Monday, December 20, 2010

...

Glen William Hillyard (1923 - 2010)

Glen William Hillyard, also known as "Crow," died peacefully of natural causes in his home, surrounded by his family on Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. He was born on the homestead at the base of Crow Mountain, north of Smithfield, Utah, on Dec. 15, 1923. He died just two days shy of his 87th birthday.
Glen grew up north of Smithfield. He attended local schools and graduated from North Cache High where he excelled at basketball and was given the nickname "Crow" by his coach. He convinced Jackie Hansen to be his bride on Feb. 27, 1946. They were later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple. Together, they raised a family of five children, Dixie (Lee) Skabelund, of Centerville, John (Janet Willmore), of Smithfield, Sheri Andersen Murray (Glenn), of Smithfield, Leisa Christensen (Dale), of Smithfield, and Angela Heaps (Michael), of Smithfield. They have 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his younger sister, MarJean Anderson, of Newton.
During his working years, Glen touched the lives of many. He was employed by Del Monte Pack, U and I Amalgamate Sugar in Lewiston, local feed stores, Jack Parson Construction, Utah State University and the Cache County Road Maintenance Crew. He then retired to live his dream as a sportsman and full time farmer.
He was always known for his excellent horsemanship. In his younger years, Glen was a member of the Summit Saddlers Riding Club and participated in many rides in the mountains. Glen was an avid hunter and loved spending time on a horse in the hills hunting deer and elk. He was instrumental in promoting and participating in cutter races in Smithfield and, later, at Forrester Acres. He established Hillyard Stables and was known for his gray horses. Winken Tim was one of his most successful runners.
By his example Glen taught his whole family to love hard work and horsemanship. He loved dairy farming and continued to milk until he was in his 80s. Glen had a big heart and was always willing to help others. He had a great sense of humor, and made many lifelong friends.
Glen was preceded in death by his wife, Jacquelyn, his son-in-law, Brian Andersen, and his grandson, Cortney DeLoy Christensen.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 20, 2010, at noon at the yellow brick church in Smithfield, 179 N. 100 East. Friends may call at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 S. Main St., Smithfield, Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery.
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Today we buried my Grandpa, the last of my grandparents, and hopefully the last funeral I have to be closely involved in for quite some time.  I left work and home in a bit of a rush last Monday and was able to be with my Mom through the week. It's been a very long  and emotional week, & I'm glad I spent it with my family.  There are so many things to take care of and plan out, even when you know it's coming it's still a shock.  He passed on just 20 minutes after I arrived at his home.  I was very grateful to be there with my mom and aunts in that moment & all the ones that followed it.  I hope i didn't intrude.

My Uncle John arranged for a horse drawn hearse to carry him to the cemetery, and my cousin Eric rode behind it leading a horse who wore Grandpa's saddle.  There were a few fussy details to make that happen, but the results were amazing.  It was RIGHT.  Grandpa had a lot of anxiety about moving into the hereafter, and he never did get entirely comfortable with dieing.  Now that he's crossed that bridge & remembered all the things that were forgotten, I'm pretty sure he's happy with the way we celebrated his reunion with Grandma.

I'm so tired, and not very able to pull together details, so please forgive.  I've had a lot of emotional highs this week, some lows, and several overloads when I just had to sit and cry.

My kitties missed me.  Scott says he had to trick Yahzi into snuggling, eating, and doing any of his normal things.  He's my sensitive baby & he knew that not only wasn't I here, but I was sad.  Spazz & Sider don't place that much importance on the emotions of we humans.

While I was north I spent several nights at the Christensen Ranchette (Dale & Leisa's Home) they all love kritters as much as me, and always seem to have some sort of rescue animal in their care.  The rescues this week are a motley crew of kittens.  From different litters, and all adorable.  There's a pair of ginger/marmalade kittens that were born in the seat of a school bus and abandoned by their feral mother.  They have just as much joy in adventure and brave curiosity as you could ever imagine for a kitten.  Their companion is a tiny calico who's been named Horton (Leisa & her bunch are just as creative about naming animals as I am).  Horton was mauled by a dog in her first or second day of life and was brought to the house for nursing by the previously mentioned tough guy Eric (I love him tons and tease him mercilessly).  They fostered her in another family of kittens and she's proving to have quite a personality and possibly a few special needs.  Sambo, a pure black kitten (who's story I don't know) with an adorable attitude climbed onto my shoulder a few nights ago while I was unpacking my car and refused to climb down until he'd been sufficiently snuggled. All of these adorable babies are up for adoption, so if you know of anyone who needs a christmas present that will win the day let me know!  I'd adopt any of them myself if I wasn't already at maximum capacity. 3 cats and a very confused green bird is all we can handle.

I think I'm going to turn my brain off now and hope that I when I turn it back on I'll have more to work with.

Happy Holidays.
-m


Thursday, December 16, 2010

We'll meet again.

Been busy lately getting together details for Grandpa Glen's funeral.  I have to drive to Mom's to use internet, so please forgive the brief post.  We're sad but coping.  Love y'all, more later.
-m

Friday, December 10, 2010

My dentist is on vacation...or dead...or avoiding me....

I've called 4 times in the last week to make an appointment and I get their after hours answering service who usually hangs up on me within 20 seconds.  What did I do?  Am I a pariah?  I LOVE my dentist, he's quick, honest, and has fabulous eyes.  Even his billing people are amazing. THEY CAN'T BE GONE!

Guess I'm panicking.  I should just keep trying and perhaps stop by their office.  That's a more rational goal.

Judy & I've coerced and teased Scott into going back to Quartzsite this winter.  Yay!  It's going to be yet again delightful.  New Christy Minstrels concert, Cob Salad in Mesquite, jalapeno cheese curds, and sweet potato pancakes.  And that's mostly just the food!  There will be good people, unique sunsets, time to think, fireside conversations, and absolutely no expectations.

I've got a good portion of my holiday shopping done.  Instead of doing universal gifts this year I've done a bit more personal tailoring.  Hope that doesn't bite me!  Thank goodness most of my Brown family doesn't expect a present.  We set up a tradition a while ago to not do gifts, but to go out for a meal together during the year.  It's amazingly non stressful. As long as we can keep Lynn out of the hospital that is.  Of course we all spoil Mason.  It's just so much fun, I can't resist.  I may be a lack luster non participant aunt, but he's the only nephew I've got and I intend to do what I can.

There's a bunch more going on, but most of the details aren't mine to share.  I'll catch y'all up on it when it's public knowledge.

Happy Solstice, hope we all find peace, hope, prosperity, and just a touch of self indulgence this season.
-m

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Good Golly

I am SO tired.  Can't even string thoughts together.

Yesterday we had some amazing FOG.  Scott & I went to sears for new pillows.  Blah, blah,. blah...our life is pretty boring.

Thank You Kindly!!!!!
Boring ain't at all bad.

Still haven't found a way to boot the roomy.  I suck.

Pretty much everyone is better than me.
-m

Sunday, November 28, 2010

And then...it snowed....and kept snowing....

I suppose if I was in more of a homebody festive holiday mood the enforced isolation might be less annoying.  Then too I was inspired to do most of my christmas shopping online (far less possibility of migraine triggering clove pine cones that way). So not all bad.  We've watched several awesome movies this week, including Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, and the previously mentioned Anne of Green Gables. Kitties seem to be quite enjoying the company.  Oscar's had several good days in a row, lots of attention, and at one point today maneuvered himself to a dangling position over an entire bag of salted in the shell peanuts.  Fortunately his excitement got my attention and i stopped him before he could make himself ill.

I had a short visit with Lynn tonight.  She sounds more and more like herself...tired but healing.  I really am lucky that my mother in law is also one of my favorite people in the whole world.  We schemed on ways to spoil Mason (nephew/grandson), and laughed.  I'm pretty sure that's more humor than I've found in a while.  BTW, after I got off the phone I had 3 more ideas of things Mason might love, so if anyone else wants to spoil him just let me know.

I'm both dreading and looking forward to tomorrow.  If this snow keeps up it just may be a VERY interesting day.  It's always good to get back to work after a holiday.  If only the tension headache I've been fighting for weeks would back off.  Oh well, I'll cope.

Don't let the weather outside frighten ya.
-m

Friday, November 26, 2010

Laughing it all off

I'm trying to climb out from under the storm cloud that's been following me around.  I promise!  Like I told someone just the other day.  I'm thankful for every day I can get up and walk.  Life's been pretty good to me over all and I'm really thankful for being who I am, where I am, and for the amazing people who are part of my life.

Scott and I had our Wendover adventure a week later with little to no excitement, and hooray hooray the few dollars we stuck into slot machines won us enough to pay for the whole trip.  Guess we deserved a little good luck.

The highlight of my day was discovering that I can buy Oscar's breakfast seed at the pet store next to work instead of driving to Bountiful which I never remember to do until it's the absolute most inconvenient time.  Duh, wish I'd figured that out last year...

Yesterday I was watching Beauty & the Beast on broadcast while crocheting.  Apparently it's going to become a household favorite.  Oscar was fussing about in his cage village at the other end of the living room...his work cage is stored next to his travel cage here in the living room with his bathtub and play basket set on top, he has ladders and towels to climb about and between them...YOU'LL HAVE GUESSED BY NOW THAT MY HOME IS MAINTAINED PRIMARILY FOR THE COMFORT AND WELL BEING OF MY PETS.  Anyhow, he was busily entertaining himself with birdy  type things until the musical portion of the movie kicked in, and then he began singing along at FULL volume but substituting his own words (cuz not only hasn't he seen Beauty & the Beast ever before, but he also only knows 30 or so words).  So I watched/listened to delighted birdy sing "being good...being cute...kisses...meow, meow, mroew...gimme kitty..." complete with head bobbing, gawping, wing stretches, and tail fluttering for 45 minutes.  At witch time he was completely exhausted and switched to "go night night, sleep tight, don't let the kitty bite", followed promptly by "I'm be'n good, wanna go nite nite", and "whacha doin?..go nite nite?".  Can't blame the little beast, he wore himself plum out.  I have got to find a video camera before we watch that movie again.

Speaking of being too tired to do anything but sleep, that's where I am tonight.  Spazz has just come to inform me that I don't have enough kitty snuggles & she's going to fix that for me.  Anne of Green Gables is on KBYU and I've got enough pause time built up to skip the fund drive adds.  Add an advil to that combo and you've created on awesome Friday night date! Guess it should include Scott to be a date, but he's not an Anne fan, and he seems to be enjoying his John Denver / Dixi Chicks Music fest and those computer puzzles he's hooked on. I suppose if we're both comfy and enjoying ourselves it's way better than some dates I've been on.  Might mean we're that much closer to being old married folk.  Can't seem to feel too bad about that.

Hope you're all comfy and well.

-m

Monday, November 22, 2010

As Predicted.

I woke up with a nasty sore throat, and the day just kept getting more and more awesome from there (please read sarcasm here).  The good news is that I'm a third of the way through the worst part of this week.  Bad news is that I worked till after nine tonight and I'll prolly be later than that tomorrow.  It's a very good thing that holidays don't come every week.

The funny bit of today happened when Ace Disposal showed up to empty our dumpster.  They pulled past the front of our store and for a few seconds the whole front window was filled with their RED truck.  Oscar nearly fell off his cage screaming about the scary thing and trying to get to me so that he felt safe.  I've mentioned before that he has an issue with red foods; apparently it extends to red objects also, and big red things are terrifying.  We had a good laugh at his expense, and he joined in with us once he calmed down a bit.

I'm exhausted.  Gonna go scritch a kitty, watch lie to me, and then crash.
G'nite all.
-m

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Winter Wonders & Kitty Snugglers

Just as I was beginning to remember why I dislike snow...cold, slippery, that awful shiver that happens when it sneaks down the back of your neck or the top of your boots...

We got a full on dumper of a storm & I LOVE IT!  Not that I wont still bitch a little the next time my socks get wet.

I awoke at 6:30 am to the sounds of our neighbor (not so lovingly referred to as "leaf blower a**hole") and his family outside banging on on something & yammering at maximum volume (as always).  Fearing that the neon unconventional color of my house may have finally gotten to them and they were out there banging on my car (we've had trouble before with neighbors getting mean because they don't understand how we're happy being us and we don't bother to conform to their expectations) I got up to feed Oscar and peek out the window.  What I saw was 3 people running about with rakes and shovels...not usually a good sign, but they were in their own yard still so I tried to go back to bed.  Just as I was dosing off I heard "OH G@#" and then a rather disturbingly muffled boom. That family's rather famous to us for LOUD early morning spectacles so I made a mental note to check things out after the sun was up and then tucked my toes under a kitty.

It's amazingly pleasant when the weathers like this to have a nice kitty to warm your toes.

Later when I looked outside the tree that all 3 people had been prancing about with their rakes and shovels was missing half of itself, and there's a pile of branches in their garden.  This is rather comic to me because Leaf Blower Man was out there 2 days ago sucking leaves out of the garden into a garbage can with what may has to be the loudest vacuum known to man.  I believe he's found a special store that sells the loudest of all outdoor appliances.  Leaf blower (he does his roof and gutters with it daily beginning in July), vacuum thing, rototiller, lawn mower, edger cars....Even their dogs are the loudest I've yet met.  Anyhow, I'm not celebrating their loss, but I do wonder.  How much of the damage was done by banging on the tree?

I'm in the midst of 2 rather huge crochet projects.  It's a nice, low stress sort of activity.  Spazz & Oscar both love to help.  Yahzi's okay with it as long as he gets to snuggle in whatever I'm making.

 Last night when I went out to brush snow off of the dish tuner I brought in a giant snowball for the cats to explore.  It was so much fun that we've had to refill it twice.  They quite like this cold white melty stuff, and then the puddle of water is fun too.

I'm dreading this week a bit.  We've committed to do a ton of orders for 1800 flowers, and it's gonna be a hellish rush every day.  I'm fine with busy, but a rush generally makes for short tempers, low supplies, and more than a healthy dose of chaos.

Oh, the plumbing issue!  I nearly forgot.  Roto Rooter found the source of our ehm 'problem'.  This spring Questar dug up our yard in one spot to fix a leak in one of their pipes.  While digging they came to the front door in a panic to beg Scott not to flush anything until they could repair our main sewer pipe witch they had somehow damaged.  When he came home from work that day things were put back together and seemed to be working.  Recently we've noticed a sink hole right where they were digging.  We suspected their patch to be a possible source of our stress but until we were certain we didn't want to make any accusations.  Long disgusting story short, their patch did fail, and it backed up sewage all the way to our bathtubs.  Questar was awesome, because the source of the problem was their patch failing they showed up immediately & repaired the pipe.  All's well that ends well I suppose.

Keep your toes warm.
-m

Monday, November 15, 2010

better?

I'm sorry I haven't posted.  I've been terribly grumpy lately and didn't want to share.
Not that I have fabulous news...but I'm in a much better mood.

We've had some lovely plumbing complications lately, and tonight a complete FAILURE.  Both the bathtub and shower had backed up sewer water standing in them earlier tonight.  Since I KNOW I'm gonna be the one in there with a scrub brush i plan on going to Costco for the JUMBO size bottle of bleach and the INDUSTRIAL gloves.  Roto Rooter will be here at 9am.  Blehhhhgggg.

Scott's birthday was Friday...so on Thursday he decided to have a angiogram.  This was not nearly as much fun as what I had planned; A trip to Wendover and topped off with steak and lobster bisque at the Rainbow.  However, plans can be postponed, and we're very glad to have taken time to make sure there was in fact not much wrong with his ticker.  Wendover will still be there next week.  The angiogram was triggered by Scott mentioning pressure in his chest during a checkup (prolly indigestion) and then wonky triglyceride levels.  So he went for a stress test, and there were dark spots...likely when the person being tested has significant chest and shoulder muscles.  But how on earth do you say no when the person leaving a message says "we need you to come in for testing so that you don't have a heart attack this weekend"

I've had the neverendingheadache lately.  It's mostly pressure on the nerves from the crooked bones in my neck brought on by stress.  But knowing that doesn't make it not hurt.  I've tried everything I know of and have mostly come down to wishing it would go away and taking more ibuprofen than is good for me.

Sorry for the less than positive post.  But I've been less than positive.  Things will get better.  I will get back to a shiny place. And life's still good, despite it all.

Never take indoor plumbing for granted!
-m

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

hard to pin down

Lately I've had a hard time coming up with things I'd like to share.  Pretty sure it ties into the anxiety both Scott & I are having with our roommate.  Fact is neither of us is enjoying having someone else in our space, and I'm pretty sure Colorado isn't either.  It's a near impossible situation to be happy with.  We don't want to be unreasonable, but we're reaching our limits.

Today his grandmother managed to deliver a crude insult to me with a smile.  No, I don't have children, that doesn't mean there's something wrong with me.  Seriously I refuse to justify the intimate details of my life to strangers

I already have enough hypocrytical judgemental folks in my life.  I don't need more.  Sorry, I just ran out of 'give a shits'.  Moving on.

Works been stressed too. Don't know if it's my attitude, money stress, or something else.  Just hoping it'll improve soon.  I hate grumpy days.  We've been slow on orders lately and I'm not getting the hours i need to cover my bills.  I hope it'll improve, but bleh!  I can't do this much longer.  I'm seeing hiring posters and thinking about applying.  No way I can do two jobs and keep managing my pain, so that's a HUGE issue.

This is depressing! My inital response is to plan something fun for the weekend, but that would mean trusting our home and pets to the roommate.  Not happenin.  BLEH!
I hate this.
Why did I do this to me!?!
Hope I learn to say NO!


Gonna quit complainin, cuz I did it to myself, only I can undo it.

-m

Monday, October 25, 2010

Faulty Power Supply

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, the power cord on my laptop is failing, making typing on the keyboard near impossible.  I generally have to prop the cord artistically, hold the plug just so, and then facebook as fast as possible, hoping I don't run out of battery.  It's a chronic problem with this laptop, and I've got yet another new one on it's way, but until then, all's well.  Tonight I'm typing while the cord's tucked under my right knee.  Dang, just broke the magical twist, gotta go fuss with it.
-m

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Eventually everything becomes normal.

Tonight Colorado & I made an experimental dinner.  It started out with hmmmmm, we've got the stuff for french toast....him saying we could get bacon, me remembering we already had some that needed cooking....and then evolved from there (big surprise I'M AMAZINGLY BAD AT MAKING UP MY MIND).  Anyhow we ended up with bacon and a really strange version of german pancake that had poultry seasoning, white black & red pepper, garlic, freezerburnt stir fry veggies ( I picked out the water chestnuts cuz I thought they'd be too weird) and who knows how long it's been in the freezer chopped spinach.  Topped by the bacon, some chopped ham and 3 kinds of cheese (chipotle white cheddar, mozzarella, and muenster)  For the cost of a few eggs, mystery veggies, and a few spices we had nomy dinner and leftovers worth saving.  Sort of like a crustless quiche (easy to create out of the pantry, but not as fabulous as yours Judy Gail).

So last night was the annual kick off dinner for Utah Professional Florist Association (UPFA) and their Designer of the year competition.  The design contest was awesome, and next year I'll go just to see it.  But I'm not gonna compete.  I didn't want to anyhow, and it showed in my performance.  Just proves that if you want to force me into saying yes, get Fran & my Mom on your side. .... . . sorta hope Scott doesn't read that.  However I paid 30 dollars plus the cost of my entry to attend the thing, had neutral service (Marriott Uof U campus) bland food (the fall vegetable side dish was the highlight), and was more annoyed than entertained by the president of the association monopolizing the program.  So I'm a little pissed.  If my buddy Juan hadn't won the thing and I hadn't had a great time socializing with floral friends I'd be really pissed.

Today was the Teleflora sponsored design show at Ensign Wholesale.  Usually I love the events, enjoy the visit with my mom, and come home full of ideas.  Today I actually got bored.  Maybe my heart was in the wrong place.  Lunch *usually a highlight* was kinda depressing.  Really I can cook hamburger, mix in beans, scoop Pace salsa, and open a bag of lettuce at home for a whole lot less and make it much tastier, also dessert was awkward enough to be inedible.  For $20 and most of my ONLY day off I really expected more.  I'm holding out hope that the next event is much better, if not....

So I've wasted a HUGE chunk of money, but enjoyed my time with friends whom I've been too long without seeing.  However, it's choices I made, so I'll move on and quit being pissy.  Next weekend I'm going to load myself into the camper, enjoy myself, and NOT spend any money.

Sorry for ranting.  I've just had a disappointing day.  At least dinner was a victory.
Live Long & Prosper.
-m

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Yay Me!

Mom & Fran coerced me into entering into a professional florists design contest.  I love/hate it.  I'm plain ol' bad at competing.  But as long as I pretend I'm just making flowers for someone I love I'll have fun.  I'm looking forward to time with my florist buddies.  So far there are seven contestants and six prizes.  Even if I don't win I'll have fun...I hope.  I've had a bit of stress pulling a whole design concept together in just a couple days. Sorta hope I won't put this kind of stress on me again.

I'm mentally burnt out.  So I'll finish with a promise of photos and an update on the results either tomorrow or Sunday.

Be well!
-m

Bring your Mom to work Day

Sorry y'all I wrote this the other day and never finished posting it.

Apparently I missed the memo, it was today.  Mom spent the day at the flower shop while Glenn was busy doing testing and certification for his new job.  It was a lot of fun to have her there.  Oscar had a fabulous day with all the people there and things going on.

Somehow Fran talked me into taking a shot of cod liver oil.  OMG, there are no words to express how horrible it was, and I'm fairly tough about such things.  My stomach, along with the rest of me went into full on revolt.  I will not be repeating the experience. BLEHK!

Scott's instant messaging me from his room, strange how that's normal at our house.  Guess it's better than ignoring each other.
G'nite y'all!
-m

Sunday, October 10, 2010

All in perpective

sWhile on my fabulous, unplanned boondocking  adventure, I found myself at Lynn's place (Scott's mom) in Bluffdale.  We had a great visit Saturday morning while Danny went to do the shopping, and it was decided that I should wait for Scott to come out and join us for a further visit before I took off on the next leg of my random adventure.  However, when Lynn woke up from her nap (here's me hoping that our fabulous visit isn't what wore her out) she was short of oxygen and couldn't slow her pulse down even with the oxygen machine turned on high. 

Strangely watching Edward Scissorhands helped tremendously with my acceptance of our roomate situation.  It's still absolutely NOT permanent, but I feel more comfortable saying what I need to say to be more comfortable in the short term.  Go figure.

Latest update on Lynn is that she's stable, comfortable, and going home as soon as possible. Fingers crossed!  She deserves a good break!

Scott tuned up the snow blower today...I'm hoping that's a gross perversion of pessimism.  I love snow, but not yet.  Fall is nice while it lasts.

Still craving a family camping weekend with Scotty.  Might be awesome!  Maybe next week.
Scott's attempting to pick up the Spazzy, that's dangerous...now he's taunting her...better go stuporvise!
Watch out for the claws and fangs!
-m

Thursday, October 7, 2010

GGGGGRRRRRRRRR!

I'm not blogging today, I'm in an even worse mood than the other day.  Doing a favor for someone and getting taken advantage of is so utterly frustrating.  Dumb thing is I knew it was gonna happen, saw it coming, and did it anyway.  Now I have to put on my bitchy tude and be the bad guy in order to get control of my own life back.  I HATE being bitchy.  I would do just about anything to avoid having a nasty confrontation.  I am SO hating EVERYTHING right now.  Gonna go shower, take a headache pill and pretend I don't care about all the crap that I should be confronting.  Not that it will help, but I can NOT handle this kind of internal stress any longer.  I have GOT to get better at shrugging off the BS that people push at me.  I now see that's the lesson I'm supposed to learn here.  K, can it be OVER?!?
Bleh.
 --------
Feeling a bunch better after deciding to take off for the weekend and be completely irresponsible.  Scott's staying home to kill zombies and make sure our house isn't taken over by strangers.  He even agreed to care for Oscar so that I don't have to pack him up.  I'm not even making up my mind about where I'm going until I get wherever it is.  We have several boondocking favorite spots close by and I'm quite enjoying the lack of plan.  I'll read, watch a few DVDs, sit quietly and think...and hopefully by Monday I'm in a better mood.  Anyhow, don't expect to hear from me anytime soon.  I'm gonna be ok...I think.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Pissy Day

Be ye warned, I'm in a rotten mood that's just beginning to fade.  Take everything with that perspective in mind.  I can't even begin to point out what made today so miserable.  It just was.

On a shinier note, today marks the 8th anniversary of Scott's & my wedding.  That feels pretty strange.  Perhaps it's because neither of us is a real grown up and being an old married couple is what grown ups do.  However, we both managed to remember this anniversary (unlike last year when we both managed to remember it days later).  We went to Taste of Thai and had shitty service and medium good food (perhaps I'm being judgmental because I know they can do better, I hate their new location, and I'm in a bad mood).  Anyhow.  Yay for us.

On our way to dinner we took the back roads through our neighborhood since all of the main intersections within a mile of us are under mega reconstruction.  Along the way a man in a diaper (no pants) crawled into the middle of the road and then turned to stare at us while we maneuvered our car around him.  I can't even begin to understand what all led up to that situation...I just know it was the perfect cherry on top of my pissy day.  Add to that the loud youngsters who's parent brought playing cards to dinner, the server who insisted on telling us what we should order since he was certain we'd never had thai before....AAAAAHHHHGGGG!  Shoulda saved going out for a better mood I guess.  But it sounded like such a good plan yesterday.

Here's hoping tomorrow's a better day!  I'm calling it quits on this one.
-m

Friday, October 1, 2010

A new Adventure

Today our little family signed up a new member.  My friend Colorado is gonna move into Oscar's room and be our tenant.  I hope he can stand us!  It's a short term thing to help him save up cash to get his own place.  He had a nasty hit & run motorcycle accident last week that's left him with pins & plates in his right foot, and a future that's full of crutches for a few weeks.  You can begin to see why we're sympathetic.  It's quite strange for Scott & I to accept someone else into our house, but for some reason I feel like it's the right thing to do.  I learned years ago to just trust that feeling and not fuss the details.  Karma catches up with everyone, and if it doesn't damage me to help I'm gonna.

Oscar already has a unique relationship with Colorado, so they're probably gonna get along great.  Rado spoils the Oscar, and doesn't put up with biting or screaming. If they can't get along Oscar will be moving into the bathroom.....I'm crossing my fingers.

I am disgusted that we haven't been camping this month, but every weekend there seems to be another excuse.  It's gonna happen yet!!!! I don't care if we have to run the furnace the whole time and watch the world out the windows!  I'm looking seriously at a southern Utah trip for Adda & I.  We'll see.
Happy Friday World!!!!
Guy's doin some sort of yummy thing on the food network show Scott's watching & I want to see.
-m

Thursday, September 30, 2010

A wonderful Jumble

This afternoon we had a celebration lunch at the Tulip Tree, Thom & Judy are moving along soon, and we wanted to celebrate with them one more time.  Also Aunt Cheryl and Lynn had an opportunity to stop in and see the remodeled shop.  Scotty came over, the usual Thursday crew was all there (Fran, Adda, Byron, Sherlynn) we all had a fabulous visit.  I made sweet & sour turkey meatballs with brown rice, and we put together a great salad.  I'll definitely have to write down the recipe cuz the meatballs were dElish!  Oscar had a grand time bossing everyone and wore himself out being cute.


We had some amazing roses in the shop yesterday, they're called amnesia and they're a lavender/green/pink color.  They're my new favorite!


Gotta go tuck the birdy monster in, he's had a big day.
Live long & prosper!
-m

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

So tired, so happy.

For what's supposed to be the slowest month of our year, work's been crazy busy.  We'll take it.  I'm hating the piles of boxes and clutter that keep persistently appearing, and the 20 things I have to keep track of all at once.  But I still love my job.  I suppose we'll get used to being this busy & miss it on slow days.

Today was only mildly busy & I FINALLY got a chance to go visit with Lynn.  She's doing AMAZING, not ideal or rosy, but honestly ok.  My favorite example of this is when we were swapping stories about Mason and she stomped her foot while imitating him, the whole floor shook and both dogs jumped!  If she's strong enough for that, I have all kinds of hope for her healing quickly.  Aunty Cheryl is here for a few more days, and as always visiting with her was wonderful.  Also I discovered she has a facebook!  I know, it means I'm a freak cuz I find it so much easier and less stressful to keep up with all the people I care about via FB.  It's not cuz I don't care, it's cuz I hate to bug people when they might be busy.  I love hearing about the ups and downs and not having to bug anyone.

Lynn gave me guilt trip tonight about not blogging, I AM SORRY.  Honestly it's had a lot to do with all the negative emotions I had this summer during my constructive termination from AL&L.  I was so unhappy I didn't want to share.  I've gone through most of the stages of grieving for a job I loved (not that I won't miss the people still).  So hopefully I can share now and not hate doing it.

Thom & Judy have been in the parking lot of Tulip Tree for most of 2 weeks, IT'S AWESOME!  The parking lot, and my day are going to seem a lot more empty when they move on.  It's been a wonderful surprise every day to share our lives.  Also, Adda has more people to boss, watch, and worry over.  That's rarely a bad thing.  Scott & I have had several wonderful visits and dinners with them.  Today they brought me a catnip plant from Mike & Tiffs house!  Kitties are gonna be so delighted!  Though I may have to keep the plant at work and just bring home leaves...here's a pic of Royla from last year when Judy brought her a bag full of leaves



Taking Oscar for wing trimming first thing in the morning, still gotta look up the vet's address cuz somehow I've only got the old one...and it's already late.
be well!
-m

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Good-n-Bad

Life's full of ups and down, and we've had both lately.

Scott's mom's back in the hospital, things aren't too shiny & we're all worried.  As usual Mathew's a far better child than either Scott or I, but we're all coping in our own way.

I had an AMAZING stomach bug this weekend, and spent most of it horizontal doing everything within my power NOT to puke.  Good news is I'm feeling much better today, and actually got to sleep last night.


Thom & Judy moved into the parking lot at work late last week, and I'm LOVING having them there!  I get several visits a day, and even get to see Willow quite often.  I love that puppy!  Oscar had a brief visit with McCuy & Lymon he and McCuy look and sometimes act so much alike and yet have such DIFFERENT personalities.  They're both very interested in each other.  Tomorrow I'm taking my little green beast with me to work, and we'll see about another visit.

Works been a delightful mixture of busy & slow.  There's no telling what's going to happen from one day to the next, but there's plenty to keep us busy so we don't worry much.

Sider Kitty is fitting in nicely, he's going to be a good addition to our family.  Spazz & Yahzi seem to be growing tolerance for his 'punk' attitude.  He'll learn.

Several of our good friends were threatened by the fire that started at Camp Williams yesterday.  Fortunately they've been safe so far.  We're still thinking of them and keeping up our hopes and prayers.  Fire is a scary powerful thing.

I'm off to keep smiling and giving the world my best.
-m

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Life aint so bad

Today was AWESOME! got to arrange with pink intuition roses, hung out with Thom & Judy, skritched McCuey, and had fabulous Chinese food.

Adda called off our Wendover trip for today because she was worried we'd be too busy at the shop. The fun bus is always an adventure, but I'm kinda glad I got to spend the day with my "family". Things weren't too busy at the flower shop, so I got visit without having to feel guilty or busy. Thom & Judy are parked right next to the shop for a few days.

Short post, sorry. Oscar's busy singing the night night song & I need to devote so attention to the cats or else they'll snuggle me to death trying to prove how adorable they each are.

Keep smilin'
-m

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Yay Me!

I honestly can't think of anything I'm celebrating. But it seemed like a better mood to start on than I've come up with lately...

Work's predictably frantic...I'm pretty sure it's just all of us trying to figure out how to stress out about not having our usual slow season. We'll manage.

My personal pain patterns have rocketed. I'm sure it's the weather (barometer always gets me). Even still, it sucks!!! But I'm whining, and that's not cool. Most days I'm pretty good at blocking the ouch, and my life is exactly where I want to be. So I'm not gonna complain.

Sider is cuter than ever...every day he gives me a new reason to think maybe he's found his forever home. But he still isn't my cat...sorta funny that. He loves getting skritches from me, but when I'm not dispensing them he wants nothin to do with me. Scott's his people, and he'd rather sit and guard him than be near me. Guess it's fair. He's so much the punk kid brother to Yahzi & spazz, he'll mimic anything they do even when he doesn't understand why.

Happy Wednesday.
-m

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Some bad days never mend,

Some nightmares never end, some tears will never dry, my day is done and no one died!
(channeling Don Williams here)

Fran had a panic this morning when people showed up to get flowers for a wedding we didn't know we had! We made it work, but you can imagine how that threw off the whole day. By 6:30, when we gave up on cleaning and searching for the lost piece of paper we needed, I was more than ready to just find a hole in the ground and climb into it.

My friend Tracy called me last night to let me know that he'd totaled his truck and trailer but that he was okay. He was in the midst of hauling his extra firewood home from his campground to use over the winter when something went wrong in the universe & he wound up in a head on collision with another truck. It's amazing he walked away.

Tonight I am mentally about the equal of a banana peel. Sorry, all the good stuff's gone, if all you need is compost I might be of some help eventually.

I have recipes - spinach alfredo and cheesecake chimis - to share, but not the mental acuity to write them down. But having promised them I will now remember!

blaaaaaaahhhhhhhh......zzzzzzzz.....ehm....huh
-m

Monday, August 30, 2010

Awesome Storm!

This morning around 6am the skies opened up and DUMPED on us! There was booming and flashing, and all sorts of excitement. I tucked the suddenly snuggly kitties under the blankie with me and fell back asleep listening to the storm. It was awesome!

Oscar's putting on new feathers and is all full of bawks and attitude! His "flappers" are coming in and he can ALMOST fly. It's entertaining when it's not terrifying. He loves snuggling and wants to be my buddy...until it's not his idea. Then he wants to bite my fingers off and make me miserable. So normal.

We started the new semester of college + they're re-doing the intersections surrounding our house, so it takes forever to get anywhere! Also the sidewalks are all blocked off, so I can't even bike/walk to work without a TON of hassle. Hopefully it gets better soon!

Worn out, boring life, but at least I've put together a few entertaining thoughts!
LIVE LONG & PROSPER!
-m

Thursday, August 26, 2010

FULL OF GUILT

I am a bad blogger, also my spelling for some unknown reason has gotten worse than usual. Even so, I've had so many things not all of them bad going on, and I haven't shared. The pessimist says "no one reads this damn thing anyway", the optimist says "if I don't keep up on this my friends will stop checking". Therefore, I am going to string together the few thoughts I can gather and throw them on here! In no specific order. Hopefully things improve with practice.

New Kitty. Outsider the very snuggly porch cat who we've been watching/feeding for a month has somehow (we shall not name names nor place blame) become Sider...as in IN-Sider. He is a smart affectionate, cat who had some really bad luck in his adoptive family back in May. We found this out after we took him to the nearest vet & had them scan for a microchip...HE HAD ONE. The chip was still registered to the shelter, they gave us the number for his adoptors, and the vet tech called his people. When she showed up she had no interest in the cat and we got the vibe that she'd be dropping him into another neighborhood on the way to work...BAD PEOPLE. So we told her how cute we thought he was (she agreed but said he didn't care for her 3 year old, and wasn't a good replacement for her pit bull who had been "stolen"). I'm pretty sure they got him at one of the "free cat adoptions" they've been having and then when he didn't fit in they dumped him in our neighborhood. BAD PEOPLE. He's obviously not suited to being a wild cat, and in 100 degree temps dropping a cat in a strange neighborhood close to major traffic is akin to murder! However, he found us. I'm still not forgiving them. Once Sider realized it was either Out or In at our house he's shown a lot of appreciation for being ours, and may just prove to be the exercise program Yahzi desperately needs. He's four years younger than Yahz & Spazz & LOVES to play chase. Also he's learning that Oscar is not food...hopefully soon!

Speaking of the Bird Brain (his official title). His newest word is "Kibble". I stumbled into his room at 6:30 the other morning and the dialog went like this:
"...brawwwwk" (his version of my alarm clock going off)
"Good morning"

"Morning Baby Bird" (I try to be positive even though I'm not awake)

"Breakfast" this means his seed mix that also includes fruit and other noms, as I scooped seed into his dish and tucked back his blanket

"Drink-o-Water" so I took his water dish to the bathroom for a quick scrub and refill (all the while in zombie mode because I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON) as I'm tucking it back into his cage he hits me with his latest acquisition

"Kibble!?!" clear as day...his words usually start out as baby talk only I can understand, but apparently this one's important! So I scooped kibble into his bowl and walked away to realize I had just been completely bossed by a little green monster.

Last weekend was the Murray Family Reunion (Mom's step kids). We all camped at South Fork, and my friends the Rivera's came to camp with Scott & I. Despite a very stressful week for me (Fran took part of the week off to go on vacation & left Adda, Byron, Judy & I to hold the fort down) I had a good time. I actually got pictures of my Moose! Scott & I were floating in the river tied off to rocks when my pet river stick got away from me (yes the purple one I've hauled around for 2 years, it's a mini tragedy). I waded ashore & hurried down stream to where the Rivera's were camped in hopes that it might get caught on the shore & I could get it back. I had to hurry through a thistle patch in my water shoes, so I was watching my feet more than the river. When I hopped onto a rock and looked up, all I could see was Moose...AAAAAAHHHHHGGGGGG! At least that's what my hind brain said as I scrambled back to shore and the moose turned to nod at me. Either he recognized me (this is not our first or closest meeting, he's the same one that wandered past Royla & I while we were in the hammock and who came through camp every week last summer) or I didn't seem like enough of a threat. Either way I'm glad! My stick floated within a few feet of him. I decided at that point it was a reasonable adventure & went for my camera. As soon as I find my camera card reader there's gonna be a whole bunch of pictures!!!!!!!

I'm off to brown meat for my chile verde experiment, wish me luck!
-m

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Only so many hours in a day!

Work's been busy, home's been hectic. I've got some awesome pictures, but can't find the camera card reader...so next time.

We've camped the last 2 weekends in a row. Had fun both times, but we're definitely staying home this week!

Two weeks ago was Monte Cristo. We camped on top of a mountain during an awesome thunder storm, burnt 100 lbs of hardwood, and quite enjoyed ourselves. Also found out my former supervisors are spreading malicious rumors about me...not a big surprise. Kinda telling that they feel the need to make up lies. Makes me wonder how much of the problem they've figured out was their fault or had explained to them by their superiors. Not my worry anymore, and we had a good laugh at the stories their making up and the OBVIOUS holes in them (like all the problems that I was inviting have now moved "across the road" when there's not another campground on the other side of the street for 30 miles either direction). Also saw our friends Jim & Jerry (the ones who have a pickup camper and cats) at Willows on the way home. While we were there we got a peak at the new hosts and their camp site. They seam like nice folks who will tell the supervisors exactly what they want to hear. Seeing all the kids toys and junk strewn across their site sure made me feel better about how things looked when I was living there.

This weekend was the Andersen (my Dad's family) reunion. It was great to see them, I haven't spent much time with that part of my family in too long. We all stayed (some of us in campers) at a cabin near Bear Lake. There was tie dye (yes, I'm plotting a way to wear tie dye in one way or another every day of the year now!) paper rockets, an adorable cabin cat who was an expert at mousing and knew how to spot a good skritcher people. Oscar had a good time socializing and even had fun while his cage blew off of it's perch and landed on it's side (thank goodness cabin kitty wasn't around right then). Saturday we all went to the beach. Somehow we catered lunch for 50 from mine & Mom's camper kitchens, and it was delicious(at least everyone said so). I even got Scotty to play in the lake(yay for SPF 100). Saturday night Scott & I headed away from the beach with no specific plan and ended up in charming St. Charles Campground. Other the site being a bit of a trick to park in & the fire ring (attached grill) tripping Scott and creating a few FANTASTIC bruises. It was pretty ideal.

I've got many other things that I would love to chat about, and I promise to do so soon, but I must go tuck Oscar into his bedtime cage now so that our newly adopted cat Sider & I can both relax (he still thinks Oscar's prey).

Keep peace in your hearts and minds.
-m

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Finally back to a GOOD PLACE

I've had a hard time putting thoughts together and having much of anything good to say. But I'm there! Last weekend Scott and I went camping in Dry Hollow. Real Camping! We built our own fire ring, had no neighbors, watched baby squirrels, read books, and RELAXED. It was amazing. Kitties are settling back into the house and miss the smellavision but enjoy the chasing and playing space. Spazz caught a mouse in the garage last week...yay. Oscar LOVES being back at the Tulip Tree and spent a good part of today laughing with Fran and chattering all kinds of happy noises.

Life back in the shop is the same chaotic, delightful adventure that I'm used to. It's almost like I never left. We're settling into our new space, and trying to make it look like a flower shop again.

My fabulously talented and graceful mother has a broken arm. Poor girl had an unfortunate fall over the weekend and will be wearing a cast for the next few weeks. She's toughing it out and finding creative new ways to do her job with only one hand. Fortunately there's a whole family of florists up there to help her out.

Tomorrow I'm headed to Wendover with Adda & Ashlee. Should be an awesome day!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Having trouble finding the words.

Today I left Willows. It was hard. I love that place and the amazing people I've met and grown to love there. There wasn't much of a decision left for me. Rules and policies have been changing constantly for the last month. I suspect that I was the unwilling target of age discrimination. I might have been patient enough to put up with it all had there been a supply of water.

The water line started acting up a few weeks ago, and went completely dry last Wednesday. On Sunday my fresh water tank in the camper ran dry (I'M APPARENTLY A ROCK STAR AT CONSERVING WATER TO HAVE GONE THAT LONG) I've been hauling in drinking water from the lower campgrounds for myself and the cats since then. Trying to find time to swim or at least splash in the river in order to bathe. I came to a clear decision point when I was going to have to move the camper to go fill tanks (if you can imagine having to drive miles even to have water for flushing). There was no joy left in my job to make the effort worth it. So instead of loading water and returning we packed up camp. I'm gonna miss that place!

Fran as always has the best possible timing. She and the Coles came up this weekend and helped me remember a few of the reasons I loved being there and also why I'm gonna love being back home. We all floated the river (yay!!!!), I dyed my hair purple (I always feel better when I'm purple!!), and we talked about the flower shop and the people there whom I love.

I'm having a bit of an odd time separating my camp host life from my love of camping. I may not be in charge anymore (mixed blessing since the job had so many perks last year) but now I can camp wherever and whenever I want. The nasty situation I've been in (they tried to demand that I wear my uniform 24/7 including when I was all alone inside my camper at night with the doors and blinds closed, be on call constantly, cut my paid hours to 25 per week, force me to justify every movement of my day, and didn't want me to get to know campers) might sour me for camping. But I refuse! I'm gonna haul me Scotty and my hammock back out there and make it fun again! Y'all are invited!

I'm emotionally exhausted at the moment.

Be well, love without reserve, and never forget to be yourself!
-m

Monday, June 28, 2010

quick check in

I've been busy, full campground and lots of drama. The horrible car accident that closed off the canyon this Saturday was campers from Willows (my campground). I watched those kids drive out of my campground just minutes before the wreck. Just being that close to the whole thing was pretty stressful.

I'm bad at making up my mind on a good day, but on a bad day it's impossible. Finally today I quit dithering. I feel so much better. Sometime soon I'll share the details.

My flower family is coming to visit this weekend! I've missed them.

Got too many things to do, and not much time to do them.
be well y'all!
-m

http://dailyme.com/story/2010062700001881/canyon-crash-kills.html

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700043477/Car-truck-crash-kills-5-in-Ogden-Valley.html

http://connect2utah.com/news-story?nxd_id=96965

Monday, June 21, 2010

Never know in the morning where the day will take you.

This afternoon I'm sitting in a hospital room at Mckay-Dee with Glenn. He's recovering from heart surgery. Fortunately he was on the ball and knew something was wrong. They watched him over the weekend in Logan and decided this morning that he should come down here and see a specialist. Things went well, and they're planning to send him home tomorrow.

But while I'm here Mom & I get to take advantage of their guest internet and finish some of the projects we've needed to work on.

So I should finish up here and get to it.
Happy Monday y'all!
-m

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Refreshingly Busy!

Fathers’ day weekend was fabulous! The weather was balmy, camp filled Friday evening, Scott was here to help me keep track of details, and along the way I got in the first hammock nap of the season.

Campers whom I befriended last year in the pouring rain bought a trailer this month and hauled it up here. I love having them and their adorable healer dogs up here, and I'm quite looking forward to seeing them more this year.

There were quite a few familiar faces this weekend. Seems folk come back to a spot once they figure out they like it. It's sorta fun to recognize them & be recognized. Hopefully the ones who were a hassle & needed keeping track of will decide to camp elsewhere. I won't miss them a bit.

Tonight I've got 4 sites full, and 2 of the four are repeats from last year. The other 2 have been here since Friday. It is going to be a mellow comfortable night. Good thing! I'm sun burnt, and exhausted. The good news is that I'm also nearly out of hours for the week. Between the late night Friday, the heavy turn over Saturday, and the cleaning I did this afternoon, there's not much I *have* to do before Friday, and not many hours to fill up beautifying things.

The weather's been so fabulous that one of my primary goals for the week is locating and inflating my ski tubes and finding my swim trunks. Not sure if I'll tube the river or throw myself into one of the reservoirs. But it's definitely water time.

Oscar & I had a lovely snuggle in the hammock this afternoon. He's decided that when I pull the top layer of hammock over us it turns the whole thing into a giant bird cage that we both fit into. He had a good time singing, snuggling, and giving me all kinds of kisses (they're his favorite noise this week). He also got to watch all the wild birds come and go at the feeders. Next time I'll take the camera out there with us.

It's been really nice to have a busy weekend and good weather. I'm remembering more of the reasons I loved being up here last summer. It's the random golden moments that make me smile (like walking along the top of the loop tonight and having a baby cottontail rabbit step out to say hello). The amazing people who become single serving and occasionally lifetime friends. Quiet times when the most pressing thing in my life is waving hello to a camper or watching the stars. More chaotic moments when there's four sites to check in, the bathrooms need tissue, and the phone won't stop ringing (mostly I like those because it sorta makes me feel important and helps me enjoy the quiet times all the more). Also there are a very few times when it's me and Scott enjoying just being here. I love having him here to enjoy it all. There is no easy way to describe how it feels living in a beautiful, wild place, where you're so familiar with it all that you can hear when the wind changes direction. My closest constant neighbors are the bunnies, birds, mice, and raccoons. Also, I'm beginning to recognise the individual humming birds. That's pretty cool.

I do miss Tulip Tree like mad and keep feeling the throws of guilt because I'm here relaxing durring the mid week when I know that I could be there helping out. I know they can do it without me, but miss being part of it! That crazy 10 orders to go, and the phone keeps ringing feeling is kinda like a drug for me. It's full of energy, keeps you hopping along, and when Fran & Adda are there it's desperately fun. This is the only job that could be worth leaving my flower job for, and it's a VERY close competition. One bad day here has me itching to pack up my toys and go back home (and I'm not talking about my house & husband there, the shop is as much my home as the place I sleep is).


My pets are settling in finally. Yahzi's still a bit shy to come out of the bed and closet before dark, but he always has been more nocturnal than Spazz. He's not used to me being around all day, that's his sleeping time. He does seem to enjoy sitting by one of the bed windows smelling and watching things. Spazz is quite brave in comparison. As long as she has an escape rout back inside she'll happily explore the back porch and spends quite a bit of time sitting at the screen door watching the world go by. Oscar seems to be quite enjoying himself and all of the attention he gets.

I'm off to invent some kind of leftover chicken dish...chicken & french toast, garlic bread sandwich with chicken and bacon filling, perhaps cheesy chicken dorito nachos...oh wait, Scott ate all the chips :p. Wish me luck!
-m

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Try not to think about it.

I've had two good days now, and today isn't looking too shabby. The stress level up here is still absurd, but I'm managing to ignore some of it.

Last night we had a NASTY wind storm. There was quite a bit of noise around my camper during the night. Loud bangs & cracking noises from all the trees, flapping and banging from my *fabulous* canopy (I hate the thing and have to fix something about it every few days), thunder, hail, and constant buffeting from the wind. I wondered what was going on several times, but had already gotten cold and wet enough while tying things down for the night.

Here's my temporary solution to weighing down the canopy, it's a bit pricey as tarp weights go, but it worked until the rope loops ripped out of the canopy seam (I'll have re-sewn the whole thing soon).



This morning when I went out there was a BIG broken branch dangling from the tree in front of the truck & camper. I'm very very lucky it doesn't come threaten my camper. Good thing that it's over my driveway instead of one of the campsites. Maintenance came by to inspect it and will be back later to try bringing it down with a rope and hook. I've placed cones and orange buckets around to keep people away, and am just watching and waiting. Every so often a piece falls, some rather large, some just bark shreds. I'm not going under there to clean it up until the whole things down!





Got some fun pictures this morning while I had my camera out to get a picture of the tree. There was ice on everything and apparently it snowed.


Ice on the roof of my car.

There's a group of rabbits who live just across the road from me. I took several shots and mostly got blurrs, but the blurrs are kinda fun too. Here's a collage.


While everyone was here trying to decide how to handle the tree, I left Oscar loose on the kitchen table. He found the pile of cards I had ready to mail out, and decided that one of them needed his special touch.

He's helping me type this just now, and explaining why he's a good boy and Scott's bad. It's one of his favorite discussions.

Ouch! an hour of weed wacking and blowing, preceded by moving my wood pile has resulted in a huge knot between my shoulder blades. Good thing Scott's coming tomorrow to help me get through the weekend. I believe I'll crawl into bed, snuggle kitties, read a book, and wait for another part of the tree to fall.

Alls well that ends well.
-m

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Finally! A day worth writing about!

Today I spent the morning doing menial house and campground chores. I then took a nap. YES, I was so reckless as to abandon all of my ESSENTIAL responsibilities and sleep while the sun was out. I consider it one of the perks of this job. Hopefully no one sets out to prove me wrong.

There's been quite a bit of unececarry stress up here lately. Hopefully it all evens out. Otherwise I'll be executing plan B. Stress makes my pain levels soar! My nap today was less of a luxury than a necessity, I got next to no sleep last night.

After my nap I headed down into Ogden and bought propane. 100lbs of propane is a lot. But it'll last a while. Especially if we ever get some summer weather!

Then I got to see Jackie. Funny how some friendships can pick up after years with barely a batting of the eyes. I've missed her.

Mike & Lisa are camping elsewhere for a few weeks. I miss them. They're a great distraction and good company. Though perhaps I'll motivate myself into hammocking and cooking over the campfire while they're gone.

Saw Bullwinkle last night. He was down in South fork. He really is an awesome sight. Possibly terrifying, but beautiful.

It's late, I'm absolutely worn out, and the kitties require snuggles (they don't care for thunder).

Tomorrow's my day off so I'm hoping to get down to T&J's and do some real interneting.

Taking a deep breath and hoping for the best.
-m

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Blah...

I've had a hard time composing my thoughts lately. Aside from the crazy wildlife(jack rabbits, invasive raccoons, white tail deer, yorkies) & fun repeat campers my week has been a lesson in frustration. The weather sucks, everything keeps breaking or going awry. If Mike & Lisa hadn't been here to distract me and remind me to eat I'd probably have had a migraine most of the week.

I miss Scott. He stayed home this weekend to be useful and get things done. I'm all for that but I miss the company here. Even when we don't talk much it's nice to have him here.

There's not a lot I can get done up here when it's pouring and cold. I'd like to do some weed wacking but the darn thing's broken and down in the maintenance shed. Tomorrow hopefully there's a break in the weather so I can blow off the branches and seeds that have fallen. If not I'll put on my parka and go trim branches in some of the tenting sites. If the weather doesn't improve I'm going to have a hard time finding rain compatible ways to stay busy.

Highlight of the week! I got a Weber County Library card for the summer! I've restocked my audio books, and found several historical and paranormal romances by my favorite authors to read. It's keeping me from going stir crazy, and kitties approve of it because it's skritch compatible.

Oscar has entered yet another phase of terrible two. He now hates both my hands, but likes to snuggle my neck & has romantic intentions toward my watch. I have given up on avoiding bites and just pour alcohol on them daily to avoid infection. I really hope this phase ends SOON. He has finally realized that he can't fly and is becoming very adept at climbing and balancing. He's become particularly fond of rocking. His cage swings on the hanging ropes in the shower (his room) and today we discovered that his basket hangs nicely from the over booth cloths line. He rocks back and forth on the ropes or the cloths line and makes all kinds of happy noises.

It's late, I'm exhausted, and 7am comes awful early!
Be well.
-m

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Seriously! Why do I do that to me!

Seriously why'd I say things happen for a reason (I know I always say that, and I understand now why people want to hit me).

Today felt futile! Thank goodness I bothered my mom before I went out into the world. She always reminds me that someone thinks I'm special.

Please don't translate the following as me complaining, I'm mostly trying to motivate myself into changing how I do things. No use being frustrated.

I got my sites cleaned and started the weed whacking. Then wrote my list of supplies I use (as requested) and went to the meeting. I was the ONLY one who wrote the list (got the feeling I was the only one asked)...so it felt like I was complaining...I WASN'T.

Really all I needed was a working headlight (I'm in trouble for taking things apart to find the problem, don't necessarily blame them and won't do it again), ear plugs, firewood (to sell), and the right color of time cards (in trouble for filling out the color they gave me). I want to be pissed at myself for not anticipating that, cuz I usually know when I'm getting myself into trouble...but didn't see it coming.

Oh well.

Today just sucked. But I did motivate the canyon to try a different radio channel (one we used last year) and YAY we can actually hear each other! Also I spotted the a cow moose on my way home (bigger concern than her male counterparts). So maybe I wasn't a total pain.

Fran called me (bless her) and I remembered that sometimes I'm useful and important. Also this job is something I do because I LIKE it...

I really miss her, and visiting was very AWESOME. I understand now why so many people call her just to talk. Being away has made it more than clear how much I love the Tulip Tree. Things there are rarely simple, but as long as the job gets done no one is miserable. I really hope they miss me as much as I miss them.

I have fun stories of Spazzy's time on the porch to share, but lack the patience to write them down.

Happier thoughts soon I promise!
-m

Saturday, June 5, 2010

72 and Sunny

Saturday:

Today I woke up NOT feeling like I'd been hit by a train. That probably seems like a very normal thing for most folk, but for me lately it's pretty incredible. Perhaps it's the weather clearing up, perhaps it's actually getting enough sleep finally (yes, I stayed in my pajamas until after 12 today). I patroled camp when I opened the gate & the WENT BACK TO BED, figuring the issues I saw then would still be there in a few hours. They were, and now they're dealt with. For the last week I've had whining muscles and nerve pain shooting down both my legs. Starting the day at a manageable pain level was AWESOME!

Mike & Lisa have been here the last couple nights (this explains why I haven't been online). We've had all kinds of good food & great conversations. honestly don't know how I went all winter without them.

Speeking of going without people, I've only called Tulip Tree twice this week. Seems like things there are bumping along nicely without me. They might at least have had the grace to fall appart a little?!? Honestly I'm happy things are going smooth for them. Fran's settling into the new shop space, and everybody's getting ready for summer.

Today I managed to snap a few pictures, some wildlife and a pick of the oh so famous WONDER CART. Speeking of which wonder cart has tires that point the same way this year, however it also has a moody headlight. I really hope we can get that fixed soon cuz I HATE driving by flashlight, it's not at all awesome. Anyhow I finally got a bird book so I can guess what some of these pretty kritters are. I am by NO means and expert, and if you have a better name for one of them let me know!

Yahzi in his favorite spot watching the smellavision.


Here's what was on smellavision just then. A male black chin Hummingbird.


I'm pretty sure this is the same little guy but with the sun reflecting off of his neck.


A rather grumpy Lazuli Bunting on a cold afternoon when the feeders weren't full enough to suit him.


A house finch, sorry it's not as in focus as I'd like but he's so pretty I had to share.


A slithery kritter whom I nearly ran over this afternoon, sorry no snake id book, I mostly just try to avoid them.


WONDER CART!


Here's Mike working miracles with his grill. Mmmmmmmmnnnnnn.


The process. Yes that's a portable grill he's working on.


The finished product!


Oscar has decided that strawberries though very RED are pretty nummy. His beak is covered in sticky red juice & he's making all kinds of happy noises. Spazzy has decided that the BIG window in the back of the camper (the screen door) is preferable to the little ones all over. She sits there most of the afternoon & surveys what she considers HER territory. She nearly even forgives me for going outside, since I usually bring back interesting smells for her. The wild birds have gone through nearly all the seed I have, and I'm affraid they'll have to wait for payday for me to get down the canyon. I just don't think I'm willing to strap a 40lb box of seed to the seat of my scooter...nope.

I've got rowdy campers in the top of my loop that need checking on, so I'd better head back up there AGAIN. Seriously, this is my job, it's not personal, & I'm not making up the rules! Just give up on trying to 'sneak' stuff on me already!

WOW, some brave soul just pulled in with tubes on top of their car. I am neither that brave, or that foolish. BRRRRRRR!


Sunday:
Didn't get this all finished yesterday so I'm going to tack on a few notes from today. Today was/is GORGEOUS! 80 with a light breeze and no campers to piss me off. It's a poetic coincidence that the sheriff followed my problem campers out of the campground...
Scott hung around to help me get my tents up and that's made a big difference in making Willows seem more like home again. I now have my "village" up and as soon as I get done tweeking things to my liking I'll snap a pic. This afternoon Mom & Glenn brought me a couple more hummer feeders, and Thom & Judy picked up bird seed for me while they were at Costco. I am SET. Smellavision is gonna be awesome.

I've had a good crowd of lookers coming through this afternoon, but no stayers. That's fine with me after last night. I've got plenty of work to keep me busy cleaning this week. Gotta go make a list of all the supplies I go through on a regular basis for the canyon meeting tomorrow.

Remember,
Everything happens for a reason.
<3 -m

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Ew.

Woke up with a sore throat and ear ache. Have had a headache for days but thought it was just stress. Scott thinks maybe I was right. I give up! I have stuff to get done, and things to finish. I can NOT be sick. But today i was. I took a good nap and am now being punished for it. It's 1:30 and a convenient time to tie up my phone line, excellent for Spazz to get snuggles, and BAD for me to be awake! I really hope this is just another symptom of my allergies and backs off! The weather's supposed to be great this weekend, so I'm gonna need to kick butt & take names. I want to say "bring it" and smile, but with a flat tire on the golf cart and not feeling my best I'm sorta whimpering. Oh well. That's what I get for bragging on Mike's cooking and admitting that I'd need to log miles on the trike!

Let's all focus on being well this weekend K?
-m

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Another rainy day.

This weather's keeping things pretty quiet up here. I wait for breaks in the weather to get a few sites cleaned out then come back in to snuggle kitties and watch the rain. The soundtrack for these days has been a mix of Stan Rogers, Nathan Rogers, and Garnet Rogers. I just love their deep voices and acoustic guitar.

Tomorrow's supposed to be my day off, but I might wait and take part of Thursday instead.

Today I ran into Eden to get a few essential grocery supplies and mail off the bills. While I was there it became apparent that my car has some kind of power steering issue. I had a bit of an adventure getting back up the canyon...really hope that when I check the fluid tomorrow & that'll be the issue. I can't afford any sort of repair bill just now! It's sorta amazing how many small expenses have piled up this week getting here and set up. But I'm here and set now, and shouldn't have that kind of expenses for a while.

My New York gang is here this week. Mike's trying to feed me to death. I've never before seen fried chicken and collard greens come off of a grill! But if anyone can do it he can.
I snapped pictures of everything I ate yesterday (it's that good), and as soon as I locate my camera reader I'll post the pics. I'm definitely gonna have to log some miles on my trike to make up for all this :)



Ooh! Rains stopped! Time to go out and move firewood!
Be well!
-m

Monday, May 31, 2010

I am so TIRED!

Maybe it's because tomorrow's Monday, maybe it's the weather, maybe it's because Scott & I had a fight, who knows. I am EXHAUSTED! I am actually too tired to sleep. I have a campground full of good campers(random riff raff across the river in Upper Meadows but not too bad). Guess I'll sleep what I can and plan to make up for it during the week.

All the same, Happy Memorial. I'm done. More tomorrow.
-m

Saturday, May 29, 2010

We're off to see the Wizard

The car is LOADED. My faithful slave child (Chris) came over and helped me harness the cats then compact the carpet scraps and get them all into the trunk along with 2 ski tubes, four camp chairs, 3 tarps...then I folded 3 loads of laundry & fitted them next to the new litterbox & bucket of litter, and bucket of cat food in the back seat. Tomorrow first thing I shall leash/cage the ferocious beasts and load them into the front seat.

I am declaring myself QUEEN OF PACKING! And I dedicate this award to my father, who taught me by example (come on y'all anyone who saw him load the truck and boat for Lake Powell know EXACTLY what I'm talking about!).

I fully expect that upon arrival at Willows I will crack the door, and the car will unpack itself like a can of prank peanuts.

Scott has braved the beginning of Memorial Weekend by himself. Fortunately the weather has kept the riffraff down.

I'm hating leaving work, and it's gonna be really strange not to see my friends every day. I keep extracting promises to visit...I really hope some of them actually come see me. They really are my family, and I feel like I'm leaving home.

That sounds odd since I actually am leaving home, but in a way I'm just moving my stuff to a portable part of my home. I'm leaving my couch, my kitchen, my closet, my tulip tree, and moving my whole life into a small studio apartment on wheels. But I'm so excited! I love being a camp manager. No wonder it's a lot of peoples' dream job.

It's beyond late, and the two balls of fur in my lap are both tired and grumpy. I think I'll lead them to bed in hopes of lulling them into submission for morning. Wish me luck!
-m

Friday, May 21, 2010

Another day in paradise.

They keep changing their minds about if my campground is open or not. Last night they absolutely wanted it closed. This afternoon the forest service had a word with them and now they want it open. Good thing I didn't go home this morning. Magpie is open with no host...long story. I guess I'll just be glad I'm here. If they want it open then I'll check things and collect fees. If they want it closed I've got plenty to keep me busy.

I've barely even begun to set up my camp. Today I decided where I wanted to park the camper (pretty much exactly where I was last year, go figure). Hooked up the water and sewer, and thought about where I'm gonna put my pavilion. Haven't completely made up my mind about that one. I think tomorrow I'll erect the frame and stand around staring at it until I can get my mind made up. I need to drag my carpet out of the shed & get that laid out also.

It's been delightfully rainy. Fortunately I've been able to do all of my traveling and errands during the dry moments. That's very lucky since the only vehicle I have to drive is my scooter. I don't mind getting cold or damp, but I'm a bit of a wimp about being soaked to the skin and frozen. Temperatures have been pretty mild, but I'm still not putting my birthday flowers outside yet. Someone told me there's supposed to be snow tomorrow. I hope not.

Today I went to my favorite grocery store Valley Market in Eden. They might not have the biggest variety selection, but they make up for it in awesomeness. Their deli counter serves catfish, crab rangoon, fried frogs legs, and a chicken rice burrito that's to die for. Their bakery is also amazing. I know it's crazy to rave about a grocery store...but I am.

I'm remembering how much I LOVE being up here. Not just because it's pretty, and wild, and there's a fabulous motorcycle ride no matter what direction I turn from my driveway (less so on weekends of course because of all the slow cagers). But because there are so few complications. As long as the bathrooms are clean & I'm keeping an eye on campers, no one gets after me. Well most of the time that's how it works...

I'm going to have time to read, draw, think deep thoughts. I know I could make time for those things at home, but it's somehow much easier up here.

I've had a lot of people come through looking for sites for next week. Scott & the Whitmans should be plenty busy! Hope they survive!

The birds just found the feeder I put out. Yay, wish I had a hummer feeder with me, they're everywhere and keep giving me dirty looks. They'll still be here next week though. I guess I'm a bit impatient to have everything set up so I can just enjoy it all.

Wildlife spottings:
wild turkey
swans (on Pineview)
some sort of strange looking crane (on the way into Eden)
adorable tiny goldfinch who woke me up this morning
gross beak (on feeder)
hummers
robins (just took over the feeder)

I'm off to manufacture dinner out of the odds & ends I picked up at the grocery store. Wish me luck!
-m

Monday, May 17, 2010




Here's a map for those whom I've promised it to! I'll try to keep y'all posted and share some of my adventures. Hope to see ya.
-m

Friday, May 14, 2010

I’m HOME!

I’m HOME! It’s crazy how wonderful it felt to pull into Willows & know that it’s all mine. Scott & I got here just before dark last night.

Today was my birthday. It was a fabulous day! We slept in, I woke up to the noises & sounds that are home to me (mostly the river which is running quite high). Went down to Chris’ for breakfast (best country gravy other than mine & Dinner Bell’s) Gathered up my supplies at Anderson Cove, and stopped by Thom & Judy’s to visit my Willow Darlin and play with Mucuy. I’ve missed those guys a tons! Mom & Glenn showed up this afternoon & helped me clean up the sites. It was a great surprise! I rode my trike around & It really is gonna be as awesome as I thought it might be. Oscar spent the day watching the wild critters and strutting around the camper asking “Where’s Spazz?” Don brought up WONDER CART (I believe he must have fixed the front tires cuz it’s way less prone to steer it’s self in random directions), he also broke into my shed for me, and then figured out how to turn the water on. The canyon managers (Jim & Max) brought me uniforms, receipt book, and a leaf blower. So I’m in business!

Welcome to Willows! A good time will be had by all!
And if not, don’t tell me about it! =)

Wildlife sightings for yesterday & today:
Red Fox
Hawk
Gross Beak
Humming Birds
Snake (ewe, yes I screamed like a girl)
Jack Rabit
And if it counts Mom & Glenn picked up pieces (bones) of a dear that were scattered all over camp

Scott’s cooking me a mystery casserole for dinner (we skipped on going to the grocery store tonight since we were both worn out). Dessert will be the two slices of sparkly purple marble cake that I brought from work. Fran is the awesomest! She not only got me delicious cake, but it was purple with magenta neon glitter writing. The blue frosting roses stained all of our mouths bright blue, and also colored Byron’s mustache. It was a great party, and I’m already missing them! Good thing I get to go back Tuesday for a few days.

I have in mind a picture project for the summer. I’ll set the camera in the same place every day and snap a photo. Should be pretty interesting to look at when the season’s over. & it’ll motivate me to get my camera out every day and snap pics. I hate that I only have a few from last year.

I believe it’s time to turn of the computer and enjoy the sunset.
Be well.
-m


p.s. we just got our first camper of the year, it's official! He came to our door with two giant puppies (I think they're chow) He's a brave soul to camp in this weather, but I'm pretty sure the dogs will keep him warm. Oscar wanted to see the BIG kitties and had to go into his room (the bathroom) just in case. He & Scotty seem to be getting along a bit better in these tight quarters. We all miss the kitties!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Shifting Gears!

Mother's day is over, Tulip Tree is moving, and I'm headed for Willows. Fran always says if you want something done give it to a busy person. Things are getting DONE and I'm BUSY. Scott & I are hoping to pull the camper north either Thursday night or Friday morning. I'm pretty sure it'll be Friday, but I'm trying to stay optimistic. Quite looking forward to a change.

Tomorrow I'm going to Paramore with Jessie Whitman. Should be fun, it's been forever since I went to a concert.

I'm exhausted and in the mood for a movie. I believe it's time for a little Kenneth Branagh & kitty snuggles!
Happy trails y'all!
-m