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During Christmas (and for a short while afterwards) I took a break from the blogosphere to focus on family and home. This is a little catch up post to let you all know what's been going on. Above is a picture I took of our two apple trees in the back yard, and it turned out all silvery, thanks to one of those handy phone apps! This is where the bird feeders are stationed, and I get a lot of pleasure from feeding and watching the winter birds in our yard. They like our yard because we have allergies, which means no cats and dogs.
While we were decorating our Christmas tree, one of the kids snapped this picture. I only discovered it later, but I really liked it! We had a great Christmas, lots of good food and family fun.
During a trip to Calgary in mid December, we drove by the unfinished Calgary Temple, and Scott snapped this photo. I can't wait until it's finished! This Temple has the most amazing view of the foothills and Rocky Mountains. Breathtaking, actually.
Also in December, Scott and I went to see the Messiah at the Winspear! Amazing concert, and the conductor, Bill Eddings (I think) was highly entertaining. They played the complete Messiah, which they don't usually do (in previous years it's been selections from...), which made for a long concert, but following along with the scriptural references they handed out was a very moving experience.
It's January now, so I'm cleaning out closets, making resolutions (I love the word resolve), and (hope springs eternal) have bought my first packet of garden seeds.
I am also working my way through my yarn stash. I am currently making this aptly named wool-eater afghan. You can find the pattern at www.sarahlondon.wordpress.com. The color choice is rather unimaginative, but as mentioned previously, I have taken a solemn vow to buy no new yarn until I have worked through my existing collection. So, pink and cream yarn I have lots of, therefore I am making a pink and cream afghan. I have also made a hot water bottle cover, three scarves, one dishcloth, a net shopping bag, and a book mark. And barely a dent has been made in the pile. I think I need a name for my stash. Something that big is worthy of a name. Yarnageddon? The Wooly Mammoth? George? Hmmm, I guess I'll have to think about it. Happy blogging, everyone!
In the spirit of 'Keepin' It Real", here's a little confession. Last time (ok, the last two times) we had a big Cub ceremony where the boys had to wear their sashes, I stapled Josh's badges on to his sash. *Blush*
I'd do it again, too.
I know, I know, this is turning out to be like how I used to write in my diary every so often, "Dear Diary, sorry I haven't written in a while, I promise to......." Then six months later, "Dear Diary, see previous entry...."
Things have been wild around here lately, partly due to some stupid overscheduling on my part. Family comes first, so my number one concern has been hot meals on the table and clean socks and underwear in people's dresser drawers. And towels and toilet paper in the bathrooms.
Another concern for me lately has been a blogging identity crisis, which culminated while reading a post on Middle-Aged Mormon Man last night about special blogging awards. Read it if you dare. Scott has been expressing concern that I am presenting an image of our family that is unrealistic and misleading. We also have had a couple of special lessons in Relief Society (that even spilled over to EQ and HPG!) on perfectionism and depression in women. Plus as I was laying in bed this morning fretting over writing Christmas cards, I kept thinking over the dreaded Christmas newsletters I will start receiving in the mail soon. You know the ones, with the perfect family picture and the perfect list of things the perfect family has done throughout the perfect year they've had. (Not that I'm not happy for my friends and pleased for their accomplishments, I am.)
As I do every year, I contemplated what would happen if people sent out a brutally honest Christmas newsletter. "Mommy gained another ten pounds this year after spending $500 dollars in January on a gym membership and only going once. She's decided to cut back on her chocolate consumption, and will eat only one family sized dairy milk bar a day instead of two. Billy will be starting kindergarten in September, and everyone has their fingers crossed he will be potty trained by then. Jane has brought her marks up considerably this year, and teacher says she may make it to the sixth grade after all. Baby has taken up biting other children now that she has teeth. And Alice has a new piercing and tattoo as you can see from the picture above....."
My point is, I know that one of the dangers of blogging and following other people's blogs is that terrible thing that happens with women. We compare ourselves at our worst to other people at their best. And we only present our best on our blogs. It's like when I sit in RS on Sundays and look at my rough, work worn hands and look down the aisle at the other sisters with their beautiful manicures. Instead of listening to the lesson, I might add. The same thing happens when I view others blogs and see the amazing things people do with their talents. (Another reason I've been avoiding Pinterest, actually.)
This does not mean that I am going to post about indiscretions or show pictures of how bad a certain someone's bedroom really gets, if I could only open the door in the first place. I don't believe in airing dirty laundry, literally and figuratively. I'm just going to try to figure out a way to blog in a realistic manner that is more reflective of what really goes on in the four walls of our house. Wish me luck!
While checking stats on my two blogs, I noticed a lot of people are looking for information on where to put the badges on the new Scouts Canada uniforms. I for one am thrilled with my new red Leaders uniform, I love it! And Josh is so pleased with the comfort of his new grey Cub shirt. Our Akela, Carole Hudson, has a great website for our pack, and you can find all the information about badge placement right there at your fingertips, along with lots of other cool Scouting stuff. Here's the link: Carole's Cub Page. Happy Hunting!
