March Birthdays and Anniversaries

Best Wishes to:

Ammon

Russ and Tiffany

Jessica

Tye and Ashley

Charity

Nikolas

Ava Grace
Elleanore

Mom and Dad L
Mickie
Suzanne

We hope you all have a wonderful day with much love and laughter :)
and I hope I didn't miss anyone

Food For Thought

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
-- Meister Eckhardt


You are free to choose
You are not free to alter the consequences of your choices.




Pray for the President. Psalms 109:8


and lastly- from one of my friend's blogs...

"It's a quote by President Boyd K. Packer that I read in the new Book of Mormon student manual. He said this at a BYU Women's Conference, May 5, 2006.
The heading is Mosiah 29:26-27. The danger of the Majority Choosing "That Which Is Not Right"

"The virtue of tolerance has been distorted and elevated to a prominence as to be thought equal to and even valued more than morality. It is one thing to be tolerant, even forgiving of individual conduct. It is quite another to collectively legislate and legalize to protect immoral conduct that can weaken, even destroy the family.
There is a dangerous trap when tolerance is exaggerated to protect the rights of those whose conduct endangers the family and injures the rights of the more part of the people. We are getting dangerously close to the condition described by the prophet Mosiah"

Prayers Please UPDATE

As you may know, Chile was hit by a massive Earthquake this morning. The epicenter was a mere 56 miles from Concepcion.

My nephew Tanner is currently serving as a missionary there. His family cannot receive any word right now because all lines are down.

Please spare a thought or prayer for the missionaries and members in Chile- and for my Sister in Law and her family.


AS OF 11:15 AM- my sister in law Ellen has heard from Church Headquarters that all missionaries have been accounted for- don't know if there are any injured, but they do know where they are.

Think About It - Love

I have been MIA in the think about it posts. I actually do have several drafts, but none which I am prepared to finish or post- so I will go back to when I wanted to discuss books and teachings of President Hinckley.

In "Standing for Something", President Hinckley wrote about "10 virtues that will heal our hearts and homes", and I might add, if we can heal those- the country would soon follow- and the world.

The first virtue he addresses is LOVE. He begins with a reminiscence of the Valentine Days of his youth and how they would cut out paper heart, hand write a message on them and then hand deliver them, knocking on doors and running to hide. He says,"I have since come to know that love is more than a paper heart. Love is the very essence of life....Love is the sanctuary for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death."

This morning there was much friction in my home, from the moment the first two patients awoke and spoke. This is a frequent occurrence- and it is rather painful to start our days in this manner. Things rapidly went from bad to worse as the DR and I each re-acted instead of acted to curb the tide of disharmony. Sitting here, I wish I would have hugged my obviously less than chipper patients- that would most certainly have ended the strife more effectively.

President Hinckley also stated that, "Love, like faith, is a gift of God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue". It is the force that propels a parent to literally lay down their life for their child- there was a recent blip in the news about a father who used his body to cover his children during an armed robbery. He only thought about protecting them- not himself.

In Matthew 25: 34-40."...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me"- we have heard this many times- but how often do we turn it around to the negative? We always associate it with those acts of goodness or mercy- but what if we really stopped to think that those unkind or thoughtless things we do are also being done unto him. I know I don't- but I will try harder to do so.

"One of the greatest challenges we face in our hurried, self-centered lives is to follow this counsel of the Master, to take the time and make the effort to care for others, to develop and exercise the one quality that would enable us to change the lives of others- what the scriptures call charity." President Hinckley continues,"We tend to think of charity as donations... but best defined, charity is that pure love exemplified by Jesus Christ. It embraces kindness, a reaching out to lift and help, the sharing of one's bread, if need be."

We each have had examples of how serving others and trying to make their burdens lighter have created lasting bonds of love between us. Missionaries who strive earnestly to love the people first find it easier to teach the gospel message, because they already taught it by their actions.

Yesterday I had the activity day group over, which includes several non-member girls. We have to work on the Articles of Faith, which is a bit awkward for these girls. I tried to make them as comfortable as I could, but I just had the thought that if I really want them to feel comfortable, they really need to feel like we want them to be with us- no matter what. With a bunch of pre-teen girls, might be easier said than done, but these three girls are also my neighbors, so maybe I need to better serve them by having them in our home more frequently outside of activity day. Little tough with the schedule we keep, but I will ask Middle for help with that. These three girls all come from divorced families- some more than once. If they are to get a glimpse of what Heavenly Father wants for them, then they need to have the chance to experience it. We are not that great of an example, but at least we are still trying to make it work and get better.

President Hinckley wrote "Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people or bridge the chasm of bitterness.... If the world (my home)is to be improved, the process of love must make a change in the hearts of humans. It can do so when we look beyond self to give our love to God and others, and do so with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds." "Love is like the Polar Star...it is a constant...it is the very essence of the teachings of Christ. It is the security of the home. It is the safeguard of community life. It is a beacon of hope in a world of distress."

"Admittedly, it is not always easy to follow the Polar Star of love. It requires a discipline almost beyond the power of many to observe. I think it is the most difficult and also the most important of all commandments. But out of its observance come a remarkable discipline and a refining influence that are wonderful to experience." "...The virtue of love changes lives- ours as well as those of everyone with whom we come in contact. It is the virtue that has embedded within its precincts the power to have the most lasting good."


It begins with me.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Today was a big day for Oldest. He deliberately stuck his finger with a foreign object on it into his eye. It took a few attempts, lots of blinking and tearing, but he did it! I do have to say that I couldn't watch him put them in for some reason, and then watching those big hands and long fingers try to put that little dish in his eye was rather odd.

He is wearing contacts and boy is he a happy patient. He won't get to wear them to school for a few days, because the adjustment schedule has him wearing them for only 4 hours at a time so we will have to wait and see how that goes next Monday- but for tonight, he is glasses-free, and not blind for the first time in three years. The person helping him learn to care for and use the contacts made the comment that many kids get them because of vanity reasons, but those kids who really need glasses (like Oldest- poor blindy boy) sometimes decide that glasses are just so much easier- so we will see. He is in a 2-week trial period, and his right contact is different than the left, and a little harder to get used to- but I will be surprised if he changes his mind in the next two weeks.

He left a short while ago to go skating for Young Men's- first time on ice without glasses in quite a while and yet still being able to see where he is going- he was just a little excited :)

Tender Mercies Tuesday

The Lord gave us the Sabbath as a day of rest. Active members of the LDS church kind of chuckle at that, since it usually doesn't fall into what the general public would consider as rest- but when you take into consideration that we are changing it up from our daily grind (hopefully) then it can also be considered as resting from that which derails us on every other day of the week.

This past Sunday, even though the girls and I woke up late, we still made it nearly on time. The girls made it in the building before me, and I walked in during the opening announcements. Thank goodness for the joy that is the messy bun- x three.

It was an incredible meeting. The topics of the talks from the High Council were "Faith, Hope, and Charity', and---- The "Tender Mercies of the Lord". Both very pertinent to our life needs right now (well, actually all the time, but especially right now). The sister who spoke shared life examples from a friend of hers whose life is full of trials and tribulations, who struggles with depression, and the weight of unemployment for her husband. She has many children, two missionaries out at the same time, and in her response to an inquiry about her faith- in the same sentence, says her faith is wavering right now, BUT she knows the Lord is mind full and blessing her family through small but constant miracles. I can relate. This woman practices hope and charity, and is keeping her faith alive.

The brother who spoke on tender mercies related some very personal, faith building stories from his life, which touched my heart. It is a hard road we follow, and only made easier by the burden lifting power of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I considered the fact that I had debated bothering to hurry fast enough to get to church when I woke and saw the time. I needed to be in that meeting- not only for my own benefit- but also to witness and testify of the blessings of those messages to someone else.

Then- the two hymns- Hymn 129: Where Can I Turn For Peace; Hymn 142: Sweet Hour of Prayer.

I have a special memory associated with hymn 129, nearly 7 years ago- it entered with great force into my life at a moment of extreme difficulties. It wasn't entirely new to me, but not very familiar then- it is very familiar to me now. Not once since that day, have I been able to hear it or sing it without a very clear recollection of that day in June. Then, too, hymn 142 goes so perfectly- sweet message of reminder that through prayer, we can find answers and peace.

I was fighting a headache- so after church I took another long rest, followed by a visit to my BIL and SIL, where a very special priesthood blessing was pronounced for the benefit of a struggling, but very loved child of God. Later that evening, my FIL called- somewhat out of the blue. I have spoken to my MIL many times, but my FIL rarely calls the house because he doesn't need to with MIL keeping in contact as much as she does. His calling our home that night was not an accident. It was as needful as the priesthood blessing. Even with all my experience and efforts to pay close attention to the little blessings, sometimes I am left in total awe.

Ode to Fog (not really)

Fog, Fog,

go away.

I'm sick of you.

You make life grey.

Although these pics may look like heavy snow- they are in fact the result of several days of fog and the ice crystals created by them- The fog is back in Small Town. Boo.

Happy Special Anniversary

Twenty Four years, one week and one day ago, you bought flowers for your girlfriend. At the flower shop where I worked.

Twenty four years ago today, we went on a semi-blind date. I was blind. You were not.

The rest, as they always say, is history.

Weekend Wrap-up

Yesterday was THE day. Party Day for Youngest. Like I may have mentioned before, she and Oldest have a tendency to get a short shift around here for birthday celebration. We (I) could have put it off for yet another week- but we didn't find out until a couple of days ago that our hockey games would be in town this coming weekend. By then, the invites were out, and I just decided to get it over with.

Youngest had a mixed party- boys and girls, along with a mixed age group. I was browsing through some blogs and came across instructions to make chef's hats for kids and voila- there came my inspiration for this party. We had a cooking party. Although, ironically enough, the very thing that inspired me didn't get finished- I had to cut back somewhere, and 8 chefs hats did not make it into reality. I did make chef's aprons by cutting some kitchen towels in half and using quilt binding to make the ties. One of the boys wouldn't wear his- and so the other boy decided it wasn't cool and took his off - boys!

We invited them by giving them a wooden spoon and inviting them to be sous chefs for Chef Youngest. I decided I would try to make a cake like a chef's toque- not all that successfully- but oh well.

When the kids arrived, they began by making fruit kabobs, and yummy fruit dip. Then they made pigs in a blanket for the appetizers. I had pre-made the homemade pizza dough- so they helped to make homemade sauce, then they rolled out their dough and made personal pizzas with the toppings of their choice. After they were done cooking and eating all their yummy food, we gave them small cakes and frosting in real decorators' bags to decorate their own dessert. This cost me three bags because they squished them so hard, it burst the seams :( - oh well- they seemed to really enjoy it- and bags are easily replaced.

By the time the party was over, I was exhausted and my kitchen was quite the disaster area, so the DR took Oldest and Middle to the Percy Jackson movie which they liked as far as a movie but not as an adaption (warning- if you go to see it, it is apparently not even close to the book- a point that drives me crazy- and in this case- even bugged the DR whom the free reign in Harry P doesn't bother). Youngest stayed home to play with her new stuff, and I seriously couldn't keep my eyes open and crashed on the couch for two whole hours!

Today we over slept and were nearly late for church. Have I mentioned that early church is not my favorite? I did? well- it isn't.

We also had three hockey games this weekend, but after the first one, in which Middle took a pretty good hit- she didn't play again because we thought it wasn't a good idea on the heels of

last week's soccer injury. Oldest played quite aggressively, and they did pretty well for two of the three games. This team was a traveling team they played against so it was kind of like playing an all-star team. They got clobbered in the second game because they refused to play as a team. You would think they would learn! Anyway- they repented :) and played much better again in the third game. I missed the 2nd and 3rd game due to party prep.

I have yet to figure out how to be in multiple places at the same time. I think I need Hermione's time turner :) When I asked Youngest if she liked her party- She declared that she "Loved It!" I think most of them had fun anyway- but I remembered back to my 10th birthday party and the boys who ruined it- (do you remember that, Grandma Bunnie?)

This year it will be family parties for one and all- whew- I am glad for that :)

Morning Convo-

Youngest: "Mom, is this Middle's last year in Suchandsuch Elementary?"

Head Nurse: "yes"

Youngest: "That means next year I will be the last Larsen to go to Suchandsuch Elementary :( "

Tender Mercies Tuesday on Wednesday

There were a few tender mercies this past weekend- the first one being that we did not wreck or die on the way out to the soccer tournament. Coming through one of the canyons turned into one of the scariest few seconds of my life as the car slid and was out of my control for a bit and we were headed into an oncoming truck and possibly over the edge of the mountain side. It was very tense for a minute there. The car finally got some traction and I was able to get everything back under control but it was still very slick and scary for the most part until we were out of that particular canyon. We were blessed to have left when we did. Other soccer families came through about an hour behind us and they said there were a couple of cars that weren't so lucky-

Then we were going to travel home with some friends, but they wouldn't leave and just kept dragging their feet (my family knows I strongly dislike this :)) so I finally just loaded up and left them. Turned out that they got stuck for an hour and a half behind a wreck- yea for us leaving. Also- we got to spend a little more time with Outpatient, Grandma B., and cousins which I think made everybody happier. It also translated into spending the night, which made us available to babysit for my baby sister while she made an emergency trip to the dentist. Bad teeth run in my family- darn it.

We got home just in time for the afternoon rush of TaVaci and hockey. And Thank Goodness- Youngest reminded me we were planning on doing her birthday party this weekend- I had completely spaced it off. Not really a tender mercy for me- but she most likely would think it was one for her :)

D word update:
Down 2.6 pounds- and that was with 5 days on the road-.

Happy Valentine's Day

Once again, we are not at home on Valentine's day so no special breakfast or dinner :(

And my personal valentine is across the state in Small Town.

And Sophie.

And my baby valentine is halfway across the state.

And my outpatient valentine.

At least I have two of them with me- that is better than none.

Hope you have a great day- I am off to decide what to do.

Soccer Day Two

The first games were a little too tense to be enjoyable :) but both the girls and the boys teams were victorious. Middle's team won 1-0 and then we hurried over to Oldest's game, where we watched a total rough nail biter. They won 3-2. Due to the way this tournament does its points, the girls had to settle for consolation bracket, which they did win, but played really bad- it was 2-1, they did not play well and come to find out- it was on purpose! They knew it didn't really count for anything so they didn't care. Well they all got a talking to, I tell ya. One little gal did play her guts out still. Think I will get her a treat!

Oldest played again at 7:00 at night- and rumour was that we had to play the same team from the earlier game. And sure enough, when we got to the field- there they were. But- they were in the wrong place- the schedule had been changed from what they and several other people had- I know I had printed mine out on Wednesday night and it had shown a team from a different bracket. Since their fans had been so bad at the first game- I chose to sit on the complete other side of the field. Anyway- about 20 minutes later, they figured out they were in the wrong place and left. The team we played was very well matched to our boys and the ball just went back and forth- again and again. In the first half- our kids made several good shots that just barely missed going in- augh. Then it started to get pretty physical. The heartbreak came when they kicked it high and over our defense and all three of our defense got totally beat and they scored with just a couple of minutes left. This team of boys (admittedly missing a few of their regulars which is how Oldest was playing with them) hasn't lost a game in at least a year. It was hard.

So- we don't play on Monday- And I am trying to decide if we head part way home in the morning- and the rest Monday, or drive all the way - yuck either way :)

Then- I also finally got smart enough to question Middle more about the injury she sustained in the first game yesterday- turns out- she most likely got a concussion! She told me she blacked out at first so she didn't know where she was- geesh- why didn't I think to ask her about that at the time- I was busy trying to figure out if her jaw was dislocated and stop the bleeding on her chin. Mom of the year award contender right here. And what is the deal with having a tournament like this and NO MEDICAL CARE at the field where there were 6 fields of kids playing? Seriously? I will be letting them know I am NOT IMPRESSED.

Soccer so far

We are in lovely and much, much warmer Southern Utah for soccer games. Middle's team tied yesterday 3-3, and Oldest's team won 3-1. So far, so good. They play again early this afternoon, and then a potential of 2 - 3 more games each this weekend, depending on how far they go. Middle will be done for sure today- but Oldest could play on Monday- well, as much as I love being at my own home- I can certainly appreciate the chance to spend that much time without my parka on. No kidding.

Yesterday upon arrival, you could immediately tell we were from somewhere else by the road salt encrusted car, to us driving around with the windows rolled down. You can tell the natives because they are "freezing". I tell ya- come on over to Small Town if you want to get acquainted with freezing. It isn't messing around.

It will be hit and miss with internet- so call Grandma or the DR if you are dying for an update :)

Keys update

Well- my garbage digging was useless- I just found the keys in the trunk of my inlaw's car. Don't ask me how they got in there. I have no idea.

So- I think I have found everything that I current lost- and a few things I lost a long time ago.

I do hope, however, that those pounds stay lost.

Tender Mercies- part Deux

Tonight, we heard from my nephew who had to enter the Provo MTC instead of going to the CTM in Brazil because of the major visa problems. He got his visa! Hurray! Yesterday, in his weekly email, he mentioned that there had been over a hundred received in the last week, and there was a mass exodus of the missionaries headed to Brazil. Then he said he felt really sure that his would be coming very soon. Just how soon he had no idea. He was allowed to email again last night and a quick phone call to let his parents know his plans and status. The prayers of the missionaries, families, and members are being answered. There have been very few visas coming through from clear back in September. Many missionaries had to be reassigned state-side. There were huge groups of missionaries just waiting in the MTC the last little bit, as the visas trickled in, 20 or so at a time. Now in the last two weeks, there have been 200 or so come.

The DR and Outpatient were able to overnight their visa applications yesterday! Just in the nick of time. Praying now for a quick return of those.

AND: I found the remote. I will not say where- only that I am super brain dead and very embarrassed because- of course- there was a witness.

Still no main van keys- but I am not giving up hope :)

Please- if you would- spare a prayer for the company that the DR works for. They need new jobs to come in so they can keep crews working- MUCH THANKS!

Happy Birthday Youngest!

Today the Birthday Girl turns 9- which means this is her magic birthday. I hope she has a good day. Without fail, her birthday gets a short shift. We are always super busy or out of town for hockey or something. Tuesdays are our busiest days- and today her daddy is out of town on top of that. Several years ago, she ended up having a birthday party in the summer on her half birthday because of circumstances beyond our control- well- other than having a party on some weird day with no reason, at least we picked to do it on her half birthday.

She is a good sport about it, thank goodness.

Youngest has grown a lot this year, and is closing what little gap there is between she and Middle. She reads extremely well and her test scores at school are way above the district and national averages. She takes that in stride.

She has such a funny personality- I can't quite describe it. She is so loving and affectionate, really goofy at times, and very enthusiastic about things she is interested in or excited about, and very emotional about things she is not. She is sunshine and sparkle, with a quick laugh and smile.

I think about before she was born, how painful it was to carry her, and the slightly scary birth. I think about how she was as a baby- so peaceful and easygoing that I was worried she didn't hear. The Lord knew I needed a break for a little while after all that and her bundle of energy sister. She has more than made up for her calm and quiet babyhood :)



Every where we go, people know her. It is hard not to, she makes her presence known. I watched her running through the rink to go hug on a huge white dog (little bit scary after our experiences with her oldest brother) and thought about her bubbly personality. She just overflows and brings smiles where she goes.

I have mentioned before that I see her as a cruise director or something of that nature when she is an adult-

I must go now, and wake the Princess for her birthday breakfast. She chose Eggo Waffles? Hum- I guess my cooking doesn't impress her much.

*from Grandma Bunnie for her birthday- oh so appropriate :)

Tender Mercies Tuesday- slightly early

Because tomorrow is a very important day in another respect- and since I am indeed grateful for the little blessings that come- I want to post this now-

Today- the passport arrived. A day earlier than the absolute latest day we dared allow for. Need to mention the flights are already booked- the departure date was set based on Outpatient's spring break and the sealing of a special family.

And tonight- the DR found at least the backup key to the van. Since he needs to go out of town tomorrow, and I hate to drive the big beast of a truck- hallelujah on that! It was in the pocket of a coat that I borrowed from my inlaws' house and I can't even think when that was on my body last. Tomorrow- in between the other activities, I will be going through the garbage. Not kidding. The keys that are lost are to the van and Outpatients car, plus the remote. Almost 170 dollars worth right there- maybe more. But- at least we have A KEY!

Weekend Wrap up-

Good Morning!!!

I have been up since 5:30- (yuck) because Oldest had travel team soccer practice this morning. It is a beautiful sunny day FINALLY- the fog has been very draining and annoying- so- today there isn't a cloud in the sky. Wish I had time to sit and bask in my window- maybe I will squeeze that in somehow.

This weekend- hockey here- two games- both wins. Side note- the BYU hockey coach was here and again talked to the DR about Outpatient coming to play for him. Biggest problem with that is the lack of school support- so you get no breaks from classes or assignments- plus the Outpatient has been very blessed in his current situation. Oldest finally finished his hunters safety- missing playing in game two so he could shoot. He is very happy! He killed a paper squirrel and a paper rabbit- especially considering that he really needs a new prescription in his glasses- he did super awesome!

Youngest was registered for soccer (the AY SO local chapter is ticked! about the new soccer association that my older kids are playing in now- it is quite funny. For years back even to when the Outpatient started playing the leadership has badmouthed and completely ignored the kids who want to play travel team- so NOW that we have taken the cream of the crop from them- they are trying to put a travel team together with their full support- hillarious!) And Youngest also got to go bowling with her buddy for his birthday- she was none too happy that she didn't get a single strike! I am not sure what she expects- it might be her third time EVER to bowl :) She did get a spare though, and I am assuming she was using bumpers hehe-

SuperBowl- Super bummed- we were cheering for the Colts- most specifically Austin Collie- but oh well.

We now have morning church. This means the DR and Oldest are out the door by 7:20- which you would think it would be a cinch to get the remaining three of us out the door by 8:45- yeah- well- I found out that ALL keys to my van are M. I. A- good gravy- I drove the thing last Friday afternoon- my biggest fear is that I threw them out with the grocery sacks or other garbage while trying to make dinner for a family. Where the other one is- I have no clue- it has a large green number one key chain- but I can't recall the last time I saw that set. I have also misplaced my inlaws' dvd remote. I am getting very concerned for my poor brain.

I am currently eating some warm oatmeal, and enjoying the sun before I get on to the chores at hand, and- I have already been on the scale today. Down 2.8 pounds from last week- so even taking into consideration the .4 I had left from the pound I gained back, that is still an additional 2.4 pounds towards the goal-

Now- if you can spare a prayer- we are cutting it very close to get the DR and Outpatient VISAs to go to Brazil next month. The DR's passport STILL has not arrived- and when the DR called the VISA agency- they told him it takes 20 business days to get a VISA- which basically means we need that passport here tomorrow :) I was given an offer to take care of my kids so I could go too- but it came a week too late. Sadness- but it is ok. I fully plan on my boy taking me there soon- just at better timing for a momma-

And - keep praying for the missionaries- they need them!

S. A. D. (edited)

When I was in my early teens, I realized that something was not quite normal for me. I didn't know what- exactly- but something. When I was 17, I went for a drive up Provo Canyon, up to the ski resort. I seriously was considering driving off the steep road side on my way back down, just be done with living. There was no particular reason that I can recall. I can remember in great detail what I was wearing though. In my altered brain state- I also didn't dare do it, because- and here is the kicker- if I didn't die in the attempt, I thought my dad would kill me for wrecking the car. Nice logic, I know. Anyway- I didn't do anything stupid. And in a few months, I was watching TV and there was a program about seasonal depression. At the time, I had never heard of such a thing before, and I certainly didn't know of many family members issues because it just wasn't talked about. Then. We talk about it now. My family genetics- being what they are from both sides- it is a wonder my siblings and I are semi- okay.

I have struggled off and on for years- never getting to that low of low again- thank goodness, but one of the side effects of this is that I can sense it in other people. I see it in their faces, in their actions, in conversation or the lack thereof. This has been a blessing too. But, I get tired of fighting it. I get tired of the lack of understanding from people. I get tired of the winter and boy do I live in the wrong state for that! The sun is trying its hardest to shine today. I am trying to bask in it as much as I can through my large dining room window. Don't want to go out to bask- it is COLD here.

I have done some pretty irrational things during my episodes and been judged pretty harshly for some of them. Sometimes I want others to experience it so that they can really know. But- I don't wish it on anyone really.

Now- before I freak my mother and sisters out. (Probably too late- my phone has most likely rung off the hook once I hit post :)) I AM CURRENTLY FINE! I am not particularly overjoyed- but I am fine, somewhat functional even. I just came across this article a while back- saved it- came across it this morning, and thought I would post about it for others who may not be aware of this issue. Wish I could remember where it came from.



"People who find they have mild to severe depression in fall and winter, when the days grow shorter, may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — sometimes called the winter blues. Women, especially those in their twenties, are most susceptible to seasonal affective disorder, but it can affect men and people of all ages, including children and teens. Very often, people with seasonal depression have at least one close relative with a psychiatric disorder, typically major depressive disorder or alcohol abuse.

SAD symptoms emerge during the darker winter months, then disappear as days grow longer and brighter come spring, says Ken Duckworth, MD, medical director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and an assistant professor at Harvard University Medical School.

It's estimated that a half-million people in the United States may have seasonal depression.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms

Symptoms of SAD include:

Weight gain. Cravings for sweet and starchy foods lead to excess weight.

Daytime fatigue. People with SAD are tired during the day and have less energy. They may also find themselves sleeping a lot, but getting no relief from their fatigue. “With SAD, you eat more and sleep more,” Dr. Duckworth says. “It’s hibernation-like.”

Increased irritability and anxiety. People with SAD worry more about everyday events and can be easily irritated. They can have trouble concentrating, too.

Social withdrawal. Those with SAD prefer to be alone; they shun the company of friends and family and do not participate in activities they normally enjoy. Often their social behavior is hard to understand. "


Welcome to my world. And no- Punxsutawney Phil is SOOOO not my friend.




photo from here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6112SK20100202


EDITED TO ADD:

Seasonal Depression isn't necessisarily isolated to the winter months- but if you are patterning through- you might want to consider that you may have depression- not just seasonal.

I felt like I should come back here and mention that I have dealt with this in several ways- some more successful than others. I have chosen medication several times, because I knew the cards were stacked against me and it takes 2 -3 weeks for medication to really go into effect. My sisters are much more successful than I with diet and excercise. Their advice in the diet department is to eat like some one who has diabetes- there are many similarities. Excercise boosts the immune system and the natural endorphins and hormones.

You may wonder why not medicate all the time. I am not a fan of medication per se. And I don't always need it to function every day. Unfortunately quite often by the time I realize I need it- I am coming back around. I guess the best answer for me would be to follow my sisters' examples and get some self discipline :). I am hoping the changes I am making right now the with "D" word and excercise will become second nature for me because I have noticed that since my surgery- I have regressed in all things hormonal to my teenage experiences and that is not a good thing. Yes- I have talked to my doctor about all of these things- just in case you are wondering.

Make it a GREAT DAY!

Food For Thought

"It's your attitude not your aptitude which determines your altitude."

Because I am weird like that

This morning- after receiving begrudging forgiveness from my nearly one year old niece- I decided to count just how many birthdays I am keeping track of.

Family- Which includes only my family and the DR's parents- siblings- spouses- children- and grandchildren- 108 with 109 on the way.

This does not include the several members of our extended family (cousins, aunts, and uncles, grandparents)that I also note on my calendar (I don't post all of them- maybe I should- then you could be really impressed by the size of our family). It also doesn't include our adopted family members- those of our friends who make that list. and a few other close friends of my individual patients. Near as I can rough estimate right now- I am not weird enough to pull out my calendars and count them at this hour- It is pushing 200. I think I am nuts :)

Repenting

Okay- so Last year, My baby girl was being baptised on February 28th. It just so happens that my baby sister had a baby on that day WHO NEVER MADE IT ON MY CALENDAR! I used my calendar from last year to post my birthday and anniversary wishes. Then I made my new February 2010 Calendar. I should have done it in reverse order. MY BAD! But in my defense, I was a little distracted last year. And I promise I remembered that she has a birthday- It IS on my new calendar for this month. See?

the D word

I have been chastised by a couple of people ( who really do love me) that I haven't posted about my progress. Well- there hasn't been much to say. The second week, I felt like I was on the Big-st Lsr. I went up a whole pound. BUT, it was Oldest's birthday weekend, Outpatient was home, I didn't track a single thing, and I fell off the wagon a bit. So this past week, I went down .6 - not too exciting since that still leaves .4 from what I gained back- but the biggest progress is that the DR joined me- which actually makes it harder for me because he WON'T do the tracking or point counting- I have to do it for him, which for some reason makes it harder to do my own.

Before you ask- MRS Group Leader (Favorite Aunt)- No, I have yet to get my daily excercise in. I have done the elliptical two or times a week- for only 30 min- so I need to get busy adding that part to my day. The last time I really got into shape and lost signifcant weight was shortly after youngest was born, then I started having major female trouble for a couple of years and was lucky to even feed and clothe my children. What worked really well for me that time, was my neighbor came to my house three mornings a week and we lifted weights together, and I was on the treadmill 6 days a week for 45 min to 90 min. Now, my neighbor works every day, and my treadmill bit the dust. And, I weigh 20 pounds more now than I did then and I have had a hysterectomy (boo- they didn't tell me about the drive-by fattings that would accompany that surgery- no fair) and I am several years into my 40's.

One thing- I have never been a major eater- more of a grazer, but now that I am eating on a schedule and stuff- I get HUNGRY- which is a new sensation for me. I have tried to rid my house of all things chocolate, and sugary, and ice creamy- but man oh man are the cravings killing me.

I am not really discouraged about all of this- I am just having tons of fun trying to stay happy in the FOG that has settled into Small Town Valley. Super BOO! I am taking myself to the tanning bed today. I will get "sun" one way or another. It is either that or fly to Florida- which is way too tempting but not very do-able right now. I mean, who wouldn't want to go to FL and see the Artist (pretty happy guy), his wife, and fabulous kids? But, unfortunately not going to be happening for a while.

I need to post about what IS on the agenda- but not my personal one- BRAZIL.