Dragonfly

On our walk near the Boise River last week, we came upon a spot where the dragonflies like to hang out.  It didn't take long to be able to capture one on film...

There were only red ones at this spot.  I think this was the first time I saw a dragonfly in a color different than blue or green.

Double Rainbow

How much is a pot of gold worth these days?  If only I could find the end of both of those rainbows...

Latest happenings...

Just a quick update on what's been happening to the Sarrazolla's in Smurfville...

• Gretchen:  The decision has been made and the consensus is in:  I will be entering in the "daisies", "wagon wheel", and "bricks" pics in the Western Idaho Fair this year.  I have volunteered to be the BKHS Band President this year (not sure what I've gotten myself into) but it'll keep me busy.  I'm also back to my theology studies...the university gave me a couple of free graduate level classes because I was honest about the problems I've had in their program over the past few years and was going to pull out altogether.  I have to say, though, I am not really enjoying it.  As much as I like the professor, it would be nice to have another teacher just for variety.  Oh, and thanks to my aging metabolism, I just can't seem to lose those 20 pounds, as much as I'm trying.  Whatever...I don't really need to impress anyone at Mandy's wedding...If they care more about how much weight I've gained than how beautiful the bride is, then shame on them.  :-)
• Nate:  He's been on two scout trips this summer (including the leadership camp) and was inducted into the "Order of the Arrow."  He will be going on an OA trip this weekend.  He is looking forward to school starting...not because he likes school, but because he is missing his friends.  He still hasn't taken any driver's education classes (I still can't figure that one out...I couldn't wait until I had my license!). He's had two moles removed from his back that came back benign but abnormal so he has to go in for another excision to make sure they got all the bad cells.  Nate has been making YouTube videos and playing video games on the computer, especially "MineCrap," oops, I mean "MineCraft."  
• Damien:  This little guy has been playing lots of video games this summer, much to my chagrin.  And, before you say "but you can stop him from playing, you're the parent" let me remind you that sometimes it is easier to let him play the games or watch TV than to deal with the crappy attitude when we go out on "field trips" that he doesn't want to go on.  That being said, he's also been doing a lot of reading...he's into two books at the moment:  The Lord of the Rings and Dark as Night (a modern re-telling of the classic fairytale, Snow White).  Right now he seems to be battling some sort of stomach bug and is still asleep (it's 9:45 am and he NEVER sleeps past 7:30 a.m.).  He's looking forward to school, too, because he got into Mrs. Judy's class (that's who he wanted to have as his 6th grade teacher) and because he wants to see his friends again.  
• Carl:  I will not take ballroom/swing dance lessons, as much as he's asking me to join with him at the studio.  He's been taking private and group lessons, I think, to prepare to be able to dance at his niece's wedding in September.  He also interviewed for a permanent position at Blue Cross so we're keeping our fingers crossed and hope to hear soon if he got the job.  Besides working and dancing, he's still a volunteer assistant scoutmaster with Nate's troop and will co-teach the Teen Bible Study at church with me this fall.  

There are the highlights thus far...when I write it, it doesn't seem like it, but this has been a REALLY busy summer that has gone by WAY too fast.  

The Western Idaho Fair...I need a little help!

Well, I've decided that I really, really, really want to enter the photography competition at The Western Idaho Fair this year, even if I really don't have much chance of winning.  That being said, I'm going to give it my best.  The problem is, I can't seem to narrow down to three which of the following pictures I like best (I can only enter one picture per categories for a maximum of three categories).   So, because I have the most awesome friends with the best, critical eyes, I need your help...please let me know which pictures you like best (either here on the poll, in the combox, by email or on Facebook).  Of course, if you don't like any of these, I will not take offense, I promise (I'll just have these printed with the next Free Print promotion at Shutterfly and somehow, miraculously, they will appear in your mailbox....just kidding.)  Thanks for your help!

"Bricks" (Architectural)

"Daisies" (Floral)

"Poppy" (Close-Up/Macro)

"Wagon Wheel" (Abstract)

"Yosemite" (Landscape)

Fall does not have a monopoly on color

We've almost come full circle.  One year ago we moved from our Carlsbad house and set up temporary digs while we prepared to head north to Meridian.  I expected that I would like, no scratch that...LOVE the change of seasons.  What I didn't see coming is how BEAUTIFUL spring would be.  Not only did the change from shorter, grayer days to longer, warmer, sunnier days impress me, the colors blooming from the trees...WOW!  I never imagined that Spring could compete so well with Fall.  The visual pleasure of seeing vibrant pinks, yellows and whites on not just one tree, but virtually all of the upright giants, made my sneezing and wheezing almost worth it.  Spring here in Idaho is gorgeous...the simple pleasure of viewing blooming Jacaranda trees in the Spring and Fall and the one or two liquid amber trees that would kind of turn colors in the Fall back in the sunny south C-A, pales in comparison to the treat for the eyes that is Spring here in the Treasure Valley.  The constant change in color and bloom on the plants and trees never leaves me bored.  I so appreciate that.

Anyway, not that my pictures could ever do it justice, but here are a few views of Spring here in Smurfville...

The boys still like hunting for plastic Easter eggs.

Blossoms on the cherry plum tree in our front yard.

From afar, this tree looked like it was covered in puffs of snow.

More plum blossoms, this time from a tree in the mall parking lot.

Saw this bloom in the median near the entrance to Bridgetower and just had to stop and take a picture of it.

One of the many medians in our housing development with blooming trees.

The house with "Spring Fever."

Spring has sprung!

Yes, Spring has sprung.  I wasn't quite sure there for a moment since, well, it uhm...snowed, SNOWED... on the actual first day of springtime.  But, I'm seeing all the signs of a vernal paradise.


There's new growth on the trees...

the grass is growing (take a look at how GREEN it is!...yes, I do believe the neighbors and maybe a few Leprechauns are jealous)...

the patio door has been open all day long and even Weather Underground reveals the mild climate and "April showers" headed our way...

But, I think the biggest sign that the season of transition between winter and summer has arrived is...

I want to scrub, Scrub, SCRUB my house from top, to bottom, and do it all over again!

Not that I'm going to let a little spring cleaning get way of the rest and relaxation of Spring Break, though.  Let the laziness continue!

Phew! It's been one heck of a ride!

Ok, so I've been a little behind on updating the blog...for good reason.  In January, I accepted a part-time, temporary job-share assistant business manager position (yes, that was a mouthful) at my oldest son's high school.  While the hours should have allowed me ample time to keep up with website/blog maintenance, unfortunately, the stretch of the brain cells which have been inactive since I was an accountant eons ago has left me completely and utterly exhausted.  Until now.  I'm two months into the job and I am finding that, though I am still treading water and not quite swimming, I'm at least not in danger of sinking under.  The people I work with are kind and patient and the environment is a healthy one...of course, it is not devoid of the usual office politics but, unlike my brief stint with the notorious accounting firm, Arthur Andersen, the culture is full of ethics and centered firmly on the mission of Christ.  Yay!

I'm also finally closing in on finding a primary care doctor...I know, I know...eight months is way too long to be without a physician.  I did have a rheumatologist here (she took me 3 months to find and I really, REALLY liked her) but one week before my second appointment, I found out that she suddenly left the practice of medicine.  Now, I have to start that whole process again.  St. Alphonsus, pray for me! (He's the patron saint of arthritis patients, just in case you didn't know...oh, and the name sake of the Catholic hospital and medical system here in the Treasure Valley...how's that for coincidence).   I did find another rheumatologist through St. Luke's (the Lutheran medical system) but she will need to review my case first and maybe in two weeks I'll be able to schedule an appointment to see her in August.  Yep, August.   Hopefully, I'll be able to get my new primary care physician to renew my Enbrel prescription before it runs out next month!  Or, maybe I'll just ask for a cure through St. Alphonsus' intercession.

The weather here has been interesting.  Getting snow so late in the season means that many of the ski resorts will stay open a little later than normal.  March 19th, one day before Spring hit, was a decently warm day...temps in the upper 50's.  But, the first day of Spring was greeted with snow.  Yesterday, a day into the season of growth saw clear skies and temps nearing Southern California norms...a balmy high of 62 degrees F.  It was awesome.  However, fast forward to today and now we have rain and lower temps again. I can't ever figure out how to dress.  I'm thinking I now know what the concept of a "commuter coat" is...it's a coat you always keep in your car, just in case the weather gets all psycho on you.

Last weekend we attended our first BK Irish Fest.  I've never seen it happen, but even Carl got a little Irish on him and put a green ribbon on his hat.  How's that for a dedicated "I hate the ND Irish and anything remotely related to them" Trojan boy?!?!  I donated a rosary made from sterling silver and bloodstone which was blessed by my favorite priest at our parish.  I was so pleased that the school's Booster Club took in $145 from the silent auction of the rosary.  I'll make another next year...and maybe a couple of rosary bracelets in school colors, too.

The boys are fighting all sorts of colds this year...I'm chalking it up to being exposed to a new climate and ecosystem.  Damien has been officially diagnosed with asthma and coughs ALL. THE.  TIME.  except when's he's sleeping.  We've been working hard to manage the symptoms but the many colds are making it difficult for Damien to suppress the coughing for good.  Luckily, though, he is not allergic to the many pollens one can find in Idaho.

Nate is thankful to have had the opportunity to wrestle this year but has pretty much decided that he is "one and done."  For him, it was too much effort for too little reward.  He might try golf next year.  We shall see.  We are all happy that wrestling season is over so now he can concentrate on scouting...becoming an Eagle scout is still his goal.  He is also thankful to have more time to delve deeper into his studies for Confirmation and not have to feel so rushed.

We all realized this week that it has been nearly a full year since our house sold (April 14th marks the one year anniversary of the sale).  Time flies where you're...uhm...busy.  And having fun.  We are immensely enjoying our new digs though we sometimes feel the pangs of distance, missing all of our family and friends in So. Cal.

Anyway, thus end the highlights from Smurfville.

God bless!