August 2009 Archives

Ahhh.  I've been waiting for this day and it turned out I was busier today than I have been in months! 

We woke up at 0600.  The kids were excited & I got a good shot of them right before we all scattered. 

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At 0730, the boys & I headed up to the Elementary School.  Max's new teacher handed out a little "Getting To Know You" sheet & it mentioned that she is HUGE fan of Science.  I pointed this out to Max and he got the biggest grin.  I had a hunch he'd have a good day. 

I walked back home to get Loki & take him to his vet appointment at 0920.  After a culture & a stool sample were taken we discovered what's been bugging him.  I won't share here but suffice it to say, even the vet said "Well, THIS is interesting!" 

I had run an errand and got home at the same time as the boys.  They both came running at me telling me how AMAZING their first day was and how much they loved their teachers.  This is a Very Good Thing™!!!  We went upstairs to grab a snack and head back for Lemonade on the Lawn. 

Signed the boys up for some activities and talked a bit more with Max's teacher.  Turns out, she has history of working with Moderate to Severe Cognitive Disabilities AND is also quite familiar with Asperger's!!!!  Can I keep her, Ma?  Can I?  Can I???  She loved Max & said he worked quite well with her today.  I can't tell you how much this means to me.  Starting the year off on the right foot!!!!

On the way home, I saw a tree I've never noticed & it just so happened that I had my camera.  Handy, huh? 


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Shortly after we arrived back at home, Morgan came in.  She was tickled pink.  She had decided on Choir this year, but was a little sad about giving up Band.  Turns out, she gets two electives.  So she's doing Advanced Band AND Advanced Choir!!!! 

Last night, Morgan was a little excited and asked if she could lay with me in bed for a while.  I fell asleep playing with her hair.  They grow up so very fast.  I wish I could just put them in some sort of time stop and enjoy these little moments forever. 

Congratulations to Morgan, Madison & Max on a great start to a new school year!!!! 


I was talking with a friend this morning.  An old friend.  I think we've known each other almost 10 years now.  We met via something called an MMORPG.  It stands for Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game.  Or, you can just call it crack. 

We were actually talking about depression.  Clinical vs. Situational and how it's become quite epidemic in the world.  This led into a discussion about the various coping mechanisms and one of them is - gaming. 

I have, for years, suffered from low levels of clinical depression.  I can be as happy as a clam about my situation.  I can love everyone and everything around me.  It's just that one load of laundry seems like Mt. Kilimanjaro and I don't want to do anything.  I'm absolutely aware of it.  Sometimes, I let it win and I sit around the house and do nothing productive.  I "stew", as it were.  It's really easy to get caught in that trap when you don't technically need to leave the house. 

Also, my depression is very clearly seasonal.  The winter months turn me into a slug.  The problem comes in my coping with it.  I escape.  I prefer to escape into games.  I can tell you EXACTLY why, too. 

Sense Of Accomplishment

When I start feeling like crap about sitting around and being sluggish, I can log in my little pixels and pull off some amazing stunt and feel good about myself.  Even though, in the back of my little head, I know that I've done this in lieu of what I should be doing instead. 

This year was a little different.  This year, right as life was starting to bloom and call me out into the world, I broke my foot.  Which led to much sitting on the butt and playing Rock Band 2 with the kids. 

Now, here's where it gets sticky.  Once you START yourself on that slippery slope, it can actually make the depression or sense of escapism worse.  You start getting caught up in those accomplishments and they seem really important. 

I'm lucky.  I have live-in depression police.  They say "Hey, get off the 'puter!" and I get up and start getting stuff done.  I have a family to cook for and errands to run.  It's important for me to get those accomplishments done daily.  So, I do.  Now that they are going back to school, it's time for me to get to the gym.  If I don't, I'll sit here and get lost in my little virtual world. 

I'm not at all saying games are bad.  I'm also not saying everyone who plays them plays them for these reasons.  I'm just saying that if you have that friend that plays a LOT of video games - consider taking them out once in a while.  Don't write them off as hopeless.  Perhaps it's just their way of dealing with whatever is going on. 

The first year I was here in Germany, I hardly touched my computer.  I was out and living and seeing and doing.  If I force myself up and out, I get a lot better pretty quickly.  This year found me a little less motivated.  I felt the need for a vacation of sorts. 

Vacation time is over.  It's time to get back to the business of Getting Stuff Done (tm).  To ensure that happens, I've signed myself up for a bunch of stuff that is sure to keep me busy and a little less...pixilated. 


If you're into hilarity, honesty & some of the best "It happened one time in the bathroom" stories you've ever read...You need to go by and read some of my favorites. 

There is the Fish -

http://www.sothefishsaid.com/

And the Cactus -

http://www.rudecactus.com/

Check 'em out.  They keep me laughing all week long!



Another Year

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Dearest Kris,

     Today we celebrated another year.  One year of marriage, three years of love.  Hoo boy has it ever been a ride?? 

     Unfortunately, with you prepping to go to the field for a month, we didn't have a lot of time to go do anything, but Morgan made us a nice dinner and you brought me roses home. 

      Honey, as much adjustment as it's been for all of us, I love you with all my heart and soul.  You drive me up a wall, but you also make me feel safe and happy. 

      The military life isn't for everyone, but I think it suits us fine.  I understand when you have to be away and I love you all the more when you come home.  Thank you for all you do for us every day. 

     I love you and thank you for another year of Crazy Chaotic OCD Love. 


                                                                                     Forever Yours,
                                                                                             Holly

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On Sunday, we gained a fuzzy critter for three days.  During the three days that she spent here, we discovered that Loki is going to make a great Papa some day. 

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He watched that little girl every second.  He herded her around the house and taught her how to do things. 

If she grabbed a toy he didn't want her to have, he would bring her another one in exchange for it. 

LokiKira1.jpgThey would watch me in the kitchen.  When I spoke, they'd both cock their heads to the side.  It was uncanny and adorable. 

Little Miss Kira was a lot of fun for all of us.  I think Loki gained a sense of purpose and it won't be long before we look into getting him a friend. 

I still can't believe how big he's gotten in the 8 months since we got him.  He's not even a year old yet!!!

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Loki is my companion when Kris & The Kids aren't here.  He keeps me company and watches over me.  When I'm sick, he comforts me.  He does the same for the kids.  It's funny to watch him go lay in Max's bed to watch them play from the window. 

I don't know what we'd do without this fluffy ball of love. 

Kira & Her Humans live right next door, so Loki jumps at the chance to go see her when she's outside.  When she went home, he sat at the door for three hours waiting for her to return.  Yep, gotta get him a pal, me thinks!

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If you're in  the market for a family pet and you are COMPLETELY WILLING to put up with the shedding (honestly, that's the only down side) - get a husky.  They are loyal, caring, kind and highly intelligent.  If you feel compelled to get one...Love him (or her) with all your heart and soul.  They will care for you forever. 


For my friends & fans of Norrath!  (EverQuest, EverQuest II, etc.)


Free Felwithe 2009!


That post actually touched my soul. 





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