Happy Birthday Joe

Today is Joe's Birthday. We celebrated with gallo pinto, fried plantains, cookies, ice cream, good company, and of course the traditional birthday drum circle. For his special day Joe got to eat with the coveted nestle quick long handled spoon and was the happy recipient of a brand new box of western family shark shaped fruit snacks AS WELL AS my permission to buzz his head. Happy Birthday dearest Joe.

Ari's First Pet

Simple Goals for Warm Days

It was predicted that not only was it going to get out of the teens, but that the sun was actually going to show itself today so woke up with one goal in mind: Goal #1: Get dogs, hike to top of hill, lay in snow, soak in sun. I don't have photos from goal #1, the joy I felt laying in the sun was uncapturable anyway. Just picture me laying on top of a hill, my vest and hat perched on a nearby stake, dogs frolicking, birds singing, and my eyes closed as I soaked in 32 degrees of warmth...

Ahhhh...while accomplishing this goal I came up with my next goal. Goal #2: Get Joe and Ari, go for a hike. For that goal there are photos couldn't help it, they were just so cute. It was such a great day, how I had missed the sun.

Your Average Duck Bath

I've been meaning to document bath time before Ari decides he's too cool to bathe in an inflatable Duck. Finally got around to it.

New Years Resolutions 08

Back when I was in the workforce we would start off every year with some sort of strategic planning. This always involved lofty goals and objectives for the year to come. Some goals got accomplished and some didn’t; but one thing was for sure, they always took precedence over my personal goals.

This year will be different. As far as working goes I have a few contract gigs lined up but I have purposely tried to leave plenty of time for ME. I don’t know how many other new Moms suffered an identity crisis but I sure did. I think these goals are my way of not only re-discovering who I am in this new role but also trying to appreciate the fact that I just might be able to accomplish something for myself this year.

I decided to post some of my goals partly due to inspiration from reading other friends goals, partly because I needed to publish them before my list got too long, and partly in hopes that I can get a little support (i.e. if you see me outside without sunglasses please call me on it).

1. Climb, Kayak, Backpack, Ski and Mt.Bike twice as many days as I did last year.
This should be fairly easy considering 2007 was an all time low as far as recreational activities go.

2. Wear Sunglasses more often.
This will be a hard one. I get so disoriented when I wear sunglasses. I get lost driving, walking or hiking with the blasted things but I need to be more pro-active about saving my eyesight, it’s been good to me for 29 years but you never know.

3. Do Five pull-ups
This is my shot at making a measurable physical goal. I started back into a pull-up regiment in December when I could only do two and as of today I’m up to three.

4. Gain 2 pounds…of muscle.
Another physical goal, not sure how measurable it will be. I will accomplish this not only by strengthening my upper body as in goal #3, but I will also be hiking strait up mountains, jogging and participating in goal #1’s recreational activities.

5. Take Ari backpacking.
I did try this one last year, but the weather never cooperated.

6. Journal more consistently and more often.
I always make this goal and I never write as much as I would like to.

7. Make a Budget and keep it, or at least come close.
For some reason I often think I’m rich.

8. Discover 10 new hikes.
There are so many great hikes around here but I tend to stick with the same old same old. Not this year.

9. Take a solo trip.
Just something I haven’t done for a while.

10. Go to an Opera.
Never been.

11. Write more thank-you’s, remember birthdays, and act on impulses…
I couldn’t think of a word or phrase to describe this goal. You know when you have a thought to do something for someone but then shrug it off and say “oh they don’t need me to do that”, or come up with some other excuse not to be nice. I’m not going to make excuses this year; I’m just going to act on the impulse.

12. Help Olivia get her deposit back.
Olivia moved out of the house we shared on the west side almost a year ago. Her landlord never gave her the deposit back. I vow to help her get it back be it supporting or stalking.

13. Do something really great for my 30th Birthday.
I never really do anything for my Birthday, but that HAS to change this year. You only turn 30 once.

14. Consider Dreads.
Just one of those things I’ve always wanted to try. Notice I’m not committing this year, but I will be putting together a dread assessment based largely on how Lauren likes hers.

15. Enjoy being a Mom.
Last year ended up being mostly about surviving; this year will be all about enjoying.

16. Take 20 photos that I would deem “portfolio” worthy.
What can I say; I’m my worst critic.

17. Spend time with my camera (and Photoshop) every week.
I really want to develop my own style this year. I can take any old photo and make it look ok or I can make a photo look like a magazine or client wants it but I want my own style. This goal will require a lot of practice, which will require a lot of subjects…so let me know if you would like to volunteer.

18. Get ready to start my own business in 2009.
I feel like we needed a drum roll before this one or something. As many of you know I have been doing photography for my brothers design firm, all the while thinking about also starting my own photography business. I have put it off for years not because I don’t want to do it but because others have far more confidence in me than I do. There are several aspects of my photography I want to work on this year and if I’m satisfied with the results I think I will “dare” to put my work out there. By getting things ready I mean a website, logo, name, plan, logistics…and most importantly complete goals #16 and #17 to my satisfaction.

You Voted, We Listened

Let's review the results of the poll.

03-04 Honda Element 13%
02-04 Honda CRV 13%
99-02 Honda Odyssey 13%
99-02 Toyota Sienna 26%
00-04 Subaru Outback 13%
08 Toyota Tacoma 66%
4-door extend cab
with camper shell

I see that there were many day dreamers out there like myself who went for the completely out of our budget but very desirable Tacoma...for that I thank you. Someday; perhaps in the year 2020 when the 08 Tacoma has come down in price we will buy one. Until then we went with your second option. The Sienna. Ok Ok so we bought it before the poll was over so I guess great minds think alike; or Joe paid people off.

So yes, as you can see Joe has won this battle. I finally agreed to a mini van under these conditions:

1.Non 90's Color
2.Sienna
3.Leather Seats
4.Year 2000 (consumer reports rated it the best year for Sienna).
5.Well taken care of
6.REALLY good deal

We thought it would be awhile before a van like this came on the market...and for us to actually be one of the 50,000 people wanting the same thing (used mini vans around here go really FAST, it's kind-of like a competitive sport). Joe spotted this Gem right after it was posted and within hours the guy already had a line up of people wanting it...can you believe that, it's a MINI VAN!

No it's not an outback, or an element or a tacoma but it fit our price range so now we can still afford to actually take trips in our vehicle....hum, who to visit first. Anyway, other features we like about the van include radio control on the steering wheel, a sun roof, the cup holder holds a nalgene, an extra set of summer tires and it has a LOTOJA sticker on it. We got the sticker without even having to ride our bikes from Logan to Jackson Hole! Speaking of stickers, if you come across any good ones send them our way, we need to accessorize the mini.

Is the Subaru Dead?

Thanks to all who have written with concern for the Subaru. She has long since been a member of my family...even before Joe, Ari and K-So were; 227,000 miles of bliss.

The Subie's back in the driveway, just not drivable...but perhaps bronzable...hum... The fine folks at Discount Auto got her running but research has shown that driving on a bad head gasket could prove deadly to the entire engine, so there she sits. Were not really sure what were going to do with her. As painful as it may sound we are considering what we should buy next, unfortunately we can't seem to agree on any one vehicle. When you only have one set of wheels it's got to be all encompassing. This is why we have created the poll you see to the right. Please pick your favorite, but if you have two favorites you can pick two. Yes money is an option; but what is money really...last I looked it was just paper.

Who Really Needs a Car Anyway?

Out For a Snowy Walk

Ari and I were out hiking near Green Canyon waiting for Ben and Joe to come flying down the mountain in sleds. I snapped this photo but it turned out really crappy, all except for our eyes. I decided to make a valiant effort to nurse the photo back to health...turned out kind-of cool?

Ecuadorain?

Joe and I were in Ecuador when I was 6 months pregnant, we bought this hat and sweater for the unborn babe. They finally fit perfectly, Ari looks just like a little Ecuadorian...well, unless you count the extremely pale skin, blue eyes and white hair, but other than that...

I was trying out a new Black and White technique in PhotoShop, I can't decide if I really like it or if I think it's a total train wreck.After a few minutes Ari kept trying to put my lens cap back on, I think he was done.

...and More Snow

I Appriciate Snow

Some photos from Me and Olivia's recent snow adventures...the video footage of us scaling over high mountain passes in 50mph wind and up to our waist in snow may or may not follow; so much footage so little time.