Is the gremlin who steals socks the same guy in charge of "misplacing" infant/toddler shoes? Above is a picture of all the single shoes saddened and unusable without their mate. I have no idea where their mates have gone, but I find it rather disturbing that my sons shoes keep disappearing.

In the latest issue of Real Simple magazine there is an article written by Gretchen Rubin of New York City who conducted a year long "Happiness Project". She felt that what she wanted in life was to be happy and that she was falling short of her goal so... she made it a project (and a bit of a study). Here are some of her findings:

10 Ways to be Happier
1. Don't start with profundities like meditating for hours on end (sorry Elizabeth Gilbert) or answering questions about self-identity. Begin with the basics. Eat well balanced meals, go to bed early, etc. ** this makes sense as it follows Maslow's hierarchy of needs**
2. Go ahead and go to bed angry once in awhile. "Expressing anger related to minor, fleeting annoyances just amplifies bad feelings, while not expressing anger often allows it to dissipate."
3. "Fake it until you feel it." If you aren't feeling particular positive or cheerful ACT as if you do and you soon will.
4. "Challenge and novelty are key elements to happiness." Don't be afraid to try something new, even if it means you will fail the first (fifty- third) time.
5. If you are feeling down don't try to assuage the feeling with a "treat". Whether your treat is food, alcohol, shopping etc.
6. "Buy some happiness." The author looked for ways to spend money to stay closer to her family and friends. For example, she bought herself a new digital camera which gave her a lot of bang for her buck.
7. Don't spend your time waffling over a decision because you think something better will come along. You'll just spend more time making the decision and then still feel anxious about the choices you've made.
8. Exercise to boost energy.
9. Stop nagging.
10. Take action.

Why did I put this on here? Well... the author's reasons for starting her happiness project were pretty similar to what I'm feeling currently. Not unhappy, per se, but maybe a tad unsatisfied with what I'm doing with my life. My mother says I'm in a mode of change, I think this is probably a pretty accurate statement. I think I'm also in a mode of finding and redifining myself (as lame and cliche' as that may sound). Anywho, I'm thinking I'll start my own "happiness project" and see what I come up with. Maybe some of the things on my list will be the same, but I think many will be different. I think there just might be a little something more to all of this. I'll keep you posted.

I couldn't leave this blog with such a depressing post at the top for long, so I decided to do something silly, which some of you will have undoubtedly seen before. The "game" is to type your name and needs into Google to see what comes up. Here, according to Google, is Julia needs...

* a bathtub toy --this would be nice, especially if I had a bathtub
* to worry about leaving a legacy
* a tripod
* to drink more to avoid kidney problems (I'm on it!)
* a time-out --this is true, I'd like it in the form of a vacation!
* new shoes --also, very true.
* to lose some weight--hey! i just did!! gooooo weight watchers
* an audition song--i need an audition VOICE, first!
* to step up her game
* to find something to sell, throw-out, give away, or burn--very astute observation
* a hug
* to drink less cola
* to be herself-- truer advice there never was.

Now you try. It's kind of entertaining, even if you don't post it on your blog.

In Memoriam

Sarah Elizabeth Lefoll

"Scout"

Sept 12, 1983- Sept 16, 2005

"She lived her life as a shooting star--burning so brightly and all too soon extinguished."
-Zachary Lefoll

"So if you care to find me, look to the western sky, as someone told me lately, everyone deserves the chance to fly...I'm flying high, defying gravity...and no one's gonna to bring me down." - Elphaba in Wicked (Scout in the front seat of my car).

There are people who enter your life for a brief time but leave a massive impact, Scout was one of those people. If you knew her then you loved her for the fiery, sassy spirit she was. Scout was an amazing talent. She had the outwardly appreciated talents of a stellar, Broadway worthy voice, and fantastic acting ability. She also possessed the talent to make anyone, anyone feel good about themselves. She could see the absolute best in all those around her, but failed to see it in herself. I'll never understand that. I'll never understand how she didn't see the people who surrounded her that would do anything for her. Following is something I wrote for her in an English class, a month after she left. It's pretty juvenile and kinda' lame, but it captured for me, at the time, how I felt.

she

stood on the shoulders of giants. and, that day, she stood a little taller as she perched on the precipice of a colossal steel structure that swayed faintly when the wind blew, carrying with it the angry chi of ghosts from her past.

she

was defiant and her fingers were swift flying across the digits as her message burst through the lines of telecommunication: she will leave, she said. she can't do this, she said. she has nothing left she said.

her

life of emotional schizophrenia no longer held its charm. and from atop her existence on that foam steel she knew she could not stay.

still

her heart skipped a beat as she sent her final texted plea: a single word that would haunt those it reached, but who couldn't respond, restrained by a force stronger than their own.

so

she spread her arms and they became the wings she'd longed for. with one quick step she left her perch and soared to her next existence. releasing her demons, her friends, her life.

I love you, Scout and will forever miss you.

The New and Improved Scoot

Look Mom. No hands!

http://www.americanaimages.net/waterfalls.htm

I bought a calendar in January, which is what one does at that time of year. There are certain things that always take place at certain times and calendars in January is one of them. Anywho, I bought this calendar because I liked the photos. They're Americana-esque, and I'm always a sucker for such things. I was unaware, however, that it is also an "inspirational" thoughts calendar complete with accompanying scriptures. Not that I have anything against that, I just wasn't expecting it. Which in truth is kind of silly because all I had to do to expect it was pay attention--something I'm not well known for.
Most of the thoughts are interesting though not super thought-provoking, until this month. September says:
"Accepting Your Assignment: You weren't created just to consume resources-to eat, breathe, and take up space... You were created to add to life on earth.
We...created...to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV"
When I first read this I was thinking, "Oh. Ok. Multiply and replenish. I can do that, and apparently I can do it fairly well." I, clearly, was not reading very carefully since on further examination I realized it was talking about what we do in this life and what we add to it. Kind of like the not burying your talents thing. This was interesting to me because it is something I have really been contemplating of late. What am I adding to this life of earth? Is it worthwhile? Sometimes, for myself, I would argue that it is not. There are many doers in this world and sadly I am not naturally one of them. I am a floater, if you will. I tend to float through life just kind of take whatever as it comes. I don't really do a whole lot. I can be a doer if I choose to, but it is definitely a choice and not a natural inclination. I am not like my sis-in-law who has to be constantly doing and creating and project-ing, I am completely content to just be. I digress...
I guess my point is, I want to be more of a do-er. But I want to my do-ings to be meaningful so that I can truly add, in a positive way, to life on this earth. I haven't figured out how to do this yet, but I hope to figure it out soon or at least in this lifetime.

sorry for waxing a bit philosophical, but the calendar is right above my computer and thus i see it whenever i'm on here.

the end.

I cut my hairs. Some of them more than others. Here are some pics. Yes, I realize my facial expression is a bit much, but I was tired of taking pictures of myself and trying to make them look good. Truthfully, I really like it. Brent says, "I don't hate it." He is attached to long hair, like most men, no matter how young and ridiculous I look. I blame this mostly on his mother and sisters. They all look great with long hair and as a bonus, they actually know how to DO long hair. Me? Not so much. Pretty much my hair is tucked behind my ears or pulled back when it is long. Not that this is a bad thing, I would just rather have a sassy short do that has personality. Besides I figure long hair is really only beneficial when you have a fancy function to attend (ie wedding, formal party/dinner, etc) and since I rarely, if ever, have such an occasion I figure I'm safe. So, long story short (ha ha) I'm back to my short hair ways and I think I look hot.

These are just some pics of H. because he's cute and as B. says, "That kid is damn photogenic." This is true. Some updates on the little man:

* he says cookie both in sign and in spoken language (although it comes out "kie")

* he has become very proficient, or is efficient? H. has become very___ficient in his scooting as he no longer uses his hands. it's actually pretty funny to watch, perhaps a vid to come?

I think that's all...but I'm a bit of a bad mother when it comes to remembering all of his accomplishments.

the end

Highlights from the Labor Day camping trip to WYOMING:

1. Hayden's first four-wheeler ride.
2. My first experience with Baked Spaghetti in the dutch oven (very good, ps).
3. Sooooo sleepy because I can't for the life of me sleep on an air mattress with a husband and a 13 month old.
4. H. was a bit of a stinker as he wanted to get down a lot more, but bum/dirt scooting is icky.
5. 2 mice in the tent at 1am. This also makes it hard to sleep when you keep hearing strange noises, but have NO idea what or where they're coming from.
6. Cold, cold rain and some snow.
7. No elk, but one Blue (or Rough, a consensus was not met) Grouse shot with an arrow.
8. Relaxed husband.
9. Ridiculous amounts of laundry and other things to air/clean out.
10. Family time.... aaaaah.

Sorry no pics with this one. I'm lame and forgot the camera.