When Russell got home on Tuesday night it was supposed to be for good. Some jerk named Randy called me on Wednesday and said that he needed to be at the shop at 6am the next morning. He went back to the Rattlesnake Complex fire. It's about 45 miles from Boise. These pictures are all of that fire. They don't expect to have it completely contained until October 15th so he will probably be gone for the entire two weeks... and he still has the camera.

This is a New England Turkey burger with the works. I don't know if you can really tell, but it's on an English muffin. I got the recipe from the Rachael Ray magazine website. I'm so glad that the weather has started cooling off - it puts me in a cooking new recipes kind of mood. Know what I mean? In the summer, you just want something easy, something familiar that you don't have to go back and forth to a recipe for. I do anyway...

How good does this look?

I should be studying right now. Really.

I did all my Saturday errands and two loads of laundry after work yesterday so that I could have today just for school. Well, it's after 2:30 and I still haven't even cracked my books. I'm going to pick up some prints from the camera shop and then that's it. School.

Russell is not on a fire. He is on standby. I don't think they'll be gone very long this time.

I took Otis out to play at the school and there were some other dogs there. Have you ever seen him do the thing where he punches with his nose? None of the other dogs wanted to play with him so he tries to make them mad by giving them a little push with his nose. It's pretty funny. All the other dog people were laughing.

I better get to it.

Okay, I am freezing! It is 47 degrees right now and I am seriously thinking about wearing my snow clothes to work. I turned on the heat last night. Don't you love the smell of the heat? It reminds me of the holidays. It is definitely fall in Boise now. This weekend I am going to go buy a Macintosh apple candle. Maybe I should buy a few long sleeve t-shirts, too...

Last time I talked to Russell he was on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. They are staying in a hotel this time, at least, they did last night. He still doesn't know where they are going. I looked up the fires in California and I think he's going to the Bassetts wildfire. It's not very big and half of it has been contained - I'm hoping that's the one. Cross your fingers, will ya?

So, Russell left this morning. He thinks he is headed for the California/Tahoe area but he isn't really sure. He was supposed to be at the shop at 5 am and we didn't even wake up until 5:20. They have to sign out all their fire gear and everything so it's not that big of a deal. I was just worried that he was going to have to drive. He called me this morning and reassured me that they were not going to make him drive. He got home on Friday night so he was home for 5 days. It was fun to have him home. Last night we made burgers and we put garlic in them - so good. After dinner we walked down the street to this little ice cream shop in Hyde Park. I had raspberry and Russell had a turtle sunday. If any of you guys come to visit us, I'll take you there. They had these homemade caramels that looked so good! They also have sliced caramel apples - genius.

Anyway, Russell took the digital camera this time so I probably won't have any pictures until he gets home - hopefully then we'll have some cool fire pictures to post...

Thank you, Dylan. For the rest of the week I am going to post an Intentionally Inflammatory statement everyday just to see what yawl (have I been in Idaho too long?) have to say.

Day #1: I'm sorry (no I'm not) but there is just not that big of a difference between HD or plasma or whatever and my regular old tv. Of course it looks good when you go to Costco, it's the warehouse lighting.

Say what you will.

So, last weekend I made my duvet cover. Next up, a bedskirt.

I was just thinking. Who made the first shake? This guy was so lazy that he didn't even want to waste the energy bringing a utensil from the ice cream bowl up to his mouth. He wanted to be able to eat ice cream through a straw and he figured it out. Genius. I am forever indebted to you Mr. Ice Cream Shake Inventor. Forever indebted.

Alexa sent me this awesome picture and I think it's fair game to post. I thought she said this is at the World Championships and she told me that she won weapons which, while I'm not totally sure what that means, sounds awesome.

I didn't think Russell was going to have any cell phone service on this fire but I talked to him tonight. He said that where he is, the fire is moving really slow. They don't have an expected containment date. Russell thinks he'll be there for the whole 14 days. At least they are only about 45 miles from Boise so he'll be home for sure after that. I found a website with an update.

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/439/

I feel like I got so much done today. I love feeling that way. Our apartment is all cleaned up, the laundry is all done (I had to go to the laundromat), my homework is done, my checkbook is even balanced. I have a test on Thursday so I still have some studying to do but everything else is done. I don't even have one errand to run on Monday. The day off and nothing to do - it's going to be great.

Russell was home for a couple of days this week. I dropped him off this morning and he is already working on the Rattlesnake Complex fire. It is close by Cascade which is not too too far away. I don't really know why but that makes me feel better. Anyway, I haven't found a good website for it yet but I guess this fire is over 24,000 acres. I'll post a link when I find a good one.

Our little apartment gets to be such a mess and that gets to driving me really crazy. I always have a hard time when it's back to school. I like everything to be all cleaned up before I feel like I can really concentrate on school stuff. Whatever, it might just be an excuse...

Some new neighbors moved in next door. I haven't seen them yet but I've heard them. Otis has too and I'm sure I don't have to explain when I say they have heard him as well. He runs up and down the hall like a maniac. You know how some parents can just completely ignore their children even after the childs reapeted attemps at getting some attention (Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad), I have gotten to that point with the barking. I don't even hear it and it's nice.

I love the fall. This week we had much cooler weather. We opened the windows and by the time we closed them our whole apartment smelled like the fall air. Do you know what I mean? It smells... cold. It is supposed to be hot again this weekend but the break was really nice.

Work is good, school so far is going well, hopefully this will be Russell's last fire and then we start househunting. Everything is good.

I thought all the kids would get a kick out of these pictures. Bad Otis. He started chewing stuff up right after we ordered our new couch. In an attempt to distract him from the giant leather chew toy (that got here this morning) I bought him a new toy and a rawhide. I gave him the bone and snapped a couple pictures and went in the kitchen to do my homework. By the time I realized that Otis had been in the other room alone for a suspicious length of time, he managed to eat the entire thing.

I discovered something today - if you wear your running shoes while you are cleaning up - it makes you go faster.

Russell got home on Thursday night. He left again at 2:30 this morning. He is going back to Detroit, Oregon. He thinks he'll be there for a couple weeks. I think he's having a pretty good time. He said they sleep out on the lawn at the fire station. He brought a disposable camera with him last time. When he gets the pictures developed I'll make sure he gets them all on a cd so I can post some of them.

I am taking Kelly's advice and I am ordering prints of these flower pictures for my wall behind my new couch. These are the four that I picked out. I know Martha says that odd numbers are more pleasing when it comes to arrangements and everything but it was hard to get the same lighting in all the pictures. Anyway, I could get 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10. I am leaning toward 5x7. What do you think?

Russell and I went couch shopping today and I think this is the one we both like the best. So, what do you think? I need some feedback.

In case anyone is wondering, the Mormon guy (Benji) won.

I talked to Russ this afternoon - he heard a rumor that they might be headed to Texas. Yes, Texas. Hopefully he'll know more about it after dinner tonight. We'll see.

Anyway, I've just been hanging out. School starts next week and I'm pretty excited about it. My teacher sent the class an e-mail already so we can get a head start on the week's assignments. I'm glad, now I'll have something to occupy my time while Russ is gone.

This is embarrassing and hard for me to admit but I have gotten sucked into the gem that is "So You Think You Can Dance." I just remembered that it's on tonight and I think it is the finale. Anyway, there is this hilarious Moromon guy - you'll know which one he is right away - he's a swing dancer...

Today I hung a clothesline. They have a couple coin washer and dryers here at our apartment but it takes about 4 rounds in the dryer to get a small load dry. This morning I washed my sheets and hung them up to dry - I just made my bed and my whole room smells so good now. Don't clean sheets feel so good anyway?

I gave blood this afternoon for a kid in the ward's Eagle Scout project. I hadn't ever given blood before. They had to put ice packs on me twice. I got really lightheaded. It wasn't too bad though. Some one could have warned me about how huge that needle is... Is it weird that I am proud when they take my blood pressure and tell me how good it is?

Aunt Debbie and Uncle Doug surprised me yesterday. They were in Boise and we went out to eat for dinner. I took them downtown and we walked around and looked for a place to eat. It was fun. I was really bummed that I didn't bring my camera with me for a people picture.

I talked to Russ tonight. He was supposed to be headed toward Montana but they sent them back to Oregon. He has been chasing a bunch of little fires that are popping up because of the lighting. He says it's better than sitting around.

So, I finally finished the curtain for our sliding glass door. I think it looks a little too much like a circus tent but it's done and it is better than the stupid blinds we had up there. I was going to make curtains for the kitchen next but I changed my mind. I am making a new duvet cover for my bed. I am leaning toward brown. I'll have to see what they have at the fabric store...

Russell is about an hour from home right now. I just talked to him. He leaves again on Monday.

So, I've told you guys about my awesome knife before. If you don't have a nice knife for chopping - you have no idea what you are missing out on. Russell bought me this knife at Target and it was $40. They have the same knife at Williams Sonoma for $90! I swear - I just checked it out now. Last week I bought the sharpening steel to keep it sharp and it was $20. Totally worth it. Chopping vegetables or whatever is so much faster with a good knife. I can chop an onion into tiny pieces and be done before my eyes even start to water. I am recommending that you all go out and buy one and no I don't work for this company.

So, this week is going by so slow! I talked to Russell on Monday and he said that his group would be heading home Friday or Saturday. I can't wait and I know Otis is excited too.

I still haven't finished my curtain for the sliding glass door. I can't get in the mood to work on it. It has been really nice outside this week. I've been taking Otis to a school behind our house. The grass is all fenced in and I let him off his leash and we bring a toy and he runs around. I've been wanting to take him up to Bogus Basin again but I'm not sure if it's a good idea to go up there alone - does that sound like the beginning of a scary movie plot to anyone else?

The Dukes

I did it. I made it to the fabric store. This is the fabric I picked. I hope it doesn't end up looking too much like lawn furniture... I found some really cute red plaid fabric that I'm going to use for the kitchen and front windows but I didn't buy it today - one project at a time. The clearance section at Home Fabrics is awesome!

Anyway, Russell is still gone. That website says that there are 573 people working on that fire now. He has tried to call me almost everyday but he never has good enough service - I can't hear him at all. I am dying to know how it is going.

Otis is crying right now. He doesn't have to go outside - he wants me to go in the other room so he can go to bed... Baby.

Can anyone else appreciate the pose he's got going on here?

I am making Whoopie Pies this very moment. Gramps sent me 6 tubs of Fluff and I got them just in time to make a batch for the birthday party at work. When I make them, I really have to try to resist the urge to express my deep heartfelt love and appreciation because I have found that some people flat out don't like them. So, I've tried to down play the delicious Whoopie Pie goodness for my reputation's sake.

Anyway, Russell called me but only let the phone ring once - when I tried to call him, I got the dreaded voicemail. Bummer. I don't know what is going on. They did an update on that website tonight and it looks like he may be gone for a while...

If you want to see what is going on with the Maxwell fire that Russell is on, you can check out this website:

http://www.nwccweb.us/information/fire_info.asp

I think they update every morning. Yesterday it said that they expected that it should be contained by the end of the day. Today it says unknown...

I talked to Russell for about two minutes tonight. He is still in Oregon but he isn't waiting anymore. He's on the Maxwell Fire. I've been online seeing how much I can find out about it. It says that the terrain is steep and rugged but it estimates it should be contained by the end of the night. We'll see what happens.

In the meantime, I'm just hanging out. I really want to go to the fabric store but I feel bad leaving Otis. I know. Pathetic. Anyway, I have to take him to the vet again tomorrow. Should be fun.

Tired of the dog pictures? I don't care. Too bad.

What is wrong with my dog that he sucks, yes sucks, on this stuffed animal every single night?

Anyway, if you are looking for some motivation for getting in shape I have an excellent suggestion. Take some pictures of yourself in your bathing suit. I tried on every single one of mine and not one looked good. Bad sign. It reminds me of those year long profiles they do in Allure. I love those.

Otis and I went down to the river again tonight. We parked on one side and walked over a bridge at 15th Street. Little did I know, the next bridge wasn't until 9th! Poor Otis - it was a bit of a walk for him. In Vegas, the high temperature hits at what? about noon, maybe one? Here, we get to the high at 5pm. It sucks. So there we are, in the park walking along the river (hello bugs) at 6pm. Good idea, Cait.

I haven't heard from Russ yet tonight but last night he said that the three other groups that were waiting with them all got called out. He doesn't think he'll be home before he goes out on a fire. I think he's starting to go a little crazy out there. He told me that before he goes out he is buying a carton of cigarettes. His boss told him that he's seen one cigarette go for $15 and 3/4 of the guys in Russell's group smoke. Does that sound like something he would do or what?

When you were little did you put juice in the freezer to make yourself a delicious popsicle in a cup? We still do...

I am making myself dinner. Russell and I planned on testing a new recipe this week - Feta Chicken with Zucchini. He told me I better not let the stuff go bad - he's not sure when he'll be home. He thinks he'll be in Redmond for a while. They have more guys there this time than they did last time.

It should be a fun weekend. I think I am going to start fabric shopping. I am taking on the decidedly formidable task of making window coverings for all of our windows. It should be interesting.

The weekend did start out good though, I heard Bobby Brown "Every Little Step I Take." Does anyone know when that song came out? What was I, three? Anyway, good song.

Just a quick update...

There is no fire in Redmond.

Yesterday after work we decided to take a drive up to Bogus Basin. Russell was starting to get a little stir crazy - he even mentioned the urge to buy some running shoes. Anyway, we took the dog and went for a little ride. Bogus Basin is a ski resort and people are always talking about it. It seems pretty small to us but it was about 15 degrees cooler up there than it was in the city. We all got out and walked down one of the trails. Otis was loving it.

Tonight I took Otis down to the river. He drank so much river water. He dragged me down the bank (I guess he needed another drink) and I fell. Hard. I'm pretty sure no one saw though so I'm good. It's legal to float down the Boise River right now. They only allow it certain times of the year and only if the current isn't too strong. I've been wanting to do it - Russell says the water is too cold.

Russell left this afternoon for Redmond, Oregon. He waited for a fire to start last time - no waiting this time. I think he is excited. They called him at 10:50am and he was out the door at 11:30am. I tried to look up a local news station to see what I could find out but I didn't find anything. Hopefully, he'll call tonight to tell us what's going on...

Does anyone else notice a striking resemblance here?

I had to put up another picture of Otis. He looks a bit happier in this one. It's either because he feels better after our trip to the vet or because Russell is home. You decide which.

The vet is hoping Otis has a food allergy rather than something else. We have special food for him and we have some medicine. Russell said he didn't scratch his ear all day. Keep your fingers crossed.

Yes, Russell is home from Redmond, Oregon. His trip sounded terribly uneventful. No fire. Just waiting. He said he doesn't think he will go wait again. He's only going if something is already on fire.

It wasn't a hard choice. We could either have high speed internet or cable. We chose the high speed. That means no cable. Russell and I were just saying - we don't even miss it (okay, maybe I miss Food Network a little, just a little). Anyway, I have been totally reminding myself of Dad. We love PBS! I even watch Mystery on Sunday nights - I'm hooked. Russell loves Antiques Roadshow...

I love talking to people about music. I don't know if it is like this for everyone but I have a specific time or conversation or a memory for almost every song I know. I am listening to Jack Johnson and I was talking to Zach and Bride about a certain song of his and now every time I hear it, I think about that. It was a midnight trip to Walmart. I don' t get people who aren't into music. How could you not get into something that can make you feel happy or sad or mad or
anything in just a few seconds?

Anyway, kind of funny. When I was little, my Mom used to put sponge rollers (for a while it was sponge roller, singular) in my hair at nighttime and when I would get up in the morning and take out the curler my Dad used to say "pretty girl." You know, can't you hear him? So, I have some sponge rollers and I have been wanting to try them out again but I have been too embarrassed for Russell to see me with my head all in rollers (I'm only 22). Since Russell isn't here, I tried it out. I looked like the mom on That 70's Show. Not cute...

So, Russell left early on Sunday morning for Oregon. They were expecting some lightning storms and they wanted guys up there just in case. He's in Oregon now but there are no fires. I talked to him today. He said that the storm has blown through but it is so dry that they are going to keep them there for a while.

Otis is a little sad. He follows me around everywhere. He sits in the bathtub when I get ready in the mornings. I think it's a bit cooler in there for him, too. Otis is going to the vet on Wednesday. He is still scratching. Over the phone they said that it sounds like he has allergies. We'll have to see what they can do for him...

Stace sent me an e-mail with some pictures of Isabel. I thought this one was so cute. Doesn't she look big all of a sudden?

It is quite literally as hot as an oven in here. We are seriously not going to have to worry about heating this place up in the winter! What are you going to do? When you gotta have a treat, you gotta have a treat. Tonight, it's chocolate chip cookies.

I don't think I ever got to show anyone these pictures. We were just driving down this dirt road in Utah and we came across this sign. We were headed down the old Mormon Wagon road. I thought about posting these because Russ & I were watching the news and there was a segment on Idaho colloquialisms. They called Mormons "carrot snappers." Can anyone tell me what that is all about?

This has been the extent of our 4th of July holiday. It is so hot, we don't even want to move! Poor Otis doesn't even get out of bed in the morning before he starts panting. We don't really have any AC. We have a cooler in our room but our apartment is so long that it is the only room that stays remotely cool. At least in Boise we have two hot summer months and not eight like in Vegas. That's me - always looking on the bright side...

Anyway, things here are good. Seven fires started all around Boise after a thunder and lightening storm a couple nights ago. We are just waiting for a call to find out when Russell is headed out. We don't really know how much notice they'll give him or anything so he is all packed and ready to go. I think he's really excited.

Work is going pretty well for me. Everytime I feel like I'm starting to get a good grasp on things, they show me something new but that's what a new job is all about, right? I was a little bummed the first couple days but now it's working out great and all the people are really nice.

I walk by this little garden everyday when I come home for lunch and take Otis around the block. I've been wanting to take a cool picture. If you look, you can see my back porch. I swear I think anything can grow here.