WE HAVE MOVED!!!!!!!!!!

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A Field Guide to Personality Disorders in Animals

Paranoid personality disorder:
characterized by irrational suspicions and mistrust of others.

Schizoid personality disorder:

lack of interest in social relationships, seeing no point in sharing time with others, anhedonia, introspection.

Schizotypal personality disorder:

characterized by odd behavior or thinking.

Antisocial personality disorder:

a pervasive disregard for the rights of others, lack of empathy, and (generally) a pattern of regular criminal activity.

Borderline personality disorder: extreme "black and white" thinking, instability in relationships, self-image, identity and behavior often leading to self-harm and impulsivity. Borderline personality disorder is diagnosed in three times as many females as males

Histrionic personality disorder: pervasive attention-seeking behavior including inappropriately seductive behavior and shallow or exaggerated emotions.

Narcissistic personality disorder: a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Characterized by self-importance, preoccupations with fantasies, belief that they are special, including a sense of entitlement and a need for excessive admiration, and extreme levels of jealousy and arrogance.

Avoidant personality disorder: social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation and avoidance of social interaction.

Dependent personality disorder: pervasive psychological dependence on other people.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: characterized by rigid conformity to rules, moral codes and excessive orderliness.

Depressive personality disorder – is a pervasive pattern of depressive cognitions and behaviors beginning by early adulthood.

Passive-aggressive (negativistic) personality disorder – is a pattern of negative attitudes and passive resistance in interpersonal situations.

19 June 2012

Yesterday was a big day in the house.  Samson and Delilah turned 2 years old!  They have made amazing strides over the past 6 months, but the most marked changes have occurred in the past 2 months.

Samson has outgrown almost all of his naughtiness, and now his mischievousness nature is contained to games which he plays with us.  One of his favorite 'I'm bored' activities is to pull my socks off.  I make that more challenging by moving my foot about and making him have to work to 'catch' it.  Often he tries to give it back to me so we can play again.  He walked the back fields for over a mile off lead today, and he only scared me twice.  He disappeared around a tree to splash in a muddy creek and jumped off the side of the dam into swift running water luckily only up to his knees.  (So, very low..hehe..)

Delilah is having a false pregnancy, as you can see here, any puppy-like soft substitute will do.

Delilah with her Ty Beanie puppies.

I have become officially British.  In the sense that I managed to go out to a National Trust garden in the rain and walk about getting drenched with a dozen children and three other moms during half term.  We had a great day out though, most of the kids enjoyed the rain, and it was a lot easier to stomach with the Scone and Coffee I had at the cafe before we took to the pathway.

Nyman's Gardens soaking Walkabout

They had an activity at Nyman's garden where children could pay £2 to participate in a garden hunt and win a large Galaxy chocolate bar.  Well, it was raining so hard that the paper got stuck to the clipboard and the pencils wouldn't write, but the lovely activity coordinators gave the children chocolate anyway--probably for thier stoic British-ness in the face of the weather!

Samson and Delilah hoping Mike shares his Galaxy chocolate with them!

This past Saturday was very windy, and Leo tends to get very spirited in the wind, so Alex decided we best go out for a nice hack instead of an arena lesson.  Ever happy with my coffee in hand, we set off and it seems all three of us notice when a photo is being taken.  Neil struggled to get any of us looking natural!

Mike doing 'Scissors'--he has to use his arms to swing his body around the saddle and sit back down.

After 2 long years of Basset hounds, we have finally managed to get out with the  South East Basset Hound Club for one of their monthly walks.  Both Samson and Delilah were a little put off by all the dogs when we pulled up and took them out of the car at Gills Lap, Ashdown Forest (can you say Winnie the Pooh?).  Delilah proceeded to try and get to know every dog intimately thereafter, and Samson remained unbothered by the whole affair. We were hoping to take them off lead and let them run with 'the pack'.  However, when we did take them off, the first time Delilah just ran away and the 2nd time a jogger went by and they just ran off with him!  Both of these events culminated in one of us having to run, so we kept them on the leash thereafter.

Meeting the pack at Gills Lap in Ashdown Forest

Playing!

A pack of children!

Neil and Samson resting

Delilah making friends

A very long incline we had just scaled.

Too much gorgeousness for words!

 On Sunday, we were all set to have a fabulous Father's Day.  It may not seem like a lot, but we bought Neil a Terry's Chocolate Orange to celebrate.  This was because we have been very good with our diets, and we planned to have Father's day be a 'free day'.  It seemed only fitting then, that I get him something he could enjoy on this one day only!  He didn't look so pleased with it though, and later told me that he had bought one for himself the night before in anticipation of 'free day'.  It's good to know I got him EXACTLY what he wanted!  The three of us worked through them both, and they were delicious!

We had a big day ahead of us, as the WIGGLES were in Brighton, and Grandma D'yu D'yu had bought Michael tickets ("D'yu want some Wiggles tickets?" D'yu D'yu asked Michael)

Michael wanted to take his friend Noah to see the Wiggles--plus, 3 of the Wiggles were retiring and this is their last concert in the UK.

Two excited boys

Waiting for the show

Not only that, Greg Wiggle, the 'yellow skivvy' was retired for 5 years and only JUST returned, so Michael really wanted to see him.  Greg retired due to sickness, and unfortunately, he did so the evening before the concert that Mike and I had front row seats for in Charlottesville, Virginia 5 years ago.  Mike was not happy to see 'Sam' take his place, and never really let go of that disappointment.

Greg is BACK!!!!

Boys watch as Greg is introduced

 During the show, the Wiggles walk around and collect gifts for Dorothy the Dinosaur and Wags the Dog.  Michael approached Anthony Wiggle and had a whole conversation with him.  He told him his name, that he had always been a fan, and asked if Anthony remembered falling on stage and me asking if he was alright.  He also shook his hand.  Then Greg walked by, and Mike again raced to approach him.  He told him he was a fan since he was a baby and was glad he was back.  This was the best experience he could have hoped for and he enjoyed his final Wiggle show.

Noah stared intently at the show, and after the first four songs he turned to me and earnestly stated "I would like to meet the Wiggles again".  I smiled and suggested that we take his sisters next time.  He agreed that they would love it.

We left the concert all smiles and walked a few blocks to the American Diner where we had lunch, and ice creams, and watched Tom and Jerry cartoons.

Mint and banana milkshakes, respectively

 Til next time...

31st May 2012

Another few weeks have come and gone, and we have lot of news.

Michael participated in a Film Academy workshop, where he learned how to audition, the importance of your presentation, eye contact, and mannerisms.  For example, don't fold your arms, it makes you look guarded and not easily approachable.  A director will likely pick a child who has an open demeanor, as they seem easier to work with and more likely to take instruction eagerly.

The kids did a skit called the Polar Bear and the Eskimo.

On the way there we saw a news article about the Wiggles, Mike's (obsessively) favorite childhood band, show, and toy line from 6 mo to 6 years old.  The article told us that the Wiggles have announced their retirement, and the handing over of the Big Red Car keys to a new generation of Wiggles.  Michael started crying.  He was heartbroken at the thought of having no more Jeff, Anthony, Greg, and Murray out there performing shows.  After some consoling, and discussion about the importance of these Wiggles (aged 40 to 50's) to slow down and take care of themselves, he became more understanding and willing to embrace the passing down of the Big Red Car.  They are doing their last tour this year, and Grandma (D'you D'you) very kindly bought tickets for Mike to see their final show in Brighton.

At 10 years, all of this hit me unexpectedly.  I thought those days were over for him, but he obviously holds them close to his heart.  Talk about loyal!  While putting him to sleep last night, I noticed that the Lego 'Wiggles' were strewn over the dresser after being attacked by Joker, Bane, and a few other nefarious DC characters.  One can only hope that Batman will come to the rescue soon.

The Wiggles with custom instruments before the attack of the Joker

We had our first very convenient week for me to be off work, as we had the car cleaned and serviced.  One would think that after having it serviced, when you set out on your trip to Birmingham the next day, one would have working Air Conditioning.  One would be wrong.

One would also assume that their hotel room would be air conditioned.  Wrong again.

We did get to see a train on the motorway though...and that doesn't happen very often!

A train on the motorway

Friday evening we went to dinner at TGI Fridays with Jamie and Adi. Jaime works with Neil and it was great to be able to get together and meet them.  We had a great night of laughs.

TGI Fun!

We have not eaten in a restaurant, nor had any food outside of our respective diets, in about a month.  Neil stayed on track through the meal with a rib eye, and had a chocolate cake for desert which he didn't finish.  I had chicken fajitas, and only ate a quarter of it, but finished off with a gorgeous slice of cheesecake.  Speaking of food, as of this write up, Neil has lost an amazing 12 lbs since 5th May on the Dukan Diet!  I am so proud of him, he has really stuck to his guns with this diet.  I haven't stayed with Dukan, but have lost 6 lbs.  The boring details of my diet is in another blog...

The convention was a fun day, and Neil got to pick up a copy of the deluxe edition of Ankh-Morpork, containing wicked resin components.

The resin peices

The Board

Michael chilled out with some Dr Who's and Dolly the Dalek, and we found a new Dr. Who RPG game soon to be released that we have added to Mike's future gift list.

   


We picked up some new 12 sided die to replace the lost set from Killer Bunnies, and got to play a few games we hadn't tried before: Gem Dealer, Botswana, and Cloud 9.

Mike and Neil playing Cloud 9 at UK Games Expo in Birmingham

Of course, there were loads of people dressed in outrageous costumes, and we really like the storm troopers who were providing security this year.

Mike getting the 'Heathrow' treatment

No Humans beyond this point

We drove home Saturday afternoon and were home a bit after 6pm, so we called the Pat and Cush at the kennel and asked to pick up the dogs a day early, which they were fine with.  It was so nice to have the family together again!  Even a day without them seems too long to me.  Our dear pups have picked up a new habit.  When walking, it is perfectly acceptable to stop at any time and take a nap!

Sorry!  We aren't moving!

On Sunday, Michael and I took the convoluted trek to London for a Street dance Academy Video shoot.

Eating the mega ham and egg roll on the train.

After arriving and waiting a bit longer than Mike would have liked, the parents were ushered out of the studio and I took my seat across from another mom, basking in the unusually warm weather, and we chatted about boys and parenting.  When the kids came out for break, it appeared that Mike had struck up a friendship with the son of the mom I was chatting with, which was a nice coincidence, and when the filming was over, she gave us a ride to the station to catch our train home.  Mike said he had a great time doing the shoot, and he would even like to go take the Street dance Academy course himself.

Waiting to start the filming

Coming home from Studio

On Monday I dropped Michael off at school and took a long leisurely walk around the fields with "Frick and Frack" as I often refer to the dogs. Samson has become fast friends with the creek, and has taken to a game in which I throw a stick into the water and the creek carries it downstream.  He follows, and eventually catches the stick.  The water is shallow enough that it doesn't require him to swim.  I don't think he would like that much to be honest!

 When I picked Mike up in the afternoon he excitedly told me that he had won second place in the talent contest and would be performing at the Jubilee celebration on stage next week at school.

Listening to instructions at street dance 

 

Street dance pose

"What was your talent?"  I asked, puzzled.  A myriad of things ran through my mind.  Magic?  Jokes?

"I did the street dance routine I learned yesterday for the video!"  he beamed  "it was really good!"

I was grinning like a monkey no doubt.  I hadn't realized that he had learned a routine on Sunday, so it was doubly a surprise, and I was very happy for him.  Parents can't come to the Jubilee party next week, so I will have to take his word on his debut performance, and sadly, wont have photos.

Yesterday our Olympic tickets arrived. It comes with travelcards too, so our train fare is included! Yay!  We have invited Michael's friend along, and both boys are very excited to be part of the Olympic excitement.

Olympic Tickets!

 Til next time!

3rd May 2011

I flew into Washington Dulles to pick Mike up from his dad's in Virginia.  The flight was Virgin Atlantic, which has proved one of the most reasonable and the most comfortable companies around.  I have perfected seat selection to a fine science, situating myself at the end of a row, so that no person is sitting behind me; on the aisle, so I am free to get up as often as I like; near the restroom, so I never have to queue to get in; and most cleverly, I go see the flight attendant as soon as I enter the plane and request the pasta dish.  They always sell out of the pasta before getting to the end of the row, and because I have now entered a 'special request' I get served first and don't have to wait 45 minutes for the trolley to reach me.  I COULD order the vegetarian dish before flying, but the true vegan dish is reportedly quite vile (according to my friends in the sky (flight attendants).  So, as you can see, I take all of this very seriously.  It is all about managing my environment!!! :-)

My friend, Sue, picked me up from Dulles, and as always it was fantastic to get a chance to spend time with her.  We went back to her house, which was basically completely packed as she is moving, and then we went out shopping.  I bought a few new pairs of jeans, a shirt, and a pink sleeveless jacket for springtime dog walks. Clothing is much more reasonably priced in the US, and for some reason, I find it very hard to find clothing that fits me here.  It seems there is a general lack of smallish waists paired with thunder thighs on this side of the pond, where it is pretty obviously a 'normal' shape in the US.  All of my trousers here gap really wide at the waist.  It looks ridiculous.

Saturday we drove to Charlottesville to pick Mike up.  We met his dad and brother at IHops and had breakfast before driving back up to spend the night at Springhill Suites, where my mother was waiting for us.  It was great to have a chance to spend time with her, as we haven't had much time together in the past few years, and even chatting on the phone has been near impossible while I was working.  We got to stay in the same room that we had stayed in two years ago when we met up, which was rather odd.

The flight home was uneventful, it was pretty empty so I moved to another row and Mike sat alone.  This was for sleeping purposes, but he didn't sleep anyway!  We got home at 10:30, and Neil had already left to catch his flight to India.  How strange it felt to be chatting on the phone--he updating me on his progress getting to Heathrow--and my updating him on our departing!  After 24 hours of being awake Mike finally crashed, and he didn't wake up until noon the next day!  (No school for him!).

We did finally get back into schedule, and we are happily back into normality now.

Neil's trip to India was pleasant.  He was in business class and looked quite comfortable.

Unfortunately, it was truly a business trip, and he didn't have the opportunity to get out and discover what India had to offer.  It was very nice to have him come home, the dogs were especially happy to see him.  Lots of tail wagging and jumping around.  He brought us back some souvenirs, Mike got a Ty Beanie Elephant, and I got a dress and some Russian nesting dolls (I have a strange liking of them).

All is back to normal in our schedule, we have a few boys joining us, and the dogs are enjoying getting out for their twice daily school runs.  We haven't gone on our long walks yet, as it has rained nearly non-stop since we got home.  It is still raining, and seems no end in sight!

Finally, we are removing almost all sugar from our diet.  This comes after watching Sugar: The Bitter Truth on YouTube.

Its about an hour and half long, so don't bother watching if you aren't really interested!  I went looking for sugar information after I realized that if I spent most of the day without added sugar (biscuits, sugar in coffee, etc.) and then ate something with significant sugar, I spent the rest of the day really hungry and craving more and more sweets.  It just seems to me that that can not be normal.

So, now after much reading and thinking about it, I am on day 6 of 'no sugar added' living.  I am not getting cravings, and I have noticed that when I do 'crave' it is because I had high carbs.  We have decided to go to a high protein, low carbohydrate, no (or low) added sugar diet.  There is no intention to NEVER eat chocolate or cake again, BUT this will be something that will be a rare occasion.  Not a daily, or AT LEAST thrice weekly event, as it has been.

I'll update you on our success.  :-)