Fall in the Northwest is my favorite time of year. We actually turned the heater on for the first time in about 4 months. There is nothing like crisp cool air and autumn color to make you want to cozy up in front of a fire and snuffle with someone ( I actually meant snuggle, but then the fall usually brings head colds too!)
We are getting used to being back in a routine, school, seminary and Chuck traveling a lot for business. The only one who doesn't have a routine yet is Becca- she is still job hunting. Her summer nannying job ended when the kids went back to school.
My dog business has slowed way down- 3 of my dogs were summer clients only, so I have lost them, which leaves me with only one permanent client right now. Although I am doing some more fill-in work for other walkers. I am trying to use this slow time to focus on getting some advertising. I have 2 ads coming out in local neighborhood publications, and I got some custom decals with my business name and web-site to go on the back windows of the truck and Suburban. Since school has started I have gotten a lot more hits on my website, and more email inquiries, but none have gone anywhere.
This year in seminary I am teaching the freshmen instead of juniors. It is a very small class of 7 students with 2 autistic boys in it. I think they gave me that class because I am the only female teacher in the building. I really have to stretch to keep everybody engaged and with me on subject. It is a learning experience I am enjoying, but it certainly keeps me on my toes.
Jared just got his braces on yesterday, so he is eating a lot of yogurt and smoothies right now. He doesn't want to smile, but that phase should pass quickly. Soon he will forget that he is even wearing them.
As I mentioned, Chuck is doing a lot of traveling with his new position in the company. He was in Denver last week and New Jersey this week. I think his car is parked at the airport more than in the garage. It feels so good to have him home on weekends.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
COWBOY UP!!
Our 2nd week of vacation this year was wet, wild and wonderful!
It started with a 2 day white water rafting trip on the Salmon River in Idaho. The weather was perfect- warm and sunny, and the water was cold and refreshing when we jumped in, but not freezing. We camped along the shore of the river on soft white sand that made for comfortable sleeping under the million stars. The rapids were way fun and definitely worth all that paddling and sun screen slathering!
Next on our agenda was a trip to Rexburg to see Rachel and Nate. We arrived on Thursday before Rachel was off work, so we dropped by the Bridal store where she works to surprise her. We got to see her in action, measuring men for tux rentals and helping brides pick out their dream dress. We all went to dinner that evening down in Idaho Falls at their favorite steak restaurant called the Texas Roadhouse. It is a very casual place with a metal bucket of peanuts at each table and you are encouraged to throw the shells on the floor. They have huge steaks, BBQ ribs and chicken to die for and the best hot homemade rolls served with honey butter. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Rachel and Nate have the cutest little house and Rachel has done a darling job of decorating it.
The next day we all drove up to Montana to spend a couple of days at the ranch. The ranch is gorgeous, a beautiful valley with a river running through it surrounded by mountains. I told Nate he had 3 days to "hickify" Jared. He did his best. Jared got to feed carrots to a horse and even kissed the horse on the nose! Nate took him fishing in the river right behind the ranch house.
Nate let Jared drive the swather (cuts the hay in the field) and Chuck got to drive a tractor- they were both pretty excited. Jay tried to pick up a 180lb bale of hay. Nate says it is called "buckin' hay".
Everyone got to ride around the ranch on the ATV's that are kept up there, and Dad & Jared got to chase cows through the mud in the river bottom. Chuck even made some friends with the lambs in the pasture. There were lots of animals on the ranch, besides the cows, horses, and lambs there were also chickens, ducks, turkeys and 2 dogs. I told Jared I would pay him $50 if he could catch a rooster, and although he spent 3 days trying, I never had to pay up.
Nate took the whole family up in the hills above the ranch for some target practice. It was the first time either Jared or Chuck had ever shot a shotgun- the recoil just about knocked them over. Nate also had two .22 caliber rifles that we all took turns shooting. It was a wonderful experience to be out on the farm away from TVs and cell phones. Just the crickets at night to put us to sleep and those dad-blasted roosters in the morning to wake us up.
It was really hard to say goodbye to Rachel and Nate and start the long drive back home, but it was satisfying to see how happy Rachel is, and how much she loves Nate and obviously loves being married. She took such good care of us all the time we were there. My little Jo Jo is all growed up!!
It started with a 2 day white water rafting trip on the Salmon River in Idaho. The weather was perfect- warm and sunny, and the water was cold and refreshing when we jumped in, but not freezing. We camped along the shore of the river on soft white sand that made for comfortable sleeping under the million stars. The rapids were way fun and definitely worth all that paddling and sun screen slathering!
Next on our agenda was a trip to Rexburg to see Rachel and Nate. We arrived on Thursday before Rachel was off work, so we dropped by the Bridal store where she works to surprise her. We got to see her in action, measuring men for tux rentals and helping brides pick out their dream dress. We all went to dinner that evening down in Idaho Falls at their favorite steak restaurant called the Texas Roadhouse. It is a very casual place with a metal bucket of peanuts at each table and you are encouraged to throw the shells on the floor. They have huge steaks, BBQ ribs and chicken to die for and the best hot homemade rolls served with honey butter. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Rachel and Nate have the cutest little house and Rachel has done a darling job of decorating it.
The next day we all drove up to Montana to spend a couple of days at the ranch. The ranch is gorgeous, a beautiful valley with a river running through it surrounded by mountains. I told Nate he had 3 days to "hickify" Jared. He did his best. Jared got to feed carrots to a horse and even kissed the horse on the nose! Nate took him fishing in the river right behind the ranch house.
Nate let Jared drive the swather (cuts the hay in the field) and Chuck got to drive a tractor- they were both pretty excited. Jay tried to pick up a 180lb bale of hay. Nate says it is called "buckin' hay".
Everyone got to ride around the ranch on the ATV's that are kept up there, and Dad & Jared got to chase cows through the mud in the river bottom. Chuck even made some friends with the lambs in the pasture. There were lots of animals on the ranch, besides the cows, horses, and lambs there were also chickens, ducks, turkeys and 2 dogs. I told Jared I would pay him $50 if he could catch a rooster, and although he spent 3 days trying, I never had to pay up.
Nate took the whole family up in the hills above the ranch for some target practice. It was the first time either Jared or Chuck had ever shot a shotgun- the recoil just about knocked them over. Nate also had two .22 caliber rifles that we all took turns shooting. It was a wonderful experience to be out on the farm away from TVs and cell phones. Just the crickets at night to put us to sleep and those dad-blasted roosters in the morning to wake us up.
It was really hard to say goodbye to Rachel and Nate and start the long drive back home, but it was satisfying to see how happy Rachel is, and how much she loves Nate and obviously loves being married. She took such good care of us all the time we were there. My little Jo Jo is all growed up!!
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