Happy Thanksgiving

I'm ready to hibernate and other miscellany

Which is why I decided to gain a few pounds this past month. Because nothing says it's holiday time like a little added paunch, n'est-ce pas? (The french makes it sound fancier.) Now that it's cold I'm going to have a harder time exercising it off because I don't like to go out walking in the cold. Not that I was out walking when it was warm. But this is all to point out that I am tired and would really actually like to hibernate for the Winter. Doesn't a long long nap sound good?

I decided to re-read Twilight. Because the further away I get from reading the more my eyes roll when I hear anything related to it. I recently read an analysis of the series and how it is influenced by Mormon theology and doctrine. To which I said, "Meh. Sort of. But the author skips an awful lot of Bella's personality there in making her theological points." But then I thought, maybe I'm being unfair. So I read it again.

Conclusion: The Vampire folklore and backstory really is interesting. The teenage intense, meant-to-be-forever-romance that explodes from really nowhere is annoying. "I've never felt this way before at the young age of 17 and I love you with all my soul and want to give up my whole life." "And I have been alive for over a hundred years and yet I still get to act like a contemplative but moody teen because that's all anyone expects of me and my gorgeous body." Edward is more annoying the second time around. I like Jacob. Until you get to the fourth book where I pretty much hate everybody.

I ordered my first set of gifts for Christmas shopping. I have no idea what I am going to do for anyone else, but I have one thing checked off. This could be a crazy month. Especially since I am want to hibernate and not shop.

I need to do some laundry and wash my bed sheets. Wish me luck.

Back. Sort of.

Things are here are going rather swimmingly. We had a birthday this week and friends are coming over after school to help celebrate my second child's 6th. How many are coming I'm not sure as only two have RSVP'd. But that signifies very little.

Can I confess right now that I do not enjoy throwing children's birthday parties? Well, actually, sometimes I don't mind it, but there's a little something that's been hanging around, tickling my throat and trying to take me down. It hasn't yet, and it shouldn't any time today, but I am going to take a large dose (but not too large) of vitamin C. Go away, little something.

My oldest daughter seems to be down with the drama bug. She bursts into tears over every little thing that has not gone her way. I think she needs an earlier bedtime.

Actually, we all need an earlier bedtime. So today after the party is over I'll tuck everyone soundly into bed. It will only be 4:30 pm, but they won't mind. Right?

Sick & Tired Leave

I'm taking a little break to take care of a sick little girl (getting better, but we're keeping her home from school one more day). I'm taking a break to rest a little myself. Something about the turn of the weather (cold!) that can knock me out a little bit. And I'm going to do laundry.

A lot of laundry.

Appetite

I've been thinking about appetite.

Sort of random, I guess.

And not just food appetite, but all of our appetites. And human beings have appetites.

The problem is when we become a slave to our appetites. Too much food, tv, internet, emotion, material possessions.

So then I've been thinking about appetite in relation to the commandments of God.

Ultimately commandments help us to take care of ourselves in such a way that two things are possible: we are unencumbered as much as possible in being able to choose goodness and joy, and that we do not put upon others the unhappy consequences of our own actions. In fact the Savior's admonition to be wise a serpents and harmless as doves comes to mind here.

There will always be those who decry this morality as inhibiting to true freedom. Sure. Freedom to wake up hung over after doing something stupid the night before. Freedom to feel gross and be unhealthy because one has consistently chosen a fast food diet. Freedom to impinge upon another life you are responsible for creating, even though that was the last thing on your mind at the time. Freedom to send the entire world market into prolonged panic and disaster because you wanted more than was reasonable and prudent at the time.

We all have our own appetites we struggle with. But the point is to keep trying to overcome, because eventually we can.

Beware the person so consumed by their appetites they can do little else but eventually succumb to their own desires. They may be really nice people, but ultimately they live for their desires and nothing else. They can't help it.