Whining

Why is whining so prevalent in the world around us?  Why is it so natural in my home?  Why is the "normal" response to disliking something whining to get your own way?  Why are we as humans predisposed  to wanting our own way and not caring how our whining makes those around us feel?

The food being served in our home is the catalyst for whining on more days than not.  So, what to do about it?  There is always the option of giving up serving meals and making everyone fix their own food.  That is not really an option, if I want my family members to eat anything warm (or healthy).  I wonder how many days of ice cream and nothing else it would take before ice cream would get boring?  When told the dining room was a "no whining zone," I was promptly told that there was no sign.  So, now there is a sign.  Anytime whining begins, I just point at the sign.

This morning, there was whining happening in the van.  When I said, this is a "no whining zone," I was promptly told there is no sign.  You can't win for losing.

I've noticed whining has a very negative effect on me--I tend to get grouchy and whiny myself.  This is not how I want to behave toward anyone, especially my family.  Not to mention, it leaves me anxious, stressed out, tense, and unable to relax.  And, sometimes brings on my famous headaches.  So, I am working on rejoicing in all circumstances.

What have you found that helps you relax and not get stressed out while those around you are whining?  What works to keep yourself from whining?

Family Movie Night

We had a lot of fun together on a family outing to a 3D Movie--Journey 2:  The Mysterious Island.  We got to take the kiddos to a theater they had never been to before.  I think part of the excitement of the day was the adventure of something new and different that we don't do everyday.  They were excited to check out a new theater and see a movie in 3D.  :)  This is the only theater I've found that my eyes don't bug out and I can actually watch a 3D movie without getting a headache.  Needless to say, 3D movies have not been a big part of our lives.

The excitement driving to the movie was almost worth the price of the movie for me.  I'd love to bottle that excitement and be able to enjoy it every day.  That's what I miss most about not travelling Kansas this year.  The planning and anticipation was more exciting to me than the event sometimes.  I've always been that way about travelling.  The planning and preparation is sometimes almost as fun as the trip itself.  Does anyone else out there feel that way?

Some 3D movie are not that exciting in 3D.  This movie was fun and there were moments even I jumped thinking something was coming out of the screen toward me.  Plus, it's always fun to see the kiddos look like bugs with their 3D glasses on.  :)

I guess it was a fun time for everyone.  They are still talking about it today (the next day).  It's sure interesting to hear what part of the movie stood out to them.  You should take kids with you to the movies all the time.  They definitely have a different spin on things.  (Can you pop your pecs?) We even had to watch Disney's Atlantis today.

Change

They changed the heaters at the grade school this week.  I know they needed it and I'm all for improvement and making sure everything is working properly and safely in our schools.  However, I will miss checking inside the heater to see what had been added.  There were all kinds of fun and interesting things that had been dropped down the cracks, including part of a Pop-Tart that had been there for years.  :)  Makes you wonder what exactly you are putting in your body when you ingest one???  I wonder just how long the new one will stay clean.  And, I wonder how many other people look inside to see what is there?

That got me thinking about the changes in my own school.  We all adapt to new paint or tile or windows.  We actually all adapt to any new changes.  Most are necessary.  I wouldn't want my kiddos to still be working on the same computers I had in school.  (or have the same textbooks)  The only thing I could think of that really made me sad about my old elementary school is when they changed the carpet in the Kindergarten room.  We had the coolest carpet with games printed on the carpet--it could be used for hopscotch, checkers, Chinese checkers, and other games.  It was AWESOME!!!  Well, unfortunately, carpet wears out and it needed replaced.  It was replaced with plain, boring, normal carpet.  :(

Necessary or not, change is hard.  Even though the new may be better, it still takes us time to adjust because it's different.  We get comfortable with the familiar even when it is not what is best for us.

What changes have you struggled with or at least had a moment of sadness about?

Are Side Effects Worse Than the Cure?

Reading the paperwork that comes with prescriptions can be a bit daunting.  I do not generally take prescription medications and after reading the paperwork with my new prescription, I understand why.  Have you ever really read these things?  Somehow, if I need an antibiotic for 5-10 days, I find myself more willing to put up with some minor potential side effects.  After all, I'm already sick and I'll be done with this medicine in a few days anyway.

Well, this medication has potentially fatal side effects.  Plus, have you noticed that the side effect of some medicines can create the very issue you are trying to treat?  When I read Eric the list of side effects, he said they sound like TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) symptoms anyway.  So, at least he knows what to look for.  Of course, how will we even know if I experience them anyway (cold fingers & toes, one-sided weakness, numbness and tingling, etc.)?  It sounds a little bit like everyday life.

I think I'll stick to my regimen of vitamins and minerals and avoid prescription meds as much as possible.  Of course,  I'll be glad to have it if I ever wake up with a headache that makes me think I'm dying.  I'm sure I'll want to take it then.  And, if I have fatal side effects, maybe I can at least die without a headache.  :)

My Crazy Brain

I saw a neurologist for the first time in years.  I don't know exactly what she expected from seeing my latest MRI and I know my expectations were on the negative side based on past experiences.  I think, for both of us, our expectations did not meet reality.  I expected to meet a doctor who thought she had all the answers and did not listen to her patient, but only tried to solve whatever problems she thought I should have with prescription medication.  This was not the case.

I felt listened to and that she really wanted to help with the areas where I needed help and leave the areas where I am doing fine alone.  My brain appears to be a baffling maze of confusion for all.  Hence my, "If I Only Had a Brain" ring tone.  :)  I think seeing my MRI and then meeting me in person, might be baffling.  There are things I do that a picture of my brain would indicate I can't do or should have pain doing.  There are other things I cannot do that aren't explained by the MRI.  (I've always thought I was a complicated girl.  I guess that's true).  :)

I believe all doctors I've had contact with since the accident and suprised that I am not on prescription medications and have little to no pain.  They can't explain it.  I can.  God healed me of all pain.  I always say walking is overrated.  My chair does not keep me from functioning and doing what God has planned for my life.  If anyone does not believe I have been divinely healed, they should come to my next neurologist appointment.

I am thrilled that I cannot be defined by a piece of paper.  We humans are much more complex than that.  And, God is bigger than any human test.  I do not want people to be able to figure anything out about me (or my son) by a picture of our brain.  I want them to spend time getting to know the real us and see exactly what it is God can do.

National Pancake Day

What are the chances that I would be in a town that has an IHOP at lunchtime on National Pancake Day.  Not great, but it did happen today.  Just in case you were wondering, International Pancake Day and the pancake flipping race between Liberal, Kansas and Olney, England was last Tuesday.  I know I was wondering and sad yet once again that I have NOT experienced that race (not even when I lived close).  :(  Today, however, was National Pancake Day and you could get a free short stack of pancakes at IHOP.  YUMMMMMM!!!!

Not only can you get free pancakes today, you can also make a donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.  What a great way to spend your day--eating yummy pancakes a making a donation to a worthy cause.

You can also get yourself prepared for this week's release of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax.  IHOP has some special meals in honor of the Lorax.  What better way to get yourself in the mood for fun!!  Beside, you can't help but smile when you see that fun, orange creature staring at you.

While you're there, don't forget to warm up your tummy with a flavored hot chocolate or coffee.  Especially if you're out in this Kansas wind.

If you're close to an IHOP, head on over and experience National Pancake Day.  If you're trying to watch your diet, you may worry this is not the best meal for you, but HEY--It's National Pancake Day and it only happens once a year.

The Beginning of Crazy Hour

Every day I wait in the hall for school to end.  Then, the school bell rings and the craziness begins.  The bell rings and kids come filing into the hall, filling it from wall to wall, and many times running and knocking other kids over.  The closer they get to the door to outside, the faster the speed.  It's like fresh air and the outside are magnetic forces pulling them outside.  I have learned to stay parked in my wheelchair until the masses pass.  Sometimes, my chair still gets run into even though it is sitting still against the wall.  I'm never brave enough to try to part the masses and "swim upstream."

My kids seem to love school enough that they are in no hurry to leave and I sometimes (OK frequently) have to head to their classroom to collect them after the masses have left the building.  If I happen to be waiting near the 4th and 5th grade classrooms, I get to witness masses of cell phones being whipped out of pockets and attached to ears as they leave the building.  I understand why my daughter has been asking/begging for a phone, but I'm even more convinced she does not need one.  There is little to no interaction between students on their way out the door.  I don't want our children's only interaction with others to be through an electronic device.  Although sometimes giggling and being loud with friends kind of makes my ears ring, I would still prefer  that for hours than no human interaction.  Today, I witnessed a kid dragging his friend down the hall by his ankles.  Not my choice for interaction, but they were laughing and being kids.  I can't wait until it is warm enough after school, for the kids to get to play outside and laugh and run around and burn their energy.  If only they could send some of their energy this way.