This will probably be my last post until I get back from the Boy Scout Jamboree in Virginia. I should rename my blog to inconsistent ramblings, as I seem to only blog once a week. Often times I sit in front of the computer, and can't think of a thing to say. Being a Leo, I am compelled to be witty and wise at all times so as to remain the center of attention. If I can't think of anything incredibly funny or poignant, I tend not to blog at all.
I had a question in my comments from NME about my trip to Europe. So, here goes.
Last September, Kiri, myself, my brother, his wife, their son, and my grandmother all went to Norway. My grandmother was born and raised in Norway. She lived through the Nazi occupation as a teenager, enduring many tragic and horrific things. After the war, my grandmother and grandfather got married and (as usually happens) got pregnant. At that time, because of the devastation of the war, the Norwegian economy was in ruins, and there was no food. They toughed it out for several years, but things didn't get better. So, in the belief that life would be better and easier in America, they moved to the United States.
I am very proud of my Norwegian heritage, and we got this wild hair to all travel together and see the place where my mother was born and my grandmother grew up. It was fabulous. I really am at a loss for words at the beauty of the country. We saw Viking boats dating back before Christ, we saw wooden Christian churches dating back to 1100 A.D. We visited relatives I have heard of but never met. We rode on ferries touring the fjords. I saw so many waterfalls, my eyeballs almost bugged out of my head. As this was probably the last time my 83 year old grandmother would see her homeland, the trip was all the more precious. That my daughter could experience her heritage with her grandmother was truly incredible. I only wish I could've seen Norway with my mother.
My mother has Lupus, and can't travel. She still speaks fluent Norwegian, and remembers her 5 short years living there. She never got her U.S citizenship, because she really does consider herself a Norwegian living in the U.S. She has gone back to Norway a few times before she became sick. I hope someday when she is well she can go back again, but I don't know if that will ever happen.
Sorry to end on a depressing note. I'll blog again when I get back, and I promise to be witty and upbeat the whole time.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Monday, July 18, 2005
I miss my sweet girl
I just got back from dropping my daughter off at my parents house. She'll be with them for a week, then she's going to Northern Utah with my brother for a week. That totals 2 whole weeks without my sweet girl. I miss her terribly already. I miss the way she makes me laugh, I miss her silly stories, I miss our deep serious talks, and I sorta miss yelling at her to clean her room.
Kiri is very excited though, because when I fly into Salt Lake City from Virginia in 2 weeks, she is going to meet me at the SLC airport and we are flying the last leg home together. She loved when we flew all over the place when we went to Europe, and is looking forward to a short fight on a "puddle jumper" plane rather than a big huge plane. I must remember to take my motion sickness pills with me, or I will be miserable the whole time, especially on that little plane.
I get to spend my birthday working in Virginia. I think I'll make my old work buddy Bruce take me to the tavern on my birthday and have a few drinks with me. I also need to look for cool unique presents for my mother's birthday, Kelli's birthday, and Becca's birthday (though I already got Becca a t-shirt of The Cure, I think I'll look for some Civil War something or other for her while I'm back east. Shhhh, don't tell her, its a secret!).
On Friday they are shooting a commercial in the Park for the Honda Goldwing. Which is a motorcycle I think. I get to do traffic control during the shoot, so that will be fun. I will also work a 13 hour day, which I haven't done since I was in my 20s. Should be interesting, and I am looking forward to it in spite of the long hours.
I think I will call Becca, and see what's up.
Kiri is very excited though, because when I fly into Salt Lake City from Virginia in 2 weeks, she is going to meet me at the SLC airport and we are flying the last leg home together. She loved when we flew all over the place when we went to Europe, and is looking forward to a short fight on a "puddle jumper" plane rather than a big huge plane. I must remember to take my motion sickness pills with me, or I will be miserable the whole time, especially on that little plane.
I get to spend my birthday working in Virginia. I think I'll make my old work buddy Bruce take me to the tavern on my birthday and have a few drinks with me. I also need to look for cool unique presents for my mother's birthday, Kelli's birthday, and Becca's birthday (though I already got Becca a t-shirt of The Cure, I think I'll look for some Civil War something or other for her while I'm back east. Shhhh, don't tell her, its a secret!).
On Friday they are shooting a commercial in the Park for the Honda Goldwing. Which is a motorcycle I think. I get to do traffic control during the shoot, so that will be fun. I will also work a 13 hour day, which I haven't done since I was in my 20s. Should be interesting, and I am looking forward to it in spite of the long hours.
I think I will call Becca, and see what's up.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Fire, fire
There is a fire in the Park. I drove up the road during a dry thunderstorm, and lo and behold, there was a fire. I called dispatch on the radio to report it, and stayed at work a little longer to monitor it. It is way cool when the helicopters fly over and dump gigantic buckets of water on the fires. Unfortunately this year I didn't get my red card to fight fires. I usually do, but when they call me on a fire they want a two week commitment. I have a teenage daughter. I can't be away from home for two weeks. So, I decided to not be a (sometimes, on rare occasions) wildland firefighter anymore.
Kiri and I are going to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tonight. I'm looking forward to it, with all its crazy oddball-ness of Burton and Depp. I'll let you know if it is good or not.
I'm getting ready for my trip to Virginia in a week. Kiri is spending two weeks with my parents while I'm gone. It should be fun, sort of. I will love seeing Virginia for the first time, and visiting all those Civil War Parks in the area. Maybe I'll even get to dress in Civil War regalia and drink ale in a tavern. But, the thought of teaching 50,000 Boy Scouts about Leave No Trace at the national jamboree is a little daunting. Boy Scouts are the bane of a Park Ranger's existence. Every year I deal with boy scouts chopping down trees in the Park (illegal), starting fires (really illegal), catching snakes and lizards (illegal and pisses me off), vandalizing Native American sites (stupid and illegal), getting lost (not the kids fault, but really idiotic leaders), picking flowers - carving names in trees - littering-and generally making nuisances of themselves. The Boy Scout program is a wonderful tool for boys to learn to love the outdoors, but the leaders don't inspire any standard of land stewardship or ethic. They think they can do what they want. And so, now when I hike in some of my favorite places, I see wreck and ruin. WE have a responsibility to preserve the wild places so our children can experience them in the same condition that we did. And a responsibility to teach our children to love, enjoy and protect the few pristine wilderness areas our country has left. If people continue to cut down trees in our National Parks, litter, and poach, VERY soon there will be nothing left. It truly makes me want to weep.
Sorry, I am now off of my soap box.
So, it's off to Virginia next week, and I hope I can make a difference in some small way. God, I love my job.
I was getting coffee the other morning at a gas station before work, and this fellow saw me in uniform. He approached me and asked how the fishing was at Navajo Lake. I get this question all the time. I used to get irritated and tell them that I was a Park Ranger not a Forest Ranger or a Fish and Game Warden. But, I now realize that most people don't know the difference. Our uniforms are similar, and unless you work for a Federal or State land agency, you really wouldn't see a difference. So, now I check up on all the local fishing area updates. When asked, I smile prettily and tell them "the fishing is really good at Navajo right now."
Even my mother gets it wrong. Last month I heard her tell a friend that I was a Forest Ranger. It is somewhat irritating, as I have been a Park Ranger for 8 years now. She also tells people that I am the Wildlife Biologist for the Park, which is completely untrue, but it makes her look good in her friend's eyes. I guess since I didn't pursue my original goal of being a Veterinarian, nothing is quite good enough for her. Whatever. It doesn't bother me any more. I love her anyway.
Well, I'm off to the movies. Love to all, and don't forget ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES (which is from the Forest Service mascot Smokey Bear. not Smokey the Bear, that is wrong. It's just Smokey Bear. No the in the middle. Park Service doesn't have a mascot. I'll have to create one someday.)
Kiri and I are going to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tonight. I'm looking forward to it, with all its crazy oddball-ness of Burton and Depp. I'll let you know if it is good or not.
I'm getting ready for my trip to Virginia in a week. Kiri is spending two weeks with my parents while I'm gone. It should be fun, sort of. I will love seeing Virginia for the first time, and visiting all those Civil War Parks in the area. Maybe I'll even get to dress in Civil War regalia and drink ale in a tavern. But, the thought of teaching 50,000 Boy Scouts about Leave No Trace at the national jamboree is a little daunting. Boy Scouts are the bane of a Park Ranger's existence. Every year I deal with boy scouts chopping down trees in the Park (illegal), starting fires (really illegal), catching snakes and lizards (illegal and pisses me off), vandalizing Native American sites (stupid and illegal), getting lost (not the kids fault, but really idiotic leaders), picking flowers - carving names in trees - littering-and generally making nuisances of themselves. The Boy Scout program is a wonderful tool for boys to learn to love the outdoors, but the leaders don't inspire any standard of land stewardship or ethic. They think they can do what they want. And so, now when I hike in some of my favorite places, I see wreck and ruin. WE have a responsibility to preserve the wild places so our children can experience them in the same condition that we did. And a responsibility to teach our children to love, enjoy and protect the few pristine wilderness areas our country has left. If people continue to cut down trees in our National Parks, litter, and poach, VERY soon there will be nothing left. It truly makes me want to weep.
Sorry, I am now off of my soap box.
So, it's off to Virginia next week, and I hope I can make a difference in some small way. God, I love my job.
I was getting coffee the other morning at a gas station before work, and this fellow saw me in uniform. He approached me and asked how the fishing was at Navajo Lake. I get this question all the time. I used to get irritated and tell them that I was a Park Ranger not a Forest Ranger or a Fish and Game Warden. But, I now realize that most people don't know the difference. Our uniforms are similar, and unless you work for a Federal or State land agency, you really wouldn't see a difference. So, now I check up on all the local fishing area updates. When asked, I smile prettily and tell them "the fishing is really good at Navajo right now."
Even my mother gets it wrong. Last month I heard her tell a friend that I was a Forest Ranger. It is somewhat irritating, as I have been a Park Ranger for 8 years now. She also tells people that I am the Wildlife Biologist for the Park, which is completely untrue, but it makes her look good in her friend's eyes. I guess since I didn't pursue my original goal of being a Veterinarian, nothing is quite good enough for her. Whatever. It doesn't bother me any more. I love her anyway.
Well, I'm off to the movies. Love to all, and don't forget ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES (which is from the Forest Service mascot Smokey Bear. not Smokey the Bear, that is wrong. It's just Smokey Bear. No the in the middle. Park Service doesn't have a mascot. I'll have to create one someday.)
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Friends, vodka, camping, and general panic
It's official. I'm a blog slacker. I can't seem to make time to hit the computer after work. Things should get better now, though. We put the horses in the mountain pasture, so I don't have to feed them every night. So, here I am, finally blogging again, and I have much to report.
Friday Becca and I went over to Jen's house for a candle party (not Jen's, but a friend). We decided after one cosmopolitan to bag the candle party and just hang. We commenced to the drinking of much vodka. It was fun, though I had to work the next day with a slight headache and massive sleep deprivation.
So, I made it through Saturday, and my weekend finally started. We decided to take the horses up to the mountain pasture, as it was a very wet year and it is HORSE PARADISE right now. The grass is belly high to a Lightning dog. That's what my husband said, anyway. Actually it was belly high to Andre the Giant. Anyway, I decided to camp out that night on the mountain with the horses, just to make sure they adjust to the new digs. Ken had to work the next day, leaving the camping to Kiri and I. We pitched a tent, roasted hot dogs, and marshmallows, told stories, and laughed our butts off. Then we decided to ride the horses before it got too dark. We were riding around, enjoying ourselves when this truck drives through the pasture. It's this dude with sheep on the other side of us, and he uses our road to access his animals. He stops and asks Kiri and I if we were riding the horses out that night. I told him that the horses were staying in the pasture for the rest of the summer, so please make sure he closes the gate after him. He leaves.
Kiri and I spend more time around the camp fire, which was a rare thing for me because I teach and practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, and camp fires are one of the worst things you can do to trash a pristine environment. My husband feels this is hogwash, so he made us a fire in spite of my misgivings. And it was fun, though I made sure everything was burned to ash and cleaned up all our trash. Finally, around midnight we climb in the tent and try to sleep. But Kiri and I had the giggles, and she kept quoting Austin Powers, asking me if I wanted a "smoke and a pancake". Every time she said it with a Sean Connery accent, I would bust up laughing. A good hour later, we fell asleep.
A painful need to pee woke me up around 6 am. We got up, ate some pudding for breakfast, then went to look for the horses. Guess what? NO HORSES. I drive up the road and that fucking bastard from the night before had left the gate open after I asked him to close it. The horses could be anywhere on the mountain at this point. Kiri is in tears, I'm raging mad and worried sick. I tell Kiri to start walking one way, and I'll go the other then to turn around after a half and hour and meet back up. We walk and walk and walk. Then we drive and drive and drive. Still no horses. After 2 hours, I tell Kiri that the horses have to be in the pasture. That is where the water is. The pasture, mind you, is huge. So we go back to the pasture. Kiri walks one way, I walk the other. After climbing up a steep ass ridge line in cowboy boots (not good for hiking) for about 45 minutes, I find the damn horses. They were there the whole time, the bastards, probably watching us run around like crazy panicked morons looking for them. What a relief. So we go riding again and head home. I told my father in law about the fucker that left the gate open and he called the guy and chewed his ass. I've never seen my father in law angry before, and I was glad it wasn't directed at me.
All in all, it was a great weekend, with some good bonding moments for Kiri and I. It was nice to have just the two of us stuck together in the woods, forced to amuse one another and remember how much we like hanging out.
I think I'll go have a smoke and a pancake.
Funny Visitor Question:
Visitor: when do the self-guided tours start?
Ranger: uh, whenever you tell yourself to start them.
Friday Becca and I went over to Jen's house for a candle party (not Jen's, but a friend). We decided after one cosmopolitan to bag the candle party and just hang. We commenced to the drinking of much vodka. It was fun, though I had to work the next day with a slight headache and massive sleep deprivation.
So, I made it through Saturday, and my weekend finally started. We decided to take the horses up to the mountain pasture, as it was a very wet year and it is HORSE PARADISE right now. The grass is belly high to a Lightning dog. That's what my husband said, anyway. Actually it was belly high to Andre the Giant. Anyway, I decided to camp out that night on the mountain with the horses, just to make sure they adjust to the new digs. Ken had to work the next day, leaving the camping to Kiri and I. We pitched a tent, roasted hot dogs, and marshmallows, told stories, and laughed our butts off. Then we decided to ride the horses before it got too dark. We were riding around, enjoying ourselves when this truck drives through the pasture. It's this dude with sheep on the other side of us, and he uses our road to access his animals. He stops and asks Kiri and I if we were riding the horses out that night. I told him that the horses were staying in the pasture for the rest of the summer, so please make sure he closes the gate after him. He leaves.
Kiri and I spend more time around the camp fire, which was a rare thing for me because I teach and practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, and camp fires are one of the worst things you can do to trash a pristine environment. My husband feels this is hogwash, so he made us a fire in spite of my misgivings. And it was fun, though I made sure everything was burned to ash and cleaned up all our trash. Finally, around midnight we climb in the tent and try to sleep. But Kiri and I had the giggles, and she kept quoting Austin Powers, asking me if I wanted a "smoke and a pancake". Every time she said it with a Sean Connery accent, I would bust up laughing. A good hour later, we fell asleep.
A painful need to pee woke me up around 6 am. We got up, ate some pudding for breakfast, then went to look for the horses. Guess what? NO HORSES. I drive up the road and that fucking bastard from the night before had left the gate open after I asked him to close it. The horses could be anywhere on the mountain at this point. Kiri is in tears, I'm raging mad and worried sick. I tell Kiri to start walking one way, and I'll go the other then to turn around after a half and hour and meet back up. We walk and walk and walk. Then we drive and drive and drive. Still no horses. After 2 hours, I tell Kiri that the horses have to be in the pasture. That is where the water is. The pasture, mind you, is huge. So we go back to the pasture. Kiri walks one way, I walk the other. After climbing up a steep ass ridge line in cowboy boots (not good for hiking) for about 45 minutes, I find the damn horses. They were there the whole time, the bastards, probably watching us run around like crazy panicked morons looking for them. What a relief. So we go riding again and head home. I told my father in law about the fucker that left the gate open and he called the guy and chewed his ass. I've never seen my father in law angry before, and I was glad it wasn't directed at me.
All in all, it was a great weekend, with some good bonding moments for Kiri and I. It was nice to have just the two of us stuck together in the woods, forced to amuse one another and remember how much we like hanging out.
I think I'll go have a smoke and a pancake.
Funny Visitor Question:
Visitor: when do the self-guided tours start?
Ranger: uh, whenever you tell yourself to start them.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Least Favorite Holiday
The fourth of July has always been my least favorite holiday. Here are the reasons why.
1. I like to sleep. I like to sleep a lot, and I get extremely annoyed when all the stupid fuckers in my town feel the need to set off fireworks throughout the fucking night. The big town display is okay, some safe legal private fireworks before and after... okay, UNTIL the clock strikes midnight. After that anyone letting off fireworks should have a bottle rocket shoved up their bum. I usually have to work the next day, so my fuse is very short when it comes to interruptions of my much treasured sleep.
2. Fourth of July means it's time for the big Family Reunion for my in-laws. I love my Mother and Father-in-law, however I am NOTHING like the rest of the in-law family. I don't know how to talk to them, and they feel the same about me. I am a liberal in a sea of conservatives. I am a agnostic in the Mormon temple. I am a environmentalists in a jungle of consumers. I am a girl with a tattoo and a nose ring surrounded by slacks and modest shirts. I wear little to no makeup, and just let my hair hang loose and natural. They wear massive amounts of makeup, perfume, and have big hair with lots of hairspray. I would rather go home and sleep.
3. I never get to do what I want to do on the fourth. Someone will make demands of me that I would rather not do, but feel obligated to do anyway. For instance, my husband will want me to spend the day with his family, which is okay, but I'd rather spend it with my friends drinking wine and singing karaoke. Or my daughter will want me to drive her all over the place from one activity to the next. That's okay too, but I'd rather read my book. Or my step kids will want to go fishing. Fishing is fun, but I end up cooking the fish for dinner that night for everyone, which also means a trip to the much hated grocery store, and of course no one helps me carry the groceries into the house or put them away. I'd rather play backgammon with Becca or go hiking with Jen.
4. Can't think of a four, but will reiterate how much I hate the stupid bastards that keep me up all night with fireworks when I have to wake up at 6:00 a.m. for work.
As you can see, I am in a really cranky mood tonight. I plan on sleeping in, then drinking coffee and reading my book tomorrow. I am looking forward to the BBQ with friends tomorrow night, but even then I have the dreaded 4th looming, knowing that Monday will be misery.
I need to work on my temper and my lack of tolerance. Or maybe I will get the stomach flu, and have an excuse to lay around all day instead.
1. I like to sleep. I like to sleep a lot, and I get extremely annoyed when all the stupid fuckers in my town feel the need to set off fireworks throughout the fucking night. The big town display is okay, some safe legal private fireworks before and after... okay, UNTIL the clock strikes midnight. After that anyone letting off fireworks should have a bottle rocket shoved up their bum. I usually have to work the next day, so my fuse is very short when it comes to interruptions of my much treasured sleep.
2. Fourth of July means it's time for the big Family Reunion for my in-laws. I love my Mother and Father-in-law, however I am NOTHING like the rest of the in-law family. I don't know how to talk to them, and they feel the same about me. I am a liberal in a sea of conservatives. I am a agnostic in the Mormon temple. I am a environmentalists in a jungle of consumers. I am a girl with a tattoo and a nose ring surrounded by slacks and modest shirts. I wear little to no makeup, and just let my hair hang loose and natural. They wear massive amounts of makeup, perfume, and have big hair with lots of hairspray. I would rather go home and sleep.
3. I never get to do what I want to do on the fourth. Someone will make demands of me that I would rather not do, but feel obligated to do anyway. For instance, my husband will want me to spend the day with his family, which is okay, but I'd rather spend it with my friends drinking wine and singing karaoke. Or my daughter will want me to drive her all over the place from one activity to the next. That's okay too, but I'd rather read my book. Or my step kids will want to go fishing. Fishing is fun, but I end up cooking the fish for dinner that night for everyone, which also means a trip to the much hated grocery store, and of course no one helps me carry the groceries into the house or put them away. I'd rather play backgammon with Becca or go hiking with Jen.
4. Can't think of a four, but will reiterate how much I hate the stupid bastards that keep me up all night with fireworks when I have to wake up at 6:00 a.m. for work.
As you can see, I am in a really cranky mood tonight. I plan on sleeping in, then drinking coffee and reading my book tomorrow. I am looking forward to the BBQ with friends tomorrow night, but even then I have the dreaded 4th looming, knowing that Monday will be misery.
I need to work on my temper and my lack of tolerance. Or maybe I will get the stomach flu, and have an excuse to lay around all day instead.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Movie madness
I took Kiri and 2 of her friends to see "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" last night. It was a very cute movie, and Brad Pitt was adorable in it. I want to fight Brad, and roll around on the floor until we have an incredible aggressive kiss and start knocking things off the counter to have wild sex.
The funny thing was Kiri didn't want me to go with them. She threw attitude at me, saying I could see it some other night. I told her I really wanted to see it, and as I was already taking her and her friends, I might as well go as well. So then she comes up with a brilliant plan of me dropping her and her friends off at the theatre, then driving away and coming back 5 minutes later to then sneak into the theatre so her friends wouldn't see me. I told her it was ridiculous. When we got there, one of her friends was short on cash, so I went to the box office and bought everyone's tickets, including one for me, and just marched into the theatre. Kiri shot me a beseeching look, but I ignored her and had a great time, even though I sat all by myself (by choice) so her and her friends could giggle and talk without me hearing every word. She's a funny kid. I remember the days when she would cry if I didn't take her to the damn grocery store, or forced me to go see those seriously miserable Pokemon movies. It's sad yet also heartening to see her becoming such an independent woman.
I read her middle school year book and was shocked. There were several entries by boys mentioning the size of her boobs. My God! No one said anything like that to me in middle school and I had pretty big boobs. Well, once someone called me anonymously to tell me I had the biggest boobs in school, but no one dared write it down and sign their name after. I am dreading when Kiri gets into High School.
Love to all.
The funny thing was Kiri didn't want me to go with them. She threw attitude at me, saying I could see it some other night. I told her I really wanted to see it, and as I was already taking her and her friends, I might as well go as well. So then she comes up with a brilliant plan of me dropping her and her friends off at the theatre, then driving away and coming back 5 minutes later to then sneak into the theatre so her friends wouldn't see me. I told her it was ridiculous. When we got there, one of her friends was short on cash, so I went to the box office and bought everyone's tickets, including one for me, and just marched into the theatre. Kiri shot me a beseeching look, but I ignored her and had a great time, even though I sat all by myself (by choice) so her and her friends could giggle and talk without me hearing every word. She's a funny kid. I remember the days when she would cry if I didn't take her to the damn grocery store, or forced me to go see those seriously miserable Pokemon movies. It's sad yet also heartening to see her becoming such an independent woman.
I read her middle school year book and was shocked. There were several entries by boys mentioning the size of her boobs. My God! No one said anything like that to me in middle school and I had pretty big boobs. Well, once someone called me anonymously to tell me I had the biggest boobs in school, but no one dared write it down and sign their name after. I am dreading when Kiri gets into High School.
Love to all.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Sunday, Lazy Sunday
I slept in until 9:30 this morning. Damn that felt good. I have a relatively clean house, the dishes are done, the laundry is finished, the carpet has been vacuumed. What shall I do for the rest of the day? Hmmmmmm. Maybe I'll go rent some movies and spend the day on the couch. Or maybe I'll go eat a sandwich at the new deli in town. So many decisions.
I will definitely go horse riding this afternoon when it isn't blazing hot. I have a major farmers tan happening, and I was telling my friends that I was going to go riding with a tank top and even things out a little. Some expressed their opinions on the intelligence of intentional burning of the skin, others gave me advice on the best way to tan and NOT burn terribly. I love my friends. Becca gave me a bumper sticker that reads "My friends kick ass". How true.
We made it to the Sportsman for karaoke on Friday. It was a hoot. I only got to sing one song, because I work on Saturday and had to get up early, so I felt like a party pooper. I REALLY wanted to stay longer and sing some more, and hear my friends sing, but my sense of responsibility made me go home after a couple drinks and a song and get some sleep so I could be cheery, happy, not hungover Ranger Kodi. BLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!(that was supposed to be the sound of a big raspberry).
I plan on going over and seeing Becca today. Happy happy happy Sunday.
I will definitely go horse riding this afternoon when it isn't blazing hot. I have a major farmers tan happening, and I was telling my friends that I was going to go riding with a tank top and even things out a little. Some expressed their opinions on the intelligence of intentional burning of the skin, others gave me advice on the best way to tan and NOT burn terribly. I love my friends. Becca gave me a bumper sticker that reads "My friends kick ass". How true.
We made it to the Sportsman for karaoke on Friday. It was a hoot. I only got to sing one song, because I work on Saturday and had to get up early, so I felt like a party pooper. I REALLY wanted to stay longer and sing some more, and hear my friends sing, but my sense of responsibility made me go home after a couple drinks and a song and get some sleep so I could be cheery, happy, not hungover Ranger Kodi. BLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!(that was supposed to be the sound of a big raspberry).
I plan on going over and seeing Becca today. Happy happy happy Sunday.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Sorry. Not much to write about today. Other than the fact that my daughter can manipulate me on a regular basis to get what she wants. I try to resist, but her arguments are well thought out, and I find myself thinking "Hmmm, that makes sense" then I let her do what I told her 20 minutes ago she couldn't do. She wants me to treat her more like an adult, and is very hurt when she feels I don't trust her. There are certain rules that are unbreakable, her curfew for one, but others are more like guidelines than rules (I totally stole that from Pirates of the Caribbean). So when I say no sleepovers on weekdays, that really means, because of the huge sucker that I am, that she can have a sleepover in the middle of the week on a regular basis.
Just stamp "gigantic Pushover" on my forehead.
However, I find that Kiri is generally responsible, and my trust is validated. I need to be more firm with her however. I don't like feeling like a bulldozer just ran over all my credibility. I have to have SOME authority, for crying out loud. Wish my parents had been as cool as I am. Thank God she doesn't have access to my bank account. Hahahahahahaha.
Just stamp "gigantic Pushover" on my forehead.
However, I find that Kiri is generally responsible, and my trust is validated. I need to be more firm with her however. I don't like feeling like a bulldozer just ran over all my credibility. I have to have SOME authority, for crying out loud. Wish my parents had been as cool as I am. Thank God she doesn't have access to my bank account. Hahahahahahaha.
Monday, June 20, 2005
I hate heavy furniture
This weekend we moved out our old dressers and computer desk, and moved in new stuff. It was very heavy, and I used very foul language many times. Once my husband smashed my hand between the dresser and the door frame, and I struggled not to call him a fucking bastard. I told him to slow down and quit pushing, but he just figures he can muscle the damn thing through the door. Finally it was done.
My step-son and his girlfriend showed up around 6 p.m. and I got completely trashed on wine. Feeling a little hung over this morning. I am watching Sophie for Becca, and thank God I only have to hang out with this sweet girl for most of the day instead of moving more furniture. She is such a cute kid. We always have a good time together.
I still need to go to the store and find a computer desk today. I know that whatever I pick out, I'll have to put the damn thing together. I could wait for Ken to come home from work, but I am the type of person that wants to get things done and over with. No waiting! So I'm sure I will end up doing it myself, and be in a crappy mood for a while after. Why can't things come already assembled? Why is that so hard? I am not a carpenter, for Christ's sake, I want my desk to be ready to just throw in the fucking room, instead of sorting out boards and fucking screws for two hours.
As you can see, I am not really looking forward to more furniture shit today.
Funny visitor question
Visitor: I need a vehicle pass.
Ranger Kodi: Are you going to any other National Parks on your vacation?
Visitor: There's more than one?
My step-son and his girlfriend showed up around 6 p.m. and I got completely trashed on wine. Feeling a little hung over this morning. I am watching Sophie for Becca, and thank God I only have to hang out with this sweet girl for most of the day instead of moving more furniture. She is such a cute kid. We always have a good time together.
I still need to go to the store and find a computer desk today. I know that whatever I pick out, I'll have to put the damn thing together. I could wait for Ken to come home from work, but I am the type of person that wants to get things done and over with. No waiting! So I'm sure I will end up doing it myself, and be in a crappy mood for a while after. Why can't things come already assembled? Why is that so hard? I am not a carpenter, for Christ's sake, I want my desk to be ready to just throw in the fucking room, instead of sorting out boards and fucking screws for two hours.
As you can see, I am not really looking forward to more furniture shit today.
Funny visitor question
Visitor: I need a vehicle pass.
Ranger Kodi: Are you going to any other National Parks on your vacation?
Visitor: There's more than one?
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Sweet Wilderness
So, I'm back. The backpack was super fun. There were a few set backs, however. We didn't hit the trail until 3:00 p.m. because I had to do a program for 75 children at 1:00 on Friday. I got that finished (whew!), threw my stuff in my bag and met Amanda on the trail. It was a pleasant hike in, nice and cloudy with a little breeze. We hiked about 5 miles in to our campsite. Jared was waiting there already (he had packed in the night before). We cooked our dinner, discussing Leave No Trace techniques until bedtime. What is it about eating in the outdoors? EVERYTHING tastes good. I could eat rocks with cheese, and it would taste good in the wilderness.
During my discussion, I felt something crawling on my foot. I thought it was an ant, and didn't worry about it, and kept lecturing. It crawled between my toes, and I clenched my toes together. I looked down, and there was big black spider legs sticking out between my toes. Yeck!!!! Jared thought it was hilarious. I just calmly cleaned the spider guts out of my toes, and continued my lesson.
That night I was sleeping in the tent, and having terrible dreams. I dreamed all these people were hiking the trail, and breaking the rules and I couldn't stop them. It was very stressfully.
The next morning, it started raining, and it rained and rained and rained and rained. We hiked out in mud and muck, soaked to the skin and I loved every bleeding minute of it. I was pure mud from the knees down, and my fleece jacket was so soaked I had to keep ringing it out as I hiked.
I slept well in my own bed Saturday night, after a wonderful party with my friends. I was stiff and sore, but very content. Sunday morning, Kiri and I saddled up the horses and went for a ride. It was fabulous. However, any muscles that weren't sore before the horseback ride, were screaming for mercy after. All in all a wonderful weekend. I took my friend Jennifer's daughter riding on Monday, but I let Kiri and her ride while I smoked cigarettes in secret behind the shed.
My house is dirty and the laundry is piling up, but I don't care. I had a great weekend.
During my discussion, I felt something crawling on my foot. I thought it was an ant, and didn't worry about it, and kept lecturing. It crawled between my toes, and I clenched my toes together. I looked down, and there was big black spider legs sticking out between my toes. Yeck!!!! Jared thought it was hilarious. I just calmly cleaned the spider guts out of my toes, and continued my lesson.
That night I was sleeping in the tent, and having terrible dreams. I dreamed all these people were hiking the trail, and breaking the rules and I couldn't stop them. It was very stressfully.
The next morning, it started raining, and it rained and rained and rained and rained. We hiked out in mud and muck, soaked to the skin and I loved every bleeding minute of it. I was pure mud from the knees down, and my fleece jacket was so soaked I had to keep ringing it out as I hiked.
I slept well in my own bed Saturday night, after a wonderful party with my friends. I was stiff and sore, but very content. Sunday morning, Kiri and I saddled up the horses and went for a ride. It was fabulous. However, any muscles that weren't sore before the horseback ride, were screaming for mercy after. All in all a wonderful weekend. I took my friend Jennifer's daughter riding on Monday, but I let Kiri and her ride while I smoked cigarettes in secret behind the shed.
My house is dirty and the laundry is piling up, but I don't care. I had a great weekend.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Hittin' the trail
So, I finally got the pic's of my new horse. Isn't she great! As I mentioned in my last blog, we had a great time at my parent's house. My dad is remodeling the house, so my mother is going to stay with me for a week while the walls are torn out of the kitchen. Whooo Hoooo. I haven't spent more than a few consecutive days with my mom for a long time. It will certainly be fun, and interesting.
I'm heading out into the backcountry for an overnight hike tomorrow. I do a Leave No Trace training trip every year for new employees. I love hiking. And I love getting paid to hike. I have to admit, I miss Kiri terribly while I'm gone. I usually look forward to getting a big Mountain Dew and seeing my child (in that order) when I finally get off the trail on an overnight trip.
I am also inordinately proud of all my scars obtained from stupid and daring things I have done in my life. When I drink too much, I usually start showing everyone my assortment of bruises, scrapes, sprains, and scars. I'm sure my friends are very tired of it, but for some reason it makes me feel like superwoman to have done the things I have and survived them. I suppose I'm arrogant and obnoxious, but well, when the booze is flowing in my veins, I make my friends suffer through yet another telling of the time I hiked four miles out of Ash Creek with a severely sprained ankle. Or the time I got bucked off my horse when I was twelve, and shattered all 6 of my front teeth. I feel the need to prove I'm not getting old. I am strong, damnit. Just not too smart, and I have terrible luck. And still , I ride horses and hike inspite of my many mishaps. Sorry to all my dear friends who deal with my arrogance on a weekly basis, ohhhing and ahhhing appropriately at my iron woman toughness. I love ya for feeding my foolish self absorption. I usually come to my senses quickly, and you are more than welcome to tell me to shut up.
I'll blog again on Sunday, complaining of being sore and tired, yet secretly hoping you will all tell me I'm wonderful.
God, I'm so insecure it is sickening.
I'm heading out into the backcountry for an overnight hike tomorrow. I do a Leave No Trace training trip every year for new employees. I love hiking. And I love getting paid to hike. I have to admit, I miss Kiri terribly while I'm gone. I usually look forward to getting a big Mountain Dew and seeing my child (in that order) when I finally get off the trail on an overnight trip.
I am also inordinately proud of all my scars obtained from stupid and daring things I have done in my life. When I drink too much, I usually start showing everyone my assortment of bruises, scrapes, sprains, and scars. I'm sure my friends are very tired of it, but for some reason it makes me feel like superwoman to have done the things I have and survived them. I suppose I'm arrogant and obnoxious, but well, when the booze is flowing in my veins, I make my friends suffer through yet another telling of the time I hiked four miles out of Ash Creek with a severely sprained ankle. Or the time I got bucked off my horse when I was twelve, and shattered all 6 of my front teeth. I feel the need to prove I'm not getting old. I am strong, damnit. Just not too smart, and I have terrible luck. And still , I ride horses and hike inspite of my many mishaps. Sorry to all my dear friends who deal with my arrogance on a weekly basis, ohhhing and ahhhing appropriately at my iron woman toughness. I love ya for feeding my foolish self absorption. I usually come to my senses quickly, and you are more than welcome to tell me to shut up.
I'll blog again on Sunday, complaining of being sore and tired, yet secretly hoping you will all tell me I'm wonderful.
God, I'm so insecure it is sickening.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Booze, Sun, Family, and Horses
Wow. I haven't posted anything in a while. Becca says I'm a total blog slacker, which is quite true. I keep meaning to post, then get caught up in other things, and well, that's my lame excuse.
I have so much to talk about. It has been a very interesting week. Memorial Day sucked. It was busy as hell, and we were short on staff. I ended up only getting one day off that week. However, I took the following Saturday off for a fun-filled 3 day weekend at my parents house. My brother was also visiting my folks, so it ended up being somewhat of a rare family get together.
First off, before I even left town, I had to get the horse trailer. My parents had given Kiri a horse for her birthday clear back in January, and we still hadn't picked her up. Kiri was very anxious to get her horse, so I decided this trip was an excellent excuse to bring horses home. I was borrowing my dad's older horse to ride with her for a while. So, I'm completely stressed trying to get horse trailer, clothes, games, gifts, tent(we were sleeping outside), food, and all the other items involved with a trip to see the fam. Fortunately, I thought to bring the xbox. More on that in a minute.
Finally we hit the road, trailer in tow. It's a glorious afternoon. I finally arrive at my folks house 2 hours later, and my brother is already there with his ginormous camp trailer (spoiled brat). I hadn't seen my brother Shane in a while, so was super pleased to see he was already there. AND lo and behold, my dad had bought a big pool and was filling it up as I pulled in. YIPEE. It also happens to be Shane's birthday as well, and he shows me the cool portable DVD player my parents had given him. I commence to tell him that he has always been the golden boy of the family and gets the best gifts. Totally teasing of course, my folks had given me a washer and dryer a while back, so I really wasn't complaining. Then I go over to the barn to see the new little baby horse. He was only a week old and totally adorable. As I'm there I notice a new horse. She's gorgeous. Black and white paint with perfect conformation and a pretty little head. I walk over to her and she's friendly as hell. She sniffs my hair and licks my face, spreading goobers all over me, but I really don't care. I very casually joke to my brother that I wish my parents would give me this horse instead of the old one I'm borrowing. Then my dad walks up and asks me if I like his new mare. I tell him yes in no uncertain terms. Then he says "Well, Kodi, we bought her for you. She's yours." HOLY SHIT. I have a new horse. A GORGEOUS HORSE!!!!!!!! Hurray. Then I feel a little guilty about complaining about the old horse, and calling Shane the golden boy.
So complete bliss. We hop in the pool and progress to the drinking of much alcohol. I break out the Xbox, and my Karaoke Revolution. We are all having a blast singing and drinking. My dad, who is completely tone deaf, starts singing "Looking for some Hot Stuff" I have never laughed so hard in my life! My 61 year old very religious father singin looking for some hot stuff baby this evening totally off key was the funniest thing I had seen in a long time.
So needless to say, it was a great trip. I'm glad to be home. I took some snapshots of the new horse, and will post them soon.
Funny Visitor Questions:
"Are there any hiking trails I can take my car on?"(no, hence the important word HIKING)
"Do Eagle Scouts get into the Parks for free?"(no, we charge them double)
"Is there anything else I can do with my kids in the Park besides driving and hiking?" (no, our roller coaster isn't finished yet)
"Is it worth driving up the scenic drive?" (hmmmm, well since they usually make national parks in the ugliest places, it probably isn't worth it)
I have so much to talk about. It has been a very interesting week. Memorial Day sucked. It was busy as hell, and we were short on staff. I ended up only getting one day off that week. However, I took the following Saturday off for a fun-filled 3 day weekend at my parents house. My brother was also visiting my folks, so it ended up being somewhat of a rare family get together.
First off, before I even left town, I had to get the horse trailer. My parents had given Kiri a horse for her birthday clear back in January, and we still hadn't picked her up. Kiri was very anxious to get her horse, so I decided this trip was an excellent excuse to bring horses home. I was borrowing my dad's older horse to ride with her for a while. So, I'm completely stressed trying to get horse trailer, clothes, games, gifts, tent(we were sleeping outside), food, and all the other items involved with a trip to see the fam. Fortunately, I thought to bring the xbox. More on that in a minute.
Finally we hit the road, trailer in tow. It's a glorious afternoon. I finally arrive at my folks house 2 hours later, and my brother is already there with his ginormous camp trailer (spoiled brat). I hadn't seen my brother Shane in a while, so was super pleased to see he was already there. AND lo and behold, my dad had bought a big pool and was filling it up as I pulled in. YIPEE. It also happens to be Shane's birthday as well, and he shows me the cool portable DVD player my parents had given him. I commence to tell him that he has always been the golden boy of the family and gets the best gifts. Totally teasing of course, my folks had given me a washer and dryer a while back, so I really wasn't complaining. Then I go over to the barn to see the new little baby horse. He was only a week old and totally adorable. As I'm there I notice a new horse. She's gorgeous. Black and white paint with perfect conformation and a pretty little head. I walk over to her and she's friendly as hell. She sniffs my hair and licks my face, spreading goobers all over me, but I really don't care. I very casually joke to my brother that I wish my parents would give me this horse instead of the old one I'm borrowing. Then my dad walks up and asks me if I like his new mare. I tell him yes in no uncertain terms. Then he says "Well, Kodi, we bought her for you. She's yours." HOLY SHIT. I have a new horse. A GORGEOUS HORSE!!!!!!!! Hurray. Then I feel a little guilty about complaining about the old horse, and calling Shane the golden boy.
So complete bliss. We hop in the pool and progress to the drinking of much alcohol. I break out the Xbox, and my Karaoke Revolution. We are all having a blast singing and drinking. My dad, who is completely tone deaf, starts singing "Looking for some Hot Stuff" I have never laughed so hard in my life! My 61 year old very religious father singin looking for some hot stuff baby this evening totally off key was the funniest thing I had seen in a long time.
So needless to say, it was a great trip. I'm glad to be home. I took some snapshots of the new horse, and will post them soon.
Funny Visitor Questions:
"Are there any hiking trails I can take my car on?"(no, hence the important word HIKING)
"Do Eagle Scouts get into the Parks for free?"(no, we charge them double)
"Is there anything else I can do with my kids in the Park besides driving and hiking?" (no, our roller coaster isn't finished yet)
"Is it worth driving up the scenic drive?" (hmmmm, well since they usually make national parks in the ugliest places, it probably isn't worth it)
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