Once There Was a Snowman?

Self-talk

During breakfast for the three youngest this morning, there was a lot of bothering and tattling.  So we had an impromptu round of The Quiet Game.  It's my favorite game.

It was all going quite well and quietly when Daughter #4 came up to me and whispered, "Is it okay if we talk in our heads to ourselves?"  I told her it was, and she went back to the table and continued eating.  It was a very peaceful breakfast.

On an unrelated note, Daughter #2, age 10, has been walking lately in an exaggerated leaning side-to-side motion.  Apparently, she's trying to walk like Grover from Sesame Street.  It's interesting.

Today...

I solved the no-internet-and-phone-connection problem by unplugging the modem and plugging it back in.

I HAVE to do the dishes.

all kids will be going to school, even the one with a cough.

we have parent-teacher conferences.  Not last week, like I had written on my calender, gone to the school and wondered where everyone was.  Oops.

I still need to decide what to make for dinner.

I am eating homemade bread with butter and honey for breakfast, with orange juice and a banana.

I have to go to the store to buy milk, bread and deodorant.  All necessities in this house.

I will stay sane.  It was questionable earlier this morning, but I'm good now.

I will be happy.



Happy 14th Birthday!!!

Today is my son's 14th birthday.  Here are 10 things about him:

1.  He loves our chickens and takes great care of them.  Pansy is his favorite.

2.  He is very funny.  He can come up with a comeback super fast.

3.  He has a great memory.  Entire conversations from years ago have been recalled, sometimes to the embarassment of his parents and sisters.

4.  He is really good at building LEGOs.

5.  He is wonderful at doing his own laundry every Friday without being reminded.  We're going on about 5 years of that now.  It's awesome.

6.  He is a great friend to and protector of a young man in our ward with some challenges.

7.  Many adults and parents in our ward have told me how much they admire him for his kindness.

8.  He is very good at video and computer games.  And will do any chores to earn extra time.  I especially like that.

9.  He likes to talk to and spend time with his dad and me.  Maybe that will change in the future, but we're really enjoying that right now.

10.  He is a great kid all around and we love having him in our family!

Haiku

Hot rice bag is nice

Feels good on sore muscles

Takes away the hurt



Chicken Weirdnesses

A few weeks ago Pansy was molting.  Remember this picture?

Well, she looks much better now with her new feathers grown in.

Now it is Matilda's turn to molt.  And if you thought Pansy looked pathetic and silly, look at this:

 While I was trying to take these pictures, Pansy was up to her old tricks of attacking my shoes.  She managed to get both shoelaces untied.  Silly chicken.









A Creative Christmas In Pictures



Now That's More Like It

I've been taking a particular antidepressant for 2 1/2 years.  It works pretty well, most of the time.  It has evened out my mood swings and kept me from getting too low.  It did make me feel rather sluggish and tired all the time, though.  After talking with my doctor about that at my yearly appointment last month, we decided to raise the dose and see if that made a difference.  I'm glad to say it sure has.  She said that the seratonin levels in my brain were being affected by the lower dose, but the norepinephrin levels weren't being touched at all.  The norepinephrin levels have to do with energy and motivation.  It's been 5 weeks or so since I've taken the higher dose and I can definitely feel a difference.  No longer do I have to take a daily nap (or two) and I am getting much more things done during my day.  My sleep at night seems to have improved as well.  Hooray!

I Do Not Think That Means What You Think It Means

At Young Womens last night, we were talking about reading the scriptures, and one of the Beehives said, "I can't attention my span long enough to do that." 

I've never heard it put quite like that before. ;)

Hallelujah

I spontaneously burst into singing the Hallelujah Chorus as soon as the door closed after the last three kids left for school.  It was rather unexpected.  I guess true feelings refuse to stay hidden!