Three-Day Weekend...Yeh!!!!! Let's see.......how long have I been back to school? Uh.....oh yeh, one week. Pretty pathetic, but there is just something about being back on the 7-6 work schedule that makes an extra day off seem heavenly.

My class seems somewhat better behaved at the beginning of this year than last year's kids. It took about six months to get my last-year's class to where they knew what was expected. I remember well, being frustrated and wanting to quit, even if it was to work at the dreaded Wal-Mart.

Funny, though, when I saw them last week I was overjoyed and felt sad that they'd moved on to sixth-grade----I missed them! Weird, yes, but that must be a characteristic that goes with those who teach.

On a similar but different note: Our rooms are HOT!!! Even with three fans going and windows open they average about 88 degrees. How come the district office and prisons get air conditioning, but the teacher of future generations is equipped only with a FREE district-provided 'squirt bottle'?

Ahhhhhh......my garden

I love gardens! All types! Both my grandparents were farmers so perhaps it's in my genes.

Summers were the best! I spent time helping my grandpa set cyphons in the ditch. He made it look simple, I ended up sucking on the tube to try to get some suction going and got a mouthful of muddy water.

Grandma sent me out to pull weeds and pick ripe peas, I brought her lots of pods minus the peas.

My brother Steve was the tree-climbing monkey, but when he wasn't available I got sent up to pick the apricots, I liked being in the tree--I didn't like going out on a limb to retrieve the fruit.

Canning was hot, tedious work...however, I loved listening to my grandmother tell stories as we peeled peaches and pairs.

My grandarents had an enormous lawn. They watered it by irrigation. It was remarkable that we were able to create countless ways to make full use of grass that was covered in 6 inches of water. I loved it as much as being at the ocean or pool.

Sometimes my uncles, David and Lowell, would stuff me into an old wooden barrel and roll me around the lawn until I was on the verge of throwing up.

Grandpa tried to teach me how to milk the cows--he made it appear easy. Try as I might I never got the hang of it. Instead grandma gave me the job of carrying a gallon of fresh milk to the neighbor in exchange for a dozen eggs.

My all time favorite memory is setting the table with all the fresh produce from the garden. It was difficult to exercise self control during the prayer as the food's aroma made me dizzy in anticipation.

My efforts pale in comparison to my progenitors, however, each time I dig up a weed, pick a cucumber or slice up a tomato I am reminded of my youth and the love, admiration and respect I felt for them. I'd like to think that ocassionally they catch a glimpse of me, and my efforts make them smile.

August 9th, 4:15 pm. There is a knock, or should a say a ring at my door. I ignore it as it's my birthday and I'm trying to take a nap. Approximately 4:32 pm, there it is again...the annoying doorbell. I rouse myself ready with a sarcastic remark and a door-slamming for any bothersome salesman who dares to provoke me from my slumber.
Alas, disbelief when my eyes drink in the sight of Tyler who I haven't seen in almost three years. What a present!
Tyler's significant other Faith, we think she's adorable! Keeps Tyler in check.
This is the picture I am going to superimpose into my outdoor, fall, family picture that is missing Tyler. Notice the foilage behind them?

Thoughts...

My good friend Angela and I took a friend to lunch yesterday. I have spent the last 24 hours trying to sort out my thoughts and feelings about our mutual friend and her difficult situation.
She had to have the lower half of her calf amputated, it was that or possibly lose her life.
What I have learned in the last couple of days from spending time with her is: How difficult and unfair life can be; how much easier life's difficulties become when faith and trust is placed in the Savior; how immensely incomprehendable is the power from a priesthood blessing; how good it feels to forget about self and serve someone else; how valuable a 'sense of humor' can be in every troubling situation; how much we truly need each other, especially treasured friends and how thankful I am to be part of my religious organization that teaches us to develope and rely on the previously mentioned qualities.

OREGON

Family ties are the most important bond in the world. I can't think of a more wonderful place to be on a vacation than with those I love!
Cute kids!

Uncle Steve showing us his 'So You Think You Can Dance' moves. What a great brother!!!! He drove his boat all the way from Washington just to have the water pump break while a bunch of them were out in the middle of the lake. Several passengers attempted to swim the boat to shore while uncle Steve paddled with a water ski.

We LOVE uncle Paul! They welcomed approximately 50 family members. They are gracious, kind, and sometimes a little bizarre.

We had a 'dam' good time at Owyhee Reservoir!!!

Logan gave everyone a ride on his tractor. The girls have discovered their hidden desire to become farmers, and both girls wonder . . . is it legal to marry second cousins?

Drake Park---feeding ducks, people chasing ducks or is it ducks chasing people? Lauryn was wary of them as she feared an Alfred Hitchcock 'Birds' type incident might take place.


Sawyer Park looking for souvenir rocks

Rachel, Alex and Lauryn hiked a very dormant, cone volcano...Pilot Butte

Swahelly Falls located between Bend and Eugene. Alex cried because he wanted to stay and hike around the falls. It was gorgeous!!!!

This is a famous watering hole called Stinkwater. My dad would always stop here on the way to Nyssa so we could get a nice drink of water. I stopped, drank water, and borrowed a couple of rocks. Good stuff!

The mother of all slides located in Burns, Oregon. We stoppped and ate lunch.

, Robyn, Cindy, me, kids and grandkids at uncle Dave and aunt Robyn's Taco Time. They fed us lunch and we porked until we couldn't move! We all love Taco Time food...maybe we should film a testimonial commercial.

My mother is in her 70's and can work circles around people half her age. Her yard is absolutely beautiful. She has built rock walls and planted many varieties of flowers and vegetables. Alex is sitting on some of the lava rock in mom's front yard: This is why houses in Bend don't have basements.

It Was a Rainy Day!

Sorry, I have been remiss in writing to let the world know about each and every exciting event that occurs in my neck of the woods. Last week we, (Alex, Lauryn and I) were dazzled by an unexpected downpour. I had just gotten out the shower so my hair was wet, my clothes were clean and dry, and my makeup freshly applied.....but to a true rain worshipper none of that matters.
We splashed, ran up and down the gutters and even floated boats. It was one of my favorite days!!!!!!