I hate winter!! It just keeps snowing and snowing and snowing! I can't take it anymore!! We are completely out of room to shovel the snow anywhere off our driveway. Since our house is north facing, we still have feet of snow while the neighbors across the street have a trace in their yards. We literally have mountains lining our driveway that are taller than us. So, with the new 6 inches we got today and the more snow we're supposed to get tonight, there's literally no way to shovel it off the driveway without catapulting it over the mountains and into the middle of the yard, which takes a disgusting amount of effort for each heave. I've had it!!!
I've been looking for someone to blame for this hellish winter all day. I'm so angry I feel like we're being picked on. I mean, isn't enough, enough? MAKE IT STOP!!
But believe it or not, I didn't come here today to whine and complain, although a good venting is what I needed. I came to throw out some ideas that have kept me on the brink of insanity this winter, even though some days I have lost my marbles. These are the things that have made me forget how much I hate living in Utah right now.
1. Netflix. I've drowned myself in tv shows lately to escape my cabin fever. It's not the best solution but at least there's people talking in my house all the time :)
2. Artificial sun. Yes, I mean tanning. And although I am not a giant fan of it and I think it's dangerous, the once in a while that I go has helped lift my spirits and give me some artificial vitamin D.
3. Exercise. After a 6 week hiatus because of our family being so sick, I've been trying to get back into the grind. It's helped keep me happy and focused on other things. I also recommend fitness classes. They're tons of fun and it gets you out of the house.
4. Projects. Even simple ones would do the trick. We started remodeling our front room months ago. We've been so lazy at just getting it done because it's not easy and we never use it anyway but there's one thing to keep me busy. I also started making a cook book on my computer of all the Pinterest recipes I've found so I can just look on paper instead of having to keep my phone on to read the next steps while cooking.
5. Bubble baths. I love bubble baths anyway, but they also help calm me down when I feel like I'm going to lose it. Sometimes I'll even throw a swim diaper on my toddler and let her join me.
6. Online shopping. I have to admit, I've fallen in love with pushing a few buttons and having a cute outfit arrive at my door. It gives me something to look forward to, even if I can't wear the new shoes until spring.
7. Working. I know not everyone has this option, and work isn't always awesome, but it's nice to go and talk to the great girls I work with and be away for a few hours.
8. Cleaning. I may not be able to go outside and enjoy myself, but at least my house is clean and comfortable. That helps make it a good environment.
So those are the things that have helped me make it through this horrible, history-book-worthy winter. I'd add a vacation on the list but we haven't had one yet. We're supposed to go to Moab in a few weeks. I've had my hopes up so high for this trip because I need a vacation so bad, but I have a feeling the weather may not cooperate, and then I'm really going to lose it. We'll see though. Until then I'll keep focusing on not going insane and praying for grass and sunshine.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Love
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.
- from 1 Corinthians 13
Happy Valentines Day!
- from 1 Corinthians 13
Happy Valentines Day!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Kindness Goes A Long Way
We have had a hellish three weeks at our house.
First our little girl got sick with the worst sore throat/cold/cough combo we've ever seen. Of all the illnesses she's had, this is hands down the worst so far. About 5 days later, I got it. I could not believe how excruciating the sore throat was. It hurt to breathe, much less talk and eat. I lost my voice for two days along with the congestion and cough setting in. About another 5 days later, my husband caught it. He missed out on the sore throat portion, thank heavens, but he has the sucky congestion and cough as well.
After three weeks later from the start of this horribleness, we're still not better. Our girl has a double ear infection, I have a sinus infection in all four sinuses and bronchitis, and Cory is showing the same symptoms of bronchitis and probably needs to be seen by someone. Isn't that lovely?
So needless to say, we've been a little antisocial and MIA in a lot of things. It's hard to do much when you feel like death. But hopefully now that we're medicated, we can start to be on the mend. I hope at least. I am so over this!! Enough is enough!
It's funny the different reactions we've gotten from people. Many of the people can be summed up in two groups: the ones who avoid us like we have leprosy or give "helpful tips" and the ones who are just helpful. Half of people who have heard about us assume we have bad immune systems or that we're not clean, or they suggest different ways to keep from getting sick because they think we've been catching different viruses over and over. No, no. It's just one horrible, evil, unrelenting illness that has wiped out our household.
But then there's the ones who don't question, preach, or try to be our doctors (I know people mean well, really), they just help. Several times now I've come home to food and treats on my doorstep from friends and neighbors who were thinking about us and wanted to help out. Every time I've cried knowing I have such amazing, loving, selfless people in my life. Where would I be without them? They set such a good example for me and others around them. And I've never felt so loved in all my life.
I originally wanted to post about home sickness remedies and tricks people try in order to avoid the inevitable crap that is spread during the winter, but as I thought about how crummy this has been for us and how much of a change those kind friends have made in my heart, I decided to post more about how much we can do to help others who are suffering through illnesses or hard times rather than what we can do for ourselves.
As a recipient of kind deeds, not only did the soup, juice, pudding, cookies, and hot chocolate make us feel better physically, but it raised my spirits emotionally as well. I knew I wasn't alone and there was someone who was watching out for us and willing to help. It's such an empowering feeling! It also strengthened my testimony of prayer because on one particular day when I really thought I might die, and I had to go to work and i literally didn't know how I was going to make it through the day alive, I came home to dinner waiting on my porch. I later learned that this sweet person felt very strongly that she needed to help me that day and she listened. I don't know if she will ever know how grateful I was for that and how much of an answer to prayers she was. It was the best blessing to receive.
So, let's take a lesson from this experience and resolve to help others in times of need. It only takes a couple extra minutes to swing by and drop off a meal or a treat and let someone know you love them and are thinking about them and you want to help. Odds are it was an answer to their prayers anyway. I'm grateful for good examples of wonderful friends. I urge you to pass it on! I know I will be.
A little kindness goes a long way.
First our little girl got sick with the worst sore throat/cold/cough combo we've ever seen. Of all the illnesses she's had, this is hands down the worst so far. About 5 days later, I got it. I could not believe how excruciating the sore throat was. It hurt to breathe, much less talk and eat. I lost my voice for two days along with the congestion and cough setting in. About another 5 days later, my husband caught it. He missed out on the sore throat portion, thank heavens, but he has the sucky congestion and cough as well.
After three weeks later from the start of this horribleness, we're still not better. Our girl has a double ear infection, I have a sinus infection in all four sinuses and bronchitis, and Cory is showing the same symptoms of bronchitis and probably needs to be seen by someone. Isn't that lovely?
So needless to say, we've been a little antisocial and MIA in a lot of things. It's hard to do much when you feel like death. But hopefully now that we're medicated, we can start to be on the mend. I hope at least. I am so over this!! Enough is enough!
It's funny the different reactions we've gotten from people. Many of the people can be summed up in two groups: the ones who avoid us like we have leprosy or give "helpful tips" and the ones who are just helpful. Half of people who have heard about us assume we have bad immune systems or that we're not clean, or they suggest different ways to keep from getting sick because they think we've been catching different viruses over and over. No, no. It's just one horrible, evil, unrelenting illness that has wiped out our household.
But then there's the ones who don't question, preach, or try to be our doctors (I know people mean well, really), they just help. Several times now I've come home to food and treats on my doorstep from friends and neighbors who were thinking about us and wanted to help out. Every time I've cried knowing I have such amazing, loving, selfless people in my life. Where would I be without them? They set such a good example for me and others around them. And I've never felt so loved in all my life.
I originally wanted to post about home sickness remedies and tricks people try in order to avoid the inevitable crap that is spread during the winter, but as I thought about how crummy this has been for us and how much of a change those kind friends have made in my heart, I decided to post more about how much we can do to help others who are suffering through illnesses or hard times rather than what we can do for ourselves.
As a recipient of kind deeds, not only did the soup, juice, pudding, cookies, and hot chocolate make us feel better physically, but it raised my spirits emotionally as well. I knew I wasn't alone and there was someone who was watching out for us and willing to help. It's such an empowering feeling! It also strengthened my testimony of prayer because on one particular day when I really thought I might die, and I had to go to work and i literally didn't know how I was going to make it through the day alive, I came home to dinner waiting on my porch. I later learned that this sweet person felt very strongly that she needed to help me that day and she listened. I don't know if she will ever know how grateful I was for that and how much of an answer to prayers she was. It was the best blessing to receive.
So, let's take a lesson from this experience and resolve to help others in times of need. It only takes a couple extra minutes to swing by and drop off a meal or a treat and let someone know you love them and are thinking about them and you want to help. Odds are it was an answer to their prayers anyway. I'm grateful for good examples of wonderful friends. I urge you to pass it on! I know I will be.
A little kindness goes a long way.
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