Have you ever seen the television show "Deadliest Catch"? Well, I'm now an expert. Ask me anything you want about fishing in the Bearing Sea, catching Alaska king crab, the dangers and hardship of months at sea.
How did I become such an expert? Let me tell you.
Last Saturday morning, my husband announced that he was planning our day. First up was walking in 90+ heat to the local Farmer's Market. On the way back, he comes up with the idea that walking through a field of wildflowers at Albion Basin would be a fine afternoon. (I wondered if there were any wildflowers in bloom). He also thinks that getting some of our grandkids over to swim would be fun, and then we could top off the day by walking to the local chocolate shop for a piece of chocolate. I assume that somewhere in his plans a meal or two will be involved.
After we get home from the very long, hot walk to the Farmer's Market, my husband promptly sits down in front of the television and after a little channel surfing lands on "Deadliest Catch". That is where he stayed the rest of the day. It was a "Deadliest Catch" marathon - five hours of it, followed by the evening news and watching "Casino Royale". We did not spend the rest of the day running through wildflowers or swimming with grandkids. No chocolate from Hatchs.
We sat on our butts, under the air conditioning, as couch potatoes. Not likely that will happen again.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
My Mother's Daughter
My niece's daughter has been collecting memories that my brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews have of my mother. Recently, family members were provided with a copy so that we could look it over before she did the final project.
My husband has always said I have mostly my father's Danish personality. He's probably right about that. But, from the writings of my brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, I recognized some of my mother in me.
My mother kept an immaculate home. I can't say that my "house is as clean as its corners" - something she used to say all the time, but I know my children think that I'm a bit of a drill sargeant when it comes to keeping my home clean.
I've always felt like it was important to leave a home (rented or owned) better than you found it. Now I know that I get that idea from my mother. I also like to add "a little something extra" to family dinners and parties just like my Mother did.
Although, I probably will never be known as the great baker my mother was, I can make her cherry pie, using her pie crust recipe. And my children have grown up with graham cracker cookies, which they now call "Granny Grahams". Crazy Cake is a Sunday evening must have around our house.
So I may be a lot like my father. But I still have some of my mother in me. It's a good thing.
My husband has always said I have mostly my father's Danish personality. He's probably right about that. But, from the writings of my brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, I recognized some of my mother in me.
My mother kept an immaculate home. I can't say that my "house is as clean as its corners" - something she used to say all the time, but I know my children think that I'm a bit of a drill sargeant when it comes to keeping my home clean.
I've always felt like it was important to leave a home (rented or owned) better than you found it. Now I know that I get that idea from my mother. I also like to add "a little something extra" to family dinners and parties just like my Mother did.
Although, I probably will never be known as the great baker my mother was, I can make her cherry pie, using her pie crust recipe. And my children have grown up with graham cracker cookies, which they now call "Granny Grahams". Crazy Cake is a Sunday evening must have around our house.
So I may be a lot like my father. But I still have some of my mother in me. It's a good thing.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Motorcycle Diaries July 2008
Day 2 - Rexburg, Idaho to Twin Bridges, Montana
I've had days on the motorcycle when parts of the ride were perfect. But day 2 was probably the most perfect total day I've spent on the bike. The air temperature was perfect all day with sunshine and some overcast skies. The roads were good with some very much untraveled.
Our ride out of Rexburg took us north on route 47 to route 20. Just south of West Yellowstone, we turned left and had a beautiful ride through the Madison River valley towards Norris, Montana. Due to a late spring, every thing was still very green. We passed miles and miles of wildflowers in full bloom. Mother Nature's palette was amazing - pink, coral, yellow, red, white and many shades of purple. I've traveled through this part of the country many times. But I've never seen it as beautiful. Usually, it's been parched and dry.
We ended up in the little town of Twin Bridges, Montana. We logged about 350 miles which was probably a little more than we originally figured on. But it was well worth it.
Day 3 Twin Bridges, Montana - Round Trip
Day 3 kind of went like this. Small town, road construction, rain, road construction, very small town, road construction, beautiful scenery, road construction, twisting roads with road construction, lunch in Missoula, Montana, road construction, dinner in Dillon, Montana and back to Twin Bridges, Montana for a good night's rest.
Day 4 Twin Bridges, Montana, Headed home
Due to some problems that came up with business, Kent needs to get a half day in the office before the weekend. My brother decided to stay out on the road until at least Friday. Kent and I hightailed it for home by the quickest route. We doubled back from Twin Bridges to Ashton, Idaho and then hit I-15 all the way back. I really don't like riding the interstate, but what was about a 4 1/2 hour ride from Ashton would have been at least 6 hours or more going the scenic route.
True to the pattern of Day 3, we hit massive road construction just north of Idaho Falls. With some guidance from a guy on the road crew, we were able to avoid sitting in what could have been an hour of stop and go traffic. That would not have been fun on a motorcycle. Picture black asphalt, car exhaust, 95 temp, and no air conditioning. We took a route on surface streets through Idaho Falls. But that was certainly better than the alternative.
We had a nice rest break in the city park in Inkom, Idaho and made it back home before 7 PM.
I've had days on the motorcycle when parts of the ride were perfect. But day 2 was probably the most perfect total day I've spent on the bike. The air temperature was perfect all day with sunshine and some overcast skies. The roads were good with some very much untraveled.
Our ride out of Rexburg took us north on route 47 to route 20. Just south of West Yellowstone, we turned left and had a beautiful ride through the Madison River valley towards Norris, Montana. Due to a late spring, every thing was still very green. We passed miles and miles of wildflowers in full bloom. Mother Nature's palette was amazing - pink, coral, yellow, red, white and many shades of purple. I've traveled through this part of the country many times. But I've never seen it as beautiful. Usually, it's been parched and dry.
We ended up in the little town of Twin Bridges, Montana. We logged about 350 miles which was probably a little more than we originally figured on. But it was well worth it.
Day 3 Twin Bridges, Montana - Round Trip
Day 3 kind of went like this. Small town, road construction, rain, road construction, very small town, road construction, beautiful scenery, road construction, twisting roads with road construction, lunch in Missoula, Montana, road construction, dinner in Dillon, Montana and back to Twin Bridges, Montana for a good night's rest.
Day 4 Twin Bridges, Montana, Headed home
Due to some problems that came up with business, Kent needs to get a half day in the office before the weekend. My brother decided to stay out on the road until at least Friday. Kent and I hightailed it for home by the quickest route. We doubled back from Twin Bridges to Ashton, Idaho and then hit I-15 all the way back. I really don't like riding the interstate, but what was about a 4 1/2 hour ride from Ashton would have been at least 6 hours or more going the scenic route.
True to the pattern of Day 3, we hit massive road construction just north of Idaho Falls. With some guidance from a guy on the road crew, we were able to avoid sitting in what could have been an hour of stop and go traffic. That would not have been fun on a motorcycle. Picture black asphalt, car exhaust, 95 temp, and no air conditioning. We took a route on surface streets through Idaho Falls. But that was certainly better than the alternative.
We had a nice rest break in the city park in Inkom, Idaho and made it back home before 7 PM.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Motorcycle Diaries July 14, 2008
This will be brief since I'm only alloted 15 minutes on this public computer at the hotel.
We are in Rexburg, Idaho having arrived here via a ride over Monte Cristo, up to Jackson, Wyoming and over the Teton Pass into Idaho. It was a beautiful ride with perfect temperature.
Only 3 1/2 hours into the trip and Kent managed to get a speeding ticket going into Cokeville, Wyoming. And of course, since my brother was on his motorcycle right behind us, he got ticketed too. The local constable, with the idea of doing them a favor, said the ticket would only get reported to the city court and not go against their points. We figured that the entire scheme was a scam to raise money for the local municipality. In one fell swoop, the city will net $460 in speeding fines. OUCH!
We are in Rexburg, Idaho having arrived here via a ride over Monte Cristo, up to Jackson, Wyoming and over the Teton Pass into Idaho. It was a beautiful ride with perfect temperature.
Only 3 1/2 hours into the trip and Kent managed to get a speeding ticket going into Cokeville, Wyoming. And of course, since my brother was on his motorcycle right behind us, he got ticketed too. The local constable, with the idea of doing them a favor, said the ticket would only get reported to the city court and not go against their points. We figured that the entire scheme was a scam to raise money for the local municipality. In one fell swoop, the city will net $460 in speeding fines. OUCH!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Too much information....
Warning to any guys out there or any one who squirms at the thought of female issues, you may not want to read this post....
As a change of pace last night, my monthly book group went out to dinner instead of meeting at someone's home. One of the gals in the group belongs to a country club. So that's where we headed. It was a nice place....lovely table linens, upholstered chairs, uniformed waiters, great view of the golf course and a pricey menu.
Not long after we get settled in and have placed our orders, a discussion of books that some had read recently got started. One of the gals began talking about some book on menopause that she was reading. Now these women were all over 45 and could all relate to menopausal issues. You know, a brief discussion of the book probably would have sufficed. But, no, several gals were more than willing to share ALL the details of their personal menopausal battle. And I mean ALL.
If we had been in one of the ladies home having this conversation, it would have been one thing. But we were in a nice restaurant with TWO MALE waiters in their twenties serving us and since we practically had the place to ourselves there was no ambient background noise to cover the conversation. I just wondered what those men were thinking as they went around the table filling water glasses and serving the main course and listening to stories of hot flashes, sexual issues, excessive monthly bleeding....these women weren't holding back at all. I know I was WAY uncomfortable.
Too much information, even for me, and I'm no prude. Ewww!!
As a change of pace last night, my monthly book group went out to dinner instead of meeting at someone's home. One of the gals in the group belongs to a country club. So that's where we headed. It was a nice place....lovely table linens, upholstered chairs, uniformed waiters, great view of the golf course and a pricey menu.
Not long after we get settled in and have placed our orders, a discussion of books that some had read recently got started. One of the gals began talking about some book on menopause that she was reading. Now these women were all over 45 and could all relate to menopausal issues. You know, a brief discussion of the book probably would have sufficed. But, no, several gals were more than willing to share ALL the details of their personal menopausal battle. And I mean ALL.
If we had been in one of the ladies home having this conversation, it would have been one thing. But we were in a nice restaurant with TWO MALE waiters in their twenties serving us and since we practically had the place to ourselves there was no ambient background noise to cover the conversation. I just wondered what those men were thinking as they went around the table filling water glasses and serving the main course and listening to stories of hot flashes, sexual issues, excessive monthly bleeding....these women weren't holding back at all. I know I was WAY uncomfortable.
Too much information, even for me, and I'm no prude. Ewww!!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Sometimes you just need the facts
In my hometown, they (not sure who "they" are) have an air quality alert system. Green for "good", yellow for "getting worse" and red for "stay indoors and don't breathe this stuff". Today is a red day. After looking out at my city view, I think today should be a "stinky, mucky, brown air day".
The other day, I bought some new sheets. Now, I understand about presentation and a little about the nuances of advertising and packaging. But sometimes, you just want the facts. I don't need the vinyl zipper package that the sheets come in. It just makes me feel guilty when I toss it in the garbage. I don't need the cute little ribbon tied around the sheets, or the heavy cardboard the sheets are folded around. What I need is the size, fabric content and thread count written on the label in a font size and color that I can read without putting on my glasses or wishing that I had a magnifying glass.
The other day, I bought some new sheets. Now, I understand about presentation and a little about the nuances of advertising and packaging. But sometimes, you just want the facts. I don't need the vinyl zipper package that the sheets come in. It just makes me feel guilty when I toss it in the garbage. I don't need the cute little ribbon tied around the sheets, or the heavy cardboard the sheets are folded around. What I need is the size, fabric content and thread count written on the label in a font size and color that I can read without putting on my glasses or wishing that I had a magnifying glass.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
The Final Stuff....
Yesterday, we had 3 large boxes of books to donate to the library. We pulled up to the unloading area at the library just when an employee happened to be hauling crates of books into the building with a hand truck. All we had to do was open the back of our car and he took our donations.
After loading our unsold dryer on the trailer with the intention of taking it D.I., we made a stop a friend's house to drop off some items we were giving to them. Their newlywed daughter and her husband were in process of loading her things into a truck to move to So. Cal. They ended up with our dryer.
The U-Haul place was more than happy to take all of our used boxes. It seems like they have a regular who comes by every Monday and takes all the recycled boxes. The U-Haul shop would have had nothing for him if we hadn't stopped by on Saturday.
My friend, who is the Stake RS (my church's women's organization) president, called me tonight and said that she wanted to keep the aforementioned quilting system in our stake. So she would come with her husband's truck and get it tomorrow.
So, we've met our deadline to vacate and all the pesky stuff that remained found good homes. Our boxes are unpacked in the apartment. The former house is all cleaned up. And I don't have to deal with any of this stuff anymore!!
Well. that is until the next time we have to do this.
After loading our unsold dryer on the trailer with the intention of taking it D.I., we made a stop a friend's house to drop off some items we were giving to them. Their newlywed daughter and her husband were in process of loading her things into a truck to move to So. Cal. They ended up with our dryer.
The U-Haul place was more than happy to take all of our used boxes. It seems like they have a regular who comes by every Monday and takes all the recycled boxes. The U-Haul shop would have had nothing for him if we hadn't stopped by on Saturday.
My friend, who is the Stake RS (my church's women's organization) president, called me tonight and said that she wanted to keep the aforementioned quilting system in our stake. So she would come with her husband's truck and get it tomorrow.
So, we've met our deadline to vacate and all the pesky stuff that remained found good homes. Our boxes are unpacked in the apartment. The former house is all cleaned up. And I don't have to deal with any of this stuff anymore!!
Well. that is until the next time we have to do this.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Back to my roots, sort of...
Today one of my nephews got married. He and his bride-to-be chose to be married in the little Utah town of Manti. Manti is where my mother was born and raised. My family has a pretty rich heritage in this small town. My great, great grandfather (I think that's the correct amount of greats) was one of the first settlers of the area. My grandfather was the superintendent of the school district and well known in the community.
My husband and I made the 2 hour drive to Manti and just happened to arrive in the area with time to spare before the wedding ceremony. I didn't have the exact address of the home where my mother lived as a girl, but had a vague idea of what part of town it was in. After driving up and down several streets, I saw the large,, two story home that my great great grandfather had lived in. I remembered that my mother's house was just down the street.
On the next corner, where I was now sure my mother's house was, sat a house with white, aluminum siding. It looked like the same house in pictures that I have seen and it was in the same location that I remembered seeing it several years before. But the white, aluminum siding puzzled me. My mother's original house was built out of stone from a local quarry. Many of the other houses and buildings in Manti are built out of the same stone. With the aluminum siding, the house that I saw just wasn't my mother's childhood home. It was kind of sad.
My husband and I made the 2 hour drive to Manti and just happened to arrive in the area with time to spare before the wedding ceremony. I didn't have the exact address of the home where my mother lived as a girl, but had a vague idea of what part of town it was in. After driving up and down several streets, I saw the large,, two story home that my great great grandfather had lived in. I remembered that my mother's house was just down the street.
On the next corner, where I was now sure my mother's house was, sat a house with white, aluminum siding. It looked like the same house in pictures that I have seen and it was in the same location that I remembered seeing it several years before. But the white, aluminum siding puzzled me. My mother's original house was built out of stone from a local quarry. Many of the other houses and buildings in Manti are built out of the same stone. With the aluminum siding, the house that I saw just wasn't my mother's childhood home. It was kind of sad.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Stuff....Where do I start?
I apologize up front for any rambling, whining or totally disconnected thoughts that may end up on this post. I've had so much stuff (would like to use a stronger word here, so insert any word that you can conjure up) going on this past week.
We have moved into our cozy little 1300 sq ft. apartment. Now, I know some of you out there might wonder what's wrong with that. Well, we just left a 4300 sq ft. house and trying to get rid of all the accumulated stuff that didn't fit in 3000 less sq ft has been challenging. We unloaded what we could on our children. But that barely made a dent. After a very successful moving sale, last Saturday, the remaining stuff seemed a little more manageable.
My husband and poor, slave labor, youngest son hauled stuff to a storage unit today. My previous experience of having things in storage leads me to believe that when this stuff is unearthed from storage in the future, I'll wonder "Why on earth did we think this was important stuff??!!??" But my husband just can't seem to let go of all his fishing, hiking, camping, sporting goods equipment that he only uses about once a year or less. I'm proud to say that most of the stuff that went to storage is his stuff.
Two trips to D.I. later, and I'm only left with a GAS dryer (Anyone interested?) and the impossible to unload quilting frame system. In one last desperate attempt to find these two items a permanent place, I've re-posted on craigslist and ksl.com. I have no idea what I'll do with them if someone doesn't step up and buy them. I'd almost give them away just so I don't have to deal with them anymore. Erg.
I'm sitting here waiting for the cable guy - again. This is the "fun" part of moving. The cable was set up last week much to my husband's delight. But to his dissatisfaction, the picture isn't up to snuff and it takes two remotes to work everything. So, cable guy is on his way. One last little frustration will soon be out of the way.
There is an upside to all this. I've lost 9 pounds in 7 days. I wouldn't recommend my activities of the past week as a sure fire weight loss program for anyone. It's been awful, stressful, sweaty, and really no fun at all.
The apartment feels like home - mainly because we lived in this same complex three years ago (for four years) while searching for a house and said house turned out to only be a three year stay. We have a great view of the city from our 7th floor apartment. It's the view that Ms. Nimby demanded that she should have from her back deck. So there's a little justice.
I'll finish up with the last of the cleaning at the house tonight. And then I'm done. I hope the new owners enjoy living downhill from the Nimbys. I won't miss them AT ALL!! There's more to tell about the Nimbys, but that is an entirely different post.
And another upside to moving - when talking to our internet provider about moving our service, the customer service guy says "Wow, you don't have broadband and your internet speed is just one step above dial up. I can upgrade you at no additional charge." My kids have been complaining for years that our computer was slow. I never bothered to check on it. So, now with my free upgrade, I'm whizzing and down loading my way through the internet. It has taken a little getting used to.
Yay! Cable guy showed up, on time, as promised. There should be no complaints from my husband about the picture, remote usage or anything else on his television. My brother will appreciate that as well. The problematic TV is in the "Man Den/Guest Room".
Husband and I have designated rooms in this apartment. There's the joint usage living room/kitchen area and master bedroom/bath. We also have "His" room and "Her" room. It's a little deja vu. His parents lived in this same complex many years ago. They had His and Her rooms. But, please, just don't call us Carol and Bob.
We have moved into our cozy little 1300 sq ft. apartment. Now, I know some of you out there might wonder what's wrong with that. Well, we just left a 4300 sq ft. house and trying to get rid of all the accumulated stuff that didn't fit in 3000 less sq ft has been challenging. We unloaded what we could on our children. But that barely made a dent. After a very successful moving sale, last Saturday, the remaining stuff seemed a little more manageable.
My husband and poor, slave labor, youngest son hauled stuff to a storage unit today. My previous experience of having things in storage leads me to believe that when this stuff is unearthed from storage in the future, I'll wonder "Why on earth did we think this was important stuff??!!??" But my husband just can't seem to let go of all his fishing, hiking, camping, sporting goods equipment that he only uses about once a year or less. I'm proud to say that most of the stuff that went to storage is his stuff.
Two trips to D.I. later, and I'm only left with a GAS dryer (Anyone interested?) and the impossible to unload quilting frame system. In one last desperate attempt to find these two items a permanent place, I've re-posted on craigslist and ksl.com. I have no idea what I'll do with them if someone doesn't step up and buy them. I'd almost give them away just so I don't have to deal with them anymore. Erg.
I'm sitting here waiting for the cable guy - again. This is the "fun" part of moving. The cable was set up last week much to my husband's delight. But to his dissatisfaction, the picture isn't up to snuff and it takes two remotes to work everything. So, cable guy is on his way. One last little frustration will soon be out of the way.
There is an upside to all this. I've lost 9 pounds in 7 days. I wouldn't recommend my activities of the past week as a sure fire weight loss program for anyone. It's been awful, stressful, sweaty, and really no fun at all.
The apartment feels like home - mainly because we lived in this same complex three years ago (for four years) while searching for a house and said house turned out to only be a three year stay. We have a great view of the city from our 7th floor apartment. It's the view that Ms. Nimby demanded that she should have from her back deck. So there's a little justice.
I'll finish up with the last of the cleaning at the house tonight. And then I'm done. I hope the new owners enjoy living downhill from the Nimbys. I won't miss them AT ALL!! There's more to tell about the Nimbys, but that is an entirely different post.
And another upside to moving - when talking to our internet provider about moving our service, the customer service guy says "Wow, you don't have broadband and your internet speed is just one step above dial up. I can upgrade you at no additional charge." My kids have been complaining for years that our computer was slow. I never bothered to check on it. So, now with my free upgrade, I'm whizzing and down loading my way through the internet. It has taken a little getting used to.
Yay! Cable guy showed up, on time, as promised. There should be no complaints from my husband about the picture, remote usage or anything else on his television. My brother will appreciate that as well. The problematic TV is in the "Man Den/Guest Room".
Husband and I have designated rooms in this apartment. There's the joint usage living room/kitchen area and master bedroom/bath. We also have "His" room and "Her" room. It's a little deja vu. His parents lived in this same complex many years ago. They had His and Her rooms. But, please, just don't call us Carol and Bob.
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