Little bit of this, little bit of that, and the family artist

Life has been insanely busy the last few weeks with work. I've been traveling at least two days each week and often more, and been putting in a lot of late nights and weekend time writing reports. In fact, I should be writing a report right now! I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything I've got going on & not sure how to handle it all and get it all done well and attempt to stay on top of things. And then I heard about a friend who is waiting to hear if her job is being cut and if she'll be let go from her company. And that made me stop feeling sorry for myself for being so busy. I am so grateful for a good, steady job that I really enjoy. I'm grateful for the chance I have to work from home and be here for my family and be involved in Josh's life and activities to the extent that I'm able to be. I'm grateful to be associated with companies in my job that are strong and solid. They have ethics and integrity and are like families. I'm grateful for their confidence and belief in me.

The one benefit of traveling is that I get to see some pretty things and places. And when I go to Sun Valley or Jackson, I see some ski hills that I would much rather be skiing down than working!











Josh is taking Ceramics at school this trimester. I have to admit that I have harassed him a bit about it. But he's really good. I picked up a couple of his pieces for him and brought them home last week. I was really impressed at how good they are. He's just a fount of hidden talents! The tall red piece is going to be in the local art show at the library sometime next month. I'm really looking forward to going in to see it on display!!

Ever heard of Murtaugh, ID? I didn't think so!

Friday I took a little trip for work. I did my Twin Falls/Sun Valley circle. Mom wanted to come with, so I had some company on the drive. Iwent to this little town I'd never been to before, called Murtaugh. I guess I should say I'd never even heard of it! It's between Burley & Twin Falls. To get there, we had to go on this back country road that town us across the canyon by going down into the canyon on this little switchback road. It was gorgeous!!



If you are ever in the Sun Valley area, Hailey in particular, and need someplace to eat, I highly, highly recommend The Wicked Spud!! This is a great little place that has a huge patio with outdoor seating in the summer and even brings in live bands during the summer months. Mom had the blackened chicken sandwich and I had the yummy fish tacos with grilled mahi mahi. We shared an order of these delicious seasoned fries. My fish was grilled perfectly & mom's chicken was so good! The best part--it is so well priced! I have a new favorite restaurant & will be going there whenever I'm in Hailey

Pretty Day!

I got to spend today going to places I've never been before. One of the funnest parts of my job is getting to do some traveling. Today I went to Salmon & Stanley. I've never been to either place & was blown away by how beautiful it was! As pretty as it was, it was a long day filled with a whole lot of driving, so I hope I don't head back to those two towns again anytime soon!










And then I came home to a typical Friday night around here...Josh,Emmett, Cooper & Dawson having one of their all night Halo parties





And I just thought Corrie in her chair was cute..

Beautiful Trip

I made a quick trip over to Boise...I left yesterday afternoon and got home last this afternoon. Actually, the trip was mainly so that I could go to McCall for two assignments. I don't get up there very often--I think this is the first time I've been there in almost two years. I had forgotten how pretty it was up there! The fall colors were bright and vivid and I enjoyed the scenery--more than the work! As pretty as it is, I'm glad I don't get up there very often--that is a long, long trip!!

What a day

Yesterday, I went to West Yellowstone for work. I don't think I've been there since I went with my dad before he died. I don't think that cute little town has changed at all since then! It's a very different experience going there than it is to go to Jackson or Sun Valley. W. Yellowstone does not have the tourist appeal or the upscale vibe that either of the other two towns do. It made me remember & think about my trip there with my dad & made me miss him.

I thought this bronze statue was so pretty



I got a little bit excited when I saw these painted buffalo--to go with the painted horses I saw in Logan a couple of months ago. I'm such a dork Jen! I did drive around town, taking pictures of them!

These little guys were hanging on one of the hotels I inspected. I thought they were cute.





The scenery coming out of Yellowstone, back into the valley was so pretty. I had to pull over several times to take photos. It made me feel a little guilty, because honestly, I live in this beauty every day & don't appreciate it near enough.





So after a short side trip to Driggs, I ended up back in Idaho Falls. I spent a lot of the day feeling a little sad & sort of feeling sorry for myself. I was missing my dad & I knew also that I had made someone important to me unhappy with me. So I was very grateful for the opportunity I had to end the day thinking about someone other than myself. Thank you to my dear, dear friend for allowing me the opportunity to provide a small act of service to her sweet little family. I never would have thought that buying two pizzas and a dozen cupcakes could make me feel so much better! Another opportunity to provide a small act of service presented itself to me again today in front of the library. So I find myself wondering, is someone trying to send me a message? Maybe it's time for me to get over myself a little bit and stop spending so danged much time focusing on myself & start serving the wonderful, wonderful people I am lucky enough to have in my life!

Tired teenage boy

Apparently, driving a tractor during harvest is exhausting! He comes home clean, there's no dirt in his hair, his nose, his eyes, or his teeth, but he does work long hours & is so tired! This is about the only thing he wants when he gets home from work. This was the other night when I went to get him for dinner...I ended up just letting him sleep!

Beautiful Jackson

I got to go to one of my favorite places on Monday. I had a bunch of work in Jackson, WY, so I made the trip up. When I go, I go along the Palisades rather than over the pass. I so love that trip and especially at this time of year, it was gorgeous!

The Snake River near Swan Valley


The hills along the Palisades Resevoir

Mountain in the mist outside of Alpine, WY

So pretty!

Some of the best skiing ever--in the summer, they have this really cool slide that you can take down the ski slopes at Jackson




Along Palisades again. So, so, so pretty!!!!