Well, today I am one year further into my midlife crisis. I am now 42; my daughter is calling it the year of much knowledge because of that whol 42 being the answer to the universe thing from one of the movies. I do have to say that 42 doesn't feel as yucky as 40 did. With 41 I just didn't want to think about it, but it's been all right this time.
It was a nice day; I purchased the piano sheet music for The Nutcracker Suite and 2 MoTab CDs and told my husband to wrap them up. :) He wasn't too happy about that but I told them I really wanted them. He got me a new bottle and giftset of my favorite perfume, Happy by Clinique because I ran out.
My favorite things about today were that my family made me some special things. Brittany made my cards on the computer, complete with photos and poetry verses she made up. The one from her and Shane have a photo of them on the front; the one from Kelly has my favorite wedding photo on the front. Kelly made me a slideshow on the computer to the song "Everything" by Michael Buble (the ka-yootest song ever!!), and Shane put together another slideshow to "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story 2--all the photos are of him and Brittany together when they were little. I loved all of it!
My mom invited us over for dinner so I didn't have to cook, and my sis and her family were there. Mom gave me a reindeer "Happy Holiday" sign she painted and some money, and I scored a deal with Katrina's husband on their camcorder. I'm very happy with that because ours bit the dust two or three years ago and we have a lot of events coming up that I want that for!
I got lots of Happy Birthday wishes at Relief Society--wouldn't you know they didn't give me the day off from teaching, but they announced it was my birthday. We have so many nice people in our ward. I was a little worried about the lesson because my brain has been on overload this past week and I've had a lot of trouble focusing (what's that guy's name that I'm married to? j/k), but I think it went all right. I'm always reminded that the teaching comes from the Spirit, not from me--which is a good thing on days like today when my brain is fried.
Brittany says I need to make the most of my Year of Much Knowledge, because after this year it's all over. :) We shall see how it goes!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Yep, You Kind of Need Your Water Storage!
For anyone wondering if you really need to store the suggested amounts of water that are listed for emergency preparedness, I can say that I really think you do. And you never know what your emergency might be. It could be like the crisis our family has today:
Stupid Mom forgot to pay the water bill.
GAHHHHH!! There's nothing quite like turning the faucet on having nothing happen. We, of course, got the pretty green tag on our door stating we need to pay our bill and I was like, "Oh, yeah! I need to do that." I looked at the date and for some reason saw the 17th and put it aside because payday is tomorrow, then later when I had no water I looked at it again and it was the 12th. Don't ask how my brain messed that up; it just did. So how do you like THAT peek inside my head? I bet you're feeling pretty darned good about yourself right now!
It is amazing how fast water goes when you need to wash hands, boil water for cooking, etc. By some act of heaven we got paid today instead of tomorrow, so I went and paid the bill at lunch. They said it will be back on sometime today; I hope so, because I really don't want to deal with Kelly coming home to no running water. I feel SO classy today.
Hey, I just heard water in the sink! It's a beautiful thing. Those water turn offer guys have the cushiest job ever--open water meter, turn off water, get in truck, leave. Come back, open water meter, turn ON water, get in truck, leave. Hmmm, maybe that's another to add to my list of empty nester job possibilities. . .
Stupid Mom forgot to pay the water bill.
GAHHHHH!! There's nothing quite like turning the faucet on having nothing happen. We, of course, got the pretty green tag on our door stating we need to pay our bill and I was like, "Oh, yeah! I need to do that." I looked at the date and for some reason saw the 17th and put it aside because payday is tomorrow, then later when I had no water I looked at it again and it was the 12th. Don't ask how my brain messed that up; it just did. So how do you like THAT peek inside my head? I bet you're feeling pretty darned good about yourself right now!
It is amazing how fast water goes when you need to wash hands, boil water for cooking, etc. By some act of heaven we got paid today instead of tomorrow, so I went and paid the bill at lunch. They said it will be back on sometime today; I hope so, because I really don't want to deal with Kelly coming home to no running water. I feel SO classy today.
Hey, I just heard water in the sink! It's a beautiful thing. Those water turn offer guys have the cushiest job ever--open water meter, turn off water, get in truck, leave. Come back, open water meter, turn ON water, get in truck, leave. Hmmm, maybe that's another to add to my list of empty nester job possibilities. . .
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My Name is Heidi and. . .
and I'm an emotional eater." "Well, der," the group says.
That is what I pictured my very first night at my emotional eating support group being like. Last night was my 4th meeting in a 12-week session and can I just say, it's nothing like that. I'm learning a lot, and it's nice to see that I'm on track with what I've felt was going on with my stupid eating for a long time. These are some of the nicest people I have ever met, and the counselor who facilitates the group is wonderful.
Something that was surprising to me after the first or second meeting was to realize how many different manifestations there are in eating disorders, and that really the root cause is the same. I thought that all of the people coming would be on the heavier side, but I have been surprised to learn that some have bulimia and/or anorexia. The main difference between me and them is that when I eat too much I don't throw up. I just feel sick for a couple of days and feel like an idiot. However, as the leader pointed out, we're gaining something from what we're doing. For me it boils down to trading one sick feeling in my gut for another one that doesn't feel as threatening. When I have the high anxiety, my knee-jerk reaction is to eat something. My body misinterprets that "hole" as hunger. I've been aware of it for quite awhile even before starting the group and have been working on it on my own, but the hard part for me is figuring what to do when I am feeling that way. We did an exercise last night, and part of it was coming up with alternatives. I had a hard time coming up with answers, so listened to everyone else and got some ideas that way.
I've had some bad anxiety this past week and am proud of the fact that several times I caught my desire to eat and realized that it was a stress response and didn't follow through. I'm learning to listen to my body better--I've had some situations where I realized I was THIRSTY or TIRED, NOT HUNGRY!! I've been so out of sync it's ridiculous.
We are using the book "Intuitive Eating," which is also used by The Center for Change, where the group is held. This book is amazing and totally makes sense to me--as I've read I've been like, "Yup. Yup. That's me!"
So this group thing is another good thing I'm doing for me. And I'm really glad that no one has said, "Well, der," to me. :)
That is what I pictured my very first night at my emotional eating support group being like. Last night was my 4th meeting in a 12-week session and can I just say, it's nothing like that. I'm learning a lot, and it's nice to see that I'm on track with what I've felt was going on with my stupid eating for a long time. These are some of the nicest people I have ever met, and the counselor who facilitates the group is wonderful.
Something that was surprising to me after the first or second meeting was to realize how many different manifestations there are in eating disorders, and that really the root cause is the same. I thought that all of the people coming would be on the heavier side, but I have been surprised to learn that some have bulimia and/or anorexia. The main difference between me and them is that when I eat too much I don't throw up. I just feel sick for a couple of days and feel like an idiot. However, as the leader pointed out, we're gaining something from what we're doing. For me it boils down to trading one sick feeling in my gut for another one that doesn't feel as threatening. When I have the high anxiety, my knee-jerk reaction is to eat something. My body misinterprets that "hole" as hunger. I've been aware of it for quite awhile even before starting the group and have been working on it on my own, but the hard part for me is figuring what to do when I am feeling that way. We did an exercise last night, and part of it was coming up with alternatives. I had a hard time coming up with answers, so listened to everyone else and got some ideas that way.
I've had some bad anxiety this past week and am proud of the fact that several times I caught my desire to eat and realized that it was a stress response and didn't follow through. I'm learning to listen to my body better--I've had some situations where I realized I was THIRSTY or TIRED, NOT HUNGRY!! I've been so out of sync it's ridiculous.
We are using the book "Intuitive Eating," which is also used by The Center for Change, where the group is held. This book is amazing and totally makes sense to me--as I've read I've been like, "Yup. Yup. That's me!"
So this group thing is another good thing I'm doing for me. And I'm really glad that no one has said, "Well, der," to me. :)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Me with a Magic Wand
What would I do if I had a magic wand? Well, first my house would ALWAYS be clean. I would have self-folding and put-away laundry. The dishes would do themselves every night (I've been doing pretty good on that one for quite awhile but last night's are still staring at me and I can't deal with them). The Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations would switch themselves and the boxes would go back to the garage on their own. Remember that scene in Disney's The Sword in the Stone where Merlin waves his wand and the dishes all do themselves? Mine would be even better because they would just be magically done--no process, just done. The vacuum cleaner would turn on whenever needed and just take care of business.
My son would flush the toilet after he uses it, there would be no smudges on the bathroom mirror, and everyone would take care of the towels after they shower. There would be no shaving cream residue left in the sink.
My daughter's shoe piles would disappear, because she would put them away before getting to a 5-pair pileup. ON HER OWN.
I would never have to put gas in the van or buy toilet paper. They would just be there!
My checkbook would balance itself. No forgotten entries!
I would get a paycheck every week for my job as wife and mother. I would have benefits, too. . .my benefits would include hair appointments every 8 weeks, paid for, a weekly massage, a new pair of frivolous shoes every month and a professional organizer on hand whenever I need her. She would rescue me constantly.
Each of my fingers and thumbs would grow 1/2" longer, so I could play piano pieces with huge chords easier. It's really obvious that a lot of male composers have huge hands and must just think everyone else does, too. One day my grandma was looking at my short, stubby fingers and said, "Oh, you got Bernie's (her sister's) hands!" like that was the most wonderful thing. I said, "Oh, she's the culprit, huh?!" Turns out I got her stupid feet, too.
As it happens, the only magic wand I have is my cursor. I feel very cool because I changed it on Cursor Mania! It makes me feel powerful.
Hmmm. . .maybe Jared is a magic wand. He made Brittany get her homework done yesterday after school. It was like magic.
My son would flush the toilet after he uses it, there would be no smudges on the bathroom mirror, and everyone would take care of the towels after they shower. There would be no shaving cream residue left in the sink.
My daughter's shoe piles would disappear, because she would put them away before getting to a 5-pair pileup. ON HER OWN.
I would never have to put gas in the van or buy toilet paper. They would just be there!
My checkbook would balance itself. No forgotten entries!
I would get a paycheck every week for my job as wife and mother. I would have benefits, too. . .my benefits would include hair appointments every 8 weeks, paid for, a weekly massage, a new pair of frivolous shoes every month and a professional organizer on hand whenever I need her. She would rescue me constantly.
Each of my fingers and thumbs would grow 1/2" longer, so I could play piano pieces with huge chords easier. It's really obvious that a lot of male composers have huge hands and must just think everyone else does, too. One day my grandma was looking at my short, stubby fingers and said, "Oh, you got Bernie's (her sister's) hands!" like that was the most wonderful thing. I said, "Oh, she's the culprit, huh?!" Turns out I got her stupid feet, too.
As it happens, the only magic wand I have is my cursor. I feel very cool because I changed it on Cursor Mania! It makes me feel powerful.
Hmmm. . .maybe Jared is a magic wand. He made Brittany get her homework done yesterday after school. It was like magic.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Happy 3-Month Anniversary to Me, the Blogger!
I've been blogging for 3 months now! I'm so proud. I may not have a following, but at least it's better than my ever-empty journal. Yay me!
Strrrrrrrrrrressful Day!
Yesterday sucked, and that's all there is to it. Well, it ended up good because Kelly and I went to the temple with a temple group from my work, but the rest of the day was BLAHHHHH!! Probably because we were going to the temple.
It started out with realizing that my paycheck didn't get deposited to our bank account, which we were in desperate need of. The thing that REALLY wigged me out was that this should have been my second paycheck, but I never got my first one. Typically they mail your first check and then after that they are automatically deposited into your bank account. I spent a week and a half looking for the first check, not wanting to be a brat, then finally brought it up at work. The other two people in my training group hadn't gotten theirs either and had said something, so they had already checked on it and told me it would be added to my next check. So I was REALLY not happy yesterday. The person at work over that was off for the day so a message was given to the store manager, who I had to wait two hours to hear from because he was in a training meeting. When I talked to him he said he had sent an email to HR in Salt Lake and was waiting to hear back and would call me. Two hours later I hadn't heard from him so despite not wanting to be a pest I called him again. He still hadn't heard back so gave me a phone number to call. Apparently they were out for the day because I had to leave messages.
Needless to say, I was NOT a happy camper. At all.
It's funny how crap happens when you're trying to go to the temple.
I got a check in the mail today, so at least I know I'm in the system, but I'm 99% sure they didn't include the first week. So I have some more squeaking to do.
It started out with realizing that my paycheck didn't get deposited to our bank account, which we were in desperate need of. The thing that REALLY wigged me out was that this should have been my second paycheck, but I never got my first one. Typically they mail your first check and then after that they are automatically deposited into your bank account. I spent a week and a half looking for the first check, not wanting to be a brat, then finally brought it up at work. The other two people in my training group hadn't gotten theirs either and had said something, so they had already checked on it and told me it would be added to my next check. So I was REALLY not happy yesterday. The person at work over that was off for the day so a message was given to the store manager, who I had to wait two hours to hear from because he was in a training meeting. When I talked to him he said he had sent an email to HR in Salt Lake and was waiting to hear back and would call me. Two hours later I hadn't heard from him so despite not wanting to be a pest I called him again. He still hadn't heard back so gave me a phone number to call. Apparently they were out for the day because I had to leave messages.
Needless to say, I was NOT a happy camper. At all.
It's funny how crap happens when you're trying to go to the temple.
I got a check in the mail today, so at least I know I'm in the system, but I'm 99% sure they didn't include the first week. So I have some more squeaking to do.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Love Is In the Air
As of a week ago, Brittany's Jared officially became Brittany's boyfriend. I have to say they are very, very cute together!
I'm not feeling freaked out about this one, like I was about the boy in the Snogging post. Brittany and Jared have been friends for a really long time. I like him a LOT. Good guy, lots of fun and oh my gosh, SO funny. About a month ago he came over the day he found out Brittany had given the other guy the boot so she could talk, and I had just talked to Brittany, reinforcing NO BOYS in her bedroom. Jared came downstairs as we were finishing the talk and Brittany said, "Sorry, you can't come in here," (she was cleaning) and Jared wanted to know why (he's been in there as a friend when there have been several of them hanging out). I said something like because he's a guy and he said, "But I'm just Jared!" I said, "Sorry, house rules," and went upstairs. He asked her out on their first not-just-as-friends date that day and there's been quite a bit of snuggling going on since then. Whatever, "Just Jared!"
Shane and Amanda have been together almost 10 months. He's been making a slideshow CD to give her for their year anniversary. We love Amanda, too! She's a really good girl, fun and creative, and really encourages Shane to keep doing what he should. "Shane, you need to get your Eagle." "Okay, Amanda. Mom, I need an Eagle Project and I just passed off my last two nightmare merit badges that I've been fighting with you for two years over." "Shane, would you like to go to General Conference with me and my family?" "Why, of COURSE I would Amanda! There's nothing I love more than General Conference." "Shane, you should go to the seminary morningside." "Okay, Amanda. Mom, I need to be at the seminary building to go to the morningside you've been telling me I should go to for the past two years."
Having your kids date the right kinds of people? Priceless. And pretty darned cute.
I'm not feeling freaked out about this one, like I was about the boy in the Snogging post. Brittany and Jared have been friends for a really long time. I like him a LOT. Good guy, lots of fun and oh my gosh, SO funny. About a month ago he came over the day he found out Brittany had given the other guy the boot so she could talk, and I had just talked to Brittany, reinforcing NO BOYS in her bedroom. Jared came downstairs as we were finishing the talk and Brittany said, "Sorry, you can't come in here," (she was cleaning) and Jared wanted to know why (he's been in there as a friend when there have been several of them hanging out). I said something like because he's a guy and he said, "But I'm just Jared!" I said, "Sorry, house rules," and went upstairs. He asked her out on their first not-just-as-friends date that day and there's been quite a bit of snuggling going on since then. Whatever, "Just Jared!"
Shane and Amanda have been together almost 10 months. He's been making a slideshow CD to give her for their year anniversary. We love Amanda, too! She's a really good girl, fun and creative, and really encourages Shane to keep doing what he should. "Shane, you need to get your Eagle." "Okay, Amanda. Mom, I need an Eagle Project and I just passed off my last two nightmare merit badges that I've been fighting with you for two years over." "Shane, would you like to go to General Conference with me and my family?" "Why, of COURSE I would Amanda! There's nothing I love more than General Conference." "Shane, you should go to the seminary morningside." "Okay, Amanda. Mom, I need to be at the seminary building to go to the morningside you've been telling me I should go to for the past two years."
Having your kids date the right kinds of people? Priceless. And pretty darned cute.
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