2 years today

Two years ago today my dad Passed away. It was pretty sudden and unexpected. I don't think I still feel the overwhelming grief that I did those first few days, but I miss him in so many other situations. Like when I go to do a puzzle, or see his very distinct handwriting, or hear his voice on the answering machine that has never been changed, I realize what a void there is in my life. I miss my Dad.

MY NEW MANTRA

I AM
MINDFULLYandPURPOSEFULLY

ELIMINATING

NUTRITIONALLY VACANT FOOD

Instead of I am "Dieting", I am changing what I eat because when I eat too many processed foods I don't feel as good as when I am eating foods in their natural, fiber-rich, salt-free state. I am trying to be faithful in Using Myfooddiary.com which is an amazing, worth-the-$9-a-month tool. I have only dropped a couple of pounds. But in the past it has brought me amazing results. Now I'm just trying to figure out how to deal with weekends which are my biggest downfall.

Just a note: Dove Dark Chocolate Promises are not nutritionally vacant as they contain anti-oxidants, etc. Guess I'm going to do some real research on Dark Chocolate benefits.

BTW: Here is a list of 14 superfoods that should be in everyone's diet.

Beans -- reduce obesity
Blueberries -- lower risk for cardiovascular disease
Broccoli -- lowers the incidence of cataracts and fights birth defects
Oats -- reduce the risk of type II diabetes
Oranges -- prevent strokes
Pumpkin -- lowers the risk of various cancers
Wild salmon -- lowers the risk of heart disease
Soy -- lowers cholesterol
Spinach -- decreases the chance of cardiovascular disease and age-related macular degeneration
Tea -- helps prevent osteoporosis
Tomatoes -- raise the skin's sun protection factor
Turkey -- helps build a strong immune system
Walnuts -- reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
Yogurt-promotes strong bones and a healthy heart

For When We Limit ourselves . .. .

LOVELY BONES REVIEW

OK. I will risk offending some of those who liked this book. I read the book last year and expect that many will want to see the movie. I haven't seen the movie and probably won't. If you haven't read the book, it's the story of a 14 year old girl speaking from beyond the grave about her murder and the effect her murder has on her family. It includes quite a lot of the father and sister trying to prove their suspicions about the neighbor.
There are no suspicions about the identity of the killer. The main character knows who killed her and tells you from the beginning-- making all of their detective hijinks incredibly scary.
I cannot recommend this book for one reason. It offended my spirit. That's not to say that it wasn't well-written or innovative. It was all of that. But the first 10 pages of this book in which Susie describes her demise was chilling and horrific and, frankly, more than I wanted to handle. I finished this book. But then I had to get rid of it. I didn't even give it away to the DI because I didn't want anyone else reading it. I guess I'm a lightweight when it comes to violence in literature. My college professors might have said that I was "Sheltering Myself", closing myself off.

Yes.

I'm okay with that.

LEST you think that I am a habitual naysayer, I have just finished book one and an deep in book 2 of "The Hunger Games" which, to be fair, has some violence. But it was engaging and full of great commentarial undertones and I recommend it highly.But not to young kids.

MORE CUTE BEN!

Baby Update!

Bentley just had his 6 month well check just weighed in at 18 lbs 11 oz. He is super duper healthy and received a flu and H1N1 shot as well as myriad other shots. He rolls over back to front an front to back and smiles at the world. He loves music and bells, playing with the wipe package and paper and Watching TV. We have decided we'll keep him.

Getting My Craft On

So, lately, I have been dying to get back into my sewing machine, beading, card-making-- anything. This week has been a banner week for that kind of stuff. I've made it a priority and, so, it's gotten done. I made a car seat cover and a cute minky/ribbon tag blankie thing (technical, huh). Then I made a minky blanket for my good friend who admired Bentley's. Then today, really just trying to be 1/10 as cool as Sandy, I mod-podged really cute paper onto a Large letter J. I have never mod-podged before. It's cool stuff. AND I have been reading. Lost Symbol-- liked it not so much. But I am enjoying the Hunger Games.

BOOK REVIEW: LOST SYMBOL

Okay, so I loved the DaVinci Code. I freely admit this. I am a sucker for symbols and making connections, etc. I didn't even feel like it was too blasphemous. So I had high hopes for THe Lost Symbol. I was disappointed. Dan Brown's strength is his ability to make symbols accessible. He can explain a symbolic relationship in words that are enlightening. This strength, however, is better suited to a history channel documentary than a novel. The Lost Code is a disappointing jumble of Freemasonry, American History (though, those were the interesting parts), "thought Science" and gratuitous violence. Brown's antagonist is vicious, demonic, relentless, and without remorse for his evil. The DaVinci Code was not near so gratuitously violent. Brown may truly be a One-hit wonder . His works make good movies probably because they are highly edited.

I am interested to research the freemasonry and american History, but I certainly do not need a masochistic killer to learn about it. I am truly disappointed.

Oh, and just a note: Brown mentions religious practices from many religions that are off-putting. He mentions the Mormons "Baptizing of the dead". For those readers of my blog, especially non mormons: -- the text ought to be-- "Baptizing for the dead", which is something entirely different. Mormons believe that all mankind, both those living and those who have gone before should have the opportunity to have the ordinance of baptism and that the Lord has provided a way for living people to stand in as "proxies" for their ancestors so that their ancestors may have all proper ordinances done for them. So live people are baptized for and in behalf of their ancestors.

Interesting note, also: This practice is mentioned in the New Testament in 1 Cor. 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? (King James Version of the New Testament) Clearly, the Mormons weren't the first to believe that people would be resurrected and need baptism to return to heaven. ANyway, just thought I'd clear that misinformation up.

I'd give the Lost code 3 stars for the really good information on freemasonry, but only 3 stars for the gratuitous violence and strange "New World" religion/science emphasis.

Gail's Year in Review

What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Had a 6th Kid
Saw Wicked
Paid almost as much in parking as the hotel cost per night in SF
Got a smart phone
Texted regularly:)
Used an Inhaler
Drove a new car
Had my new car hit-- buy not my fault
Slept in my master bedroom and showered in my master shower, though we've lived here 4 years
Completed a major remodel of our home.
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAT I WANT TO DO IN 2010 THAT I HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE!!!!!

Did you keep your new years' resolutions?
For many years now, I have been failing to keep them. Not for lack of desire-- mostly for lack of follow through.

What are some of your resolutions for 2010?
Speak Up, but with integrity and understanding
Patience
Orderly and scheduled home
LOTS MORE FUN!!!!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Great friends, running partners, but no family members. DARN!!!!

Did anyone close to you die?
My uncle Ed passed away this year.

What countries did you visit? NADA

What states did you visit?
California. 2010 Will be different

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More peace and laughter in my home-- mostly my responsibility

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 17, of course. The day senor Screamer joined our little family.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
This has not really been a great year for achievements. I look to 2010 for a new beginning of forever.
What was your biggest failure?
Failing to change bad habits of communication and laziness.

Did you suffer illness or injury? yes.

What song will always remind you of 2009?
Haven't got one this year

Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer? some yes, some no.

What do you wish you'd done more of? Played, had fun

What do you wish you'd done less of? worried, stressed

How did you spend Christmas? With family in SG and then with family up north.

What was your favorite TV program? Biggest Loser

What was the best book you read this year? 1776

What did you want and get? Healthy baby and a DSLR Camera

What were your favorite films of this year? Fireproof

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? MORE PLAYTIME with my Husband.

What kept you sane? I don't think I am.

What drove you insane? Bickering

What political issue stirred you the most? ultraconservative media getting stirred up over every little thing.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Life will move forward no matter what-- but YOU must choose to make it enjoyable.
What are you most excited for in 2010?
Nathan starting Kindergarten and learning to read, Katie getting baptized, Running the Marathon again, Travelling, hopefully; Living on the lake this summer, Senor Screamer learning to express frustrations in other ways; Taking tons of incredible pictures.

What are you least excited for in 2010?
Amy turning 14; Matt going to intermediate school; driving the big girls up to DH every day.