Rob and I have been stressed (have I mentioned this?). We have a good life, and we enjoy it, but it's non-stop. Especially October - anyone else feel like October will never end?!
Yesterday we got home for the day around 5:30 p.m. Sundays, now sacred family time, are endangered by Stress. It's often nice to set Sunday aside as non-homework, non-work time, but sometimes we let work creep into Sunday afternoons or evenings. Because there's too much to do.
But yesterday, neither of us wanted to do anything but nothing. My form of nothing is reading in bed for half an hour and then taking a nap. Rob's form of nothing is watching a sappy movie. He watched August Rush and I read and took a nap. It was great that we both got what we needed out of a restful Sunday evening.
We put the kids to bed and we were still feeling unmotivated to do anything worthwhile. So I sat down at the computer and brought up songs I'd been thinking about on youtube. Once I'd run out of songs I wanted to listen to, I started clicking on suggested songs on the right side of the screen. Rob sat beside me and we watched obscure music videos (sorry for the redundancy. Clearly all music videos are obscure).
On the last one, Just Say Yes by Snow Patrol, he took my hand and said, "Come dance with me." I was emotionally tired. I was kinda grumpy. I didn't want to dance. I groaned and whined. Less than 30 seconds later, after I fell in love with my husband all over again, I said, "I was wrong. I want to dance with you." He smiled and said, "I thought you might." We grinned from ear to ear. We tore up that living room. For a full 3 minutes and 30 seconds, nothing else existed besides me and my husband and that music.
It occurred to me once again, that THAT is why I married Rob. He's like happiness in a box. He can dance. (MAN, can he dance.) He's funny. He can make me laugh so hard. He can do fun voices and accents. He'll do just about anything to make someone smile. And since I'm something of a special someone to him, he makes me smile all the time.
When life is stressful, it's nice to have some happiness in a box.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Miciah is 10
Which is totally weird. Except, it's getting less weird all the time. I remember, years back, thinking that my kids would never get big. And now it's happening. It's awesome, actually.
10 isn't a Birthday Party year, so we had a quiet family dinner. Miciah was excited to decorate the house for Halloween "for her birthday." When she asked if we could do that, I was reminded of my oldest brother, Budge (great name, right?!). His birthday is mid-December and we'd always decorate the house for Christmas on his birthday. At least, that's what we did when he was in the house, so he tells me (he's 8 years older than me, so by the time I was remembering stuff, he was mostly gone). It was special for him. And now it's special to decorate the house for Halloween on Miciah's birthday. Fun!
The kids did it mostly themselves. They made posters and things to hang from the ceilings. They took cotton balls and stretched them out so they look cobwebby, and those are all over the living room. It's pretty cool. It's festive, yet home-grown. I approve.
Also, this is a pretty great Halloween decoration, too:
We're thinking of taking him out with us Trick-or-Treating. Cause apparently snakes freak people out. I don't understand this, as I think snakes are fascinating, beautiful creatures. Oh well. To each their own.
(We did a quick measurement, while he slithered across the floor, and he's just under 4 feet long. He never looks near that long all curled up in his cage, and he's always curled up. That's what he likes to do. Also, he's still name-less. We're leaning toward Carl Sagan or Cuddles. He's a very cuddly snake.)
The kids did it mostly themselves. They made posters and things to hang from the ceilings. They took cotton balls and stretched them out so they look cobwebby, and those are all over the living room. It's pretty cool. It's festive, yet home-grown. I approve.
Also, this is a pretty great Halloween decoration, too:
We're thinking of taking him out with us Trick-or-Treating. Cause apparently snakes freak people out. I don't understand this, as I think snakes are fascinating, beautiful creatures. Oh well. To each their own.
(We did a quick measurement, while he slithered across the floor, and he's just under 4 feet long. He never looks near that long all curled up in his cage, and he's always curled up. That's what he likes to do. Also, he's still name-less. We're leaning toward Carl Sagan or Cuddles. He's a very cuddly snake.)
Friday, October 14, 2011
A Short Tutorial
I think the word Python puts images into people's brains. So I've put together this short Snake Tutorial to help people visualize the difference between my Ball Python and a few other varieties.
Boa Constrictors:
The size of your living room. Can eat small pets.
Anacondas:
Massive. Can eat goats (as in this picture) or, likely, anything else they want. Scary as Hell.
Burmese Pythons:
The one in this picture is 20 feet long. Can eat alligators (not joking). Also scary as Hell.
Ball Pythons:
Cute. 4 - 6 feet long, at max. Won't ever eat something larger than a rat.
The End
Boa Constrictors:
Anacondas:
Burmese Pythons:
The one in this picture is 20 feet long. Can eat alligators (not joking). Also scary as Hell.
Ball Pythons:
The End
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Ball Python
For years now, I've been dreaming of owning a ball python. They're gorgeous. They eat mice (SUPER cool to watch the mouse go down, down, down the snake's body). They're laid-back. You can take it out and hold it, or not, whichever you prefer. You only feed it once every 2 weeks, and over the Winter you may not have to feed it at all. They're what I consider the ideal pet.
And now we own one. I'm super excited. The kids love him, too. And even Rob thinks that he's pretty.
But he needs a name. We're making a mega list and in about a week we'll pick one "as a family" (meaning the kids can tell me what they like, and I make the final decision).
Miciah has already come up with Malfoy, Snape, and Lucius. Guess what she's been into lately. Though I don't know why she didn't come up with Draco, cause that's a better name than all 3 of those. And I really like the name Sid, but that was taken by a friend who already owns a ball python. Though Nixon might be a funny name for a snake, and Lucifer would be an awesome name, but it's kinda cumbersome.
So let me have it. What are your best snake name ideas?
(P.S. We got him from a guy who rescues animals. He gave us the snake, cage, lid, water bowl, hide, and heat lamp for $75. That's crazy awesome! You can check out his page here.)
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Love Those Kids
Elijah
Some missionaries spoke at the church we attended today. The second talk was about being a Gospel-Sharing Home. I was listening, because I was interpreting the talk to myself (which always makes me feel like an idiot, which is why I don't do it more often). I hadn't really given it a ton of thought, though, other than thinking that he gave a good story about his conversion. It struck me as one of those "Yes, yes. I should be doing missionary work, I get it" type of talks.
Sacrament meeting ended and before Elijah left for Primary he said, "Mom, I want to go over to the Jasper's house." The Jasper's are our neighbors. They're the cutest elderly people in the world, and they're great neighbors. But I wasn't making the connection to the sudden interest in talking about them. I asked Elijah to continue. "I want to read the Book of Mormon with them." What a cute, diligent boy. I asked him which part of the Book of Mormon he wanted to read with them and he said, "I don't know. I think I'll just start at the beginning." And with that he walked to class.
I listened to the talk. I was even paying attention. But Elijah was listening with an open heart.
For as rambunctious as that little boy is, he sure teaches us a lot about living the Gospel. His heart is nearly always in the right place. Have I told you about him and Rick? They've always had a strong connection, ever since Elijah was born. During Rick's prolonged hospital stay, Elijah was the one always reminding us to pray for Rick. In fact, I think he still includes him in his prayers, even though Rick is now home and doing "fine."
Here's what gets me, though. Since Rick has been home, Elijah has gone over to see him nearly every day. EVERY DAY. How many times have I personally been over? Three times, maybe, in the last month or so. Elijah goes over and talks to him, who knows about what. He checks his legs to see if Rick is increasing his muscle mass. He's so concerned. You can just tell that that little boy understands that he almost lost his favorite great Uncle, and he now is determined to take care of him.
It's just amazing to me. I have all those adult concerns. What if I don't have the right thing to say? Well, I can't go over anyway, cause I'm busy. He doesn't need me to go see him, he's fine. All those kinds of things go through my head. But Elijah just goes over. As Rick put it, "it's precious."
Teancom
And then there's Tank. The other day I asked him to help me do something. I forget what it was, but it wasn't a big thing. I'm used to the "I don't want to!" reaction that I get from some unnamed others, so I was shocked when after I told him thank you he said thank you right back. I asked, "For what?" He said, "For letting me help. I like to help." Aww.
Miciah
Honestly, Miciah has been getting on my nerves lately. She has lots more homework this year, and I think it stresses her out a little, and we all know that I'm already stressed out. Some days are fine, but other days aren't so fine. Then Rob and I are together over the weekends and I start back over at Monday feeling alright again.
But Miciah's awesome. She's still zany and likes being around us and her little brothers. She loves babies, particularly the nearly-toddler age, and wants to help take care of them all she can. She's writing a book for school and she's way excited about it. She's reading Harry Potter so much that she stays up til ridiculous hours and then is grouchy the next day and blames us for not getting her homework done (go figure that one out). Still, she's reading up a storm and acing Math tests and loving school. It's great.
Plus, she's hilarious. Even when she's mad, all I have to do is make a silly face at her and she's giggling and then making me giggle. She has so much positive energy.
Love those kids.
(Oh! And love that husband, too. In 2 weeks he has his first "professional" Great Thackeroni gig. Though, he's not going to let them pay him except with a piece of birthday cake. I've talked with Rob about this Great Thackeroni thing. He always downplays the compliments he recieves, but I tell him he shouldn't. Rob has a gift. Clearly it's not magic. That's obvious. It's making people happy. Making people smile. And he can do it in so many ways! He can sing, he's got zany accents he can pull out, fake magic he can perform. Know what I would do if given a stage and 10 minutes to make people happy? Fail miserably, that's what I would do. And THAT'S what people see. Rob has a gift that most of the rest of us don't. It's awesome.)
Some missionaries spoke at the church we attended today. The second talk was about being a Gospel-Sharing Home. I was listening, because I was interpreting the talk to myself (which always makes me feel like an idiot, which is why I don't do it more often). I hadn't really given it a ton of thought, though, other than thinking that he gave a good story about his conversion. It struck me as one of those "Yes, yes. I should be doing missionary work, I get it" type of talks.
Sacrament meeting ended and before Elijah left for Primary he said, "Mom, I want to go over to the Jasper's house." The Jasper's are our neighbors. They're the cutest elderly people in the world, and they're great neighbors. But I wasn't making the connection to the sudden interest in talking about them. I asked Elijah to continue. "I want to read the Book of Mormon with them." What a cute, diligent boy. I asked him which part of the Book of Mormon he wanted to read with them and he said, "I don't know. I think I'll just start at the beginning." And with that he walked to class.
I listened to the talk. I was even paying attention. But Elijah was listening with an open heart.
For as rambunctious as that little boy is, he sure teaches us a lot about living the Gospel. His heart is nearly always in the right place. Have I told you about him and Rick? They've always had a strong connection, ever since Elijah was born. During Rick's prolonged hospital stay, Elijah was the one always reminding us to pray for Rick. In fact, I think he still includes him in his prayers, even though Rick is now home and doing "fine."
Here's what gets me, though. Since Rick has been home, Elijah has gone over to see him nearly every day. EVERY DAY. How many times have I personally been over? Three times, maybe, in the last month or so. Elijah goes over and talks to him, who knows about what. He checks his legs to see if Rick is increasing his muscle mass. He's so concerned. You can just tell that that little boy understands that he almost lost his favorite great Uncle, and he now is determined to take care of him.
It's just amazing to me. I have all those adult concerns. What if I don't have the right thing to say? Well, I can't go over anyway, cause I'm busy. He doesn't need me to go see him, he's fine. All those kinds of things go through my head. But Elijah just goes over. As Rick put it, "it's precious."
Teancom
And then there's Tank. The other day I asked him to help me do something. I forget what it was, but it wasn't a big thing. I'm used to the "I don't want to!" reaction that I get from some unnamed others, so I was shocked when after I told him thank you he said thank you right back. I asked, "For what?" He said, "For letting me help. I like to help." Aww.
Miciah
Honestly, Miciah has been getting on my nerves lately. She has lots more homework this year, and I think it stresses her out a little, and we all know that I'm already stressed out. Some days are fine, but other days aren't so fine. Then Rob and I are together over the weekends and I start back over at Monday feeling alright again.
But Miciah's awesome. She's still zany and likes being around us and her little brothers. She loves babies, particularly the nearly-toddler age, and wants to help take care of them all she can. She's writing a book for school and she's way excited about it. She's reading Harry Potter so much that she stays up til ridiculous hours and then is grouchy the next day and blames us for not getting her homework done (go figure that one out). Still, she's reading up a storm and acing Math tests and loving school. It's great.
Plus, she's hilarious. Even when she's mad, all I have to do is make a silly face at her and she's giggling and then making me giggle. She has so much positive energy.
Love those kids.
(Oh! And love that husband, too. In 2 weeks he has his first "professional" Great Thackeroni gig. Though, he's not going to let them pay him except with a piece of birthday cake. I've talked with Rob about this Great Thackeroni thing. He always downplays the compliments he recieves, but I tell him he shouldn't. Rob has a gift. Clearly it's not magic. That's obvious. It's making people happy. Making people smile. And he can do it in so many ways! He can sing, he's got zany accents he can pull out, fake magic he can perform. Know what I would do if given a stage and 10 minutes to make people happy? Fail miserably, that's what I would do. And THAT'S what people see. Rob has a gift that most of the rest of us don't. It's awesome.)
Friday, October 7, 2011
No More "Highest Love"
Kuialoha is no more. Well, no more in our home anyway. On Saturday she bit Tank hard enough to draw blood and leave a nice bruise. And that was it. In an instant, she was no longer my dog, she was a traitor to the family.
Rob isn't heartless, like me, so he tried to get me to agree to keep her, work on more training with her. I said, "That's fine if you want to keep her. On Monday, when you come home from work, the dog will be gone, dropped off at the nearest Pound." He got the point. (Women are jerks, and I'm no exception. There are just no two ways to see some issues.) Happily, we found someone to take her so she didn't go to the Pound.
And I liked Kui! Really, I did. She was a fun little creature, and a nice lap dog who kept me warm on Winter days. But she was randomly aggressive, attacked other dogs, and occasionally bit my kids. That's just not cool.
Instantly, when the announcement was made, the kids started asking for new pets. Can we have Cleo back? NO. Can we get a new dog? No. Can we get another cat? No. How about we put up our fish tank again? And put it where, exactly? That's a no. Finally we worked our way to a betta fish. They're pretty, nearly zero work, and they can live in 2 inches of water.
Except it turns out that they aren't really supposed to be kept in such little bowls. To be humane (not to insult anyone who owns a betta and keeps it in a 1/2 gallon tank), you should keep it in at least a 5 gallon tank. Well, we don't HAVE a 5 gallon tank. I was just going to ignore the "that's torture" response I initially had, and put the betta into a large vase we have. But I just couldn't do it. We brought up the vase and it now has a plant coming out the top, but no cool betta.
So what did we do? We put this back up:
It's our 20-gallon tank. We bought it in 2004 and took it down in 2008. It's been sitting downstairs ever since, waiting for the right moment. Right now there's no fish in it, if you're looking for fish.
This is in our living room, where our TV used to be (see? No TV in the corner!). We don't watch much TV any more, and so a year ago I tried to convince Rob to put the TV downstairs in the toy room. He wasn't having it. But then, a few days ago, when we were thinking about the fish tank, Rob said, "How about we put the TV downstairs?" I just looked at him. "You know I suggested that a year ago, right?" He shrugged. "I'm slow."
There you have it. Traded a dog for some fish and a plant.
(P.S. This is how sad the kids were about seeing Kui go. Rob asked if fish was an ok trade for a dog. Miciah responded, "Fish are better." Clearly, no one was shedding tears around here.)
Rob isn't heartless, like me, so he tried to get me to agree to keep her, work on more training with her. I said, "That's fine if you want to keep her. On Monday, when you come home from work, the dog will be gone, dropped off at the nearest Pound." He got the point. (Women are jerks, and I'm no exception. There are just no two ways to see some issues.) Happily, we found someone to take her so she didn't go to the Pound.
And I liked Kui! Really, I did. She was a fun little creature, and a nice lap dog who kept me warm on Winter days. But she was randomly aggressive, attacked other dogs, and occasionally bit my kids. That's just not cool.
Instantly, when the announcement was made, the kids started asking for new pets. Can we have Cleo back? NO. Can we get a new dog? No. Can we get another cat? No. How about we put up our fish tank again? And put it where, exactly? That's a no. Finally we worked our way to a betta fish. They're pretty, nearly zero work, and they can live in 2 inches of water.
Except it turns out that they aren't really supposed to be kept in such little bowls. To be humane (not to insult anyone who owns a betta and keeps it in a 1/2 gallon tank), you should keep it in at least a 5 gallon tank. Well, we don't HAVE a 5 gallon tank. I was just going to ignore the "that's torture" response I initially had, and put the betta into a large vase we have. But I just couldn't do it. We brought up the vase and it now has a plant coming out the top, but no cool betta.
So what did we do? We put this back up:
It's our 20-gallon tank. We bought it in 2004 and took it down in 2008. It's been sitting downstairs ever since, waiting for the right moment. Right now there's no fish in it, if you're looking for fish.
There you have it. Traded a dog for some fish and a plant.
(P.S. This is how sad the kids were about seeing Kui go. Rob asked if fish was an ok trade for a dog. Miciah responded, "Fish are better." Clearly, no one was shedding tears around here.)
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