Tabibito Faleschini
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
cathartic reflections
So, I never post anymore because I don't really feel like all that much is going on in my life and the things that are going on like work I can't talk about or talk about the people I work with due to disclosure agreements. When you work in the social work field you have to leave what happens at work there because you're not supposed to talk about your clients (especially those in therapy with you). So I generally can't talk about that. But today I was reflecting on what we have been exploring this month with our seniors at the senior center groups. We've been discussing grief and loss. What a fun group, eh. But oddly enough it has been a great group with open discussion and really thoughtful insights about the subject. And although I can't discuss the group or the awesome people in the group I can discuss my thoughts and reflections on this subject.
I think the idea of grief and loss have always scared me to openly discuss because of the pain I have had in a couple of losses. And as we've talked about loss in the groups we're not just referring to the loss of a friend or loved one, but also the loss of health (which is pertinent to seniors) and also the loss of an ability or retirement can be a loss. So there are many different types of losses that we can have. I was also scared to talk about them because of the feelings that I thought I would open up and feel after exposing myself to these subjects and the fear of not being able to cover it back up...I think what I'm trying to say is that I was scared I would start to cry and not able to stop. That's a very scary idea for me.
So today we gave out a worksheet and asked people in the group to fill it out and then if they felt so inclined it was open to share their thoughts and feelings about this topic. And so I filled it out and thought it would be cathartic to share into this great abyss of the internet. And perhaps my thoughts and feeling are similar to someone out there...or they could be completely different...who knows...So here I go:
Identify three losses you have experienced during your lifetime.
1.My grandmother Helen Smith
2. My loss of health and abilities I once was able to do
(I could only think of two)
What have you learned about yourself through each of those losses?
-when my grandmother passed away I learned how much she actually meant to me and the role she played in the decisions I made due to her love and compassion. I also learned how caring for her when I was younger created the empathy I would later use in therapy with clients
-I never thought about my physical health until I lost it. I found that I had to find the strength to get up every morning and also the spiritual strength I didn't know was there until I had to turn to it.
How has your life changed since the loss?
-Missing my grandmother, not having her to turn to for help and love and emotional support.
-I haven't been able to be as active as I was had been and I also have to be extra careful with my body when I travel, when I do exercise, and when I don't feel well. I've had to learn how to take a break and sometimes say 'no.'
Identify people in your support system who have or can help you with the changes in your life.
-mother, father, immediate family, friends who I trust, a therapist at one point
What strengths have you discovered in yourself.
-strength from with in
-the ability to bounce back
-to be resilient amongst serious challenges
-spiritual strength I had not identified before
What feeling about the loss surprised you?
-guilt, anger (not necessarily surprising, but my grandmother was my first real loss in my lifetime so it was my first experience with those feelings).
What would you imagine might help you most with coping with the loss?
-Talking about it
-Writing about it
-Holding on to my spirituality that I discovered through it
So as you can see this is a very tough subject especially with seniors who are losing spouses and friends all the while just waiting and then losing abilities and losses with hearing and sight. I have a profound new respect for these seniors. I love every minute I get to spend with them. After talking about this subject in our groups I feel as if I have learned so much from them and I am supposed to be the teacher. I wish I could share some of their ideas I have written down but alas I cannot. But perhaps this could open someone up to talking with their grandparent or elderly neighbor and learning about them and recognizing their strengths.
Anyway, I heart my job and the people I get to serve!
I think the idea of grief and loss have always scared me to openly discuss because of the pain I have had in a couple of losses. And as we've talked about loss in the groups we're not just referring to the loss of a friend or loved one, but also the loss of health (which is pertinent to seniors) and also the loss of an ability or retirement can be a loss. So there are many different types of losses that we can have. I was also scared to talk about them because of the feelings that I thought I would open up and feel after exposing myself to these subjects and the fear of not being able to cover it back up...I think what I'm trying to say is that I was scared I would start to cry and not able to stop. That's a very scary idea for me.
So today we gave out a worksheet and asked people in the group to fill it out and then if they felt so inclined it was open to share their thoughts and feelings about this topic. And so I filled it out and thought it would be cathartic to share into this great abyss of the internet. And perhaps my thoughts and feeling are similar to someone out there...or they could be completely different...who knows...So here I go:
Identify three losses you have experienced during your lifetime.
1.My grandmother Helen Smith
2. My loss of health and abilities I once was able to do
(I could only think of two)
What have you learned about yourself through each of those losses?
-when my grandmother passed away I learned how much she actually meant to me and the role she played in the decisions I made due to her love and compassion. I also learned how caring for her when I was younger created the empathy I would later use in therapy with clients
-I never thought about my physical health until I lost it. I found that I had to find the strength to get up every morning and also the spiritual strength I didn't know was there until I had to turn to it.
How has your life changed since the loss?
-Missing my grandmother, not having her to turn to for help and love and emotional support.
-I haven't been able to be as active as I was had been and I also have to be extra careful with my body when I travel, when I do exercise, and when I don't feel well. I've had to learn how to take a break and sometimes say 'no.'
Identify people in your support system who have or can help you with the changes in your life.
-mother, father, immediate family, friends who I trust, a therapist at one point
What strengths have you discovered in yourself.
-strength from with in
-the ability to bounce back
-to be resilient amongst serious challenges
-spiritual strength I had not identified before
What feeling about the loss surprised you?
-guilt, anger (not necessarily surprising, but my grandmother was my first real loss in my lifetime so it was my first experience with those feelings).
What would you imagine might help you most with coping with the loss?
-Talking about it
-Writing about it
-Holding on to my spirituality that I discovered through it
So as you can see this is a very tough subject especially with seniors who are losing spouses and friends all the while just waiting and then losing abilities and losses with hearing and sight. I have a profound new respect for these seniors. I love every minute I get to spend with them. After talking about this subject in our groups I feel as if I have learned so much from them and I am supposed to be the teacher. I wish I could share some of their ideas I have written down but alas I cannot. But perhaps this could open someone up to talking with their grandparent or elderly neighbor and learning about them and recognizing their strengths.
Anyway, I heart my job and the people I get to serve!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Going to Italy!!
Yay! Yet another adventure for this girl!!! I was starting to get nervous because I haven't been out of the country in like 3 years!! Getting a little long for me! Geesh! So here I come Italy with an awesome girl Charlotte!! We did Italy and France together like four years ago, so I am super stoked to get out there again. But we are going in December and January! Not gonna lie, I've always wanted to do Italy during the off season and when it's gorgeous and maybe snowing and a little chilly and I get to wear my super cute boots and coats :) Yay! Can't wait for another European adventure!! Now if only I could find a flight! But don't worry we already have a cute little apartment to accommodate us during our stay in Florence. One third of the equation is done. Now we need to find a place to stay in Venice and get our flights. And Rosetta Stone Italian is my new best friend!! So excited, I just can't hide it!!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
JOB
For those of you out there who didn't know this. I got a job with Valley Mental Health in their Vital Aging Project. I LOVE it! I get to hang out at Senior Centers and chat with the seniors and then I get to facilitate with another social worker/therapist a group. Right now we are talking about memory loss. Apparently I already am starting to have normal age related memory loss...what! Anyway, I'm very happy with the job and am quite enjoying myself. Oh and I have a badge I get to wear...I feel so grown up :)
Monday, June 20, 2011
Birthday Weekend
Went to Aspen, had a blast. Went horseback riding. Went shopping and to Sushi. Went to church and ran into my friend Braidy's Aunt, Grand-ma, and Cousin. Had a cooked meal by Jourdan and got to blow out candles on a deliciously yummy cake. Took pics with Jourdan. Had a crazy night in Moab with flooding and then made my way back to Draper and the list of things that need to get done. The End.
Friday, May 20, 2011
My Adventures...and then some :)
It's been busy!
From April 19th until today it's been go-go-go.
The week of April 19th, my parents came into town, Ali came into town, my brother Jake came into town, and Jake Hartranft came into town. My brother Pete graduated that weekend and then he, his wife, Izzy Jake (my bro), and my dad all left for Arizona and now I am Family-less in Utah. BUT not really because I have Cam, Diego, and Vans (who loves me...thought I'd plug that in there Cam)! And Kelle and Larry who are my parents when my parents are away! I HEART them all.
So after everyone left me :( My mom and I had to move all my stuff from my apartment in West Jordan, to my town house in Draper. (Have I mentioned me and this townhouse have a LOVE affair going on. I'm not kidding. I HEART it except for the front door. That's another topic for another day).
So then the movers came Saturday April 30th with all my stuff from MN...so for those who thought I might be going back, no chance no how now. I'm in Utah for the long run and actually enjoying myself. (didn't know how I would feel being back here but as long as I stay away from crazy conservative people and Provo, I tend to do okay :) Just kidding about the Conservative people...sort of ;)
So the next week my mom and I were busy unloading boxes and cleaning and I went through everything and made a large GIVE AWAY pile. And then my Good Friend Jourdan (She's an old Florida Friend and when I say old I mean we have known eachother wayyyyy longer then not knowing eachother. It's going on like 20 years. We HEART eachother). Anywho, she was in Moab for a job thing (way too long of an explanation). So while my mom dog sat, I drove to Moab and spent the day with her. We did the delicate arch hike and saw the double arch. Those are my pics below. And I came back and went to Cam's Graduation and Kelle and Larry's round up that weekend with Nori and she absolutly had a ball!!! She was all barking at the cows and trying to get in to nip at them and chase them. She really is a Bouvier mom, she's a born herder. I was super sick that day. I picked up some flu that was going around Moab. I left early and went home and got in bed and didn't get out of it for three days (except to get myself Kneaders soup and to walk the dog). Then when I started to feel better Jourdan asked if I would come back to Moab. I went back to Moab and ended up staying a week! We came back to SLC Saturday night so I could grab dog food, clothes, and do some laundry and went back Sunday after church. And I finally got home last night at 8 ish and I'm not gonna lie it was nice to sleep in my bed. So thus are the recent adventures of me. And now for the pictures! (please excuse the lack of order with these pictures. They're just kind of jumbled about together in no apparent order)
Ali and Izzy hanging out. Izzy loves to have her picture taken. She is so adorable!
The cows at the Round Up
Jourdan brought the bracelet back from Estonia for me. It's hand beaded. I LOVE it!!
Nori loving being at the Round Up
Jourdan in front of the Double Arch
Moi at the Double Arch
Ali and the Park City Moose
Ali and I on top of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
Jourdan under the Delicate Arch
Moi under the Delicate Arch
Ali and I in Park City
Strong WOMEN under the Delicate Arch
Strong Woman
W-O-M-A-N
Jourdan deciding the hike was a perfect time for a little rock climbing. No biggie...
On the hike up to the Delicate Arch
Jourdan at I at the Double Arch. It's back there...I just forgot to put it in my picture
The Delicate Arch
This is the Bathroom I helped Jourdan Seal
whoot whoot!! I am now a DIY person!!
This is the fireplace I helped to grout and seal (Jourdan grouted that side but I helped Grout the other side and I helped seal it.
This room looked like this
(oh, that's Brian. He was helping with the house too)
And the Room looked like this
Finished it looks like this.
(It will probably look even better when it's decorated).
From April 19th until today it's been go-go-go.
The week of April 19th, my parents came into town, Ali came into town, my brother Jake came into town, and Jake Hartranft came into town. My brother Pete graduated that weekend and then he, his wife, Izzy Jake (my bro), and my dad all left for Arizona and now I am Family-less in Utah. BUT not really because I have Cam, Diego, and Vans (who loves me...thought I'd plug that in there Cam)! And Kelle and Larry who are my parents when my parents are away! I HEART them all.
So after everyone left me :( My mom and I had to move all my stuff from my apartment in West Jordan, to my town house in Draper. (Have I mentioned me and this townhouse have a LOVE affair going on. I'm not kidding. I HEART it except for the front door. That's another topic for another day).
So then the movers came Saturday April 30th with all my stuff from MN...so for those who thought I might be going back, no chance no how now. I'm in Utah for the long run and actually enjoying myself. (didn't know how I would feel being back here but as long as I stay away from crazy conservative people and Provo, I tend to do okay :) Just kidding about the Conservative people...sort of ;)
So the next week my mom and I were busy unloading boxes and cleaning and I went through everything and made a large GIVE AWAY pile. And then my Good Friend Jourdan (She's an old Florida Friend and when I say old I mean we have known eachother wayyyyy longer then not knowing eachother. It's going on like 20 years. We HEART eachother). Anywho, she was in Moab for a job thing (way too long of an explanation). So while my mom dog sat, I drove to Moab and spent the day with her. We did the delicate arch hike and saw the double arch. Those are my pics below. And I came back and went to Cam's Graduation and Kelle and Larry's round up that weekend with Nori and she absolutly had a ball!!! She was all barking at the cows and trying to get in to nip at them and chase them. She really is a Bouvier mom, she's a born herder. I was super sick that day. I picked up some flu that was going around Moab. I left early and went home and got in bed and didn't get out of it for three days (except to get myself Kneaders soup and to walk the dog). Then when I started to feel better Jourdan asked if I would come back to Moab. I went back to Moab and ended up staying a week! We came back to SLC Saturday night so I could grab dog food, clothes, and do some laundry and went back Sunday after church. And I finally got home last night at 8 ish and I'm not gonna lie it was nice to sleep in my bed. So thus are the recent adventures of me. And now for the pictures! (please excuse the lack of order with these pictures. They're just kind of jumbled about together in no apparent order)
Ali and Izzy hanging out. Izzy loves to have her picture taken. She is so adorable!
The cows at the Round Up
Jourdan brought the bracelet back from Estonia for me. It's hand beaded. I LOVE it!!
Nori loving being at the Round Up
Jourdan in front of the Double Arch
Moi at the Double Arch
Ali and the Park City Moose
Ali and I on top of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
Jourdan under the Delicate Arch
Moi under the Delicate Arch
Ali and I in Park City
Strong WOMEN under the Delicate Arch
Strong Woman
W-O-M-A-N
Jourdan deciding the hike was a perfect time for a little rock climbing. No biggie...
On the hike up to the Delicate Arch
Jourdan at I at the Double Arch. It's back there...I just forgot to put it in my picture
The Delicate Arch
This is the Bathroom I helped Jourdan Seal
whoot whoot!! I am now a DIY person!!
This is the fireplace I helped to grout and seal (Jourdan grouted that side but I helped Grout the other side and I helped seal it.
This room looked like this
(oh, that's Brian. He was helping with the house too)
And the Room looked like this
Finished it looks like this.
(It will probably look even better when it's decorated).
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Gratitude
So in a week or two it will be the one year anniversary of my sister being admitted to the hospital and our life turning upside down as we watched her struggle and get worse and then miraculously get better. Tonight I just feel this immense gratitude towards my Father in Heaven for her health. I don't care what others believe or who they believe in but for me I thank my Heavenly Father for her health this past year and I'm grateful for Maggie's Faith that got her through it and for the Faith of others (in whoever, whatever they believe in) who said many prayers, sent good ju ju her way, and kept her in their thought as her body was trying to heal itself.
Today Maggie is doing so well! She's going to Augsburg College for Music Therapy. She did her first internship this year and it's so weird to have her around the dinner table talking about theories and then applying them to her work. She's been singing in a choir and I got to watch her sing at Christmas time and that was such a thrill to see her so happy and doing what she loves. Not only that, she made the Dean's list last semester! My sister is such a smarty pants! She been healthy and although it was slow at first she's back on the treadmill running like a crazy person and she had no loss to her cognitive abilities (which was a concern due to the encephalitis). I don't know why but I just felt this wave of gratitude come over me this evening. I'm grateful for Maggie and the joy that she brings to our family. She has a contagious laugh and I'm so happy that I get to laugh with her whenever I want. It was something I think I took for granted before. Anywho, this one is for you Mags! Love Ya!
Today Maggie is doing so well! She's going to Augsburg College for Music Therapy. She did her first internship this year and it's so weird to have her around the dinner table talking about theories and then applying them to her work. She's been singing in a choir and I got to watch her sing at Christmas time and that was such a thrill to see her so happy and doing what she loves. Not only that, she made the Dean's list last semester! My sister is such a smarty pants! She been healthy and although it was slow at first she's back on the treadmill running like a crazy person and she had no loss to her cognitive abilities (which was a concern due to the encephalitis). I don't know why but I just felt this wave of gratitude come over me this evening. I'm grateful for Maggie and the joy that she brings to our family. She has a contagious laugh and I'm so happy that I get to laugh with her whenever I want. It was something I think I took for granted before. Anywho, this one is for you Mags! Love Ya!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Pictures
Some pictures since I've been in Utah
Izzy and her puppy
Nori at Cam's place
That's her weird face
Hanging out at home
Izzy playing with Nori
Nori's new friend Otis
Nori making friend's at the dog park
Nori getting attacked by Schnauzer's
She loved it!
I came out from the bedroom and found
her like this on the couch.
I thought it was a funny position
Cam's daughter Vanessa (Vans)
Vans with a huge flower on her head
So cute!
Cam and Vans on a walk with me the other week
Izzy being silly
:)
Izzy and her puppy
Nori at Cam's place
That's her weird face
Hanging out at home
Izzy playing with Nori
Nori's new friend Otis
Nori making friend's at the dog park
Nori getting attacked by Schnauzer's
She loved it!
I came out from the bedroom and found
her like this on the couch.
I thought it was a funny position
Cam's daughter Vanessa (Vans)
Vans with a huge flower on her head
So cute!
Cam and Vans on a walk with me the other week
Izzy being silly
:)
Friday, February 18, 2011
U-U-U-Utah
So to say that this move was a difficult one would be an understatement. I had three weeks to pack up everything I own (and for anyone who knows me they would understand this would be difficult because I have ALOT of stuff). So the week before I had a few mental breakdowns and luckily there were some really nice friends to listen to me. The second reason this move was difficult was because I left some really great people in Minnesota. The third reason this move was so difficult was the dumb drive out to Utah. Man, it stunk. Luckily I had a Captain (I'm the First Mate, cause he is a way better driver then I am) who rocks at driving no matter what the conditions are. So the drive through Minnesota and Nebraska was fine. We hit Wyoming in the evening and had to pull over the first night a couple hours earlier then we had planned. We hoped that we could make it up the next day and still make it to Salt Lake in time for me to check in at my apartment complex.
We took pics at the hotel trying to keep a positive attitude.
Me and my pup
Jake and I
My puppy's favorite position and question, "does my butt look big?"
So that was the first night. The second day we get rolling on the earlish side and Nori decides to be a whiney butt for about an hour and half while Jake is driving so we switch places and she calms down and rolls up in a ball and goes to sleep. Are you kidding me? I don't know why she's such a goober with me me! When I start to drive we go through terrible patches and fine patches of road. I go between 40 mph at some points where there is ice and snow and strong winds to 75 mph (which is the speed limit. I was not speeding. Wyoming has a high speed limit. Somewhere around 5 PM we see a sign that says Hwy 80 (the only Highway through Wyoming) is shut down!! What!!! Not even dark yet, we could still have potentially made it to Salt Lake City (SLC) and we get can't any further because they shut down the ONLY HIGHWAY in Wyoming!! So I call my mother in a state of panic as we exit the high way behind some really large semi trucks and are just sitting in the exit because no one is moving. Annoying! We exit to a po-dunk town called Fort Bridger (Now if anyone from that town or a small town ever reads this, I apologize, but the population in the town was less then my graduating class so one could understand why I say that and also that I was a bit distressed when I was feeling this way. My brother kindly gets on the ohone (because our phones were barely working and had no internet access) and he gets us a room at the local motel! Hahahahahaha!!! (When I say motel, I mean motel. Not hotel...motel.) But first we had to get there. So Jake gets out and investigates what's going on. We call 911 and ask if there is an accident off the ramp keeping people there. Nope. So Jake off roads (in my little Mazda) and we go around all the Semi Trucks to find that they're just chilling there. They will probably be hanging out there until the highway opens. So then we go in search of our MOTEL. And what a lovely motel it was...from the outside. I was in the car looking at my friend Jake saying uh-uh, no way, not happening. And Jake was MR. Positive. This will be fun Bree. We'll see what Ft Bridger is all about. Don't worry about it. The motel was advertising that they have color TV's! Not joking folks! That's what kind of motel this was (which I'm sure is a very nice establishment), but if I'm gonna be stuck somewhere for another night I at least want a comfortable space and bed. So Jake gets back on the phone with my brother and they figure out another place and we gladly go there (they have an internet site!) And it turns out to be a very cute place that rents out personal cabins for travelers, etc. They had comfy beds, our own cabin, AND...a pizza hut across the street. Not gonna lie, that comfort food made all the difference. We went to bed early and woke up early the next morning to get on the road hoping that the highway would be open. It wasn't so we researched some back roads in the morning and decided to try it. (I wish I had pictures of the cute cabins).
So we get on the back roads and they don't seem so bad and we're about a half hour in when I go online and see that highway 80 just opened! Dang it! But we keep going and then we hit this spot that is not snowplowed. Jake and I both lookat each other. We both think in our heads, don't do it! But do we listen, no! So what happens, we go for it (IN MY MAZDA, have I mentioned I have a Mazda 3. Itty bitty little car that doesn't do so well in Minnesota winter weather. But we decide to go off roading in it). So at a couple other points we both think we should turn around but we don't and then what happens! We totally get stuck in a ditch in a snowdrift. We try to dig ourselves out and that doesn't work. And at one point Jake asks me for gloves but I don't know where they are so I trhow him a pair of simply wool socks to pull over his hands while he's digging at the car's wheel. After 5-10 min of pushing and trying we get back in the car and look at each other and sigh and I go, Okay I'll call my mom for the AAA number. As I am on the phone with her (telling her not to worry and yes we are fine) a truck goes by us. I wave them down and they tell us they're pulling their kid out of ditch cause their grand kid needs to get some medicine at the hospital and once they're done with them they'll be back for us! yay!! We're saved! Then the Sheriff rides by on his...wait for it...snow mobile!! (I love this town!) and he says he'll be back to help us. So, 20 min later after jake and I shoot a bunch of funny pictures cause all we can do is laugh this entire time they come back. We have the sheriff, his deputy, the man, and woman from the truck and they pull us out in a jiffy, we turn around and head back to the main streets to get back on I-80 and head to Salt Lake the way we should have in the first place. The remainder of the trip (the last 3 hours if that) went smoothly. The roads in Wyoming were pretty dang bad but once we crossed into Utah. It was smooth sailing and we made it there without any bumps or bruises or anything bad happening to anyone.
I have some great pictures of when we got stuck.
trying to shovel us out with the window ice remover thingy. It broke :(
Look make shift mittens
Keeping a positive attitude
Here we got stuck
where are we? Nobody knows!
Our rescuers!
Jake hung out for a week with me in Utah. We had a blast and then it was time for him to go. Now Nori and I are settling into life here in Utah. The weather was amazing the first week and Nori and I got in two jogs outside in the beautiful weather before it snowed and got too cold for jogs (just walks). But all in all I'd say we are settling in fine and I'm trying to figure out the whole job thing. But I've got a lot of people rooting for me so I know things will work out well for us.
So there is the adventure of Bree, Jake, and Nori on the road to Utah.
Peace Out!
We took pics at the hotel trying to keep a positive attitude.
Me and my pup
Jake and I
My puppy's favorite position and question, "does my butt look big?"
So that was the first night. The second day we get rolling on the earlish side and Nori decides to be a whiney butt for about an hour and half while Jake is driving so we switch places and she calms down and rolls up in a ball and goes to sleep. Are you kidding me? I don't know why she's such a goober with me me! When I start to drive we go through terrible patches and fine patches of road. I go between 40 mph at some points where there is ice and snow and strong winds to 75 mph (which is the speed limit. I was not speeding. Wyoming has a high speed limit. Somewhere around 5 PM we see a sign that says Hwy 80 (the only Highway through Wyoming) is shut down!! What!!! Not even dark yet, we could still have potentially made it to Salt Lake City (SLC) and we get can't any further because they shut down the ONLY HIGHWAY in Wyoming!! So I call my mother in a state of panic as we exit the high way behind some really large semi trucks and are just sitting in the exit because no one is moving. Annoying! We exit to a po-dunk town called Fort Bridger (Now if anyone from that town or a small town ever reads this, I apologize, but the population in the town was less then my graduating class so one could understand why I say that and also that I was a bit distressed when I was feeling this way. My brother kindly gets on the ohone (because our phones were barely working and had no internet access) and he gets us a room at the local motel! Hahahahahaha!!! (When I say motel, I mean motel. Not hotel...motel.) But first we had to get there. So Jake gets out and investigates what's going on. We call 911 and ask if there is an accident off the ramp keeping people there. Nope. So Jake off roads (in my little Mazda) and we go around all the Semi Trucks to find that they're just chilling there. They will probably be hanging out there until the highway opens. So then we go in search of our MOTEL. And what a lovely motel it was...from the outside. I was in the car looking at my friend Jake saying uh-uh, no way, not happening. And Jake was MR. Positive. This will be fun Bree. We'll see what Ft Bridger is all about. Don't worry about it. The motel was advertising that they have color TV's! Not joking folks! That's what kind of motel this was (which I'm sure is a very nice establishment), but if I'm gonna be stuck somewhere for another night I at least want a comfortable space and bed. So Jake gets back on the phone with my brother and they figure out another place and we gladly go there (they have an internet site!) And it turns out to be a very cute place that rents out personal cabins for travelers, etc. They had comfy beds, our own cabin, AND...a pizza hut across the street. Not gonna lie, that comfort food made all the difference. We went to bed early and woke up early the next morning to get on the road hoping that the highway would be open. It wasn't so we researched some back roads in the morning and decided to try it. (I wish I had pictures of the cute cabins).
So we get on the back roads and they don't seem so bad and we're about a half hour in when I go online and see that highway 80 just opened! Dang it! But we keep going and then we hit this spot that is not snowplowed. Jake and I both lookat each other. We both think in our heads, don't do it! But do we listen, no! So what happens, we go for it (IN MY MAZDA, have I mentioned I have a Mazda 3. Itty bitty little car that doesn't do so well in Minnesota winter weather. But we decide to go off roading in it). So at a couple other points we both think we should turn around but we don't and then what happens! We totally get stuck in a ditch in a snowdrift. We try to dig ourselves out and that doesn't work. And at one point Jake asks me for gloves but I don't know where they are so I trhow him a pair of simply wool socks to pull over his hands while he's digging at the car's wheel. After 5-10 min of pushing and trying we get back in the car and look at each other and sigh and I go, Okay I'll call my mom for the AAA number. As I am on the phone with her (telling her not to worry and yes we are fine) a truck goes by us. I wave them down and they tell us they're pulling their kid out of ditch cause their grand kid needs to get some medicine at the hospital and once they're done with them they'll be back for us! yay!! We're saved! Then the Sheriff rides by on his...wait for it...snow mobile!! (I love this town!) and he says he'll be back to help us. So, 20 min later after jake and I shoot a bunch of funny pictures cause all we can do is laugh this entire time they come back. We have the sheriff, his deputy, the man, and woman from the truck and they pull us out in a jiffy, we turn around and head back to the main streets to get back on I-80 and head to Salt Lake the way we should have in the first place. The remainder of the trip (the last 3 hours if that) went smoothly. The roads in Wyoming were pretty dang bad but once we crossed into Utah. It was smooth sailing and we made it there without any bumps or bruises or anything bad happening to anyone.
I have some great pictures of when we got stuck.
trying to shovel us out with the window ice remover thingy. It broke :(
Look make shift mittens
Keeping a positive attitude
Here we got stuck
where are we? Nobody knows!
Our rescuers!
Jake hung out for a week with me in Utah. We had a blast and then it was time for him to go. Now Nori and I are settling into life here in Utah. The weather was amazing the first week and Nori and I got in two jogs outside in the beautiful weather before it snowed and got too cold for jogs (just walks). But all in all I'd say we are settling in fine and I'm trying to figure out the whole job thing. But I've got a lot of people rooting for me so I know things will work out well for us.
So there is the adventure of Bree, Jake, and Nori on the road to Utah.
Peace Out!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Ode to Minnesota
Ode to the Minnesota Roads
Minnesota roads...you stink.
Why do you hate me so with your
ginormous pot holes.
Seriously!
My little mazda can only take
so many more of those.
It shakes and stutters
in the roads that were once so pretty.
Why does the weather
go from cold to hot,
cold to hot?
It's really annoying!
Please Vicksburg and 494
Clean up the roads!
So my poor little (awesome) car
doesn't loose a tire to these...
Minnesota roads.
Haha sometimes I crack myself up.
On even better news, I am officially moving to Utah in just a little over a week. Now Charlotte I know you think in ONLY LA really crazy stuff happens, but just so you know...here's how last night/morning went down:
My dog woke me up at 4 AM for a frigid walk in freezing and windchilled weather because she is sick AGAIN. I seriously have the equal to me in a dog (as far as health issues go). So I put on all my winter gear (sweat pants, boots, down jacket, mittens, hat) and take the dog out. I always carry a really heavy flash light whenever I walk her after dark. Not necesarily to see her better with but more for the comfort of having something heavy I could hit someone with if I was ever in such a situation it was needed (I watch way too much CSI, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order, but whatever! That's not under discussion right now). So we walk out the front door and towards the side yard and I see a squad car driving up the hill of my neighborhood on it's way out. I think
-huh, that's weird. Why is a squad car in my sleepy, and usually quiet neighborhood (except for those pesky neighbor's dogs that bark at 5 AM. You know who you are!).
But I continue and pay no mind until the squad car decides to make a U turn in my neighborhood and drives right up next to my yard and seriously shines his spot light on me. My poor puppy is already uncomfortable enough going to the bathroom, but then a light is shinning on her. She looked at me as if to say
-come on dude! This is embarrassing enough without the light in my face!
So what does Bree do? She waves like a dork to the police officer. I figured, a prowler wouldn't wave so I thought if I wave he'll get it that yes, I am walking my dog at 4 AM. Yes, it's pretty lame to be out here in the freezing cold with her. But when she's gotta go, she's gotta go. So yup I waved. He or she (who knows. I was too tired to care) continues down the neighborhood again with his spot light on every house and yard and he's just passing my house again as we are walking to the door to go back up to bed.
So as I walk into my house a thought pops into my head
-why is a police officer in my neighborhood at 4 AM and spotlighting the neighbors yards, etc? Why exactly would he be looking for prowlers here at 4 AM?
So, with the thought in my head that he's looking for a prowler there is absolutely no way in H-E double hockey sticks that I am going to bed!! Oh, no! The once tired, sleepy, bleary eyed Bree is wide awake to every sound she hears in the house. Every light is immediately turned on and now I'm just sitting in bed twiddling my thumbs because I can't get this idea of a prowler out of my head. So, the dog easily falls back into a lovely sleep and I am stuck in bed flipping through my netflix index until the sun starts to rise and I can turn off all the lights and get a couple hours of sleep before I need to get my day rolling.
Moral of my story:
A) It's a good thing I was already carrying the large-and-in-charge flashlight because now I'm never going outside to walk her at night without it!
B) The dog should really learn how to hold it
So, see Charlotte. MN can be just as crazy as LA...I mean without the whole drug bust and cops running through my backyard and stuff BUT still, we're just as crazy.
:)
I'll miss you Minnesota. Really, I will.
Minnesota roads...you stink.
Why do you hate me so with your
ginormous pot holes.
Seriously!
My little mazda can only take
so many more of those.
It shakes and stutters
in the roads that were once so pretty.
Why does the weather
go from cold to hot,
cold to hot?
It's really annoying!
Please Vicksburg and 494
Clean up the roads!
So my poor little (awesome) car
doesn't loose a tire to these...
Minnesota roads.
Haha sometimes I crack myself up.
On even better news, I am officially moving to Utah in just a little over a week. Now Charlotte I know you think in ONLY LA really crazy stuff happens, but just so you know...here's how last night/morning went down:
My dog woke me up at 4 AM for a frigid walk in freezing and windchilled weather because she is sick AGAIN. I seriously have the equal to me in a dog (as far as health issues go). So I put on all my winter gear (sweat pants, boots, down jacket, mittens, hat) and take the dog out. I always carry a really heavy flash light whenever I walk her after dark. Not necesarily to see her better with but more for the comfort of having something heavy I could hit someone with if I was ever in such a situation it was needed (I watch way too much CSI, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order, but whatever! That's not under discussion right now). So we walk out the front door and towards the side yard and I see a squad car driving up the hill of my neighborhood on it's way out. I think
-huh, that's weird. Why is a squad car in my sleepy, and usually quiet neighborhood (except for those pesky neighbor's dogs that bark at 5 AM. You know who you are!).
But I continue and pay no mind until the squad car decides to make a U turn in my neighborhood and drives right up next to my yard and seriously shines his spot light on me. My poor puppy is already uncomfortable enough going to the bathroom, but then a light is shinning on her. She looked at me as if to say
-come on dude! This is embarrassing enough without the light in my face!
So what does Bree do? She waves like a dork to the police officer. I figured, a prowler wouldn't wave so I thought if I wave he'll get it that yes, I am walking my dog at 4 AM. Yes, it's pretty lame to be out here in the freezing cold with her. But when she's gotta go, she's gotta go. So yup I waved. He or she (who knows. I was too tired to care) continues down the neighborhood again with his spot light on every house and yard and he's just passing my house again as we are walking to the door to go back up to bed.
So as I walk into my house a thought pops into my head
-why is a police officer in my neighborhood at 4 AM and spotlighting the neighbors yards, etc? Why exactly would he be looking for prowlers here at 4 AM?
So, with the thought in my head that he's looking for a prowler there is absolutely no way in H-E double hockey sticks that I am going to bed!! Oh, no! The once tired, sleepy, bleary eyed Bree is wide awake to every sound she hears in the house. Every light is immediately turned on and now I'm just sitting in bed twiddling my thumbs because I can't get this idea of a prowler out of my head. So, the dog easily falls back into a lovely sleep and I am stuck in bed flipping through my netflix index until the sun starts to rise and I can turn off all the lights and get a couple hours of sleep before I need to get my day rolling.
Moral of my story:
A) It's a good thing I was already carrying the large-and-in-charge flashlight because now I'm never going outside to walk her at night without it!
B) The dog should really learn how to hold it
So, see Charlotte. MN can be just as crazy as LA...I mean without the whole drug bust and cops running through my backyard and stuff BUT still, we're just as crazy.
:)
I'll miss you Minnesota. Really, I will.
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