Reality check

Hanging out in the jacuzzi with Jewel yesterday:

Jewel: What's that? (pointing to my chest)
Me: A mole
Jewel: What's that? (pointing to my chin)
Me: Since it's on my face, it's a beauty mark. That means I'm beautiful.
Jewel: Well....you're not really that beautiful.
Jewel: You're just kinda beautiful.
Me: Oh, are you beautiful?
Jewel: Yaaaaaaaaaahhh

And I thought I liked her.

8 thinks all about meme

I saw this tag going around yesterday and while I was hoping others would think about me, I really didn't want to have to do it. Not that I have to do it, but now what kind of virtual friend would that make me? I don't tend to give things much thought before I post, pretty much like how I talk, so I'm afraid I may not be very interesting. Here goes nothing:

Rules first, always rules.

~~~Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.~~~

1) I had a severe allergic reaction to red ant bites once and had to spend over a week in the hospital. Because of this I've always been afraid to get stung by a bee, and I did in fact get stung by a bee a couple days ago and while it's about the size of a baseball right now, I don't think I'm going to die.

2) While living in Korea as a tiny toe headed long haired child, a man in an open air market snatched me up and ran off with me. He was trying to get me to his house so he could show me to his family. After that my mom had to get a nanny for me so she could do the daily shopping. Also while sitting in front of our apartment building a man with a fu man choo mustache tried to light my hair on fire with a lighter. I spent the rest of my days there playing on the roof.

3) I also lived in Germany as a kid and accidentally set two big hay wagons on fire, causing thousands of dollars in loss. While I stayed back to get help all my girlfriends took off running. After I got help, I ran, but it was too late, I was the only langly long haired blond in our tiny farm town so I couldn't hide. That was my first brush with Johnny Law.

4) I went to college against my will. I hated every day of it, and knew I was the only person that was there that didn't want to be. The only class I liked was Health lab, and that was because the instructor demonstrated how to put a condom on by using a banana. THAT is the only thing I learned in college.

5) I met my husband in a country western bar and knew the second he walked in the door that he was the man for me. We didn't make eye contact all night, until I was leaving, when he grabbed me by the arm and said he couldn't let me leave without meeting me first. It was love at first sight and we were married six months later.

6) I met my best friend on the schoolbus in eighth grade, it was also love at first sight. I never even knew how she'd been burned until a friend of mine asked her a few months later while we were smoking his parents' weed. Her brother had accidentally set her on fire when she was five years old. She's the most beautiful person I know.

7) I wanted to be a gymnast, and by the age of five I could do back hand springs, front walk overs, cartwheels, with and without hands, all self learned, but my mom was too shy to take me to gymnastics classes, so I'd break my bones trying new things on the school yard. Then I was going to be a Solid Gold Dancer, but again having a shy Mom, I didn't get to dance classes. I did become a cheerleader in high school though and loved everything about it, but knew my dancing career ended there.

8) La Leche League saved my children. In reality, it saved my first born from having me succomb to the pressure my in laws were putting on me to stop breast feeding, but overall I believe it saved our relationship. I hate to think about all we'd have lost if we had stopped. I had no support, my family lived far away, and just the short time I was in LLL I learned what being a mother was really about. I can't explain it, but if you were a long term nurser, you know what I'm talking about. If you were a bottle feeder, I'm really truly deeply sorry, you don't know what you missed.

Hmmm, now who can I tag that hasn't already been hit? Peg, Jody, Kathy, Amy, Dee

Slacker Mom

We were going to head to Washington State, so why are we now in Texas? Well, when Joey told people that we were leaving they came up with a dozen reasons why we shouldn't. My one new friend, Shirley, even gave me big puppy dog eyes and a pouty face, actually making me feel guilty for leaving! This is why we don't like to make new friends. Dammit.

Everyone else in camp is still working building the new gas plant, and with a lot of them being rig welders like Joey, he was able to gain invaluable information from them regarding welders. Then there were a couple rig welding trucks that came thru camp looking for a spot so Joey decided to go meet them, and in doing so he mentioned to them about a welder he was watching on eBay. They came inside to check it out and then told him all about it, and what a great welder it is. The next thing I know, we're in the truck and heading to Texas. Now the bid doesn't end until Tuesday evening but Joey's determined to win it, no matter what, so we may as well surprise the family and go hang out with them until it ends.

This is where the slacker mom part comes in. I don't even pack, I load up the last nine days of laundry and figure we should have more than enough clothes for a few days. What I didn't realize was that over the last nine days about eight of them had been cold, as cold as forty four degrees. It was NINETY TWO when we got to Texas! Good thing I did throw in swimsuits last minute, since we've been living in them the last three days.

We are having such a great visit, though. We got here around two in the afternoon, after driving straight thru. We planned on stopping but it just didn't feel right leaving at 7PM, and getting a hotel half way, around, ummmm, 4am. What is wrong with us? Who leaves for a thousand mile road trip at 7pm when we have at least four days to get there? Hi, nice to meet you, we're the FuhKaui Family.

We were obviously exhausted when we got here, so we opted not to go to the Texas Rangers baseball game with everyone, except Jacob, he went. It was kinda strange not having him with us, but he had a blast. Then on Sunday my brothers family came over and spent the day, while we grilled, swam in the cold jacuzzi, played Bochi Ball, Tether Ball, and poked fun at each other.

Today I forced eveyone to go to a waterpark,

and they all thanked me later. It was another fantastic, yet exhausting day.

I don't know how much more fun I can take.

That's me in the bottom right, looking dazed and confused.

Did I also mention that all that swimsuit wearing has now turned each of us into lobsters? I have no idea how I'm going to sleep tonight.

Gamer kids

We figured it out! Joey can just forget welding. We can still travel. We'll let the boys support us. Check it out. Oh yeah, we're gonna be rich.

Pictures, Contests, and Boredom

I never win anything, well I should take that back. I did win a ski weekend in Flagstaff, AZ...while I was pregnant! I didn't really win it though, I earned it. I was the top salesperson at the bank, and I'd like to say I worked hard for it, but it was something that came easy to me, talking to customers. I liiike to talk.

I also like to take pictures, and my kids never fail to give me some great shots. Until lately, that is, when all I can get is the back of their heads while they run away from me. But back when they just ignored me I got this shot:



Now it has won me my first photo contest! I'm so giddy, I feel like a raver on X. I don't really know how that feels, but they look like they want to hump everyone they see. So, yep, that's how I feel. I didn't win anything per se, it's just knowing my picture beat out serious professional photographers with big expensive cameras, that it just kinda makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

******************************************************************************

I also don't have anything else to post because we're still sitting here, changing our minds faster than the weather.

Light at the end of the rainbow

I finally hear back from the insurance company as to what they're going to do with my car. They're totalling it out. It's a complete loss, they say. Not only are they not going to fix it, but they're only going to give me half of what I paid for it, only seven months ago. Things are not looking so perky anymore. While driving back to our side of the mountains we see a storm brewing:

Pretty much like what's happening to me on the inside.

But then out pops one of the largest rainbows we'd ever seen


I never noticed before how dark the sky is above the rainbow, and how light it is under. There really is a light at the end of the rainbow. How cool!


Our light came the next morning when we asked ourselves what do we really want to do? I mentioned that with as much as Joey's homesick for Hawaii, and our love for water, that it makes perfect sense for us to head to the coast. So while I went to the post office and grocery store, Joey lined him up a job near the coast! Joey's building a tow bar for his truck and we're taking the next few weeks to get there. I'm not saying exactly where we're going, because our plans tend to change with the weather, let's just say, we won't be needing air conditioning.

A Nation of Frogs

This article came across my email today. The author hit it right on the head, and I couldn't not pass it on:

A Nation of Frogs


I am increasingly perplexed about how the people of our country can stand aside while gas prices go to record heights, a questionable war goes on longer than the second world way, and the planet heats up to record temperatures. It reminds me of the classic way that a frog can be boiled to death without complaint, by very slowly increasing the temperature.

My field is alternative education and here we see the same thing: How can millions and millions of parents hear their children say that they hate school without concluding that something is wrong with their schools? Wake up! Children are natural learners. If they say they hate school, something is very wrong with their schools.

How did things get this way? Perhaps it was the education system itself. Far from the original intent of building our democracy, it is a system without a shred of democracy, a system that is totally authoritarian, and with No Child Left Behind, is forcing good teachers our of education and making children hate school even more.

There is an exception to this. It is the small but growing movement of democratic schools, schools in which children have rights, dignity and choices. It is in the unschooling movement of homeschooling. These approaches start with the paradigm that children are natural learners and follow that where it leads.

To find out more about these movements go to www.educationrevolution.org
www.AEROconference.com

Jerry Mintz (jerryaero@aol.com)
Director
Alternative Education Resource Organization

Trapper's Lake

A few days ago we took a drive into the White River National Forest, via a state observed Scenic Byway. It followed the White River, which we're camped on

Past Meeker

Past Sleepy Cat fishing lake


We saw mountains, streams, trees and wildlife.




When we finally got towards the top we hiked a short distance on a dirt path, expecting to see the typical lakes we've already seen here in Colorado. But Trapper's Lake seemed to have appeared out of a movie.


The Sound of Music, perhaps?


After this I did something really amazing. So astonishing, yet so appreciated by everyone....I put down the camera. I wanted to be a part of this, not the outsider annoying everyone by shoving a camera in their face. It was different, it was good...I was more present.

Jewel rewarded me later.

Trappeur's Lodge on Dwellable

Doing nothing, doing everything

That's about what the last week feels like. We've been mixing a little exploring with what feels like a lot of nothing. I may not have finished painting the kitchen, or the living room. We may not have built that bunk for Jewel. I probably didn't get my website online yet, but I have determined that I wouldn't rather be doing anything else. We may not have a big house, or fancy cars, stock options or even a big savings, but what we do have is TIME. I sometimes feel like we should always be doing something, but I haven't completely forgotten that what I used to want more than anything else was TIME. Time to ourselves, away from work, away from obligations, away from doing things. So sometimes I have to remind myself that even time spent doing nothing is exactly what I need.

Mango Salsa

Ree did a cooking lesson post in which she swears up and down over this mouth watering, man pleasing, can't live without sandwich. Immediately I knew I wanted to try this sandwich, not just because it looked yummy to me, but because I also wanted to really please my man. I usually only show you guys his scruffy side (wouldn't want anyone getting jealous). Usually he has a five day shadow, or some new goatee he's trying out. But he still makes me melt when I look in those bad boy blues. So I made him THE sandwich...two days in a row. It was that good. Last night I made her Chicken Spaghetti Casserole and I have to say it was another hit! Trust her when she says to take it easy on the cayenne! It made such a huge amount that I was able to dish it into two separate casserole dishes, cooking one, and freezing the other. I don't even have a big enough oven in the bus to cook a casserole that size, so it turned out great being able to prepare two suppers at once.

Ree also makes her pico de gallo the same as me, so I thought I'd share with you a little twist to it that I do, perfect for those hot summer days. Mango Salsa.


There's only four ingredients Tropical Fruit Salad, Jalapenos, green onions, and cilantro. How easy can you get?

Unlike Ree, I de seed the jalapeno, and use green onions instead of white


After everything diced nice and small, have your cute helpers with the little fingers hold the bowl while you scoop it all in.


Be sure to drain the fruit, and then dice it up real good, too.


Sprinkle some salt and pepper, stir, and serve with tortilla chips.
It's so good you might be tempted to just eat it with a fork.

It makes a nice garnish for spicy rubbed pork, too.

Some remodeling

Because if you said you were doing some remodeling I'd be expecting to see some pictures some day soon, and since I know how much I'd want to see them, and how anal I would get with checking back every day looking for them, eventually resorting to hounding you with requests for said pictures, here they are:

The bus was quite plain when we bought it, notice the bedroom:


Now it radiates me:


I painted the wood black, painted over the half peeled off wallpaper, light grey, and built shelves that connect the new platform bed, to the boys bunks. The mattress is a queen memory foam bed, which has to be the most comfortable bed. ever.

I ordered the white snow tiger fabric online, sending it directly to my Mom where she sewed up the curtains for me, including a white suede lining. Have I ever mentioned that my Mom Rocks?! She did such a good job that I've hired her to do the entire bus.

I'll upload more pics to Flickr for anyone that wants' to see the full shebang.

I've always wondered....

Well not really, but since it thought so highly of Danielle I thought it might make me appear smarter. No such luck.

You're Loosely Based!

by Storey Clayton

While most people haven't heard of you, you're a really good and
interesting person. Rather clever and witty, you crack a lot of jokes about the world
around you. You do have a serious side, however, where your interest covers the homeless
and the inequalities of society. You're good at bringing people together, but they keep
asking you what your name means.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Ha, ha....ain't it the truth!

Glenwood Canyon Adventure Park

Every time we go into Glenwood Canyon we pass by the big hot springs pool. We also see a tram (or gondola) that leads way, way up into the mountains, and other than the small tram station there's just a small sign saying Glenwood Canyon Adventure Park. I look up the park online and decided as soon as summer hours start, we are there! We were going to do both the hot springs resort and the park, but opted for just the park.

You have the option of the tram or an old schoolbus to get up to the park, natch we went for the adventure.


First thing we did was ride the coaster

Only it wasn't your ordinary roller coaster, it was gravity fed, with you controlling the speed. Everyone else went full bore, while I had to use my brakes some going around really tight curves. Even though in my mind I knew it wouldn't run off track, I couldn't convince my body to not be afraid. Plus since I had Jewel with me I figured she'd be scared to death, guess it was just me.

We then had about thirty minutes for our tour of the caverns so we tried out the Swing Shot.

You'll notice there's no ground on the other side of our swing. After buckling in we're pulled back, and up, before being shot out to swing over the canyon. At first Joey and I thought we would lose our lunch, but eventually our stomachs settled back down, enough for me to do it again and talk Jake into trying it. Jewel wanted to but she was too little.

We met up with our extremely knowledgeable tour guide, Kathy, for the longest tour ever.


The highlight of the tour was King's Row


But this has to be my favorite

She had some food item name for this formation, as almost the whole cave has, but we know what it really looks like.

After seeing cauliflower, mushroom, popcorn and bacon in the formations Jonas had a question for her when she asked if anyone had one: "Umm yeah, can you stop talking about food you're making my mouth water."

While we were in the caves (we toured two different areas) there was a thunderstorm. Because of the storm they had to shut everything down so almost the entire park cleared out by taking the bus back down. We decided to peruse the gift shop where the kids all got more sleeping animals, as if two black bags full aren't enough in 200sf. of space, but I digress. I got a new night light, I can never have enough of those.

It felt like there were only about 10 of us left in the park at this point, and the sky has cleared up and it couldn't be a better day to have an adventure Park all to ourselves. I even learned the names of the employees.

While waiting for Wade to get back to the rock climbing wall, the kids, and I'm including the 200 lb. one in that, rode the coaster about four more times. We got lucky, the kid that measured Jonas said he was too small to go alone which meant he had to go with a bigger rider, and go for free. Jewel was already free so we had a lot of extra ride tickets for the kids, it worked out great, especially considering the other ride with restrictions measured him tall enough. For the first time I kept my mouth shut and went with it, normally I'd try to prove that he was indeed 48" tall, but when I can save a few bucks...well, you know how I feel about that.

I think I was more excited about rock climbing than anyone else. Joey tried telling me that it's harder than I think, as if I might not be able to do it. It was so easy! I loved it! I want to go do it for real now. My arms were sore the next day because I was too afraid to let go. I started climbing back down until I finally had the guts to just push off, and I didn't stop until my butt hit the ground.


Jonas really got into as well, going about three times and making it to the top.

A fun time was had by all.

Full Circle

When we left Phoenix back in 1998 to journey across the US we had a desktop PC that we couldn't take with us. A friend from La Leche League mentioned that her husband had a laptop that he never used so she'd see if he'd sell it to me. That day I got my first laptop, and for only $100. That was before wi-fi, but I had already been hooked by electronic mail. Around the same time they invented something called getting your pictures put on floppy. They must have invented that just for me, I know it. With my old ancient laptop I would share my pictures, with some snarky remarks here and there, by preparing the email, saving it to send later, then shutting it down (because the battery wouldn't last two minutes). Then I'd walk into the campground office, usually disconnect their phone line to plug it into my laptop then start the thing back up and hopefully thirty minutes later it would be sent. We kept up this type of family communication regularly for years, until my Uncle Carl died. For some reason not getting his Fish Fry Friday updates caused something in all of us to stop. My Mom and cousin try to keep the groups (I eventually got my Dad's side of the family on board) alive but for whatever reason people just aren't sharing anymore.

Then along came weblogs. Now these were for writers, but I tried anyway. Lately I've gone back to my old style, pictures with comments, and I'm getting a lot of nice comments, but the ones that mean the most to me are *Thanks for sharing*. That feels really good, maybe because I don't have a big social circle on the road, or maybe it's because I didn't really hear that too much from my family, the ones that I thought would enjoy seeing my shit. It hit me that none of my original email circle reads this, which makes me now feel like I was bothering everyone and wasting their time with my babble, or maybe even annoying them. Gah! Now I know that the people that read this are here because they're actually interested. Thanks! Because of this I promise to keep improving.

My Uncle Carl always encouraged me to document our travels more permanently, so here's to you Uncle Carl. Thanks for the inspiration!

Hanging Lake

I said we'd be back. I have to admit I did have my doubts though, it was considered a difficult hike and given the amount of time it'll take to hike it we weren't sure Jewel would make it...but we had to try. Jewel's got all her necessities.


We enter the trail thru those trees.


And continued hiking on up to where we left off last time.


And remember when I said we hiked up a ways...it turns out we'd barely even started.

There were even more rocky paths, and lots of hot sun in the beginning. The farther up we got, the more shade we got, but we still had a lot more climbing to do.


Sometimes we walked right up the creek


Other times we maneuvered around fallen trees


And occasionally we'd be surprised with random small waterfalls


There was rarely a flat part of the trail, it pretty much went from one steep terrain to the next, and after the toughest part of all we finally get to see our prize


The water was the most amazing color


And opposed to what other hikers on their way down thought of our choice of shoes, we were happy to prove them wrong. The crocs turned out to be good for another reason other than comfort. After getting them wet they took mere minutes to dry so we didn't risk having wet feet and shoes for the hike back down. They could have had better bottoms for the jagged rocks on the way down, but I couldn't have asked for a better hiking shoe. Fake crocs and all. I still don't know how Joey did it in those flip flops though.


After climbing over 1000 ft. in elevation in less than a mile, we discovered there was still more! Obviously Jake still has loads of energy


There was yet another large waterfall


Going back down from this waterfall we hit what was basically a dirt slide. Jonas went first and slid all the way down, and I brought up the rear and only fell a few times.


After nearly killing ourselves we found ourselves on top of the falls that form hanging lake, it was surreal. We were covered in shade, wading thru iron colored travertine and using downed trees as bridges. Plus we had the place to ourselves. Heaven.

You can see how high up in the canyon we were.


We had to go back down one more time before saying goodbye.


And before tackling this:


How about some more zig zags?


We're almost there!


Man what a great hike, I highly recommend it if you ever find yourself driving I-70 thru the Rockies. Everyone was impressed with Jewel, she never gave up and only tried to get Dad to carry her a couple times. She's turning into a natural hiker.

My whole body was sore for a couple days and Joey's calves were a little sore, so I expected the kids, especially Jewel, to be hurting, but they didn't know what we were talking about. They laugh when we say that was a hard hike, so forget if the little ones can make it....they may be helping you up.

Carbondale on Dwellable