I'm a cat person

I guess people usually classify themselves as "cat people or dog people".  I would have to say I'm a cat person.  I am attracted to their fierce independence and their attitude, you know the one that says, "I will do whatever I please, whenever I please, and however I please because I am me and I can.".  These traits are rebelliously appealing to the obedient rule-follower that I am. 

We have a cat.  His name is Max.  He's an insomniac.  He is loved dearly.  But lately,....  He has gotten into the habit of bossing us around about going in and out.   He comes in, then he wants out, then he wants in,...over and over.  This is especially bothersome at night.  He wants out at 2:00 am, then he wants in at 2:15,....

So last night I sat him down and we had a talk.  I told him this behavior was going to stop.  It was 9:00 pm.  He was in for the night and I wouldn't be letting him out until I got up the next morning at 5:00 am.  He listened attentively (ha).

I slept soundly until 3:00 am when I awoke to the loud sound of men's voices in my house.  I was in the "not awake not asleep zone" and I couldn't figure out what was going on.  I couldn't understand why there were men loudly talking in my house in the middle of the night.  I got up and went out to the living room to investigate (I haven't watched enough CSI to know better).  There was Max sitting calmly on the couch--watching TV.  Looking at me as if to say, "you told me I couldn't go out, you said nothing about watching TV.". 

I have no idea how he hit the right button on the remote to turn the TV on.  I'm a college educated adult and I can barely figure out how to operate the remote (Michael offered to write out instructions before he left on his mission). 

No one can ever tell me cats aren't smart.  At 5:00 am Max was standing by the door waiting to go out......

order

"When I cannot bear outer pressures anymore, I begin to put order in my belongings....As if unable to organize and control my life, I seek to exert this on the world of objects." --Anais Nin

I read this in a Real Simple magazine not long ago.  The picture has been hanging on the wall above my desk.  It perfectly describes my life of late.  I love the picture that they chose to go with the quote!

But since I can seldom resist the urge to insert a little humor in a situation; I found this picture, which also quite adequately illustrates the quote.

and then....exhausted--both of us

We had a great day today--exhausting--but great!  And here is a retelling, as Cameron tells his stories.

And Then...

We got to the lake.

and then.....

we went for a hike.

 and then...

we went throught the skinny place.

and then....

we saw the hellercopter.



 and then...

we went on the lake in the motor boat.

and then...

we took a little rest.



and then...

we ate a whole ice cream cone, a swirl because you get chocolate and vanilla, whatever you want.

and then....

we went fishing.

and then...

we build "dodger stadium" with rocks (so we wouldn't throw them in the lake and scare all the fish away)



and then....

ps.  funniest statement of the day:  Cameron saw some bird poop, and a lot of birds flying around.  He stopped, put his hands on his hips and said, "okay, which one of you did this?"  "I said, which one of you did this..."

The visit

My nephew is here for a visit.  He is 5.  I feel very old.  We went to Boomers today and had a great time. 

He is finally tall enough to drive the "Rookie Raceway" cars all by himself.  That is good news because I don't have to take him for a ride in the "big cars".  I've never seen a kid so happy as when he passed someone else (he'd had a lot of practice--he rode the cars about 12 times).

He loved to play miniature golf--his version--which would be the 5 year old version--which is a little dicey.  I'm not sure a full swing on the 12th hole is entirely necessary (especially when you are about 4 inches from the hole).  But he had fun.  When we were all done he said, "that was fun, I won".  I said, "yep, you sure did".  Made him happy. 



And then the dreaded "inside" games.  I really don't like (read: I hate) the "inside" games, but kids love them.  So $5 and 15 minutes later we have our prizes:  an annoying whistle (what was I thinking), a tootsie roll (hard as a rock) and a badge.  The worst job in the world: ticket redemption lady at Boomers.

Don't Look Back

One of my favorite Mormon Messages.  We're learning about Lot's wife in Seminary next week--I've really enjoyed re-watching this video!  To read more about Lot's wife and not looking back read this. 

Yosemite

I love Yosemite in the fall.  Steve and I rode our bikes around Yosemite Valley yesterday. 

It threatened rain all day, but it was amazing to see Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls still in full waterfall mode in September!

Picture as promised

As promised here is the view from my classroom....

The Modesto Nuts

When we first moved to Modesto 19 years ago we discovered the Modesto A's.  It was the minor league affiliate to the Oakland A's.  Going to the games held great appeal.  The stadium was close, cheap, and friendly to small people (of which we had 2).  There was a cute mascot, an elephant named Peanut--the kids loved him.

Several years ago the team was sold (or moved or traded or whatever they do with minor league teams) and they needed a new name.  I believe there was even some kind of contest held.  When they announced the new name I was in disbelief.  The Nuts.  I know we produce copious quanitites of nuts in Modesto, that's not a bad thing, but who names their baseball team The Nuts--apparently we did.  Then we were introduced to the new mascots, Wally and Al (The nuts--walnut and almond).  I never liked Al, he looks depressed.

Fast forward several years.  My niece was here visiting and we took her to a Modesto Nuts game.  Here's our conversation:

Niece:  Who's the peanut guy?

Me:  He's not a peanut, he's an almond.

Niece:  I think he looks like a peanut.

Me (texting my sister, niece's mom):  Your daughter thinks our mascot looks like a peanut, I think he looks depressed.

Sister (texting me back): You'd be depressed too if you were an almond and everyone thought you were a peanut.

BUT, although our mascots are a little ridiculous, I still love going to Modesto Nuts games.

• After 19 years, the tickets are still cheap.  You can sit in the best seats in the house, right behind home plate for $12. 
• You can get good tickets the day of the game.
• The players play their hearts out.  They're not playing for big bucks, they're playing because they want to impress the coaches.  And because of this you get a great show.  Never leave before the end of the game--no matter how far behind they are, they always seem to catch up.  And they catch up in a "I'm going to give it everything I've got" way that makes for really exciting baseball. 

Steve and I went to the game last night.  They were behind 5-3 as the 9th inning got underway.  They won in spectacular fashion, I'm glad we didn't leave early.

Not enough to do

Rumor has it that I need more to do....not so.....here are the reasons for my long vacation from my blog

1.  I started Paralegal School at San Francisco State.  The program is awesome, the classes are awesome, the view from the classrooms isn't bad either.....
                                            
                                                   check back for a picture on Tuesday......

2.  I got a daughter (and husband mr. ward) all graduated from BYU

after which they moved to Portland

started a new job

and started dental school (a small side note.  mr. ward possibly has the best commuting vehicle EVER. He takes the AIRTRAM to school.  No joke.  It's amazaing.  I want to ride an airtram to work, but I don't.)

3.  I got to go on a grand celebration to Disneyworld with lots of my favorite people.  We celebrated Jessica and Adam's graduation, Michael's mission call, and 25 years of marriage for Steve and I.

4.  I got a son home from his first year of college at BYU Idaho, got him ready to go on a mission, had some pretty fun adventures while he was waiting to go on his mission, and then saw him off on his mission to Birmingham England (and have watched him grow and grow and grow over the 7 weeks that he's been gone.  You can read more of his adventures here.

5.  I quit my job, started substitute teaching again, and arranged an internship with the county courts for fall semester.
6.  I finished off year 2 of seminary and started year 3 with "The Best Seminary Class Ever--Third Edition"!

So, I've made a deal with my family.  Let mom rest....no more major events for the next little while.  Just regular old life, you know work, school, dinner at home, quiet night out every once in a while, putter,....nice, quiet life....

So I started today with an early morning trip to see the hot air balloons.  Nice and quiet, just the way I like it.