So what do you think of these? I am looking for some winter shoes and I kind of like these boots. They have some red ones that are a little different but I think they are pretty cute. The reason I'm asking what you think is because they sell them at D&B Supply which is a "Western" store sort of like Sheplers plus a hardware store. This makes me think twice about getting them. Have I been hanging out with too many cowgirls up here? Help me out will you?

I have a long weekend this weekend which will be nice after all of our driving. I'm going to try to make gingerbread cookies again (my first attempt I used baking powder instead of baking soda - it could have been the other way around - all I know is I used the wrong one), do laundry and go to the grocery store. That's it. 10 bucks says I don't get it done. Well, This Old House and New Yankee workshop are on right in the middle of the day, what am I supposed to do? What's that you say, get a DVR? If you insist...

Okay, I am being a weirdo - sorry. I'd better get to bed now. To my bed with my sweet huge electric blanket...

I wish we got to hang out in Vegas a little bit longer but Russell had to come home and get back to work. Bummer. We weren't going to get anything for each other for Christmas but we couldn't get out of Las Vegas without going to Fry's and it seems we couldn't get out of Fry's without a new computer. I have to admit, I am pretty syched. We got a Mac. I'm transfering all my songs from my iPod to it right now. Anyway, the drive down was a little crazy. We got 3-4 inches of snow the night before we headed out and the roads from Boise to Twin Falls were insane! We were fully stopped on the highway for at least 20 minutes. It was worth the drive - this is what Christmas is all about. The laying around.

I don't think there is anything worse than coming home after you've been away (i.e. home for Christmas) to a big mess. That is why this week I have a big list of things to do. We're talking major things. Example: cleaning out our apartment's equivalent to the front hall closet. It is driving me insane. It's the place we put everything when it doesn't have a place, you know? It is going to be a project but it'll feel so good after it's done. (What's wrong with me?)



Anyway, Russell bought me this purse for Christmas. I asked for it. I went to Cost Plus last weekend and saw it and I have been telling everyone that will listen about it. Isn't it cute?

We LOVE reading the Sunday paper. Well, we love looking through the ads. Today, I found out that Cuisinart makes a soft serve ice cream maker! How sweet is that? If Russell buys it, I'll bring it to Vegas so we can take it for a test drive...

I gave blood today. It was my second time. I did much better this time. No ice packs, no throw-up bags. It went much more smoothly. The Red Cross comes to my work every 2 months or so. I signed up to do it again in February...

Anyway, since we moved to Idaho I decided that I would really like to have a cow. I read this article today and the idea has been cemented. Don't try to talk me out of it. I want one.

Why is it so stinking hard to get a good picture of two people? 'Cause I don't know what the heck I'm doing and Russell is trying to make me laugh. That's why.

Yes, I am wearing my pajamas but I was planning on cropping that out.

This last one is my favorite by far.

I hate doing dishes.

So, we went and picked out our tree this weekend. I have to tell you it's a bit of a Charlie Brown tree. It's pretty bare. We went and picked it out though and you can't believe how it smells. Ah, Christmas. Of course, we took Otis with us up to Idaho City. It's a tiny, tiny place - it was a town full for prospectors (does that remind anyone else of Rudolph?) back in the day. We drove up into the mountains and when we let Otis out and he sunk into the snow up to his belly, he was being very cautious. Then, like he just couldn't hold it in anymore, he went crazy. He was running all over and biting the snow and we were cracking up. Every time we called his name he would look up and have snow all over his nose. It was fun. He loved it.
All the trees in this section of the woods had long needles and we were not really digging them. We would look up and see the perfect tree. We would hike over to it and it was three really scrawny trees all bunched together. A terrible trick. Anyway, I settled for this one because I was so ready to get out of there! You can't really tell by looking at the top but when you look at the bottom where the snow is in the background, you can really tell how bare it is. A little sad but I think I can make it look good. By the way, if anyone has any good homemade ornament ideas - let me know.
You can't tell but when I took this picture of Russ - he was throwing our little tree into the back of the truck with one hand. We both think that next year, we'll do better. I plan on doing a little scouting on next summers camping trips...

I never thought I would be so excited about the snow. Never. I wasn't waiting anxiously for it to start coming down. I really didn't even give it a moments thought. I was at work when it started and I just couldn't wait to go home and bundle up and take Otis out. We thought it was too dark to take the camera so we left it but with the snow on the ground it's so bright outside. I wish we would have brought it. Otis was going crazy! We stepped off the porch and he was licking the ground. When he finally looked up and saw that it was all over everything, he tried to run. Russell almost fell. When we got to the school so he could run around, he kept going back and forth and back and forth. We were cracking up. I've never seen this lazy dog run so much. It was fun.

You know, I've never really driven in the snow before...

I love, love, love chocolate cake with buttercream frosting. Russell had a big ol' piece he was working on while he was doing this puzzle and Otis was hoping he'd be willing to share. He wasn't.

We had a great Thanksgiving. We made it down to Vegas and I didn't get to take as many pictures as I wanted to but I got a few funny ones. Trace was cracking me up in his little turkey headband.


Wyatt was sick and he was not very happy. I wish I took video of this. His head was going down to the table in slow motion. He was so mad. Is it wrong that I snapped a picture right then?

We went out to eat later and Russ and I sat across from Bride and Zach and they were cracking us up the whole time. Bride could barely concentrate on her plate because there was a table that was louder than us (that doesn't happen very often).

I asked Bride to take a few pictures of Russ and I; not even one of them turned out - this one made me laugh though.

It was a nice long weekend - we were just hanging out the whole time. We watched some Saturday morning cartoons with Connor. I'm sure we all had this look on our faces...

As much as we miss our families, I have to say we are not really missing that Las Vegas desert...



Russell went after work last night and bought the permit to chop down our Christmas tree - we're going on Saturday. I'm sure I'll have a good Christmas Vacation-like story for you after.

I know you know exactly what I am talking about. At the end of a long Saturday after dinner and everything, sometimes you just can't escape that feeling that you might not make it through the night without a treat. We drove down to Westside Drive-In. Have I mentioned it before? It's pretty good. They actually have a fluffernutter on the menu. They are famous for their ice cream potato which out of curiousity I just could not say no to. Russell opted for a banana split. Anyway, doesn't it really look like a potato? It was a little too chocolatey for me...

Yes, I'm a dork that takes pictures of my ice cream before I eat it. Sorry.

So last night Russ and I were watching an awesome show on PBS - Warplanes- and Otis was in the back room barking. He doesn't usually bark for no reason so I went to check it out. This is what I found. 3 raccoons just checking out Russell's workboots. My favorite picture is the one with the raccoon with both arms inside one boot but I was on the other side of the sliding glass door so it came out pretty bad. I know no one has been to our apartment but we live just a few blocks from the capital building - we are smack in the middle of downtown. I thought it was pretty hilarious (but a little scary, too - they were so not afraid of us). I don't know if you can tell but in the last picture, one is standing up on the sliding glass door.

So, I know everyone thinks I'm being a wuss but it is winter here! We had a storm blow through this weekend and another one is working it's way over here. This awesome church is behind our apartment and you can see the snow on the foothills behind that. Doesn't it look like White Christmas? I'm not really minding the cold, it's sort of refreshing (except first thing in the morning). I just wish I had some warmer clothes...

Anyway, things are going well. We were supposed to see a house this weekend but the realtor kind of stood us up. We're going to see it tonight. Russell really likes this one. It's really close to the river and close to school. It's pretty small but we'll see.

That's about all that's new. Thanksgiving is around the corner and I can't wait to see everyone.

Question: Is it ever okay to buy a concert t-shirt at a concert and put it on while you are there?

Here's my view: If you go to a concert and buy a t-shirt and then a year later the same band comes back - it is okay, it's not cool, but it's okay to wear the t-shirt you bought the year earlier. There is a direct correlation between coolness and the age of the t-shirt. If the concert was years ago and the t-shirt is all broken it - you're good to go.

I'm trying to prove a point here so tell me what you think.

By the way, I'm going to see Ben Lee on Saturday...

I happen to be of the opinion that beginning November it is perfectly acceptable to start listening to Christmas music. I have been taking a poll of sorts at work today and I have discovered that I am in the minority here. It seems that most people believe it is inappropriate until after Thanksgiving (I call them dead inside). Christmas music doesn't mean Christmas to me - it means holiday time in general. I get excited and happy when I listen to it and no one is going to convince me that it's not okay but I still want to know what you think...

I know I gave you guys a recipe last time but this one is just so good.

I don't know about you, but when I watch a cooking show it makes me want to eat things that I wouldn't want to eat if I were just reading the name of the recipe. Spaghetti and Meatball "Stoup" may not sound all that appetizing but I swear, you should give it a try. It's really easy and really fast and who doesn't love soup in the winter? (It feels like winter to me so give me a break will you?)

Gramps took this gem while we were visiting in Vegas. I thought it was hilarious and I haven't posted a picture of us in a while. This is Annie and Gramp's dog Ned. We had Otis with us but we kept him in the car because Ned was scared of him last time we brought him over - when he was 20 pounds...

I tried a new recipe on Sunday. Perfect for Sunday. Spicy Country Ribs. They are actually boneless and they totally fall apart when they are done. We got good rolls from the bakery and had sandwiches. Anyway, it's a good recipe, you should try.

Way too many blue haired ladies at my work. Can you believe stupid Garfield and Oddie won! We were robbed.

If you haven't tried the Reeses Fast Break, you are seriously missing out. Seriously. I would recommend the mini ones - I like the proportion of peanut butter to nougat better in the mini ones.
Do yourself a favor and go out and get a Fast Break.

And here is the masterpiece. This picture is blurry but I like it... Do you think we'll win?

Anyway, we took a trip down to Vegas last weekend to surprise everyone and our plan (or I guess lack of a plan) sort of backfired. Russell's Mom was going to a soccer tournament with Kimberly and Stace took the fam to Disney. We had fun anyway. Everyone came over on Saturday so we could play and it was really fun. It's only been 4 months but all the kids seem so much bigger. We saw a movie with Mom & Dad, Patrick & Yasmin. "The Prestige." It was pretty good. Russell went to Lake Mead with Eric almost as soon as we got into town. He didn't catch anything (wonder why). I guess I have to admit it - Russell was right - the drive through Nevada was an entire 2 1/2 hours shorter. That's not a small difference but whatever.

We left at 7:00pm on Thursday and we got to Vegas at 6:00am on Friday. We left at 2:00pm on Sunday and got home at 11:30pm. It was a lot for one weekend but it was worth it.

So, there is a pumpkin carving contest at work on Thursday and I told everyone that I was going to win. Here are a couple pictures of Russ taking care of that for me.

I'll post another picture when it is all done. It's going to be awesome and I am totally going to win.

Okay, this woman's wedding dress is made out of cream puffs. The dress is entirely edible.

I've thought long and hard about this and if I could have an edible dress, I would want it to be made out of those sour candy strips.

What would you want your dress to be made of?

Is this the weirdest looking fruit you have ever seen? It is definitely the weirdest fruit I've ever eaten! It's called an akebia. This lady at work grows them in her backyard. They are native to China, Japan and Korea and she says everyone told her that she wouldn't be able to grow it here but she did it. They told me that it was going to taste something like tapioca pudding but I've never had tapioca pudding. It was weird and it kind of looked like a catepillar but I went for it anyway. Doesn't sound like me, does it. Oh, yeah.

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.