Russell deemed these potato skins (Sunday dinner) restaurant quality...

Hello, first day of school. (Do I look nervous?)

Check out my scrubs. I look totally legit, don't I? They are going to let me touch people this semester. Real people. They're even going to let me give meds. One day I have to go to a flu clinic and give shots all day. At the end of the semester I follow a patient through an operation. Admission, pre-op, procedure, post-op, recovery. Everything. I hope it's a cool operation and not something dumb like eye surgery (boring).

Picture #2: Third semester books. Insane, huh? When I went to the bookstore, they put my books in a box. Bag? Not going to cut it. You should have seen me trying to get from the bookstore to my car without losing anything. Silly.

Yay, back to school!

How come I can't wink?
(There was an actual point to this exercise, besides giving me something to blog about.)

I think we figured it out. We have two fruit trees on either side of the big tree in the front (the same one that fell on top of the house). One tree is a prune tree (I just threw up a little in my mouth) and the other, the one I took pictures of, green plums. Green plums! Oh, the possibilities! Seriously, help me think of the possibilities.

Just picked up my last book from the bookstore. The LAST used copy. It took some pretty serious restraint to keep from doing a little dance in that isle. The rest of my books, ordered online, will be here tomorrow. I inserted my divider tabs into my notebook. I am so ready for school to start. I have decided not to buy a parking permit for this semester. Ask me how that's going when it starts getting rainy right around Octoberish.

So, this tree in my yard. Something is growing on it. Some kind of fruit, I think. It kind of looks like a tiny green plum. What the heck is it? I don't know but I won't be chopping the tree down until I find out...

I'm putting together a good mix for Great Harvest. We start early in the morning so it has to be pretty upbeat. Help me out, will you? The theme is HOT. (Get it? You know, because the oven is hot...) 

You may have seen or perhaps just noticed in previously posted pictures that our garage is a bit scary (that may be an understatement). We used to have these crazy thorny jumbles of bushes lining one side of it. It was just like the part on Sleeping Beauty when Maleficent makes those thorny bushes grow really fast so that Prince Phillip can't get to Princess Aurora (did I remember all those names or did I have to look them up? I'll never tell). Anyway, winter rolled around and they all dried up and then it started to get nice outside and I found the perfect opportunity to get rid of all those nasty, thorny bushes. And I did just that.

Well, well, well, the end of the summer rolls around and do you know what that means? Apparently it means that it's time for those nasty, crazy, thorny bushes to start producing blackberries. Yes, I completely dug up who knows how many years of blackberry bushes. Wiped them right off our property. At least there are plenty of those messy, ugly, mean looking bushes on our neighbor's side of the alley. We went over last week and again tonight and we just whipped up 6 delicious looking cans of blackberry jam. I wonder how many jars I could have had. Do you think I should share a can with the neighbor we stole the berries from or is that just weird?


Our zucchini plants are massive this year. Ridiculous. So big that Russell is having trouble harvesting (did I just say harvesting?) the veggies at the appropriate time. This ginormous zucchini (and me pretending it's a telephone) is the result.

How would you like a recap? It's been a couple days, hasn't it? Two things I'm thinking about:

1. Camping. Russell achieved step 1 - admitting he has a problem. We drove for a long time on some crappy forest service roads and passed up some pretty good spots. He just can't get over that feeling that just around the corner is the most perfect, most highly prized camping spot ever to be discovered. When I say a long time, I'm talking 4 and a half hours, people. Forest service roads aka dirt paths, more like 4 wheeler trails. Anyway, we found a spot, built a fire, ate tin foil dinners and made s'mores. I don't know how you guys are thinking but as far as I'm concerned, that is exactly what camping is about. Fire. Dinner. S'mores. I thought I managed to snap a picture of dirty Otis before my camera batteries bit the dust but no such luck. Bummer.

2. Hygiene. I cannot wash my hair ever other day, so just go ahead and forget about every three days (as suggested by my color girl). I have decided instead to quit blow drying. As one problem is solved another presents itself. I can't go out with wet hair - that looks terrible - so either I have to shower at night or wake up early enough for my hair to air dry. I have been faced with some pretty tough decisions these days, haven't I?

I can't stop thinking about a little old lady that I met at work a couple weeks ago. The first time I went into her room there were quite a few family members visiting. Everyone seemed pretty upbeat, cheery even - including the patient. When I went in the second time she was alone. I asked if everyone had gone home and she said yes. She said she was glad because seeing them made her tired. She said that she didn't want anyone to worry so she didn't let them see how tired she really was. I keep thinking about her - maybe because I felt a little sad for her, I don't know. She was really pleasant, she only stayed overnight and then went back home. I just can't stop thinking about her.

Quick side note: Could I possibly be getting attached to a turtle?

Meet Mrs. T. She'll be hanging out around the Dukes for the month of August. I tried to get a video of Otis and Mrs. T meeting but it seems that every single rechargeable battery in my house is dead. Just my luck. Well, just your luck I guess - it was hilarious - the meeting.

This week is going to be awesome. I only have to work two nights and we are camping this weekend. Russell wants to scout out a possible hunting area for the fall and I'm all for it. And so is Otis. He loves getting out into the wild. Don't worry, I'll get those batteries all charged up.

Wish me luck on my 90 day eval at the hospital!

Twizzlers for breakfast, anyone?

I have grape tomatoes in the garden this year. I've only tried a couple so far but man they are so good. And Russ doesn't like grape tomatoes so they're all mine (insert evil laugh here)!

We are also growing corn. Is that weird? I think it's a little weird but I don't care. The stalks are as tall as I am now. Someday I think I'll have a whole field of corn.

I went to Target today and bought a bag of Twizzlers even though I know that Russell doesn't like them which means I will be eating the entire bag by myself. I am sick.

I have to work this weekend but next weekend I'm off the hook and I am totally planning a camping trip. I don't really like planning this kind of thing - we sort of like the fly by the seat method - but I'm afraid that if I don't plan it, we won't do it.

I love those lines that you can see when you first mow the lawn. I need to invent a way to make those lines stay for a long time.

I think you should all know that we will be having a funeral procession tonight for the remaining Affordable Gates t-shirts still a part of Russell's wardrobe. About 7 o'clock tonight if you wouldn't mind observing a moment of silence...

When I go to work and it's slow on my floor they don't send me home. They send me to another floor to "sit". Sometimes it's because a patient is combative or is trying to get up. Most of the time it means that there is a patient that has pulled out a line and they want you to watch and make sure they don't do it again. Sit. And watch. AKA bore you to tears, death, whatever. I usually don't mind doing it too much, I always have a book in my bag just in case. I saw one girl that I work with cry one night because she had to go sit. Anyway, it seems like I always have a good story to tell after I go sit - that's what's up with the lengthy explanation.

Tonight I sat with an old guy on the oncology floor. He pulled out his NG tube last night when he woke up a little bit confused. Since last night, though, they removed all his lines except his IV. He didn't need a sitter. Let me tell you a couple things about the night:

• They had been trying to get him up to the shower all day and two of the times his nurse came in and again when his family dropped in, he yelled at me, "no, you cannot get in the shower with me."

• I told him I was reading Rebecca and he said that they made it into a movie a long time ago and it was a good one. I asked him if he knew what Netflix was and I told him I planned on putting it in my queue. He went on to explain that he owned a video store in Parma and Netflix didn't pay taxes (?) or help the local economy and it just was not worth it to rent through them. Let me just say, it's a good thing they didn't come in to take his blood pressure right then. I think I could have gotten fired...

He didn't need a sitter but I'm glad they didn't cancel me because I totally had fun hanging out with him. At the end of the night, before he rolled over to go to sleep, he told me I was great company. I'll take it.

Russell suggested that I do a contest to see who can guess at what store we found this luchador mask and this totally awesome bag that I most definitely bought.

He suggested that the prize be a luchador mask but I don't think anyone will get the answer or really wants that anyway (except maybe Dylan).

Isn't Russell a good sport? He even pursed his lips just like Ramses.

So, what do you think? You want to take a guess?

I just got home from the hospital job and I have to go to the bakery job in the morning. What the heck am I doing up so late? My name is Caitlin and I'm addicted to Google Reader. 

We went to the Snake River Stampede tonight and I thought it was going to be a very long night but it was totally fun. I don't like the calf roping - those poor little guys - but everything else was totally entertaining. And you know they get in to it around these parts. I'm telling you guys, someday I'm going to have a horse. And a cow too. 

I've recently heard rumors of a Lunn Family Christmas talent show. I know what I'll be performing but I'm not telling because I don't want anyone to steal it.

Russell and Ryan went fishing this morning. I could get up and get some things done but Otis is begging me to stay in bed.

It's not that I like running. In fact, I would say quite the opposite. It just that when you are on your lunch break, running whatever errand is requiring you to leave the office, it's a little hard not to envy that jerk running down the street in the middle of the day without a care in the world. 

Yesterday, I so was that jerk. Usually the night before a day off I will tell myself to get up and run in the morning. But that temptation to sleep in is just too strong and when I wake up, I tell myself it's too hot to go. Well, yesterday I actually checked the weather - it was 70˚. No excuses. Out I went. Running down the big hill that is Americana Blvd, wind in my hair, cars zooming by, drivers undoubtedly uttering jealous thoughts to themselves under their breath. 

Anyway, Bride headed back to LV on day 9. The house looked like a total wreck by then. Yesterday all I did was clean up (and run). Today I'm going down to tackle the basement and finish up the last bit of laundry. I think Ryan is coming up in a couple days so in the immortal words of Wayne & Garth, party on. 

DAY 8:

You know when you go on a trip and there are a bunch of things you'd like to do and you can feel the trip winding to a close? We were feeling that big time by day 8.

5:00 am - wake up, get on our suits, drive to Lowman, find Skinnydipper Hot Springs, also check out the Middle Fork of the Payette River

7:30 am - get back in the car, drive over to Emmett to pick cherries

10:30 am - Russell gets a craving for Squeezers, the closest thing he can get to Fatburger around here

By this time, around noon, we were wasted but we couldn't stop there. It's day 8! We got home and decided to float the Boise River again. Finally we came home and opted for a short nap - man, did that feel good.

That night we went to Lock, Stock and Barrel for dinner. Bride and I both had a filet and Russ had his ribeye. It was seriously delicious. Thank you, Gramps!

DAY 7:

The 4th of July. I had to work. I went to Country Donuts and got Bride's favorite. Raised chocolate covered with sprinkles. It is a good one.

We went to famous (Idaho famous) sandwich place that we hadn't tried yet. Bride was laughing about the plywood picnic tables and benches inside.

While I was at work Bride hung out at the Winget's because it's always a party over there...

DAY 6:

I had to work this morning. Bummer. After work we had lunch. Bride yelled at me because I put her roast beef on the wrong bread. Then we took our neighbor, Andrew, to Roaring Springs.

It was pretty fun. This ride was my favorite. You can see it from the highway and it looks so scary. Andrew kept telling us he was going to throw up.

Russell grilled us up some burgers and we watched Fear Itself (what the heck) and I made brownies.

A good day.

DAY 5:

Mid-morning (not morning) Bride and I headed downtown to walk around and check out the shops. Really, we were waiting for Russ to get out of work so we could float the Boise River!

The first time I went, I went without Russ. I won't make that mistake again. He totally steered us into every fast part and it was so fun.

This was the first fast part we went over. Doesn't Bride look like she's having fun?

This was the first bridge we went under. Right after this there was a kid hiding up in a tree and he totally squawked (like a bird) and scared us so bad. It was pretty funny. I totally thought we were about to get attacked by a giant bird.



We took this one after Bride spotted a buck on the riverbank and I told her she should be Russell's new lookout.

We went to Aladdin for some Egyptian food for dinner.


Bride had the Oozy chicken. I thought that was a funny name.

DAY 4:

I had to work a little bit today so Bride took the truck and had her own adventure. Well, she went to the bookstore but I think it was sort of like an adventure. When I got home we went downtown and bought some delicious bread for our dinner and then we opted for a little bike ride. This is the foot bridge we have to cross to get from our house across the river to the Greenbelt.

We went all the way down to the park to swing on the swings and while we were there, we saw the most adorable puppy. The boy on the swing next to us said it was his and gave us permission to pet her. Which we did.

That night we opted for Ladies Night at Les Bois Sports park. Bride and Russ both did a little betting but I'm pretty sure I'm forming a moral objection to horse racing. I'll get back to you on that...

This horse's name is Mr Salty Jones. How do they name race horses?

DAY 3:

Bride slept in until so late today. I'm not letting her do that again. At least she won't be able to say I never let her sleep in, that would be a lie because I let her today. Like I said, Bride slept in today and while she did so, I bought a sweet raft and oars for our river floating excursion.

After, we went to the Winget's to hang out. We swam at the pool for a while and then we went back up to the house, had dinner, played missionary tag, made more Muddy Buddies, played Catch Phrase, had a dance party and ate strawberry shortcake. All good things.

We came home and blew up the raft, you know, to check it out. Oh, and also to lay in it.

When can I wake her up?

DAY 2: 

It was Sunday so, you know, nothing too too exciting. I asked Bride to describe church in one word: annoying was all she could say. Ah, the joys of Primary. It wasn't all bad though. One of the girls in my class raised her hand and asked, "Can I give your sister a hug?" 

We napped and ate watermelon and Muddy Buddies. 

We watched Cloverfield on the projector, promptly became motion sick and went to bed. 

DAY 1:
I remember to grab my camera on the way out the door but forget to bring it into the airport to document the arrival. Next best thing - getting buckled in immediately following the arrival.

Otis is thoroughly excited about sharing his bed with Bride.

After a quick trip to the fruit stand, Boise State, the Saturday market, McU's Sporting Goods, and the grocery store, we all took a nap.

We opted for a baseball game tonight. It was the 7th inning stretch before I realized I was rooting for the wrong team...

We had Casanova pizza for dinner last night. Holy crap. Can you see those chunks of garlic? The Comet: tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil leaves, sliced tomatoes, pepperoni and extra garlic. SO good. So good.

Now let me tell you about the tree on our house. Saturday night was very windy. I was at work. The tree in our front yard blew over in the wind and landed on the roof. It knocked the top of our chimney loose but at least it didn't fall totally off, that might have caused some damage. Poor Russell was up on the roof with a hand saw cutting all the small branches off but the trunk of this thing is huge! We're going to have to rent a chainsaw.

Bride will be here Saturday and I plan on thoroughly documenting the happenings of our days (as if you weren't all DYING to come visit me in Boise already). So, you have that to look forward to.

It's totally summer now, isn't it?

This might be a problem...

This song is so catchy! I keep singing I don't give a hoot about what you think. Rivers' mustache though...

Remember when I was telling you guys about the book group? How I wanted to read a book that some other members didn't want to read? How I picked that book anyway? Well, we meet this Thursday (as in tomorrow) and guess who has to work. If you guessed me, you're a genius. We are rescheduling but I think it's only because the girl who put the book group together doesn't want to lead this discussion. Yikes.

My thermostat is broken and a couple nights ago I think the AC was on all night long (hello power bill) and I woke up to a brisk 64 degrees. It's hard enough to get out of bed at 4:30 in the morning. What a bummer.

I bought a new sprinkler and I'm hoping that we'll be able to water all of the lawn at once without moving the sprinkler twenty times. Wish me luck, will you?

I have decided since my trip to Vegas that the most accurate way to capture the true happenings of the day is to give your camera to the closest 6 year old. After you delete the random photographic evidence of the pictures hanging on the walls and the baskets on the table, you have painted a pretty complete picture. I could not stop laughing when I went through these.

Don't let me forget to tell you about the Cherry Festival in Emmett, ID. That was some good people watching, I tell you what.

We had so much fun in Las Vegas. I counted the times that Russell said, "it's SO hot" and I'll give a prize to whoever guesses closest. I'm just joking, I didn't count but if I had a prize to give, it would go to whoever guessed highest. I have a few pictures to post - Isabel took them for me. A vacation is fun but who are we kidding, we're just putting off all the work until we get home - I have so much crap to do.

We would have stayed longer but I had to get back to work and let me tell you, it was an interesting day. I had to go to the morgue and pick up a patient's baby. It was 19 weeks. I don't know what complications induced her labor but this is the third baby that the couple lost. They wanted to see him one more time before they were discharged. Like I said, it was an interesting day.

There is a woman in my ward that trims her fingernails in church on Sunday every week. I had the pleasure (sick) of sitting in front of her last week. She gets out her fingernail clippers and starts trimming and all I can think about is one of those fingernails getting in my hair, hitting me in the face, ricocheting off the pew in front of me and flying into my mouth (weirder things have happened). Now, I kept it together last time but I seriously doubt that I will be capable of keeping my mouth shut another time. Do I just avoid sitting near this person or should I send her an anonymous note? Where do you cut your fingernails?

There's this song. I am SO not saying what it is - that is how terribly embarrassing it is. I don't want to like it. I really do not want to like it. But it's so catchy. Dang you XM radio! Let me just say it belongs to a genre that I don't listen to (or as a rule like at all) but they play this song on "The Blend" which I regularly find myself listening to at work. It gets stuck in my head so bad. I hate it. I swear I do.

I've got a long road trip ahead of me. I've downloaded a bunch of Learn Spanish podcasts. Anyone have any other suggestions? Help me out, will you?

Long ago, before we ever got a dog and when we were not allowed to enter the house through the front door, a certain member of our family liked to get out of their work clothes as soon as they entered the laundry room through the garage door. I somehow have adopted a similar habit.

This semester in school, I overheard a teacher saying that she saw someone in hospital scrubs at the grocery store and it really grossed her out. I can't stop thinking about it. After work, I can't wait to get home and out of my scrubs. I can't shake this idea that they are so disgustingly dirty - especially since every day that I've worked, we've had someone on isolation for C. diff. You know, the diarrhea that is so bad it KILLS you! Look it up, I swear, you DIE from diarrhea.