Yikes! I didn't realize how much time had gone by since my last post! I have been really busy since Ben graduated in April. I've either been working or playing with Ben and our friends and family every day since then and just haven't had a good opportunity to post pictures yet. I'm still missing the post about our awesome trip to Milwaukee to see Jessica, Mike and baby Wesley! We also had a graduation and anniversary in between... I think even a funeral if I recall the dates correctly. Life has been changing so much so fast and yet in some ways it's not catching up. My work has been great and it's been absolutely wonderful to have Ben at home more and not having to study ALL THE TIME! I really love having him around and being able to get out and do yard work together (when the weather actually allows us to). We've been planning trips and getting into new hobbies while continuing old ones as well. The only thing that hasn't happened for us yet is a job for Ben. Apparently the market is really tough right now in his field, jobs are opening and closing so fast that it's difficult to keep up, let alone keep track of where and when you sent which resumes to. We have some exciting prospects and I'm really not too worried about it at this point since I'm working and expenses aren't too big of an issue right now, but poor Ben is getting bored quickly! When I'm home we have fun but when I'm at work, especially when it's raining, he starts going crazy. I really hope he holds on and can find a job that he loves or at least something to do to keep him nice and busy for now!
On another note, I seriously can't wait, Hailey, my sister, is coming to Mesquite this weekend and she'll be home with me on tuesday and wednesday and I get to spend the rest of the week with her and we get to meet her new boyfriend: Bob. I miss her so much and seriously can't wait to see her!
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
I'm grateful for all the work this amazing man did to extend civil rights to all American citizens and for how that changed the entire face of this country. I hope what we have done as a nation since his untimely death is enough to make him proud and still feel the impact that he has made on all of us.
On the lighter side, I'm also very glad that because of him, Ben got the day off of school to go out on a great three day weekend trip with the Outdoor Programs. He was working and therefore it wasn't all fun and games but when your job is to ensure that everyone is safe and has a good time it usually isn't too bad :)
Saturday we all woke up early, made breakfast and geared up for a great day of touring. As our usual safety regimen mandates, we skied to the bottom of the slope we were hoping to shred all day and dug a pit to test the stability of the snow. The pit showed us through both the isolated column and extended column that the snow was very weak and unstable meaning that we needed to stay on the mellow, low, protected slopes to avoid any avalanche danger.
These pictures are all out of order but here it goes:
This is the beginning of the extended column test in which we see at what force we see cracking, propagation, and eventually shearing of the snow at any weak layers.
Me, goofing off while they dig the pit...
Tim and Chase watching the digging of the pit.
This would be Ben's usual craziness, we was thinking he could jump from where he's standing (in the blue coat) onto the little jellybean snow clump in the middle of the stream. He finally decided it was a bad idea because if he missed he'd land in the stream and be soaked and it was only the first day of the trip... therefore, not worth it!
And now back to the pit, this is Phil and Eric watching the pit as well.
Mike watching while Ben and Daniel dig the pit and isolate the column.
After a huge chunk popped out on our extended column test, we felt the snow on top of the fracture line and there it was: the "surface hoar." Basically, it's like dry, crystal like, sugar snow that doesn't adhere to anything else and makes the snow unstable and quite dangerous!
Ben writing down notes about the isolated column while Daniel prepares the extended column.
And finally, the first photo, Ben and Daniel preparing the isolated column test.
On the lighter side, I'm also very glad that because of him, Ben got the day off of school to go out on a great three day weekend trip with the Outdoor Programs. He was working and therefore it wasn't all fun and games but when your job is to ensure that everyone is safe and has a good time it usually isn't too bad :)
Saturday we all woke up early, made breakfast and geared up for a great day of touring. As our usual safety regimen mandates, we skied to the bottom of the slope we were hoping to shred all day and dug a pit to test the stability of the snow. The pit showed us through both the isolated column and extended column that the snow was very weak and unstable meaning that we needed to stay on the mellow, low, protected slopes to avoid any avalanche danger.
These pictures are all out of order but here it goes:
This is the beginning of the extended column test in which we see at what force we see cracking, propagation, and eventually shearing of the snow at any weak layers. 
Me, goofing off while they dig the pit...
Tim and Chase watching the digging of the pit.
This would be Ben's usual craziness, we was thinking he could jump from where he's standing (in the blue coat) onto the little jellybean snow clump in the middle of the stream. He finally decided it was a bad idea because if he missed he'd land in the stream and be soaked and it was only the first day of the trip... therefore, not worth it!
And now back to the pit, this is Phil and Eric watching the pit as well. 
Mike watching while Ben and Daniel dig the pit and isolate the column.
After a huge chunk popped out on our extended column test, we felt the snow on top of the fracture line and there it was: the "surface hoar." Basically, it's like dry, crystal like, sugar snow that doesn't adhere to anything else and makes the snow unstable and quite dangerous!
Ben writing down notes about the isolated column while Daniel prepares the extended column.
And finally, the first photo, Ben and Daniel preparing the isolated column test.On Saturday night it snowed all night and continued on through all day Sunday and into the night. Sunday we were stoked about the 12 new inches of soft but wet snow. We skinned up and out, dug a pit again (expecting it to be even more unstable than the previous day) and to our surprise it was a lot more stable. We were feeling pretty good about our route, we were on about a 28 degree slope that flattened out and became very thick with trees above us so we were set to shred. We skied the best run of the season in these soft squishy pillows of powder and it was amazing! We were so excited to do it again so we quickly changed our skis back and started skinning up the hill again. On one of the switchbacks near the top of our trail, we saw a horrifically scary sight... A huge 2-4 foot deep avalanche had ripped out about 600 yards long just to the right of our trail! We instantly switched directions and went straight down that hill and took off to go find a new slope with a different directional aspect and less risk. We went to the hill directly across the river from where the avalanche had ripped out and we saw exactly why it happened. There was a huge open narrow chute that went from the peak all the way to the river. No wonder it slid! The scary part to me was that we were just there, we skied right by it and we didn't even hear it happen!!! How do you explain that?!
It continued to snow all night until the very early AM on Monday when it changed to rain! The rain made the snow so thick and heavy that none of us even wanted to go ski so we just had breakfast, geared up and headed home. We Made it home nice and early enough to clean up, hot tub, de-rig, and still have time to enjoy the amazing sunset from our patio.
What a great weekend!!!
It continued to snow all night until the very early AM on Monday when it changed to rain! The rain made the snow so thick and heavy that none of us even wanted to go ski so we just had breakfast, geared up and headed home. We Made it home nice and early enough to clean up, hot tub, de-rig, and still have time to enjoy the amazing sunset from our patio.
What a great weekend!!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What Your Parents Never Taught You.
Parents are amazing, that's just it, they work day and night to keep us safe, healthy, happy, and slowly prepare us to someday run out into the world and be able to survive and do all of those things for ourselves. They taught me how to stay safe, cook, clean, get a job, work, save money, love unconditionally, and the basic skills required to survive.
Getting married and starting my life with Ben, I felt very well prepared, and still do. However, there are still some things that I am slowly figuring out one by one that my parents never could have taught me: They say your family should always work together as a unified team. and that's the idea but they never explain how minuscule details can sneak in and become a huge issue... Especially when you're engaged to your soon-to-be husband. I remember how nervous I got when we were working on the wedding plans and we'd get hung up on little decisions like the invitations and times. I know they also tell you to never sweat the small stuff but they don't ever explain that sometimes that requires you actually taking the time to sit down with your significant other and talk about your main goal. To remember that the most important thing at the end of the day is that the two of you are married, loved, and totally honest and committed to each other. The other key is to make sure you both are on the same page and in order to do that, communication is HUGE! If you don't have open, honest, and safe conversations very frequently you get lost in the little things. Along with all of this you have to remember to take time for yourself and by yourself. A night out with the girls is always very therapeutic for me but sometimes I realize that all I really need is just a few hours to myself. When you take the time for yourself, you learn to be more in tune with your body and your own emotions. Until you are in tune with yourself, you could never be in tune with those close to you. When you are very self-aware, you have the time and focus to notice changes in your family and to realize what it is that they need as well. People have needs and when you make a conscious effort, you start to realize how easy it is to fulfill their needs as well. The other key to staying connected and meeting each others' needs is taking time for each other. Be sure you have time together, just the two of you. Otherwise it's too easy to get caught up in the competition, jealousy, and drama that can so closely follow those around you.
Once again, I know, I've come up with a post that really is a bit jumbled and probably doesn't make any sense. But, then again, when do I really make complete sense???
Getting married and starting my life with Ben, I felt very well prepared, and still do. However, there are still some things that I am slowly figuring out one by one that my parents never could have taught me: They say your family should always work together as a unified team. and that's the idea but they never explain how minuscule details can sneak in and become a huge issue... Especially when you're engaged to your soon-to-be husband. I remember how nervous I got when we were working on the wedding plans and we'd get hung up on little decisions like the invitations and times. I know they also tell you to never sweat the small stuff but they don't ever explain that sometimes that requires you actually taking the time to sit down with your significant other and talk about your main goal. To remember that the most important thing at the end of the day is that the two of you are married, loved, and totally honest and committed to each other. The other key is to make sure you both are on the same page and in order to do that, communication is HUGE! If you don't have open, honest, and safe conversations very frequently you get lost in the little things. Along with all of this you have to remember to take time for yourself and by yourself. A night out with the girls is always very therapeutic for me but sometimes I realize that all I really need is just a few hours to myself. When you take the time for yourself, you learn to be more in tune with your body and your own emotions. Until you are in tune with yourself, you could never be in tune with those close to you. When you are very self-aware, you have the time and focus to notice changes in your family and to realize what it is that they need as well. People have needs and when you make a conscious effort, you start to realize how easy it is to fulfill their needs as well. The other key to staying connected and meeting each others' needs is taking time for each other. Be sure you have time together, just the two of you. Otherwise it's too easy to get caught up in the competition, jealousy, and drama that can so closely follow those around you.
Once again, I know, I've come up with a post that really is a bit jumbled and probably doesn't make any sense. But, then again, when do I really make complete sense???
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Best Husband EVER!!!
Well, Ben and I are both a bunch of crazies, I know. We're always trying to cram as much as possible into each day. That's just how I feel about him. I don't ever feel like I'll get enough, the more time we spend together, the more time we want to spend together. It especially helps that we're always doing something crazy and fun together.
Over Labor Day weekend, we went to Island Park with my parents and two other couples who happen to be very good cooks! Right before we left, Ben showed me the brand new Black Diamond backpack that he bought me at the Canyon Sports Labor Day sale. I've been needing a backpack of my own so I can stop having to rent them from Ben's work and now I can customize and adjust it to fit me perfectly.
On our way up, we stopped at Walmart in Idaho Falls to pick up some things and they also happened to be having a big sale too so we got Ben some new shirts and he surprised me with a fly rod case! No more plastic case that requires me to completely derig my rod after fishing each time which will save me a lot of time and tippet:)
We didn't make it to Island Park until almost midnight so we snuck in quietly and went right to bed. In the morning, after waking up to a chilly morning and some delicious, hot and savory style steel cut oatmeal, we tried to make a plan for the day. The weather showed afternoon thunder storms so whatever we wanted to do, we had to do it fast. Somehow, I convinced myself that it was not too cold to go out on the boat to waterski and surf... Boy am I glad I did that! I haven't had one single opportunity to be drug behind a ski boat this entire summer until Island Park. I felt so good water skiing!!! Seriously, there's not a lot that can compare to the feeling of doing the smoothest, tightest turns possible while being drug 30 mph behind a speed boat. The exhilaration, the breathlessness, the sore muscles that you forgot were even there afterward is so amazing and unique to that sport alone. I love it!!! ...although my arms, back, and legs are still sore even though that was three days ago! Ben doesn't have quite as fond of a connection with boating as I do since he's only water skied about 4 times and each of those times was with me and my family, but he still gets pretty excited about being there with me and going out for his annual "glorified drowning" session. He did so good! He got up and skied and did some pretty good turns in the process and even had enough energy to wake surf in the end.
After boating followed by a nice lunch, we inflated the tandem kayaks and took off to float Big Springs. It was a long, slow trip in the river, it was rough and didn't help with the sore muscles. I must admit, however, that Ben and I did cheat a little down the river... we brought along our trolling motor: Bagheera! She loves swimming so we just hooked her leash to the front of the boat and let her go swim. We even took small pebbles and tossed them out in front of her to keep her going fast and in the right direction.
The rest of the weekend was pretty cold and windy, even rainy at times with snow in the mountains so Ben and I did a lot of reading, playing with the puppies, hot tubbing, walking, four wheeling, and watching our new addiction: Dexter. I must say, it's really weird that Ben and I are actually getting into a television show together. We don't even have TV at our house because we really just don't watch it that much and whenever we try we usually make it to the first commercial when we both lose interest. (it helps that Ben and I have been watching Dexter on Netflix so there aren't any commercials!)
Overall, it was just a really great weekend to be able to go out and have a "couples retreat" so to say, even though it was with my parents and their friends, it was perfect. We were so included and had so much fun with the group and at the same time we didn't feel we were the ones who needed to entertain so we also got plenty of alone time with just him and me. I loved it so much and Ben and I needed it more than I think we realized at first. I love him so much and I'm so proud of how well he's doing at school and work even through the 19 credit hours this semester! He really is pretty amazing.
Over Labor Day weekend, we went to Island Park with my parents and two other couples who happen to be very good cooks! Right before we left, Ben showed me the brand new Black Diamond backpack that he bought me at the Canyon Sports Labor Day sale. I've been needing a backpack of my own so I can stop having to rent them from Ben's work and now I can customize and adjust it to fit me perfectly.
On our way up, we stopped at Walmart in Idaho Falls to pick up some things and they also happened to be having a big sale too so we got Ben some new shirts and he surprised me with a fly rod case! No more plastic case that requires me to completely derig my rod after fishing each time which will save me a lot of time and tippet:)
We didn't make it to Island Park until almost midnight so we snuck in quietly and went right to bed. In the morning, after waking up to a chilly morning and some delicious, hot and savory style steel cut oatmeal, we tried to make a plan for the day. The weather showed afternoon thunder storms so whatever we wanted to do, we had to do it fast. Somehow, I convinced myself that it was not too cold to go out on the boat to waterski and surf... Boy am I glad I did that! I haven't had one single opportunity to be drug behind a ski boat this entire summer until Island Park. I felt so good water skiing!!! Seriously, there's not a lot that can compare to the feeling of doing the smoothest, tightest turns possible while being drug 30 mph behind a speed boat. The exhilaration, the breathlessness, the sore muscles that you forgot were even there afterward is so amazing and unique to that sport alone. I love it!!! ...although my arms, back, and legs are still sore even though that was three days ago! Ben doesn't have quite as fond of a connection with boating as I do since he's only water skied about 4 times and each of those times was with me and my family, but he still gets pretty excited about being there with me and going out for his annual "glorified drowning" session. He did so good! He got up and skied and did some pretty good turns in the process and even had enough energy to wake surf in the end.
After boating followed by a nice lunch, we inflated the tandem kayaks and took off to float Big Springs. It was a long, slow trip in the river, it was rough and didn't help with the sore muscles. I must admit, however, that Ben and I did cheat a little down the river... we brought along our trolling motor: Bagheera! She loves swimming so we just hooked her leash to the front of the boat and let her go swim. We even took small pebbles and tossed them out in front of her to keep her going fast and in the right direction.
The rest of the weekend was pretty cold and windy, even rainy at times with snow in the mountains so Ben and I did a lot of reading, playing with the puppies, hot tubbing, walking, four wheeling, and watching our new addiction: Dexter. I must say, it's really weird that Ben and I are actually getting into a television show together. We don't even have TV at our house because we really just don't watch it that much and whenever we try we usually make it to the first commercial when we both lose interest. (it helps that Ben and I have been watching Dexter on Netflix so there aren't any commercials!)
Overall, it was just a really great weekend to be able to go out and have a "couples retreat" so to say, even though it was with my parents and their friends, it was perfect. We were so included and had so much fun with the group and at the same time we didn't feel we were the ones who needed to entertain so we also got plenty of alone time with just him and me. I loved it so much and Ben and I needed it more than I think we realized at first. I love him so much and I'm so proud of how well he's doing at school and work even through the 19 credit hours this semester! He really is pretty amazing.
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