Charlie and Lucy

The first of July I drove to work one morning and had parked in the parking lot, and when I got out and found a pool of antifreeze under the front of the car. I immediately felt sick and not happy. My driver Rhett and I were able to get it to our mechanic and found that my Radiator was falling apart and needed to be replaced. While replacing the radiator they found that one of the drag links was broke and decided to fix it while they were there. I got to drive the 7 passenger school van for a whole week. I didn't know what to expect when I got the bill, but to be honest it wasn't what I was expecting!!!! Almost a thousand dollars and a almost a thousand dollars I didn't have.

Not even two days later I received a call from a neighbor of the Lattins who I dog sit for. I had met them during the times spent at the Lattins. They needed a dog sitter to watch Charlie and Lucy for 9 days and though it wouldn't pay for the whole bill at least it was a start. Then a week later my friend Greg who I dog sat for in February asked for me to sit in September for 12 days. It may not cover the rest of the remaining bill but at least Heavenly Father has my attention and that he is mindful of me.

I didn't know how it would go and immediately felt like I should be next door at the Lattins and not at the neighbors house. I soon got used to it and Lucy and Charlie got used to me. The first night one of the dogs pooped in the bedroom. Goodness when did that happen! After the first couple mornings of hearing their supposed whines to be let out to go to the bathroom I realized they weren't going outside, they just wanted to get out of the kennel and sleep by me or on me. So I got smart and ignored them til they went outside and then put them back in the kennel rather than let them sleep all over me.

It turned out well, they constantly wanted to play and if they weren't playing they were sitting on me or right next to me. I did though find poop in the bedroom 3 more times and even step on it once. YUCK!!! On the last night I caught Lucy in the act and told her she was naughty and she didn't like that!

The best part about dog sitting for the Lattins neighbors was that I got to stay in a nice home and get to spend evenings with the Lattins. I would love to live next door to them always. But it won't come true :(

Lucy on the Right and Charlie on the Left

Lucy (left) who always puts her ears down and Charlie (right)

Rules for Teachers 1872

At work by the water cooler there is a plac (that is really old) with actual rules that teachers had to follow in 1872. They
are so great that I thought I would share them with all
who read my blog

1. Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.

2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session.

3. Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils.

4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.

5. After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.

6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.

7. Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.

8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty.

9. The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.

Bairds and Bird

I love the Bairds, all twenty something of them. I didn't meet the 2 youngest until June at the wedding. And they have become like little brothers and actually call me sis. It was their grandpa's 90th birthday party this last weekend and many of the Bairds drove down from Washington. When I hooked up with them after the party we did so many fun things. First was went to the Rio Cafe, which Mason kept calling it since he had never been there. Then we wore out grandpas dog by playing with him, after we needed to find a Deseret First for Amy and I got the experience of riding in the back with Mason and Brad! I always carry my camera and fortunately it had plenty of battery for us to take some fun shots doing different emotions.Mason, Me and Brad
Not quite sure what emotion this was supposed to be.

Yet again the 3 of us and still not sure since all 3 of us look different.

We ended up on Temple square and watched the Joseph Smith movie. It's a strong reminder of not taking the gospel lightly after all of the saints suffering.

Mason, Amy, Me and Brad

On the way back to my place we got A & W Rootbeer freezes and decided that Midge, Amy, Brad and Mason would stay over with me rather than driving to Boise that night. We ended up taking a detour and drove around Salt Lake to all of the former homes of Midge's parents and grandparents. While in the area Amy showed us a park called Miller Park. It was beautiful! It is actually well hidden and when you climb down the 30 or so steps you see that the whole area is covered in trees, a stream runs through the middle, and there are bridges here an there where you can cross over. I will be going back to check it out.

We went back to my place to watch our rented movie, Confessions of a shopoholic, and then had one of the funnest sleepovers ever! Good thing I have couches, spare bedroom and my own big bed!

Sunday morning came around way to early and I was really sad to see them go. I hope for more opportunities to see them in the coming year!

Bus Driving

For the last 2 months I have been preparing to get my CDL (Commercial drivers license). In june I passed the 4 written closed book tests and for the last 3 weeks have been driving the bus all over town and practicing skills tests through a cone course. It has been good except that my back doesn't like it and awesome DR Wimmer (chiropractor) asked me if I will be doing it everyday. He thinks that wouldn't be a good idea! I wish this were the bus that I get to drive but it isn't. When I take the driving test on the 27th I'll let you all know how it goes and maybe get a picture of me driving the large bus.

San Diego and Sun

June 26-30 San Diego trip with LaDessa. I was up at 4:30 the morning we left to get ready and get to the airport early. We were on a smaller plane and I had forgot to take some motion sick pills so needless to say I was sick the whole flight and for a bit after. We arrived in San Diego, picked up our rental car and using our trusty tom tom (gps device) that we named Tim got to our hotel which was impressive and nice, to check in early so we could get paperwork done even though we could check in for about 4 more hours. We were lucky, we got a room on the 8th (top) floor with a good view. In the mean time we met a girl we were buying seaworld tickets from, ate pizza at a very nice bar/grill, and grocery shopped for food. Once we checked in we unpacked layed on the bed for a breather and ended up sleeping for about 4 1/2 hours.

Saturday we woke up got into our swim wear to go to Coronado and the beach for the day. Before leaving we ate our cereal on the balcony and took pictures of our view.

Me eating my cereal on the balcony

View to the East

View to the West

We drove to Coronado which is a military island with a resort and beaches. We had to drive over a huge bridge to get to it. We spent a while here and decided that we would rather go to a beach not around the harbor.

Bridge we crossed to get to Coronado

View of Downtown San Diego from Coronado

Another view of Downtown from Coronado

One of the many resorts on Coronado from the pier

Me and LaDessa on the Pier

After Coronado we left and went to La Jolle beach which was the happening place. We drove through a mountain pass to get to it. We soon learned from all the cars around us that you park on the streets east of the main street and then walk down to the beach. It was a happening place, it seemed everyone knew that it was the beach to be at.

Here I am at the beginning with my very white shoulders

And here with them very red and boy have they been sore and peeled!

After the beach we walked the long way back up the hill to our car and drove back to the hotel to change so we could go to Inn N' Out burger for dinner and then to Old Town. On our way out we decided to take a picture of our view just outside our door that looks down to a lot of greenage and the elevator with glass so you could see out.

Elevator on Right with some of the trees

Mom and dad love Inn N' Out burger but particularly
mom so I had to take this to tease her a bit!

Old Town church in the dark

By the time we got to Old Town and found parking it was dark so we walked around as much as we could and then went back to the hotel and watched some Horton Hears a Who on TV. The next morning we made our way to a Singles ward for church. They were very friendly and it was a nice day. After we made our way through the areas looking at houses that LaDessa had looked up that were for sale. We soon found that they were cheap because they were in bad areas. In one area everything was in other languages and we couldn't read any of the signs. So after about 2 hours we got out of there and headed to lunch. We went to Applebees where I had a gift card and had a really nice Sunday lunch.

LaDessa and I outside of the church house

We went back to the hotel and laid down for a bit before heading back out to Old Town to see more than we had the night before. Before going we decided that we should really look at the area around the hotel which was huge so here are more of what is in our view outside of our hotel door.

Waterfall notice the walk way to the elevator in the background

In the bottom looking up at the rooms and the sky


Waterfall and boat


Bridge across pond and very tall trees


More Bridge and trees


Me and LaDessa in the Gazebo made of bamboo and leaves

Since we got to our hotel I had noticed a beautiful church up on the hill. So on our way to Old Town we decided to just drive up some streets and see if we could get to the church. We did and found it very easily. It was actually the first San Diego mission on Presidio Hill and later left by force by mexicans. It was so neat and has since turned into a place for receptions.

View from the Parking lot of the Mission

By the columns at the mission

Knocking to be let in...Please?

There was a drinking fountain and I did not know LaDessa
was taking these of me not sure I really needed a drink!

Yet I did

The Mission

More of the Mission

We made it back to Old Town, which was the first original town settled in San Diego and they have kept up the buildings and you walk on dirt road or boardwalks through the town. It was really cute.

Here is the church in the day light

By the old bank we found this scale that would weigh you for a quarter.
From my face you can see that I was not pleased with the amount :(

I tried again, it didn't get any better!

We headed back after dark and got a good nights sleep before spending the whole day Monday in Sea World. We had not had rain the whole time we were there and I was grateful! We got to Sea World early and by 5 hat hit everything from Shamu to the flamingo's. During the day it rained, what a treat, so we found ourselves finding places to be so that we could stay dry.

LaDessa and I sitting in the soak zone, waiting for Shamu to come out.

At 5 we went out to the car to get some dinner and rest before going on for at least 4 1/2 more hours.

I'm not as young as I used to be and fell asleep
in the car for I don't think long

After the main big evening shows and the fireworks we left Sea World around 930 and headed to find more food. We got lost looking for a pizza hut for LaDessa and finally just ended up back at Inn N' Out burger again and took it back to the hotel to eat. While getting ready for bed I realized that I was sunburned upon my sunburn and had a rough night sleeping.

We got up the next morning and packed so we could load and check out and head to the San Diego Temple before flying out. It was a very flashy Temple but beautiful. We rented clothing changed and then found that if we ran we could catch the 9:30 session without waiting for the next. We had no idea that we would have to climb a couple floors of stairs to get there. It was a small session of only 20. It was much needed and felt great.

After the celestial room which was 2 levels, we went through another door to the Atrium, and the sealing rooms. Small in comparison to the Salt Lake and even the Logan Temple's. After changing we decided that lunch in the cafeteria was a must. We had meatballs, mashed potatoes and enchiladas. On our way out we were able to take a peak at the baptismal font, that is viewed from the lobby through a glass window. Eleven years ago I had done baptism's in there and now was standing there having done an endowment session. While standing there we talked with a temple worker and did so for quite awhile I think we all needed it. After we went outside and took pictures on the grounds.

LaDessa and I outside under a tree

-

We found a couple who would take our picture if we would take theirs

After putting on pants in the parking lot of the Temple we headed to the car rental location. It was not so fun, with a family just ahead of us angry with their car and very loudly letting everyone know. So glad for the peacful feeling earlier.

We road the shuttle to the airport where we both almost didn't make it through security. A week or so before leaving I passed my commercial class B Drivers License written tests and at that point they take your current drivers license and give you a paper permit which is is good for driving my jeep as well as driving a bus with a driver with a CDL. Well at the security stop they told me that it wasn't real and that I should have a real license. I proceeded to tell them that the DMV took it and that this was all I had. He asked for a credit card and I gave them to him and he's like "no pictures on your credit cards"! I've never had a picture on my credit card!!!! After 3 people looked at it, and pulling out my School ID with a picture on it, they finally let me threw! Over ya no! LaDessa was ahead of me and went threw the bag scanner and was stopped for having more than 3 oz of liquid. She had forgot about that while packing. She ended up having to go through security 3 times. Me well my bag went threw the scanner and I was invited to join a man while he searched my bag. I learned to never have your dirty laundry in your carry on! He searched and searched then ran it threw the scanner 3 more times only to find that my book of mormon was too thick and they couldn't see threw it. He told me that it would make a good talk someday. I waited for LaDessa to get threw security finally. To top everything our flight was delayed. This time I was prepared and took some dramamine before loading. We made it safely home and I was glad to be home but sad for all of the things that I had been anticipating for so many months were finished and gone.