After a five year hiatus, Jud and I are once again, homeowners.

The whole house-buying process was a bit of an ordeal and in my bitterness, I didn't really feel like sending a Thank You card to the mortgage broker. Now that the dust has settled (kinda-sorta) on the move, I feel like I have a better appreciation of where were are and our "new life" in Victor.

Okay, so that's really only about 10 miles from where we used to live and it's not like we're starting over but it does feel like a new beginning. Technically, you could argue that it's "new to us"–right down to the kitchen sink and we're making good use of it so far.

Right now, I'm sitting in my kitchen, listening to the sound of my dishwasher and writing this blog on my granite countertops. Yeah, I'd say that homeownership is pretty special. Even the nagging little fear I have about the state of the economy isn't dampening my urge to do the happy-dance.

Maybe I'll even send out a Thank You card.

Anni finally learned to make jam tonight. Only she didn't learn it from me. For two weeks, I've been canning at a frantic pace with little help from the kids.

I think it was less than a little for that matter. I still haven't figured out what possessed me to do it considering how long it's been since I've handled a canner. It started out with a batch of canned peaches and spiraled out of control to preserves,  anaheim peppers, green chile sauce, the free batch of pinto beans that turned into several batches and I'm about to break new ground into canned sweet and sour sauce because a friend gave me a recipe that I couldn't resist. But my continued late nights and droopy eyelids have been due in part to the lack of helping hands other than my own.

Anni went to her Beehive activity tonight and I learned they were canning jam. Had I known that they were doing a hands-on demo, I would have volunteered my kitchen and the girls could have finished the rest of my canning chores. Needless to say, that didn't happen and I faced a pressure canner and a motherload of pinto beans. It was a good thing that I was down to my last batch.

On the plus side, Anni proudly told her friend recently that our pantry is well-stocked. The downside is obvious. The shelves didn't just happen to stock themselves. There sure was a heck of a lot of work put into it and–unfortunately–the work involved was all mine.

Annika and I were trying to find a friend of hers and so we hopped on the Google train and cruised the net in search of her friend, Trinitty.

Funny how some things just pass us by. We didn't even know she was willing to stand in front of a crowd and sing, let alone that she made it in the local paper last May. I was so really bummed I missed that.

Trinitty, ANNIKA, and Emma as featured in the Teton Valley News in May 2011.

Of course, being 11 years old, I suppose that it would have been too embarrassing to let her parents know that she was participating in a talent show.

Emma has moved on with her mom to Hawaii (I know I'm in envy). But I'm glad we were able to track down Trinitty's mom and it looks like Anni will have a play-date soon.

Kids are back in school!

Only...one of them is schooling at home and the other is back at school.

Colter is a Freshman at Teton High School. For the next thirty days, that is. Then he joins Annika, who is a 6th grader at the Idaho Virtual Academy. It's a virtual school, virtually in our living room.

Annika and I started yesterday but the preparation for this started the week before. Today is where the rubber hits the road because all the easy orientation and tutorials happened yesterday so we'll see how well we both do with the real stuff.

I say, we, because I'm learning side-by-side with them. I'm going back to school too. I never thought I'd be doing this. Then again, I never thought we would be living in Idaho either. So as their "learning coach" my role is supposed to be there to help them through their classes. At the information seminar, we were told that the learning coach is not so much the teacher to the kids as much as they are a mentor.

Well, if it walks and talks like a duck, it probably is.

But I kept that to myself. I decided to reserve judgement until the day I potentially find myself creating a crater-size hole on the wall with my head or sucking my thumb in a corner with drool dripping down the side of my mouth.

I know what you're thinking.

Who's hare-brained idea was this? While I've been known to think up some seriously stupid stuff in my life, I can honestly say that it wasn't me.

It was Jud's fault. He put this crazy thought into motion and I just kept the ball rolling. In the end, Annika, who initially said no, actually was more than eager to go to IDVA. Colter took a little longer. Actually, the jury is still out on that but we think that this could be a good move for both. We asked the kids why online schooling was appealing to them (notice, I didn't say homeschooling because I am still in denial) Anni wants to go to college sooner and Colter wants...well...food.

Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad. ~Norm Papernick

So, yeah, we're happy for them.

My eleventh hour decision to go to the KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) held in Las Vegas this year turned out to be a well-deserved break for me. Jud asked if it was worth the expense because these trips tend to burn a hole in one's pockets.

Despite my reservations as I prepared to leave and the major flight delay that brought me into Vegas at 2 in the morning, I think it actually came to be a rather productive trip.

Awesome weather! Blue Skies! NO SNOW!!

Ahhh, the weather...how's that for a good start. It was unusually cool for Vegas. It was in the 70's. I did not mind it one bit! I had a chance to catch up with old friends and my cousin who was generous enough to wait patiently for my flight to finally show up and drop me off at my resort. We even had a bit of fun by going to the History Channel's Pawn Stars store. I had hoped to see Chumlee but no such luck that day but I did come away with cool t-shirts, a little bling for myself and pictures (thanks to Resty) to remember the day!

Fun time with Mitzie and Resty at the site of Vegas Pawn Stars

Oh yeah...and I also did actually learn a few things along the way. I picked up a couple of new hardware lines for the business, took some classes for the CEU requirements I need to maintain my design certification, and had a to-the-point conversation with the Whirlpool rep about what I thought of their dishdrawers...they suck, DON'T EVER INSTALL ONE!

The best pedicure I've ever had still going strong one week later.

And since this is Vegas, I had a great time checking out the sights, even went to a buffet (I don't recommend it), played the penny slots, had drinks and sushi with the girls at the Encore, and splurged on a spa visit for an awesome massage and pedicure. And just when I thought I had experienced all I could from this town, a shuttle driver who took me back to the airport helped me re-center and gave me a parting lesson. I was running behind and he was kind enough to wait patiently for me (there seems to be a pattern here). I was so flustered and felt so bad because he could have gotten into trouble since they're shuttle drivers, not chauffeurs. Instead, he told me not to sweat the small stuff, because in the end, it's all SMALL stuff.

It is a lazy Sunday and on the first day of May, it was a regrettable 35º F mid-day. We're just hanging out and watching the tube–the Travel Channel is our favorite go-to station. With any luck, we'll have learned something productive and useful should the country go to hell and a handbasket As the family chronicler, I have been a slacker at keeping up. On the other hand, this winter has blessedly gone fast.

Jud, of course, has been fishing. And fishing. And fishing. Winter has not stopped the obsession. On just about every weekend, he's been out and about looking for that primo ice hole up in the park.


And for the most part, it had been rewarding. We've had a great season for healthy trout dinners. But it looks like winter has got it's hold on us and we are all pretty tired of it. Take this photo that Jud took at the top of Fred's Mountain LAST WEEK!


They had to dig their equipment building out of some pretty deep snow, a few feet of which is recent. I was in Las Vegas for a trade show basking in some incredible sun and 70º plus weather while they were dealing with this stuff!

But we did have some snippets of fun along the way! Spring break found us making our way to Salt Lake for a few days. We decided to hit a few Travel Channel restaurants featured in our favorite shows. That included the Blue Plate, Crown Burgers, and Kobe Restaurant where Man vs. Food featured its very interesting Hellfire Challenge. We didn't partake but we saw a few people try it while we were there.

Our own verdict? The Blue Plate in Sugarhouse was awesome combining great food with great local-dive atmosphere. Plus, if EVER we decide to go back to Utah, I have a fondness for that neighborhood that keeps growing every time we go there. Crown Burgers was so-so. So same. So lame. I can't say that there's anything there that is worth repeating and there's we didn't care for the one-free soft-drink refill. Now, Kobe is a luxury to try and try again. Providing you can afford the tab because when you belly up to the bar for the sushi, you'd better be keeping track of what you're ordering because it can add up if you're not paying attention. Luckily, we picked up a Restaurant.com certificate to help with the bill because it would have cost us a fair amount for our order.

Where to next? Well, Jud and I plan to head back to Las Vegas for a long weekend to celebrate our anniversary in June. We could go to one of our condos but Jud has decided to try for a little luxury on the Strip. Should we try the Trump Towers? Planet Hollywood? Bellagio? The new City Center hotels like the Aria or Vdara?

We still have no concrete plans for the Summer break but we've got our sights on a few options. But we'll keep those under wraps until we know for sure. Whatever our choice, it will be a great time for the whole family whether it's a repeat of old places we've been to or new places we haven't.

I was reminded recently not to sweat the small stuff because in the end, it's ALL small stuff. That said, it is good to simply enjoy the process....

Anni is back in school. I am back on ME mode for whatever that's worth. I haven't quite gotten my head wrapped around the fact that Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Christmas not far behind.

Where did the months go?

Sorry, no pictures. I've taken plenty...believe me...just not for this particular blog. Colter will end the first half of the school year in a better position than where he was this time last year. There's always room for improvement. Anni is back in school. Why I don't have a picture of that is beyond me. Maybe tomorrow. I'm going to be towing the munchkins around for their pediatrician appointments in Jackson.

Please...please...let the roads be good. My snow tires have not arrived yet and I've already had a little slip n' slide last Saturday.

So which came first?



The Turkey?

Cute guy, isn't he? Stripped down to the skinny and he's even better. Ron said deep fried Butterball...oh boy! Should be good!

A seafood feast though is incomparable. Too bad my mom has decided to hang up the apron for this Thanksgiving and celebrate in Vegas instead. Maybe Christmas?

A nice FB chat with Tanner today (or was it yesterday?). What a great kid! However, twice now, I've been given the memo about making myself present for the family gathering.






 Or the Tree?

Jud's having issues with his shoulder. I hope we can cut down our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving weekend. Hate to break tradition and I don't feel like dealing with a fake tree. There's just nothing like the smell of fresh fir!

Yes, I've become anti-social over the years.  I've also increasingly become less tolerant of...well, can't get into that. My therapist will tell you that it's a protective mechanism. I prefer my little blue pills.

Hey, at least I'm honest.





Not to worry, I'll have a better attitude by tomorrow morning. If not, then I'll just have to keep my game face on until I work out my anxieties at the club.

Seriously though, the turkey or the tree?

For the record, it's a balmy, BEAUTIFUL, 60-degree day. September gave way to October and October into November. This weather is an anomaly but what a wonderful fall season we're having!

We took the kids to Jackson for the annual Town Square Trick or Treat. This is the way Halloween should be with hoards of people in costume. It was pretty busy downtown!


Anni scored with the candy and even got this very interesting eyewear from one of the stores to complete her outfit. Is that the gleeful wicked witch?


Colter dressed as .... himself! Okay, he bowed out this year and just stayed in the truck with his dad waiting for us. Pity because he could have scored on the goodies the way Anni did.


I dressed up, of course. I wore a kimono.  I certainly looked the part. Hey,why not. Japan is only a stone's throw away from the Philippines. It could happen.


Already, we're seeing the stores gearing up for the Christmas holidays and the Halloween stuff aren't even put away yet. I have a serious beef over the commercialism of our favorite events. I find that I no longer look forward to Christmas the way I used to. It's supposed to be the BIG event you couldn't wait to see again every year but it loses it's charm and meaning when it's screaming at met everywhere I go when it's only October. But that's a gripe for another day.




In the meantime, we're ENJOYING this weather. Jud when to Henry's lake yesterday for a little fishing and texted me these pictures from his Blackberry. Wish I had been there. The again, I don't have his can-do attitude for waking up at the butt-crack of dawn to go fishing.




 







Of course, the drawback is that I missed the view. I like this one the best with the water churning behind the boat leaving a wake. It's pretty cool! Pretty good shot for a camera phone.
 


 Oh, but now this is a good one too. I was heading over the pass on Thursday. You could almost dive into it and go for a swim. Very Shangri-La!

Compiling a Christmas wishlist is much like putting together your favorite things to do. Still, it's been fun putting this together while ignoring the temptation of actually going out and buying any of them immediately. We find that it's more enjoyable and rewarding when patience is practiced.

Jud and Pen (family gift)
- Cuisinart ICE-30BC 2qt Ice Cream Maker
- Secura Halogen Infrared Turbo Convection Oven, 2010 Deluxe Package 777MH
- 5 Second Rule Game by Patch Products 
- Gift Certificate to Olive Garden
- Baking Ingredients: Bulk Chocolate Chips, Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Yeast, Cinnamon, Pure Vanilla

Colter
-TBD (he's not quite ready...shocking...but I'm sure it will have something to do with airsoft gun stuff like pellets and sheets of bullseye targets,  a new controller for the Wii, and food is always a favorite so hope this gives you an idea while he's pondering)

Annika
-Nail Polish Set
-Nice Jeans, Boot Cut, Size 12
-Venettini Kids' Ciarra Pre/Grd School Black Patent Boot, Size 4 / 36.0M (found this at Shoes.com)
-Easy Bake Cookie/Cake Dough Packets
-LPS Petriplets Kitties (#93635)
-Monopoly Littlest Pet Shop Edition (#04381)

A Favorite Christmas Memory:

I think it was when Colter was in 1st Grade and he came home with a holiday ornament made of baked (flour) clay. He made a "HO-HO" ornament in class. The second "ho" on the ornament broke off and we lost it. But we still kept the other half of the ornament, only, it now just says, "HO" and I crack up every time I open that box to put up our ornaments every Christmas since.

Life is good!

Wood-cutting is an annual rite for us. I recall a time when Jud had said he was done with firewood. And yet, here we are again.

Jud prefers the larger trees. It's great...if you're as strong as he is. I can only roll what he can easily lift. I can give the bigger log a heave-ho and it won't budge. Together, we haul a more daunting eight-footer but I'm pretty sure he's carrying the brunt of the weight because I'm certain that my arms have gone into a coma.

The man simply does not know his limits. So, I've started joining him for safety.

No puny trees for this exercise. Jud enjoys the effort. I asked him to let me have a go with the chainsaw. It was a 4-pound little monster and it chewed into wood like it was butter.

But the real work starts after the tree is felled and cut into sections. It's brute strength that gets it from the ground to the truck and even on the smaller logs, it's still back-breaking work.

We had water and a little food. But poor Jud forgot to bring a little Gatorade on this trip. He really could have used it!




Anni and I joined him on this expedition–south to Star Valley, to his old stomping grounds. This is the furthest we've taken Anni on a road trip since the surgery and she did very well. While Jud was sawing away at another tree, she and I hiked a short way to the top of the hill. It sure was a beautiful day.

I guess it would be fun to do this again. Like...next year. Jud is hoping that another window of opportunity would come up. He still has a few tags left he'd like to fill. Apparently four cords of wood are not enough. Not including this batch, which he's doing as a trade for that really nice chainsaw he let me try  out, we've got enough to keep the house heated like an oven.

I happen to think that's a lot but he's of a different opinion on the matter so I suppose we just may be back if this first round of snow goes away for a little bit.







On the other hand, these road trips have their little perks. They give me more opportunity to take pictures.

Now, that I like to do while Jud is making a loud racket with his man-gear. The kids are sure getting tired of their pictures being taken. They'll have to get over it. I only get a shot at every new day with them once. I'm holding my ground.

I am making up for for all those times I forgot to bring a camera!



And of course, there's the landscape that's always worth trying to capture on film. I'm still figuring out all the different features of this Lumix and I'm enjoying learning. The little tripod I bought helps me take pictures on a timer. It eliminates that drawback of being the one behind the camera.

Maybe I'll enter more photo contests and see how I fare. In the meantime, I found an online digital scrapbook. I'd sure like to create one of those really neat digital albums.

Is it really the middle of October already? The family seems to have gone through quite a hurdle in the last little bit. It leaves little time to really be conscious of time and it's passing by quickly.

Anni decided to join her friends for her school's Fall Harvest Festival. She's getting stronger by leaps and bounds (only, we don't want her to consider leaping and bounding just yet). She wore her Holloween costume, I made her a black hooded cape.

She wanted the vampire look at first. Then she changed her mind and wanted to go for the ghoul look. On the other hand, she looks more like the hooded Jedi's in Colter's Star Wars Clone Wars show but she still looks pretty cool! The next step is to get her some white face paint to complete the costume for candy day.

Snow is on the mountains but weather's been kind and LOVELY! I'm hoping the temperatures hold for another month. But you just never know around here. Jud and Colter went with Ron to Star Valley for a little sight seeing–well, okay, they went hunting but came away empty. They enjoyed the trip though–a little male-bonding time for the three dudes and a nice experience for Colter.

Yeah, okay. It's Fall. I admit with every year, it's getting more and more difficult to look forward to another long winter

...in a small town to boot.

I was hoping football was a good common ground to use on Jud to consider a family move.We've been here 10 years. And as much as I've grown to appreciate living in a small town, there are (many) times when I've questioned how long I will last. Have I griped about this before?

"Wouldn't you want to live someplace where there's a major football team?' I asked Jud last night.

"Why? Those tickets are so expensive anyways. College football is a lot better to watch." he replied.

I tried another tactic so I asked, "Wouldn't you want to live someplace where there's a good college football team?"

Sensing the direction this conversation was heading, Jud replied, "High school football is much better to watch."

Grrrrr....

Most of us have heard the fish tales. It usually starts with, "I caught a fish THIS BIG!" But we especially like the really good fish tales–the ones we eagerly take pictures of for posterity.


On this fine October day, Jud, Colter and Carmelo (my dad) went off to spend the day on Henry's Lake. They left at 5 in the morning. Came home at about 5 at night. When I called to check with them mid-day, the fishing was apparently slow. 


But as you can see...this one was worth all that wait, according to my dad. And thanks to our other Dad, Ron, they sure had a good time on his boat catching this fish along with two others.


Sorry, Papa. But it's too late to resuscitate your fish. This lovely cutthroat-rainbow hybrid in his 8+ pound and 24" glory, along with his friends, are making their way to the smoker. Yummy in the tummy!

I think that Colter was probably feeling left out in all this chaos...poor little guy. However, we tried hard not to ignore our best boy! He's having a great start to 8th grade. I think it helped that his Papa promised to give him an xBox as an end of year prize if he does better to keep up with his work this year.


My parents came up to help with Colter when Anni was in the hospital for the first week and we were going to be gone for the most part. When they headed home, Jud and I took turns coming home for him and one evening, I treated Colter to the new restaurant in town. He calls it TT–short for Teton Thai with a surprisingly (and refreshing!) urban/cosmopolitan feel that made me think of restaurants I've been to in Chicago or DC. The thing that amazes me about this kid, considering his picky ways, is that he actually has a very refined, adult palate. He'll eat a lot of things you couldn't get most kids to eat and he wasn't shy about trying out the new Thai place in Driggs.


So, of course, he gets an interesting rice dish. I tried the soup. I couldn't remember the names to save my life but they were delish! Colter ate his...and mine. We really have to do something about that appetite.


So, onward and upward we go with this challenging but lovable boy!

I think that Anni would agree by now that it's neither an "adventure" nor is it "great" and as we finally get settled into a routine here at home, we look forward to Anni's continued progress–and IS she! It has been just under three weeks after surgery and we are in awe at the daily improvement that this girl shows us. She has begun the homebound study that the school district has arranged for her and we think that she will catch up without too much trouble. On Anni's first visit from the teacher, she gets a bunch of cards from her class which made her feel pretty special. I think this will help spur on her recovery! If nothing else, her own (lazy & spoiled) therapy dog should get her going.


Of course, getting to this point did not come without some bumps along the road. There were some large bumps. Then there were the small bumps. Like today, when the Rover's engine overheated on our way back from doctor's appointments in Jackson and it pee'd coolant at a pullout on the pass. Never mind my misfortune on her last day at the hospital when the Rover's water pump exploded–literally. I kind of figured that those pieces that went flying from underneath the Rover as I drove over the pass was somehow important.


On the other hand, seeing Anni up and about makes every effort we make for her worth it. Of course, she doesn't see our efforts to "make her fell better" as help...I think she thought in the beginning that we may be torturing her.

The forest service controlled burn just east of Driggs is scheduled to terminate tomorrow. I was told that the fires will smolder for a little bit longer so we will continue to enjoy this aromatic experience until it's good and ready to call itself done.


Those who don't have allergies should be so lucky. For Colter and myself, it's an annoying event however impressive the sight may be. Mornings are typically the worst for air quality. The smoke is thick and smell is not something one looks forward to when you open the door. In fact, we pretty much keep the doors and windows closed.


By afternoon, the layer of smoke has cleared and we can see that they've expanded the burn area. It used to be just this speck of smoke behind the mountain when it started. Now it seems like the whole mountain is on fire.
 

We watched this progress from our front porch. One night, Jud and I just sat on our chairs and watched the flare-ups in the darkness. Or we'd hang out in the afternoon out front, enjoy the cool afternoon breeze and watch the fire burn in the distance.

It's 11 p.m. The blasted antibiotic doo-dad is beeping like crazy and I haven't a clue how to shut it off. Of course, I probably shouldn't be messing with all these equipment but it's late at night in the dimmed lights of an ICU room and I can't sleep. I hear the nurses talking outside. I think there's another patient rolling in from OR. I'm surprised Anni seems to be sleeping through that beeping racket. But then again, if I was as doped up as she is now, I'd sleep through anything too. Somebody give me morphine!


We were starting to get nervous by 3:30 this afternoon and no one was calling back to tell us that Anni's done with surgery. It took another hour when we got a call that they're almost finished with her and that the surgery went very well but it wasn't until about 6:30 that we were able to get our first glimpse of Anni as she was wheeled out of Recovery to the ICU. We were a bit shocked. She looked like a blowfish with Fat Albert lips! (Just kidding Anni...)


The anaesthetist, Dr. Domsky, stopped in late tonight and assured me that this happens to everyone who undergoes that long a surgery on their stomach. Colter was surprisingly more distraught about seeing Anni in this condition. I guess he really does love his sister. Poor baby boy...we love you!


Of course, she's still our girl and we don't mind any photo-ops with the little puppy no matter how she's looking. On the plus side, Nurse Katie just came in, turned the offending beeping off and told me that Anni's on very little oxygen now which is a good thing. She's healthy. Strong as an ox. She's only pushed her "pain button" once tonight. Except, I wish I didn't keep getting up from this cot and giving Anni ice chips every time she wakes up...which is often. All this medical equipment, tubes stuck to her up the ying-yang, and they couldn't design a simple automatic ice-chip dispenser. Geez...