Friday, January 18, 2008

Am I becoming like my children?

Ok, so I've noticed lately that sometimes I become distracted... ahem. Yes, me. :)

I can be sitting in church, or in a meeting, or trying to read, and BOOM! My focus flies out the window and I'm off in left field thinking about something totally unrelated to the discussion or what I'm reading. Why is this? I don't feel as though I've always been this way.

Some theories:
1. I'm too busy, therefore my brain can't keep up. Kinda like riding a roller coaster, and the roller coaster crests a big hill then barrels down the other side--the coaster is going down but you feel as though you left your stomach somewhere at the top. Maybe this is what my brain is doing; I'm going so fast that my brain gets off track.

2. I am becoming more like my children. Since 5-year-olds and 2-year-olds aren't known for their concentration skills, maybe since I'm inundated with their continual interruptions, change-of-topic, etc I have lost my own ability to focus. Although this isn't really a "fair" theory, as it totally puts the blame on my children, it's worth a thought.


3. I've lost some brain cells along the way and you know those things can't be replaced.
Enough said about that one.

Well, I guess for now I just have to cope with it and try to get myself back in order when my brain wanders off my plate. Sometimes I feel like shouting, "COME BAAAACK!!!"

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Gaming Addictions

I'm a firm believer that playing video games can become addictive. I, myself, have gotten addicted by several computer games (Mahjongg, anyone?). So, I'm not immune, but I've never been into video games. I never had an Atari game system, although I played it from time to time at friends' houses growing up. We have a Nintendo and a Playstation, but I've just never had the desire to play any of the games, and whenever I do sit down and attempt to play something, I'm really bad at it.

Now, there's this game out there called World of Warcraft. WOW is what it's called in the gaming community. In my opinion, it's a violent game. I don't like violent games. Until my husband started playing it a couple of years ago, I had never even heard of it. However, there's apparently a whole bunch of folks who play this game and play it often. Since being introduced to WOW, I've heard stories of parents neglecting their children to play the game, of people getting divorced over this game, etc. Terrible stuff! When I hear such horror stories of how playing this game (and other, too, but I am only familiar with WOW) can become so life-and-time consuming, I consider this to be an addiction. I've asked my husband his thoughts of the addictive quality of WOW--since he's plays it--and he agrees that it is very addictive. I've seen my husband become addicted. (lucky for him he married a therapist, so I keep him straight.) :)

I don't think people hold the opinion that gaming is addictive, at least not in the same way that drugs or alcohol are addictive. So my question is this: is there real help for people addicted to video/computer games? Although I think any trained therapist could handle treating this addiction--after all, it is addiction plain and simple--I think there should be some kind of specialized treatment for these folks. Should gaming addiction be included in the DSM? I think one day it will be. Hmm...what could it be called?? I know!!! TID--Technology Infatuation Disorder. No, not quite.. CAD--Computer Addiction Disorder. Closer. I'll have to think about it. Any ideas?

Monday, January 14, 2008

Disney Dads

My sister-in-law pointed out this past week (and it's been pointed out to me before by someone else, I think) that Disney movies always have poor father figures. Around my house lately, we've all been humming/singing the tunes from "Mary Poppins" since my daughter got that movie for Christmas. There seems to be at least something in every Disney movie that doesn't fit with the mold we are making for raising our children. And, if you look at the movies as a whole, they really do a poor job of demonstrating a positive, family-driven environment.

Sleeping Beauty--father sends daughter away
Beauty and the Beast--Dad is pitiful
Snow White--Dad??? What Dad?
Cinderella--Dad has already died
The LIttle Mermaid--Dad is domineering
The Sound of Music--Dad is absent and self-centered (at least at first)
Mary Poppins-Dad is negligent

Etc, etc. I know, if I really had a major qualm with it, I wouldn't even allow my kids to watch it. It's just something to make you go, "hmmm".

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Twin Peaks!

It's been SO long since I even thought about this 1990's show, but I watched the intro today on YouTube and it brought back lots of memories of how much I LOVED this show! I even had the soundtrack. They came out with a DVD set of both seasons, but it's $70+ on amazon.com so I likely won't be getting it.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Here's the Picture from Chimney Rock Park, NC


Happy New Year!

So, I'm not one to make resolutions at the New Year, typically. However, Jamie and I have decided to join Weight Watchers together. I've been talking about it for a while, and he knows that I'll do better if I have a buddy doing it with me (aka...him), so we're starting this week! I was on WW before becoming pregnant with Gannon, and I did pretty well. I think the main difference was that I was working full-time, and so I went with a group from work and we all supported one another. That was a BIG help, and I also only ate the food I took to work with me. Now that I'm home all the time, I have the dreaded Kitchen always lurking, so I'm hoping to do okay on it this time. Last time I wanted to lose 15-20 pounds and I actually lost 13 before getting pregnant. This time I need to lose a bit more, so I'm aiming for 20 pounds to start with. So, wish me luck!!

We had a great trip to Lake Lure, NC. The kids seemed to really have a good time. There's certainly not as much to do in the Winter, but we found ways to stay indoors in the warmth while still having fun. Once I figure out how to post a picture, I'll do that! :)

The only other thing I thought of for this year is to try and be better at sending/recognizing my family's birthdays/anniversaries, etc. I've not been very good at keeping up with this in the past, so maybe I can do better this year!

What about anybody else? Any resolutions?