I received a phone call from Hula's mom a few minutes ago (6:45pmish) and she told me that Hula's surgery went well today.  She is still in recovery but only because there is not a bed open but hopefully one will open soon!  The doctor should have reserved a room for her but a hospital isn't like a hotel, huh? that would make too much sense  ;-)  Hula's mom also said that Hula is sleepy still but is doing well. 

Please keep the thoughts and prayers coming because this was a tough surgery to have done, especially emotionally.  I thought I was prepared for mine three years ago until the nurse handed me the "consent to sterilize" form and it hit me like a MACK truck.   Hula is strong and an incredible lady but she needs support right now.  If you haven't already, please go over to her site and show her some love for when she returns home (in a few days). 

After she's home and settled and I have the surgery on my right leg (just to extend my calf muscle) on Tuesday, it's going to be fun to have her home recovering at the same time.  We're goofy enough without pain medication, can you imagine how much FUN we're going to have on pain meds?  Yep, it's going to be a laugh fest.  I might take it easy on her since laughing will hurt her more than it will hurt me... oh heck, I'll be nice and just be myself.  *evil grin* 

Hula is undergoing surgery today so please wish her well and keep her in your thoughts.  She's a sister of my heart and I love her to bits.  She emailed me and asked me to "Wish me good and easy gutting." 

She is keeping her sense of humor... which is good... because she's going to get phone call from me tomorrow to make her giggle just as she did to me on my gutting in Oct 2005.  I believe it was all about the breathing apparatus that I had to suck air through... the hose looked like something else. I also sent her Larry the Cable Guy's "Morning Constitution" to make sure she'd have some laughs while recovering... it IS the best medicine after all. 

LOVE YOU, HULA!!! 

Before my proper post, I want to thank everyone again for all your thoughts and prayers for little Eli.  I held her on Saturday and she's a fighter - she will be just fine.  Travis and Sara brought her home from the hospital yesterday.  I'm going to Salt Lake on Friday to go to a small photo fair and I will take dinner to Travis and Sara and see little Eli again.   There are photos of my visit on my Flickr site, if you'd like to see them.   

***********

Almost a year ago when I began the journey to follow my passions, I felt as if I was on the cusp of my life changing. I wanted to toss the old baggage that was holding me back from pursuing what I truly wanted to do. It was an exciting time and I felt a new "Karen" emerging.

Then as time passed, I was buried under all the high level classes and the homework and I felt some of that new "Karen" disappeared, perhaps I was too tired to fight. But at the same time, the new "Karen" was working hard at finishing school. The way I dealt with stress changed (somewhat) when I found that taking ten minutes and going outside to take photos made me calmer than if I were to take a xanax. When I had my camera in my hands, my senses were heightened, not numbed.

Now that my classes are behind me, I have such a burning desire to continue to learn and have new adventures. I feel as if I have been given a second chance at life and I do not plan to waste it. As I go through my transformation, I find myself at a loss for words or rather, I feel that I've written the words before.  I looked back at my English assignments and sure enough, two years ago for English class, the assignment was to write, "If I were a bird, which would I be and why."  The words I wrote ring true more today than they did then.  And so it begins...

Out of the Ashes

I am the one and only Phoenix; some say I am a myth, but I do exist. My enemies have done their best to destroy me, to throw me into a pit of fire from which, they believe, I will never return. My death is nothing more than the rebirth of the sun; I shall rise again.

As a Phoenix, I have the keenest of eyes to spot predators, and the inner vision to sense danger around me. I represent beauty of the self, and all that beauty can be. My virtue is above reproach and my spirit flies higher than the heavens. My flight is graceful and symbolizes the greatest of strengths and freedoms that human beings can possess.

My feathers are black, white, red, green, and yellow; the colors represent justice, strength, loyalty, honesty, and grace. I strive to be fair in all judgments and hold the highest regard for friends and loved ones. My loyalty is steadfast, and my honesty allows me set an example for those around me. Grace flows through my wings and spreads to the world below as I soar in the heavens above.

My core desire is to bring goodwill to all the creatures in the world and to crush any ill will that exists. With every fiber of my being, I believe good wins over evil and differences should be resolved peacefully before going to war. However, I will fight fiercely to the death with those who harm any member of my flock. Pure love for others fills me, which keeps my eternal fire burning brightly inside my soul.

I have fought many difficult battles and faced numerous challenges; yet, each time I emerge from the flames and ashes, stronger, victorious, and ready for the continued fight against the dark forces. The Phoenix rises once again.

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for Eli, Travis, and Sara.  The surgery took about four hours all together and it went well.  Sara and Travis are really tired after their long day but they are happy that Eli will be fine.  Primary Children's Medical Center has been wonderful through everything. Eli's range of motion is great and her intestines/colon was not bothered at all (which was a potential complication) - she even pooped on the table for the doctors LOL  Yes, she's Travis' daughter ;-)

Sara sent me a text message about two hours after Eli was out of surgery and she said Eli had just eaten and was resting comfortably.  They're giving her oral medication to help with the pain and it's being managed well.  I spoke with Sara this evening and she said that she feeds Eli every four hours when they give her the medication.  Sara sounded exhausted but relieved.

I hope to drive down to Salt Lake tomorrow or Saturday to see them all.  My parents are anxious to see their great-granddaughter again.  

Sara wrote on Eli's care page (a website that is designed to keep family and friends updated on the child's condition) that she and Travis could not have gotten through everything without help from their family and friends.  Her words rang true for I feel the same - family and friends are the most precious gifts we receive.  Thank you all again!

As she goes through surgery to remove the cyst from her spine. I love you, my sweet Eli - you are special to me and I look forward to spoiling you rotten with love.

the WORLD SERIES, Colorado Rockies versus Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park tonight, 6pm Mountain Time and I am ready.  I love both teams so it will be a little difficult to choose sides.  

Today is "wear your favorite team's baseball jersey" at work and a co-worker who is a die-hard *cough, cough* Y*nk**s fan told me I needed to wear my Colorado t-shirt and leave my Red Sox jersey at home.  Like I'm falling for that.

This is the same man that I harassed teased the day after the Y*nk**s lost the World Series to the Red Sox in 2004.  He was teaching a class and I walked passed the door to the classroom, wearing my Red Sox jersey proudly, and lingered a bit to catch his eye.  He stopped talking, grabbed his chest, and said, "Oh Karen, you're killin' me!"  The entire class looked back and me and cheered me on and a few voices yelled, "YEAH RED SOX!"  He has not forgiven me for that day yet *evil grin*.

Would it be too much if I wore my Red Sox jersey open with my Colorado t-shirt underneath?   

I had a special Sunday this past weekend, my sister Susie and I drove to Salt Lake to visit our nephew Travis, his wife Sara, and their sweet baby, Eli. Aren't they a cute family? I'm so proud of Travis; he's a good daddy and Sara is a natural mommy.



This was the first time Susie saw Eli and she was so pleased.



Eli was a little fussy when we arrived and after Susie held her for a few minutes so she handed Eli to me and she calmed right down and fell asleep. Just like the touch I used to have on Travis when he was a baby. However, when Susie held Eli later, she didn't fuss so perhaps it was a fluke... nah, it's my magic touch. ;-)

We stayed there quite a while and visited about practical jokes I used to play (Travis and his brother Adam inherited my practical joking ways and I could not be more proud) and were in awe of little Eli. She goes in for surgery on Thursday to remove the fibrous cyst that is connected to her spine. She is definitely in good hands but if you would keep her in your thoughts and/or prayers, we would appreciate it!

It's back to work I go, where there's work to be done, and hopefully some fun, hi ho, hi ho. 

I'm actually looking forward to going back to work but will miss sleeping in and having afternoon naps.  It's only for two weeks then I'll have my right calf muscle extended and will be off work until after Thanksgiving.  It's a hard life, I know.  I'm sad that I haven't been able to take many photos of the fall leaves since it was too hard to get in/out of my car.  

I've enjoyed going through some of the photos I took towards the end of summer though, since my school work got in the way.  I took some photos of my dad in September while he was outside sweeping and cleaning out the road gutters, without him knowing.  They didn't quite have the quality I wanted so I changed them to black and white - voila.  I'm still learning "people photos" but I like the way these turned out.   

I better get my behind to work!  Have a great day, everyone!   

I feel a lot of changes coming with achieving my goal of earning my Bachelor's degree - good changes.  However, changes even for the good are scary.  In many ways, it doesn't seem real; I keep wondering what classes I'm going to take next.  Friends ask what I'm going to do with all my free time - that's easy - I'm going to work on learning more about photography and concentrate on writing.  Or whatever I feel like doing. 

I wonder what my future will bring.  I had vision of getting into project control (finances for contracts, etc.) but there are two very competent people in my division that are doing the job already and there's no room for me.  The division manager, who was the best we've had in the 12+ years that I've worked for the company, recently retired.  It was a blow when I got his farewell email that he sent last week.  I'm scared that the new division manager won't know how hard I've worked and he/she won't help me get into the position I want.  My boss is wonderful and he will do what he can.  

There is something else.  I think I've changed my mind about being a project controller.  The work I'm doing for my Hill AFB duties appeals to me; the teaching classes and being a more beneficial part of the team there.  The downside of that is that I won't be making as much money as I would as a project controller.  I love the interaction with the team and students and I would miss that as a project controller.  I'm funded for half time at Hill AFB still so perhaps I can still do both if I apply for a project controller position for the other half of my time but in a different division via telecommuting. I need to make more money - no question about that - but what is more important, doing what I love or doing what I have to do to make more money?  I doubt it would be worth the stress.  There is a chance that I could be promoted to be a teacher full time for Hill AFB but it depends on workload. 

I'm a person who has to know my next move before it happens so this uncertainty is scary, yet at the same time, it's exciting.  I've worked for four long years to get where I am, which took a lot of courage to keep going.  If I can do that, I certainly can face some uncertainty.  Right?  Right.  

Changes in my career are not the only changes, I feel as if I'm changing.  My goals are changing.  It feels great to feel some freedom in chosing what I want to do outside of my career.  I'm following my passions... the passions of my heart.   

I cannot wait until Thursday to announce this major GEE WHIZ.  This is a GEE WHIZ that I've waited and worked so hard toward for four years. 

1. My Music final test, which I was worried about, I earned 232/245 - giving me a final 95.1% for the entire class, which equals a big, fat, GEE WHIZ A.

2. My Visual Arts final test, which I was not worried about, I earned 97/100 - giving me a final 95.16% for the entire class, which again, is a big, fat, GEE WHIZ A.   

3.  My grade point average (GPA) at the beginning of the last term was GEE WHIZ 3.81.   

4. My ending GPA, with the big, fat, GEE WHIZ A's, gives me a WOPPING GEE WHIZ 3.816 GPA.

What does all this mean?  GEE WHIZ, I can hardly contain my excitement (and tears of joy).  It means that I will graduate with freeking, GEE WHIZZING high honors, Magna Cum Laude.  I did it; I really did it. The one song pops into my head...I know, I'm sick.

What's up next?  I'm going to wait a year or maybe two to go for my masters.  I've already looked at two degrees that interest me:  Masters of Business Administraion or Masters of Communication and Leadership.  I cannot believe I'm already thinking about more school when I just finished the four years when I'm supposed to be thinking of all the FUN things I can do with my spare time.  Don't get me wrong, I'm thinking of FUN things but that masters thinking keeps sneaking in.   

Raggedy gave me the The I'm Fabulous Award over the weekend.  She named some Totally fabulous people on her post and now I'd like to point out some now.  You all, of course, are all fabulous.

Steelcowboy is completely fabulous; he is one-of-a-kind, genuine, honest, and down-to-earth guy who has a way of touching lives through his words.  He is a friend to many and deserves recognition and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank him for touching my life and making me want to be a better person.  He is a good friend and I have always enjoyed his sense of humor and his sense for showing kindness when it's needed. 

Deni is another who is completely fabulous; she always thinks of others before herself.  She has a heart of gold and has a brilliant sense of humor.  I have enjoyed not only reading her blog but also getting to know her through emails.  She has become a great friend and I bless the day that I was introduced to her.  She is always there when others need her - no matter what.  Thank you, Deni for your friendship and for all you've done for me.  You are truly special. 

My friend Dave is one heck of a guy.  He has been a friend to me for so long and I appreciate his friendship and always being there.  He's got a brilliant sense of humor and a very sexy yellow Corvette, which is now put away for its winter hibernation, and a genuine, giving heart.  He has a private blog... and I think many people are missing out on him because it is private *uh hum... HINT*  Thank you, Dave - for always being there and for always putting up with my teasing... oh but wait... you give it right back.  ;-) 

A fabulous couple is Colin and his lovely wife, D.  Colin and I met through a friend at work; Colin worked at Hanscom AFB in MA and I work at Hill AFB.  Colin and I were instant friends and his wife, D, is as wonderful as he is.  I first met them face-to-face at Logan Airport in Boston on my way home from England in 2002 and they were as genuine and kind as I knew they would be. 

Then in 2003, I traveled to Hanscom AFB for work and were able to see them again.  The second trip's fun was delayed a bit due to a flight cancellation, otherwise I would have been able to stick my feet in the Atlantic Ocean.  But the next day, Colin and D spoiled me rotten; they took me on a DUCK Tour, to lunch at Dick's Last Resort, and to the Prudential Building Observation Deck.  The Duck Tour was SO much fun, Dick's was a blast (where Colin was named "Big Pig" for stealing some of D's lunch), and the observation deck was incredible.  They gave me memories for a lifetime that day. 

They've since retired and are living the life they dreamed of all their married lives - they're together.  They keep tabs on me and are always there when I need them.  Thank you, Colin and D, for your friendship and all you've given me.  Lub & hugs to both of you!  

I consider myself blessed to have so many incredible and fabulous people in my life - and that means all of you! 

Onto other things, I had a nice weekend - mostly vegging and keeping my leg propped up.  It doesn't like sitting at the computer for long - even though I prop it up.  I can't imagine how hard it will be to go back to work and I think only two weeks is pushing it a bit.  I see the doctor today to get my stitches out and I'll see about extending my time off work by a few days.  

I'm also officially done with school WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  I'm just impatiently waiting for my grades. If I bit my nails, I'd have ten bloody stumps on my hands.  I'm sure I've got an A in Visual Arts but it's my Music grade I'm worried about (I mixed some things up on the final).  If I get below a 175/260 on the final, I will earn B, and a 3.8975 GPA, which isn't enough for Magna status, however, if I get an A, I will have a 3.816 and Magna Cum Laude status.   Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, the waiting........... I hate waiting!   I emailed my professor last night, begging him to give me my grade on my final) but I have yet to hear from him.  GAH! 

P.S.  Let's hear it for the Colorado Rockies who are one game away from sweeping the Arizona Diamond-Backs for a turn at the World Series.  W00T!  Go Rockies!! They've won 20 out of the last 21 games and they deserve to go to the series! 

P.S.S.  Another of my beloved teams, the Boston Red Sox are playing Cleveland Indians.  Each team has won a game so the next three games are critical and I'm hoping the next three games will be Boston's.  Saturday's game went 11 innings and it was a close game until the 11th when it fell apart and Boston lost (boo). 

If these two teams end up playing in the World Series, it will be hard to choose one team to cheer for so I'll cheer for both and be happy with the team that wins.   

Eli's surgery to remove the cyst from her gums went well yesterday afternoon.  Then yesterday evening, she was nursing!  Sara told me this morning that everything is going great.  Thank you to all who are keeping her in your thoughts and prayers. 

Little Eli will go home something tomorrow (Saturday) morning until the next surgery.  Sara and Travis invited me to view a webpage with updates on her condition.  The surgery will be quite involved but I know she will be fine.  The following is today's update that explains the surgery:

Eli has been feeding well today, and our Doctor here at Primary Children's anticipates that we will be able to take her home sometime tomorrow morning. We will be able to keep her at home until her surgery on 25 October 2007 when she will need to recover at Primary Children's for approximately four days.

That surgery will require a fairly large incision on her back through which the neurologist will have to cut out some of her bones on her spinal column to gain access to her spinal cord where he will carefully remove the tethered cord which is attached. He will then put her back together layer by layer. They do not anticipate any complications with this surgery, they have assembled a highly skilled and experienced team to carry out this complicated procedure.

Eli should not have any long term effects from this surgery, but must stay on her tummy for approximately four days here at the hospital.

***********
By the time I read the updates and saw the photos, of course, I was bawling.  However, it was not out of fear, it was because this beautiful and special little girl is loved so much and that she's got so much love for everyone.  I am honored to be part of her life and I am proud of Travis and Sara; they're natural parents and they glow.   

Isn't she beautiful?!  The two photos are from my brother; he emailed them to me a little while ago. 

My grand-niece, Elizabeth, was born about 8:45pm on Tuesday night.  She weighs 7 pounds and is 18 inches long.  My nephew Travis and his wife Sara are proud parents of this sweet little girl.  Sara was in labor for nearly 24 hours, 12 of which they spent at the hospital.  The last part of the birth was a tough one; they had to use a special type of forecips and almost had to do a cesarean. 

We had a scare because they discovered a "tail" on her lower spine and it was leaking fluid.  They rushed her to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake to find out what was going on.  The first thought was spinal bifida but with an MRI and further exploration, it is a cyst that is connected to her spinal column and goes up about three inches in her back.  They are building a surgery team to do surgery next week.  She also has a cyst on her front gum it looks as if she's sticking her tongue out) but that will be removed sometime today with no expected issues.  Apparently the gum cyst happens a lot with baby girls (I never knew that). 

She is such a beautiful little girl and we're all so happy she's here.  It about killed Sara and Travis not to be able to hold her in their arms last night.  Travis stayed with "Ellie" all night and the hospital where Sara is let her out for six hours today to spend some time with Ellie.  Sara will be released today and can be with Ellie again.  

My brother, J Dee, the proud grandpa, called me last evening and said, "Sara's family has cleared out so if you want to come down to the hospital, now is a good time."  It didn't take long for my parents and me to get in the car and head south.  Dad was so excited and I know it meant the world to Travis to have him there.  Dad and Travis have always had a special bond, just as Travis and I have had. 

J Dee and Patti (my SIL) were at the hospital when we arrived and J Dee was just beaming.  Travis was too, of course!  Travis was going to sleep in Ellie's room last night - it isn't likely he'll leave her anytime soon.  I felt bad that I couldn't see Sara but by the time we left Primary Children's, the visiting hours were over and too late to drive to the other hospital to see her.  Ellie looks a lot like Sara but I can see Travis in her as well, especially her little nose. 

I will see her again soon - very soon.  She's such a sweet baby.  Travis said that she fusses but it takes just his voice and a touch to calm her.  She also soothes herself at times.  I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family.   

The Salt Lake Temple in the reflection pool at Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah.

I do not understand how someone can abandon an animal - it's beyond my comprehension - especially an animal unable to protect itself and gather food (she was declawed).  A few weeks ago, I posted about this kitty, who was abandoned and who decided to adopt me.  However, I could not give her a home.  I called animal services to pick her up but that was unsuccessful.  The Animal Control Officer said he would be back that afternoon with a live trap.  That did not happen.  Days then weeks went by with no trap and no response to follow-up phone calls.  She is a beautiful cat and very loving, but when she feels threatened, whether justified or not, she bit me several times.  However, I came to the conclusion she cannot protect herself any other way. 

I continued to feed her because I could not stand to see her starve.  I continued to pet her because all she wanted was love.  It nearly ripped my heart out when she hid in my garage at night to be safe from other cats in the neighborhood.  

When the nights began to cool, I knew I needed to find her a home.  I asked everyone I could think of if they wanted her but alas, they did not or could not take her.  With a heavy heart, I decided I needed to take her to the animal shelter where she can be adopted.  I tried one last time to contact the North Ogden Animal Control Officer but he is out of the office for several weeks  They did not have anyone filling in for him and they told me to take her to the Ogden Animal Shelter. 

I put her in Ashley's old carrier and put her in my car and cried the whole way.  When I arrived, 15 minutes later, I was still quite emotional and angry that I had to do this.  The workers at the shelter told me it was a $25 fine to bring a cat in since I live in North Ogden - not Ogden.  I refused.  She was not my cat and I do not believe I should pay for someone else's heartlessness.  I also refused to take her back home.  We had a problem.

One of the workers called North Ogden City and spoke with the ASSistant Chief (of Police) Kevin Warren.  He asked to speak to me on the phone and I explained my position and gave him details of how many times I called North Ogden City to have her picked up.  Here I was, doing THEIR job.  He told me, and I quote, "You trapped the cat, so it's your problem."  I dropped the phone on the desk (oops) and said, "That's our tax dollars hard at work," as the worker said good-bye to the officer.   By then, I was livid, which isn't a good thing because when I'm emotional, the anger turns me into a blubbering idiot. 

The workers were so nice and they were as frustrated as I was because they too hate it when irresponsible people who have no scruples and morals abandon an animal.   

When I returned home, I wrote a 1.5 page letter to North Ogden City and all the officials, to tell my story and express my disgust for their lack of help, especially those words by ASSt. Chief Kevin Warren.  His words and tone will ring in my ears forever.   

As I was talking to Vickie about it on the phone one day, she suggested writing a letter to the editor.  Brilliant, Vickie!  :-D  I did so and I got a call three days after I submitted it, to tell me that it was accepted.  It appeared in yesterday's paper (click to EMBIGGEN).

Over the weekend, I received a letter from the North Ogden City Administrator, whom the Mayor asked to respond to me.  The gentleman agreed that there is a problem with strays and he thanked me for my letter (I bet it made his day!).  He said he would address the situation with ASSistant Chief Kevin Warren and Jerry Wade, the Animal Control Officer (when he returns).  Who knows - perhaps something will come out of it, even if it makes the ASSt Chief Kevin Warren think about how he treats others.  

As for the kitty, I gave her to my sister, who lives in Ogden.  She ended up taking her to the shelter because she got bit trying to get her out of the carrier.  Since she lives in Ogden, she did not get fined.  The workers at the shelter didn't think they'd have any trouble finding her a home, especially since she was declawed and fixed.  They said she would make an excellent companion to someone who had time to work with her on the biting issue.  Since she was abandoned, they said it's normal for a cat to turn feral quickly out of self-preservation, but she is definitely domesticated. 

If the ASSistant Chief Kevin Warren happens to read this, I want to express again how grateful I am for him and his courteous and respectful assistance.  He certainly has reinforced my view of police and how they help citizens.  Bravo, ASSt Chief Warren, what a job well done.

Life is an adventure and the fun never seems to end.  A couple of months ago, my foot doc told me that my calf muscles are too short and they're causing problems with the balls of my feet, which will get worse.  There's a fairly new procedure to lengthen calf muscles and it's not major surgery.  I thought about it and decided I would have it done to help with my current problems as well as prevent future problems. 

I had surgery on my left leg last Tuesday and it went well.  The doc attempted to do it via scope but there was a problem with the scope so he had to cut a larger incision, but it's only three inches (the scope incision is only an inch) and won't cause much delay in healing.  I will spare you the graphic photo of the incision, which I think looks pretty cool, but I know not everyone is fascinated by stitchery when it comes to incisions.  ;-)  Like I was when I had my hysterectomy , I used the mirror in the hospital tray to look at my incision across my lower tummy.  I giggled and thought it looked like a big smile with braces (the staples).  However, morphine makes anything funny.  

This is the larger of the two incisions; the smaller incision is on the outer part of my leg and isn't much to see.   The exciting (NOT) part of the healing, is that I get to wear a big, black, sexay boot for four weeks!  I feel like Darth Vader when I've got it on... now all I need is a light saber.  Gee whiz, I wonder where I could get one.  *snortle*

 I saw the doc on Thursday and he is very happy with how my incisions look and how well I'm doing.  I have my stitches taken out on Oct 15 and he said if I'm doing as well then, I won't have to wear the boot for a full four weeks, but only two weeks.  I shall continue to behave since I'd love to return to work on Oct 16 without the boot.

I will have my right leg done sometime in November or early December.

Onto more fun!  I have two finals this morning; Visual Arts at 8am and Music at 10am.  I can hardly believe it's finals week already.  However, this is just not the term's finals week but MY final week.  These are my last classes before I get my bachelor's.  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!  

If you hear a faint WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO this week, you'll know that I've completed all my assignments and will be completely done. *shaking my bootay* 

Note: Before I begin my last day of adventure, I want to know if anyone has had issues commenting besides Cal and Dawn. Squarespace has a problem with spamming issues lately and it's trickled down to comments. It's supposed to be fixed with the next release but if you've had problems, let me know and I'll have the IPs taken out. Thanks!

Day four was so peaceful with the rain hitting the roof, making it a perfect PJ day. We didn't plan to go anywhere because we wanted to stay in the cabin. When I woke up, I heard the makings of breakfast and decided to make a video - since I cooked breakfast every other morning and dinner the night before, so I deserved a break.



I slept in longer than everyone else - I was tired after that bat kill the night before. I decided to shoot a video of the cabin and inside. I mention in the video that I was going to go outside when the rain calmed down to shoot a video out there but the rain didn't slow enough to do it.

I was a bum most of the day; I think I over did it the past three days and it caught up with me. Aahh, the only thing better than a PJ day is one at the cabin.

Lou Jean cooked a pot roast and my Aunt Linda, Uncle Dale, cousin Dana, and her husband Brian drove up from Idaho Falls to have dinner with us.

Linda, Dale, Dana, Brian, and me were nuts enough to go feed the fish after a hail storm blew through. It was just sprinkling but by the time we started to feed the fish, rain down poured on us, however, it didn't dampen our spirits!

We looked like drowned rats by the time we returned to the cabin and everyone was jealous because I put my cozy PJs back on. It was so fun having them come up and spend the afternoon and evening with us. My dad was especially happy to have two other males around. We had another relaxing night and watched a movie before heading to bed. The rain on the roof lulled us all to sleep - pure heaven.



We woke up to a skiff of snow but within an hour, the snow melted off our cars and we saw some blue sky as we loaded our cars. As we left, I took one last photo of Mount Sawtell, covered with snow. It is always a quiet ride home, mostly because we're all sad to leave. I wish I could have stayed up another week but it would have been just as hard to come home. Not that home is bad... it's just not the cabin with all the magical feelings and fun.

The entire set of photos is HERE on my Flickr.

P.S. Happy birthday to Kirsi and Susan!

The third day, Saturday, was overcast and had threats of rain but it didn't keep us from going out on a couple of drives. Dad stayed at the cabin since he was still recovering from the negative affects of gallivanting with us in West Yellowstone the day before.

Mom, Lou Jean, and I decided to go for a drive up Black Rock Canyon, which was near the cabin, first. The fall colors were stunning against the green of the pines and evergreens.

We drove quite high up the canyon and saw the valley below.

We had to go potty by the time we made our way back down so we stopped at the cabin and fixed a sandwich before going around Henry's Lake.

It was raining quite a bit by then but we still pressed on. I hoped to get closer to the lake but we went on the wrong road to get close to it (as we found out!). It was a beautiful drive though.

Along the way, I saw a road sign that I thought said, "Spotted Potty" and just past the road was an outhouse.

I had to turn around to take a photo of this sign and when I did, I cracked up because it actually said, "Spotted Pony Road." Mom and Lou Jean laughed too and said, "Only you, Karen." Why thank you! LOL

We continued along the road and the north end of Mount Sawtell was in front of us - as if we were looking right up his nose. Again, Mom and Lou Jean laughed and said that only I would think of that. Aren't they sweet?!

We ended up on the main road again and stopped at the Mack's Inn area where I got out of the car - in the rain - and took some photos of the Snake River.

There is a lot of history of Mack's Inn, originally there was a large lodge, grocery store, gift shop, motel, etc., but unfortunately, it all burned down a few years ago. They still call the area Mack's Inn but the lodge was never rebuilt. There are small businesses, a post office, and fishing still but it's far from being the Mack's Inn I remember.

After we got back to the cabin, everyone laid down for a nap. I got up after a few minutes and went outside before I fixed dinner. I walked back towards the river and noticed some moose prints, which is nothing new. However, I did see some bear tracks! They were a small black bear, I'm guessing; they weren't big enough for a grizzly. They weren't fresh tracks but had come through some time that day because the rain hadn't washed them away completely. Needless to say, I headed back into the cabin. I stood on the back deck and listened to the wind through the trees and the river flow - it was so beautiful. I shot this video:

I made a yummy dinner then we sat at the kitchen table and played dominoes for a while then decided to watch a movie. Lou Jean hadn't seen Wild Hogs yet so we watched that. About five minutes before the end, all of the sudden, hell broke loose, in the form of a bat flying out of the fireplace! It flew over me first and I screamed and hid my face under my pillow. The bat proceeded to fly around the room, over Mom, Dad, and Lou Jean's heads then it disappeared.

We turned on every light in the cabin and we each had a flashlight to find the darn thing. *shivers* We moved everything on the walls but didn't find it. Finally, about 45 minutes later, we were looking in the back bedroom, where we were sure it was, and voila, there is was on a wall facing the living room. Mom handed me the broom and said, "go for it." Thanks Mom................

I swung, hit it, but not hard enough to kill it. It flew over my head and down to the other side of the room above my aunt's bed. I swung and hit it again, but again, not hard enough to kill it. It then went behind the bed and we had to pull the bed out to get to it. I crawled on the bed and I located it and it was just hanging there on the log.

EWW. UGLY, UGLY! However, that didn't prevent me from getting my camera and taking a photo (actually, I was keeping it there with the flash! LOL) and besides, I wanted proof of what I was about to do. My third strike was here... I had to get it.

I didn't have enough leverage on my knees so I had to stand up on the bed. My aunt yelled "Tuwanda!" (From the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes) as I was about to swing, and I yelled it as I took my swing. Smack. I got it and had it trapped. I needed to get it to a flat surface because the logs were too rounded and I couldn't get it good enough. I hurt it enough that it finally dropped to the floor and I stomped on it with the bottom of the broom.

Feet under the broom... not moving. Success! The bat was finally dead!

Tuwanda!! GO ME!

We needed to be buried but it was raining out and we ran the risk of running into more bats and bigger critters so Lou Jean had the good idea of burning it in the kitchen stove. We giggled and went forward with the plan. I swept the bat into a big paper bag and handed it off to Lou Jean. Lou Jean carried it through the living room and my parents followed her, and I trailed behind with my camera in hand. Mom and Lou Jean stuffed it into the stove and waited for the bag to begin to burn. Burn, baby, burn.

Nasty bats. We had a nice cremation ceremony which consisted of lots of WOOHOOs, Tuwandas, and giggles.

With sweet relief, we went back into the bedroom to put the bed back in its place and were greeted by the awful stench that the bat left behind. I didn't notice before because I was high on adrenalin, but oh - it was BAD. Lou Jean and I sprayed air freshener while gagging and giggling. We ended up cracking the back door to get the smell to vacate.

We went back into the living room once we got everything cleared out and finished the movie. Lou Jean asked, "What should we watch next?" I piped up and asked, "Do you have Batman up here?" That got us all laughing again. We started watching a movie but didn't finish it; it was nearly about midnight and we were tired. Most the heebiegeebies had gone away (thanks to Xanax for me!) by then.

Here is a video that shows the lay of the land, so to speak, and takes you through the adventure without the bat flying around. It didn't start out to be about said flying things, so sit back and enjoy the sound of the rain.



I also decided to make myself a bat killing license with a Flickr Toy:

Tomorrow, I'll write about day four; the downhill end of my trip.