Monday, November 30, 2015

I have this whole separate idea for a blog post that involves the different types of Black Friday shoppers. Let's be honest, I probably won't get around to it until this next Black Friday however, I fit into each category of shopper, well,  I used to.

Now, I live in Germany where commercialism is at a minimum (at least where we live) and I love it!

We went to the PX that day though, to get Chelsi a smokin' deal on a computer which she really needed. We went in the afternoon and it was still busy but not like I'm sure it was in the morning. I also bought batteries for this super cool Santa decoration my mom gave me a long time ago. It's super cool. I want you to see it. I'll take a pic.


The Santa I bought batteries for on Black Friday

I tried not to look at advertisements because I knew I'd get sucked back in. I love a good sale!

Also, I have a man cold. This is no regular cold. This is a I-want-to-lay-on-the-couch-and-complain kind of cold AKA a man cold. I'm trying not to let it get the best of me but it's sort of winning. Again, definitition of man-cold.

Living in Europe is amazing. I try hard not to brag about it too much but this season (Christmas) allows for so many new traditions for us. Christmas markets, advent, and St. Nicholas Day being a few (although I'm not sure I'm doing the latter because I don't want to have to buy extra candy lol).

Our advent Sunday set-up
Remember how last year I didn't get to see Mockingjay OR go to Christmas markets? Guess what I will be doing this year? Both of those things. Woot.

Anyway, this is a bunch of non-sense because I'm trying to stick with that goal of mine to post at least twice a week. Today is my last day before my blogging week starts. Therefore, you are welcome. Just kidding. What do you look forward to most this holiday season?

If you are nearish the age of 30, you were probably old enough to understand the Harry Potter Phenomenon. You were also probably old enough to take part in it too.

Harry Potter is central to my memories of high school, college and afterwards too.

I don't remember picking up the first book but I remember putting down that last and crying so hard about it too. Do you remember reading the last page of the 7th book? If so, we are best friends. Like, really. Automatically we become besties. It's a given.

I remember playing the Harry Potter card game at lunches and sometimes even during class (sorry Mrs. Sherwood). I remember tournaments with Tracy and Matt. I remember in-depth discussions about how to say Hermione and Voldemort. I remember making t-shirts for movie premieres and late night talks afterwards. I remember the tears over characters and their choices and in some cases, their deaths.

Harry Potter is the single most consistent piece of media that went with me through those difficult high school years, into college and afterwards into marriage. There's nothing else like that for us! Kids these days (lol) don't get to grow along side of their favorite characters like we did. We literally grew up with Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) and Rupert Grint (Ron). (Did you see this is coming soon?)

Anyway, I have some friends who have The Love like I do. But they aren't near me. And I am sad. I haven't met anyone in Germany who loves Harry Potter as much as I do. I'm thinking about starting an official Harry Potter Book Club for People Living in Germany. Is that too long of a title? There's already this group but I'd like to have a chapter here. Wanna join?


Do you love Harry Potter? Are we best friends?  If not, can we soon become so?

Monday, November 23, 2015

I haven't been quiet about my mental illness but I also haven't been really loud about it either. It still has this stigma attached to it especially in the military and LDS cultures. I reallllllyyyy want to change it. Have we all memorized the definition? Say it with me, Depression is a neurobiological disorder. It's not caused by anything I have done wrong, or something I did or didn't do. It just is. The cause be brain chemistry, hormones, biological differences and/or inherited traits (see the Mayo clinics definition here).

Anyway, one of the recurring themes in therapy for me was guilt. Not surprising right? My Dr. had me give my guilt a name, well not a name, but an appearance. So I know what my guilt looks like. This is part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. My guilt is an ugly looking guy (male of course. jk) and he has been rearing his head a lot lately. BUT! I'm telling him to go away in the form of this post. Because,

I am doing just fine.

My guilt monster tried to tell me that it was my fault the heart charms didn't come in in time for Super Saturday. Really guilt? Not happening. I'm blaming the USPS. Jk. I love the USPS (I'm putting out good energy here).

My guilt monster tries to tell me some days that I am a bad mother. No way!

My guilt monster thinks that I have to do certain things or else no one will love me. Pshhhhh. Not happening.

I told him to go away a lot this past week but it was particularly easy to do when I was reading Ephesians for Sunday School. This is in Chapter 3.
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
I'm not one who generally does the whole spiritual sharing thoughts thing but this week there were a couple of things that could not have happened through human beings and I was grateful to be reminded of that especially when it benefited me in the ways that it has.

Anyway, back to guilt monster. My friend recommended this book with the same ideas as the monster but instead it's a gremlin. Have you read it? If so, tell me about it!



What would your monster/gremlin be? 

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