Nintendo

I've taken a little time off from blogging.  I really had days that I wanted to blog during Christmas, but I was so busy with other things that there were days that I never even saw the computer.  So, that didn't get done.  I think I will start trying this again, and maybe you'll hear about my Christmas, but right now, I'm going to go wrestle Logan's Nintendo DS away from Matt because I think it's my turn to play.  Logan got a DS for his birthday.  It helped me get many things done at Christmas time because he was busy with something besides bugging me.  Now, I don't usually get into video games.  I'm not good at  them.  And I don't really want to take the time to try to get good them, because I have so many other things I feel like I should be spending my time doing.  But puzzle games are my weakness.  And so I am slightly addicted to Logan's I Spy game that has a puzzle on it.  And it's easy for me.  No confusing controls, just tap the things that match.  I can handle that!  Unfortunately, I'm also addicted. 

Swedish Dance

Today I learned the coolest dance.  I totally have to work it into my Christmas traditions.  A lady from Sweden taught it to us.  Basically, you hold hands in a long line and run around the room and in and out of doors.  It was awesome!  Of course, we did it with about 30 people.  It might loose something if it's just the three of us.  I'll definitely have to teach my brothers and sisters this one.  I think it will be more fun with more people.  And it's from another country, so it's cultural. 

Blog 365 Days- Check

*Day 365*

I did it!  I was unsure about this when I started, but I made it anyway.  Now, I might take a break for a bit.  But I'll be back soon. 
Thank you to all of you who have commented and made me feel like this was worthwhile.  And thank you to those of you who read this and still like me instead of thinking I'm just a huge dork.  And thank you all for not pointing out too many of my grammar and spelling mistakes, and for at least pretending like what I say makes sense.  Thanks for all of you who supported me in this challenge by "following" me.  It's been a good experience for me.

The Future of Blogging

*Day 364*

Well, I'm trying to decide what to do about this blog after I finish my 365 days.  I might get ambitious and pretend like it's leap year and do an extra day!  Just kidding.  I want to keep blogging, I'm not sure how to keep my self motivated.  I thought I'll blog unless it's one of those days when I can't think of anything to say.  But, if it turns out to be like this month I'll be taking about 28 days off, and that would effectively be the end of my blog, because I would never get back to it.  I've learned something about myself.  I'm an all or nothing kind of person.  Matt tried to get me to blog years ago.  I think I made 2 entries.  It just didn't make it to the top of my priority list.  Now, he makes a challenge, and if I do it every day, I can somehow get it done.  But if I say I'll blog when something big happens or when I have time or feel like it or whatever, it will never get done.  It's the same way with treats for me.  I can't moderate myself.  I say I will, but I can't.  But if I say I'm not eating any treats at all (and Matt always laughs at me) I can do it.  All or nothing.  Of course having a challenge motivates me a little. 

When I started this blog, I was thinking along the lines of a personal history.  I thought I could get some memories down and stories that Logan might like to have record of.  I didn't get as much of that done as I thought I would.  But, I think it will be fun to look back and see what our everyday life was like.  Because I don't usually keep track of the normal stuff.  So, If I keep blogging, I think I will try to get more of those things down.  I just can't decide how to regulate myself so I don't start skipping and get to the point where I never blog again.  So there you have it.  I have one day left, and I don't know what I'm going to do.  Maybe put more pictures up because I realize I've gotten kind of slacky at posting pictures. 

I found a picture!  I figured, why wait to fix that picture problem. I knew I had to have one of Logan I could use.   

Coffeemate

*Day 363*

So, I've turned my son onto a new habit.  I love drinking hot chocolate in the winter.  I especially love flavored hot chocolate.  But every once in a while I throw in something from my childhood.  I still call it Postum.  I know the container says Pero, and that they don't make the Postum brand anymore.  But, I always thought they were the same thing, so, I still call it postum.  Well, every now and then I have some postum.  It's only good with sugar and cream.  But, since I really like the flavored hot chocolate, I figured I would like the flavored coffeemate creamer in my postum.  Well, I do.  And now so does Logan.  He never wanted to try postum before, but the other day he decided for some reason to try it.  Oh, wait, I think it's because he saw the creamer.  That must have looked good to him.  I guess it was.  He has wanted postum over hot chocolate ever since.  So, first thing this morning, he asked for some postum.  He eats breakfast at school every morning.  And Logan has been recruiting.  He turned his dad.  After they shoveled on Sunday, Logan offered to make Matt a cup of postum.  It's now officially a family habit.  Yeah, we went to the store last night buy more postum and pick a new coffeemate.  And that was our dessert last night.  Mmmmmm....

The Grinch

*Day 362*

How the Grinch stole Christmas (the Dr. Seuss version) is my favorite Christmas movie.  I was going to list some of my favorite quotes form it, then I realized that I have too many.  I will just refer you to the book.  OK, I'll pick one.  "The Grinches small heart grew three sizes that day."  And I'm holding myself back from adding more. 

We just finished watching this show on TV.  I love that my son can quote it and has just as many favorite parts as I do.  The whole show is someones favorite part.  And Logan can point out the differences between the movie and the book.  Like, in the movie the Grinch uses black thread to tie a big horn on the top of Max's head.  In the book, he uses red. 

Classic show, and it has a great meaning.  We read the book yesterday, the movie today, and I'm sure it's not the last time we'll read or see it this holiday season.

It's Nice To Be Loved

*Day 361*

Sometimes it's nice to feel loved.  I work at my sister Lynn's house.  She has this adorable little girl that I've seen just about every day of her life.  (Now if seeing your aunt every day of your life isn't just the coolest thing ever, I don't know what is.... j/k.)  Jessica is, well, Jessica, and I love the girl, but sometimes I'm glad I don't have to take her home with me.  She's 3, what more do I have to say.  But, somedays, I would do anything for her.  I mean she loves her aunt (me)!  When I left today she gave me a hug, kiss and the electric "I love you" sign.  Then she told me to come back again.  I told her I'd come back tomorrow.  And she got excited!  Like I don't come back every day.  One day not too long ago, one of the kids left while Jessica was in the bathroom.  She heard me tell them goodbye when they went out the door.  She started crying and throwing a fit because she thought I left and she didn't get to hug me or tell me to come back.  When I yelled to her I was still there, she calmed down.  It's really sweet to feel so loved.  But this new one takes the cake. 

But this has to start with... Backstory!  When I was three I nearly choked to death.  Here is my version of the story.  Put together from what I remember in my unconscious state and what I have heard over and over through the years.  We'd been grocery shopping.  We got home and Renae, who was a baby, was hungry.  So was I, but being the middle child, no one cared about that.  (Just kidding, that's for you mom!)  Anyway, mom, was feeding the baby.  (I don't hold anything against Renae.)  I just got too hungry, so I decided to do something about it.  We had bought this loaf of bread at the store.  I took a big bite out of it.  Then, I choked on it.  My mom was still feeding the baby.  Sherry, bless her, noticed something was wrong, and went to tell mom that I was turning blue.  Mom came and got me.  She tried to get the bread out, but couldn't.  She started to call 911, then I passed out and she had to stop dialing the number to catch me.  This was old rotary phone times, so she had to start dialing again.  Still she couldn't get the bread out.  She put her finger in my mouth, and I bit it!  Then, she remembered this new thing that they had just learned in Relief Society.  So, she tried the Heimlich maneuver.  (Really, it was new!  I just figured people had always known the Heimlich maneuver.  How many people died from choking before they figured this out?  And, so glad my mom goes to Relief Society.)  Anyway, with my tiny unconscious body trying to slip out of her hands, she tried the Heimlich maneuver.  The bread finally popped out.  Then the neighbor came in to see what was going on because the paramedics were there but no one was opening the door.  I remember waking up.  My mom was sitting at the table, holding me, soaking her finger in a bowl of ice water.  I think that's when she cried.  I have always admired my mom's ability to get through a crisis with a calm head.  If she breaks down, it's always after everyone is OK and taken care of.  I hope that I inherited that quality from her.  And, I'm also glad I haven't been tested yet to see if I have it.  But, mostly, I am just grateful for mom for saving my life.  When I sit and think about what really could have happened in that situation.......  Well, I love my mom, and I'm glad I'm here today.  So, that's my backstory.

This weekend, Jessica and some of my other nieces and nephews were eating at my mom and dad's.  Jessica has this new bad habit of stuffing tons of food in her mouth.  And she doesn't like to sit still and eat.  (Ask Lynn, I'm very sensitive to the threat of choking.  I am always telling the kids to be careful so they don't choke.)  Anyway, Jessica was running around with food in her mouth, so my mom told the kids the story of when I almost choked to death.  (Logan loves to hear that story too.  It's one of his most requested.  Maybe he likes to see me cry.)  Well, that night when Jessica said her prayers, she stopped to ask Lynn if it was her mom that saved me, Lynn told her yes, so Jessica continued,  "Thanks for moms mom for saving Aunt Kirsty so she can be with us today."  Isn't that just sweetest thing you ever heard!  Yeah, sometimes it's just nice to know that you are so loved.   Electric "I love you"!