Love the Bliss: July 2011

Friday, July 29, 2011

$10,000 smile!

Look at that smile! First it was braces for about 1.5 years and now it's removal of wisdom teeth! Yay! Amazing that so many Dixon kids require all this dental work!! I might add that while I didn't ever have to wear braces I did have my wisdom teeth out! Ralph never wore braces either so where in the heck did all this come from!!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Summer update!

This summer has really been a great summer! Mallory and I started off by leaving for Utah a day after school let out for an EFY. Mallory had a blast for a week at BYU while I spent time with Scott, Kluane and fam...I had a blast as well!! We spent our last week in Utah staying with Uncle Boyd and got to visit all the family over memorial weekend. I really wish we could visit more than once a year!! We always have so much fun with Uncle Boyd!

Once we returned to AK...Delaney, Daegon and I went to Anchorage for a quick visit and had fun visiting with family there...and shopping! Again, I wish I was closer so we could visit more often than just a few times a year...usually during the summer. When I returned home the rest of the family declared they wanted to go to Anchorage also but we thought we'd wait until closer to school starting. BUT, everyone is working and we discovered after looking at the calendar that there would be no time just before school! Abby started a new job yesterday working at a community garden. Mallory continues to lifeguard at pools all over Fairbanks. And, both girls are mowing the yard of someone who needed it done all summer. So, they drive out Chena Hot Springs Road about once a week for that job! Mallory begins high school swimming the second week of August and then school begins on the 18th. Yikes! We have a month of summer vacation left!! Anyway, on that note we decided to take a last minute shopping trip to Anchorage and fortunately the timing couldn't have been better! We got there just in time for the Nordstrom sale of the year! For the first time ever we enjoying "touring" all the booths set up for the pre-sale goodies. The girls and I found all kinds of school clothes and other stuff and are quite happy with our successful, although quick, shopping trip. Another highlight is to get to visit family also...and although we didn't get to see everyone...we'll see them next time as...we'll be back!!

Ian is doing AWESOME! He was recently transferred to Puerto Plata and was called as District Leader. Above you can see he's looking good, but his shoes are another story! I sent money to get them resoled so I hope they're looking better and will get him through his remaining 9 months!! I'm very proud of him and he's really enjoying his time of service.

Annie finally made it through all her swim lessons and tried out for the swim team. AND, she made it!! Her first meet is coming up soon and she's very excited!!

All is well in the Dixon home and life couldn't be more blissful! We really are blessed and are grateful for all that we enjoy!!

Relatively Inexpensive Pleasurable Addictions

A thought occured to me that a discussion of alternatives to less desireable addictions would be good. I do realize that some pleasures are relative...these are just some of my ideas. A final note is that I believe passions are great! But, all of us need to become the master in bridling all of our passions...or addictions.
Number 1: Chocolate...lets all eat Dark Chocolate! I have heard that it's very healthy to eat a tad everyday! Remember though...just one square a day...and I don't mean a giant chocolate bar square...the itty bitty square that makes up the big one!
Number 2: Run...get outside and run and don't stop until you want. LOVE those endorphins!! So addicting and so much healthier than alternatives. Okay, there is a bit of expense in the beginning because you need a good pair of shoes, and you should probably wear some shorts at least...and a top.
Number 3: Walk...it's not as hard on the knees but as beneficial as running!
Number 4: Read...a good book is downright fun! If you've gotta do something everyday or all night long, reading a good book can do no harm!
Number 5: Lift weights, ultimate frisbee, swim, practice yoga or pilates or any sport! If you gotta do something, exercise...again, those endorphins make you happy!! And, they're free!!
Number 6: Get a hobby...photo books, knitting, crafty stuff, sewing, geneology...whatever...just do it. I realize some of these things will cost some money, but none of them should compromise your health.
Number 7: Hang out with someone you love! Everyday!
Number 8: Eat veggies...or fruits...have them at your disposal all day just to keep from reaching for something not so healthy or that could potentially kill you and your loved ones!
Number 9: Play games...video, internet, gameboy. I've seen some people have a really difficult time tearing themselves away from the TV, computer or whatever device...but, if it keeps you away from serious alternatives that could cause harm, a little or maybe a little more than a little can't kill you. Remember though, too much of a good thing, can be too much! So, limit yourself!
Number 10: Remember that if something is causing you harm, using up all your resources of money, taking you away from things that are good, perhaps it's time to reevaluate your addictions. I think the key is to find pleasure in your addiction and not over-do or abuse it!