Research shows that what you say about others says a lot about you

Fascinating study--take a look!

"How positively you see others is linked to how happy, kind-hearted and emotionally stable you are, according to new research. In contrast, negative perceptions of others are linked to higher levels of narcissism and antisocial behavior."

 

 

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What you say about others says a lot about you, research shows

via ScienceDaily: Latest Science News on 8/3/10

How positively you see others is linked to how happy, kind-hearted and emotionally stable you are, according to new research. In contrast, negative perceptions of others are linked to higher levels of narcissism and antisocial behavior.

 

 

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The Most Dangerous Playground in

...in the world.

Well, our grandparents survived these and it is true that the new
parks are protecting us to bored tears, but this park in Alpine a few
minutes south of our camp definitely hearkens back to an earlier and
less litigious time.

No doubt real teeter-totters are a bruised bottom waiting to happen
(and this one tried to simulate a mammogram on me (don't ask) but they
are great fun with constant adult supervision. Same goes for the
gargantuan slide that sends Lucy flying for yards off the bottom to
the mud and enormous monkey bars enticing kids to climb to ridiculous
heights. No passive park parenting here, but of course the kids loved
it and (aside from said accidental mammo) no one was seriously hurt.

Coalsville of a Sunday

Although these pictures do little to capture the peace of this moment,
I didn't want to forget this sweet picnic we stopped to enjoy a week
ago Sunday as we drove up to Jackson for the big summer vacation.

We had an old-timey icebox picnic of cold fried chicken, bread, fruit
and veggies in an old but tidy flag-draped pavillion. Then the kids
played a bit before settling back into the car to finish the drive.

Other than a shushing breeze, the town and the park were wonderfully
silent and perfectly vacant in every direction but for a single
horse. I'd like to attribute it to Sunday piety more than economic
collapse, but it was likely both. (And the latter tends to encourage
the former, of course.)

Then on to glorious Jackson, where the flood of loveliness continued.
More posts on that soon.

Lagoon!

Winding down our making-up-for-mom-working-for-two-years summer
extravaganza we all went to Lagoon for Ben's birthday. We had a ball.
Right now they are all on their last carousel ride at almost 10 pm
while I sit and try to get my stomach back under control after Wicked,
the Spider and Colossus.

My first baby is 11!

Ben had a racquet-themed birthday with a badminton set and his first tennis racquet.  We went up to the park for his first lesson after a monkey-bread and bacon breakfast. Then he had a fun BBQ with friends, dad cooked, and after an afternoon playing with his birthday presents we went to dinner at Robintinos with grandparents.  The night was spent watching Raiders of the Lost Ark with Dad and I came in at the end to tell him to shut his eyes, just like Indy and Marion do. I remember too well how all that face melting stuck in my head for years as a kid. 

 

I thought that having to wait so long to become a parent would have made me a more patient, loving, grateful mother.  I didn't take into account that every child brings their own lesson plan and that my first born would be a graduate course in parenting. I wasn't prepared, and am not the A-parent I'd hoped I'd be, but I trust the Lord knew what what he was doing and will make up for my failings in the heart of this little man as I keep trying to give him what he needs in life.  I became a very different person because of this strong, strong-willed, quirky, boy genius. 

 

I am so happy with who you have become and am so blessed to be your mom.  I love you, sweet Ben.  One more year to be a boy. 

Easy Pre-Camping Field Trip: Beehive House & Temple Square

Super fast, easy and cheap. The best choice a week before the big
campout. Now we're in Jackson camping. (I'm in town taking kids to
the park so I have signal.)

Handcart Days Fair

Another required annual tradition after the Chuckwagon Breakfast on
the 24th The joke of the day was, "c'mon kids, hurry up and make
memories so we can go home." Cute kids, hot husband.

July 24 Parade

In the spirit of positivity let me just say that the July 4 parade
that goes right in front of my house in West Bountiful is the best. It
is shortish, quaint and old-timey, and enough candy is thrown to feed
my kids for a week if I allowed it. If I get thirsty, hot or tired I
traipse into my house and do whatever while my kids scramble for candy
safely in my own driveway. Why aren't all parades like this?

But this post is about the Bountiful 24 Pioneer Day parade. I had a
date to see Salt with David I was anxious to get to and the website
said 120 entrants in the parade, but I was trying to be optimistic. In
the end, there were almost 130 and we barely got to our 9:10 seats in
time although the parade started at six. How many dance companies and
drill teams can be in one town? (Answer: 9)

We go to my grandmother Louise's retirement center to watch it with
her each year. Here are the highlights, according to me: (doesn't look
90, does she? May I be so lucky!) what is it about the Wendys people I
like so much? The frosty guy, I guess.

Ogden Nature Center

This is a wonderful place to check out with kids and would be even
more spectacular on a much cooler day. Bear dens, live owls and eagles
(injured and in captivity) tadpole ponds and treehouses and the
results of a very creative birdhouse making contest are everywhere.
Check it out when the weather gets cooler. Even with the heat, I
enjoyed all of it except for the last fifteen minutes where I had a
five year old on my shoulders/back and a four year old in my arms as I
walked through a sunny patch. But it all worked out in the end and we
finished things off at Paces.

Backcountry adventures

Wow! I'd never gone four-wheeling before today and now it feels like
I've done it all my life. So much fun, and such beautiful, wild
country. Uncle Bob said a visiting botanist told them that some of the
cedars on the property are over 6000 years old, which boggles the
mind. The sky is just so big up here.

I got a far away shot of mom and her sister Anita on the Brute Force.
For a bit, Noah and Lucy were both with me and I hopped off for a pic
but Lucy was mad about the heat and the bumps. She perked up on the
way back when we could tear fast down a flat road and yell "Yee
HAH!". My mom says the last picture shows why people think Doris and
I are sisters. ;)

Having a lovely time.

(End of the post onslaught.)

Another Short Trip

For over two years since we moved here I've meant to get up to my aunt
and uncle's near Duschesne (?) where they've built a fantabulous home
on 20 wild acres. We brought my mom up yesterday afternoon for a few
days of country relaxation.

The very first item of business was the five kittens under the porch.
Then, another batch of five was found this morning in the cab of the
old decorative army truck with mommy cat #2.