Change

I am discovering that change and I do not get along very well.  I wish I were one of those people who embrace change and see it as an opportunity for growth.  I’m not or at least I rarely am.

When something changes at work, I roll with it.  I may not be 100% on board but oh well.  I make the best of it and get by.   But in my personal life I am less likely to do that.  I am not sure why.  Maybe it has to do with how much control I have over the change.  At work I have little control.  The bosses say there is going to be a change and it happens.  In my personal life, I am the majority stakeholder and therefore have say in almost all of the changes going  on around me.  So why is it so hard for me to get on board with changes that I play a vital role in instigating?

My move to my Grandma’s house, while it is a good thing for her and in the long run for me, is causing me a lot of anxiety and doubt that I am doing the right thing.   I am 98% sure my anxiety and doubt are just part of the whole moving process.  I really dislike moving.  And I am 98% sure that once I am fully moved out of my house and all of my belonging are safely tucked away in a secure and clean storage facility a lot of my worries will become tucked away as well.

My son  - bless his heart - is totally cool with everything.

 “Are you okay with moving to Grandma’s house?” I ask.

“Sure. Why not?  It’s not forever.” He says with a shrug and goes about his business.

Really?!?! How can he be so calm about moving? He is a teenager!!! Why is Mom such a basket case and the teenager is the rock?  Does this feel like an alternate universe to you as well?

Taking  a calming deep breath…

To be clear, I really do not have a problem with moving in with Grandma.  She shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time and I am the logical person to stay with her for a few months.   I work from home so I will be here almost all the time.  My lease was about to expire.  It all fits.

I spoke with a friend today who told me my feelings about the move had more to do with losing my privacy than anything else.  In a way she makes sense.  I haven’t lived with anyone but my son in probably 10 years.  Except for the few months about 6 years ago while I was building a house. 

Having her say that puts it into perspective. And I realize it’s not just me giving up my privacy and space.  It is a big change for my Grandma also.   Since her mini-stroke in January, she has lost almost all of her privacy.  Someone is with her or around her almost all the time.  How hard would that be? 

I still dislike change.  I will still stress and be anxious and basket case for a week or so but I think I will be okay.  I just need to get moved.  Get into a routine.  Breath deeply. And all will be okay.  I think.

 

Sunday Snippits

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day?  It began in May 1868 as a way to honor the nations Civil War dead.  On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan "declared in General Order No. 11 that:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit (http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history)."

After World War I, observances were held to honor all those who died in all of the American Wars.  In 1971, Congress officially declared the last Monday in May as Memorial Day.  ~ All facts courtesy of the www.history.com~

My Grandma still calls it Decoration Day. 

*****

This past year my son took a Social Dance class where they learned how to waltz, tango, cha-cha, and such (I don't remember all of them). At the end of the year they performed the waltz and cha-cha at a dance performance that included all of the different dance classes.  The Social Dance class was huge and by far the best.  My videography skills need work but here is a snippet of one of the dances. 

 

*****
I am moving into my Grandmother's house temporarily.  I do not need to be out of my house until the 15th of June but we are here now - at least for the nights.  I will continue to go to the other house to pack and work.  My bed will go into storage and while I like the bed here, I could not sleep that first night.  Then I brought over my own pillows and have slept like a baby. Sometimes we just need something of our own.

My temporary bed. Neatly pulled down for a solo nights sleep.  The pillows in the blue cases are mine. The blankets on the other half of the bed will still be under the pillows in the morning.

*****
I need help.  My blog is dull, boring, bland, ick. I work from home so there is little to no social interaction.  My son would get a complex if I wrote about him all the time.  Any ideas on how to make my blog better? The suggestion box is open.

And it's Wednesday...again

Time is flying past and it seems like nothing that needs doing is getting done.  But then I review my mental to do list and find that while I feel like I am not doing anything, stuff is actually getting done.  I've rented a storage unit, packed some boxes, and I am sure there are other things but I am too tired to remember.

My son got his driver's license yesterday.  It was kind of a pain in the backside process, which it shouldn't have been, but now it is done.  Tonight I let him take the ol' blazer  to a school dance.  I debated all day about it but realized it was time.  Yet another step towards his becoming an adult.  I never have to teach another kid to drive or worry about them taking their first solo drive.  It is a good yet somewhat sad feeling. 

I had house guest's for the past week.  They went back home today which I am not sure is the best thing but it is what it is.  What I really missed while they were here were my daily naps.  I love a good mid-morning or afternoon power nap.  You know the kind where you lay down, close your eyes then wake up 30 minutes later feeling re-energized.  Anyway, while they were here there were no naps and I am really feeling it.

I would love to go to sleep now but I need to wait for the teenage driver to return safely.

Blah...Blah...Blah

1 - I don't realize how many days have past since I have last logged into Blogger or Facebook until I try to catch up. Then I realize that I missed some interesting stuff.  Not necessarily on Facebook but from my bloggy friends.  I would say that I will try to do better but it probably won't happen.

2-  Something happened to me the other day. Some would say it was a spiritual prompting or whatever.  I ignored it and something bad happened.  It would have happened anyway but I still should have paid attention. That night in my prayers, I told Him that I don't do subtle.  Next time strike me with lightening, throw a tree limb at me, help me to feel like I am not a crazy person if I tell someone about it.

3 - Project Me is not going so well.  I don't feel different, better, or happier.  It sucks.  I've been reading "The Gifts of Imperfection" but can't seem to make myself finish.

4 - I have a love/hate relationship with the Biggest Loser.  It motivates and depresses me at the same time.  Make sense? 

5- I checked out the Biggest Loser Diet online.  You know the one where they send food to your home.  It costs over $100 a week.  That doesn't work for me when I also have to buy food for a 16 year old boy.  I guess I need to make my own diet  food. BLECH!

6 - DIET is my least favorite 4 letter word.

7 - I am really blessed to have such a great son.  Austin is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  Even if he is somewhat responsible in a round about way for the extra weight I've been carrying around for the last 16 years.

8- Anxiety and worry are my constant companions these days.  I am anxious about moving in a few weeks and everything that entails.  I am worried about my uncle who has been in the hospital for the last week.  It doesn't look good. 

9 - My feet are really cold so I should probably go to bed.  I love having cold feet in bed.  I know weird.  But when my feet are too warm, I can't sleep.

10 - If you made it this far in my blah post.  Congratulations!  I hope you have a great Thursday.  I am going to bed and will pray that I feel better tomorrow morning. 

Day at the Museum

One of my "Project Me" goals is to get out and do what I want to do - without talking myself out of it.  I'm not sure why but Thursday I spent sometime online looking up local museums.  I made a list and planned to visit a couple of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP) museum.  Friday morning and early afternoon was busier than anticipated and then I needed to make a trip to Lehi.  But I still wanted to visit a museum.  Lehi has a pretty good natural history museum that I thought my 5 year old nephew would love.  I called my sister and offered to take her son for the day.  Of course she said "Yes" and he and I were on our way.

After a long drive to Lehi, courtesy of I-15 construction, and a quick errand we found our way to the John Hutchings Natural History Museum.  The last time I visited the museum was on an elementary school field trip so I wasn't sure what to expect.  The museum exceeded my expectations.

Tracer in front of the museum

In 1955, John Hutchings and his wife, Eunice, donated their collections of rocks, minerals, fossils, shells, stuffed birds, eggs, Native American artifacts, pioneer items, Wild West guns and other memorabilia to the non-profit Museum corporation to be held in trust for the people of Lehi (Hutchings Museum Pamphlet). The collection continues to grow as others have donated their collections.

The museum is very inviting and kid friendly and well worth the price of admission - $4 for adults and $3 for children.   There are thirteen different displays so there is a little but of something for everyone.  Having an inquisitive five year old with me made the trip fun. Even though I probably missed about 40 percent of the items on display, his wonder and excitement were contagious.

Checking out the Caterpillars in the Butterfly and Insect Hall. 

Signs showing a hand print means the exhibit is "Hands On" - allowing the kids to touch items on display.  In the Bug Hall magnifying glasses are available to help the kids see all the icky bug details.

Petting an Armadillo shell as we walk into the Bird and Egg Room

Comparing his hand to an Allisaurus Claw in the Fossil and Shell Room.

Little Paleontologist

Trace loves dinosaurs and wants to be a Paleontologist so this exhibit was perfect for him.  This activity display was finished the day before our visit and Trace was the first kid to try it out.

With a Camarasaurus bone.

In the Pioneer Room.  He wouldn't go in the cave because there was not a "Hands On" sign.  

Grinding corn (above) and tapping out a beat on a drum (below) in the Native American Room.

In the Wild West Room, I met an interesting man who was looking at the Porter Rockwell* exhibit.  I took a picture of him next to the exhibit and will mail it to him but did not get his permission to post.  The man studies all things Porter Rockwell related and owns the brand Porter Rockwell used for branding his horses.  In a twenty minute conversation, I learned quite a bit about Porter Rockwell, more than what was depicted in the display.

I couldn't have asked for a better experience.  I have been to larger, more expensive, and fancier museums but this one is high on my list of favorites.  I would love to visit again.  To the readers in Utah, I highly recommend taking the kids. You can find directions and more information at HERE.

As we were leaving Trace exclaimed "This is the best day ever!" 

* Porter Rockwell is a colorful and controversial character in the history of the West and the LDS church.  He was characterized as a gun-man and religious zealot.  He was reputed to be the Mormon "Destroying Angel".  He was a lawman and  bodyguard to Brigham Young.  He operated the "Hot Springs Brewery Hotel" (http://porterrockwellutah.com/). He is a legend in LDS history and the history of the West.

Priceless

Corsage: $16.00
Dinner: $40.00
Wearing Grandpa's thirty year old tuxedo to prom: Priceless

"BZZZZ"

Said the big, black fly before I swatted it out the of the air -mid flight -with my ninja fly-swatter skills.  Yep.  I did that.  Pretty proud of it. 

The title really should have been "Thursday Tidbits" since my mind is scattered all of the place.

I am really glad the President chose not to release the postmortem pictures of Osama Bin Laden. If the families who lost loved ones during the September 11 attacks would like to see them than the Pres. should make exceptions for them but they do not need to be released to the masses.  Many say it is proof that he is dead. Really?!? In the digital age a picture can be manipulated to be almost anything you want it to be.  Where is the proof in that.

I have discovered that one of my favorite statements/questions is "Really!?!"

SPF 70 sunscreen applied several time throughout the afternoon on Wednesday did not prevent my poor shoulders from getting a sunburn.  

As my doctor was squishing the life out of "the girls" yesterday looking for lumps, he mentioned that there are some folks questioning the scientific validity of self-breast exams.  Before I could spout off a sarcastic comment, he filled the void with "I didn't think science has a lot to do with self-exams anyway but it doesn't mean they aren't important."  So ladies, scientist may not think they are valuable but we have to make sure we look out for ourselves.  Bottom line:   Self check.  

For dinner last night, we made delicious Barbecue Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps courtesy of Rachel Ray and the Food Network website.  Check them out if you are a fan of lettuce wraps but don't expect them to taste like PF Changs.

I finally got sick of Internet Explorer and downloaded Mozzila Firefox.   Now I can actually read everyone's blogs without getting some funky IE error which then closes my browser.  Delightful.

A friend called me today to get my weekly NASCAR driver pick, he always starts the conversation with "Hey Sugar Lips" which never fails to make me smile. 

And that is all.  Have a great Thursday everyone. 

 

Yummy Buffalo Wings

My favorite menu item at Chili's is the Boneless Buffalo Wings.  There are days when I just crave them but rarely do I treat myself.  Today I found a copy-cat recipe for these delicious spicy boneless wings HERE.

I modified the recipe a titch - replaced the hot sauce with KC Masterpiece Buffalo Marinade - and I think they tasted pretty darn similar to the original.  I found that after frying all the chicken pieces and tossing them in the buffalo sauce, the chicken cooled a little too much for my taste, so next time I think I will throw them in a hot oven for a few minutes to keep them warm and help bake in the flavor of the sauce. 


The finished project.
 I left the Buffalo Sauce off a few of them and even those were delicious.



The finished product received kudo's from my sisters, a brother-in-law, and friend.  My son wasn't a huge fan of the Buffalo Sauce but really enjoy the one's without. This is definitely one to add to the meal rotation. 

I have to admit the ideal time for trying a new non-diet recipe is not the day I realized that it only took two months to gain back the ten pounds I lost during the previous six.  However, these were worth it.  I had mine on a salad so that should also count for something. Right?

Tomorrow's new recipe will be Rachel Ray's Lettuce Wraps.   I'll let you know how they turn out.