something cities in the US.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where Am I?
something cities in the US.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
New Conversation Starter
My son bought one of these dealios. With his own money--he saved up over the last six months and since his birthday came in the midst of that he was able to get the $$ quickly enough to buy this thing. He bought it on ebay and he got two games, a skin and two cases, and four stylus (styli?) for $90.
Same rules apply: Read first then you get playing time. It is a 1:2 btw, so he can read for one minute and play for two. Anyway fortunately he hasn't read much so he has to read a ton today before we get another scene like this...
But yeah now every conversation is going to start with "in my pókeindex..." or "Neighbor kid one is going to trade me for ____."
I wish I were even remotely interested in this stuff.
Same rules apply: Read first then you get playing time. It is a 1:2 btw, so he can read for one minute and play for two. Anyway fortunately he hasn't read much so he has to read a ton today before we get another scene like this...
But yeah now every conversation is going to start with "in my pókeindex..." or "Neighbor kid one is going to trade me for ____."
I wish I were even remotely interested in this stuff.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
My New Theory
Like many others I struggle with my weight.
I know what I need to do, I just don't do it. I know that I shouldn't have refined foods, get 30 minutes of exercise a day, lift weights instead of my fork, etc.
But I have a new theory: I am genetically a survivor. I love to eat because I am from a species designed to thrive. This isn't my theory by the way, but scientifically proven that our bodies cling to fats and turn sugars to fat storage because of our hunter-gatherer evolutionary needs of storing food when we could get it to make up for times of lean and scarcity.
This new revelation, however, is specific to my personal genetic code. Everyone in previous generations had several children. My grandparents had 8 children, my great grandgrandparents had 16, the great-greats had somewhere around 15. I descend from the Joad family, the Scots-Irish, the Irish Bravehearts (or something like that.) Is it any wonder that in a modern technological age, we have now become the genetic losers fighting the modern problem of industrialism: obesity.
The bodies once designed to cling to food are now the weak ones in society, the poor blue collar workers whose physical prowess allowed them to thrive in yesterday's world. What once was a boon, to have a body that would outlive the rest under circumstances of starvation, is now a curse in today's era of abundance.
In order for me to increase my children's quality of life, I must fight our genetic code and teach them not to eat as much as they can but it is moderation and keeping their bodies trim and fit, not keeping the water in the camel constantly full, that will lead to their success in the gene pool.
I have come to this realization in the nick of time. What once was a personal challenge can now be a much bigger triumph. Fighting the natural man, as we are admonished, to overcome what my DNA wants me to do is much more inspiring than simply trying to be more attractive, since the desire to be beautiful to attract a mate as part of our evolutionary tendencies is partially lost upon one who is so happily married.
My new plan... and hold me to this:
1) Three days a week of gym classes. Two of hip hop and one zumba.
2) While traveling, only fish or salad for meals and no dessert
3) Back to only whole grains and no refined sugars
If I can do these three things and say "stick it" to the natural man perhaps I can gain Darwin's glory for today while retaining the prize of yesterday in preparation for any potential famine that would wipe out the people who have no fat storage. Wish me luck.
I know what I need to do, I just don't do it. I know that I shouldn't have refined foods, get 30 minutes of exercise a day, lift weights instead of my fork, etc.
But I have a new theory: I am genetically a survivor. I love to eat because I am from a species designed to thrive. This isn't my theory by the way, but scientifically proven that our bodies cling to fats and turn sugars to fat storage because of our hunter-gatherer evolutionary needs of storing food when we could get it to make up for times of lean and scarcity.
This new revelation, however, is specific to my personal genetic code. Everyone in previous generations had several children. My grandparents had 8 children, my great grandgrandparents had 16, the great-greats had somewhere around 15. I descend from the Joad family, the Scots-Irish, the Irish Bravehearts (or something like that.) Is it any wonder that in a modern technological age, we have now become the genetic losers fighting the modern problem of industrialism: obesity.
The bodies once designed to cling to food are now the weak ones in society, the poor blue collar workers whose physical prowess allowed them to thrive in yesterday's world. What once was a boon, to have a body that would outlive the rest under circumstances of starvation, is now a curse in today's era of abundance.
In order for me to increase my children's quality of life, I must fight our genetic code and teach them not to eat as much as they can but it is moderation and keeping their bodies trim and fit, not keeping the water in the camel constantly full, that will lead to their success in the gene pool.
I have come to this realization in the nick of time. What once was a personal challenge can now be a much bigger triumph. Fighting the natural man, as we are admonished, to overcome what my DNA wants me to do is much more inspiring than simply trying to be more attractive, since the desire to be beautiful to attract a mate as part of our evolutionary tendencies is partially lost upon one who is so happily married.
My new plan... and hold me to this:
1) Three days a week of gym classes. Two of hip hop and one zumba.
2) While traveling, only fish or salad for meals and no dessert
3) Back to only whole grains and no refined sugars
If I can do these three things and say "stick it" to the natural man perhaps I can gain Darwin's glory for today while retaining the prize of yesterday in preparation for any potential famine that would wipe out the people who have no fat storage. Wish me luck.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Family, or What I Missed Out On My Whole Life
I was raised by an amazing mother, RIP Valerie Davis.
She had her own agenda in general, and she never found a satisfying marital relationship (though she certainly tried with four marriages/divorces under her belt) but her main goal in life was to raise a child who was happy, confident, and successful.
She pushed me to succeed in school. She wanted me to believe in myself. She wanted me to enjoy my life. I have to say that I am happy and confident (in most areas) and I consider having a job that I love and a happy marriage to be criteria of my personal success (though another bathroom might seal the deal.) I hope my mom died happy that she had done her work on this earth.
Though she was amazing, she did it mostly on her own. Hippieartist was left out of the picture until I was 10 years old. I missed out on some prime family time not only with my dad but with his whole family whom in my adult life I have grown to love and appreciate beyond what I knew was possible. I think I know now why people spend most of their personal time with their families and friends are an asterisk as opposed to the other way around which is my personal M.O.
Anywho, I went to a family reunion up at my uncle's house in the Cali CV (Ceres to be exact) and all my dad's sibs were there with all of their kids and the kid's kids. Three generations of people all swimming together (add my second cousin, Carl Leo, and his chocolate lab who jumped in the pool along with us) really made me think about who I am.
You always think of your traits as pieces of you inherited from your parents but inseparable is the nurture piece--do I repeat myself all the time because I saw my mom do it or do I do that because genetically I am predisposed to do so?
The phrases that we say, perhaps our diction or emphasis, must come from the home environment. But what about other things--personal generosity, willingness to try new things, personal loathing for household chores or packrat tendencies--are these things that we witnessed, or things that make up our genetic code?
I feel like I have more to ponder in this area because I had very little contact with my father's family until it was too late to have been exposed to many of their personal habits.
(Side note: I got to know my grandpa slightly more than others and as a result I love peanut butter in all forms, particularly when you add sweetened condensed milk, like on top of pancakes, though that might be genetic too)
So when I spent the weekend with my father's family I felt like I fit in. I have different personal habits and lifestyle choices, but I feel like there is a place where I can walk in the door and I don't have to change who I am in any way becuase, well, we are all family.
A few things that make me feel at home:
1) Food. Good food--not like quinoa and whole grain but like bacon and brown sugar baked beans, texas sheet cake, and some really amazing chocolate chip cookies. Oh and the BBQ is good stuff too. Weight problems are an issue for everyone, though a lot of them out of a desire to live longer have dropped a few here and there.
2) Mockery. Everyone mocks everyone else but no one gets offended. Or at least on the spot.
3) Total confidence in all personal opinions. Everyone sounds like an authority on all issues.
4) Come as you are mentality. Three times people have shown up to family events as long lost children or siblings and each time the family has embraced these people with open arms. If you are even remotely related, or a friend of a relative, you are family.
There are some other things but I can't quantify anything else as clearly.
These are the five "babies" born in the last two years. Only two are matched up with the parents, two are with grandparents. See if you can identify Meg in the pic:
The rest of these are of my kids in the pool, from 11 am to 5:30 pm. No lie. I reapplied sunscreen twice but they still got burned. I hope to be getting some other pictures, but between being in the pool myself and taking care of all my kids (and batteries in my camera dying) I didn't get any pics. Thanks to my Aunt Judy for remembering to take pictures. Incidentally, another trait of this family is to give away everything you own. My aunt went to staples and saw that there were a bunch of school supplies on sale so she went back twice in order to get enough stuff to give to us. 20 spiral notepads and another ten reams of paper, pencil boxes, pencils, erasers, and who knows what else was in the bag. I can't tell you the last time I saw a Casey relative when they didn't give me something to take home.
So whether it is nature or nurture, these are my kind of people and my kinds of parties. I hope to be able to spend some time with them each year and that no one else dies for at least ten more years.
She had her own agenda in general, and she never found a satisfying marital relationship (though she certainly tried with four marriages/divorces under her belt) but her main goal in life was to raise a child who was happy, confident, and successful.
She pushed me to succeed in school. She wanted me to believe in myself. She wanted me to enjoy my life. I have to say that I am happy and confident (in most areas) and I consider having a job that I love and a happy marriage to be criteria of my personal success (though another bathroom might seal the deal.) I hope my mom died happy that she had done her work on this earth.
Though she was amazing, she did it mostly on her own. Hippieartist was left out of the picture until I was 10 years old. I missed out on some prime family time not only with my dad but with his whole family whom in my adult life I have grown to love and appreciate beyond what I knew was possible. I think I know now why people spend most of their personal time with their families and friends are an asterisk as opposed to the other way around which is my personal M.O.
Anywho, I went to a family reunion up at my uncle's house in the Cali CV (Ceres to be exact) and all my dad's sibs were there with all of their kids and the kid's kids. Three generations of people all swimming together (add my second cousin, Carl Leo, and his chocolate lab who jumped in the pool along with us) really made me think about who I am.
You always think of your traits as pieces of you inherited from your parents but inseparable is the nurture piece--do I repeat myself all the time because I saw my mom do it or do I do that because genetically I am predisposed to do so?
The phrases that we say, perhaps our diction or emphasis, must come from the home environment. But what about other things--personal generosity, willingness to try new things, personal loathing for household chores or packrat tendencies--are these things that we witnessed, or things that make up our genetic code?
I feel like I have more to ponder in this area because I had very little contact with my father's family until it was too late to have been exposed to many of their personal habits.
(Side note: I got to know my grandpa slightly more than others and as a result I love peanut butter in all forms, particularly when you add sweetened condensed milk, like on top of pancakes, though that might be genetic too)
So when I spent the weekend with my father's family I felt like I fit in. I have different personal habits and lifestyle choices, but I feel like there is a place where I can walk in the door and I don't have to change who I am in any way becuase, well, we are all family.
A few things that make me feel at home:
1) Food. Good food--not like quinoa and whole grain but like bacon and brown sugar baked beans, texas sheet cake, and some really amazing chocolate chip cookies. Oh and the BBQ is good stuff too. Weight problems are an issue for everyone, though a lot of them out of a desire to live longer have dropped a few here and there.
2) Mockery. Everyone mocks everyone else but no one gets offended. Or at least on the spot.
3) Total confidence in all personal opinions. Everyone sounds like an authority on all issues.
4) Come as you are mentality. Three times people have shown up to family events as long lost children or siblings and each time the family has embraced these people with open arms. If you are even remotely related, or a friend of a relative, you are family.
There are some other things but I can't quantify anything else as clearly.
These are the five "babies" born in the last two years. Only two are matched up with the parents, two are with grandparents. See if you can identify Meg in the pic:
The rest of these are of my kids in the pool, from 11 am to 5:30 pm. No lie. I reapplied sunscreen twice but they still got burned. I hope to be getting some other pictures, but between being in the pool myself and taking care of all my kids (and batteries in my camera dying) I didn't get any pics. Thanks to my Aunt Judy for remembering to take pictures. Incidentally, another trait of this family is to give away everything you own. My aunt went to staples and saw that there were a bunch of school supplies on sale so she went back twice in order to get enough stuff to give to us. 20 spiral notepads and another ten reams of paper, pencil boxes, pencils, erasers, and who knows what else was in the bag. I can't tell you the last time I saw a Casey relative when they didn't give me something to take home.
So whether it is nature or nurture, these are my kind of people and my kinds of parties. I hope to be able to spend some time with them each year and that no one else dies for at least ten more years.
Friday, August 7, 2009
One Last Hurrah
I look at my calendar one day at a time.
Today I am leaving for a family event up in the CV of Cali and will return Sunday morning.
Just a quick five hour hop up for a one day thing.
I have several trips coming up in the near future and I can't look at my calendar because the snowball effect of it all has me tied up in knots.
For now I am going to ask some advice:
I am still nursing Meg. I have a quick series of trips in Aug/Sept and I am wondering if I should continue to take my pump with me and keep up the supply if she is going to be one in Sept anyway? Or should I just continue since I am down to pumping only three times a day while away?
This is my last baby people so I am having some sadness over it. Thoughts?
Today I am leaving for a family event up in the CV of Cali and will return Sunday morning.
Just a quick five hour hop up for a one day thing.
I have several trips coming up in the near future and I can't look at my calendar because the snowball effect of it all has me tied up in knots.
For now I am going to ask some advice:
I am still nursing Meg. I have a quick series of trips in Aug/Sept and I am wondering if I should continue to take my pump with me and keep up the supply if she is going to be one in Sept anyway? Or should I just continue since I am down to pumping only three times a day while away?
This is my last baby people so I am having some sadness over it. Thoughts?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Thanks Chellese!
It is hard to describe, really, the variety of talent that is in this woman's repertoire.
Her photography blog (CBCG) contains some amazing pics so you can get a sense of her style and quality.
In my basket of friends, she is one my shiniest eggs. Thanks Chellese! I love you so much.
All this to say that she took some pictures of my children that I absolutely adore. I cannot put them all here due to time and space but I can show you a quick sampling. My biggest challenge to date is determining how to best display these around the house.
Ideas?
#1
#2
I am thinking of starting a series on my wall called "The Dancing Fam"...
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
I am considering this as my new profile pic:
- She has a Master's degree in French and when she speaks the language it sounds like butter but smoother.
- She also speaks Spanish fluently but she is so modest she might not even mention it. We met from living in the foreign language housing at BYU.
- She has run several marathons including the New York Marathon (she used to belong to the NY Road Runners) and she is soon headed to Australia to participate in some major marathon there.
- She also has an incredible eye for art and her home is decorated so tastefully, originally, artistically.
- I don't know how to quantify this particular talent: her children are endlessly entertaining. The sound bites they produce are really and truly incredible. Not surprisingly, a recent post on her blog pointed to a favorite ice cream flavor of her children; daquirui.
Her photography blog (CBCG) contains some amazing pics so you can get a sense of her style and quality.
In my basket of friends, she is one my shiniest eggs. Thanks Chellese! I love you so much.
All this to say that she took some pictures of my children that I absolutely adore. I cannot put them all here due to time and space but I can show you a quick sampling. My biggest challenge to date is determining how to best display these around the house.
Ideas?
#1
#2
I am thinking of starting a series on my wall called "The Dancing Fam"...
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
I am considering this as my new profile pic:
Monday, August 3, 2009
Road Trip
After a long couple of road trips we are finally on the final stretch
home. We had some interesting conversations with the kids and I was
reminded of how much I love hanging out with them.
home. We had some interesting conversations with the kids and I was
reminded of how much I love hanging out with them.
One snippet
Gillian:
"Mom when you die at the big party I am going to talk about all the
things you did when you were alive."
Bridget:
"That would be rude if someone started singing hallelujah because you
were dead."
Casey:
"Then why would that person even be there?"
Sent from mi teléfono i.
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