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Monday, July 16, 2012

Some help for the hopeless...

Last night I was browsing the internet at all the self help books there are out there. Man! There are books about how to overcome the loss of a loved one, how to find love, how to get your ex back, how to leave your spouse, how to find a spouse, how to find multiple spouses! There are books about finding your inner self, becoming one with nature, speaking to your "goddess"...whatever that is. And there is even a self-help book about finding the right self-help book.

Why was I looking at these books? Well, what else is there to do late at night when you can't sleep? Maybe I should have been looking for a book on how to fall asleep! But, it made me think. Yes, I have issues. But, apparently we ALL have issues, or these books wouldn't be needed, right?

I think we all judge eachother way too much based on our observances of eachother's outward appearances. We see women at church who appear to have it all together: perfect hair, makeup, fat to muscle ratio, wardrobe, children... you name it! Of course we are all trying to put on an outward appearance that things are great, right? We don't leave the house without making sure that last hair is in place, or that we don't have anything in our teeth.  We women use wrinkle creams to appear younger, we get our hair done to appear that we take care of ourselves, we don't scream at our kids in public because we want to appear that we are calm and in control of our children, and ourselves.

However, there is a big problem with judging ourselves based on our perceptions of other's appearances. Why? Because appearances can be deceiving! (Have we ever heard this before?) Those "perfect" people we are trying so desperately to compare ourselves to are reading self-help books on depression, or how to save a failing marriage, or how to overcome eating disorders, or a miriad of other things. Because, we are ALL messed up!!! We all need help from Heavenly Father in multiple areas of our life! Isn't this great news????

So, I should go out and write a few books myself, right? It sure seems like we all need a little help.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

The zoo!

Last night, my husband's work hosted a summer party at the zoo. (The irony of it all was NOT lost on me, I can assure you. He leaves the zoo to go spend an evening at the zoo... I wonder if anyone else caught it.)

We ate a leisurely dinner, and I drank all the Dr. Pepper I could! It tasted sooooo good in that heat, let me tell you! We took a train ride, which my husband so generously sprang for. (He was funny, pulling out his wallet like "Hey, I got this, babe!" )

The zoo had closed to the public at 5, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. It was sooo nice not having crowds and such. It was way too hot to be patient with a lot of gawky people, anyway.  I was worried at first because it seemed the animals were not interested in entertaining us "after hours" people. The otters had already said "It's quittin time, and I'm not getting paid enough to hang out after 5!" I was sad because I really wanted to see the otters. :(

However, the seals were putting on a hillarious wrestling match for us! They rolled and tumbled and tried to bite eachother's hind flippers/fins/whatever they are.  The polar bear was out, which I was soo happy about because we couldn't see him last week when we went. The poor thing, though. He looked like he was being bothered by allergies or something and he kept scratching and rubbing his face, and keeping his eyes half closed. He finally found a big dead tree branch to scratch his face on. I felt so bad for him!

The brown bears were splashing and having a grand old time in the water as well. But the best part was the show the tigers were putting on! They were in the water as well- who wouldn't be on that hot day! They were also play-fighting, but it was right in the water, right in front of the glass! They were smashing eachother up against the glass and water would splash all the way up and over the top so we got sprayed! It was sooo cool to see the power they had, their huge paws and dangerous, shiny teeth!

What a great evening with my little family!

Monday, July 9, 2012

You know you're getting more mature when...

- people "unfriending" you on Facebook doesn't faze you at all.
(Of course, you know you have reached the height of maturity when you no longer need Facebook. I'm still working on this!)
-You can watch "The Avengers" without drooling.
(again... haven't quite reached that point yet.)
-You are happy to let  your husband have the very last chocolate chip cookie, and your son have your last, perfect bite of pie, because their enjoyment is far more rewarding than your own.
(did I mention I haven't quite reached this point yet?)

You know what? I'm beginning to feel less and less mature as I go, so maybe I should just stick with the first one, and be proud that I am not fazed when I am unfriended on Facebook! Ya! I'm mature!