Clothing "Exchange"

I went to a clothing exchange this morning. Well, they called it an exchange. It was really just a chance to get some clothes for free. I guess the event was announced to the 'inner city' wards/stakes. That includes us apparently. A group further north decided they would do a great thing and gather items together for others and then let us come and choose what we needed. I was able to get a coat for Jonny as well as a light jacket, some shirts for Jacob, clothes for me, and both shirts and pants for the girls. They also had some knit hats there that I grabbed for each of the girls...along with some light gloves. They had a couple of other things as well. I chose some book while I was there too. I'm exciting and chose books about things like algebra, writing, how to fix things (home), a booklet about preparing for the temple, and a collection of stories for young kids. I picked up some books by Chieko Okazaki as well - but, decided that I could check those out from the library and someone else could benefit from them. (I love her messages.) They had a big box of file folder games. (Lots of work goes into those.) I grabbed a few of the simple ones for the nursery in our ward. Layne didn't really think I would find anything and wasn't sure about what was available. So, he was a little leery about me going. But, it worked out well.

Another Quote

"We prefer TV over doing something productive." This is what Megan shared a few minutes ago when we were remembering we needed to go through the clothes she and Rachel have in their room. This is not a reflection on everyone in the family. Well...maybe. I think we'd all rather sit and relax - but, not all of us get to do so instead of being productive. (Besides, this past week it's been a book I've been working on not a show that's been tempting for me.):}

Breakfast Together

Quote this morning from a just waking up Jacob, "This pancake is so warm, I could just take a nap on it.".

I love Saturdays when we get to sleep in a bit and then have pancake breakfasts together. Megan and Rachel helped with the pancakes. I mix up the batter and they did the rest...fresh blueberries and chocolate chips were involved. Yum.

Flustered

Feeling flustered! My cell phone has been a little off the past few days. By the end of today, it has been giving me messages about google play. I tried to troubleshoot. I think I might have just done it wrong because it still doesn't work. The tutorial I was working from said to try one thing (didn't work) and then another. Well, I tried a couple of things. It didn't tell me until the bottom of the page that I might lose data if I did one of the actions. One of the reasons I did it was because I thought it meant I wouldn't lose my data and it would fix the problem at the same time. So, I now still can't use my phone or the apps on it...and, I might have just lost everything I did have on it (data wise).
Grrr! I feel like there are so many other things going on right now that I just can't wrap my head around something else going wrong. I don't know when the one thing and then another is going to end. It seems like it would need to slow down some time so I can actually be productive.

Missed Appointment

I was scheduled to go to the chiropractor today. When we got back from our trip there was a message saying that I needed to reschedule. I was bummed. I truly was looking forward to going because my back has had a long week. It's also been longer in between appointments already. So, to have to wait close to another week will be a little tricky. I'm just going to tell myself that I can do hard things.

Rain Storm

We're having a rain storm right now. I was out in it for a bit. Megan was out doing something with the hammock. I went out to see what was going on just as it started to rain. She was attempting to take it down so it wouldn't get wet. I love that she tries to remember to take care of things. As I typed that, I looked over and saw the umbrella propped up in the corner with something underneath it so the drips won't get on the floor. I would be willing to be that Megan is the one that put it there. She's kind of like that - just takes care of things.
I helped Megan get the hammock unhooked and then decided to stay outside for a bit. I enjoyed the rain under cover by our table. I sat down at first and then decided to get up and move back and forth some while I was taking in the experience of the storm...the rain, the fresh air, the couple of streaks of lightening, and a bit of thunder. I love summer storms.
While I was in my spot Megan moved around a bit and then went inside. She apparently wasn't able to stay away. She came out with an umbrella and started to experience the rain again herself. She walked around, she did a little dance, she came under cover with me for a bit, and she used the umbrella out in front of her as if charging into battle. (I wished that I had my camera with me. Remembering all of this is one of the reasons I wanted to come in and write it all down.)
Another thing Megan did was cup her hands together and get a handful of rain to drink. I told her to, "try this", as I stuck my tongue out to catch some rain myself. She put her face right out there and had drips running down her face. They went well with her grin. I love sharing moments with my kids.
Jonny came out as well. We let him use the umbrella while he made sure things were set up to drain properly at the side of the house. I'm sure Layne is the one that sent him out. I'm grateful the kids are great about helping.
I also took the umbrella for a bit to check a couple of things out for myself. I wanted to see what was happening in the front of the house. We planted some flowers that I keep thinking just might grow, but we haven't seen any of them yet. I hope the rain helps out. We've seen a couple shoots of green, but I don't know if they're the beginning of flowers or a type of weed I'm not familiar with yet.
While I was out there, I thought about the moving around I was doing. I need to figure out something different for exercising. I remembered a photo I had seen just today that reminded me that about ten or so years ago I was in much better shape than I am now - including the proof of my current shape.:} So, I want to create small steps to take to get back into better shape. It's quite possible that my 'old' (current) self will never look like my previous self. But, I'm determined to come up with a strategy to be more healthy.
I also thought about things that need to be getting done. I thought about a couple of ways to make myself more productive as well. I need a system that will work for me.
Best of all, while I was outside in the rain, I took the opportunity to take a few deep breaths. That made me realize that I don't do that often enough. It's one of those things that makes one feel better almost immediately. I feel like I have so far to go and yet when I take the time to breathe - it feels like things will be alright and I can conquer more than what I originally thought I could. So...onward and upward.

Back to Back

I've had issues with my back lately. At first I thought it was my spine. But, I've gone to the chiropractor and have found out that it's my muscles. It was interesting to see the different approaches that were taken at Urgent Care (beginning of the month) and the chiropractor (week and a half later). One wanted to just do a temporary fix of the symptoms. The other wants to take care of the problem and have lifelong good habits in place. Hmm...
I've been feeling a little better. I still have issues when I sit or stand for too long. I have to switch around what I'm doing. I also have stretches that I do several times a day. I ice my back at night as well. I have two different spots that are the focus. I'm glad there's been some progress. I just hope it'll end up being a permanent thing.