Getting Ready for the New Year

It's time to get ready for the New Year. I'm cleaning house for our party tomorrow, but my thoughts are a million miles away from what I'm doing (or should be doing ... since I'm blogging).

I'm thinking about the new year, and I am hoping that it will be better. This year was an improvement on 2009 in regard to school. We now have a great principal, which is a tremendous blessing. I have a wonderful group of kids this year. Another huge change over the gangsters of last year.

Being a teacher is difficult though. It seems that whenever schools are discussed in the media, there are so many people who refer to teachers with derision and animosity (if not downright hatred). There is no respect for what we do. No value placed on our jobs. Now we are facing another huge cut to education, and I just don't know if I can face it. I love my job, but we still have bills to pay. I can see hard decisions to be made in the future.

For that reason I look at the new year with trepidation. I'm praying for a good change, I'm hoping for the best ... but I know that I had better prepare for the worst.

Merry Christmas

Two little Santa buddies
In search of treats

It's Christmas Eve!

Sleeping under the tree

Christmas Eve dinner at Olive Garden

Our beautiful young lady

We are enjoying a beautiful Christmas Day. The sky is blue, and the day has been blissfully peaceful.

Last night we went out to our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at the Olive Garden, then went to church. Bailee had a scripture reading in the program this year, and she did very well. Afterward we drove around looking at Christmas decorations. Once home, we made reindeer food, Santa's snack of cookies and snacks, and watched "The Bishop's Wife" and "Polar Express." Bailee determined that she was going to sleep under the Christmas tree this year, so she had her sleeping bag laid out, pulled on her Christmas pajamas, and then fell asleep halfway through the second movie.

This morning, she allowed us to sleep until 8 am. After that, it was all hands on deck! Time to have Christmas. Caribou gets very excited at Christmas, so he spent the first few minutes leaping from one person to another and shredding paper. He discovered his stocking right off and pulled out a treat. Such a funny dog. He then crashed on the kitchen floor in total exhaustion.

Bailee had a wonderful Christmas. Despite the fact that we cut WAY back on Christmas this year, she was delighted. I think that the recession has helped her to be much more grateful for what she does have. It was interesting this year, as we made the move from toys to more mature items. I wondered about how she would react to that (though she didn't ask for toys per se) - but she seemed perfectly content.

I discovered for myself that less is sometimes more. Diana and I cut back on one another severely, but I don't think that either of us felt shortchanged. This year the focus of Christmas was on things of much more value - family, Christ, and giving service to others were far more important that receiving. After all, that is what Christmas is all about.

Christmas Time is HERE!

It seemed very strange this year to NOT be doing THE NUTCRACKER, but the recession hit us here as well. Our studio decided that it would just be too expensive to produce and that few people would probably be able to attend. Instead, we did a Christmas program showcasing the students. One of the local jazz bands performed as well, and we were treated to a special performance by two apprentices from Ballet Idaho, Nic Gili and Elisa Belnap. The night was wonderful, and we capped it off with an after party at Perkins. It was so nice to sit down with the other parents and relax. We have truly been blessed in our association with Studio One. Great girls, great parents, and great teachers. What could be better?



Of course, the stress of putting on any performance takes its toll. Bailee crashed for most of the afternoon today.





We weren't able to get any pictures taken last night (because Bailee had the camera and didn't use it). Luckily, another parent promised to e-mail some of the photos he was able to take at dress rehearsal. I did manage to get some shots of Bailee in her solo costume that the two of us made. She was quite lovely. As you can see, she is really growing up.

I'm done with school for the holidays, but Diana and Bailee still have three more days. Of course, considering the fact that we are now having a terrible wind and ice storm - who knows whether or not they'll be in school tomorrow!

Merry Christmas from our house to yours! (With kisses from our beautiful ballerina.)

Deer in the Yard

This has certainly been a year of firsts for us. One of the more interesting first was a visit of some deer to our front yard. The visit occured sometime during the night, leaving only tracks behind as evidence. I think our dogwood and other bushes and trees in the front yard were the draw, but we were shocked. This has never happened before! Pretty cool though. Bailee was thrilled and had to go out and document the event.

Regional Robotics Competition

Yesterday Bailee had the opportunity to participate in the First Lego League Regional Robotics competition. Her team, the Raging Raptors, won in the "Teamwork" category and now have qualified to go to the state competition in Nampa next weekend. Sadly, Bailee won't be able to attend because of prior commitments to dance, but she is sure that her team will do great at state. She's pretty bummed, but conflicts happen when you're as involved in life as she is. Luckily, we hashed through this possibility well in advance, so she knew she wouldn't be able to attend beforehand. They beat the boys' team from their school, and I made a comment about "girl power" to Bailee, which she waved off - "The girls ALWAYS beat the boys in robotics." I guess that qualifies as MAXIMUM GIRL POWER! Whoa! Later, she qualified her comment by adding that the boys always fight too much and goof around too much.

It's another gray day in Idaho, with snow predicted for every single day. Our temperatures are supposed to be in the 30s, so that is great news. Those single digits really are the pits. No doubts about having a white Christmas this year.

We're slowly putting up Christmas decorations at our house. It can be a long process since we're all so stinkin' busy, but we're doing a little every day. I'm really enjoying the Christmas music, which is definitely my favorite part of the season. I'm hoping we can start watching our holiday DVDs today ... "White Christmas," "Christmas in Connecticut," or "The Bishop's Wife" sound perfect.

Back to work tomorrow. Weekends pass all too quickly it seems. Only two weeks of school remain before the holiday break though. That sound great on one hand and terrifying on the other. How can Christmas already be so close? I have to start BAKING! What about those Christmas cards? Oh my!

Happy Thanksgiving

Here we are, and it is Thanksgiving again. I have a great deal to be thankful for, even though I sometimes dwell on the frustrations of life. The economy has been rough and our financial situation could certainly be better; but we have secure and stable jobs. We don't have to worry about being unemployed (unless the Idaho Tea Partiers succeed in doing away with public education). I have a wonderful class this year, and good people to work with. My job is difficult, but there are very few people who have a job as important as mine. Despite what the legislators think, I have a job that really matters and changes the world. I am thankful for that opportunity to touch the future.

I have been blessed with a wonderful family. Mom is still in good health, Diana is doing better with her back fusion all the time, and Bailee is a delight. We couldn't ask for a better child. She has wonderful friends, varied interests, and she makes great choices in her life. She keeps us all very busy, but that is a blessing as well! Living together as we do, things could be so much more complicated. I am thankful that we have found a way to make this multi-generational household not only work, but work well. We love one another, and we support one another. What could be better?

We're safe in our warm home today. Preparations are being made for our dinner. The blizzard is over, and we came through just fine. Granted, I don't get to enjoy much of the feast today thanks to a tooth extraction that had complications, but I am thankful for drugs that help me to endure the pain and discomfort. I am also thankful for a tolerant family that takes care of me. After six days of this, I am sure they are sick of me. Heck, I'm sick of me!

The holidays are about to start, and we seem assured of a white Christmas. I'll be able to get into the dentist to deal with my dental issues (as opposed to dealing with the symptoms) next week, so I can see a light at the end of this painful tunnel. We have some ideas on how to make the most of our finances, and there may even be a way to get Bailee her dream Christmas gift. Life is pretty good all in all, and I'm pretty thankful.

Blizzard!

Schools have been cancelled all week. Roads are closed all over the state. I have to say, I don't remember EVER having a blizzard in November before! Something tells me that this winter is going to be a whopper! This is the view from our front door, looking northeast up Eagle Pointe. I took this during a lull in the storm, when you could actually see across the street!
This is a shot of our backyard. You can see our poor plum tree, which was a victim in the first heavy snowfall. It hadn't lost its leaves yet - so it didn't stand a chance. We tried to knock off the snow, but as you can see - we didn't get to it in time. We're all SO sad, as this tree was our heaviest producer.

This is the view of our back deck. This table gives you an idea of how much snow has fallen. Whoa!

This cold weather is perfect for making applesauce though. Bailee and Grandma have done several batches together.

She loves to run the food mill, which really helps her grannie out. She's becoming quite the little chef.

Halloween Photos

Idahoans really like to decorate for Halloween! Here are a few photos taken of our neighbors' homes. You can tell that we had a BEAUTIFUL autumn.

Bailee enjoyed celebrating the holiday at several parties with her friends. She was a candy corn fairy.

I've Been Busy, Okay?

Time definitely gets away from me sometimes. Well, honestly, it gets away from me most of the time. I guess that happens when you have a busy life - and we certainly qualify for that! I promised a few pictures, so now it is time to deliver.

This photo was taken of one of our beautiful double rainbows we had this fall. We had the most beautiful autumn weather! It only fell apart on us a week ago, with the arrival of a wicked snow storm that is still much in evidence thanks to the snow on the ground. Still, we were very fortunate while it lasted.
The highlight of the fall was the studio performing at SPUD DAYS in Shelley, Idaho. Yup. They dedicate a big celebration to our famous state tuber. This photo is of Bailee and her best buds Mary and Aleks in a dance called "The Streets of Paris." Aleks's hair fell out of her bun and she lost her headpiece as they rushed on stage after a too quick costume change.

This photo is of Bailee and Aleks's duet to the song "Fireflies." When they did it last spring they had fiber optic headpieces that were really cool. Didn't work for a brilliantly sunny day in September though.

The next photos are of Bailee's solo to "Classical Gas." The only photos I got (that turned out) were of the beginning. Sorry. We designed and made this costume together.

This summer Bailee discovered that she could finally climb our tree in the front yard. It was a perfect place to hang out with the Jenkins girls and read a book.

All those lovely leaves have fallen and the weather is now gray and snowy. Fun to remember those warm afternoons though. I promise I'll do a better job on the blog and getting pictures up in the future. School and life in general has just been SO crazy!

Monday Eve

We've moved in to the portion of Sunday I refer to as Monday Eve. We're thinking about the work week and all that lies ahead of us. It's going to be a busy week.

I have some major dental work scheduled on Wednesday. No fun. I would MUCH rather be at school teaching my kids. We also have our big PTO Halloween Carnival scheduled for October 29th. Our class is in charge of a portion of the Spook Alley. I've never done one before (nor gone to one), so I am depending on the kids for advice and help. We also have no money for supplies to make the thing, so I am begging for decorations and props from parents. So far I have some spider webs. Not too hopeful, and I am pretty nervous about this.

Studio One begins touring local schools with PETER AND THE WOLF this week. The next two weeks should be insane. Luckily, there are two casts touring, so Bailee won't have to miss too much school - only 3 or 4 days.

Our weather has skipped merrily past fall into winter. The wind is howling, skies are dark, and snow is predicted. What a joy!

Yesterday was the busiest day ever! Bailee had dance practice at 7:30 am to 12 noon. Diana and I used the time to do the months shopping. We hit Sam's Club, Wal Mart, and Albertsons. On the fun side, we went out to lunch and a movie with our friend Peggy. We saw RED, which I can give a big thumbs-up to. We really enjoyed it.

Life Goes Very Fast

I keep telling myself that I need to update the blog. I knew I should, but I put it off. I wanted to wait until I downloaded some pictures. I was too busy to really think about what I wanted to say. Somehow "Geez, I'm so busy I could scream." doesn't seem adequate as a blog entry. Accurate and very true, but not something anyone is going to want to read. So ... today I decided that I'm going to update, even if time is limited.

My school year is going really well. I have a great class, I like our new principal, and things are going pretty smoothly. Being at school is a nice place to be. Such a change from last year, and I am SO grateful!

We attended Spud Days in Shelley during the later part of September. Yes, a day in which Idahoans celebrate potatoes. There was a parade (which Bailee and her Studio buddies were in - dancing to Weird Al's "Addicted to Spuds"), tons of booths, and lots of entertainment. The girls danced in the talent show, and they did a really wonderful job. I will post photos, but not today. It was fun. Diana and I got quite sunburned.

Our lives center around Bailee's, which I think is how it should be. She's our child, after all. Raising her ought to be our number one priority. She is busy at dance - but it is definitely her passion. She always wants to go, and she is always happy and bubbly when she comes out. The girls at dance are all really tight, which is cool to see. They watch out for one another, and they are so supportive of one another. This is not something you always see in dance. I have heard lots of horror stories about how ugly and competitive some dance studios are. I am so thankful that our studio is NOT like that at all. Small wonder why Bailee loves it.

She was given the part of the bird in "Peter and the Wolf." It was hard at first, because she felt that she should instantly be as good as the 18 year old who did the part last year. Thankfully, she has now settled into the part and seems content. They will be taking the show to several area schools at the end of October and the first part of November. We've very proud of her.

Bailee also is in band this year. She is bused to Sand Creek middle school for practice twice a week. When they finish, she walks over to Diana's school for a ride home. She'd wanted to play the flute, but her braces were too big an obstacle. She switched to the clarinet, and is loving it. I cannot believe how well she is doing. We are so thankful for the fact that she has been doing piano lessons since kindergarten. It really has helped.

Last weekend Bailee and I went to the apple orchard just up the hill from our house and picked apples. It was really fun. Definitely the best part of my birthday. This weekend we picked our apples and plums (both of which need a really hard freeze to ripen). The apples are smaller this year, but there were lots of them. Now we need to preserve them. We'll dry some, make sauces, jams, and butters, and probably just freeze some for winter use.

Our dear friend, Mike, who is like a brother to us, has been fighting cancer since January. They've been treating the sarcoma on his leg, and finally declared the leg cancer free a couple of weeks ago. We all rejoiced, only to be sucker punched in the gut. They did a full body scan and when the results came back, they found that the cancer had migrated to his blood stream and has now spread. He left for the Huntsman Center in Utah today to start chemo and discuss future treatment.

Cancer is so cruel. Not only is it life threatening, it turns your life upside down immediately. It steals away normalcy and overshadows everything. We're praying like crazy for our friend and his family. Enduring the coming months of treatment is going to be hard ... and there are no guarantees that it will end up being worth it. You just hope and pray that it will be. I keep reminding myself that my cousin, Marie, has being fighting back cancer for twenty years now. There is always hope. Always.

One Week Down

The first week is done. It was a good week. My students were great, and I think that we're going to have a good year together. Diana said her students came into kindergarten acting for all the world as though they'd been raised by a troupe of howler monkeys. I'm afraid I just cannot improve on that description! It's classic! Bailee loved sixth grade. The Back-to-School nights are over, so (as one of my students put it) "Thank goodness we can really start school next week." I agree!

Tomorrow we're off to the Eastern Idaho State Fair. We're taking Bailee and her dance buddy, Aleks. When those to are together it's a hoot. Half the fun will be watching that pair. Pictures will follow.

Sad news on the news tonight. A former colleague's husband was arrested for conducting an improper relationship with one of his 14 year old students (while posing as a boy her age). She's a teacher in the same district, and they have 5 children attending school there. My heart goes out to his family, who were also his victims. Sad that his stupid choices have caused so much suffering for so many people. We've had so many male teachers arrested for this type of thing lately ... I'm really at a loss to understand what drives them.

Growing Up

Today Miss Bailee started 6th grade - her last day of elementary school. She was excited and nervous ... more so than any other year. She also took MUCH longer to decide what to wear, how to do her hair, etc. She even put on lip gloss. Decked out in skinny jeans, a camisole, and a rib tickling sweater she did NOT look like a little girl. She's a young woman now.

This is the first time that I was able to fully participate in the first day of school. Usually I'm the first one back at work. It was fun, and gave me one more reason to envy all those stay-at-home moms. Hard not to resent the fact that I've had to work through all of Bailee's growing up years. I figure that by the time she's in high school I'll be able to retire (if the economy recovers); just in time to cramp her style. ha ha

Our shortened school year feels strange to everyone, as it has thrown off our ingrained schedule for going back to school. Mom is frustrated by the weather change and the fact our days are noticeably shorter. The two week delay makes a big difference! Everything feels different this year. Not that it is a bad thing - I loved the long summer; though I wish it hadn't been so hot. I've watched the Port Townsend, Washington temps at friend Marsha's house with great envy!

Tomorrow is my zero to sixty day. First day back at school - a work day AND Back to School Night. It's bound to be crazy, because you always learn many new things that have to be dealt with during that first Faculty Meeting. The fact that we have a new principal this year will make that doubly interesting.

So, I'm wondering what Bailee and Diana are up to. I hope things are going smoothly for Diana (though that seems an oxymoron when applied to the first day of kindergarten). I hope that sixth grade is NOT as scary or hard as Bailee feared and that she comes home excited (she loves school, so I think that's pretty likely).

Beginnings are fun ... and scary ... and wonderful.

The Last Weekend of Summer

It's the last weekend of summer. Monday heralds in the being of school and a return to "normal life." I just hope that it is a better year than last year.

I am feeling shortchanged, because I don't feel well today. I'm as pale as a sheet (as my Mom always said) and my stomach is inventing fun ways to torture me. Ick. I think I picked up the bug Bailee had yesterday ... but I think I picked up more than my share. :) Oh well, life is never simple.

I managed to get a great deal of school stuff done early this morning, before the bug hit. I'm thankful for that. Now I'm listening to the rain and thunder, watch "Barefoot Contessa" on Food Network, and catching up on some computer stuff. Diana and Bailee went out to see "Nanny McPhee 2" and Mom is out shopping. Do I feel sorry for myself? I sure do!

Oh La ...

The last few days of vacation are dwindling away. Bailee is trying to cram in as much playing as possible. I'm trying to finish projects. Diana is already in the thick of things, so she's a lost cause. It is hard to let go of summer and the freedom it brings. The chaos of summer does make one yearn for the routine of the other months though. I hate to admit it, but it's true. Those more respectable and regimented months have their own special charm ... and after a few months of rolling about in all that summer offers one can get a little sick of it. The time has come, and though I'm trying to hang on to the fun, it feels right to be going back.



Bailee had a visit from the two sixth grade teachers who will be working with her this year - Mrs. Perry and Ms. Lawrence. They're meeting their students and bringing them packets about sixth grade. I am very impressed. This is the nice part about smaller schools in a small geographical area.


Diana is off to Back to School Night. She has to work from 6:00 to 8:30 or later. Another one of the upaid demands which districts make. We will attend the one at Bailee's school tomorrow.


Tomorrow is also Bailee's twelfth birthday. It is really hard to grasp the fact that she is now a young woman. She has been such a joy in our lives.

Goodbye Summer!

Summer officially comes to a close for us on Tuesday. That will be Diana's first day back at work. My first day will be the 31st. Bailee will start school on the 30th. So long summer! It's been ... hot, busy, hectic, and crazy.

Of course, this is all the official side of things. In reality, we've been working at our schools or on school work all month. This is the time we do all the window dressing, preparations, etc. that make the rest of the year work. All that remains is to add kids and stir.

Of course, this is the perfect time for the state of Idaho to catch fire, so it did. There's a large fire in the Arbon Valley (west of Pocatello), but our prevailing winds are funneling the smoke on a direct route to Idaho Falls. It's stinky and miserable. There was a 50% chance of showers today, so now we are all really praying that comes true. A downpour is much needed!

During the past week we have had high winds and high temperatures - the perfect combination for drying everything out to a crisp. I don't think there is a scrap of vegetation that isn't ripe for a wayward spark. Even our yard is in a sorry state. You just can't seem to keep ahead of the heat and wind. Right now I look at the yard and dream of snow.

Where is the HOLD Button?

I need to press the HOLD button. I really do. Where is it? Time is going way too fast, and school is approaching before I feel ready for it. Last year left me feeling so beat up that I just haven't recovered yet. :) I need time to slow down. The last two weeks have flown by like a lightning flash. Who needs that? I sure don't.

The hot water heater is finally installed, permitted, inspected, and functioning. Such a relief. Whew! All the red tape is there to make sure things are done right and are safe, but it certainly adds some nice drama. Like our family needs more of that, right?

We went to see the movie SALT this past week. It was really good, but certainly had you going right up until the very last second! What an ending!

We've been working in Bailee's room for the past week. Getting rid of things, organizing, etc. I wish that I could say that we're done ... it won't be long though. We just have to decide on the best organization plan and sort through the toys and games. Stuffy Land has grown to unmanageable proportions, so we need to "thin the herd." That's something Bailee is NOT happy about. I blame Diana. She was a stuffy collector too (and passed on her collection to Bailee when she was little), and feels the same way about all that fiberfill. I'm the heartless and evil super villain in this scenario. Wah-ha-ha-ha! I teach 5th grade, so it's a role I do really well.

Our weather felt an awful lot like FALL last night. I found that kind of exciting. I don't like the pounding heat of summer, so this was like a parole for me. Unfortunately, now that it feels cool enough to actually get out and do things ... well, we're back to that HOLD button. It's probably buried under stuffies!

Another Road Trip and a Crazy Night

Bailee at Yellowstone Lake

Square Ice Cream in Swan Valley

Diana and Bailee at the Square in Jackson

Grand Teton

Bailee cooling off at Yellowstone Lake

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Grizzly Print

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone

We took another road trip this week - this time to Yellowstone Park. After going to Grand Teton (Nat'l Park admission is now $25) we had a week's free pass to other parks. I'm all for saving some bucks, so we were off on Friday morning.

The park was beautiful. It was so green! There were also wildflowers everywhere you looked. We did the full loop - Madison, Old Faithful (it seemed bigger and longer in the past), Grant VIllage, West Thumb, Lake, Fishing Bridge, the Mud Pots, Canyon, Mount Washburn, Dunraven Pass, Tower Falls, Roosevelt, Mammoth, and Norris. We left at 8:00 a.m. and returned home alittle after 11:00 p.m. A LONG day, but really nice.

It was so warm that we saw very few animals until the late afternoon. We ran into what we were sure was a "bear jam" around Madison, but found that it was -- an elk. Those of you who remember Yellowstone from the old days will appreciate my surprise. I'm sorry, an elk is just NOT that exciting. Some things about Yellowstone never do change, and one is how utterly lacking in common sense the "tourons" are (this is my word for tourists/morons). They walk right up to the animals, chase them, and in every way act like idiots. One buffalo was lying down and looking at them as they approached with a look that all but said - "It's just too hot to be bothered with killing you - but then again ..."

We also got to see classic touron behavior at the mud pots ... a scientist from California was guiding a group when several started hiking right across the crust of the feature (right past the signs that say to STAY ON THE WALKWAY). He went ballistic. I loved his tirade - "The crust isn't safe! It might give way ... and then you'll die. Maybe here, maybe at the hospital - but you will die!" You have to love tourons.

We saw lots of buffalo looking fat and happy, but hot. Saw a few shy deer, lots of little critters of course. The best sighting there was a squirrel at Old Faithful. It looked like a stupid dog show - so many people had canines in tow. Well, this squirrel was frisking around a tree when he walked right into a dog. He was up the tree in a flash ... but he was very unhappy about having his frisking activity curtailed. The dog couldn't decide what to do ... his owners were fascinated by this smoking, spurting, burbling thing (which was kind of impressive), but then the squirrel would start scolding and the dog's head would snap back to look at it. I'll tell you, it reminded me of the dog in the movie UP -- "Squirrel!" Too funny.

A grizzly bear had visited the mud pots earlier in the day - leaving footprints all over. The ranger who was stationed there said that it looked like it was chasing something - then gave up the chase. He figured it got close enough to burn the pads on its feet. It jumped the fence and took off across the parking lot. Huge muddy footprints - right through the crosswalk. Even the wildlife are more responsible than the tourons!

We saw a long antelope on the way to Mammoth, but the highlight was of the canine variety. We saw the wolf pack by Mount Washburn (though they looked more like gray specks. I guess it was worth driving up the mountain and over Dunraven Pass (once more I was attacked by an attack of vertigo). My favorite sighting was a fox that crossed the road right in front of us carrying its dinner. I've never seen a fox in the park before. Very cool, very pretty. Bailee was thrilled.

Bailee had a great time shopping at the various gift stores. She ate lots of Wilcoxsin's Ice Cream (it was a hot day after all). That was a real trip down memory lane for Diana and I. We both remember Dad's half gallon of Butter Brickle ice cream that was a fixture in our home freezer. Sure wish they sold it outside of Montana.

We missed a horrible thunder storm in Idaho and one that was hammering Paradise Valley north of Mammoth. I also got 43 miles per gallon - unheard of! I guess the van (which Bailee christened Fudgie likes mountain roads).

Now, on to the crazy night. Last night we got to bed very late. Bailee had a stiff neck and a headache, so we were taking care of her. It was also pretty warm upstairs. Hard to fall asleep. Around 3:00 I heard something and got up to check. The back light was on and mom was taking out her dog. Okay. I turned around to head back upstairs and saw this flash of green light out in the yard. Strange! It flashed again and again and again ... and I called mom over to the window to check it out. I finally grabbed my glasses and turned on the outside light again ... it was the Anti-Barking Birdhouse we got to discourage our vocal American Eskimo, Caribou. A neighbor's dog was throwing a fit down the block and setting it off. Needless to say, it obviously didn't discourage their dog. Very strange.

It was back to bed - but then we were all jolted awake by one of the smoke alarms blaring at 6:00. Shoot! It only went off a second or two, but we trooped around the house from top to bottom looking for trouble. We didn't find any. Needless to say, today we are all tired and thinking of naps.

Trip to Jackson

We took a day trip to Jackson and the Tetons on Monday. What an experience that was! It was my first time driving over Teton Pass. At a 10% grade it was really interesting to say the very least (esp. since we were stoppped at the base for road work). I found this great video on driving the pass that gives you a feel for the trip and shows the beautiful scenery. Can you see why they named it Jackson Hole?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtnHFKmwCP8

We had a good time. Bailee got to shop (she loved Yippie-I-O Candy), look at beautiful scenery, and eat fudge. That's a perfect day for the Bee. Photos will be forthcoming. We're having some trouble downloading photos from the new camera.

Monday, Monday

It's another Monday morning here in hot Idaho. Thankfully, there is a breeze blowing that is helping somewhat. Predictions are for another hot day though, so I'm trying to map out the activities of the day.

I should choose from one of the following list:

• clean house


• weed


• trim trees


• work on school curriculum


• write the brochure for Back-to-School Day


• update all my websites


• did I mention clean house?


• paint the living room


• water the lawn


• make a dental appointment


• make a grocery list for tomorrow and gather coupons


• write on my book

Now, the problem is that I do not particularly want to do any of those things right now. Sorry, I really don't. For some reason I lack motivation on Monday mornings. A simple reluctance to start the week I suppose. Since I am the family early-riser there's no one to nag me at the moment, so I chose what I see as the easiest of those tasks. Blogging is SO much easier than scrubbing the floor. Also less noisy, so I'm really being thoughtful of my still slumbering family, right? Yeah, I'm afraid I think so too ... lame excuse, but right now I'll take any excuse I can grab.

Getting the new computers up, running, and integrated is a pain. I'm one week into the transition, and I am still working on it. I might have to call out the Geek Squad again, as the Dell doesn't like talking to the Epson printer sometimes. The last thing I need is a moody computer, but my new Dell certainly has proven to be one. It did an automatic reset a few days ago and I lost all the work I'd done to customize it. Very aggravating.

Hadlee continues to be a brat. He staged an escape from the yard last week at midnight and we had to chase him down the street. He's still trying to dig under the fence. I don't know what his problem is, but he has become rather perverse. He's making mom a wreck with his antics. Won't eat, hides in the house and won't come when called, tries to get out of the backyard, etc. I don't know if he just wants more attention or what. Guess we need to call the Dog Whisperer, eh?

I have to go back to school in six weeks. Right now I do not want to go back to school in six weeks. New principal, the reality of the budget cuts, dealing with a ton of changes, and the prospect of a new group of students all have me a little on the gunshy side of things. I'll come around (I always do), but right now - not so much! We did take Bailee shopping for her school supplies. She can't wait for school to start. Diana and I both found it VERY hard to adhere to our vow NOT to spend our money on items for our classrooms. It just didn't seem right or natural to avoid picking up extra supplies, etc. for the school year. Difficult, but we're trying to stick to our decision. Neither one of us cares to subsidize our schools after the state cut our pay. Considering I habitually spend one to two thousand dollars a year in my room, the impact is going to be a big one. I know I'm hurting my students - but we had to choose between our family and our students. Sorry. No contest. The legislators will just have to live with it.

Road Trip #2

On the road out of Big Elk Creek.

Victor, Idaho

The view by Driggs.


Palisades Reservoir

The famous SQUARE ICE CREAM!

Yesterday we went on our second short road trip (our alternative to a vacation). We did the Teton Scenic Byway - a drive that takes you from IF to Swan Valley, Palisades Reservoir, Victor, Driggs, a slew of little hamlets, Rexburg, and back home. We revisited Big Elk Creek campground - the site of a rather infamous camping trip from a September in the early 90s. The place certainly has changed! It's been upgraded to a lovely little wilderness parking lot. I preferred it when it was rough around the edges and nature felt closer.

It was fun to tell Bailee the story. We went out in the middle of September, eager to get in one more camping trip. It poured rain, snowed, Diana's old dog Amy snuck out of the tent in the middle of the night and got lost. My dog Saber found her - but she was a mess! Burrs, mud, etc. I'm sure the story of her night in the woods would make quite a tale. It's a pity she couldn't talk!

I proved to the world that I CAN make a fire in the middle of a pouring rainstorm though. Quite an accomplishment to have under one's belt if I do say so myself. I'm sure the whole trip sounds like a disaster, but we had a great time. Crazy, eh? When the time came to go home, I ended up chasing Saber around and around the van. He did NOT want to leave to go home. Can't say I blamed him. The autumn mountains were beautiful and peaceful.

We had to stop at the Rainey Creek Store for square ice cream for Bailee. It's a must have on these trips to Swan Valley. Messy, but fun. We saw one bald eagle on our drive, but saw lots of young osprey. I got some cute photos that I will have to add later (new camera and I still have to figure out how to download).

We also had to stop in Rigby for a Bambino - a local treat (sort of a tiny pizza calzone). Bailee loves them. She also loves their fries, which she thinks are the best ANYWHERE. I must say, they are good. Crispy, fluffy inside, just basically perfect. Visit their website at www.pickettsbambino.com

We saw some beautiful homes on the drive. Some people are obviously doing all right in this stinking economy. (It sure isn't us.) I did see one home that gave me pause. It was located in the middle of a huge farm - a beautiful three story house with huge porches and decks. The odd thing? The big windows and porches were all on the west side of the house - looking out on the desert, while the rear of the house faced ... the Tetons. Okay, whose contractor was drunk? What a horrible waste! The view they could have had was the one on our banner. How crazy is that?