The World of Unemployment

So I recently have joined the world of unemployment and although I would not by all means consider it an "adventure", it definitely is a change of life style. I realized that I really haven't had a break like this since Christmas break 2005. At that time, I was between my last 2 semsters of college, so I had no exams or classes looming overhead nor did I have work piling up for me after the holidays were over. I compare this time to that then. I know there's a new challenge for me around the corner, but right now I have a break~and I'm loving it!


I do have to say that being at home all day is an adjustment. I've realized how much going on a jog or working out changes my mood and helps me enjoy the day much more. I couldn't be more grateful for my little puppy that keeps me company too. I've gotten a lot of things on my "to do" list done as well that I'd been wanting to do for so long. So it's a new adventure and I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts, with my responsible side hoping that it doesn't last too long. :)

p.s. The pic of me above was taken by a co-worker a month or so ago at work. I looked thrilled to be there huh? :)

BABY Showers

This past weekend Travis, Travis' Dad, David, and I went up to Utah. We had our own separate agendas this time because it was the weekend of Jessica & Sarah's Baby Showers! (my 2 younger sisters). My parents and 2 other sisters, Emily & Claire, came to town for Emily & Claire's clogging competition, and to be there for the showers. So we had a packed weekend with Trav, my Dad, and brother Joe skiing on Friday, while I went food shopping for the showers with Mom, lunch with Lisa, and rock climbing with Emily. That night we all went to Tucanos for dinner, of course (Travis' and now David's favorite restaurant). Saturday morning started early with the 1st shower, Sarah's, at 9:30am, then we headed over to Emily & Claire's Clogging Competition, and then back for Jessica's shower at 4:30pm. In the mean time, Travis & his Dad went pheasant hunting with Travis' friend Tyler and others. It was an all day event which ended in another meal at Tucanos. It was a non-stop exhausting, but exciting weekend.

The baby showers couldn't have turned out better! I put hours and hours into planning and shopping and making their gifts, and it all came together just right. They both had about 25 people per shower, all packed in apartments. At Sarah's shower we played the baby food game, guess her belly size, and baby present bingo. We had a light breakfast with quiche, french toaster casserole, fruit, and muffins. We barely had enough! She received tons of presents and had a great time opening each one. 

At Jessica's Shower, we had chocolate fondue, chips and salsa & guacamole, and pigs in a blanket. Delicious! We chit chatted at bunch and played baby name scrabble and guess her belly size. She got tons of gifts and loved every minute of it.

Travis & David had a great time hunting pheasant. Since I didn't go with them, they didn't get any pictures, because I wasn't there to take any, and because I took the camera with me to the showers. Regardless, between the 5 of them, they got 23 pheasants with 5 hunting dogs helping them out. 

Lisa & I had a great time reminiscing about the good ole days with a couple of photo albums I brought with me. It was great remembering what we were like before all the responsibility. Blah!

Emily & Claire did great at their competition! Mom, Jessica, Sarah & I went to the competition for all of 20 minutes, saw them do a couple dances and then took off in time for Jessica's shower. They did a great job and won 1st and 2nd place in their solo and team dances. Amazing!

Death Valley

This weekend we finally had the chance to get out of town and go camping! I definitely needed some fresh air after how grueling work has been. I've been wanting to go to Death Valley, since it's the lowest place in the U.S. and since we live less then 2 hours away from it. So we get into the Valley, and I find myself looking around for something more awe-inspiring then just a big brown Valley. We pull up to BadWater Basin which is the lowest point in the Americas. It's definitely a site to see-salty flats with a small pool of water with crystallized salts.


Then we headed to our camp site and passed by the Sand Dunes as the sunset was setting-gorgeous. We found a spot at 4200ft, at the base of Telescope Peak, 11,000ft. So it was a nice campsite, secluded and perfect for our new 4-man tent. Lily did well in the tent-slept all night, but was a little too curious for our liking at the campsite, so we had to tie her up a whole bunch.


Next morning we drove up the road and ran into some Charcoal Klins. They were made in 1879! They were used for mining work. They were pretty amazing to see in the middle of no where.


Being that high up we could see over the mountains to the larger mountains beyond, the Sierra Nevadas. Now that was a site to see. Just to see so many mountains in so many different layers was pretty cool.

Next event was a hike to a waterfall-yep, there's a waterfall in Death Valley! I guess Death Valley does get some moisture, but it's so hot there that it evaporates. The waterfall was one of my favorite sites.



Next we spent some time at the Sandunes, just enough to get our feet in it and let Lily do a little digging. :) She loved digging in such loose soil!



Later we went to Ubehebe Crater...That's right- "You-be-Heeb-be" hehehe...I thought it was hilarious. The crater was huge!


Last place we visited was Scotty's Castle. It's an amazing 100yr old Castle, really in the the middle of no where funded by a rich man who lived in New York.


Over all, I would recommend Death Valley to those who do not already live in the desert, but to me, it was just more brown desert-not my favorite. At least now I can say I've been there and now know to only go back (if we ever go back) after we've lived away from the desert for a good long time!

Flying with Dad

Since Travis is on his session break he had a chance to go flying with his Dad. His Dad, David, has his pilot's license and in order to keep it active he has to fly every so many weeks. Trav went with him this time and they had a good time.