanting everything and not wanting it when he gets it, spiraling downward into a blubbery, sad mess.

He has a sense of nearness to me, even when he is sleeping. If I leave the house for any amount of time, he will wake up immediately. If we are touching when he is asleep and I leave, he will get up to come find me. The best thing is if I can stay still near him and read a book until he wakes by himself. If I forget to take a book in with me, I'm stuck cleaning out text messages, updating my phonebook, or playing games on my phone. Normally, the other kids are entertaining themselves, so it is a nice quiet time for the two of us.

He likes my arm to be his pillow, and his legs over my leg. He calls it cuddles.

Beauty Everywhere

2010-08-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

I am happy each time I drive home and see a flower poking through my neighbors fence. I have wanted to express this happiness previously, but it isn't the best time to take a picture when I am driving home in my car. This day I was out for a walk with my kids and had my camera with me.

A Call for Respect

2010-08-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

A judge has ruled against the twice voted will of the California people, declaring Proposition 8 as unconstitutional. This means that the issue will be appealed to the federal courts to decide if a state has the right to set up its own laws.

The LDS church has issued a statement calling for "people on all sides of this issue to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward those with a different opinion.”

This sounds like good advice to me. I have included the text of the links below, should something happen to them in the future.

Friday, August 06 2010
The Newest California Fault Line: Judge Rules Prop 8 UnconstitutionalBy Spencer Anderson National observers are saying the ruling this week on Prop 8 could become the Roe v. Wade of marriage.-->

Written by
Spencer Anderson

A landmark court ruling came down from Judge Vaughn Walker in California Wednesday. He concluded that Proposition 8—California’s ban on same-sex marriage—is unconstitutional. The proposition was supported by an overwhelming seven million California’s. 52% of voters decided to overturn a decision made by California’s state Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage. Even before Judge Walker ruled, both sides stated that they would appeal and send the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Until the appeals process is complete, it’s likely no change in the law will occur.

Supporters say that Prop 8 protects the traditional form of marriage between a man and a woman, while opponents say gay couples are unfairly discriminated against under the law.
Religious and conservative groups, which sponsored Proposition 8, have asked the court to stay Walker's decision so that gay couples could not legally marry while the case is in the appeals process.

The case is historic because it marks the first time a federal court will decide whether a state can constitutionally bar same-sex couples from getting married.

The suit, which kicked off this January, pitted Proposition 8 against the U.S. Constitution. Homosexual activists, led by powerhouse attorneys like Ted Olson and David Boies, claim that the state's marriage amendment violates the "civil rights" of same-sex couples under the U.S. Constitution. The National Organization for Marriage has stated that, “It's important for Americans to recognize that with this decision, it ceases to be a California case. Since supporters of the law have promised an appeal, it means that this will become a national issue.”
Again, “Although the media keeps referring to it as "the Prop 8" case, this lawsuit has the ability to affect every marriage law in America because Judge Walker ruled that defining marriage as the union of a man and woman violates the federal Constitution--and if that ruling is upheld all the way through the Supreme Court--it would mean that same-sex "marriage" would be legal in all 50 states.

This would serve to overrule the will of the people all in states that have passed laws stating that marriage is only between one man and one woman; essentially every federal statute and state amendment. Only five states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage. That makes this case, quite literally, the Roe v. Wade of marriage.” Just like the recent ruling from a judge in Boston who ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, we are seeing judicial arrogance yet again with Judge Walker. This judicial oligarchy disrupts the voice of the people in over majority of states that have struck down gay marriage.

The appeal of this case will go to the liberal 9th Circuit court of appeals, which will likely support Judge Walker’s ruling, but would then be appealed to the Supreme Court. With the current makeup of the court, there is a good chance that Proposition 8 would be upheld and perhaps a more ironclad ruling will be made in support of traditional marriage. In a bit of irony, the supporters of gay marriage may have shot themselves in the foot by bringing this suit against Prop 8 now given the timing and natural process of the appeal process. In fact, there were many gay activists who resisted this lawsuit against Prop 8 at this time for this very reason.

Regardless, this current ruling is a striking example of judicial activism that needs to be dealt with by appointing judges who do not legislate from the bench. Unfortunately, we are likely going to see more rulings like this in the future, which is why a federal marriage amendment may be a necessary next step.

Friday, August 06 2010
LDS Church Statement on Prop 8 RulingBy Prepared by LDS Newsroom The Church issued a statement expressing regret over the ruling in a U.S. Dictrict Court in California calling Proposition 8 unconstitutional. -->

Written by
Prepared by LDS Newsroom

The Church issued the following statement today in response to the ruling by Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al:

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regrets today’s decision. California voters have twice been given the opportunity to vote on the definition of marriage in their state and both times have determined that marriage should be recognized as only between a man and a woman. We agree. Marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of society.

“We recognize that this decision represents only the opening of a vigorous debate in the courts over the rights of the people to define and protect this most fundamental institution—marriage.

“There is no doubt that today’s ruling will add to the marriage debate in this country, and we urge people on all sides of this issue to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward those with a different opinion.”

Little People

2010-08-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

How can I possibly remember how little my children once were unless I take pictures of their tinyness?

This is Kaden doing a computer puzzle. He isn't doing the puzzle on the screen, he is changing it to a six piece puzzle which he can solve in 1-3 minutes. He has learned how to click only the left mouse button, and how to navigate the jigzone website to get what he wants on the screen. He has learned how to take turns, so that he solves a "pah zoh" and then he sets one up for me that I solve. He will turn 3 next month and he is quite the mimic of his older siblings. This is the swing at grandma's house. It will fit two small children sitting, or one laying down.

Moving Time

2010-07-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

I moved some furniture around. When I redecorated last summer, I always wished that the piano was opposite the desk. I really wanted to try it, and so I did. I moved the piano. This meant that I could add another couch, and that I had to also move 4 bookshelves, and reorganize both the livingroom and familyroom. I do like it better. I could do some finishing touches by centering the bookshelves and adjusting the pictures on the wall, but I'm not going to worry about it for now.
We were able to use it that same day as a nice conversation area for 5 adults, and 3 little kids and we were all comfortable. I put some toys on the coffee table for the kids to build with, and later I put a veggie plate out with smaller plates for ranch dressing to help the kids eat their veggies. It was a hit. I can't wait for more people to come over and see if they notice and like the change. With the couch on the end, it makes the area much larger than it was previously. For the "before" pictures, you'll have to find my original post last June about redecorating.

Social Networking

2010-07-14T19:58:00.001-07:00

Ok, I am a fan of having a central location where everyone you know can send and receive notes all together. What I am not a fan of is all of those other things that end up as "friends" because you like them, or join their group because this gives them access to all of your information even tho they are not really your trusted friends. Who knows who has created the groups that you are joining or liking, and adding to your profile? What kind of person has created that group and what do they want from everyone joining them, other than winning a popularity contest. It is easy to create a group under an alias and give it a catchy name that will get lots of popularity votes, likes, and joins, then you have access to all of their personal info, kids names, locations, schools, and whatever other private info you feel safe posting because everyone is your "friend".

I was reading in the Reader's Digest about cyber-stalking where they go in as someone that you are a friend of, and they instant message you asking for help, gleaming personal info from your profile to sell you on it, and they have been highly successful in getting money from people. You list someone as your relative, you post their birthday, you have your favorite quotes, etc. and it's not too hard to pretend like you know them and need their help.

I went through and sorted my friends into those near me, those far away from me, and relatives, and then I seriously removed 52 friends that I don't really know very well, or don't ever see or plan to see whether near or far. I also removed myself from all groups and fans of whatever. This way I can focus on the ones that I do have, most of the 110 still left are relatives and I do want to keep up with them more than an acquaintance who posts all of the time. I also changed my privacy settings so that only my relatives can see everyone who is my friend. This I think will prevent a lot of problems, and I feel better about not having my city, state and birthday listed for strangers to see.

I do have "in real life" friends, and really only get online once a day for 15 mins, or once every few days for an hour, so the less to check, the better. I can scan most of my 20 daily messages in email because they are notices of what has happened to my facebook account which saves me from having to sign in, unless I need to respond to something. I'm still friends with everyone I see at church, so I keep up with people I talk to regularly. I am happier overall when I go out with my friends or family, rather than posting my feelings on facebook. I had a movie night last Tuesday and we went to see Eclipse, and this Friday we are having a game night. I also belong to two book clubs and am friends with them on facebook. I am friends with my local mayor. That is fun to hear about what she is doing and how I can help.

Doing Cute Laundry

2010-05-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

There's not much that little kids like more than being in baskets or boxes or buckets. This is the laundry channel, and they are enjoying their up close view of the clothes swirling in the front loading washing machine.

Paper Shred Party

2010-05-23T19:42:00.001-07:00

The paper this year made a lot of dust, so there was much sneezing, and it took some time to clear the air. This was great fun for everyone in the middle of it. Kaden came and went as did Cannon, but Caeli was in it the whole time and is the one that tracked it into our house 10 miles away.

Prom Stuff

2010-05-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

It is hard to find the perfect prom hair. Especially when you have so much hair. This was very skillfully straightened, and pinned flat against the head. Then all of the ends were swirled and pinned artfully without any pins showing.

Cannon Speech Graduation

2010-05-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you Miss Beth for the fifth and final semester at the local university speech clinic. Cannon learned so much about intonation and prosody, and his speech is much more fluid these days. He loved the friendly banter and will always be grateful to all of his speech pathologists who have helped to make him a more confident growing boy.

Hailstorm

2010-04-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

We thought we were done with cold rainy days, because it felt like it was 80 degrees during the last week, and all of the previous rain had long since evaporated. They forecasted rain for Saturday, then pushed it back to Sunday, and it did rain a little off and on, then when we thought that was it, it really let loose and rained so hard you could hear it through the vents in your roof, and see sheets of it coming down out every window. There was lightening and thunder just a second or two behind which was really exciting. We didn't lose power, but our clocks went back to zero and the computer turned off.

After 15 minutes of this we noticed that the wet grass was turning white, and we went to marvel at the hail. This is the front yard where there is a river running down the two streets so deep that it swallows the curbs and swells the gutter 4 or 5 feet. The hail in the middle is getting washed away in the sheets of rain. This is from left to right out of my front porch.

If you don't know, that's Cai's car parked across the street. She was hopeful that it wasn't damaged in the storm. The hail was just little, like peas, and we brought some in the house, and they stayed frozen for a long time.

Happy Birthday Cannon

2010-03-31T16:48:00.001-07:00

So my big boy is now 5 years old. Whew, that went by fast. I was looking back at some baby pictures of him prompted by the strawberry pictures and amazed at how much they change from being babies to 5 year olds. The most dramatic change is in the first year. Amazing.

Hiring A Gardener

2010-03-31T15:06:00.000-07:00

I am so happy that we have a gardener again. We haven't had one for at least 6 years, so you can imagine how much better my yard looks now. We would mow occasionally, until the lawnmower developed a gas leak and my husband began to fear for his life when starting it up. We never edged, and rarely weeded or trimmed bushes or trees, and after 6 years, I was just tired of having the least manicured yard on the block. I watch all week long every day all of the neighbors gardeners coming and going in their brand new fancy trucks and trailers with their company names on the sides. I'll occasionally walk out and ask them how much to mow and edge my yard, and they would quote some crazy price. Then I noticed one neighbor has a gardener with a truck older than any of my cars, no trailer, no signs, and the people who get out of it look like a husband and wife. I took my neighbor some cookies (left over from a church activity) and asked him for his gardener's name. He gave it to me and told me when they were scheduled to return and I watched for him to come.

I found him and brought him over to my yard, and explained how I just wanted him to mow and edge and showed him the back yard which had grass and weeds as high as my 2yo. You see, in my back yard, I used to have a giant tree which shaded the yard enough over so many years to kill all of the grass. Then without the shade, the weeds grew and flourished in the sunshine until they were big enough to lose your dog in. He only had me walk through the whole yard and pick up the river rocks that the kids had lost in the grass.

This is actually behind my back fence. The tree spanned the entire back yard, and there is a pine tree on the left that fills in one corner. It reached over the neighbors fence about 10 feet. Those are my two little cuties for size comparison. Well, the tree broke in half in August of 2007, and the lawn mower broke last year, so it has been quite a journey for my yard. The gardener trimmed and cut and cleared and filled my green bin at least if not also my neighbors. He is very happy to have the extra work and will return every other Thursday, much to my delight. He also is significantly less expensive than all of my other neighbors gardeners, much to my husbands delight. For the first week, with all that needed done, he did a terrific job. I explained what to spray with weed killer, and what not to spray. He was also very happy about my fruit trees, so I offered him half of all the fruit he picks, if he is interested in maintaining them for me too. What kind of fruit trees you ask? Well let's see: apricot, pomegranite, peach, cherry, almond, orange, mandarin, lemon at least.

Oh, we also had to get rid of our trampoline, because it was messing up the grass too, and besides it was old and ready to go anyway. So now we have a beautiful yard, front and back, and he said he would put in fertilizer to fill in the gaps in the grass, and over time I'm sure will be fantastic.

Sneaky Little Boy

2010-03-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

I have a little boy. He thinks he is big because he can do so many things. If there is something he cannot yet do, he will ask for help with increasing volume until his need is met. Today I had him on the counter "helping" me dice and bag veggies when he noticed that there were cookies behind him on the counter. He asked me if he could have some and I said no, but he kept asking, and I kept saying no, then suddenly it was quiet except for the rustling of plastic.

What do you know, but he had figured out how to get into it behind his back so that I wouldn't know what he was doing. How did a two year old learn how to be sneaky? It must be true that necessity is the mother of invention.

Playing Dead

2010-03-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

Why is it that children love to play dead? I remember as a child rhymes that we would say as we popped the head off of a dandilion or weed that went, "A momma had a baby and its head popped off" or the dirty rotten villian who "bopped little kids in the head til they're dead."

My kids have all loved it as much as peek-a-boo when someone falls down dead, and then comes back alive. It is the suspense that horror movies are made of. My 2yo can stick out his little tongue as he is laying with his eyes closed as evidence that he is dead.

He was just laying in front of the mirror a few minutes ago, and I said, "Kaden, are you dead or sleeping?" and he said, "dead, mom." I'm just wondering, why is it so fun? If I was to try to answer my own question, I'd say that they don't understand death, so it is not macabre to them, really much more like peek-a-boo which they love at any age, depending on the element of surprise in the game.

In this picture, of course he's not really dead, but he wanted to pretend like the other kids while I was taking their pictures. Once he's on the ground, he can do "dead" really well.

My Boys

2010-03-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted about my boys for a while, so I thought I'd update. They are still both in speech and making progress. They are both growing taller and love running, rollerskating, playing with guns and swords. In fact, this is what Kaden does while I'm vacuuming, he takes the extentions off of the vacuum and aims them like a rifle and runs around shooting things.

This is Cannon at a 5yo party where there was facepainting. He got to be spiderman. They weren't kidding around. He had such a good time.

Exercising Self Control

2010-03-15T09:24:00.001-07:00

From http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/01/25/great-lessons-from-great-men/

“‘Tis easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it.” — Benjamin Franklin, The Way to Wealth (1758)

Benjamin Franklin famously attempted to codify his quest for self-control. As Brett wrote at The Art of Manliness, Franklin committed himself to thirteen virtues, and he developed a system for tracking how disciplined he was in his daily pursuit of these ideals. There’s nothing wrong with an occasional indulgence. But when the indulgence becomes a habit — or worse, a vice — this can affect your life. Even destroy it. If you have habits that prevent you from fulfilling your potential, find a way to boost your self-control. (You might, for example, use Joe’s Goals to track your progress, much like Benjamin Franklin did.)

The Herringbone Braid

2010-03-15T08:45:00.001-07:00

This type of braid doesn't really involve any twisting. All you do is pick up some hair from one side and place it on the other side in an alternating fashion. The pieces can be large or small. I started large and stayed large with this one. The trick is to hold it tight until you can get the band on it. It actually looks fancier with smaller pieces like the fish bones it is named after, but this braid turned out really pretty. It is also easier to pull off if the hair is wet.

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

2010-03-11T12:08:00.000-08:00

http://www.ldsmag.com/athome/100311life.html Edited for length.

Establish Routines
As the child matures, it’s important to establish a routine, or structure, through consistent eating, napping, and sleeping times. Just as with the baby, a reasonable schedule makes a cooperative, obedient child. It’s certainly unfair and terribly unkind to scold or punish a child for misbehaving when actually he’s just hungry or tired. The routine becomes more involved as life takes on new dimensions for the child. The morning routine is based on dressing, helping make his bed, brushing teeth, and combing hair. This morning routine can include a few simple chores such as helping to set the table for breakfast. A bedtime routine can be a highlight of the child’s day with stories, songs, cuddle time, and prayers. Such a routine can provide comfort and security for a child and send him off to slumberland with sweet dreams. The bedtime routine at our house, in addition to the above-mentioned rituals, consisted of a brief visit at each bedside to talk about the child’s “happiest experience” of the day. This special moment between parent and child becomes a precious time as the child reflected on his day and identified what it was that made him happy. When daily scripture reading is part of their routine, a family is blessed in many ways—from inviting the spirit into each life to teaching very young children to read. There is motivation in routines because the plan carries you.

Be consistent
There is power and strength in consistency. In his October 2009 general conference talk, Elder David A. Bednar spoke of family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. He said that with their active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons didn’t always produce the high levels of edification he and his wife wanted and expected. “Today,” Elder Bednar continued, “if you could ask our adult children about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent.Then he stated, “Sister Bednar and I thought helping our sons understand the content of a particular lesson was the ultimate outcome. But such a result does not occur each time we study or pray or learn together. The consistency of our intent was perhaps the greatest lesson—a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time.” –Ensign, November 30, 1909, p. 19

Set your child up for success
After establishing routines, the next step is to set your child up for success. If it’s easy and convenient, they’re more likely to keep order. Toddlers and pre-schoolers thrive on “helping” you by fetching items and returning them, and they can perform these little tasks well if things are in their place. In fact, they are glad to know that everything has a “home” and they’re quick to put items back in their places. It’s when things are misplaced that children become frustrated and lose interest in helping. Where practical, install low clothes rods, hooks, and shelves within reach of your child for his clothes, books, and toys. Place organizers in drawers to keep items orderly and properly separated—socks not mixed up with underwear and hair ribbons not tangled with the blow dryer.

Instill good habits
Build upon the routines you’ve established by instilling good habits. ● No eating on foot. Places in the house where children may eat sitting down should be designated. Not only does this help a child learn to respect mother’s time and effort in cleaning, it further teaches him to be a good steward over his home and possessions. ● A place for everything, everything in its place. Following her birthday party, Hannah, age 4, asked her mother to help her find “homes” for her new toys. She wanted a place for her teddy bear to live and her new books to be kept. Hannah was learning that when you put a toy away in its home, it is safe and happy, and then when you want to play with it again, you will know where to find it, in its home. ● Pick up is part of play. Hank and I took several of our young grandchildren to the Salt Lake City Children’s Museum. It’s a wonderful interactive place that is both educational and entertaining for children. I noticed that every ten feet, about the height of a three-year-old are signs that read “Pick Up is Part of Play.” ● De-junk. Have a "Memory Monday FHE" and go through the items all together as a family that they bring home from school. ● Work smart, not just hard. Sam, age 16, makes a protein drink using the blender. It takes just seconds to wash out if you do it right away. If not, the mixture sticks to the blender and it becomes more difficult and time-consuming to clean it. His mother showed him how to just take a drop of dish detergent and a cup or two of hot water and put it back on the blender. As the soap and hot water blend, the blender is cleaned and ready for the next use. His mother used the phrase "A stitch in time saves nine" and explained it to him. ● Put the house to bed before you go to bed—an ounce of evening can be worth a pound of morning. Emily, age 8, said, “When I complete my homework and pack my school bag and put away my clothes and books before I go to bed, it saves me hours of hassle the next day.
Help your child see the rewards, both short and long term. An orderly way of life frees your child from hassle and frustration so he can make the most of his skills and talents. The habits of order and organization are transferable to any walk of life and can bring about opportunities for success. Mostly, however, the benefits and blessings of an orderly life are intrinsic such as feelings of satisfaction, fulfillment and even joy. Robyn, a young adult, says. “When my room and surroundings are orderly, I am at my best and I feel the spirit. I realize that being orderly and organized are godlike traits, so it’s important to me to develop those qualities.”

Teach your child an orderly way of life; it will be to his great advantage. Start now, no matter your childs age. And, mothers, don’t give up. Plant the seed, develop the root, and someday you’ll see fruit.

Measuring Up

2010-03-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

I have been searching everywhere for a paper that I could put on the wall that will allow me to measure and mark milestones as each child has a birthday. I was using a sharpie on the wall, but after so many years it kind of looked tacky. I finally found one at Office Depot for $1.35 each, but I didn't read further down where it says that you have to buy them in packs of 200. I also didn't check to see if the item was in stock at my local store, so I was very disappointed to go to the nearest store to have them say they don't carry it, nor do any other stores in the area. The next least expensive growth chart is $10. I'm thinking I can make my own. How hard could it be? I already taped pieces of paper together to have a record of the first 6 birthdays of several of the children, so now all I have to do is decorate it, or transfer it onto another long/tall piece of paper.

I found a 6 foot giraffe measuring guide at a teachers supply store! It was only a few dollars, and I was able to transfer my other measurements over onto it. It looks great, and I can take it anywhere with me. After I marked everyones 3yo heights, I placed some packaging tape over them to preserve them as they are. Once everyone has turned 4 years old, I'll do the same.

One fun thing is to see how each child compares at their same ages. For example, my son was an inch taller than my daughter when they were both 4 years old. Another fun thing is to see how tall they will be when they are grown. There is a rule of thumb that if you double a child's height at a specific time in their life, you will know exactly how tall they will be. For girls, the age is 2. For boys, the age is 2.5. My baby boy just turned 2.5 yesterday, so I took his shoes off of his little feet, and stood him against the wall, leveled his chin, then leveled a ruler on his head and drew a line under it with my pencil. I moved him and used the measuring tape to see that he is already almost 3 feet tall. Doubling that means that he will almost be 6 feet tall when grown. My other son is predicted to be 6' 4", almost 5 inches taller than his little brother. Now that is a big brother you can look up to. My daughter came in at 5' 8" which I think is a respectable height for a girl. My oldest daughter is 5'8" already. Everyone will be taller than me, but only one son will be taller than his dad.

Rainbows

2010-03-03T09:20:00.000-08:00

I saw a rainbow yesterday. It has been really cloudy and cold and windy for the past several weeks, except for the occasional nice day. What a surprise yesterday when the rain took a break, and the clouds separated and we had beautiful sunshine on our freshly washed city. The best part was to look up toward the mountains where there were still clouds and see the most beautiful rainbow I've noticed in a very long time. I had my 4yo in the car with me and he was equally delighted to see it. It has been such a long time, that I really looked and pondered the colors and the magical ethereal look of the colors seemingly blending into each other. There really are just the 6 colors from the inside out: purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red, but they were full of light and sparkles. If I had my camera with me, I would have attempted a picture. It is one of those times where I wish I had a really expensive camera that could do justice to such a beautiful piece of nature.

Having Energy Again

2010-02-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

I am sleepy, but when I lay down I cannot fall asleep. If I have the baby with me and he is sleeping, I can doze off now and again. Sleeping babies are a powerful sedative. I figured out that I have more energy than before. If I can just close my eyes for 10 minutes, I can get up and clean out that drawer, or rearrange the garage, or sort through all of the stored clothes to see if they are really worth storing.

Seriously, this new way of eating has given me a boost, and I'm trying really hard to rest and heal my body, there is just so much more to do after letting things go for so many years. Oh, and my house is clean. Laundry... check. Dishes... check. Taxes... check. If anyone wants the name of my holistic doctor, feel free to ask. I'm sure he'd appreciate the referrals.

The Proper Charging of Battery Operated Devices

2010-02-22T16:49:00.000-08:00

My daughters cellular phone started to turn itself off randomly. We went into the cellular store where we purchased this item 3 months ago and what they said was enlightening, though I had in truth heard parts of it before. Here it is for you to learn from my experience.

Never, ever plug in your device unless it has shut itself off and will not turn back on. This is the final indicator that the battery is empty and ready to charge. Do not give in even though the battery is beeping at you, or the low battery light is flashing in its angry red. Use these as helpful hints that the battery might die soon, and don't start something that you might not be able to finish. This is true not only for cellular phones, but also for iPods, Gameboys, and laptops. The logic is that if you plug it in each night to charge while you are sleeping, the memory in the device thinks that the battery only uses up one days worth of cells, so it acts like you have reached the end, even if there is actually more battery life that you rarely ever tap into.

At least every two weeks, but every week is fine too, turn off your device, remove your battery, count to ten slowly (one, one thousand. two one thousand, etc.) then replace the battery and turn it back on. This clears the RAM or whatever the quick reference memory is called in the device you are using. It will not erase data, unless you were inputting information and didn't save before you performed this operation.

Using these codes of conduct with regard to your electronics will extend the life of any rechargeable battery operated devices dramatically. They promised.

A New Way of Eating

2010-02-19T16:15:00.000-08:00

I used to be really addicted to food. Not healthy food, specifically, but all of the other yummy, tasty, and otherwise delicious foods. I was always worried about what I was going to eat next. I would have visions of freshly baked goodies with large glasses of milk. I was always searching for the most delicious brand of chocolate. I would become shaky and emotional if I hadn't eaten within the last three hours. Then I went to a holistic doctor who diagnosed me with Candida, along with glandular fatigue, specifically adrenal, thyroid and pituitary. The cure for these ailments is a strict diet. No nuts or seeds. No dairy except butter. No grains: wheat, rice, oat, etc. No sugar. Only 2 fruits a day. No vinegar. You'd think it would be easy to avoid vinegar, but it is in almost every single salad dressing I've checked. I had to make my own, and I'm afraid to taste it. Here's the recipe: 1/4 lemon juice and 3/4 olive oil. season to taste. Kind of scary, right?

I suppose it is easier to list what I can eat since it is only three things: 1) meat 2)veggies 3) two fruits daily. There are some rules. 1) the meat must be grass-fed or free range or wild caught and 2) everything must be organic. My diet has been very interesting, so I thought I would mention it here. I've had the opportunity to experiment since I'm the only one eating this way, and I'll pretty much eat whatever I make unless it is slimy or chokes me trying to get it down. If it comes out barely tolerable, I'll make it differently next time, or avoid it entirely if it was really that bad.

I've been on this diet (new way of eating) for 5 weeks and have lost 20 lbs. I'm not healthy yet, and I still have all of the symptoms of Candida. He says it will take about 6 months before seeing a dramatic difference. That will be summertime, so I am excited to feel better during the better weather. The thing about eating mostly veggies is that I will be tired of chewing and quit eating way before I feel "full". Sometimes my stomach is still growling, so I'll search for a protein to eat next. I have noticed that now I can be okay feeling hungry. I used to panic, but now I remember that I forgot to eat my last scheduled meal, and start planning when I will find time to eat again, as a mental note, not because I'm irritable or shaky. I've decided to embrace hunger as a feeling required to lose weight. It is the feeling of my fat cells shrinking. 20 pounds, right?!

Below I've listed some of my experience with different foods. I buy something in the store, then come home and type "preparing collard greens" or whatever the food item is, and I click several results then go for it.

I had buffalo. It was ground, and I just cooked it the same as I cook ground beef, and it was better than beef, as far as I could tell. The meat is a bit more orange than brown, and it didn't stink the way that beef does while it's cooking. Also, it didn't have solid fat attached to it once I put it in the fridge to save some for later. I ate this on my baked potato, or in my soup. It was delicious.

I had lamb. It was more like beef as it smelled while it cooked, and tasted gamey. I cut it into cubes and had it with baked potato, squash, or yams. My friend has a recipe for lamb shank, so next time I buy one, I'll try her recipe. Otherwise, I'm not really liking lamb.

I had hoki. This is a small fish. I broiled it with olive oil or butter and a garlic seasoning and it was delicious, though tough the one time I over cooked it. I had it with a garnish of sweet peas. The peas are so tasty with butter and seasonings too. Mahi Mahi is another small fish that is delicious like hoki. I cooked it and served it the same way.

If a fish is too "fishy" smelling or tasting, I coat it in lemon. I had to do this with salmon. I had a baked potato with it. I love baked potato skins with butter and salt.

I buy all of my meat and a bunch of veggies once a week then spend a few hours preparing all of the food so that I don't have to think of what to make and take the time to do it 5 times a day, which is how often I'm supposed to eat, according to my doctor. I chop carrots, potatoes, radishes, beets, turnips, squash, zucchini, bok choy, jicama, and celery into cubes and put them in my crock pot on high with two or three cups of water. While they are cooking, I remove the stalks and chop up chard (green, rainbow, red swiss), mustard greens (which I've decided I don't like the texture of), and collard greens. I may add some butter to the soup, along with different seasonings each time for variety of flavor. The water is to keep the soup ingredients moist, not to fill me up. I mostly just eat the veggies and leave the water in the crock pot for the remaining veggies.

After I get all of those ingredients in, I let it sit until the carrots are soft, then I turn it off and let it sit until dinner time. Yum! Once the pot is cool, I'll keep it in the fridge and just take out a bowl full whenever I don't want to think about something else to eat, or I don't have time to prepare another dish. It makes a great breakfast or afternoon snack. Sometimes I'll add diced meat, and once I put in a diced apple which made the whole thing sweet.

Of course there are the squashes. These are all trial and error. I cut them in half, covering both halves with tin foil, then I just put it in the oven on a baking sheet for an hour, or two or three, depending on the temperature and whether or not the squash is soft yet. Sometimes I have squash with butter and salt, sometimes with salsa, sometimes in my salads, sometimes in my soups. They are all around easy to combine with other foods like meat. In the squash category I count sweet potatoes, yams, butternut, acorn, spaghetti, zucchini, summer, etc. Yesterday I peeled a sweet potato then sliced it into strips and dipped them in olive oil and seasoned them on a cookie sheet and baked them at 400 degrees until they turned brown around the edges. I flipped them and waited until that side was cooked too, then ate them like seasoned fries. Yum!!!
Once my crockpot is cooking, I'll cook the meats I purchased either all at once in several pans on the stove, or I'll put some in a ziplock to cook later, like chicken breasts. After the meat is cooked and ready to eat, I'll put it in a ziplock to add to foods all throughout the week.

Eating like this has been really great. I'm excited to try new veggies, and see how they taste, how to prepare them, and become conversant with words that were unknown previously like mizuna. (It's a leaf for your salad.)

Celebrate New Year's Day, not Eve

2010-01-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

We are a family with small children. We like the children to go to bed at 7:30pm, but this means that they wake at 7am. If we want them to sleep in until 8am, we have to make them stay up until 9pm at least for several nights in a row. The trouble is that school starts at 8am, so they really do need to get up at 7am most of the time. Keeping them up really late one night really only produces over-tired, grouchy children. In fact, keeping me up past 9:30pm can produce impatience in me the next day because the baby wakes at 6am, regardless of when he went to bed or what day it is. These are the thoughts going through my head each time that New Year's Eve rolls around, expecting everyone to stay up past midnight, dressed up at parties or at home with pizza and Martinelli's.

Well last time, all of the children were sound asleep, and I asked myself, why go through the torture? I asked my husband and he was agreeable (he is worse than me without adequate sleep), so we went to bed at 9:30pm. It was great! I didn't hear any fireworks, I put my phone on silent so no one woke me, and I was fresh in the morning to greet the new year with my happy, well-rested children. We had a big breakfast with pancakes, eggs and bacon, and spent the whole day saying things like, "wow, this is the first time all year that we've had breakfast", or "hey there, I haven't seen you all year." Everywhere we went, we wished everyone a Happy New Year, and the kids really enjoyed the occasion. "This is my first bath all year!" "This is the first time I've changed a diaper all year!"

Emotional Eating

2009-12-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

I have decided that I am overweight because I am an emotional eater. This means that I eat to fill an emotional void. This conclusion has come to me after watching 9 seasons of The Biggest Loser. In every episode, the trainers are working the contestants to the point of breaking down their defences to find the inner source of pain and frustration. It seems that by being able to talk freely about their pain and frustration that these people are able to deal with their emotions better and not have a void to be filled with food.

So the cure for emotional eating is to talk about your feelings? I want to know who do you express these feelings to? I find that therapists are expensive and not necessarily helpful, parents are protective and want to have everything be good in your life, and spouses take things personally and feel criticized or they want to fix it. I certainly can't talk to my children, because they are children and don't need to know about adult problems until they are much older. Friends also want you to fix the problem so that they don't have to keep hearing you talk about it. So how can I marry this into a healthy psyche?

Also, hormones are really sabotagers when it comes to expressing your feelings too. How do you know if you have a problem, or if the emotions are really out of control and really everything is super sunny great, and you're the one with the problem but it's all in your head? So many things affect our hormones from puberty to menopause with pregnancies and nursing and menstration cycling throughout those 40 reproductive years and I really believe that the best thing for the household is to simply shut up and smile. Really, why make everyone else in the house miserable or walking on eggshells simply because I can't control my irritability?

All that I do know is that everything looks better after a good night's sleep, some scripture reading and personal prayer.

Fiction vs Non-Fiction

2009-12-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

I really like non-fiction. I feel like I have so little time to spend on frivolity, that sitting to read a purely fictional book is a waste of time, only because there are soo many non-fiction books that are truely life enriching that I feel the need to read them first, and pursue other life goals like health, music, and parenting.

I do believe that fiction can teach us life lessons, but so can historical books and biographies and documentaries. A fictional book that I read recently was terrific because it was based on fact and really authentic, as far as I can tell. It is called "The lost memoirs of Jane Austen" by Syrie James. She weaves a fantastic tale of what Jane's real life was like as she was writing novels and where the inspiration for them came from. I recommend it as a wholesome book to everyone who loves Jane Austen.

Another book that is fiction but based on real history is The Work and the Glory series of 9 books that place a fictional family in the midst of early america in a very engaging and realistic way. I loved it and even found an ancestor's name in the right place and context. Very exciting!

The "Caught Up" Downer

2009-12-03T12:49:00.000-08:00

I have noticed that it's not really a good thing to be caught up on some things. Laundry, yes. Dishes, yes. Hulu queue, no. The last book in a great series, no. The reason is that now you have to figure out what to do with your time again. Sure, there will always be laundry and dishes, but watching a whole season of Chuck, and then having to wait a month for the new season to start isn't very fun. Sure the Twilight series ends well, but you devoted so much time to reading all four books, that now you have chunks of time without the quest to find out what happens next. Oh, and my washer broke. The repairman isn't coming until tomorrow. Guess I'll go put away some clean dishes.

Halloween Swimming

2009-10-31T16:41:00.001-07:00

There is a heated indoor pool that held a swim party on Halloween day. My kids went trunk or treating last night, so they actually thought that Halloween was over, except for all of the people who kept wishing them a Happy Halloween. I had to explain to them that today was really Halloween, and that we chose to celebrate it last night with our friends instead.

Anyway, this fun place opened its doors to the community so we got to swim for free even though we aren't club members or taking swimming lessons there. We even saw some friends. There was a whale slide into the 2.5 ft pool that Cannon loved to go on again and again. Caeli made friends with the slide in the 4 ft pool that is a twisty waterslide where she would come shooting out, go underwater, then surface and swim to the side, repeat about 20 times. Kaden was just tall enough to tip toe in the 2.5 ft pool so I really had to watch to make sure a wave didn't knock him off his feet, or a big splash throw him off balance as he went across, back and forth all over that pool that was just his size. He had so much fun and enjoyed the toys they had floating around.

They were sad when it was time to go, but they had their 5 minute warning, and remembered to be happy that they came. As they were leaving, they were offered cupcakes and candy and root beer from a smoking cauldron and that helped them feel more festive rather than sad.

Great Lego Creations

2009-10-31T11:07:00.000-07:00

The children still love building with legos and having their creations photographed. Kaden just likes to have himself photographed. Caeli made a giraffe first, then a castle with which Cannon made a soldier to protect it.

Cannons First Fieldtrip

2009-10-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

Cannon is in Preschool and got to go on his first fieldtrip. This is his first time on the yellow school bus. He sat sadly by two years ago as he watched his sister go on this same fieldtrip, and now it was his turn to go to the Pumpkin Patch and choose his own pumpkin. He had a great time and came home with a pumpkin that he could carry that had green on it. Green is his favorite color.

Caeli is 6

2009-10-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

My littlest girl turned 6 years old. She had a great birthday with cupcakes at school brought during the last 15 minutes by mom. Then dinner of her choice and dessert with a candle to blow out after we sang happy birthday to her. Then a party that weekend with cousins and this cake that she chose herself. She loves her gifts of jewelry and princess toys. She is such a girl.

Aquarium Trip

2009-10-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

We decided one day to go to the Aquarium. We hopped into the car early one fine Saturday and headed out. The children loved being able to get close and even touch many things throughout the aquarium. They had a great time watching animals get fed, and seeing them in a semi-natural habitat. I think their favorite was the penguins. After they were done being good, we headed out to a park where they ran and played for 2 hours before getting back in the car for the drive home. You can comment on this post if you want the link to see more pictures of our trip.

Hot Air Balloon Launch

2009-10-31T08:19:00.000-07:00

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I took the little kids to go see a Hot Air Balloon launch. I got up super early, and got myself ready, then I woke one kid at a time, oldest to youngest, dressing them in their sleep, sending them to the bathroom while I made their beds. Sat them in front of their cereal bowl while I went to get the next kid. I packed snacks and water and blankets to sit on. The weather was still nice enough that you didn't need a jacket in the early dawn. This balloon was my favorite because it glowed when the fire was on to heat the air. There are more pictures of this adventure online, so comment if you want the link to see all of them.

Kaden Turns 2

2009-10-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

My baby turned 2. He loved blowing out his candle on his cake. He loved having daddy sing happy birthday to him. He loved opening all of his really cool presents like bubbles, books, 2 rocks, 2 pennies, balls, bats, etc. He is a happy boy.

Speech Preschool

2009-10-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

This is Kadens preschool where he receives speech therapy. He loves having his own place to go and play with so many different things.

Baby Blessings

2009-10-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

My brother and his wife had a baby.

My sister had her baby blessed on the same day. Not to be left out, my baby stands next to grandma so that people can take his picture too.

Kaden Belly

2009-10-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

Now who wouldn't be proud of a belly like that?

Portable DVD Players

2009-10-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

I love that I can pick up any movie that they haven't seen recently and put it into the portable dvd player and they will be well behaved during any long wait. This picture was taken during an hour long class that their sister was taking where I was unwilling to leave and come back later. I've also taken it to the doctor's waiting room, the DMV, as well as any trip in the car that is more than 30 minutes each way.

New Computer

2009-10-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting pictures because I got a new computer and it took me that long to load the camera software. I finally had to give in because the card on my camera was full, and I was unwilling to continue deleting photos to make room for new ones. Now I've got some catching up to do.

The Silent Treatment

2009-10-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

Is is socially inappropriate not to respond to people verbally. I lost my voice and the sore throat that went with it was enough to highly motivate me not to speak a sound. I could whisper in a pinch, but anything more than shallow breathing was likely to catch in my throat and cause a cough attack.

Everywhere you go, people greet you and good manners dictate that you respond in kind. Being unable to voice a greeting, and often not having eye contact to indicate that I had a sore throat often left their greeting floating in the wind. The catch is that if I was able to excuse my lack of response with my infirmity, then people were just as put off by my not being healthy. They were more afraid of my being infectious and tended to take my money warily, or just continue on about their business.

Standing near someone it is polite to discuss the weather or the common reason for being in the same place at the same time, but I didn't want to make eye contact because they might talk to me. I didn't want to have to explain that I lost my voice, not because I'm sick, but because I have seasonal allergies, and every October something blooms that causes my head to swell and gives me sinus headaches and post nasal drip resulting in an irritated throat, lost voice and coughing. After two weeks, I'm generally fine, never having a fever, or transfering illness to anyone.

There were many times over the last week where I was limited in my choices because of my missing voice. I had phone calls to make that I couldn't, and arrangements to make that were just to painful to discuss. I left much unsaid, and lived the quiet life. Cai always gets concerned when I lose my voice, and it's almost like she doesn't know who she is without my feedback. The littler kids didn't really care, and got away with more than they should have because I didn't want to chase them down, and couldn't call out to keep them on task. I heard more from Todd than I have in the last several months because I could ask no questions, or voice opinions, so he was free to talk about whatever he wanted, as long as he wanted and I could only nod and smile. It was nice to hear him talk, but lonely to not be part of the conversation. I couldn't call my friend who's sick to see if she's feeling better, or talk to my walking buddy during the hour we spend trekking along.

Being an Attached Parent

2009-10-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

I am an Attached Parent. http://www.attachmentparenting.org/
I keep my children near me as much as possible especially the younger they are. I take my nursing infant everywhere I go for the entire first year. I make it a point to connect with all of my children as they come and go all day long. I have recently noticed something and wanted to document it for future reference.

If I'm out and about without my baby, I may suddenly feel a loss, and say aloud, "I miss my baby" or "my baby misses me." When I check in, I learn that the baby has started crying for me. He does miss me, reaching out and I feel his loss of my presence. The urge I feel is to pull him into my arms and reconnect physically. This has happened more than 5 different times. Sometimes I can leave immediately and come to him because he is more important than whatever I was doing at the time, and sometimes I cannot and dad just has to be good enough.

One time we were driving somewhere far, and we stopped for gas. I was in line for the ladies room, and as I was returning to the car, I felt sheer panic as if my child had just been kidnapped. I hurried to the car, left unattended in front of the gas pump with the child alone inside screaming. When my husband returned, I scolded him for leaving her alone. The car had been unlocked. Who knows what happened that caused her to panic, but I felt her emotion myself and it was terrifying. He said she was sleeping when he went to use the restroom.

When I leave my baby now, he will wave and say, "bye, mom" as I walk out the door. Sometimes he'll make a show of crying just until I'm out of earshot, then he's back to what he was doing. On very many occasions, he will look up and say, "mom?" or start crying for me as I'm already on my way home. It's not that he hears the key in the lock or the garage door opening, because I'm several miles away or just turning on to the street when he says it, but he's generally right, that I'm on my way back to him and within minutes we are reunited.

Friends who witness this connection have taken the time to comment.

Expecting Guests

2009-10-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

I love having people over. I invite people all of the time, and sometimes they come, and sometimes they don't. The best part is when I am expecting someone to come at a certain time. My house will be cleaner than normal. And if they are late, it is even better, because my house just keeps getting cleaner. Since I am expecting them to walk up any minute, I don't want to start any other project, so I'll just keep picking up and putting away. Why is there no end of things to pick up and put away? Oh yeah, I have a family of 6 and a large home with too much stuff in it. Want to come over? Call and name your date and time and I promise a clean house, and if you are late, even better.

Cosmetics Industry

2009-10-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

I have been plagued by blemishes in the T-zone since I was a teenager. I have tried so many different products, some which burned, some which had Retin-A, some which were hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic, and all of which promised beautiful youthful looking clear skin... and non of which worked. When my young daughter would draw pictures of me, she was careful to include the blemishes (larger than they seemed to me though).

Then the other day, my son scraped his knee, so we were putting the "bubble medicine" on it (hydrogen peroxide) to get the bacteria out of the wound, and it occurred to me, hey, acne is caused by bacteria! So that very day, I applied hydrogen peroxide to my acne, and boy did it bubble up. It hurt. It burned. It cleaned my skin. After three days, my acne is completely gone. Now, after my daily shower when my pores are open and warm, I apply hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball to my face and neck. If it comes back with any brown on it, I repeat until the cotton ball comes back white.

So many years. So much money spent on trying new products. So many days trying the new product only to find that it makes no difference. Of course the simplest solution is the best. Why didn't I figure this out sooner?

What a racket this whole cosmetics industry is. Imagine if there were a commercial, or youtube campaign that let the cat out of the bag that most people don't need products? There's also the fact that many cosmetics are actually harmful to us, they contain carcinogenics and disrupt our hormones, and cause more problems than they fix because (or not) they are not regulated by the FDA as a food, though our skin is our largest organ and things applied to it are absorbed.

Someone should say something.

The Male Black Widow

2009-09-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

I have found a collection of spiders outside my house, and while we do see the plain black widow spider often enough, we also see a variety of spiders which have the same shape and hourglass, though their coloring is different. I wanted to post some pictures of these spiders to raise awareness that the male black widows are lighter in color the younger they are, though they all have the red hourglass. Also, it is helpful to know that only the female bite is dangerous, and only the female is solid black except for that red hourglass. The male bite is harmless.

These three spiders were around my front door in broad daylight. I guess they aren't as good at hiding as they think they are. Unfortunately, my camera is not very fancy, so I did have to (fortunately) maintain a certain distance in order to get the picture to focus correctly. I've attached a link to all of my widow spider pictures which includes one that is all black with white stripes on it and a picture of the hourglass. I have more pictures in an album online. Comment if you want the link.

Possible Spider Bite

2009-09-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

i was doing yard work today, really getting in there and cleaning out some old brush, and i killed two black widow spiders by stepping on them with my left shoe. then i went inside and within a few minutes, i was driving to take cai to polo practice. in the car, my left leg was itchy, so i was scratching at it with my shoe on my right leg while i wasn't driving, like at lights or in the parking lot. then i got home, and was walking around and still felt itchy but in a slightly different place, so i decided to check and see if i had picked up a flea or something since there are so many animals around the neighborhood, though we don't have any fleas specifically. i folded my pant leg up so that i could surprise the flea and catch it so that it didn't get away, but what i found was a black widow spider.

at least that is what i thought as i started jumping around and screaming like a crazy person trying to shake it from my pant leg, trying to decide how to get out of my pants the quickest while my shoes were still on. well finally after maybe 15 secs of crazy mom hysterics, i noticed the spider limping along the kitchen floor. it was all black like a widow, but it also had white stripes going down the abdomen, maybe 5 of them like lightening, so i calmed myself and rather than killing it right then, i got a ziplock bag and it walked right in and i zipped it shut and looked carefully at this spider and that's when i saw the abdomen had a red hourglass on it.

i was going to take it to the ER with me, if i started to have symptoms of a bite or if the advice nurse suggested to take it in for evaluation. it was 330 by now so my hope was to have todd come home to stay with the children and i'd go myself if i could hold out for an hour. However, the advice nurse suggested that i didn't get bitten, since there was no evident bite mark, and i wasn't having any secondary symptoms like trouble breathing, or abdominal pain. I guess that's a good thing, since while i was on the phone cannon took matters into his own hands and squished it. he said he wanted to be brave and save me. i guess it's pretty traumatic to see the mom do the hysterical spider freak out dance which included a fair amount of screaming.

i chastised him for it and he feels pretty bad because now i have no specimen to show for any reaction my leg might have depending on whether or not i was actually bitten. some internet research over the next 2 hours says that you may or may not feel the bite. right now, the site feels like razor burn. kind of hot and and slightly painful. i showered because i was starting to itch all over and feel creepy in general, and changed all of my clothes in case something else was lurking waiting to freak me out again.

the advice nurse just said to put an antibiotic cream on it then ice it, and to call back if my nervous system feels toxic like abdominal pain or trouble breathing. on the internet, the black widow spider bites looked harmless, and the brown recluse spider bites looked horrific. i'm so glad it wasn't a recluse in my pant leg. sheesh. spiders. then as i was reading along, i read an article that said that Great Britain only just now has spiders that bite people that were imported on bananas and are able to breed during the winter due to global warming. all this time, and we have so many things that bite us with itchy poisons and they finally have one spider than can. i'm thinking that a colder climate doesn't sound so bad after all. just think of all those large creepy crawlies in the humid south.

another website said that widows kill roaches, and while we do see at least a widow a day, we haven't seen any roaches, where before we saw widows we were seeing roaches (outside or in the garage only) but if the increase in widows equals a decrease in roaches, where are the roach carcasses? widows have webs, but we have not ever seen a roach in one. do they eat them whole? where are the remains? i'd much rather have widows than roaches. a) widows are painfully shy and mark their territory with a web b) roaches are just plain dirty and prolific and fast. i'll freak out if a widow is on my skin, but i'll freak out if i see a roach anywhere near me, even though it is likely to run away from me, and not up my pant leg as i'm trying to step on it.

as a follow up, i went to cannon later and thanked him for being brave and killing the spider so that it couldn't hurt me. he bowed his head and said, you're welcome. i hugged him and told him i was proud of him and was glad that he could protect me from spiders that are scary for me. he smiled. he is such a sweet boy and he really surprises me how brave he is when given the chance considering this cautious temperment. it was easy to forgive him after the adrenaline rush had passed and my leg looked only like irritated razor burn and not scary spider bite.

it is now days later, and my leg still itches something crazy, like i've irritated a mosquito bite, but i have not scratched at it at all, and i used to have occasional pin prick pains that hurt in an irritating way along with the itching and burning. things keep brushing against my leg and that sends me into an itching frenzy, and it is so hard not to touch it at all. it's driving me nuts that there is no bite mark to show off, or redness or swelling, or anything to show that i'm not imagining the whole thing to get sympathy. why does it itch so badly if i didn't get bitten, and why are my symptoms not worse if it was a black widow spider? just brushing my fingertips along my leg simultaneously makes it itch less and makes me want to dig in with my fingernails. so frustrating. how long will this last?

oh, and all of that internet research i did really messed up my dreams and not wanting to put my hands anywhere that i couldn't see clearly if there was a spider nearby or not. even at night, setting my hand near the wall, my mind imagined a spider creeping toward it... this is really taking all of my relaxation techniques and putting them to the test. "there's not a spider creeping toward me..." breathing in and out. "relax... just think about something else..."

last update: a few days later i finally gave in and gave it a good scratching 15-20 glorious seconds and what a relief. amazingly, that made it quit itching. there must have been something lodged into my skin that was causing pain and itching. my scratched skin was red for a few hours, and after that, i have been all better. thanks for caring. thanks for listening. thanks for sharing this experience with me. i'm less creeped out about spiders these days. still careful not to pick up any more black widows.

Book: The Uses of Adversity by Carlfred Broderick

2009-09-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

This book I highly recommend to everyone who had ever had something happen to them, that was not a direct result of something they did. To me, that would be defined as a consequence.

This book is a talk that was given by a stake president to a group of YW at New Beginnings. He says that even if you walk perfectly on this earth, keeping every commandment, fulfilling every calling, you will have adversity in your life, and that some of us are valiant Christ-like spirits who volunteered to suffer innocently it in the pre-existence, to help our eternal brothers and sisters where they cannot help themselves. It says that the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ isn't insurance against pain, but a resource in the event of it. He sustains us in our pain and suffering. No child ever suffers alone. There's even that story of the person who recognized Jesus as the person who held them while they were being abused, without knowing who He was until much later.

The stories in this book are tear-jerkers and eye-opening as they offer an eternal perspective on life's most unfair circumstances. They help us to develop charity if we are in a difficult situation ourselves, or that we may not judge others unfairly. It really shows how our lives are for a purpose, and that if we are diligent in trying to do God's will, He will carry us through and bless us in the process. He loves us. He suffered for us. He died for us, and He would have gone through all of that even if we had been the only one needing saved.

It is a small book, and took only 30 mins to read, and yet it was very powerful. Buy it so that you can refer to it and quote from it. Yes, it's that good.

Book: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

2009-09-03T07:47:00.001-07:00

This book is very snobbish (see p.7) and the author claims to be a contemporary spiritual teacher, not aligned with any religion or tradition. However, I have still found quotables that are worth keeping, and since I'm not going to buy this book, and have to return my copy to the library, I will place some quotes here for future reference.

This first quote reminds me of the Celestine Prophecy where they discover intelligence in all matter:
"Once there is a certain degree of Presence, of still and alert attention in human beings' perceptions, they can sense the divine life essence, the one indwelling consciousness or spirit in every creature, every life-form, recognize it as one with their own essence and so love it as themselves. Until this happens, however, most humans see only the outer forms, unaware of the inner essence, just as they are unaware of their own essence and identify only with their own physical and psychological form." p.4

This second quote reminds me of The Alchemist by Paolo Something where it talks of the brain talking to you and trying to convince you of things, and you need to realize that it doesn't have to be listened to:
"... unless you know the basic mechanics behind the workings of the ego, you won't recognize it, and it will trick you into identifying with it again and again. This means that it takes you over, and impostor pretending to be you." p.8

The third quote reminds me of the pride cycle discussed in the Book of Mormon:
"Driven by greed, ignorant of their connectedness to the whole, humans persist in behavior that, if continued unchecked, can only result in their own destruction." p.11

I'd never heard this before:
"A man called Gautama Siddhartha, who lived 2,600 years ago in India, was perhaps the first who saw it with absolute clarity. Later, the title Buddha was conferred upon him. Buddha means "the awakened one."" p.14

This is where Joseph Smith found himself wondering which church was "right" and why he was martyred when he didn't align himself with them:
"And so religions, to a large extent, became divisive rather than unifying forces. Instead of bringing about an ending of violence and hatred through a realization of the fundamental oneness of all life, they brought more violence and hatred, more divisions between people as well as between different religions and even within the same religion. They became ideologies, belief systems people could identify with and so use them to enhance their false sense of self. Through them, they could make themselves "right" and others "wrong" and thus define their identity through their enemies, the "others," the "nonbelievers" or wrong believers" who not infrequently they saw themselves justified in killing." p.15

On p.17 he starts discussing spirituality vs. religion, and he says that they are exclusive, that by following a religion, you cut yourself off spiritually, specifically he says, "Those unable to look beyond form become even more deeply entrenched in their beliefs, that is to say, in their mind." p.19 I think he is talking about not seeing the forest for the trees, or following the letter of the law, rather than keeping the spirit of it also. Certainly, as we strive to keep the commandments of God, we can ask ourselves if we aren't forgetting the first commandment to Love Thy Neighbor.

I love this part:
"You easily lose yourself in [words], become hypnotized into implicitly believing that when you have attached a word to something, you know what it is. The fact is: You don't know what it is. You have only covered up the mystery with a label. Everything, a bird, a tree, even a simple stone, and certainly a human being, is ultimately unknowable. This is because it has unfathomable depth." p.25

You know those people who have cheated death and come back looking at the world in awe?
"When you don't cover up the world with words and labels, a sense of the miraculous returns to your life..." "The quicker you are in attaching verbal or mental beliefs to things, people or situations, the more shallow and lifeless your reality becomes, and the more deadened you become to reality, the miracle of life that continuously unfolds within and around you." p.26
This reminds me of high school and how every group of people or type of person had a label so that we didn't have to get to know them individually, and all of the tragic romances are due to labeling. Romeo and Juliet may have been able to date if their families didn't label the other.

He says that we are actually an awareness in the background of the superficial I, me, myself which are the ego attached to roles, things, emotions that create the sense of self, but that is not actually who we are, just our life experiences. p.30 "The unconscious compulsion to enhance one's identity through association with an object is built into the very structure of the egoic mind." "I try to find myself in things but never quite make it and end up losing myself in them." p.35 "The ego satisfaction is short-lived and so you keep looking for more, keep buying, keep consuming." p.36 He says the unchecked striving for more things is like a cancerous cell, whose only goal is to multiply itself, unaware that it is bring about its own destruction by destroying the oganism of which it is a part. p.37

"You can value and care for things, but whenever you get attached to them, you will know it's the ego." p.40 "If someone takes your shirt, let him have your cloak as well." "...sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on." p.41
This section reminds me of one of my philosophies to not ever own something that I would really be crushed about if it got scratched, broken, or stolen. I decided to adhere to the scripture that says that in the last days things will become slippery, and you will not be able to hang on to your possessions. Possessions are not what are important in this life except how we use them to do good, so of course, if someone needs or even just wants your things enough to take them, then let them have it, and if you really want to do good, ask them what else they would have and give it also. Another philosophy of mine is that things are not of more worth than children, so if a child cuts a hole in your leather sofa, remember that you love the child more than the sofa. If that is difficult to remember, perhaps you shouldn't have a leather sofa. I don't. Most of my possessions have been purchased or received second-hand, and came with imperfections, scratches, dents, marks. I do not have to worry about keeping them pristine, though I do take care of them and appreciate the service they offer to my family.

He also warns that those who have taken a vow of poverty sometimes take pride in it, in being more spiritual than others. Some of these people have bigger egos than the millionaire who owns everything, but is not attached to it and shares freely. p.45 It reminds me of the saying that once you decide you have found humility, you have lost it. You cannot take pride in humility. Also, he says taking pride in your physical self, whether healthy or ill will also deteriorate as your body does. We are not our bodies and must find our inner selves, free from ego. p.52

The seventeenth-century philosopher Descartes said, "I think, therefore I am." Almost three hundred years later, Jean-Paul Sartre said, "The consciousness that says 'I am' is not the consciousness that thinks." "When you are aware that you are thinking, that awareness is not part of thinking. It is a different dimension of consciousness." "If there were nothing but thought in you, you wouldn't even know you are thinking." p.55 He says to find yourself, you simply need to be aware. Be aware of your body, be aware of your thoughts, be aware of your attachments. In other words, be aware of your ego.

He says that complaining, internally or externally is one step above shouting and screaming, which is one small step above physical violence. We must beware of complaining. "Every complaint is a little story the mind makes up that you completely believe in." "...complaining, especially about other people, is habitual..." "Applying negative mental labels to people... is often part of this pattern. Name calling is the crudest for of such labeling and of the ego's need to be right..." p.61 "Resentment is the emotion that goes with complaining and the mental labeling of people..." "you make it into their identity." p.62 "The particular egoic patterns that you react to most strongly in others and misperceive as their identity tend to be the same patterns that are also in you, but that you are unable or unwilling to detect within yourself. In that sense, you have much to learn from your enemies." "Anything you resent and strongly react to in another is also in you." "It has nothing to do with who that person is, nor has it anything to do with who you are." p.74 Your ego is reacting to their ego, and none of it is personal or real.
This reminds me of the book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz "A practical guide to personal freedom." Agreement number two says "Don't take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality."

This is what I think the Savior means when He says "Revile not."
"Nonreaction is not weakness but strength. Another word for nonreaction is forgiveness. To forgive is to overlook, or to look through." p.63 "Ego takes everything personally. Emotion arises, defensiveness, perhaps even aggression." You are not defending fact, you are defending your ego. p.68

Also, I would like to ponder this quote a little longer in relation to humility and not finding fault:
"Complaining as well as faultfinding and reactivity... strengthen the ego in another way by giving it a feeling of superiority on which it thrives." "Here is why. When you complain, by implication you are right and the person or situation you complain about or react against is wrong." "For you to be right, of course, you need someone else to be wrong." "Being right places you in a position of imagined moral superiority in relation to the person or situation that is being judged and found wanting." p.67

This paragraph is interesting:
"The Truth is inseparable from who you are. Yes, you are the Truth. If you look for it elsewhere, you will be deceived every time. The very Being that you are is Truth. Jesus tried to convey that when he said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." p.71
I think that we can look to God who is the giver of all things, including life and truth.

"The war against disease has given us, amongst other things, antibiotics. At first, they were spectacularly successful, seemingly enabling us to win the war against infectious diseases. Now, many experts agree that the widespread and indiscriminate use of antibiotics has created a time bomb and that antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, so-called super bugs, will in all likelihood bring about a reemergence of those diseases and possibly epidemics. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, medical treatment is the third-leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer in the United States." p.75

"The ego always wants something from other people or situations." "The underlying emotion that governs all the activity of the ego is fear. The fear of being nobody, the fear of nonexistence, the fear of death. All its activities are ultimately designed to eliminate this fear, but the most the ego can ever do is to cover it up temporarily with an intimate relationship, a new possession..." "Why fear? Because the ego arises by identification with form, and deep down it knows that no forms are permanent, that they are all fleeting. So there is always a sense of insecurity around the ego even if on the outside it appears confident." p.80

"A genuine relationship is one that is not dominated by the ego with its image-making and self-seeking. In a genuine relationship, there is an outward flow of open, alert attention toward the other person in which there is no wanting whatsoever. That alert attention is Presence. It is the prerequisite for any authentic relationship." "And so, the three predominant states of egoic relationships are: wanting, thwarted wanting (anger, resentment, blaming, complaining), and indifference." p.84

"What is commonly called "falling in love" is in most cases an intensification of egoic wanting and needing. You become addicted to another person, or rather to your image of that person. It has nothing to do with true love, which contains no wanting whatsoever. " p.88 I believe that true love is Christlike, and does contain wanting, just not imposing. Christ wants us to make good choices, and return to him. He wants us to forgive others and let go of ego and work out our own salvation and love one another. We must suffer consequences, otherwise, he does not impose his will on us.

i finally made it to chapter four of ten. more another time...

How to Have a Christlike Marriage

2009-08-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Back in March I tried to write about the concept of individual responsibility for our own selves, and not for others, other than stewardship. I found this great article in Meridian Magazine that worded it perfectly exactly what I was trying to express, but he also gave the solution, which I have already discovered in my marriage, but did not write about in my post. I have copied highlights from the article below for fear that they discontinue the link and the article is lost forever.

http://www.ldsmag.com/myth/030903love.html

"I regularly thank Heavenly Father for blessing me with a companion who is far better than I knew and far finer than I deserve. I cannot imagine life without Nancy.

So, why is it that I sometimes get irritated, impatient or judgmental of my dear companion? How can I explain patches of discontent? After decades of episodic analyzing and blaming, I have discovered that my feelings about Nancy are not a measure of her but of me. Just as our feelings about God are a good measure of our faith, so our feelings about our companions are a reliable gauge to our personal goodness."

"Accept and enjoy your partner as he or she is. "Being prepared to accept lack of change opens up a wealth of opportunities for transforming your relationship into the peaceful, intimate union you've wanted all along. . . . We have direct control over and responsibility for our own behavior alone" (pp.249-250). In that heavenly division of responsibility, we repent ourselves and love others. It is not our job to change others; it is our duty to love them."

"More Charity Needed

I should note that I do not believe that every marriage can make it. But the great mass-of-quiet-desperation marriages do not need divorce but need only more charity in order to flourish. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the cure for the common marital complaint. "Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands on the family, it lives" (Howard W. Hunter, Reading the Scriptures, Ensign, Nov. 1979, p.65).

Jesus is not only the Creator of worlds but the Energizer of relationships. In Him all things have life. As He said: "The thief [Satan and his servants] cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

Abundantly indeed. If I am unhappy with Nancy it is because I do not understand or do not honor the covenants I have made. I do not have charity. I believe that the covenant of consecration together with the marriage covenants effectively requires me to promise God: "I now covenant with Thee that from this time forth..."

"God has been working to teach me that, when I have charity, those complaints and discontents disappear. I can actually learn to enjoy whatever she is! What a lesson! So, when I am unhappy with Nancy in any way, it means that I need to get a spiritual tune-up. As in the Lord's great parable, having been forgiven a billion dollar debt, how can I fail to forgive Nancy her $15 (or 15 cent) debts? "

"As we mature in love, it is possible for our partner to become the working definition of everything we want in a partner. We discard youthful dreams in favor of the blessed reality. "She is perfect for me!" Of course every mortal spouse is imperfect---some more imperfect than others. But a combination of faith and charity can cause us to say, "This is precisely the person I need to become the person I should be."

God designed marriage as advanced training in charity. Our irritations with each others' mortal weaknesses cannot be managed unless we have charity. Our peace and joy grows as we learn to see our partner through Jesus' eyes."

"There are many related lessons I have learned. If things on the counter bother me, I can take care of them. When I think that Nancy does not "get it" (meaning that she doesn't agree with my dogmatic viewpoint), I can work harder to understand her perspective. I can make requests rather than complaints. (It would be silly not to tell her that I have an enduring distaste for eggplant, parsnips, and---forgive me Southern colleagues---okra. But I can frame this sharing in the context of what I enjoy: tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, corn, peas, spinach, and tomatoes.) When I am in a foul or tired mood, I can hold judgments and complaints until kindness returns (at which time I am not likely to have any complaints!)

I think God designed marriage to help us grow spiritually. The most important lessons I have learned about being a good person I did not learn on my mission, sitting in High Priest quorum, or serving as bishop; I learned them in marriage. But it has taken three decades of work to go from a selfish clod of complaints to a marginal-saint who adores his companion. I thank Heavenly Father for the priceless lessons He has taught me about the sweet joy of love."

First Day of School

2009-08-25T10:17:00.001-07:00

Ah, the first day of the new school year. So exciting when you are young and optimistic about all of the possibilities that await you. So exciting for mom who will get a bit more peace and quiet at home in the mornings with just one child to look after. First, we dropped off Caeli at her classroom door. She put on her name tag hung up her backpack, put her lunch in the bucket, and went to join the other children.

Kaden wanted to have his picture taken also.

Then we dropped off Cannon which includes signing him in, hanging up his lunch box, getting his name and putting it on the whiteboard, then sitting him down for a busy activity until they are ready to start school.
Kaden was ready to join in and make himself just like all of the other big kids. He was crushed when we had to leave, and thinks that he should be able to stay with Cannon, since I won't let him stay with Caeli. He has been grouped with Cannon his whole life, and doesn't understand the separation.Here are all three as we were early for school, and had to wait to drop off Caeli first. Notice that Kaden has his little water bottle in his hand. He wanted a whole lunch box like them, but settled for his water bottle, and carries it everywhere that they take theirs. Not one to be left behind or left out of anything that the others are doing.

Kaden has his own school to go to for speech therapy, so he gets to sit for formal instruction every week, and has progressed a lot in the few weeks that he has been attending.

Deep Freeze

2009-08-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of gruelling exercise, the water polo coach got those rocket popcicles for the athletes. There were quite a few left over and the thought was to give them to the girls who were holding initiation later that day. The coach started trying to get a girl to take them home with her so that she could then bring them with her to initiation in 5 hours, storing them in her freezer. No girls would take them citing lack of storage space in their kitchen freezers. Then it occurred to the coach to ask Cai. He finds her, and by now everyone is paying attention, and he asks, "Cai do you have room in your freezer for these?" She says she does. He asks if it is a deep freeze in the garage, she says yes. He laughs, "I should have known, just ask the Mormon." Her friends who have been to our house laughed along because they have seen first hand our food storage and understand what he is talking about.

Fall Schedule

2009-08-24T19:38:00.000-07:00

I'm still working out the details, but here is what it seems to be so far:

5am feed baby
530 take nap
615 feed baby
625 todd takes cai to seminary
630 help children make beds, get dressed, do hair, shoes and socks
645 make breakfast
710 load 3 cuties in the car to pick up cai from seminary
730 make lunches
740 take cai to school (except late start thu, drop off caeli and cannon, then cai by 830)
755 take caeli to school
800 take cannon to school and return home

1st mon: 9am playgroup, straight to pick up cannon.
tue: 815 take kaden to speech therapy, returning 915 for naptime
wed, fri: 915 take kaden to speech group class, leave early enough to pick up cannon.
4th thu: 9am zoo, then pick up cannon

1045 pick up cannon from school and return home

1210 pick up cai for lunch
1240 return cai to school for pe
130 pick up cai (except wed even schedule day she stays until after polo)
240 take cai to school for polo
255 pick up caeli from school (except early release wed pick up at 130)

330 start dinner
420 todd home

6pm pick up cai from polo
weds: 650 take cai to mutual pick up at 830.
3rd sat: 9pm take cai to dance pick up at 11pm.

it's different every day, and i have to have cai call me each time she needs the next ride because she is unpredictable. she has off campus lunch, so sometimes she comes home, or goes out with friends, or stays at school if she packs a lunch. she has 7th period open, but then has polo right after school. so home for 5th, back for 6th, home for 7th, back for polo practice. and the before school stuff about coming home after seminary then to school before the little kids. so i get to see cai all day, and hear neat stuff about what's going on during each phase of it. then on wednesdays there are only the even classes like 2nd, 4th, and 6th and thurs odd classes like 1st, 3rd (5th is lunch) and 7th which is open for her so she comes home at lunch and stays until polo.

of course, once cai gets her license it will be more like this:
530 alternate feeding baby and napping
630 help children make beds, get dressed, do hair, shoes and socks
700 make breakfast
730 make lunches
735 walk the children to school
800 walk home

1st mon: 9am playgroup, straight to pick up cannon.
tue: 815 take kaden to speech therapy, returning 915 for naptime
wed, fri: 915 take kaden to speech group class, leave early enough to pick up cannon.
4th thu: 9am zoo, then pick up cannon

1035 walk to pick up cannon from school and return home

235 walk to pick up caeli from school (except early release wed pick up at 130)

330 start dinner
420 todd home

by walking to and from the elementary school 3 times/day I get in 3 miles.

Book: Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

2009-08-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

First of all, this book has a potty mouth, and talks about sex a lot. Second of all, the paragraphs and sentences are quite rambling and I have to frequently go back to the beginning of a sentence to see what the end of it is trying to say, since there were so many asides in the middle. Anyway, it is a desperate story of a wife who is trying to find herself, or her passion for life. I'm half way through and wish I could edit it to be a nicer story. I'm holding out for a nice ending. I bought it because the movie looked so good. I just love Meryl Streep as an actress, and Amy Adams too. I am waiting to see the movie when it gets to the discount theatre, and figured the background info in the book would be helpful by then.

Well, I finally finished the book, and there was this last sentence which made it worthwhile, but not really. From the book "I have no claim over the woman [julia childs] at all, unless it's the claim one who has nearly drowned has over the person who pulled her out of the ocean." So by taking on this great task which was all consuming and powerfully difficult, she was able to find her true self, and know that she was capable of much more. I believe this is what people who run marathons or lose a significant amount of weight (then keep it off) manage with self mastery.

I much more enjoyed reading Running with Angels (thanks Trina) than this book. I don't know if I even still want to see the movie. It seems like there are so many more worthwhile things to do.

Park Days

2009-08-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

We went to a nature preserve that rehabilitates wild animals. They even have a golden eagle. The kids played for a long time down by the creek.

Zoo Pass

2009-08-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

We love to go to the zoo. I took tons of pictures because I'm going to make a zoo album, just sliding pics of all of the animals into a flip book so that the kids can remember the zoo on the off years when we don't have a family pass. I didn't want to carry my purse while chasing or holding hands with three little ones, so I made the baby carry the stuff. I had my water bottle, some snacks for each kid, and our free t-shirt that comes with annual membership.

I created a photo album for the kids of all of the animals at the zoo. The photo album is one of those that holds 100 photos 4x6 front and back, so you can flip through all of them easily. It has all of our favorite animals and the kids love looking at it. Everything from a porcupine and sloth to a tortoise and squirrels. I have the pics online. If you want the link, just comment.

Book: Common Sense by Thomas Paine

2009-08-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

I am amazed that this book is so easy to read. I may not have thought it easy if I were in high school, but aside from a couple of words here and there, I understand what I am reading. I even had to underline a few things that I find to be true today as much as it was then. I love truth. Here are a couple of quotes so far, in case you never read this book yourself:

About Government
"a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason."

"Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices."

"Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil... our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer."

"the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered; and the easier repaired when disordered;"

About Monarchy
"Mankind being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; the distinctions of rich and poor... Male and female are the distinctions of nature, good and bad, the distinctions of heaven;"

The Jews wanted "to be like unto other nations, i.e. the Heathen, whereas their true glory lay in being as much unlike them as possible."

Has anyone read Glenn Beck's Gommon Sense? I bought it at our local church bookstore then returned it because I found it at our local club store for $6 less. Is it worth paying for?

The Value of a Ring

2009-08-04T17:16:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to discover that my wedding ring which appraised at the time we bought it for a significant amount is now worth around 1/20th of that amount. Apparantly, the princess cut diamond is not in high demand, and so goes the value of the ring, since the other diamonds are a dime a dozen, and gold is just that, not enough to amount to much.

My discovery came when I decided rather brilliantly to exchange my large princess cut diamond ring for an even larger manmade diamond or high quality cz ring. In my head I imagined getting back what I paid for my ring originally, since I got such a great deal in the first place, paying almost 3/4ths of what it appraised at, and then putting half into savings, and using the other half to buy the high quality replacement with a large fake stone.

Imagine my surprise when a) they had to cut the ring off, because it would not come off any other way, and b) no one wants to buy pieces of a ring, even if several of those pieces come with diamonds.

Plan B is to have the ring put back together, then either sell it on eBay and continue with Plan A, or keep it for sentimental reasons, and continue to wear it as my wedding ring in its new larger size. The jeweler who cut the ring off wants so much money to put it back together. I got second quote from the jeweler I originally purchased the ring from for $70 less sight unseen. They also offered to chemically change my yellow gold so that it looks silver. We'll see how much that costs. I'll update as the saga continues.

I went back Tuesday to retrieve the ring from the jeweler who cut it off and sent it out for an appraisal on putting it back together and increasing the size by 1/2. The jeweler said it would be back by Saturday, but they didn't have it, and realized that the person who would have transported it was out of town that weekend. The assistant offered to drop it by my home the next day, which she did. Then Thursday I took it to the first jeweler for their lower priced service, but now that they see what needs done, they upped their quote by $50, so I asked how much to make the gold look silver and she said $30, so I added that in too, since it was only $10 more than the other jeweler and it included making the ring silver. It will be ready on Monday. I can't wait to see how it looks. Of course I'll post a pic. I wish I had taken one while it was all cut up.

Speech Therapy

2009-07-30T18:07:00.000-07:00

Kaden wants to thank Teacher Sara for helping him to learn how to open his mouth to talk. He is much happier that he is understood better as he actually tries to use his words.

You did a great job giving him structure and a positive learning environment.

He keeps pointing at this picture and making a questionmark sound. LOL.

Getting into the Act

2009-07-19T23:28:00.000-07:00

We have traveling performers at our local libraries during the summer. This week both Todd and Caeli got into the juggler's act. Caeli tried to balance on a board over a large round cylinder. Todd helped to juggle by tossing and catching when asked.

Snafu Sleeping

2009-07-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

Caeli had heard about kids sleeping over at each other's houses, and she was wanting to do some of that, and I replied that we don't do that in our family, and she asked why? so I went on a little about how sometimes kids aren't very nice to each other late at night and play tricks and make fun, so she was sad until I said that we could have our own slumber party just us at our house and she perked right up. Poor Kaden doesn't have his own bag, so he would try to sneak in with Caeli or Cannon, but eventually I got him to sleep in his own bed. I let them sleep wherever in the house they wanted, so they chose right in front of the tv.

Green Cleaning Recipes

2009-07-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is from the American Lung Association and can be downloaded from www.alaw.org . You can also look at www.healthhouse.org and www.watoxics.org for more information on green cleaning, or http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov for information on household products.

I'm so happy to have this brochure with all of the recipes you might want to clean your house in one location. I'm entering it here into my blog so that I can always find it, unlike some pieces of paper I used to know. There are three ingredients: Baking Soda - helps to clean and deodorize, will act as a scouring agent, polisher, stain remover, fabric softener, used to clean plastic, binyl, carpet, silver, stainless steele, drains, and freshen your fridge. Borax - helps to clean and deodorize, used on wallpaper, painted walls, and floors with detergents to remove stains and boost cleaning power. Vinegar - helps remove stains, wax buildup and mildew, used to clean windows, fireplaces, grout, paintbrushes, glass, and coffee pots.

Air Fresheners:

Dissolve 1 tsp of baking soda in 2 cups of hot water; add 1 tsp lemon juice. Pour solution into a spray bottle and spray as an air freshner.
Place a few slices of a citrus fruit, cloves, or cinnamon in a pot with enough water to simmer gently for 1-2 hours.
Use baking soda in your garbage or refridgerator to help reduce odors at their source.

All Purpose Cleaner

Add 1/2 cup pure liquid soap (ie: pure castile soap from Trader Joes) to 1 gallon of hot water. This solution is safe for all surfaces and is very effective for most jobs, even killing mold.
For a clean scent and to help cut grease, add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to the above recipe.
For a stronger cleaner, double the amounts of soap and lemon juice in the above recipe.

Floor Cleaner with Peppermint

Combine in a bucket: 1/8 cup liquid soap or detergent, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar or lemon juice, 1/2 cup peppermint tea (adds antibacterial qualities). Swirl water until sudsy. Scrub floor with mop or rag.

Scouring Powder

Combine pure soap with table salt or baking soda on the surface to be cleaned. Scrub with firm bristle brush.
Baking soda alone on a damp sponge is also effective on most surfaces.
Personalize scouring powder by adding an aromatic herb or flower. Put ingredients in a blender and run until fragrance has infused the powder.

Disinfectant

Mix 1/2 cup Borax into 1 gallon of hot water or undiluted vinegar. For a fragrant smell, as a few sprigs of fresh thyme, rosemary, or lavender. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and cool. Store in plastic spray bottle.

Furniture Polish

Dissolve 1 tsp lemon oil in 1 cup vegetable oil. Apply with clean dry rag.

Laundry Detergent

Add 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup of Borax to water as washer is filling. This will clean a large load of clothes and deodorize. Note: the first time this recipe is used on each article of clothing, you will see soap residue being removed from previous detergent washing.

Softening Fabrics (including wool)

Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to rinse cycyle or a dispenser ball. This does NOT make your clothes smell like vinegar.
To make blankets soft and fluffy: add 2 cups of white vinegar to a washer tub full of water. Rinse cotton and wool blankets in washer tub after washing. This leaves blankets free of soap and their nap is soft and fluffy.

Stain Removers

Coffee/Tea stains: An equal mixture of salt and white vinegar will clean china cups.
Coffee/Chocolate stains: Mix egg yolk with lukewarm water and rub on stain.
Fruit/Juice stains: Immediately pour salt or cold soda water on stain and soak in milk before washing.
Grease stains: Strain boiling water through white cottons and follow with dry baking soda or rub washing soda in water.
Ink stains: Soak in milk or remove with hydrogen peroxide.
Blood stains: Immediately pour salt or cold soda water on stain and soak in cold water before washing or use hydrogen peroxide.
Chewing gum: rub with ice to freeze gum, then flake off.

Tub and Sink Cleaners

Sprinkle baking soda on porcelain fixtures and rub with a wet rag. Rinse well to avoid hazy film.
Cream of tarter and white vinegar mixed together to make a paste.
Mix 2 tsp borax, 4 tsp of white vinegar, and 3-4 cups of hot water in a spray bottle.

Window and Mirror Cleaner

Put 1/4 cup of vinegar in a 16 oz spray bottle and fill to top with water. A few drops of detergent may be added to prevent streaks. Spray on glass, rub with cloth diaper or other lint-free rag, or newspaper page.

Dusting

Use a soft cloth slightly dampened with water instead of dry-dusting which just kicks dust up into the air.

Spot Cleaner

Use 1/4 cup of borax and 2 cups of water. Dissolve in water, sponge on stain, then let it dry or pre-treat before washing.

Drain Cleaner

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down drain first, then 1/2 cup vinegar. Let it fizz a few minutes. Then pour a boiling tea kettle full of water. Repeat as needed.

Oven Cleaner (not for self cleaning ovens)

Mix 1 cup baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Apply to oven surfaces and let stand a little while. Use a general purpose scouring pad and a spatula or bread knife to get under large food deposits.

Noticing Items Out of Place

2009-07-09T18:27:00.000-07:00

As I walk through the house all day long, I notice if something is out of place: a towel on the floor, a bed unmade, shoes left out, dishes unwashed. I have realized as my house is less cluttered and in disarray generally, these few things interrupt my thoughts every time I walk by and notice AGAIN that they are out of place.

Finally, I realized that rather than waiting for the responsible person to be encouraged to clean up after themselves, I can live more peacefully all day long if I just take care of it the first time I notice it, rather than noticing it 4 or 5 times all day, or for several days, and then releasing that pent up frustration on the responsible person. Generally, everyone cleans up their messes before changing activities, so these few misplaced items are in an already cleaned up house.

I tell myself that I am blessing my house when I keep it clean, rather than being petty about something small, similar to holding a grudge by leaving it out. It irritates me much more than the person who forgot about it. I certainly wouldn't want that left there if someone were coming over to visit because it reflects poorly on me as a homemaker, or as a parent teaching children to clean up after themselves. I decided that if that person isn't there when the misplaced item is first noticed to take care of it immediately, I will just do it right then and not worry about it the rest of the day, days, or week that it remains out of place.

I am being a blessing to my family. I am creating a peaceful/clean environment for my family to come home to. I am noticing as I live in my home that it is lovely and enjoyable. I feel happier and more relaxed with less to worry about in general.

Redecorating Cai's Room

2009-07-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

Cai left home last night and she will be gone for 11 days. I have permission to redecorate it similar to the way I did the rest of the house, so that it looks clean and sleek and new.

These are the before pictures:

These are the "after" pictures. I painted all of the walls the same color as the rest of the house interior walls, and the trim the same as the rest of the house, including her window ledge and inside her closet, but not behind her dresser which is impossible for one person to even budge. I hung her trophies and awards from middle and high school around her dresser, and placed all of her ceramic projects on the shelf across the top of her closet. All of her clutter, I placed in a large box in the base of her closet to go through when she is feeling better, since she came home sick and has been in bed with a fever the last couple of days. I also switched ceiling fan/lights with the bedroom next door since they use theirs less they wouldn't mind having a floor lamp instead because Cai's has been broken for some time. Also, you may notice that I painted her bed frames black, which looks terrific, using the satin exterior black enamel paint that I used on the outside of the house on the trim.

The 4th of July Fun with Family

2009-07-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

I forgot to take my camera, so I have no pictures of the weekend. First we went to Berkeley to see Tracey and spend some time with her and give her some things to sell at her yard sale to help pay her way to Costa Rica next month as she is going to drive down with some friends to help open a hostel.

Then we drove to Hayward to see Trina and her new roomy garage that she is going to move into while her house gets all of the moldy sheetrock replaced while she is on vacation in Utah. Next we drove up to see Tami in Oakland to see how she has settled into her new place. The place next door is very exciting too and it is obvious that Phil has been putting in a lot of work.

Lastly we drove up to the temple to see a patriotic concert that ended right around dark and we could see some firework shows off in the distance around the bay, but mostly we tailgated with Tami and Trina and Grandma and Grandpa and all the cousins and ate food and pie. It was very hard to leave at 9:45pm, but we really didn't want to get home much later than midnight. As it happened, I was in bed by 1am.

Unfortunately, the baby was awake at 7am, and Cannon woke with an upset stomach, not wanting food, complaining that he was going to throw up. He layed down a towel on the bath floor and stayed there until he really did start throwing up. This he continued for several hours, then magically around noon he was all better. There was light in his eyes, and he didn't feel warm anymore, and he ate 2 bowls of oatmeal, some ritz crackers and 2 packages of fruit snacks. Welcome back my son.

Cleaning the Stove Top

2009-07-02T15:55:00.001-07:00

I have a counter top range. There are 4 burners, two large and two small. In my recent redecorating, I replaced the drip pans that go under the coils. The drip pans are so shiny and new that it gave my whole range top a clean look. Now after cooking some tasty dish, I'll check my drip pans to see if anything has dripped on it, and if so, I'll wash it while I'm washing the dinner dishes, pots and pans. This way, they will always be new and shiny and add to the crispy clean of my kitchen. Just part of the routine now. I believe this is what Flylady calls flying in the kitchen. Wahoo.

Black Widow Spiders

2009-07-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

Almost every day, my husband goes outside in the evening and kills a black widow spider. If he skips a week, he can go out the next day and kill 5 or 6. The webs are very different from other spider webs, so he is constantly watching for that type of web, and then he will hunt for the spider come dusk. Fortunately, they are shy spiders, and not aggressive, so unless you touch it, it isn't likely to bite you, but that does make them harder to spray for because the spray has to get on them directly for it to have any effect. Our children know that these spiders are more poisonous than other spiders, and to call dad if they see one.