hebgen +

the end of July was full and wonderful.  Samuel spent 4 days hiking in the tetons with his brother and some friends:

and we spent a lovely week at hebgen sunning, eating, wakeboarding, reading, playing word games, swimming, biking, tubing on glass, and CELEBRATING THE OLYMPICS.  it was awesome:

(notice the olympic rings?)

speaking of the olympics, we have totally been into them and loving watching all of the events. go world!

keys please

I have a problem.

I always lock my keys in my car and/or my house.

Last summer I locked the keys in the car several times, including  while getting a snowcone, while parked at WalMart, and in my driveway.  During the school year, I locked my keys in the house several times and ended up waiting at my mom's house until Samuel got home from work.

And yet again:

Yesterday was Josie's birthday-- (Josie is one of my cute young women)-- so we took her some breakfast before they took off for beehive camp.  I wasn't driving, so I opted to leave my purse home.  That's when the trouble began.  Upon arriving home, I had my arms full of cinnamon rolls and orange juice, I walked up to the front door opened the screen door, grabbed the doorknob and gave it a forceful twist... only-- it didn't twist.  I had locked the door.  Frantically I ran around to the kitchen side door, praying that by some amazing and unusual blessing of fate we might have left it open 3 weeks ago (which was the last time we had used it).  No luck.  I called my landlord; he didn't answer.  I called my mom about fifty times; she didn't answer.  I called Samuel, even though he was 400 miles away in the Tetons.  He answered!  But he couldn't do much to help, besides offer moral support.  So, I weeded my garden.

Eventually my mom called back, laughed a little, and came to pick me up.  Also, my landlord stopped by and unlocked the side door so that I could get in.

I guess I need to get a hide-a-key.  But...at least I lock my doors?

are you ready? are you thrilled?

the olympics!  I cannot wait.

oh how we need each other

Going from working 50 or 60 + hours a week to working 1 hour a week has been a big change for me.

I've found all of this time to do things like read, cook, garden, exercise, vacation, and think.  And it's great.  Truly-- it is.  But too much alone time is really starting to get to me.  I find myself going to the grocery store three or four times a week just to interact with people.  Or, I'll go over to my mom's house and see if she has any projects or errands she needs help with.  Please understand-- I'm not complaining!  It's just not what I'm used to.  I'm used to 25 eight year olds depending on me.  I'm used to planning escapades with friends.  I'm used to interactions with colleagues. Sitting alone in an empty house (no matter how much I'm accomplishing) is just not my style.

Sister Hinkley said:
It is a sociological fact that women need women.  We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other.  We need each other. 


It's the truth!  You guys.  We need each other.  We need to be friends.  We need to converse, help each other solve problems, share opinions, laugh, and enjoy being together.  I understand this "sociological fact" now more than ever.

So, what do you say?

4 more miles

On Saturday, we met up with some of the long-time friends of the Grover fam, the Stewart fam.  Grovers and Stewarts have a lengthy history that began at the beloved Camp Loll.  We hiked up to Lake Blanche, and enjoyed the views.  It was a fantastic time.

you guys.

I can't believe that we're coming up on Memorial Day weekend.  Memorial Day weekend.  It's like the beginning of summer.  ah!  The end-of-the-school-year has entirely snuck up on me this year.  All of a sudden we only have four days of school left.  And with report cards printed and ready to be mailed, a weekend packing list ready for Hebgen, and a watermelon in my fridge ready to be sliced--it may as well be summer.

We should have hamburgers for dinner tonight.

oh hey it's may

it's been a wild month-- lots of things going on at work for both Samuel and me.  and lots of things going on at home as well.

I'm gearing up for the last eight days of school (but who's counting?), looking forward to heading to hebgen for Memorial Day, planting my "salsa garden" of tomatoes, peppers and herbs, reading (finishing up the Hunger Games books), planning projects for summer, and trying to get rid of the extra "stuff" we have around the house.

Samuel recently participated in a luau at work (where they roasted a pig and everything), washed both of our cars, landed an interview for a great new position in the company, did 7 loads of laundry, and got a haircut-- among other things.  he's the best.

here comes summer...