Cabin Life

We are at the cabin again for the weekend. This is our quick get out of town just because we can vacations. This weekend was a girls weekend...Nicole, Mom and I. We have had fun. We got here about 12:30 this morning and just went straight to bed. We were so tired after working all day...

So this trip we didn't really plan to do much. We slept in till about 8, then got up to go down to the hotel to go potty. Our water system has been out if commission for a bit (plans are in the works to be fixed. Time and money also are a factor). So we make frequent trips to the hotel throughout the day... After the potty trip we had breakfast. But breakfast wasn't as planned...Nicole decided she wanted macaroni and cheese. So that's what she made. Mom gave her a lesson on how to use the propane cooking stove (again, gas system is out because of changes happening). Mom was trying to make hash browns, but they weren't working the way the directions said, so she just kept adding more potatoes...yeah, we had lots left over! While breakfast was being made, I finished the puzzle I started last week. At least we have part of tomorrow's breakfast ready...

We then decided to go to the bathroom again...

When we got back we went to the front of the property to clean up some of the dead trees and branches laying around. 

All I can say is Nicole and Mom were on one. Those two were laughing at who knows what. I just kept picking up branches and listened to them...when we finished of course we had to go potty again! This time we didn't go to the hotel, we went to The Mall. I don't like going to the same restroom over and over to make people think we are just going there to use the toilet...

When we went down there it was pouring rain, so we got an ice cream and sat and watched the rain come down. It was fun just to sit there. I don't know about the others, but my ice cream was yummy!

Then we came back to the cabin and just sat around. I took a short nap on the uncomfortable futon (I honestly don't know how the kids can sleep on it!) Breanne and Tyler came up for awhile. They took a long nap, first in the love seat then went upstairs. How they slept as long as they did on the love seat I don't know! Mom slept on the recliner and Nicole went upstairs too! I couldn't sleep anymore, so I just played a game on my phone and took the puzzle apart.

When Mom woke up of course we needed to go to the potty once again...that's okay because I was able to wash my hands good so we could start making dinner.

 For dinner we had lemon pepper chicken with rice and green beans. It was good.  Today I finally realized why we eat so differently when we're at the cabin than when we are at home....we actually have to take the time to plan and make the food! When we are at home we are so busy making meals is a chore! When we are at the cabin...we aren't rushed to make our food. I know weird! 

It's been raining most of the day, so we have spent most of the day just sitting around in quiet. I have to say its been nice. 

The dogs are here bundled in their sweaters and tucked under blankets laying around with us. Sampson did freak out a little when he heard thunder. I laugh because not many dogs have an oversized dog house to protect them from the rain!

It's starting to get dark outside so I'm trying to decide what to do. We don't have a tv or radio, so we just kinda hang out. Today was cold so we built a fire in the fireplace. We could play games, but Mom and Nicole aren't really game players like I am...so I may just go to bed and wake up early to go back down yo the hotel and sneak into the shower room so I can get ready for church...

Basically this is our cabin life. We come up here to get away from the heat and craziness of our everyday life in Las Vegas. We sleep, eat, and just pretty just do whatever we feel like doing. The only thing missing is the rest if the family....

Some days I feel like life gets the best of me. Today happens to be one of those days! I feel like I'm in a haze of confusion and extreme sadness....

I know life will never be perfect, but I just wish at times it were just a little easier.  For years I have really struggled to accept many of the challenges I have gone through. I can honestly say I need a break from the trials. When it seems that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, I find I am once again falling further back down. I have always been accepting of my challenges, but having a little peace for a change would help.

Josh started a new job again this week. It's only Tuesday and he already hates it. He's still in North Dakota managing a shop that is relatively small. He was asked to help build the company if the many ventures the company is involved in. Problem is, Josh doesn't like working where there is any contention. The head boss guy has a tempter, which Josh compared to his dads.  Josh doesn't handle that well....so he wants to leave. I talked to him able all jobs will have drama and contention no matter where you go, it's just human nature. Is it right to throw a fur in the workplace? No! But some people are just that way, there's no escaping it. I reminded him of the people he worked for in the past...same thing! People at times just act up and we as individuals have no control of those people. I told him maybe they were just having a bad day. People tend to have them, especially when they get burned out with work. Josh doesn't realize he acts up too when he's burned out. I have to remind him I'm his wife....not work! That's when I know it's time for him to come home for a break!  He still wants to go to law school, but it scares me because I feel like we will be back to square one and will never move forward in life. I just feel like we've been stuck will never be what I consider successful in life. 

On another note....I found out I have some medical issues that need to be dealt with. It had been many, many years since I have gone to any type of doctor. Josh finally convinced me that I should go because it had been so long. I went last week finally! I had to do all the normal tests that hadn't been done in so long. Then for some reason the doctor decided to do an ultrasound of my uterus...not good! He told me that it's extremely thick which isn't good. It could be one of two things...nothing or cancer! I am now scheduled for a biopsy. I'm doing my best to stay positive, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little freaked! I'm wanting to get the biopsy over with so I can do whatever treatment needs to be done so I can move onto the next step to get me healthy. 

With that being said...I am healthy! I eat right, excersize and live a normal life. Just some stuff was a little neglected over the years because we couldn't afford to go to the doctors and didn't have insurance, and still don't! So yes this little hiccup in life is another stress in life that bothers me at the moment. 

I do my best to stay strong and positive because I know for a fact I'm meant to endure...

Fire on Mt. Charleston

The Las Vegas area had an unexpected event...a forest fire in the Spring Mountains, which most know as Mt. Charleston. The fire was started by lightning on July 1 I believe & burned several thousand acres. I took some pictures to show Josh what the valley was experiencing....

This was one evening on my way home from work when the smoke was coming into the valley really heavily...

This was the next morning with smoke throughout the valley. Normally you see mountains at the end of the road. This morning you couldn't see them at all. This was taken about a mile from where the Red Rock mountain area begins...

The two weeks caused a lot of concern. I noticed my breathing was affected when I was running (and that was indoors). I had to take it easy when I noticed my chest tightening. I'm thankful the fire is now pretty much out and people have been able to return to their homes again....

Much thanks to all the firefighters for the sacrifice of long hours to save many homes; and the volunteers who helped make a difference for those who were displaced during the time evacuations were ordered.

Get away...

So here I am on the road again heading to the cabin for the weekend. I was planning on working outside doing what I could to clear up the property of the dead trees... Looks like this will just be a trip to hang out at the cabin because we've had storms and will have storms all weekend. We'll just find stuff to do inside (I'm sure we can find a project or two, there's always something that needs to be done). 

I'm so thankful we have the cabin to go to just to get away for a weekend whenever we want & not have to worry about really doing anything....

This is the storm as we were leaving town....

This is the other side of town as we were leaving....

And this is Nicole, Lulu and I as we were leaving town...

4th of July 2013

As most know we go the the cabin in Brian Head every year for the 4th (or at least try, middle of the week is kinda hard when we all work). Anyway, this year I took Friday off so we could stay & not rush home late at night for me to go to work. Plus I needed those days away from work....talk about burnout!

So it was Josh, Nicole, Breanne, Tyler and I this year. We had a busy day on the fourth. We started out really early, which is so unusual for us because we usually don't get out of bed until at least 10:00. 

Anyway, we had an early breakfast then headed out for 4-wheeling. We stopped to check out the small street fair that's in town every year...same stuff as all the other years! We walked over to where the ski slope area is to check out the bag jump that was there. As we were walking over, Breanne saw several people she worked with over the winter while she worked in Brian Head. We were given a small tour of the resorts buildings that are being remodeled. It will be a nice change & update once it's finished. We were then told we could ride on the chairlift if we wanted to at no charge. So if course we did that! It was a nice ride up...Nicole wasn't thrilled with the height. But she was a trooper, as always.

Since our day started so early we got hungry. Unbeknownst to me...and because it wasn't normal, I didn't plan a lunch for that day! So we decided to get lunch at the little BBQ booth that's there every year. It was some good stuff as always!

When we finished eating, we decided we'd try the bag jump! For some reason the boys chose not to do it. Josh's excuse was the line was too long (I doubt that was the real reason) but anyways! So the girls and I went & stood in line (again....free!) everyone is given two jumps, one at 10' & 35'. The girls went on the lift together & jumped at 10'. I was after them & went with a person who was jumping their second time which was 35'!  I waited for them to go expecting to lower back down to 10' for my jump. The guy said you can go now.... So I decided I might as well. I didn't think it was too big a deal because I've been skydiving & jumped off cliffs... Yes, it's high, especially when your the one in control. 

Soooo...I took a breath & jumped. Funny think is when my mind is use to jumping off something like that the landing is usually in water. So what did I do as I was dropping? Yea, I started to plug my nose! As I noticed myself trying to plug my nose realized what I did & laughed at myself!

I have my jump on video, I just have to figure out how to post it...

I was done after my one jump. I joined Josh & we watched the girls. Breanne takes after me & just does it. Not so much Nicole. She rode the lift up, then back down. That's okay...it's probably best to have one child whose cautious!

When we were done we went back to the cabin. I think everyone took a nap or at least attempted to before dinner. I made dinner, which was good. After dinner we went to our "reserved" space for the fireworks show. (I say reserved because we parked the Sequioa where we go every year earlier in the day). We hung out there with rain & crazy people around us. 

We made our traditional s'mores. But, because it was so hot that day the marshmallows & chocolate kinda melted...but we made them anyway & they were the best s'mores I've ever had! And I'm not a s'mores lovin' kinda girl!

As always the fireworks were the best! It started to rain just as the show was starting. I was soaked because the rain was dripping on me off of the back door of the Sequioa. We also had an awesome lightning show along with the fireworks. I was glad they didn't stop the fireworks because of it. 

Once the show was over we went back to the cabin. I was really tired. I crashed & actually slept in till 9 the next morning.

Next day we decided to go on a picnic. We went over to Duck Creek. The dogs played in the creek. Josh did his usual & slipped in! I wasn't about to attempt walking across the rocks. Wasn't in the mood to chance getting wet that day. 

When had our lunch then went back to the cabin again for a nap. Most slept. Nicole & I didn't. We sat & giggled at Tyler sprawled out on the reclining chair. He looked really comfortable! I think if I would have been like him I'd wake up with a problem!

That night we just hung out not doing much. I think I was in bed before 9. And I must have slept hard because I ended up talking in my sleep. Yes! I talk in my sleep. My family thinks its hilarious! I've done it since I was a little girl, so people just have to get use to it! Josh thought I was sleep walking, but I wasn't. It was so dark (I didn't have a flash light & couldn't find my phone to use for the light I had to walk be feeling). I do know the cabin & approximations of where things are...so I got up to go to the bathroom. I felt the door, but couldn't find the knob! So here I am half sleeping & trying to open a door where the room is pitch black! I felt Josh get up to help me, but didn't lead on that I was okay. He kept putting the phone light in front of me...when I was done I walked back upstairs & fell back to sleep without saying a word! So the family had fun later in the morning making fun of me. I don't care...

It was a fun weekend that had to end too early. We had to leave so Josh could go back to North Dakota. He had to be back by Monday & was driving. The drive straight through without long stops is 24 hours...I am always so sad when he leaves. He thinks I like when he's gone...I actually absolutely hate it! But there's a reason he's working there & we just have to endure a little longer...