#46 - Moosed Out?

I am sorry to do yet another post about the Moose in my yard...c'mon, I got some decent pictures at least. I was on the deck one morning this weekend when I heard the unmistakable sound (I love hearing the "unmistakable" sounds because all other sounds start to sound like moose...until you hear the unmistakable one) of branches breaking and looked up to see a Mama Moose w/ her tiny baby crashing through the trees. I was just about to go out front to begin working in the yard for the morning and made a mental note to pay attention...good thing.

I was out by the mail box cutting off dead poppy stems when I heard a noise...I look up, and sure enough, here they come walking down the street. Needless to say I suddenly became quite spry and jumped over some rocks doing a quick step to my open garage door taking cover by my car. They ended up across the street in my neighbors yard eating the lilac bush. In case you are wondering, the baby is IN the bush.

I went inside to grab my camera and when I came out, I heard the sound of a dog collar...hmmm, is that unsuspecting walker coming from up the street or down the street. I was loathe to leave the shelter and quick retreat by the garage door and the next thing I know a lady and her dog are by the mail box having totally missed the moosen across the street due to my lovely flowers distracting her. I was gesturing discretely, so as not to spook the moose, and whisper talking "hey" when she finally looked up and said, "your flowers are so lovely" - I kept pointing past her and she turned and said with very little concern, "Oh, I didn't even see her there...ha, ha, ha". I thanked her for the nice compliment and she just went on her merry way.

Then the baby popped out of the bushes and they started across the street...



Where they began enjoying the bushes in my yard...I ventured out as far as I dared to get this darling photo..

Then a brown lab was coming over and barking, REALLY agitating the Mama, so she chased him off accompanied by much clattering and grunting...

Then the baby poked it's head out to see where Mom went...I gently encouraged him to get back in the bushes and wait for the all clear sign from Mom...he did, he slunk right back in there until Mama came to collect him.

Don't ask why I have garbage sack wrapped tires in the trailer...you will need to ask Trav why those are still in our driveway. Doesn't that baby look like a stuffed horse?

Trav and I have seen a lot of moose up her by the house, but it just never gets old.

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote: "It is quite possible to leave your home for a walk in the early morning air and return a different person - beguiled, enchanted." Mary Ellen Chase

Day #45 - Happy Happy

Last Saturday when we were up North at the Eagle Scout project my niece Josie asked Travis and I if she could come over for a BBQ on the 28th..."SURE"...how sweet that she would want to come up AND that she would ask. I didn't realize until yesterday it was actually her B-Day today...I was pretty amazed she'd want to hang with family on her 17th Birthday.



Happy Birthday JOSIE DANA!!

Before they came to my house they went to the zip line at the Olympic Park in Park City. They all said they had a fun time were only nervous until the door opened and they zoomed out onto the line. Josie brought her boyfriend Josh with her as well. We all really like him; he will be leaving to serve an LDS Mission to Fort Lauderdale, FL in September...I remember those days well - saying 'good bye', sending packages, writing letters & better yet receiving letters...such a long time ago.

Here are a few other photos:

Ah Family...Gotta love 'em. THANKS for coming to our home and celebrating your day with us Josie - it meant a lot to us. I am so proud of Josie - she has done so much in her short life; she has been on two service vacations (that's what I call it) to foreign countries, she is in the process of getting her CNR (is that right? Certified Nurse something) to complete an internship at Huntsman Cancer Institute to pay for a scholarship and she really seems to have a good head on her shoulders. She has a bright future ahead of her & it is thrilling to watch her grow up.

Incidentally, thanks to the family calendar, I realized it is also Melissa and Kevin's 19th wedding Anniversary today...I hope I get to read a good story about how wonderful it was...

I Am Grateful,

HB

Diva Quote: My sister shared my Dad's words on his feelings about service - I don't want to lose them in the comments, so share them here:

"The way I see it is all we have is time, and that time is very precious, but you could give of yourself- every minute of every day, and you would yet remain an unprofitable servant...The more you give... God just gives you more, you can never get on top of it." Dad Dana

Day #44 - I like to learn, but...

Do you not LOVE it when you have a know-it-all in class that has to comment on EVERYTHING the Instructor is trying to teach? I know, I know...I often admit to my own know-it-all classification, BUT I like to think I can temper it when necessary.

To keep my Real Estate license active I am required to take 18 hours of continuing education every 2 years. So far I have taken about 4 hours and my license renews in September...I've got a ways to go. Today I had the opportunity to take 6 hours of CE credits for free...I did NOT have time to take it, but I MADE time since time is quickly running out.

The first class was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo BORING! At first, there was a great tidbit that was useful and interesting and then there was a lot of good information that was repeated over and over and over in different ways. THEN it finally picked up in the last 30 minutes with tons of information being thrown out - the info we had been waiting 2.5 hours to get to, and this KNOW-IT-ALL just keeps interrupting the instructor to tell him how SHE does the same thing, giving the distinct impression her way is the "right" way.

At one point I said under my breath, "It is only a suggestion" and was considering turning around and "steam rolling" the lady when the instructor pointed at her with his red dry erase marker and said VERY sternly, "I do NOT have time to debate with you!" She said, "But, I...", Instructor, double jab point, "I do NOT have TIME to debate with you", she said, "But when I..." Instructor, both hands (marker in each hand) held out to his sides, "AGAIN? I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO DEBATE WITH YOU!!". It was SO funny. The very best part is...this lady wasn't even fazed. I snuck a peak at her to witness her red face and puckered mouth tight with anger and frustration...nope...nothin'. She looked normal and even talked to her buddy for a second after the incident. Weird.

The only other thing that I enjoyed about the day was seeing "my" agents at the class. It was fun to feel some camaraderie as agents from my office walked in. One of them sat with me in the first class, he's one of our 'big deal' agents and I got to get to know him better and watch him doodle pictures all over the handouts knowing he was thinking the same things I was and trying desperately not to nod off.

I will admit the information was good, just needed to get on with it in the first 3 hours. The 2nd class was MUCH better. We stayed on task, the information was new to me and know-it-all didn't make it to this class. It was a crazy day since I had to do my normal stuff in 1 hour instead of 8 (you know what I mean), but I am SUPER glad to get 6 hours out of the way.

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote - For my know-it-all friend, take it from me:
"I’ve seen how you can’t learn anything when you’re trying to look like the smartest person in the room.” Barbara Kingsolver

Day #43 - Tree Down

We have 2 rather large aspen trees that died the first year we were here in Summit Park and there are other smaller trees around the yard we have been meaning to get rid of...FINALLY, Travis and my Dad got out the 'ol chain saw and took care of business.

There are actually 2 big tree stumps. Dad left one tall enough for me to put a bird house on top of the stump the other (on the left by the green hose) was cut to the ground and just looks like another rock.

It is amazing how much space was created by removing those two trees. It makes me realize we could really have a back yard if we cleared out the brush and bushes, trees and weeds. Maybe someday...all it takes is hard work and money.

Travis and Dad - my heroes. While they were hauling wood it started to POUR rain...Mom and I just sat on the covered deck while the rain poured down...Sometimes it is good to be a woman (not that I couldn't have helped out, but I was making dinner).

Now all I need to do is call the fire department to see about them coming and turning these branches into bark for us.

On another note...I am a pretty patient person when it comes to other peoples animals, mostly because my own are such crazies at times. BUT there is a dog out there tonight that has been barking steadily for over an hour now. I hope the owners are not home, because if they are, and their dog is making that kind of racket...I guess that would make them very inconsiderate neighbors.

ANYWAY, Thanks Travis and Dad for getting that dirty job done...glad it was you & not me...I love you both.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote: "Blessed are those who give without remembering. And blessed are those who take without forgetting.” Bernard Meltzer

Day #42 - Look Up...

Eagle project day at the Dana's house. Seth Dana got a bunch of people organized to do some trail maintenance in Kaysville. The trail he picked is one Travis, Jason, Mel and fam have utilized many times over the years. They did some badly needed grooming and widening of the much used trail.

When I found out about it I was planning to go help, but I was basically told my job was to go keep Mom, Keri and Amy company...geez twist my arm. Travis ended up being one of the team leaders and I think he had a good time hanging out with the kids he was supervising (his nieces Josie and Abby among them). I guess it was pretty hard work, but Travis said he was proud of how hard all the kids worked and he himself got a huge blister on his hand.

I think the funniest thing that occurred was Golden came away with a bunch of burs in his leg hair and dad had a few on his head that Keri had to cut out...whoops. Travis told Golden he should shaved his legs like he does for biking to avoid unnecessary burr action. Too little too late I am afraid.

I was super proud of Seth. He did a good job getting the group organized, laying out the instructions, setting up the groups and their assignments and seeing the project through. I hope I get the chance to read his written report about the project as well.

Soon we will have 2 Eagle Scouts in our collection of Nephews!! Way to go Ethan & Seth!!!
I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote: "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will." Vince Lombardi

Day #41 - Bear Aware

I have had this night on my calendar for weeks...it was Bear Aware night for Summit Park residents at the library. It was a pretty sparse crowd at the beginning, but people eventually filtered in. I have wanted to support the local HOA for some time because I keep picturing normal everyday folk like me trying to get the community to participate in beautification projects, clean-up suggestions, give a $#@! PLEASE parties and then have 5 people show up...I know how that feels and have been meaning to be more supportive of the people that do care about our community. Well, tonight was the night.

I can't remember if I have already mentioned it, but there have been 2 black bears spotted in our direct neighborhood recently. The wildlife folks were called in and both bears were removed within a few weeks of each other. Depending on the bears behaviors they either move the animal to another location OR they put the animal down. In the case of these bears they decided just to relocate both, but one, a female, didn't come out of the tranquilizer.

I have a pretty good knowledge of bears simply because we have a book called "Bear Attacks" and would read stories from it when we went camping after we first got married...it was better than ghost stories when we were camping in bear country. I know not to lay down and play dead, I know not to run away & to make your self look bigger, don't look the bear in the eye, don't climb a tree and if, on the long shot, the bear does attack you? Fight with ALL your might - punch the nose, poke out the eyes, round house kick...whatever it takes.

Things I didn't know...Bear Pepper Spray works 90% of the time to deter a bear. There are ONLY black bears in Utah. Bears love sugar water and bird seed. Bears clack their teeth together when they are nervous.

Regardless, as much as I love wildlife and seeing such great animals from a high deck is amazing and wonderful, no matter how prepared I may feel to react, I am not anxious to meet one up close and personal no matter how "scared" they might be of me.

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote: "A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.” Winnie the Pooh

Day #40 - Random Old Clothes

The other day I was cleaning out some shelves to do a DI run to donate some clothes I no longer wear that have just been taking up space in my closet, when I came across some black capri pants I totally forgot I own. "Hey...I remember you guys...huh..."

It is that same great feeling you get when you find a $20 dollar bill in that jacket you wore last Spring...It isn't like they are the best pants of the century, or even my favorite pants, neither is twenty bucks a Ben Franklin, but it still feels like getting away with something sneaky or winning a raffle at the fair.

I can't believe how many clothes just hang in my closet being unused...there were 3 shirts I never wore and was too unorganized to return, that have been in my closet for 3 years now. There is another shirt that I love the idea of wearing, but it hangs funny, so I don't wear it. I would have put that in the DI pile, but I think I can talk my sister Amy into making it into a decorative pillow...it has lots of ruffles on it.

Then there are those things I just can't bring myself to throw away...3 pairs of ratty slippers (resisted, but finally relented), a black shirt that has lost 2 buttons and has several snags in it, but I still love that shirt and convinced myself it can be repaired, a skirt that has 2 holes down the sides that I also convince myself CAN be fixed, but the fabric is a fragile over skirt that is shear and will most likely not hang right if I try to sew it up, a few white t-shirts I believe can be saved and that weird spot will come out if I only believe hard enough...we can only try.

I guess I am not really sure what the point is of this post, but I do know I am happy I found those pants.

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote: "Impossible only means that you haven't found the solution yet." unknown