Sunday, November 29, 2009

Memories

Last summer when we were on our vacation, a new temple opened nearby. It was the first one I could take my kids into that they would actually remember. The whole time we were in line waiting for our turn, I was telling them different things to expect. The first thing you do when you walk in the door is stop between two people. You lift one foot up and they slip these little disposable shoe covers over your shoe. Then you repeat it with your other foot. I was really excited for them to see this part--it's always what stuck out in my head from earlier open houses I'd been to. This new building (sadly) didn't have these cute little feetie covers---the entire walking areas were made up of marble tiles and all of the carpet was covered with the long plastic carpet covers. No, it's not a big deal---but there was a tinge of disappointment!

Fighting The Good Fight

My mom has been going through a really rough patch trying to wean herself off of pain medication her doctor prescribed for her. You know, you always hear about celebrities fighting these kinds of addictions, and I tend to judge rather harshly. Little did I realize that much of these addictions are caused by the doctors and the drugs themselves. By that, I mean, with the rebound of pain that accompanies taking pain medication. It will take away the pain for awhile, but when it wears off, the body sends rebound pain--and you end up taking more medication to relieve that pain, and the accompanying pain and so on!

It's been 24 days since she went off of her pain medication cold turkey. And she's finally starting to feel a little more human. Those first three days were the worst! I honestly thought I should start looking for cross country movers to be with her. It's probably good that we are 1500 miles apart, because I would have been there all day every day--and there are times I think she would have pushed just to converse with me. And with me not there, it gave her the freedom to rest and only take my phone calls when she really had the energy to do so!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Hand Dryers

Are all kids drawn to hand dryers? I swear, every restroom we are in, my daughter (6 1/2) must wash her hands and sit with them under the dryer until they are practically chapped from being so dry. There are paper towel dispensers along the other wall which would be much quicker, but no, she must dry! It isn't that she's being all 'conservation minded', she just likes the fact that something mechanical dries her hands for her.

I remember being up in the mountains at summer camp. We would have to be up at the crack of dawn, and even though it was summer--it was always freezing up there. We would hang out for the flag ceremony, and then we would dash to the bathroom, and turn the blowers on--and just stand in front of them. Anything to get warm!

So Proud

I was filling out some paper work for some of the ladies at church, and came across a name of someone I'd never met. Mind you, I've been in the area and the same church for over two years, I should know everybody right? Turns out this young lady has picked up and moved to the Dominican Republic to work on humanitarian projects. How amazing is that? I can't imagine being so self-less, and I have to say, I'm humbled by her. So if you are ever in santo domingo look up Sister Cutler for me---just see how she's doing!

I Want It!!

We are remodeling our basement. I know, it's a recession...what are we thinking! Honestly, we are updating it, and adding a kitchen. In case we need to move elderly parents in--or even rent out the space for added income. We were looking at sinks and faucets the other day, when we saw the COOLEST bar faucets ever! Mind you, I've never really been into a bar---so I don't know if they are what real bars use--but you hold the glass upside down and push it toward the faucet, and a gush of hot water hits it--and cleans it. OH MY HEAVENS....I want one so bad! I don't think we use too many glasses. I'm not sure it would be used much at all. But oh it was so cool!

Monday, November 2, 2009

My Laptop Is Dead

My laptop is fried! I guess I was asking for it, when I let my kids play with it. But it's got too much information to just let it go. I've been looking into secure online backup. I don't know how long the process takes, or how many times my laptop will freeze before it's totally backed up. But it is definitely something that would save me so much time and stress. I don't know if it has a virus---and it won't keep itself running long enough to run a scan, and I do have to say---it's DRIVING ME CRAZY!!

Purloined Pens

Do you have people in the office that steal all of the office supplies? I swear, my husband comes home from work every night with three pens. Each has the company name on them, so it's not hard to see where they are coming from. I wouldn't be surprised to find 20 or more of them in his drawer. But it really makes it nice when I can't find a pen--I know just where to look! Would it be too tacky to start requesting sticky notes?? I'm always needing those! :)

Christmas Past

My cousin posted a picture of herself from many years ago on Facebook. I couldn't tell how old she was, or if it was taken after they moved to Utah or in one of their Baltimore apartments. Turns out, it was her first Christmas after the move west. So I had definitely met her by then.

In the picture, she was 10 years old and holding up the baby doll that her mom had gotten for her for Christmas. Here she is 34 year old looking at this picture and wondering if 10 was too old to be getting excited about getting a baby doll for Christmas!