MaeLyn's Musings

My niece shared a link on Facebook a couple days ago to an article that I thought was enlightening. It is entitled, " How to interact with the introverted ". There were several interesting things that the author suggested: Extroverts gain their energy from their surroundings, absorbing "good vibes" from people around them. In other words, they gain energy from being around people. Introverts make their own energy, and instead of gaining it when they are around other people, they give it. (or spend it.) For introverts, energy is a precious, limited resource, and so they are wary of people (like extroverts) who would "steal" their energy by demanding their attention. The author suggests that when interacting with the introverted, people should respect their personal space, don't demand that energy be spent on you - especially when it isn't necessary, don't take silence as an insult, and remember that introverts get lonely too. As an intro...

My sister Lia and her family visited us last night on their way home from a vacation in which they visited both Mount Rushmore and Nauvoo. Along the way they were also able to see and visit with my sister April and her family in Wyoming (who had returned home from visiting us just moments before Lia and family arrived.), my parents in Nauvoo, and another sister Kristy and her family in Kansas City, Missouri. We enjoyed chatting together. Joshua danced with his cousin Kylie, and played store with her while the adults chatted and McKenna listened in. I always love getting together with my family, and it seemed like we could have talked forever, but they were staying at a hotel for the night (allergies and cats don't mix) and so they had to go. They drove off, and I went to bed and laid awake listening to a terrific Thunder storm for the next couple hours. I hope they make it home safely! I didn't remember to pull out my camera until they were about to go, already in the...

I got to see "Wicked" last night with Steven, Lindy and Thom. I had been concerned about having a babysitter, but April received clearance from her doctor and was able to come up. She had a few contractions, but hasn't gone into labor yet. I'm so grateful that she was willing and able to come and watch the kids for me. It was exciting to dress up, drive down town, and walk down the 16th street mall for the very first time. It was fun to see the bicycle - pulled carriages, and a horse drawn carriage along with the shuttle that provides transportation up and down the street. We had dinner at Chili's, and the food was good, and the conversation was fun. For dessert I had a shot glass sized key lime pie, that was really good, but it was frozen, which made it difficult to eat. After dinner we hurried to the theater where Wicked was being performed. Lindy and Thom had seats on the orchestra level, and Steven and I had seats up in the balcony. I didn't know much ...

They're here! Lindy and Thom are here in my house at this very minute! Lindy was commenting on how this is the first time she has seen our home, and we've lived here for six years now... I say it's about time! Yesterday, of course, was spent getting ready for them. I had to clean out the kids' rooms. (No I didn't use a shovel on Hannah's room, although I was tempted to.) I filled up a huge trash bag with all the scraps and candy wrappers and junk that was in their rooms. I saved anything that looked like time and effort had been put into crafting - like Hannah's cereal box doll house and felt dolls, and clothing for those felt dolls. Surprisingly, Hannah's crafts fit into one cardboard box! I was able to clean out her closet and under her bed and it only took me an hour or so! The boys room had been cleaned out more recently so that took less time, but I still felt exhausted by the time I had finished, and moved Peter's bed into Hannah's room t...

Friday evening we went to the furniture store to buy a bed for Peter. It's about time. Way back when John was a tiny baby sleeping in a bassinet, we bought a Little Red Bed (LRB). It was a toddler sized bed. I think it was used because the mattress was already a bit torn in spots. Hannah loved it because it was just her size. We moved Hannah out of the crib and onto the LRB so that John could have the crib. Life was good. She slept on that bed until we moved to our condo here. By then John was ready for a real bed, and Josh was getting close to needing the crib. So we aquired some bunk beds. The LRB went into retirement. Eventually Peter came along and needed the crib and Josh was old enough for a bed. Hannah was reaching an age where she didn't want to share her room with her little brothers, so we bought her a day bed (without the trundle that fit under it) and moved her into the room that had been our office. Josh skipped the LRB and went straight to the bottom bunk of the b...

Kids are out of school today. Hannah says it is a teacher work day and the teachers are tired of the students. My sister in law, Kendra, is coming to visit tonight. Her Dad, who lives in Longmont, had a heart attack a week or two ago and she is coming to visit him, but staying with us. So, I need the kids to help me clean the house today. How do I motivate them? I don't know. It is a cold day and I feel sleepy and my head is aching slightly. I need to wake up and get moving. Can you jump start a person without using caffeine or drugs? It snowed for maybe twenty minutes yesterday, but there wasn't enough to stick. Today it is clear and cold. We may get more snow over the weekend. I don't mind the snow when I don't have to be out driving in it. I love it when I can stay at home, wrap myself in a blanket and read a book all day. It would be wonderful if we had a fireplace we could light and enjoy while reading a book, snuggled in a blanket while drinking hot chocolate. H...

This year we have had frequent house guests. April comes for a couple days every month or so. My mother in law has been here. My parents and Heidi were here for almost a week. Amber and her husband came. April is coming again today. My sister in law Kendra is coming next week. Lindy and her husband are coming in November. Thinking about all this makes me feel like we are running a hotel: The Hiatt Hotel, with complimentary airport shuttle. So, welcome to the Hiatt Hotel! We apologize that we don't have a private guest room for you to stay in. The hide-a-bed in the couch in the living room may be increased in comfort by removing the mattress from the couch and placing it on the floor. You might want to reconsider your lodging choice if you are allergic to cats, because we do have four of them right now, and they have free range of the living room at night. We'll do our best to help you be comfortable. We have plenty of blankets if you get cold. We have a swamp cooler if you ge...