Mélange

Want your teenager to do better in school? Folate may help.

2011-08-23T14:37:00.002-06:00

Folate is a B vitamin that is found in foods such as green vegetables and certain fruits. A new study from Sweden shows that “teenagers who consume higher amounts of dietary folate… have higher academic scores compared to teens with lower levels”.

The study was conducted on 386 15-year-old students at Orebro University Hospital. Over the span of 9 years of schooling, the sums of grades were collected in 10 core subjects. The results showed that teens who consumed the most folic acid, on average scored 10% higher than students who were on the lowest level of folic acid consumption.

These fascinating results show how imperative it is to keep “a closer watch on folate status in childhood and adolescence”. To ensure your child has a healthy balance of proper nutrients, I personally recommend Kid’s NeuroVite. It contains folic acid and many other vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain a healthy growing body.

Source: http://www.foodproductdesign.com/news/2011/07/folate-levels-linked-to-teen-academic-success.aspx

Foods that affect your child’s IQ – Amen Clinics

2011-02-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Foods that affect your child’s IQ – Amen Clinics

I subscribe to Dr. Daniel Amen's blog. He works with brain imaging comparing healthy brains with brains that are in trauma. Head injuries, drugs, alcohol and toxins all affect the brain and the processes that take place in the brain. He is able to show, through images that he takes of the brain, how different areas of the brain are affected. Even people with ADD have different patterns of activity in their brains.

I thought this above article was interesting. Who wouldn't want to help raise their child's IQ with something as simple as a diet? Take a minute to read it.
Kathy

Benefits of Gratitude

2010-11-10T15:04:00.002-07:00

I received this in my email toady. I thought it was timely as we go into the season of thanksgiving.

I have posted it word for word from Everyday Health.

The Health Benefits of Saying Thanks

An "attitude of gratitude" can improve physical and emotional health. Incorporate more thankfulness into your life not just during holidays, but every day.

By Kristen Stewart

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

Print Email

We all know exercising and eating a healthy diet are good for our bodies, but how many people realize practicing an attitude of gratitude can improve our health as well?

There’s no doubt that mind and body are connected, and this link is especially apparent when it comes to gratitude. “Research suggests that individuals who are grateful in their daily lives actually report fewer stress-related health symptoms, including headaches, gastrointestinal (stomach) issues, chest pain, muscle aches, and appetite problems,” says Sheela Raja, PhD, an assistant professor and clinical psychologist in the Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Not only that, researchers in England studied a group of students at the beginning and end of their first semester in college and found that those who practiced gratitude experienced less stress and depression and more social support. Similar results were found by researchers at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. and the University of California at Davis — young teens who counted their blessings reported more optimism and satisfaction than those who didn’t. Grateful people are also often more content because they don’t spend a lot of time comparing themselves with others, says Raja.

An Attitude of Gratitude: How to Say Thanks

Now that we can appreciate the importance of gratitude in our lives, how can we make it happen? The first step is to understand that it’s much more than saying thanks for something nice that happened to us or celebrating on Thanksgiving — it’s a whole way of looking at the world.

“Feeling gratitude is a sense of what I would call appreciation, wonder, and thankfulness for what has occurred in our lives and what is going on right now, an eager anticipation of what is to come,” says Paula Langguth Ryan of Boulder, Colo., author of Giving Thanks, The Art of Tithing. “It’s being present to the wonders and joys of life as it is, without wanting it to be different, and a sense of fulfillment that comes from within, from seeing the good — or the potential for good — in every situation.”

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There are a variety of ways we can go about increasing the gratitude factor in our lives. Here’s some ideas to get started:

Practice meditation, yoga, or prayer. Anything that increases focus on the present moment will help increase gratitude, says Raja. Don’t think about only the big things — be thankful for the small nuances and beauty in everyday life.
Re-frame your thinking. “I recommend folks do ‘I am grateful’ or ‘thank you’ statements for everything that goes on in their lives, as it gets them into the habit of not judging,” says Ryan. “Years ago when someone I was really into decided to stop dating me, that very evening of the breakup I created a gratitude list of 25 things I was grateful for in the short time we dated. That shifted me out of feeling abandoned and unworthy and into feeling blessed for the new things I’d learned about myself, new ways of relating to another, and the new experiences I’d had during that time.”
Keep a written (or oral) gratitude journal. Write down what you’re thankful for, or share them with family at dinner. You can even simply think about them before going to sleep.
Do something for someone else. “There is strong evidence that helping other people actually helps us focus more on the blessings in our own lives,” says Raja. Do a good deed, big or small, and the good probably will come back to you.

Ultimately being grateful is more than an act of thanks here and there; it’s a philosophy that can open up endless possibilities. Now that’s something to be thankful for.

Is something wrong with your baby? â€“ Amen Clinics

2010-10-27T11:20:00.000-06:00

This came from a blog that I subscribe to. I also reviewed this same information at a conference I attended in Coeur d'Alene. The Key-note speaker talked about Emotional Attachment Theory. I can see where I made mistakes as a parent, thinking I was doing the right thing, when really I was high-jacking my children's emotions. I'ts worth reading through, even if your family is raised.

Is something wrong with your baby? â€“ Amen Clinics

Empathy, or Lack Of

2010-10-14T13:42:00.003-06:00

This past week I have been very disturbed by some of the Headlines in the news. What is happening to our children to make them become so insensitive to their peers? I
am talking about the issues of bullying, particularly cyber-bullying. I am appalled at how mean our youth can be to others through cell phones and social networks.

It is lack of empathy.

Empathy involves seeing the world through another's eyes, thinking about things as others think about them, feeling things as others feel them, and sharing in their experiences.

I hope that we can show empathy ourselves and help to teach others, young or old how to have empathy.

Attachment

2010-09-22T15:22:00.004-06:00

I was doing some reading today and came upon this article about attachment and adult relationships. I found it very informative. I know raising toddlers is difficult and wears our patience. Remembering this information could help us with our patience, as we leave an impact on lives of growing adults.

Balancing dependence and independence: The human infant is the most helpless mammal on earth. We are totally dependent on our caregivers for survival. Our identity is "we not me". Between the ages of 2-3 years old we begin to test the waters of independence. The terrible two's is a stage when we begin to entertain the notion of a separate "me". Children need to assert a measure of control over their own lives in order to form their unique identity and establish their will. We hear the word "no" more as a two year old than any other time in life. With too many "no's" our independence can be stifled. Not enough "no's" leads to poor boundaries. This process of balancing dependence with independence continues throughout childhood and peaks during the heightened independence seeking and identity forming times of puberty and adolescence. Adolescents must disengage from parents in preparation for independent living.

Our relationship with our parents provides the solid foundation in which to discover our independence. Mature and loving parents create a safe environment in which children can freely express themselves. Stable families can handle the stress of "letting go" and can tolerate their child's autonomy. They encourage exploration of the environment, allow mistakes, and permit disagreement. Healthy family systems promote both connection and individuality, accountability and independence. Unhealthy family systems discourage individuality and promote dependence. They interpret individual differences as an attack on their authority. They undermine healthy development by reinforcing dependency and helplessness. Because of the parents' high levels of anxiety, stress, and need for control, individual expression is discouraged. Children are taught to conform to the parents' wishes and desires. Personal boundaries (where I stop and you start) are vague. These children are needy or "pseudo independent". They act independent on the surface, but are deeply dependent underneath.

The lessons we learn in our families growing up about dependence and independence are taken with us into our adult relationships. People who grew up with too much independence and not enough dependence have difficulty being present in relationships. Those who grew up with too much dependence and not enough independence tend to be overly needy or smothering. They place a lot of pressure on their partners to meet their needs. If both your partner and you are highly independent, then your relationships will be comfortably distant. If you both are dependent, then your relationship will probably be very co-dependent; obviously there will be problems with a highly dependent and a highly independent match.

Healthy couples know what they are bringing to the relationship and have an understanding of what they want to create. Each couple needs to work out its own unique balance of what works for them. How much time do we spend together, and how much time do we need alone. Without conscious awareness of our needs and expectations, the task of sorting out the balance of dependence-independence becomes a struggle strewn with conflict and hurt feelings.

http://www.attachmentexperts.com/adultcouple.html

What Are Lifeskills, as related to stress?

2010-05-11T15:04:00.003-06:00

Lifeskills are an assortment of behaviors that can REDUCE stress and help us maintain both physical and psychological health. Some examples of lifeskills are found in people who know how to relax and take care of their physical health. They include knowledge about relationships, communication and expressing feelings.

Lifeskills also include learning how to get control over some of life's stressors through assertiveness, time management, goal setting, and planning. They are tactics that build rather than drain energy.

Remember, in and of itself, stress is neither all good nor all bad. It is a part of life.

What people do with particular triggers (stressors) and their own reactions (stress patterns) differs greatly from individual to individual. What seems stressful to person may not seem stressful to another.

It is believed that people can learn to be skillful in managing stress-producing situation. Some are naturally more successful at it than others. The cave dwellers who survived in primitive eras were probably those who knew best when to fight or flee, therefore living to produce another generation.

Today's successful adults are those people who learn how to respond to stress appropriately in self-nurturing, creative, and assertive ways. Instruction in lifeskills doesn't simply call for "superior coping strategies", like better "pain medicine", but for more resourceful stress management skills.

We need to manage, not cope.

Stress and Gender Differences

2010-03-16T09:12:00.005-06:00

In addition to personality characterisitics, there are some fairly typical gender differences in the way young men and women respond to stress.
Reportedly, boys suddenly become "vanishing experts" around the house. They spend a lot of time away from home with their peers, "hanging around the neighborhood." They are extremely reluctant to state where, with whom, or when they will likely return. In order to avoid messy conflicts with parents, they say "yes" to requests, but simply avoid fulfilling the request.
They are found to be less verbal and more physical in their response to stress than girls. Their physical expression can be either active, throwing things or putting a fist through a wall, or passive by becoming a slug in front of the TV.

In contrast, girls are often more verbal in dealing with stress. At home, they may engage in non-stop verbal sparring with siblings or parents. They can adopt "sneaky and lying" behaviors and spend more time manipulating friends and family in an effort to boost their self-esteem or status. They tend to be more aware of subtle changes in relationships, and more vocal in expressing insecurity, jealousy, and competitiveness. This description fits the female teenager who is overt in responding to stress. There is also a flip side, the passive female who holds all her feelings inside and attempts to keep a very controlled image on the surface.

Stess

2010-03-15T15:39:00.003-06:00

Do you deal with teenagers? Have you noticed how they deal with stress? Here are some typical teenage reactions to stress. Information is taken from Fighting Invisible Tigers by Connie C. Schmitz, Ph.D with Earl Hipp.

Basically teenagers respond to stress in ways that are consistent with their personalities. Some are active in their expression of stress while others take a passive route. The symptoms they express are not too different than symptoms adult express. Teen's manner of coping mirrors that of parents and other family members.

Some signs may include:

general irritability, arguing about everything, however minor
regressive or immature behavior; they want their own way, they want it now; can't tolerate change from routine
obsession with external appearances and material goods; lots of time spent looking right
school phobia; avoiding school work; sudden drop in school performance
secretiveness; lying about whereabouts
chronic dissatisfaction, nothing is good enough
loss of interest or pleasure in things
excessive sleeping
difficulty concentrating
frequent crying spells
significant change in eating habits
frequent colds, flu, or other communicable diseases
withdrawal; spending a lot of time alone; saying "no: to invitations from friends
escapist behaviors (e.g. excessive TV watching)

Unsticking Stuck Stuff

2010-02-22T13:56:00.004-07:00

I was reading information on a website-by Rue Hass
Mad to Glad
© Rue Hass 2005  10  IntuitiveMentoring.com
Profoundly light -hearted strategies for unsticking stuck stuff

I liked her advice. We need to take responsibility for our feelings and the following phrases are practical to use when we do self-talk. Try them on yourself:

I am choosing to feel angry right now and using you as my reason.

I am frustrating myself by the way I’m doing this project.

I am stressing myself by thinking these thoughts.

I am abusing myself by accepting your behavior.

I am making myself anxious by continually entertaining these thoughts.

Birthday Wishes

2010-02-15T10:41:00.005-07:00

Friday was Courtney's birthday. It was also the birthday of her little baby girl, Ayla.
Courtney was born February 12. Her sister was thrilled to have a sister. In fact, when I went to the hospital to deliver, Kimberly went and prayed that the baby would be a sister for her. Remember when we didn't know the gender of the baby?

Courtney was blessed on Friday to deliver a healthy baby girl, Ayla. She was born just before 5 P.M. and weighed 5 lbs 11 oz. She is beautiful. This makes grandchild 14, with 10 of them little girls. He brother and cousins are going to spoil her.

Valentines

2010-02-15T10:23:00.002-07:00

I tried to post this yesterday, when it was Valentines, but I did not have enough time and patience. This is a snapshot of the beautiful flowers my valentine gave me. It was a delightful surprise. He also surprised his daughters and daughters-in-law with some. What a special weekend it was.

Happy Birthday Daris

2010-01-19T17:59:00.001-07:00

I want to wish Daris Howard, my youngest son a happy birthday coming up Thursday, January 22.

Life is Good

2010-01-19T17:49:00.002-07:00

Life is good. Can't complain. What makes it so good are the people in my life and the relationships.
Best part, is the joy family brings.
I found out today that grand baby # 15 is a boy!
Our last one, #13 is a beautiful little girl, coming to join her in less than a month is granddaughter #10, and our 14th grandchild.
Little baby Howard #15 will make our fifth grandson. They are slightly our numbered 2-1.

Happy Birthday Ruthie

2009-12-14T23:15:00.002-07:00

I mentioned earlier on my facebook that today is my mother's birthday. Happy Birthday to her. I learned just this year that her sister's birthday was just last week. Her and Aunt Shirley are just two years apart. This photo is my mom when she was a teenager. I know grandma and her siblings called her Ruthie.
Happy Birthday to her! It's the big double 7.

Grateful

2009-12-08T18:39:00.004-07:00

I am so GRATEFUL for my BLESSINGS. I need to express my gratitude for my blessings in life. In this life of uncertainty, we need to appreciate everything the Lord blesses us with. I especially appreciate my family and the joy they are in my life. At this Christmas time I am especially grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I have good health and a great career where I mingle with wonderful people, adults and children alike. There is not much more that I need.

These photos are just a few snapshots of my family. Grandchildren at Thanksgiving time as well as photos after school Christmas programs. I love living in this area where we can enjoy Christmas programs with all the wonderful music sung by the children.

Jackson Lake 2009

2009-09-16T22:40:00.002-06:00

This Labor Day Micheal and I went to Jackson Lake, with Danial as our tour guide. Actually, we went to Palisades Saturday afternoon and slept on the beach with Danial, Daris and Sara. Micheal and I slept in the boat, which was very pleasant. We had a perfect place picked out, then left to go and eat with Sara;s family. When we returned, to our tube, someone else had come in and taken over.

We wanted privacy, so we went in the dark, or should I say by the full moon's light and found another spot. The view of the lake, with the moon was beautiful. The next morning we cooked eggs over a small one-burner stove.

That afternoon Danial, Micheal and I drove over to Jackson and were able to reserve a spot on the lake, in a backcountry camp area. We were just below Mount Moran. What a beautiful view. It is one you don't usually see. I was too lazy to get out my camera at camp. Later I thought the photos from the boat would be okay. Well, they pale compared to the campground view. I'll learn.

Learning

2009-09-16T15:42:00.000-06:00

I posted this phot after my sister-ion-law, Robyn told me how to collage phots using Picasa 3. I had fun today collaging school photos taken for TWIN DAY. Love it!

Baby Lola

2009-08-24T22:58:00.001-06:00

What a sweet blessing to have such beautiful grandbabies. This is our family's newest addition, number 13. Little Lola, born Thursday, August 20 2009. She is precious. It is heart warming to see her big brothers and sisters hold her and whisper sweet words to her. One of my friends remarked one day in gratitude that her baby boy brought peace to her family. As I watch Derek and Tracie's children with their little sister, I see the same thing. The Lord blesses families when he sends his precious ones.

Easy Rider

2009-08-24T22:53:00.000-06:00

Micheal and I went with a group of friends on a motor cycle ride. We got rained on and nearly froze to death the next day. The third day was delightful. It was cool enough that it made the ride very pleasant. His boss planned it and may I say it wa well planned. Like my son said later. "It takes a trucker to know all the best roads and how long it will take." The scenery was delightful. It was a fun get away.It helped us celebrate our 37 year anniversary.

Rigby Lake with the family

2009-08-24T22:47:00.000-06:00

2009-08-24T22:46:00.000-06:00

2009-08-24T22:44:00.000-06:00

2009-08-24T22:41:00.003-06:00

The Howard reunion was held at Heise Hot springs. It was too cold to swim, but that didn't stop us from having fun. I don't have photos, but I had a most delightful time picking huckleberries with my little grand babies. The little ones would pick with grandma, while their parents were seriously picking. The kids and I would hunt for "big, fat juicy ones" then. . we would pop it in out mouth. Yummy!

2009-08-24T22:40:00.000-06:00

2009-08-24T22:39:00.000-06:00

2009-08-24T22:36:00.001-06:00

On the way home from St. George, I met this really good looking trucker. He wanted me to go with him. . . but he was headed back south and I had just been there, done that. So, I told him no thank you.

St. George in July. . .NUTS!

2009-08-24T22:33:00.000-06:00

Here are Judy, Robyn and me in St. george at the end of July. Were we nuts? We helped Judy take her two precious grand-daughters to catch their ride home. afterward we caught a show at Tuacan. We all three thought we would die from heat exhaustion. It never cooled down at this open theater. Robyn bought a water-spray-fan and cooled us off. We are also wearing our new purchases. "Lookin' good."

Summer? Wasn't it too short?

2009-08-24T21:32:00.004-06:00

In May, some of the family went to Salt Lake to watch Hailey clog. The next day we went to Temple Square. here are the grand children that were there, and Micheal and I. We were missing Daris, Sara, Courtney, Tyler and little Corbin.

Charlene visited Idaho in the first of May. This is Charlene, me, Mom and Lorie. (clockwise from top left)
The end of June, Lorie and I went to the Forrey reunion in Seattle. My son Danial went with us. Danial and I are being shown the marvels of beach life. We went to the beach when the tide was low and saw all kinds of creatures.

This is a photo of all those from my mom's family that came to the reunion.

2009-08-24T21:18:00.000-06:00

2009-08-24T21:17:00.001-06:00

2009-08-24T21:16:00.001-06:00

Idaho and Wyoming Wild Flowers

2009-08-24T21:16:00.000-06:00

It is so easy to see why so many of us love living so close to the mountains.

Happy Birthday Dad! Just a little late. . .

2009-08-24T20:56:00.000-06:00

August 18 was my father's birthday. I did remember him on that day; just didn't stop to blog about it. I love my dad for the uncondional love that he gave me. He is a great man. There are many other things that I learned from him. I admired his natural talent with music, especially with his beautiful bass voice and ability to remeber any song he heard. He would know the lyrics to almost any song out there. Us children wanted to enter him on name that tune, knowing he would win. he also made up silly, nonsense songs. I find myself doing the same thing often times.
He had a funny sense of humor and would make a joke about eveything and anything. sometimes I know he drove my mother nuts because she couldn't get a straight answer from him.
He was also a great dancer, he and my mother were church dance directoers when I was younger. I also remember them dancing smoothly across the dance floor as a young girl. Great memories.

Memorial Day

2009-05-27T08:39:00.007-06:00

This year for Memorial Day, Micheal and I rented a fun cabin at The Pines in Island Park. The location was great and the price was reasonable. In the past we have tried roughing it in a tent, and remembered, that is not my style. I need running water. Kimberly rented a cabin which Derek and his family and Daris and Sara stayed. Courtney and her little family and Danial stayed with us. The Howard family came up Saturday for a picnic and to enjoy the mountains. What a beautiful place to be in the spring. Sunday afternoon was the only day we saw rain, which as we all know is a Memorial Day tradition.
Lorie, Danial and I went to the Playmill Theater Friday evening. They performed "Foot Loose". We loved it. Now, we need to see the movie and compare. Of course Lorie and I had Heidi's fudge. . . and loved it!

2009-04-16T15:02:00.000-06:00

The only way to entertain some folks is to listen to them.
- Kin Hubbard

Advantageous Characteristics of ADD

2009-03-26T15:19:00.003-06:00

Too many times people look at only the negative aspects of ADD. According to Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey M.D. ADD is not a disorder but a trait, a way of being in the world. When it impairs lives, then i6 becomes a disorder.

So for today I would like to list some of the advantages of ADD.

Many creative talents, usually underdeveloped until the diagnosis is made
Original, out-of-the-box thinking
Tendency toward an unusual way of looking at life, a zany sense of humor, an unpredictable approach to anything and everything
Remarkable persistence and resilience, if not stubbornness
Warm-hearted and generous
Highly intuitive style

Taken from Delivered from Distraction
Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder
by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey M.D.

A Day in Pocatello

2009-03-14T19:17:00.013-06:00

Most of the family went to Pocatello to watch Hailey clog in a competition. I just failed to get a photo of Sadie, who was sitting down at the other end of the row. Hailey did a great job. She certainly has the energy for this type of dance.

Lily and Sophia's Special Day

2009-03-14T18:59:00.006-06:00

Today we celebrated Lily's "5" birthday. She shares her birthday with her little cousin Sophia Hill, who is "1", and also with pi day.
She got to go to breakfast with her daddy and then spent most of the day with her cousins watching Hailey clog. Sophia was in Boise with her dad and sisters, so this photo is when she was only 9 months. Lily is our eighth grandchild and Sophia is our eleventh.

Just Hangin' Around

2009-03-14T18:40:00.005-06:00

Danial and Daris are hanging their father's moose, Bullwinkle. We waited 18 months for Bullwinkle to get groomed and come to stay. I had a difficult time eating the meat, it tasted like burnt hide to me, and the first evening he was at our home, I discovered I could possibly be allergic to him. My eyes watered and my throat began to itch.

I've Been Tagged...

2009-03-11T08:40:00.002-06:00

This photo was titled angels and shepherds. Truly, what angels they all are. There is no better way to celebrates Christ's birth than with little innocent children. They are full of Christ-like love. We can learn much from these beautiful spirits. when ever I am feeling down and troubled, being around small children that show unconditional love always brings me back up and helps me to realize what is important in life. They give their love freely to all and are quick to forgive. Thank goodness. Can you imagine what this world would be like if they acted like the rest of us? May we all be as humble as a little child, and as teachable. Have a wonderful day!

2009-02-09T20:33:00.002-07:00

I finally got out of Dodge!
I have wanted to post exciting news about my life,
but I have not gone anywhere or done anything.
Finally, I went as a chaperone to Sun Valley.
I didn't get to ski since I was still wearing my boot.
But. . .I soaked in the hot tub, drank hot chocolate
and best of all. . . I went back to bed when everyone left for skiing.

Getting Out of Dodge

2009-02-09T20:20:00.003-07:00

The chaperones had a great time.
Here we are out on the ice skating rink posing for a photo.
Later we went out for hot chocolate to warm ourselves up.

2009-02-09T09:13:00.004-07:00

Three young women out to conquer the world. Here I am with my aunt, Julie Forrey and cousin, Christy McGinnis. We are all the same age. I have great memories of visits to grandma and grandpa's little farm. When our family would go visit grandma, the cousins would often come. We would ride mules through the sagebrush, play in the playhouse, roller skate in Hermiston and later go for ice cream. Life was simple then. This photo may have been taken at Julie's graduation in 1972. We all three graduated the same year. Don't you love the 'shag' hairdos? Charlie's Angles have nothing on us.

2009-02-09T08:23:00.006-07:00

This photo was taken about 14 years ago. It was Thanksgiving, I think. My mom, Ruth Christensen, is in the back, with someone I don't even recognize. Then it is me, my sister Lorie, my niece Audrey Jenkins and Daris, my youngest son. Several of my nieces and nephews came to Ricks College, which gave us the opportunity to get to know them better. Apparently Erik was taking the photo, so I'm guessing the guy is his roommate. I wish time could stand still. . . on my body. The rest of life I enjoy, just not aging.

Reflective Learning

2009-01-06T09:43:00.013-07:00

Yesterday I was doing some reading to try and get ideas to help a client that is dealing with depression. I turned to a book that I have previously read by William Glasser. He was discussing our "total behavior" and how when we are not in effective control of our lives, many of us immediately think about using the total behavior we were born with, that of angering.

Anger is built in our genes to help us survive. But as young children, most of us learn that anger doesn't get us what we want, especially when we try to use it against adults that are also angering.

Although we are not aware of it, depressing is one of the most powerful ways that humans have discovered to restrain angering and many of us use it a lot. Depressing is a very strong controlling behavior.

It takes a lot of energy to block angering completely, that is why we are so tired when we are depressing. As long as we depress, we have little energy to do anything else. Depressing prevents huge amount of marital and family violence, therefore it is good that we are able to depress quickly and effectively. Some people dedicate their lives to this behavior, thus needing to be cared for. If they can figure out another choice to give them control over their lives, they might stop choosing to depress.

Depressing is a way we ask for help without begging. In fact it is the most powerful "help-me" information we can give to another person. The suffering others see, legitimizes our asking for help. Often times, depressing people will tell us how crippling their depression is, so others will know their suffering.

We all have a choice in what our behaviors will be. We need to either stop our behavior (depressing, angering etc.) or change what we want (Our Quality World).

Often times someone who is experiencing depression may think they would not choose to be this depressed. I would like them to take a challenge. Force yourself to do something physical for at least one hour. Something you enjoy. Notice that for a short time you are not depressing, you are not thinking about your unhappiness, in fact you may feel much better. When you are finished, you may start thinking about all the unhappy things in your life. To keep depressing you have to keep thinking the unhappy thoughts.

Taken from Choice Theory by William Glasser.

Gift Giving

2009-01-02T19:13:00.003-07:00

This year I made quilts for the three little girls that were too young a few years ago to get theirs. They were mostly pink with yellow and blue. I ragged them. The other grandchildren were given nice sweatshirts with hoods. even the two babies got one. Sophia's was too small and needed to be returned. Corbin's matched Grant and Clay's.

Each year we rotate names with the brothers and sisters. Natalie is included with the brother and sister exchange.

The Christmas Nativity

2009-01-02T18:41:00.006-07:00

Every year when my own children were young we would read the Christmas story found in Luke and act out the various parts. This year Tracie graciously invited the Christensen family to meet at her and Derek's home for the annual nativity. We have Mary, Joseph,and the baby Jesus being awed by angels and shepherds. There was a star that shone brightly.

We stop between the scripture verses and sing an appropriate song. Not shown are the three kings.

Christmas Parties

2009-01-02T17:12:00.007-07:00

Friday, December 19, the Howard sisters held their annual party at LuJean's new home. It was a perfect place for the party. LuJean taught us how to make crocheted hats. So here we are all busy with our project. We talked and laughed, ate snacks, laughed some more, fixed dinner and laughed some more. It was just what I needed to release some tension from working hard.

My Fancy Boot

2008-10-31T13:59:00.004-06:00

Last April I went to the doctor complaining about my foot hurting and discovered that I had indeed, broken my foot. When he saw both of my feet, he informed me that my right foot was in worse shape than my left (the broken one) and that I would someday need to have surgery on it.
Well, about a month ago I had that surgery. Later that day I wondered what I had done. During surgery the doctor cleaned up some spurs and while doing so discovered that I had a chunk of bone, in a horse-shoe shape, wedged in between my big joint. Once he removed the bone, I had much more mobility in the joint. I have been wearing this fancy boot for 4 weeks and still another 2 weeks to go. the question is, how nuts do I have to be to have my left foot operated on at the end of the year now I have met my deductible?

Carving Pumpkins

2008-10-30T22:45:00.003-06:00

Last night I sat down for a while ans started to carve pumpkins with some of my family. I haven't carved one for many years, and now I understand why. I don't have much patience for the detail work. I started one and Courtney had to finish it for me. It was an interesting picture of a vampire getting ready to suck the blood of an innocent victim. With help form Courtney, it turned out pretty nicely.

Finally! I was notified

2008-06-08T19:22:00.004-06:00

After about 8 weeks of waiting, I finally received my letter of notification that I passed the National Certified Counseling Exam. It's a big deal, about $245 re-examination fee, big deal. I even did a little better than I figured I would. So...now I can breath again. How long can you hold your breath? I held mine for 8 long weeks.

I've Been Tagged...

2008-06-02T09:07:00.005-06:00

Things about me

Four Movies I could watch over and over:
1. Sandlot
2. Princess Bride
3. Tristan and Isolde
4. Naploean Dynomite

Four Jobs I've had:
1. Carhop at Dairy Queen, without the rollar skates
2. Nail Technician at Tangles
3. Potato picker, made about $20 in two weeks
4. Potato Planter Rider, never got paid, so, was it really a job?

Four Places I've lived: (boring)
1. Rexburg, Idaho
2. Pocatello, Idaho
3. Newdale, Idaho
4. Island Park, Idaho

Four of my Favorite dishes:
1. Does Florence's Chocolate count as a dish?
2. Swiss Chicken with Funeral Potatoes
3. Dutch Oven Potatoes with Chicken
4. Crepes by Jared

Four TV shows I love:
1. Law and Order
2. Seinfeld
3. I Love Lucy
4. Carol Burnette Show

Four sites I visit daily:
1. Family and Friends blogs

Four places I have Vacationed:
1. Mexico
2. Florida
3. Hawaii
4. California

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. On a beach snorkling
2. Sun Valley skiing (in the winter only)
3. Disneyland with my grandchildren
4. Golfing with family

I Love the Beatles

2008-06-02T08:43:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday evening, I went to a concert at BYU-I with Danial, Holly and their girls. It was great. It took me back to my younger days and all the fantastic music from the Beatles. I remember the Ed Sullivan Show when they first appeared on television in the U.S. The group is known as "1964 The Tribute". They sound and look like the Beatles. Most of the songs they played were early songs of the Beatles.

There were people, mostly students, dressed up in Beatles era attire. I will definitely go when they come back and may even dress up! The music fits all age groups. There were young children, college aged students, young married and grandparents.

A Month of Blessings

2008-05-27T20:22:00.002-06:00

This month we have sure been blessed with not just one, but two baby blessings. I am grateful to both my daughters for choosing such exemplary husbands that are worthy to bless their children. Both the fathers gave beautiful blessings. And I might add, the mothers are wonderful moms! They must have had a great example!

Finally! I Mastered Graduation

2008-05-26T16:15:00.000-06:00

Well, after three years, I finally made it to graduation. It was bitter-sweet. Our cohort all found each other and marched together along with the day students that we shared a few classes with. My children, my mother and Vernon all came to support me. It was a great day filled with emotion for finally accomplishing this great task as well as some sadness for ending the same great task. You probably all understand or remember how when you work on something so hard and for so long, you aren't sure what you will do with your time.

Wrapping It All Up

2008-04-02T21:59:00.000-06:00

I came home from class feeling over whelmed since I am down to the last four weeks of college for my Master's. However, there was a bit of good news this evening. I learned the results of my comps. I PASSED! My advisor gave me the results, making me aware of the areas that I was weak so I can prepare for the National Counselors Exam in ten days.

Just following the NCE, I will have what is called Orals. Here I will present my theory of choice and defend it as I show a tape using my counseling skills. This doesn't concern me as much as the NCE.
As I look back over the last 2 1/2 years, it seems like a whole life time ago. I have changed immensely over that time. There are many things I have learned about myself. Some of it has been painful as the program requires self-reflection and personal growth.

Just Beginning

2007-12-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

After reading several of my family's blogs, I decided to get one for my self. I hope this will inspire me to journal more and keep intouch with extended family.

It is the last two days of school before we break for Christmas. There is an excitement here at school with all the parties and activities. The faculty just wrapped up Six Days of Christmas. Treats and snacks brought by different groups with the Office bunch bringing soups for lunch the last day. It was fun to go into the faculty room and mingle with everyone. It helped us slow down long enough to laugh and visit. Jolene calls it a "Winter Wonderland", which it truly was.

I wrapped up all my responsibilities for Christmas and now I finally have time to think about Hawaii! My husband and I are going there for the Holidays with my brother and his wife, and my sister and her husband. This will be the first time in 35 years that we have been away for Christmas. I have mixed feelings. I guess you could say I have miserable-joy. I will miss my children and especially my grandchildren, but I love to travel and haven't been to Hawaii for 32 years. I believe it's time I went back.

After keeping up such a rigorous pace, it will be difficult to relax and slow down my pace, but I will certainly work on it. I have a few books I can read while I relax. Golf has been scheduled and I hope to go snorkling. I look forward to spending time with my brother and sister, which is something that doesn't happen often enough.