Sunday, January 25, 2009

Stuff and Nonsense

I know my posts have been a little farther apart than usual. I think maybe I should let it go a few more weeks. I like the personal phone calls and emails.

I have been tired, and sick of being on the computer when I have had free time. I know, that sounds awfully strange coming from me, but it is true. My eyes have been bugging me when I am on my computer for too long, or staring at the tiny screen on my beloved iphone. The prognosis is, I need a new glasses. I have ordered a pair specifically for computer use. So, while I wait for them to show up, my old lady eyes are strained. You would think that in this modern age it wouldn't take weeks to get a pair of glasses. Apparently, when you live on an island, it still does. There is no such thing as glasses in an hour, or a day, or even a week.

My days have been full of the usual stuff and nonsense of life - work, kids, dishes, laundry, mowing the lawn, car trouble, cooking, cleaning, reading, and even a little TV watching. Here are a few of the highlights from the last couple weeks.

I started a new work project, which entailed installing new software on my over-tasked computer. I had to delete a ton of stuff to make room for it. I had the usual round of technical difficulties along with the accompanying frustrations. After all of that, learning to use the software was a piece of cake.

I love my puppy! There are very theraputic aspects to dog ownership. Frequent trips outside, warm puppy fur on my feet, and a sleeping puppy a curled up at my side make me smile. It has taken only a little while to get into a groove with a schedule of taking care of all his many doggie needs. We have been watching a lot of the Dog Whisperer. That guys is amazing!

Chester is doing well at house training, and sleeps all night in Ryker's room. The kids have been great at taking care of him, and cleaning up the yard. None of us really like to leave him home alone for long periods of time, so we have all been sticking pretty close to home. He can't go for walks, or other outside adventures for another month. He needs to have his final vaccinations. Apparently the parvo virus is a big issue here. He throws up sometimes on car rides. I would take him with me on errands, but I just don't like dealing with dog barf. It doesn't smell nice.He is a border collie mix. According to the vet, the mix part is most likely an English pointer. He has webbed feet which indicates that he is part some sort of retriever. He wants to run, chase, herd and hunt. The yard is usually full of birds, and he is fascinated. At the moment he is entertaining himself with one of those plastic disposable cups, chasing it all over the house. Why buy dog toys?

I took a couple of continuing education real estate classes last week. I learned some interesting things, had a good lunch, and spent an entire day away from my computer. It was an odd day for sure.

My new primary class is huge! There are more than 10 kids most weeks, and if everyone were to come it would be closer to 20. I have been lobbying for a larger room. They are awesome! I love teaching them. They want to learn, and are very enthusiastic. We had sharing time yesterday and that was interesting.

So far this year I have read a few books. They are the sort that make you think. 13 Things that Don't Make Sense was especially enjoyable. If the smartest people in the world don't really know anything for certain, then I don't feel so bad about my own lack of knowledge.

I am hoping to get to the beach with the kids sometime soon. I can't wait until Chester can come along.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Chester


We have been talking about getting a dog for, well, forever! Today it finally happened! The stars were aligned, and thanks to some awesome friends, this little ball of fur came to live at our house.

He is a Border Collie mix. I am not sure what the mix is, but he stands like a terrier, and listens intently to the sound of birds. His dark spots have some dark brown in them, but he is mostly white and black. He is about 9 weeks old, and we named him Chester.
He loves the soccer ball!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Bake -O- Rama

Santa (Carl) brought be a stand mixer. I have wanted one for a long time. The last few months we have been watching "Good Eats" on the Food Network. Seeing all the cool stuff that Alton Brown does with his intensified my desire.

I have made good use of it in short time I have had it. Tonight I made an Alton Brown recipe for homemade soft pretzels. Look out Gus!

They do not look perfect, but they taste great! I am not exactly an artist, so maybe with a bit more practice they will look more recognizable.

Here are the other things I have made so far:
1. Oatmeal cookies
2. Peanut butter cookies
3. Brownies
4. Regular bread
5. Dinner rolls
6. Stollens (Christmas pastry)

I want to try out the whisk attachment so I guess it is lemon meringue pie, or whipped cream next!

Friday, January 2, 2009

2008 Reflections

1. It's over!

2. We all survived.

3. No trips to the ER for anyone in our household. Wow! I am really amazed by this one!

4. Quincie has awesome grades!

5. Ryker was accepted to BYU Idaho!

6. We had enough work to pay the bills and monthly expenses.

7. I made some awesome new friends!

8. I haven't left this island. This is the first year since we moved here that I haven't taken a trip of some sort. I am suffering from Island Fever!

9. We didn't move.

10. I have made a conscious effort to limit obligations on my time and energy. I am much happier with the current pace and focus of my life.