Merry Christmas

and Happy Holidays from us to you. Everyone be safe and happy, and we'll be back soon!

Interesting

There was a story on the news the other night about this...I remember a story in Utah when we were there and people were all upset and I believe the billboards got pulled (I could be wrong on that).

The interesting thing on the news here is that no one cared...except for a grateful ex-Mo in our neck of the woods who had joined the organization. Well, when I say no one cared, I'm sure some of our local LDS won't be happy about it. But you don't see an organized scream fest. I am so glad to be home.

News from foundinidaho

We've got some news to share, we do!

First - Homeboy made the Pro Bowl! Way to go Jordan!

http://www.idahostatesman.com/104/story/606361.html

Second - Little Bit turned in his last assignment before Christmas Break - a diorama for Idaho History about Native Americans. There were of course several tribes to pick from but he picked my favorite (without me saying a word) the Nez Perce. Yes, he actually did a lot of work on this including mapping out the locations, helping glue and build as well as placing the horses and people. Granted, the people were from the dollar store so they were pretty stereotypical of the old Wild West movies, but hey, they said to only spend $5 on the supplies (Yeah, Right). Tomorrow night we go back to Winter Garden Aglow for his Pack meeting, although I am suffering from an ear and sinus infection (boo!) and it's supposed to snow tomorrow night, if we don't go we'll never hear the end of it. Hopefully my face won't be swollen up tomorrow night like I've been sucker punched.

Big Bit arrives Saturday and we will make a day trip to see my Dad, Pattie and my Grandmother. Little Bit turns 10 Sunday (OMG) so Grandma will be around for a small party. Next year - big party in the New House, which we signed papers on today. Back in debt we go! I promise a big housewarming party in the spring when we can enjoy the back yard.

Hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season, particularly Mr. Thomas Wayne (newborn baby of Cousin N - now I'm down to TWO pregnant cousins) - I hear it snowed up your way dude, glad you got a first white Christmas as your cousin Rory did. Not that you care any more than he did but at least your Mom and Dad can get some cool pictures for the baby book.

We'll try and post some photos from London, we're taking the laptop but I'm not sure how that will all pan out. We bought tickets to Spamalot on Boxing Day yesterday. Can't wait to see the Killer Rabbit yet again.

Happy Holidays!

Thanks Ted Thompson. You Suck.

A Packer Fan's Lament 2008

sung to the tune of "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt

(full credit to Beer Kid @ Packer Palace)

My Pack ain't brilliant

My Pack ain't good

I saw a devil of that I'm sure

He smiled at me from the skybox, he was with another fan

But I won't lose no sleep on that,'Cause Ted T's got a plan

You're pitiful, You're pitiful,You're pitiful, it's true

I saw your face in a crowded place,and I don't know what to do

'Cause we'll never win with you

Yes, he caught my eye as I beer-runned by

He could see from my face that I was murderous

And I don't hope that I'll see him again

But we shared a moment that will last till the end

You're pitiful, You're pitiful,You're pitiful, it's true

I saw your face in a crowded place and I don't know what to do

'Cause we'll never win with you

I Hate Crowds

Okay, so I'm from Idaho. I'm my father's daughter. I hate crowds. I don't mind being in a big city, I can handle being in line at Disneyland, but I hate the crush of people, not being able to walk freely.

Keep in mind those facts as you view the video below. It's a long video, but if you get through about 3 minutes you will see the hideous crush of people on the Thames on New Year's Eve as the fireworks happen. I love fireworks, this will be my 14th wedding anniversary and we'll be in London, the Husband, the Bits and I, so I'm not complaining, per se. I'm not. But I may need to ward off a panic attack.

About Time

May I just repeat what I said in the summer of 1995, in the West One Bank building in Boise, ID after a bunch of us employees gathered to watch the verdict:

"Right there is proof that if my ex-husband had enough money, he could kill me and get away with it."

Karma, OJ, is a beeyatch.

Wow. Just Wow.

The promised pictures from Winter Garden Aglow! I have got to figure out this camera - hell, we've only had it like three years and I have no idea how to take pictures with a manual setting. Only three weeks to London, better get the book out!




The pictures I can take don't do it justice. The lights were pretty and despite the cop out of the Botanical Society to some sort of pressure - NO MULLED WINE! - it was a lovely night and we will be excited to back in the summer and see the new Lewis and Clark area - full of indigineous plants the explorers found when they came to Idaho. We could see enough to be impressed.





Oh, and now to the reason I say...Wow. Just Wow. Today has been a day it has, in the clan of the foundindaho. We bought a house today. They took the offer, which was something of a surprise. We've had our eye on this house since before we moved and it's dropped mucho in price. We offered even less and they took it.


Oh, and TH got his job offer today! He starts January 5, and gets to work from home after training near Seattle for a few weeks. I am feeling blessed, and grateful, and now must go off and have a wonderful glass of Kenwood Jack London Syrah and say "Thanks Be to God". And thanks to all of you, and you know who you are, for putting up with the last three years with me and mine. They haven't been easy, always, but they suddenly have become very much worth it.

After all, fifth generation Idahoans (like the one shown below) must grow up at home. My great-great grandmother didn't cross the Snake in a covered wagon in danger so I could live in Utah, for heaven's sake.



Happy holidays, everyone.

Thanksgiving Roundup

We're getting ready to go to Winter Garden Aglow - the Idaho Botanical Gardens puts all kinds of beautiful lights up on their trees and shrubs and charges boatloads of money for the privilege of freezing your butt off and paying extra for mulled wine and hot chocolate.

I'm only kidding. Well, I wish they would drop the price a bit, but the Garden is beautiful and I am going to TRY and take some pics that turn out and post them. Little Bit is very excited and since we've been going to go since...oh...last WEDNESDAY, it's about time we got it done.

It was prevented by a variety of things.

• The house FINALLY closed on Wednesday (yeah!) - we only lost, oh, more money than I care to even think about. But we're out of it and that's what matters - we really didn't even have to make a house payment for a month where none of us lived in it, at least briefly. But, that meant TH had to have everything out of the house Wednesday. Which he did but you can imagine what a pain it was. Thanks to our realtor, Don, that day and friends Ben & Yvette, neighbors Pam and Kenny before that, we got it out. I mean, TH got it out. I'm a sloth and I am ashamed at how little I really did. TH got home to Idaho about 10 p.m.
• Thursday - Had to unload UHaul trailer and back of my Dad's truck - and be to Buhl, ID (very small town by Twin Falls for those of you not familiar with Idaho geography) by 1 p.m. Ha. I finally called Mom and Dad and said I wouldn't see either one of them. I didn't have my aunt's phone number, so she didn't realize I hadn't been hit by a truck until later - I sent her an e-mail after I got home because I was so disgusted that all we did was unload a truck and a trailer all day and had no turkey, mashed potatoes, etc. I did have some deviled eggs because I'd made them first thing that morning. But really. I did get to see part of the Lions game. Holy Cow.
• Friday - Had a glass of wine after work with friend Dana - my bestest friend in Boise - which we haven't gotten to do in like, forever. By the time I realized how late it was getting we were really too late to go see the lights. By now, Little Bit is getting pretty mad, as you can imagine.
• Saturday - Met with realtor regarding possible new houses, ran to Twin Falls to exchange rigs with Dad (who has radiation for another week or so then hopefully is done) and see my Grandma (she's looking good!) and make it home by 6 to see the lights. Again, got here late enough that even Little Bit said - "Let's go tomorrow, Mom."

Now...we are GOING. Additional rants about the stupid Packers, stupid Jets coaching decisions etc. as well as some pictures to come. Hope you had a good Turkey Day. At least the weather here has been beautiful - we walked the doggie on the Greenbelt today and that was very nice indeed.

Thanks

Okay, so probably it's a typical blog topic either the day before or day of Thanksgiving, but I have much to be thankful for (thanks to a fellow blogger for reminding me of that) - the week has been super-stressful with trying to close on the house sale, waiting to see if TH gets his job, realizing how much money it cost us to move back (OUCH!!) and so on.

Yet, as I drove to work today I just had to smile. There's so many reasons why:

• I don't live in Utah anymore. Thank you, Dear Jesus (I am not being sarcasting there, please note).
• I live in Boise, with everything to offer only minutes away.
• TH, I and the Bits are healthy. The rest of the family's either healthy or taking steps to be so.
• We have our Margarita back (dog, not drink, though we like both).
• We're going to London in December.
• We get to see a vast majority of our family tomorrow.
• The Jets beat the Titans and lead their division.
• The Packers suck and Ted Thompson will be fired.
• Basketball season is coming and I can open a can of whoop ass on the BSU fans all over town (and in Washington).
• A whole lot of political stuff that just makes people crazy, so 'nuff said.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and please remember what you are thankful for.

Further Thoughts

I will note that if BSU and BYU end up playing in the Poinsettia Bowl, I will indeed cheer for BSU. I will, however, not wear blue and orange. Some things are just too much to ask.

At least maybe for that game my cousin Danny will let me in his house. He wouldn't invite me over Saturday.

Who You Lookin' At - You?

This, dear friends, is Alphie. He's a wolf and the mascot of my alma mater. I sincerely hope tomorrow by the end of the Boise State/Nevada game I can parade into the Piper Pub downtown in my "ugly" hoodie (Jim, the professor at BSU and friend of TH calls my hoodie this) and go HA HA HA. Jim, TH (if he makes it back from Utah alive) and others are supposed to congregate to watch the game. Little Bit, Big Bit and I will watch from home in relative safety, being one of the few Nevada fans in this town. I'm noisy when I watch football as my sons can attest, and if I'm losing I don't want to endure the taunts.

Really the only thing I don't like about Boise is their university. They're as obsessed as BYU fans. Major yuckitude.

Probably won't happen, but I can certainly hope so. If I get arrested because it ends up in a bar brawl, please come bail me out.

WOLF. PACK.

Sorry, Steve, The Song Remains The Same

Oh, and the Jets lead their division. Overall a fairly good football weekend.

Now if Nevada can beat BSU....

WE SOLD THE HOUSE

AND IT CLOSES IN 12 DAYS.

Guess TH and I had better really get everything out of there tomorrow. Holy Cow!

Happy Happy Joy Joy, Happy Happy Joy Joy....

Sometimes I Wonder

Story from the Eastern (i.e. Utahn) portion of the homestate. These kids heard this stuff at home. You know they did. And it is ABSOLUTELY unacceptable.


Stop it. Stop it now. This man is our President-Elect.

Weekend Update

Thoughts:

The Packers officially suck. I hope they lose the rest of their games this year so Ted Thompson gets his booty fired. He deserves it. "We don't need Brett Favre...nooooo..."

The Jets are doing pretty damn well. Given the fact that TH's ultimate boss at his soon to be ex-place of employment is now threatening to fire people who screw up (because they're so severely understaffed people are tired and angry and screwing up) is the Rams' biggest fan...it just makes the Jets' a--kicking of them today that much more favorable. You go, Mr. Favre. Even if you are washed up.

Jeff Gordon is a damn fine race car driver and should have finished better than 5th in NASCAR. Maybe next year.

I hate the housing market in Utah and I want someone to buy our house so we can breathe a little. PLEASE? If you know anyone who needs a really cool house in a really conservative neighborhood, give me a yell.

I am glad to be home. Even if I'm broke. I'm glad to be employed at a place that seems calm and serene even in the midst of a crisis. And I'm very, very glad to be in a country that can see past the color of someone's skin, or their gender for that matter, when they vote. Despite differences of opinion, the good old USA rocks. Seriously.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled rants.

'Nuff Said

GET OUT AND VOTE!

That is all. Carry on.

It's My Birthday!

I refuse to say how old I am, but suffice it to say that many years ago today a 4th generation Idahoan was born in "Twin" (that's for Shinshige) and it's quite nice to celebrate my day in Idaho again! Even if I have to work on my birthday for the first time in eons.

Thanks to Dad and Pattie for the gift card, Mom and the Aunt for watching Little Bit while TH was in Utah! Tonight - drinks and snacks at Murphy's with the gang and Big Bit arrives on the "big airplane" where he lives when he's not with us (that's what Little Bit used to think when he was a toddler. He'd see a Southwest jet, point at it and say "Bubba's up there").

Then on to Halloween! Seriously, can things get any better? Oh, yes, TH can get the job some guy at a software company contacted him about this week. It would be simply awesome, and at least it's lovely that someone contacted him when they heard he was coming back because they had a job in mind. A nice compliment.

Have a good day everyone!

BatKid! And More.

BatKid was out in full force this weekend in anticipation of his Boo at the Zoo haul. We didn't get to spend as much time there as we hoped, but we scored a year membership, so we'll be back to see more of the animals.

Many years ago, we began going to Boo at the Zoo, taking Big Bit in his Simba costume (Lion King) etc., and there were people there, but nothing like now. They were limiting tickets to 13,000. I don't think they quite sold out, but it was truly insane. Even worse than the last time we went, which was I think three years ago. At any rate, it was worth it, because BatKid was in his element and we were at a nice zoo, which is adding giraffes and lions! I remember when the most exciting thing there was a porcupine.

BatKid in various poses:


First, battling EvilCat in the privacy of his home (EvilCat as opposed to Catwoman):



Next:

I'm wondering why I can't see my enemy? Where did they go? Oh, my mask is in my eyes:



What else? I took some pictures of the leaves turning from the sixth floor of my employer. Kind of pretty. (Note, I am on the first floor. I am okay with that, I hate heights).

Pretty huh?

Next up - I have a birthday, Big Bit is here for Halloween (he got to go to the Obama rally in Reno Saturday, whether you agree with the man or not, seeing him in person is a historic moment) and then as to the weekend, TH comes home for 10 days Wednesday night and we have a big yummy dinner at Epi's Basque Restaurant in Meridian Saturday night. Celebrating Mom's birthday, mine and just being home.

Miss Cocoa the dog is out of the hospital and doing well so far....Dad has to go to Utah for an appointment Thursday and to see what's next...

Oh, and TH might be working at Bogus Basin ski resort for the winter. He has a 2nd interview Saturday. Getting hired could pay the rent and get him a free ski pass - and then we are all good until April. Fingers crossed, please!

I Went To Junior High With Lori Otter

Not that we were close, or if you asked her she'd know who I was lo these many years later, but I've never been particularly proud of the association until now.

The reason I'm proud is not that she gave money to a Dem, though that's a small part given she is the First Lady of a VERY red state, but I also think it's great that she and her husband obviously have a relationship capable of allowing independent thought. I actually agree with Gov. Otter on a few things. Not many, but a few. Now I can include being proud I "knew" Lori, an independent Idaho woman.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/548482.html#none

The Most Beautiful Sight I've Ever Seen

Since I'm on my old crappy laptop you'd have to click on the pic to blow it up, but there's the "Welcome to Idaho" sign!

First weeks' observations:

Things are weird in Idaho, too. I always knew that, but it's now reassuringly weird instead of control freakingly weird.

There is a melting pot of election signs in my neighborhood. Obama, Ron Paul and McCain. It feels good to be in a mixture instead of a one party ticket (and I would mean that even if it was my party).

Mom's pooch, Cocoa, is not well still and is headed to a specialist here in Boise tomorrow. Prayers for that neurotic, yet sweet Lab that is our Margarita's sister.

Got to see my Grandma today, yay! She is up at my aunt's and it was good to see her, though just briefly today. (P.S., my aunt is the best ever, she's going to watch Little Bit while TH finishes up his job. I owe her big time).

The trees are turning on the Greenbelt. Going up to the Donnalama's office tomorrow to get some pics - she looks towards Julia Davis Park and the Depot. I can't complain though, I turn around and look at the Foothills. But she's got the better view.

Oh and my DSL is finally working, as is the cable. We might actually live here in a few more days. Yay! Yay!

I know the honeymoon won't last forever and I'll have some 'splainin' to do on some subject but for now all is good!

Pics of Little Bit at Boo at the Zoo coming Sunday. It's fun and we haven't been in eons. Yay again!

Another Meme

Because Shinshige tagged me, here we go (sorry I'm late).

1. If your lover betrayed you, what would your reaction be?

I think I know what it would be...and then again, I've not had it happen. So I must demur.

2. If you have a dream you’d like to come true, what is it?

Just has, I'm home. Even if I do have a house payment and a rent payment. TH, Little Bit and I are back in the land of our birth and the place we LIKE to call home (I like to think they're connected but who knows?) and this is huge for us. Big Bit likes it as well and that makes us all happy.

3. Whose butt would you like to kick? The EHFH and Russell (if you see a 21 dealer at the 93 and his name is Russell, don't tip him. Honest).

Oh, and a certain CEO of the old Mother Ship with the initials SRA. All three of you don't read this blog but if you did you'd know who you were. You deserve it. (I wish I was more of a pacifist).


4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

Heavens. You think it's so much and yet...I'd give bunches of money to various charities. I'd buy a semi-small cattle ranch for my Dad and Pattie to run and my grandmother to live on in a palatial house. I'd buld my Mom a really cool house in Jackpot on the golf course and buy her pooch a new liver (Cocoa's having issues, as 10 year old labs do). I'd send Big Bit wherever he wanted for college and convince Little Bit that college is great through its monetary rewards if nothing else.

And TH and I would have a snug condo in Lake Tahoe on a golf course.

5. Will your best friend always be your best friend?

I hope my best friends will always be thus.

6. Have you ever loved two people at once?

Not really, looking back. The beauty of maturing is that you can see when you've been a damned idiot. I have, but I'm glad to say that I don't seem to be much of one anymore.


7. How long would you wait for someone you really loved? As long as it took.

8. If you won the lottery, would you quit your job? The paying one, yes, lots of things to do on a volunteer basis
.
9. Who is on your celebrity top 5…you know, the ones…that if you ever had an opportunity…

1) Hugh Grant
2) Brett Favre
3) Robert Downey, Jr.
4) Robert Redford (about 30 years ago)
5) Rick Springfield (any age)

10. What sucks the life out of you? The Ex Husband From Hell. People Who Think Barack Obama's the Anti-Christ (as opposed to disagreeing with him politically, which I agree is very much your right to do).

11. How would you see yourself in ten years time? With a couple of happy, fulfilled children and sitting on the greenbelt in Boise taking a deep breath.

12. What’s your greatest fear/phobia? Fear of failure. Or maybe of drowning. Maybe they are the same thing.

13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is? I have not met Shinshige, but I would love to sometime. He obviously is kind and a good person.

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married but poor? I've been both and it depends on the situation. Currently I'm thrilled to be married and poor.

15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? I say yay, I'm HOME!

16. Would you give all in a relationship? Yes, probably to my detriment.

17. Is your career vitally important to you? Nope, but somehow it keeps paying the bills. I do enjoy the sense of satisfaction of a job well done very much.

18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing someone has done? Some things are unforgivable. Thankfully, not many.

19. Do you prefer being single or having a relationship? I like being married to TH. Someone else - maybe not so much. I am grateful for the wonderful husband I have.

Some True Mavericks

I'm just sayin'....

I love these guys. I bought the CD this song is on many moons ago during a difficult time. It means a lot to this day.

Happy Friday! Flying to Utah tomorrow to retrieve my life (and, most importantly, The Husband). The Bits are at a) Big Bit's Dad's and b) Grandma's house in order of age. They are most important too and will be retrieved as well, in their various respects, and quite soon.

Dear GenreBusters

Are you ever going to give Cousin Steve his forum back?

What gives?

Sincerely (and offended on a cousinly basis),

foundinidaho


p.s.

I feel really ovewhelmed by work. But being here seriously rocks.

I know, the happy posts need to stop. I will become muy boring.

Sunday Update

Just a quick update to say it's Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting at Bardenay on the Basque Block having lunch and watching football.

And I couldn't be happier.

We drove up yesterday and managed to get stranded on Interstate 80 in the Pequops because of a freak snowstorm that took (apparently) the Nevada Department of Transportation and truckers alike by surprise. Three lanes of traffic at a total standstill while trucks chained up whereever the spirit moved them to stop...sigh. It took for flipping ever to get through there.

We managed to stop and see Dad and Pattie after we dropped off Little Bit at Grandma's. He's having a feeding tube put in his stomach this week to help him get enough food in to gain lots of weight. He may also have to have some chemo, rather unexpected, but more precautionary than necessary. He looks so much better, though he doesn't seem to believe that. He's even getting some hair on his head.

Then we had to get to Boise to pick up the keys to our new pad from friend Allen. (Bless you, Allen for picking them up). The pad is small, but is clean and other than a few random irritating things about rentals (the deadbolt on the front locks with a key from the INSIDE as well as outside...the garage door won't open), and the fact there's a Ron Paul supporter about two houses down (just kidding) I think it will be fine. The Bits are going to be devastated about the size of their bedrooms, but what can you do?

The Husband's flying back to fair SLC tonight and I will go down next Saturday to help pack and move (hopefully) most of our stuff. Anyone want to help?

Yeah...that's what I thought. Happy Sunday and good luck to your teams (except for the Bears, of course).

My Own Private Idaho

Amazing...it's really happening.

And in celebration, I give you the B-52s. This was the first time I heard my home state immortalized in song (I guess the state song "Here We Have Idaho" escaped me until later)...I was SO impressed that cool people with funky hairdos even knew the name of where I lived. (Sorry, for those of you with a Lego fetish, this video contains real live people. But Lego videos rock too.)

I'm really glad it isn't my own Private Idaho (Shiggy's in Idaho now, and we're glad to have him!) - all of you are invited to partake for at least a visit to my fair homeland, because if you read this, you are someone I'm more than happy to share space with.

After two years that in many ways have felt like a wilderness (often, I admit, of my own making) I am happy and humbled to get to go home, and after twenty some years (no snickers about my age!) I'm still a Wildcat from Filer High dancing in a miniskirt to this very tune, somewhere in my mind.

Home...ahhhhhh....

Vegas Baby!

So...because I've officially checked out (mentally) at work - with all apologies to my boss (the anti-Sybil) I wish I could focus more, but I can't.

Since I am really not worth much the rest of this week work-wise, Little Bit and I are off to Las Vegas for two days to join TH at his conference/seminar that he gets to attend, though our illustrious employer can't afford to let him work out of Boise permanently. I know, the logic boggles the mind.

He's staying at The Luxor which has a great swimming pool with a bar(!) and the Inclinators (elevators that go up the corners of the pyramid shaped hotel). The weather will be in the 80's and the people watching will be fun. TH won't get to spend a lot of time with us but Little Bit and I will keep each other plenty entertained. Perhaps we'll drive race cars at the NASCAR Cafe.

Plus, JetBlue had tickets for $60 round trip! Little Bit and I have our bags packed and we're ready to go roll with the Rat Pack. I'm sure it's the last time we'll get to go to Vegas for a long time, so I'm pretty excited.

And...it's not Utah. Hee hee.

It's Been A Long Season

Well, here we go again, football fans. Is there anyone that's not playing hurt or out that I like?

Homeboy, aka Jordan Gross of the Carolina Panthers, will not start this weekend. He has started every game since coming to Carolina in 2003. I did not realize he was knocked out last week against the Falcons...I would have been concerned.

Why the interest in this guy, you ask? Well, if you look him up, you will see he is from a little burgh in Idaho called Fruitland. As is The Husband. We do not know Jordan, but TH did go to school with his older brothers and sisters and lived down the street from the family. He probably saw Jordan as a toddler now and then. (Yes, they have a big family).

Though not a huge Panthers fan, or a University of Utah fan (where he went to college), we are big Jordan Gross fans. I hope he's okay. Here's a shout out to Homeboy - get better man!

Progress...or Lack Thereof

So it is now Thursday. I have accomplished almost nothing I wanted to this week.

• Little Bit's room is still a disaster waiting to be packed
• There are still no boxes of books neatly packed
• The back yard is not yet mowed and we have guests coming over Saturday (yes, Yvette, it will be mowed by then and we're glad you're coming)

The only things I've managed to do are shred a big bag of stuff (I've needed to do that for oh...a year), and run the dishwasher about five times (Little Bit and I home all week = too many dirty dishes), oh and one really productive thing, we got our lease signed and the phone and DSL set up to move. I guess that's something.

I've been pretty much looking around, hyperventilating and waiting to hear if The Husband would be able to continue working for our current employer, cocooned in a cubicle at the Mother Ship, and the answer came back last night. NO. Surprised? Not really. Disappointed? Yes, because it looks like his job, and others who are not moving away, will be sacrificed so we don't have to lay off people in a foreign country. Even though, in this case, that is what makes the most sense.

I love American corporations. No, I don't, I hate most of them.

This sounds like whining, and it probably is, but at the moment, I'm feeling stressed, not grateful. Think I will go read my Martin Luther bible study and get some enlightenment on how ungrateful I am. Honestly, it really will help.

Then I have to drink before the VP debate tonight. That's all I'm going to say on that subject.

Weekend Sports Update

Let's see...where to start.

Maybe...HERE.

At the risk of repeating myself..."we don't need no stinking Brett Favre"....

That's 6, baby. Touchdowns. In ONE game. Like Broadway Joe. Lovin' the New Yawk Bretts.

Then, there's this. Here's the QB of the future (oops, I injured my shoulder. Not my hammy, even while going to the fridge for a PBR, as lostinutah predicted, but who's counting)...

I do like Aaron Rodgers. The Packers, however, have screwed the pooch this year and are in over their heads. Thanks, Ted Thompson, you rock.

Lastly, there's this little gem of an inter-Nevada university trophy called the Fremont Cannon. Said cannon is owned by whichever of the universities in Nevada have won last year's game. In case you're counting, there's basically two universities, the northernmost of which is my alma mater. I'm not always passionate about them as my school years there were so-so, but I'm proud of two things. Owning UNLV's booty in football and getting to the sweet 16 in basketball (yeah, whoo).

Most of the time I've been connected to University of Nevada, Reno, the cannnon has resided with MY school. I've never been to a game at UNLV with UNR but I wish I'd been there last night. By the time it was over...pretty much everyone left in the whole place was wearing Silver and Blue. And shrieking. And that, my friends, was great fun to watch. Because, as a good Nevada alumnus, I hate the Rebels. (It's like Idaho vs. Boise State. Trust me.)

Oh, and Jeff got 4th in the NASCAR race (damn The Husband and his Jimmie Johnson who keeps winning) and the Jaguars won too. All in all, a good weekend sports-wise.

Now, on to packing for the move...someone want to come and help? Never mind, I know the answer to that question. (Psst...I'll buy you a beer if you help).

Oh, and I thought Barack held his own. Well, maybe a bit better than that. :)

12 days until the Jazz kick off their season.

Better News

Better news on a couple of fronts....

Dad went to the doctor and they said that as long as Dad smokes "minimally" that it is okay...for now...they will give him something to help when he's a little stronger and can focus on doing some things (working or puttering around) and won't have so much time on his hands (causing stress, causing him to want to smoke). So I won't yell at him. And I'm sorry I was so mad (mostly because he scared me to death). But I will yell at him if he doesn't quit when the time is right!!

We also found a place to rent today. Friend Renee went and vetted it for us during her lunch hour (Renee is AWESOME!)so I faxed the paperwork to the property management firm this afternoon. It's a fairly small duplex on the Boise Bench, but the rent was the right price (since we will still have a house payment, it's got to be low) and it has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a garage.














Baby steps...after next Friday I'll really feel like this is happening.

Have a good weekend!

MY DAD IS SMOKING AGAIN

Feel free, those who know him, to call him and scream your lungs out. I haven't yet...but I'm about to.

He's got a scar around his skull and a feeding tube in his nose. And guess how they got there.

Unfrickingbelievable.

Say a prayer he figures out that he's GOT to deal with this. The next time this reoccurs, he has few, if any options and they're all a lot worse than what he's going through this time.

I Hate The Cowgirls

But...noooooo....the Packers don't need Brett Favre....they have the QB of the future....right...

The Packers offically sucked tonight. Brett may be gone, but Aaron & Co. need to step up.

The defense looked great. But you get damn tired when you're on the field 80% of the time.

Where is Jessica Simpson with her pink jersey when you need her?

Go Pack.

Medical Center

There used to be this show starring Chad Everett (anyone remember Chad Everett?) called Medical Center. I feel like we're starring in it the last week. Except for Dad's doctors aren't anywhere near as cute as Chad.

However, here's the update....

Dad should be getting out tomorrow - he's pretty much been given a green light, they just have to arrange all his follow up stuff and make sure he's swallowing well, but he looked great tonight, is talking well and has his trach tube as well as all other tubes pretty much out.

Yeah!!! What a long week - and I have to say, Pattie is a SAINT.

Now, to focus energies on the move. Part of me is still having a hard time believing it's happening, and dreading something will happen to prevent it all. I need to start focusing on the positives.

What To Do About My Blog Name?

Hm...it looks like I shall have to use a new nom de plume. Or, should I? Can I be "lostinutah" when really "happy in Idaho"?

Thoughts? Nominations for a new name?

I used to have license plates when I lived in Reno that said "SPUDPKR" for obvious reasons (see, T2ed, I do laugh at the jokes) - maybe that would work?

I welcome suggestions - please be nice though! :)

P.S. Going to see Dad tonight, hoping he will be out of the hospital tomorrow. Keep you posted.

It's a Tagamet Day

Back in the day in Nevada, I had a nervous stomach (thanks, Grandma and probably a certain Uncle who has had stomach issues). It would pop up whenever my stress was OVER and the happy thoughts began. Nice stomach cramps...since my stress was gone and couldn't keep them from starting. As directed by a doctor many years ago, I take this wonderful drug, Tagamet, which is now available over the counter. I needed it yesterday. And today.

See, here's the things that caused it, in order:

• Dad's doing great and should be out of the hospital Tuesday. He looks great now and is talking well and is up and around.
• I've got a job that I think I will really like in the town I most like in the world
• We have a plan of attack for how to approach moving and where to live.
• We found a house in the interwebs that's in the perfect neighborhood, good price and great garden/backyard area - if only they will take a contingent sale.
• My pastor and friends at church looked way mournful when I said we were moving. It must be really crappy to have people be sad you will be going away.

This, obviously, must be enough to cause stomach cramps. Reesh.

If you haven't already figured out I'm neurotic, you have now. And no, it's not just the maternal genetics that cause this, because the paternal genetics have big control freak genes. And you all that share these genes know it, whether you admit it or not.

Have a good week.

FOUND IN IDAHO

I. GOT. THE. JOB.

WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

Mini-Updates

• Saw Dad last night - he looks much better than he did Wednesday. He can talk a little, had some lung issues that were unexpected but nothing that wasn't handled easily and he's already sitting up on the side of the bed. Hopefully walking a bit today and every reason to believe he'll be out of the hospital Monday or Tuesday. Big Bit's coming in tonight so it will be good for him to see his Grandpa. I don't think I'm going to let Little Bit in, the tubes etc. would scare him to death. He's already lost one grandparent, I don't want him to worry he might lose another.

• On another note - I have been told to expect a job offer either late this week (I guess that's today, eh?) or early next week. I'm hoping for the late this week - I'd like this to be over and know what we're going to do. Odds are, of course, that I will accept and that we will be preparing to move, but it all comes down to the Benjamins. Let's hope the Benjamins are ready to party with me.

Have a great weekend everyone! Oh, and happy public late birthday to Cousin Steve. I'm a shameful cousin, but it's not because I don't care. :)

A Time To Remember Heroes

I remember 9/11 - as we all do, I suspect, like yesterday. I was one of the horrified mob at the Mother Ship overloading the Internet as we searched in panic for information...worried about people we knew who might be in the building (an ex-assistant of mine was now a broker for Morgan Stanley but thankfully worked elsewhere) or worried about family who were not in the safe confines of Idaho. Big Bit was on the way to Disneyland with his Dad and when they announced it had been shut down I officially went on Mommy freak. Of course, it was fine and he was actually on his way to Palm Springs with his Dad, but I didn't know that until late that night.

Prayers to America and those who still suffer a loss greater than our collective one as a nation.

Live Blog: Notes from the Hospital

Thought I'd blog from time to time in between working to keep me busy while Dad's in surgery.

11:05 - got here about 10:20, Dad was in surgery at 9 so I came up after getting Little Bit off to school. So far the OR has been in touch twice and everything is going well - haven't had an update in over an hour though so we're hoping they pop out soon. It's raining here today - finally in the last week we've had rain after over I'd say 3 months of none. The Huntsman Cancer Center, where he's being treated, is really a world class facility and is up on the hills in SLC. The view from here is quite pretty.

I am down to being one of the two finalists for The Job - hoping, hoping, hoping I will hear something today. Yes, I'd like to get it so we could go home, but I did find out yesterday that a person I have a great deal of respect for has been selected to replace Sibyl, so things are looking up here at any rate.

More later when we get an update.

2:15

Well, after freaking out because we hadn't heard anything forever, we finally got a call from the OR at 12:30. Everything was going quite well (I guess they lost track of time since the time between calls was WAY more than an hour) and they were plugging on. So, Pattie and I went to lunch a little later. Just got back and no calls while at lunch, so I guess they forgot again. He should be done in the next hour or so. Man there's a lot to this surgery, even if it ended up being much less invasive than they originally thought. I hope he bounces back fast.


3:05

Still nothing - should be getting done but man, these chairs are not comfortable. I have gotten some work done today but my booty is starting to get tired of sitting and the laptop does not follow me around magically floating in the air. Where are the doctors and what have they done with my father?

5:05

Home now - they called from the ER shortly after 4 and said they were closing, it would be a couple more hours at most (well, could be a little more). Little Bit has a baseball game tonight, so came home to get him ready for that and then I'll probably head back in. The nurse said he was coming through with flying colors.
Thank goodness, Little Bit actually DID ALL HIS WORK IN CLASS TODAY. No homework. Feels like a Friday from that standpoint!

I'll let you know how it went when I actually see Dad. Thanks for the well wishes and prayers.

Miscellaneous Updates

Let's see. Much to update, and I wish not to ramble.

JETS WON! PACKERS WON! (TAKE THAT VIKINGS!) Jaguars lost...sigh.

Greater Tuna (Tom & Joe for 2 hours) = FUNNY.

1) Little Bit got his Bear badge in Scouts. He is gearing up for Webelos. I found it very interesting for his Scoutmaster to note that he is the Bear with the most arrow points and got his badge first - and - let's get this straight - he's not LDS, his parents aren't doing it for him (and yes, the LDS Scoutmaster who works for me says this is typically how people get their Eagle Scout at age 13 so it happens) and who goes to the den meetings with him? We do. Come on people, get involved with your kids.

Here he's putting a pin on me. Since I am "Akela", his helper - every time he gets a badge, I get a cool pin. TH helps too, of course, but this is interestingly something he and I bond over (I always wanted to be a Cub Scout, and TH was and hated it). We're very proud of him!

2) A couple of interesting things happened last week. I had my interview, which I THINK went well (but who really knows) - I should know what's up this week and Sybil managed to e-mail herself into a corner. Please, people, when you hit reply all, think about what you're sending and who you're sending it too. Without going into gory detail or "dooceing" myself , my ER person tells me I'm in "the catbird seat". Karma, indeed, can be a bitch. At least I'll be left alone until Sybil departs....fittingly...on HALLOWEEN. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP.


3) Little Bit's playing baseball and really, overall, doing well. It's a laid back program stressing skill building, not competition. However, because his Mom can't read a simple schedule, we missed his game tonight. Argh.


Boys will be boys - please note Little Bit manhandling the kid (last on the right) next to him for this picture. I love the pic for the looks on their faces.



He got to pitch - he really didn't do bad, considering he's never done it before!



4) Dad is having his surgery Wednesday and feeling pretty uppity and ready. Thank God. Please shout out your prayers and well wishes. He would like to feel ready to go fishing with Little Bit during track break in a few weeks. Saw Grandma Sunday - she's looking pretty good too all things considered and I'm hoping after Dad's surgery our family medical drama is done for eons! I'll keep you posted on how he's doing.


5) "Gertrude" had her baby today! Madison was a little over 6 lbs and is apparently pretty and healthy - haven't seen any pics yet. Welcome to the world, Madison! This is going to sound weird, but I hope you look like your grandpa, who is long since gone from this world. He was a very handsome man, and none of his kids or grandkids have really looked like him or had that really quirky, quick and smart sense of humor to the nth degree. That Porteguese look and temper has got to show itself somewhere - I miss him to this day.



Keep those fingers, toes and eyes crossed for the job - I ALMOST smell Idaho, and if not that, at least a boss is on the horizon I will really enjoy working for and with.



Lastly this cat is cute...yet really evil.

Random Thoughts

I am flying to Idaho tomorrow night for a early Friday interview. Keep fingers, toes and eyes crossed and prayers at the ready, please.

My dad's in the hospital here so they can get some things worked out and hopefully be on for surgery Friday. Saw him tonight, he's in pretty good spirits, so all of the above thoughts for him too, please.

In the interests of respecting various members of my family's political viewpoints I will not say anything much about "the" speech tonight. I will note, however, that the fact I am now speechless says a great deal, indeed, if you know me at all you probably just fainted.

Have a good weekend everyone - going to the Final Weekend at Willie's, which I will enjoy thoroughly once I'm at lunch with my friends on Friday and the stress of the interview is behind me.

Fingers Crossed

We really had a good weekend. Got some landscaping and other house related items well started, house cleaned and somewhat organized, I even made it into the pit that is also known as Little Bit's room.

Went for a bbq tonight at Mr. and Mrs. S' house - met some cool people, it was fun. Little Bit didn't want to leave the Wii. Thanks again you guys!

In other news...

I am up for a job at a major employer in the home state (not the Mother Ship)...I think I'll have an interview Friday if all goes well. I'll know more Wednesday.

Please keep your fingers, toes and eyes crossed (that's for Bucky Katt) and prayers abounding, should you offer those up to your higher authority, that whatever's best will happen for us. Obviously I hope that means going home...but not in the wrong way.

I Wish My Ex Was As Cool As Pink's

Carey Hart is in this video with Pink. I love Pink. And I like Carey Hart...even more, now.

Why can't the EHFH be like this guy? Oh, because his heart is black & cold. Never mind.

Oh, and as of today I would have had suffered through 23 years of hell if I'd stayed with him. Thank goodness for genetics (which made me emotionally intelligent) that pointed out to me that almost 9 was plenty. I guess you could say this is my happy un-anniversary!

(Cousin D, I'm still glad you were my flower girl!)

Watch and enjoy.

Idaho News - and - A Wedding

First, before the meat of this post, I must say (and please note that 90% of my paternal family that's attended college went to the University of Idaho and that was my unfulfilled desire, so I'M JOKING ABOUT MOST OF THIS) - the fact that a Vice Presidential candidate for this year's election graduated from the University of Idaho is INTERESTING.

Although she attended said school at the same time as TH, it does not mean they dated (future Idaho Statesman inquirers, please note). I've already fended off that question and a request for the VIP tour of the White House from friend Steve the attorney today. (He was kidding, and he offered up gratitude that McCain picked a woman, although one as a gratuitous grab at Hillary votes. I agree. Then again, we're for Obama so if you don't agree with us, you will discount anything we say as totally biased anyway).

Considering the sorry state of the Vandal football team, and if that lends any meaning to this election (i.e. they lose a lot) I fear that any opportunity for a VIP tour would be out anyhoo. I also think that as it seems also that no one the Statesman could find so far that was at U of I at the same time as Ms. Palin remembers her is kind of weird. Heck, even Larry Craig gets remembered...oh, never mind.

I will note that back in the day there was a proper football team for the Vandals and they had an awesome QB named John Friesz, who could have been Brett Favre, except he played for a sucky team once he got to the pros and it turned out in that situation he was fragile. So maybe she's a winner because she's from that era. Obviously, I hope not.

Off the diversion to the real important stuff - The Wedding.

I'd said I would post about the wedding I went to during our last Weekend at Willie's. My cousin on my mom's side, "Gertrude", (my dad's pet name for her as a girl) has 23 year old twins (as of mid-August), and one of them, Z, was getting married at the Rose Garden in Julia Davis Park and while it meant we didn't leave for Utah until late Sunday afternoon, I really wanted to stick around for the nuptials.

Two reasons:

It meant we could stay "home" longer, got to sleep in (and we did), run a few more hurried errands, have lunch (I will not say where we went, because it's a chain, not even one that's local to Boise, but it's good and I was HUNGRY) and then get to go to the park for the wedding.

The other reason? Getrude and her (slightly) younger sister are the closest things I have to older sisters, even though we don't see each other as often as I'd like or stay as plugged in as I'd like. I lived 5 minutes from my cousin for years in Idaho, and we just didn't always keep in touch. Stupid.

The Rose Garden is where I would have gotten married to TH, except it ended up we got married on New Year's Eve, thusly that venue was a little cold and we ended up in Lake Tahoe. Maybe we can renew our vows or something later, at this place.

It is so pretty this time of year:






I don't have really any pics of the ceremony, because we ran over from parking on 8th Street and forgot the camera. However, we brought the car and the camera to the reception, also in the park.

Some pictures...first, of the groom and his groomsmen including his twin. Here's why they make me feel old. The week they were born, their aunt (who I shall dub "The Godmother or TG", since she is Big Big's godmother was getting married for the first time (of two), as was I. Gertrude made it to her sister's wedding, but not mine. Understandable, but as this wedding occurred 23 years almost to the week of her son's...I feel OLD. TG was in denial, I had to point out to her that those kids were the reason that her sister almost didn't make it to her wedding. She looked kind of shocked, then started to laugh. It sucks to get old, right Godmother?

The groom is kneeling. His twin is to the left with the green bottle in his hand. Beer, I ask you? Perhaps. Duh....

A few more snaps. Here's Gertrude. To end the mystery for my other pregnant cousins (at least two of whom lurk here from time to time), this is the fourth pregnant one. She's way ahead of you all though, she's due in about two weeks from now.

Without divulging her age, I'll just say she's a hair older than me. She and her SO are thrilled and she will be a great mom, since she already is. I'm in awe. I just couldn't deal with sleep deprivation anymore, so I'm looking forward to grandchildren in 15 years or so.

She looks great though! Here she is dancing with the groom.

What else...oh, yes, one of my many uncles was up from Arizona and he and my mom had a lot of fun. Love you Mom and Uncle Larry!



Don't get pictures of Grandma and the Bits very often, I realize this isn't the best picture in some ways, but it does illustrate why I kept calling Big Bit "P Diddy" all day...



Here's The Godmother and her husband. He rocks and she is cool. Man, I feel like a commercial for Bud Light around here! Count the cans in this post!


Another pic of "Diddy":

Last, and definitely not least, this day was about Z & K, the happy couple. Congratulations, and Z, I forgive you for your mom not making it to my first wedding. As things turned out, I wish I hadn't made it to the event either(!) in most respects (other than Big Bit). You guys, however, have a good relationship, good prospects and my prayers go out to you for a long and happy marriage.

They are cute, aren't they?

Happy Labor Day,

lostinutah

Just Because The World Needs a Good Old Song

TH and I got to see "Spamalot" last year here in SLC. It was great, but I sure wish I could have seen Tim Curry in it - LOVE HIM! At any rate, since I've not had time to do the Idaho wedding post (yet), since Sybil's running amok in her last few weeks trying to fire people, screw people out of raises, etc. etc. - since Big Bit's stuck in Hell2, I mean Reno, since our Mom Company (or is it Dad, I can never decide, our company, as with all of us, has two parents and as with many of us they're fighting) is trying to ruin our lives as always due to his/her own bad brand of decisions they can take out on us; etc. etc.

Because of all this I've posted this happy thought, as I do need to remember to always look on the bright side of life. Cheers!

Yeah!!!

Must thank Bonnie, who works in my department, because she, bless her heart, went to Bristol, Tennesee this weekend, specifically to support my favorite driver in NASCAR (hers too, she was afraid to admit it to me until I disclosed my preference) - he may be unpopular with some fans because he is a winner, but this season has been rough for him, and I was glad to see him do well. I think it's because he had a loyal fan in the audience, and the backing of another - I "ordered" her to make him do well!

He is pretty darned cute, one must admit.

Go Jeff! Go DuPont Chevrolet #24!

Who's Got the #28 Album In The Nation?

That guy whose body (not butt) I touched this spring.

Just sayin'. 59 is the new 40.

Just When I Think I've Got It Together

Then the last 10 days happen. (Actually I never think I have things together, but sometimes I do like to dream).

Let's see...in order of things happening (though not of importance) we had our Weekend at Willie's and the official Golden Mallet Tournament.

Before all that started though, we found out the horse races were going at Les Bois Park. Yes!!! We've actually gotten to go twice in a year. We got to go for an hour between getting up and having lunch; then attending the Golden Mallet Tournament. So, when I said it was busy, it was. This was our one hour of taking a deep breath.

Love Les Bois. It is pretty in its own Idaho way. And we saw Rod Stewart. Sort Of. Big Bit played paparazzi and stalked him.

"Rod" is apparently a limo driver in Boise who dresses up for his clients (I found out from my cousin Dan the next day). I guess he's been around for years but we'd never laid eyes on him. Now, we have. And who says you can't see interesting things in Idaho?

Pics of the track and environs - I sure miss this place. All of it.

We even picked one winner before we had to go. I think we cleared exactly nothing if you add in the cost of beer. Maybe less, since we picked the winner to show so I think we made a whopping $4 on a $2 bet. We won a few others but nothing of distinction.

Did I mention it's pretty? I think I did, but bear with me, here's some proof.

Then...it was on to THE TOURNAMENT.

Our friend Steve (well, TH's friend Steve, since he was the ERISA attorney for our department at the old Mother Ship he probably wishes he'd never met me other than because of that he got to meet TH) hosts a croquet tournament annually. The first time he invited us was I think four years ago. Steve has an expensive croquet set he bought from a Wall Street Journal ad back when the Mother Ship actually paid profit sharing because there were profits. He's gotten a lot of fun out of it over the years. I note that it's expensive, because if you look at the pictures, you will see it is NOTHING like any croquet set you or I grew up with.

TH won the first year we went. Then, incredibly, he won the next two years as well. The prize? The total discomfiture of attorneys, college professors and human resource professionals everywhere who really shouldn't be this competitive; and a beautiful gold spray painted croquet mallet (the kind we all have that paid $15 bucks for our sets at Target) with the names engraved. Steve REALLY wanted that mallet out of Utah and we'd heard there was a plot afoot to reclaim it at any costs. There wasn't, and TH almost won AGAIN, but a last minute ploy by Jim the professor killed TH's ball and it was all over. It was almost more fun this year not winning because last year when TH won I thought some people were going to lose their tempers, so now they're all happy.

Here's (from left) Steve, Jim and TH plotting their strategies:

I got to see my friend the Donna-lama (kind of like the Dalai Lama, she is very peaceful and calm). It was good to see her and we will have our final Weekend at Willie's with her in September. Yay!

TH and friend Shawn got to visit some. Shawn is interesting - he lived in Nevada in the same town as my ex in-laws at the same time I lived in Nevada and knew many of the same people I did. But we didn't meet until he interviewed for a job in my department at the old Mother Ship. It is a small world, but I wish I would have met Shawn in Nevada. It would have made it more bearable. He's born and bred Utahn (he is a Utah man, if you know the Ute's fight song) and he won't live here, either.

Shakespeare for that weekend was MacBeth and I really was disappointed in it, though the Green Show was probably one of the best ever. I can't wait to see Tom and Joe in "Greater Tuna" which is the last play of the season. Right now, I really need a dose of Joe and Tom, the Fool Squad, available for parties (www.foolsquad.com). I think the problem was it reminded me of MacBeth when we saw it in Ashland with Cousin Steve with its Asian theme (fun weekend with him, but didn't like the presentation of the play) and we'd just seen it I think two/three years ago at the Festival in a different setting. Plus Mr. Dan P. wasn't there. It made for a cloud.

But here's Tom and Joe being Tom and Joe! (Oh, Big Bit is REALLY talking College of Idaho, he even said it to Grandma. Must make plans to be home in 2 years, but I think it will be sooner given what's going on at work).



Wanted to get this out there - the Sunday, 2nd half of the weekend involving a wedding that made me feel really old and ANOTHER pregnant cousin (I currently have four and counting) - that post is yet to come.

Cheers.

Only In Utah

Both of the following things occurred naturally in Utah.

More update later, but things actually went well with Dad's investigative surgery (not at all invasive) and he'll be back in a couple of weeks to get things taken care of. If you saw my irritated, no, make that very angry rant I posted Friday, I took it down later that night because he came to his senses and did what the doctors told him to do...men...especially of that variety (i.e. irrational) drive me crazy. Big Bit is right, Grandpa and Little Bit are exactly alike. Which is scary.

Now, on to the fun photo fact Big Bit took last night at the grocery store. Only in Utah would this sign be posed next to a stack of Corona. 'Cause that way you couldn't tell your Stake President that you had NO IDEA THERE WAS ALCOHOL IN IT.

Dear God, let my people go.

Fond Memory and a Good Song

This has not been the best week ever - Sybil is going down in full roar so work has been a blast - and Big Bit has decided that protecting his Mom from the EHFH is very important...and he's afraid of standing his ground and handling conflict. So back to Nevada he goes. A backbone is the one thing I've apparently deprived him of whether through living conditions or genetics (I doubt the latter) - but it is what it is and he does seem to be genuinely reveling in the real family life we have as he always has. I figured out a long time ago being afraid of the EHFH is the biggest mistake you can make. I hope he does too.

As if to counteract these lovely thoughts, at least minimally, I happened across this video. I did not have an idea it existed, but as you see the "cameraman" pan through, the middle two of the six heads you see are The Husband and myself. Shot at the Nugget in Sparks, Nevada in April. So I'm on YouTube, thankfully it's anonymous but I about died when I saw the back of my head. Funny how life is.

I also added lyrics from one of my favorite Gin Blossoms songs below, the music makes the song, it's hauntingly beautiful - it's how I feel this week. Thank God we're going to Boise for Weekend at Willie's - hope to see family along the way that aren't involved in the two weddings we have to attend....




Not Only Numb - from Congratulations I'm Sorry

Looking all around the room I see the clutter in the gloom
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
Changing shades within the evening
In a day then I’ll be leaving
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
When the air at home is thin
Getting out then looking in
Yeah she knows, she knows, she knows
It ain’t awful hard to tell
What it’s like, my little hell
Yeah she knows, she knows, she knows
I’m now familiar with the tone I hear in bed when I’m alone
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
In the shade below the eaves
Think I could chain smoke anything
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
When the air at home is thin
Getting out, then looking in
Yeah she knows, she knows, she knows
It ain’t awful hard to tell
What it’s like, my little hell
Yeah she knows, she knows, she knows
She knows, she knows, she knows
She sees all the cars around the parking lots of bars we’ve played and stayed
Started laughing, looking down upon the bed that we’ve made
We’ve made, we’ve made, we’ve made
She sees all the cars around the parking lots of bars we’ve played and stayed
Started laughing, looking falling down across the bed that we’ve made
We’ve made, we’ve made, we’ve made
The air at home is thin
When getting out, then looking in
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
Changing shades within the evening
In a day, then I’ll be leaving
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb...

Aw Frack

Brett, Take Your Ball and Go Home.

Let's move on.

Go Pack.

Sunday Wrap-Up

A couple of posts ago, I said that I hoped the Packers would welcome Brett with open arms if he came into camp and it was my blog so I could say so. Oddly enough, that seems to be happening.
Go Pack. And, I may get to see this very scene again, as I did last December:



We met some people through the blogosphere Friday - "Mr. and Mrs. S" - they are funny and entertaining to talk with). Looking forward to being able to get together again soon to discuss gaming, brewing beer and the oddity that is living in Utah. Among other topics...

Little Bit did his final requirement for getting his Bear badge for Scouts. Now, it's on to deciding if he should go on to Webelos (and yes, still leaning towards a different Pack to eliminate the minority issue), or him staying in the Ward - and I'm getting tired of getting hit up on Fast Offering Sundays because our name is on the list - can they please mark us as "Heathen"? - or if he's ready to quit. But he's done a great job and will look cool in his Cub uniform with his additional Bear patch - pictures will be coming later in August.

My Dad's cancer is back (and this, specifically for the cousins or aunts, please don't tell anyone ESPECIALLY Dad you saw it here if he hasn't told anyone but me. I suspect he hasn't -and please don't tell Grandma, he will if he wants to) - but it's back in a very limited scope, and it looks like he'll be coming here for treatment, at least surgery. He's optimistic and it sounds like he has every reason for being so. Please throw a prayer upwards if that is your kind of thing. I'm very attached to him.

Jumping into the week to come - things seem to be moving forward on the job front as far as Sybil's replacement, we have another "Weekend at Willie's" coming up next weekend along with TWO weddings (no Funeral, thankfully!) AND the Golden Mallet Tournament (more to come on that). We have to move back home so we can afford this social whirl, given the price of gas.

Have a great week!