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.

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!

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!

The conundrum

They say exercise makes you happy.

They say depression makes you spend more money.

Well, what happens when you are depressed, so you start exercising a lot more, and you spend more money on exercise stuff which doesn't seem to be helping as much as you'd hoped, which makes you depressed, so you spend money on non-exercise related stuff which makes you more depressed because you spent money you shouldn't have, which makes you not want to exercise because you're so depressed?

Anyone?

Narrow squeak!

Well, we've been anticipating a lay-off at my husband's work for a while now.
Today they layed of 30+ people.
He survived.
Phew!

We are heartbroken for those that were laid-off, and I sincerely hope they will be able to find good jobs in a short time. I know how difficult it can be. My husband went through 9 months with no employment a few years ago and it was awful.

But we were reminded today of how very blessed we are.

Being active, or actively being?

I am trying to turn over some new leaves. Or some old leaves that have been turned but turned back again.

1) I am trying to be more physically active. I've always been a "doer"- you know, I'm always puttering around doing something, but I am trying to be more aggressive in the somethings that I do.  So, I've gotten out and gone on lots of bike rides with my family, or even by myself after the kid goes to bed. I love the feel of the breeze on my face as I ride my pink cruiser around the neighborhood and through the park. I just need a basket on front to make it complete. I want to feel I am out there in the world enjoying it as much as possible, without it feeling like work.

I am exercising every day, either jogging or "Insanity". And I've been the gardening queen this spring. Yay, me! I have sore muscles and back to prove it, too.

2) I am trying to get my son involved in projects and activities that make him work and stick to something that might be a little hard, but is rewarding. The other day we built a bamboo pole teepee on our lawn and planted green beans along the base of it so he will have a beautiful and lush green covered teepee to play in. Well, we HOPE the green grows up around it. I've never been very successful at growing things from seeds, but we are hopeful. If it doesn't work, then we will just put a cover over it and have a real teepee. My son did most of the work and I "supervised" most of it. I wanted him to have the satisfaction of doing something on his own, but I did help here and there. He was very proud of his work. (I'm to lazy to post a picture. Sorry.)

The last few days we have also been making a garden fountain. I've always wanted a fountain or pond with the sound of trickeling water that I can listen to as I sit and read a book or enjoy a bbq on our patio. It took a few days, and sever re-tries, but I finally got it to look good and work well. (Well, "well" is a loose term. It still has a leak I can't seem to fix, but I will conquer, dang it!) I did more of the work on this one, though, because there was lots of moving of very heavy rocks and it was too much for the kid. (Too much for me, too. I dropped a huge boulder on my foot. Not such a good idea.) But he got to see what hard work can get you.  Now to find only 61 more weekday projects to do! (Yikes!)

Here's to a great summer, and a productive and active summer! And a sane mommy.

Happy Memorial Day... and stuff!

First of all, and most importantly in this post, let me say- Grandpa Evans, thank you for serving our country! He was a sharp-shooter in WWII in New Guinnea. He rocked! He was a decoy for the Japanese troops getting too close to the Americans and he led them to chase after him. He came to a big cliff, and jumped down into the ocean below, thus becoming a hero. I can't wait to get to Heaven where I can ask him all about it and what he felt as he was running away toward a cliff.

I also want to thank my other relatives who fought in the Civil War. I saw the handwriting on your enlistment papers. You were so young! And brave! (And you fought for the right side!) Thank you for doing something so difficult for a better country!  And to all my other relatives who I don't know, but I am certain fought in other wars. (Especially the Scottish ones who had to wear dresses while doing it!) Thank you!

Now that has been said,

WHY ON EARTH DO ALL PATRIOTIC CELEBRATONS HAVE TO TAKE PLACE WITH LOUD CANNON FIRINGS AT DAWN?!!!!!

Yesterday morning I was sound asleep at my mom's house, and was awoken by 2 loud cannon shots at 6:00 AM!!!

Can't we celebrate and honor our heros at, say, 9:00? Or even 2PM!

There. I've said it.