Red Fish, Blue Fish, Old Fish, Dead Fish?!!

My fish is floating upside down in the tank again.  I growl and gently tap the sides to see if he's dead for real

this time.

Nope.  (S)He is fine...as usual.  I realize, in the short 8 months we have lived with this dear fish, Bubbles is just like one of the kids, he likes to antagonize me. 

This brings me to my point; I feel that each member of my family has some lessons to teach me.  My fish taught me that no matter how small, we all have our personalities.  Bubbles is our prankster.   

I've also learned that hobbies are important.  I've started blogging and Chris couldn't be more thrilled.  Less and less housework is getting done, yet Chris feels like we're connecting.   He LOVES that I've finally read his blog post and actually somewhat knew what he was talking about and had opinions on it.  My husband still seeks my approval.  Who knew?

I've learned that we don't always have to play by our own rules to have a good time.  This was the shortest, least contentious game of SORRY I have ever played (if you'd like a copy of our rules, I can pass them on). 

I've learned that it's okay to just hang out once in a while.  We don't always have to be talking to be connecting.  My kids love me and just want to be with me.  How cool is that?!!

I LOVE what I'm learning...well, I do wish Bubbles would quit playing dead.  When he really does die,

(s)he'll end up floating in there for days before we know it's real.  Life is good, life is great, it only gets better with family.

Don't worry about chores--it's good enough!

Anybody need some toys?

Raving Lunatic

Does this ever happen to you?  Someone says something that you disagree with?  Not just disagree, but more of a, I find it amazing we're still friends when you could be so (looking for big word, but can't spell it) inherently wrong?  Being of the mindset that I am and living where I do, it happens to me more often than my sensitivities would like.  I often wonder to myself, why do they not understand?  Am I really the only one who knows what would make the world perfect?  That's when I have my moment of understanding.  Yes, I am right, but this is an imperfect world with imperfect people and if everyone knew what I  knew and understood like I understand, it would no longer remain imperfect.  So, kids, I'll give up this fight for now.  Go ahead and watch another "kid show."  You don't need to put away your toys first.  Skip the chores.  Who needs them?  Remain in your stench and filth.  I'll just go to my happy place on the computer.

Christopher's Blogging Adventures

I have been blogging now for over 4 years. First at a group blog Faith-Promoting Rumor, where I wrote (still do) about religion and politics. I also occasionally (though it has been a while) do some political blogging at my solo blog Approaching Justice.

For the last couple of weeks I have done some blogging at the LDS blog By Common Consent. Here are some posts that I have written for BCC:

My reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr.

An essay on equality.

and an little article on a young politician from Utah.

Now, after reading these things, you will likely think that I am weird. Well, you would be right. Do not hold it against Lyndee and the kids.

I like to share my thoughts and get comments, so feel free to do so at this blog or at these others.

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Snow topped...

This is one of the few times I actually think snow is beautiful.  Give it a couple hours and I'll be back to my cursing ways (Lyndee style).

Is this REALLY my backyard?!!

I feel like I'm in the middle of the woods with my cabin.  Course, the snow hides the real details, but I can pretend....

Taking it one step at a time...

Does anyone know how miserable it is dragging 3 sleepy children into your home...especially when there's snow EVERYWHERE?!!

It's Been a Long Road

A drive that normally take an hour took us 105 minutes...Yes, I was counting the minutes.  The roads were miserable, but it sure was beautiful!

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Winter remains

It may have been melting all week, but living in Utah and Idaho, I've learned that it's never REALLY gone.

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She looks much better in it than I do!

Just let it be....

I bought the $1.74 turtleneck at Old Navy yesterday.  The price isn't really essential to the story, but I was just so proud of the purchase, I had to add it.  The boys wear the same size pants and are running low, so I bought them a pair of pants as well.  I figure, one pair at a time will hopefully not break the bank.  I look for dresses-Geneva is outgrowing all hers--but I didn't see any on sale.  I DO NOT pay full price for clothes, so sadly, there was no dress in the shopping bags.  When I returned home, I apologized to Geneva.  I told her I tried finding her a dress, but they didn't have any on sale.  I guess she must have misunderstood what I said, for when I pulled out that turtleneck, she ran over to me with her arms outstretched crying, "Thanks, Mom!"  What could I say?!!  I put the shirt on her.  Geneva thought it was her...dress. She refused to take to off this morning for church. I put a sleeveness number over top and hoped everyone thought we were starting a new trend-large adult shirt on small-petite child. It's all the rage!

Sore Muscles

My neck hurts, my legs hurt, my arms hurt....With every step I take, I am reminded of that autrocity at the end of my driveway.  To add insult to injury on my already suffering muscles, it snowed during the night.  Now that lake is covered with a dusting of ice-chunked snow.  I just can't seem to catch a break.

Where does all that Water Go?

You would not believe the amount of melting that is going on in Utah County.  And the blue skies?  I'm in heaven (I am now mentally breaking out in song).  So, with all that melting, a person can't help but wonder where all that water goes to.  The ground is fairly frozen still.....I don't see steam rising from the roads.  I'll tell you where all that water is going--into my driveway.  I've been emptying it by the garbage can LOADS and then Chris discovered it.  The run-off....it's all running into the crevis at the mouth of our driveway.  Is it a lost cause?  Do I just let the sun do it's job and up it finished before the next freeze?  Nah--I'm building charactor....and plenty of muscle (I can feel it!).

Motorcycle Gangs

I had to go to Salt Lake last Saturday.  I HATE driving to Salt Lake...but even more, I hate driving back; the traffic is horrible.  There are too many cars on the road to feel comfortable and I have this toy box filled with food storage in the back of the truck I was driving, to keep it weighted down in bad weather.  I kept on turning my mirror to make sure the lid hadn't flown off.  That reminds me, I still need to secure it shut.  Maybe with a bungee cord.  When I reach the Point of the Mountain, a few bikers passed me.  I thought, "Wow, that's cool.  They must think it's really fun to be riding in these frigid temperatures."  As I progressed along my route, I noticed more bikers....a LOT more bikers.  It was insane.  No longer did I think it was cute.  They were riding staggered in one lane.  I thought it seemed kinda dangerous as I watched cars weave inbetween them.  I got myself in the fast lane and carefully passed them...one by one....It took a while.  Then I noticed something else...a hearse.  As I inched passed, I looked to see if it was carrying someone.  I saw flowers and as I moved forward, noticed they were atop a shiny, cream casket.  That's when it dawned on me; these crazy, dedicated motorcyclist were following the hearse.  Corny as this was, I choked up and thought again, "Wow, that's cool!". 

Taking the next step

So, I'm in the process of applying for a master's program.  Not really sure why I'm doing it.  Part of me wants to know if I could get excepted into the program.  Another part of me thinks it's just a waste of time since I don't really know where jobs will take us in the near future.  And another part of me doesn't want to face rejection.  But what if I did get in?

Self Loathers

Self-loathing--why do we do it?  Why are there so many pictures of our kids and so little of us?  I guess I AM the one taking the pictures.  When we are asked in an interview or essay to list the qualities about ourself that qualify us to a particular something, why is that so hard?  To be honest, I'm my biggest fan.  I'm not so much a self-loather.  If anything, I over-estimate my many skills.  "Wow, Lyndee!  You are so awesome!  I bet everybody wishes they could be a mom just like you!" or "Lyndee, you look fantastic today.  How did you get your hair to go just so?"  When that list goes around in Relief Society asking you to check all your skills, I find myself checking a lot of boxes; not so much because I'm an expert.  More because I'm willing.  Hope they weren't wanting a pro.  I hate to cook, but I have no qualms teaching others how to do it.  So what's the bigger evil?  Self-loathing or over-estimation of self?  I guess we all have things we're working on.

You know, I have been afraid in the past to make resolutions because I don't want the disappointment of not living up to my goals. I hate to fail! Well, I've decided to set the phobia aside, and take charge of what I don't like about myself. Did you know you lose my phone on a daily basis? Or my keys? I mean to have a set place for them (like my purse or coat pocket), but then there's the occassional moments when I become distracted and I put them somewhere else. I feel so frustrated with myself. Well, this year, I RESOLVE to not be so tough on myself. The house will become messy (well, I could better put that by saying, it may never become clean), I will misplace things, but it's okay. I RESOLVE to take baby steps into a more organized life. One day, my house will be so clear of clutter, that my phone will stick out like neon lights. Yep! This is the year. And if not, next year is my year. And if not, 2012 is the one.....