Bears and me

Hello everyone, so work ended Sunday.  Along with that, began the mass exodus of people out of Park City.  First it was Jessie, now it is about everyone else.  It is a very bittersweet feeling.  I must say though that I have slept the ENTIRE day today.  Woke up at 11:00 in Salt Lake.  Somehow the dogs let me sleep that long.  Then Brian and I drove to get some greasy fast food that consisted of cheeseburgers, rings, and milkshakes (we have vowed to start eating healthy), he dropped me off at home (around like 2), and I have slept since then (it is currently 5:00).  I guess that bears and I share something in common... we both enter into hibernation.

What a day

HELLO PEOPLE...

A couple of things.  Today has been a great day.

1. I got invited to be a part of Claudia Dozier's lab at the University of Kansas.  And I accepted.

2. I got to teach Signature 3 SUPAstars today for the first time.  And it was awesome.  If you come to Park City and teach I highly recommend getting certified so that you can teach superstars.

3. Skied three feet away from a porcupine today

4. I talked to Clare from Modern Family today as well.  CRAZY!  I like her a lot better in life than I do in the show.

Heart,
Jessica

PS.  thanks for all the prayers about graduate school.  it has been much appreciated.  

Excitation

I know, I know, it has been WAY too long.  And I totally agree.  I must say I feel like I have been walking around in a daze recently.  I guess now I am finally waking up, and I know that this is real.  I am really living out west, in Utah of all places.  I am living in the mountains, and I am a ski instructor.  When did this all happen?  Anyway, I have some super exciting news...

This guy and this girl

Are coming to visit....

This guy and this girl

In this state

Well honestly, they are coming to ski.  And the snow is finally falling.  Two blessings in one... friends and powder.  I cannot freaking wait.  

Also, funny story.  Today, I was skiing with a local kid and we decided to see who could spot the most items hanging from the tree.  For some reason skiers like to throw beads, panties, and bras into trees.  Don't ask me why.  I honestly like to keep all of that on so that I stay warm, but people do it.  I guess they think they will always be remembered by that specific tree above the bumps they probably cannot ski.  Anywho, the little girl goes... "I see a necklace and BOOBS!"  Meaning a bra, but I literally almost fell off the lift because I was laughing so hard.  

The town is currently being taken over by film makers and producers for Sundance.  It is kind of strange because the town has a completely different vibe.  Tons of people and no lift lines.  It is so nice.  Lots of ugly coral jackets walking around saying (I keep thinking it is Michael Koors/Coors?  but it is not) Kenneth Cole.  I thought that was a designer?  Excited to see what is to come these next couple of days!

Hope all are doing well.  If you are feeling adventurous, head out this way and we'll go find some moose, elk, mountain lions, or bears (have not seen the last two yet thank goodness, but have ample time to do so).  

Much love, 

Jessica

We made it!

Well, I know that some are anticipating a fantabulous post.  And, as I promised, I will post, but I can't promise fantabulous.  We made it to Park City.  After 3 days (a total of 31 hours), traveling through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and then Wyoming, we made it to Utah.  After the torrential all day downpour on Monday, meaning wet dogs/muddy car, it was a beautiful day on Tuesday and Wednesday.  We saw beautiful sunrises and sunsets, rolling hills, corn fields, windmills, and so much more.  I will post more later, rights now I am just going to have some pictures, feeling very sleepy.

First snow since we've been here.  I think there was a total of 4 inches.  Also, it has been single digits the past two days.  Meaning 7 degrees, and the windchill makes it -1.  Brrrr.  Frozen toes/frostbite.  

This is food from Squatters.  It is a microbrewery.  Surprising for a state so against alcohol.  The pie is a peanut butter/oreo pie.  The beer is called Polygamy Porter - "why just have one?"  Kind of hilarious.

This is the house that I am renting and paying way too much money for.  It is an old miner house.  Super cool.  Come visit.

Very happy puppies.  They get to go hiking almost every day and frolic in the snow.  They are LOVING it!

Till later.  Much love - j

My two favorite people

(Oreo on the left, Mallard (or Princess Leia) on the right)

21 days!!!

Dogs

Ok, so I just need to blog about this.  I have been the ultimate mom figure this weekend.  Now, I don't have kids, just dogs.  The glorious thing about dogs is that when they wake you up at 4:48 in the morning, you can just let them go to the bathroom and then stick them in their kennels and continue to sleep.  (If you cannot tell, my parents left me again to go watch Kelly play volleyball, so I am dog sitting).  So, after I wake up in the morning, I feed them, and then I take them walking.  Most people don't have to walk four dogs, which is nice, BUT if you are wanting to get a bit more exercise, go 4.  I take the old dog (Bess) and the tripod dog (Mallard) on their walk first.  They go at about the same pace.  I then put them back in the house after about a 20-30 minute walk and grab the big dogs, namely Gus and Milly.  And walk, well run, them.  So then I come back, make a pot of coffee, and fix breakfast. 

I then move on to more motherly tasks.  I decide that it is time to take the pile of clothes laying outside my room and put them where they are supposed to go.  I also decide that it is about time that I unpacked my trunk from camp.  The clothes now have a musty smell, so I then decided to do laundry.  At this point, I decided it is a good idea to make sure Mallard is still in the vicinity (she has not been trained on the electric fence).  I look for her, can't find her outside, so I round the corner and I find her chewing on something.  To my horror, it was a mouse.  And its innards were out.  And she was just snacking away.  Ugh, disgusting.  I got that mouse and threw it away.  3 minutes later, Mallard brings in another dead mouse.  This one is bigger and had not been dug into yet.  So I'm freaking out.  I get that mouse and throw him away too.  I then go outside to see where she is getting all these mice and I find her chewing on a head.  A sad decapitated mouse head.  Now I am so sick to my stomach that my poor quesadilla waiting to be eaten makes me want to toss my cookies.

So moral of the story, my stomach is very upset right now.

Pandamonium

Hello blog world.  I just wanted to shout out to my little sister Kelly.  Not only is she playing volleyball at BSC, but she has just joined the elite.  Yes, she became an AOPi today.  Proud of you little girl.

Doggie Mobile

(Picture Above - Mallard)

Hey Guys!  So I know I have been a terrible blogger recently.  I just haven't had much inspiration in all honesty.  I have also been sleepy all the time.  I don't really know how to explain that.  I go to sleep at 11 by the latest every night and am up by 6:30 at the latest.  So, inspiration striked yesterday.  Firstly, Mallard has decided that she likes to go diving in her water bowl.  SO, we decided that she needed a kiddie pool.  Unforunately, the season for kiddie pools is out.  Walmart didn't have anything (probably my least favorite place so glad I didn't spend money there).  Target had kiddie pools at a discounted price.  Unfortunately they weren't the hard plastic kind but rather the soft whatever that material is.  I of course didn't opt for a normal plain pool.  I opted for the one that looked like Dory from Finding Nemo thinking that Mallard would love it.  Ha, she didn't.  She was scared.  None of the dogs really know what to make of it, so they have decided to turn it into the biggest dog water bowl in the world.  Hello kiddie pool dog bowl!

(Picture Below - Bess and Mallard)

Later that evening, my mom decided that she wanted to take ALL 4 dogs swimming.  So, we loaded them up and headed to Athens Academy.  We then realized how crazy that the back of the Sienna had a total of not just 1 or 2 or 3 BUT 4 dogs.  It then clicks, we have created my mom's new business.  The Doggie Shuttle.  We have placed an order for car magnets that read "Doggie Shuttle."  It will also include my mom's telephone number.  We will shuttle your dogs to the vet, to the park, and to wherever else.  Pricing: gasoline and a small service charge.  Needless to say, the car ended up a muddy wet mess after swimming.  But, I would say that they enjoyed it!

Notes to Self

Since moving home, I earned the distinct pleasure of earning the title "official dog sitter."  As of August 20, 2011 there are a total of three dogs and one cat in the house.  Let me introduce them to you...

This is Oreo, he is the man of the house.  You don't mess with him, and all the dogs know that.  He's been my companion for at least 17 years now. 

This is Bess.  She is the bionic dog so to say.  I believe she has had four surgeries in the course of her life?  She is a sweetheart. 

This is Milly.  She goes by Mills, Millicent, or Precious as well, she may not respond to them though.  This one here is naughty.  She will stick an entire sock into her mouth so that it looks like she doesn't have one.  But don't let me discredit her.  She is SMART.

 

And this big guy is Gus.  He is a lover.  I could not find a picture of him by himself.  He will ALWAYS be looking for a lap to sit or lay in.

So notes to self about dog sitting these guys

1. Milly and Gus are bad and most likely will not listen to you

2. Gus will jump on top of you before you have time to get under the covers

3. He will also cuddle with you really early in the morning and roll around constantly trying to get comfortable on your chest.

4. RUN THEM - this will wear them out

5. Do NOT let them off the leashes to swim in the pond.  This will turn into them swimming as quick as possible across the pond, hop out on the other side, and they will proceed to chase the house's cats and little dogs off the porch into the garage.  They will then continue their havoc by going to the fenced in backyard and growling at the german shepherd.  Meanwhile, you will be thinking "Oh crap" and trying to get to them as quickly as possible.  Remember, do not let them off, especially if it is 8 in the morning on a Saturday.  The entire neighborhood will be awake because of you.

6. When Gus lays on you make sure you are rubbing him or have a hand on him at all times.

7. Pet Oreo and Bess.  They deserve it.

That's all that I can come up with at the moment.  I will say that we will be adding a new edition to the household next Saturday.

Yay Mallard!  Welcome to the animal house.

A Sequence of Herbert the Variegated Squirrel

Meet out good friend Herbert.  He is a variegated squirrel.  He drank Mom's coffee this morning as he sat on her lap.

He's the man.  

Kelly and Herbert.  Love at first sight.

Me and Herbert!  He's a baller.

Curious Herbert.

Herbert and Scott giving each other eskimo kisses.

Herbert on Scott's head.

Herbert tired from eating all the food.  Trying to digest.

Herbert in his natural environment.

Empieza las aventuras de Costa Rica

Meet my family's new friend... the tarantula.  

We saw a grand total of 4 tonight.  We were driving back from dinner, and I was sitting in front because I was getting car sick because of my dad swerving to avoid all the pot holes, and I saw a huge black thing run across the road.  I processed it in my mind and yelled "Tarantula!"  My sister proceeded to yell a very inappropriate curse word because she thought the tarantula was in the car.  She also crouched behind my mother and bent down.  My brother proceeds to get out of the car with the camera to take a picture.  My dad is yelling for him to be careful because he heard that tarantulas can jump.  I just looked that up, and they cannot.  It is a myth.  A car then proceeds to drive down the road and run over him.  Not just once, but both tires squished him.  My dad was giving a play by play.  So we have a squished tarantula friend and squished tarantula pictures.

We continue driving down the pot holed road, and we see another one.  Which scurries off into the tall grass.  Scott sprints out of the car, with the camera, to capture the moment, in the wrong place.  He was about 2 yards away from where the hairy spider went.  So we failed at attempt #2.

Continue driving, and lo and behold, another one scurries across a little slower.  Scott is ready this time.  Runs out of the car.  Gets really close, the tarantula stops dead in his tracks.  My dad is yelling for Scott to get back in the car because the tarantula was getting ready to pounce on him.  He didn't get pounced, and he captured our new tarantula friend above on attempt #3.

Tarantula #4 was also squished.

Interesting fact:  A tarantula bite is similar to a bee sting.  

Ouw fwog

This is Fuhman.  He's ouw pet fwog.

Drop it Drop it Low Girl

(This post is supposed to go in between Merca and 24 hour break posts) Well today is Wednesday.  I am in Chattanooga.  Yup, not at camp because I get a total of 30 hours off.  I got the grand privilege of riding the bus with the campers and Jared to the Birmingham airport.  Of which I was a little skeptical about.  It turned out to be a terrific time on the bus at least.  Poor Jared did not realize that bringing his ipod dock = jam session to Justin Beiber, Selena Gomez, and of course a dance session to Jai Ho one last time.  One of the campers tried to order a cheeseburger at 7:30 am of which I thought was hilarious.  She was craving a cheeseburger and why wouldn't McDonald's have burgers at that time, they are open 24 hours, at least the drive through.  The same camper proceeded to write about unicorns in the airport.  Jared also gave me some of the best advice of the summer.  Next time that I run into a snake, which is very possible I am supposed to start poking it with a stick.  If the snake gets frisky he will go after the stick and not me, thank goodness.  I look forward to trying out this foolproof plan next time I attempt a backpacking trip with a very LONG stick.  Anyway, that is not what this post is about.  Just wanted let you be in the know because it has been a while since the last blog.

So, the last Sunday rolls around.  We love Sundays at camp.  We also love the new campout that camp has created.  Instead of going to Little River Canyon (where Brian and I faced nature together), we now stay at camp.  The age group heads to the old campfire quad, and we roast hotdogs.  Well, this Sunday the kitchen did not pack enough hotdogs for everyone to have one.  So, Kelly (C-Otter) and Katherine (KCox) and I stress that they CANNOT drop their hotdog because there were not enough for redos.  So we get all the campers eating their hotdog or their PBJ and to our luck there are 4 hotdogs left.  Meaning that each of us got one and that we could split the 4th.  Happiness.

Then, one of the campers came up asking for another one because she is on a GF diet (gluten free), so all she can eat are the hotdogs.  The way she framed it made it sound that she was asking for two.  Good feeling was gone really quick.  I had to keep reminding myself camper over self, camper over self.  Finally we got it cleared up because I handed her the stick with two dogs on it, and she told me she just wanted one more.  So good feeling came back because we each had one.

KCox meanwhile has been busy roasting her hotdog.  It probably looked a lot like this.

The dog is on the stick nice and tight.  No way that thing is falling off.  Well Kelly and I head over to roast ours.  They are roasting and looking so nice.  Sweating like hotdogs do over the fire.  Well, my stick ends decide to burn off and drop into the fire.  What else dropped on in the fire as well?  Yup, my dog. After we had stressed DO NOT DROP your hotdog.  I dropped mine.  Utter failure and humiliation.  

So KCox, C-Otter, and I all at 2/3 of a hotdog each.  They were sweet and shared theirs' with me.  We head over to eat on the golf cart to find that the lighter fluid had been leaking all over the floor of it.  At this point, we have coined the term, "Drop it, Drop it Low Girl" (technically some rapper did actually).  We clean up the lighter fluid and then C-Otter drops all of the peanut butter off the top of her brownie.  Drop it, drop it low girl.  

Then, we head to unpack everything.  I am dumping one of the coolers out, and I hear a scream.  Kelly is dying laughing as is KCox.  KCox had thought she fully put the igloo on its shelf, but it decided to slip off and it hit her.  I do believe that she now has a bruise on her shoulder.  Drop it, drop it low girl.  

I think that was the end of all the dropping.  Then I headed to take a shower, and discovered that I had a tick on my hiney.  I screamed and Katherine (Saucy) and Kelsie (C-Horse) came to help me figure out whether it was a tick or not.  They said it wasn't, I think they were so overwhelmed and shocked at the time that their brains couldn't process what they were seeing.  So I ran to Amy (she is now an official RN!), and she helped me remove it.  We definitely shared a special moment. 

Oh, my little cousin Natalie won her horse show class.  Precious and so proud of her.  Look at that form.

She also now has a little entourage.  

Oh, Kelsie did a wonderful job with the horse show.  We were so proud of her hard work.  I will say earlier that she dropped everything that she had worked so hard on alphabetizing.  Drop it, drop it low girl.

Animals

So, during lunch about a week and half ago, Gazell sends a note out to the head hancho table that reads, "we caught an albino racoon."  Ha.  So all of camp got to go see the racoon.  Here it is.

How many times in your life do you get to see an albino raccoon?  The South Georgia peeps AKA AC and Mel Dark have said that it is not a raccoon.  It is some sort of possum.  I would like to think that it is a mix.  But apparently animals don't mix in the wild unless they are forced to by humans.  Hence a donkey + horse = mule.  This isn't natural.  Who knew?  

These are the little birdies that were living outside of Hemlock.  I would like to shout out to my mother that they ALL lived, and they ALL flew away free the other day.  Jen has decided that I killed her baby birds that were living in our garage this summer.  I closed the garage door one night having no idea that there were baby birds in it that needed the door to be open so their mamma bird could get back in.  Jen calls me the next day from the beach asking me if I had closed the door.  I replied "Yes."  And she started freaking out.  So, I went to open the door.  A couple days later (graduation maybe?), she informs me that I killed her baby birds because I closed the door.  So, Mom, these birdies above have redeemed me.