Embrace the Differences

          I vaguely remember a class called “Culture Refinement”.  It was taught in Relief Society on the 4^th Sunday of the month.  I remember my mom was a cultural refinement teacher.  I know that was her calling while I was out on my mission. The subjects of her lessons seemed to focus on arts, literature, and customs.  I liked the custom part of it – learning about other cultures, nationalities and backgrounds. The class was dropped sometime before this century – though I can’t pinpoint a date.  I was serving in the primary for so many years.

         I guess I was reminded a little bit when we had our lesson on Sunday.  The theme (from my point of view anyway) was on acceptance and loving a person though you might not agree with their lifestyles.  It would be nice to understand different walks of life – what makes one tick.  Becoming more aware of our diversities.  And quit using lables!

         In my vain attempt for finding more about Cultural Refinement I found this page and thought it would be good to explore beyond the family but to learn the traditions of others who might be outside of my circle.  It never hurts to learn.

Missing Tooth

                Before I went on my mission my dentist suggested that we remove my wisdom teeth.  They weren’t bothering me and I opted to keep them.  I mean they must be there for a reason, right?    There was a while there when I would bite my cheeks – but it didn’t last and the pain was never severe enough for me to make an appointment. 

               I believe it was 2017 when part of my top right wisdom tooth broke.  I had it repaired – three times by the same doctor!  So when it broke again in September (I think) I thought “bag it” – I’ll just live with it – although it was beginning to annoy me also.  But I haven’t ever done anything about it. 

               On December 20th I made an appointment with the medical doctor for a sinus infection. I was hoping for a Z-pack as it normally does the trick.  But I might as well have taken sugar pills for the amount of good that they did.  And last week I came to another conclusion.  I definitely have an abscessed tooth, and as I was looking up the symptoms realized that perhaps that was the cause of my “sinus infection” as outlined by the Mayo Clinic.  Oh . . .

               So this pain is on the left side of my mouth – opposite my chipped wisdom tooth – but next to the left wisdom tooth.  There was incredible pain last Sunday (or was it the Sunday before) but I haven’t felt that severe of pain since. I’ve been using a salt rinse after breakfast – except I forgot to yesterday and this morning.  But have done it today – just later than normal.  Meanwhile the right wisdom tooth is practically gone.

               Of course I can’t see it or even a reflection of it, but it feels like what a baby’s new tooth coming in would look like.  It isn’t painful and I don’t predict that food will get caught in the crevasse anymore (as there is no crevasse) but I am puzzled as to when I lost it.  Had to have been  either last night or this morning at breakfast.  It is weird to think about how it just seemed to have vanished.  I wonder if it will be a further problem though.

               I have three dentist appointments lined up for March and April.  I suppose I can ask about it as long as they are in my mouth anyway.

More Patience, Less Judging

     It’s taken me YEARS to not become offended by the actions of my children.  I have one who could never sit still, one who would sulk, one who is considered gifted – he tends to get bored very easily.  Jaime figets.  I never considered her as having ADD or ADHD

screenshot of Google response

     I knew the oldest two had it but hadn’t considered the other two might have had it as well.  There are different signs, symptoms if you will, that one may experience that others may not and vice-versa.  There are countless websites which address these issues.  Some provide quizzes and council.  

      ADD was changed to ADHD in 1987  (reference) 

which is the year our oldest was born.  When I first met Richard the eldest boy had difficulty sitting still – or sitting at all.  He reminded me of a caged animal.  Over the years he’s gotten better at placement but still seems unfocused at times and is constantly misplacing things.

Our second son is a hoarder. I did not see any referencing to hoarding.  It is something he did when he was in junior high and still as an adult with four children.  He has always lacked focus.  He’s always dragging his feet and forgets things the moment he thinks of them.

I used to give him a paper to write his questions down as he thought them up. Sometimes it worked.  Not always. He isn’t very organized.  He is the one Richard nicknamed Donald Duck because of his random flares at the stupidest things. 

 My youngest has always been advanced academically whereas the other two tend to struggle.  He gets bored easily and recycles material things as though money is no object.  He has lived in seven different houses (or apartments) during his marriage of almost twelve years.  I was actually surprised when he announced he was getting married as I didn’t believe he was able to make a commitment.  He hasn’t been dedicated enough to any one company that he’s worked for – not enough to continue working with them but will find employment elsewhere (hence the moving around)

None of them seem to have the greatest listening skills and procrastination seems to be a major part of their personal life.  Jaime doesn’t procrastinate, but she does like to keep her hands busy while someone is talking.  Both she and the youngest boy are outgoing and well-liked whereas the oldest two are not outgoing.

     I probably have and have always had symptoms of ADD myself – though now it could just be classified as an aging thing.  But I have ALWAYS been a daydreamer.  My listening skills have not been the best either because of my daydreaming. 

     How much better my relationship is with them when I don’t react to what I often found offensive but respond with a knowledge that it is not their fault.  They are sensitive and I have been. 

This was shared on facebook; I do not
have a reference for original source

What is Up With Us?

                Since we have been in Oregon I tend to fall asleep between 8:00 and 8:30.  I rarely sleep through the night.  I drink more water than my bladder can handle and tend to get up during the not.  Often I am unable to return to my slumber and end up getting up, playing games on my kindle sometimes in the room, sometimes in another.  I’m up for about two hours before returning to bed and will sleep until 7:00 or 7:30 – except lately.  One I’m up, I’m up for the day. 

            Richard, on the other hand, used to get up early and now is the one who will sleep in – but then he doesn’t come to bed until after midnight – unless the internet goes out, and then he’ll come to bed.  But usually he is up and down also.  Just never at the same time.

            This morning I got up at 3:00.  I finally made my way into the front room between 3:30 and 4:00.  We were both fully dressed before 5:00 a.m.  What is up with that?  He expects he will fall asleep during church.  He always does.  Perhaps we will take naps after church.

Currently he is watching Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.  Oh, yes.  Just how I want to start out my Sunday.  I returned to our bedroom.  Will mark scriptures right after I post this.

Busy Day

           Richard had a 9:00 appointment with his doctor this morning and I had a dentist appointment at 11:00.  With only one car we drove to Roseburg together in the pouring rain.  The rivers and creeks are always feast and famine. The rain has made them really high to overflowing.  I smile when I look at the murky brown color as I think of Jaime comparing it to chocolate milk.

         

          I haven’t been to the dentist for over a year and now have an abscessed tooth which will need to be removed.  I set up three dentist appointments for myself.  One in March and two in April.  Ugggh . . .

Science Fiction Vibes

         Yesterday Richard decided he wanted to drive to Ashland to take some watches to a vendor – though I didn’t think it necessary to make a special trip.  I told him we should pray about the decision to go – afterall the nation is experiencing untamed weather, we are still not receiving local news and perhaps we should remain at home. 

          I took the closed pumps as a sign.  We had gone to four different gas stations before finding one that still had gas.  They expect they will run out today.  Oh, my word!  I feel like I’m living in a Sci-Fi.  It’s been raining non-stop.  It’s a wonder that we don’t have a lake in our backyard.  On the plus side our grass is very green.

Too Many Storms

 

Richard and I slept in yesterday morning.  He had turned the news on just as it was ending.  He said there had been filmage of our news anchor outside of his apartment building showing us the fallen snow and advising all of Lane county to stay indoors if at all possible. None of the stations even offered local news this morning.  The elements have created somewhat of a Sci-Fi feeling - sort of like the pandemic in April and May of 2020

Last week Jaime had a six day weekend as school was cancelled due to weather.  So much of the nation is experiencing the severe snow storms and cold.  It’s been cold in Myrtle Creek though the snow hasn’t stuck in Tri-City we have seen snow in the hills.  Lots of moisture and cold.  But the elements have not effected us the same way as north or south of us.  I don’t know if Eugene is experiencing what the rest of the nation is currently.  It’s weird to think about.

We also have power.  Internet comes and goes.  I’d rather be fighting elements than people.

NOAA - National Weather Service