WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

Road Trip, Olympics, Movies, TV, and Other Stuff

Road Trip

The weather finally cooperated with us and we were able to go on a short road trip through the Bridger Mountains and into the valley on the other side.  It was nice to get out of "dodge" for a few hours. It was nice to see some different scenery.  It was really nice that, even though there is still A LOT of snow on the ground, there was no snow on the roads.  We had a great time and we saw some really cool things, and I was even able to take a few pictures.  Here are a couple of my favorite ones. I will be posting the rest on my Photography Blog, make sure you check it out. 

Aren't they beautiful?

Yes, those are Bald Eagles!  Majestic!

An old building (school house?) being restored.

It really was an awesome feeling just being able to get out of the house, away from this town for a few hours and see some other sites.   I really can't wait for Spring!

Olympics

Like you, I have been keeping my eye on the Olympics.  I really enjoy the Winter Olympics a great deal.  I lived in Salt Lake City during the 2002 Olympics and it was awesome.  The Olympics bring so much energy to the City, State, or Country they are held in. 

My favorite, by far, is the short track speed skating, in particular, Apolo Ohno.  I loved watching him skate in Salt Lake, in Torino, and absolutely now in Vancouver.  He is just amazing! 

But I have also been keeping an eye on some other olympians.  Particularly, Olympians from Montana and from my home state of Utah. 

Heather McPhie who grew up right here in Bozeman, MT, now lives in Park City, Utah, is on the US Ski Team.  She placed 18th in the Moguls after she fell on the Moguls final run.  That was such a bummer to watch because she was a medal contender and was running in 3rd place when she fell.  Maybe next time Heather!

Bryon Wilson from Butte, Montana is the Bronze Medalist in mens moguls at the Vancouver Olympics.  Woot!  He is also an artist in Wood Carvings.  You can visit his website here.   What a talented young man. 

Noelle Pikus-Pace from Orem, Utah.  She has become one of the best skeleton sliders in the world since beginning the sport in 2001. She placed 4th in the Skeleton at the Olympics this year.  Not too bad!

Steven Holcomb from Park City, Utah.  Placed 6th in the two man Bobsled.  I believe he also races in the four man bobsled which is coming up sometime this week.  I'll be watching. An interesting fact about Steven is that he has served over 7 years in the Utah National Guard.

Zach Lund from Salt Lake City, Utah.  Placed 5th in Skeleton. Not bad!   He is attending college and is majoring in Aviation.  He hopes to fly forest fire sludge bombers when he retires from sliding. 

Valerie Flemming from Park City, Utah & Shauna Rohbock from Orem, Utah are teamates in Bobsled.  They won the silver medal in Torino and are waiting to compete in Vancouver sometime this week.  I can't wait!  Hoping for GOLD!!!!

Of course, I am cheering on all the US OLYMPIC ATHLETES.  GO USA!!!

So now that you know that I have been watching the Olympics and who I have been following, that brings us to.....

Other Stuff

Today is the first day in several weeks where there is a cloudless sky, the sun is shining, the sky is blue-blue, and it is just gorgeous.  I wouldn't say that its warm because I don't consider 36 degrees warm by any means.  But it seems warmer.  In fact we are starting to see some of our lawn that has been covered by several inches/feet of snow since early November.  Is this a sign that spring may be just around the corner? 

I am still in search of a job.  In fact I just spent the last 5 hours applying for several jobs that have become available.  REI is building a new store in town and I applied for 3 positions there.  I also applied for a position with Delta Airlines. *I would love to get this job.  It's close to home and I would have flying benefits.  And I also applied for a couple office type jobs, as well as one for driver/pick up.  Yes, I am applying for EVERYTHING.  This is how my days seem to go these days.  Something has got to come up soon right?  Well thats what I keep telling myself.   It's so depressing!  I've never had trouble securing employment before.  The unemployment market is really crazy!

Other than watching the Olympics this is what provides my entertainment during these cold days of winter.

On TV -

• American Idol - Love It!  The competition is really tough this year. Will be hard to vote on my favorite when I like the majority of them.  Voting begins tonight!  Yeehaw!
• Human Target - We are really enjoying this new series this season.  Its full of action and comedy. 
• Past Life - Another new series that we started watching.  And so far its pretty good. 
• Ghost Whisperer - Still our FAVORITE.  Love Jennifer Love Hewitt and Cameron Manheim. 
• Medium - Just started watching it this season.  We like it so much that we are DVR'ing all the past episodes. 
• Man vs. Wild - We really enjoy watching this program and learning survival techniques. I could do without learning how to eat some of the stuff Bear Grylls eats.  OMG it can be so disgusting!

Recent Movies -

• Edge of Darkness -  As homicide detective Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) investigates the death of his activist daughter, he uncovers not only her secret life, but a corporate cover-up and government collusion that attracts an agent tasked with cleaning up the evidence. -  I love dramatatic thriller type movies and I really liked this movie. It was intense and I felt Mel Gibson did a great job with his character.  However, it is Rated R for bloody violence. 
• The Final Destination  (2009) -  After a teen's premonition of a deadly race-car crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their end. - I love all the Final Destination movies and this one is no different.  Always a very intense, on the edge of your seat Thriller. 

What I'm Reading -

• I am currently reading the first book in the Left Behind series.  A novel of the Earth's Last Days.  Written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.  I have seen and enjoyed all the movies and now I am really enjoying the novel.  If you haven't seen the movies or read the books, you should.  It is a fictional story that discusses the last days.  How millions of people who are believers just vanished of the face of the Earth, and what those left behind had to learn and do and deal with.  I really like to think that those of us who are believers of Christ will "vanish in the tw inkling of an eye" or through the rapture or by transfiguration, or whatever you want to call it and be able to live with God once more.  To be saved from the fire and brimstone that is going to come to the wicked here on Earth. 

I think that just about sums up my life right now.  I am really looking forward to many more road trips in the upcoming future.  There are so many places I want to visit around here and I can't wait to share all my adventures with you all. 

Yellowstone Earthquakes

There have been more than 1270 tiny earthquakes in Yellowstone National Park since January 17, 2010.  This swarm of earthquakes have struck between Old Faithful and West Yellowstone.  The strongest earthquakes have ranged between 3.0 and 3.7 magnitude. 

This started about the same time as the Haiti earthquake and has left me feeling a bit uneasy.  Why does it concern me?  Well, I live in Bozeman, Montana and Yellowstone is basically my backyard playland. 

Seismologists say that earthquake swarms are farely common for Yellowstone, however, this has been the largest swarm of earthquakes since 1985.

One of the world's largest volcanoes sleeps at the core of Yellowstone.  The volcano last had a caldera-forming eruption 640,000 years ago and last spewed lava 70,000 years ago. Geologists say Yellowstone could erupt again, although the probability of an eruption within anyone's lifetime is extremely low.

The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory says the earthquakes are probably related to tectonic fault sources (fault slippage) and that there have been no indication of volcanic or hydrothermal activity, but they are keeping a close eye on it and conducting ongoing evaluations and analizing the different sources. 

There is some speculation floating around out there that predict the Yellowstone Volcano will play a part in the ending of the world in 2012.  In fact the 2012 movie that came out last year included that theory.  I don't believe 2012 will be the end (I'll save that for another post).  But if that volcano did erupt, those of us who live around here would be toast.  

New Photography Website

I have a new website for my photography.  I have recently added some information regarding tips and techniques for Beginning Digital Photography and have featured some of my favorite shots.  Check it out here.  And don't forget to add that website to blogs you follow.  I would love for you to visit often. 

Thanks for your support!

All About Valentine's Day - Fun Facts, Ideas, Do's & Don'ts!

What do YOU do on Valentines Day?  Do you go out or do you stay in?  What kind of Valentine's Gifts do you give your sweetheart?  

If your looking for ideas on what you can do for your sweetheart on Valentines' Day, Valentine Gift Ideas, or just want to learn about some Fun Valentine Facts and Do's & Don'ts, then you have come to the right place. 

Valentine Fun Facts

• Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.
• About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged in the U.S. each year. That’s the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.
• Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day in the U.S.
• Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in the late 1800's.
• Teachers will receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets.
• About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.
• California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the greater number sold on Valentine's Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America.
• 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.
• In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would wear this name pinned onto their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression "to wear your heart on your sleeve."
• The ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia on February 14th in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Juno was also the goddess of women and marriage.
• Every Valentine's Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet. 
• In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, and Italy.

Valentine's Day Ideas

• Romantic Evening at Home - Cook a nice dinner together, turn on some soft romantic music, light the candles, dance, watch a romantic movie.
• Romantic Getaway - Rent a Cabin or Hotel Room - Make sure it includes a jacuzzi tub for two. 
• Visit a local Bakery - You have to admit Valentines Day is all about the sweet treats.  What a better way to pick out something you will love. 
• Go out for a Romantic Dinner - Let someone else do the cooking while you enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant. 
• Go see a Romantic Movie at the Theater
• Plan a day trip.
• Go Stargazing - Or go to a Planetarium

Valentine Gift Ideas - Besides the usual card, flowers or chocolate 

• Message in a Bottle
• Valentine Fortune Cookies
• Handwritten Love Poems
• Spa Package (for both of you)
• Sexy Lingerie
• Gift Basket
• Stuffed Animals
• Weekend Getaway
• Jewelry
• Have a song written just for your sweetheart. 
• Name a star after your sweetheart.
• Create your a music CD with all of your favorite love songs.

Top Valentine's Day Movies

• Ghost
• You've Got Mail
• Pretty Woman

• While You Were Sleeping
• When Harry Met Sally
• Don Juan DeMarco
• Casablanca
• Titanic
• Notting Hill
• Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Message in a Bottle
• Twilight
• Sleepless in Seattle
• 50 First Dates
• Moonstruck

Valentine's Day Do's & Don'ts

• DO find a creative way to say I Love You.
• DON'T contact your ex.
• DO rent your movies or make reservations early.
• DON'T break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend on this day.
• DO plan a date that is outside of the box.
• DON'T expect your significant other to love Valentine's Day as much as you do.
• DO take the time and effort to make sure your gift is sincere or creative.
• DON'T reveal the amount you spent on your Valentine.
• DO be romantic and loving to your sweetheart not just on Valentines' but every day.

Bill and I will be celebrating at home with a Romantic Seafood Dinner, Dancing, and a Romantic Movie. There are no seafood restaurants around here and I have been just dying for some good seafood.  I found some great deals on King Crab Legs, Lobster Tails and Shrimp at the local supermarket.  So we will prepare our own Red Lobster type dinner at home, including baked potato, ceasar salad, and even garlic cheese biscuits.  Mmmmmm... can't wait! 

I wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day! 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

B - O - R - E - D - O - M

Let me just say that my life right now is so dull and boring that I can hardly stand it.  My husband asks me today what I have posted on my blog lately and I tell him "nothing because I don't have anything to write about".  His response?  "Well you haven't done anything lately TO write about".   He's right!  I haven't... we haven't.  Like a bear I have been in hibernation.   The weather has kept us mostly in doors.  Lack of money and little vacation time has also kept us mostly in doors.  And I seriously need a vacation about now.  I often dream of being in someplace warm like Hawaii.   Heck, I would even be happy with going to the "The Happiest Place on Earth". Disneyland.  Anywhere, where it is not cold and there is no snow!  I can dream can't I? 

Ahhhhhh!

Very Happy!

I spend the majority of my day(s) doing "something" in trying to find a job.  And let me tell you... that is getting REALLY BORING.  When I am not doing that I am studying for the sunday lesson I teach, practicing the piano, goofing off on facebook, reading your blogs, watching TV, and spending whatever time I can with my husband in the evening before he goes to work.   I have also been learning the art of Couponing (that can take up some serious time). 

The weather hasn't made it possible for us to go anywhere new, fun, or interesting.  The most exciting times I have are taking a walk, going to the grocery store, and on Monday's when my husband has the day off, we try to do something like thrift or antique shopping (more like browsing), or to the movies.  Today we went to the bookstore where I purchased a new book, and we went to the movies and saw Edge of Darkness  (BTW - good "action filled" movie, but a little gory in parts).

I need to get more yarn so I can start another aphgan. I need to work on some photography, but I can't seem to find anything of interest to photo when there is nothing but snow and ice and I have already taken all those kinds of photos that I want right now.  I should catch up on scrapbooking but I just don't have an interest in that right now either.  I will probably start working on our taxes this week even though whatever refund there is will be paying back taxes from previous years.  I will be making Valentine Cookies tomorrow so I can send them off to my kids.  And I will also do my visiting teaching sometime this week.  Other than that, there is nothing to look forward to anytime soon.  Summer can't come soon enough. 

I can't wait for the snow to melt so we can go hiking, fishing, camping, paragliding, visit Ghost Towns and Yellowstone, white water rafting and horse back riding, exploring the Lewis & Clark Caverns, and maybe even head over to Mt. Rushmore.  THEN I will have something to write about.  And I can't wait!  But first.... Old Man Winter needs to give us a break and go on his own vacation so I can start mine. 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

This is what pays the bills....

It's also what brought us to Montana.   

Yup, you guessed it!  My husband's job.  Thats my sweety right there!  :)

We are grateful for his job. It pays the bills and provides a fairly comfortable lifestyle.

 

It brought us to Montana where his job is more stable.  And even though he drives every night (M-F) about 470 miles round trip, at least he is home everyday, and I am grateful.

Even though the economy has been rough, rather than laying off their drivers, they cut out things like bonuses and company parties, which didn't make a lot of people very happy, but I am glad because at least my husband still has a job.

We are blessed and I am grateful!

Next time you go to the store, think about how the stuff you buy gets there. And remember, to thank a Trucker. They are out there risking their lives on our highways, days, nights, weekends, holidays, in good weather and in very bad weather. Some truckers are gone for days, weeks and months at a time, leaving their families behind, just so you and I can purchase the items we need.

Yes.... let's all thank our Truckers!