What's A Girl To Do

Disney Castle and the Jenner!

2011-08-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

Surprise! We went to Neuschwanstein- the castle Disney uses for his logo, and the most ostentatiously decadent but interesting residence I've seen to date. The castle wasn't finished because crazy Ludwig was found dead- murdered? suicide?- before his time. He was a little light in the loafers and was completely engaged in theater and the arts of the time- and his castle shows his priorities. Mythological tales and folklore from the plays of his time are shown in murals all over, with details on every inch of ceiling, floor and corner. I knew I would like this- I had no idea I would LOVE this! We got to hike around a bit and our pictures from the bridge are wunderbar!

Yesterday we took the Jennerbon- gondolas up the berg Jenner. We hiked around as a family and then Matt, Laceye, Jordan and I took the gondola to the very top for the view and another hike into the next valley overlooking the state of Salzburg- so schon!

More to come!

Do Ray Mi and Salt Mines

2011-08-01T22:23:00.000-07:00

The first day, we drove to Salzburg, Austria and took a delightful tour with our very personable guide, Christian. He showed us most every location from the Sound of Music scenes over the course of five hours, with much of Salzburg history, his own philosophies and girl troubles. He was ausgetzichnet! We had lunch near the MozartPlatz where the fountain is.

Yesterday we hit the salt mines in Durnnberg (pictures to come- so crazy!) where we rode benches on railway tracks deep into the mines and slid down wooden slides and, yes, crossed a lake on a boat under the ground!! We toured next to Jennerberg and had some eis in a cone next to Konigsee.

No time to write! Off to the next adventure!

With the Sound of Music?

2011-07-30T23:54:00.001-07:00

Day one in Germany! We are staying in a little village called Neuhaus outside of Schliersee (a lake city!) about an hour from Munich. Below you will see the picture from Matt and my balcony view! The hills are ALIVE!! All of the houses and buildings here are truly Bavarian, with beautiful church steeples scattered around the green hills and old mountains. Last night I had my first Schnitzel (traditional dish of some sort of veal and potato) and my first Dunkel Bier (dark beer)! The gasthauses here (restaurants, that either was or currently is also a place to sleep) allow dogs inside and we saw a scheoner hundt at the table next to ours. I woke up at 2am ready for the day- hello jetlag- but was able to fall back to sleep until 6am. Dad Gaither and I ran out for some Brotchen this morning- an amazing breakfast bread. If this nursing thing doesn't work out, I will most definitely open a German bakery as plan B. Der-licious!

Today we are going to Saltzburg, where The Sound of Music was filmed and where Mozart's mansion sits. More photogs to come as the trip progresses.

To Introduce the Wonders of Men: Part 2

2011-03-29T14:30:00.001-07:00

Here are several more (wooden) reasons my man Gaither is wonderful:

To say goodbye to Meg and Jack?

2011-02-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

A sad day in rock and roll. But they want it to be seen as a positive thing. I'm positive I want to see The Raconteurs now that the White Stripes are no option.

Here's a sweet song written originally by Dolly Parton. Goodbye, Meg and Jack. You were weird, but you were so good.

WHALE, Merry Christmas!

2010-12-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Winter Solstice Eclipse

2010-12-20T20:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the first time since December 21, 1638, that a total lunar eclipse will simultaneously occur with Winter Solstice. Merry Christmas, world.

Go to this link to see what time you should be watching in your time zone.

At the Cosby Show!?!?

2010-10-15T09:43:00.001-07:00

My dreams from youth have finally come true: tickets to Bill Cosby. I am beside myself with excitement. November 14th, Spokane INB. Here's a classic teaser for your enjoyment.

With Sufjan Stevens: All Delighted People EP

2010-09-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

All delighted people raise their hands: if you're delighted for another EP from Sufjan.

When Kids Say the Darndest Things?!

2010-09-10T19:13:00.000-07:00

This semester I'm enrolled in practicum courses for both community health and family health (pediatrics and obstetrics). I knew family health would be fun and engaging- lots to learn about treating babes and children- and I had wondered before beginning nursing school if I would want to do something in pediatrics. What I didn't know was that in my community health clinicals I would be assigned to working with the school nurse in Pullman and with Headstart here in Moscow- a double dose of the little rascals this semester.

I had predicted this semester to be a good time- and my first rotations with the school nurse Michelle didn't let me down. Our first item of business: check all the students in Mrs. X's 1st grade class for head lice. Oh, boy. My instant reaction was a humble preparation for presenting and investigating into a delicate subject for the little tykes.

Sidebar Confession: I had head-lice when I was little, and it was the most shamed I've ever felt in my life. My mom had a heart attack, we had to comb through my hair (lots, lots of long hair) for about 57 hours, my poor little sister caught them since we shared a bed, and we basically should have just bull-dozed our house instead of trying to decontaminate. But if all THAT wasn't bad enough, we had to call to every house I had been in for the previous month and inform them that they now needed to boil their sheets and pray to God this microscopic scalp plague had not descended upon them. Grandparents. Cousins. Friends, soon to be X-friends. And of course the doctor explained, "They prefer clean hair- there's nothing wrong with you," but not even a licensed professional could shovel the humiliation from the depths of my soul. I would have much preferred a scarlet "A" on my dress, thanks very much Mr. Hawthorne.

Now you have an understanding of the soberness I carried, along with my clinical clipboard, into this classroom. Michelle spoke to the 46 eyes blinking at her. "I'm here to check for head lice because the state requires it. These are tiny bugs that can live on your scalp. They don't harm you, but they will make you itch very badly. You can't see them on anyone else's head, and you can't tell if someone else has them just because they itch. You don't know where they come from, so you can't tell if it's from him or her- they just come out of no where. If we find them, we'll send a note home to tell your parents how to get them out." I was impressed with such a calm explanation of the little mites, and I thought she did a very gracious job protecting some dignity for any victim, should we find lice.

About 8-10 little hands shot up. Glorious.
First little boy: "I have microscopic bugs that suck the blood out of my scalp. They are MICRO-scop-IC."
Michelle: "Thanks for sharing."
2nd: "I have dandruff so don't think it's the lice."
M: "Good point. Dandruff is not lice."
3rd: "I had lice last week."
all together now: "I've had lice" "Me too" "My head itches too."

Turns out they were all lice-free and I wished I had been in this 1st-grade class because I would have evidently been the cool kid.

That afternoon I was filing immunization records for Michelle in her office, which is right across the door from the principal's office. Fortune smiles upon me. About 2:30pm a teacher goes into the office with a small boy, maybe 2nd grade. I hear her tell the principal, "Danny has had an incident on the playground, and he thinks he has a very good explanation for you. Danny, go ahead and tell him what happened." The boy spoke very softly, but I could decipher something about "blue" and "paint" and "fingers" and something about "it was my color first." There was a dramatic pause from the principal and he finally said,

"Danny, everything you did was just fine.... up until you bit her finger."

School nurses have great jobs. God bless teachers.

As an Auntie?!

2010-08-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome, Kinley Paige Legate, to this world! Stompin' in at 7lbs, 15oz. and 20inches, she'll steal your heart and your kisses. Stubborn as her momma from the beginning. Good job, Chels and Lee~

Oll Raigth?!

2010-07-01T08:20:00.001-07:00

Ooo-da-la-lee!

2010-06-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

Here's my first watercolor project: pick a cartoon character, sketch and watercolor. A good exercise in color mixing and control. Method: wet on dry, whistling the Robin Hood song as I went.

To Show You Palouse Natural Beef?

2010-04-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

So here it is, what we've all been waiting for:

www.PalouseNaturalBeef.com

Healthy cows. Happy people.

Check it out and add your email if you'd like to get the news on the latest sales and recipes!

With her Keys?

2010-04-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

Look what the ol' man can make!

To Introduce the Wonders of Men, Part One.

2010-03-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

Since I have been married for one year, two months and twenty days, I know pretty much everything about men. Just kidding. But here are a limited number of my favorite things about the opposite sex, as seen in my ol' man. I am intrigued by and delight in the differences.

1. Masters of Sound Effect.

Matt can put his tongue to the roof of his mouth and create such a force of pressure between the two that when he pulls away the effect created could damage your hearing should you find yourself unfortunately close to him. I asked him how he does that. He says it's the same as clicking your tongue, but magnified. Yes, but HOW do you magnify this? Well, says he, you can see that I'm not straining my neck (referring to my attempts to make this amplified POP, but only succeeding in looking like an old turtle), and I guess it's more like the force you use with a straw, only back in the middle of the roof of your mouth. Someday I will wake the mountains with this sound, as only my husband can; but, alas, for now I can only produce the same click I've done since I was two.

This is but one example. Think about the males you've encountered, and remember a time they animated a story. I guarantee there was at least one moment your eyes widened at the added sound effects. It's a wondrous thing and I cherish the moments.

2. Tool Connoisseurs.

I consider myself to be a curious person. I like asking questions, and I like to think I ask intelligent questions (whatever that means). Something that boggles my mind is that every time I see some sort of gadget or gizmo or whoz-it or whatz-it and ask Matt, expecting a baffling question mark to be added over his head- he knows.

"Matt, what is that monster?" I asked this week as we drove by some sort of large metal contraption on wheels painted the same yellow someone decided would be the color of construction. It had water steaming around it and running down the sides and the whole lane was blocked off with cones as ten men with the-same-yellow-colored construction hats protecting their brains stood around watching the one guy controlling it.

Now, I know Matt has never used one of these by the powers of reason. He's only ever used a tractor and a four-wheeler for occupational purposes to my knowledge. Why would he know what this is?

He did. "It seems to be some sort of masonry saw and the water generated is to cool it from the amount of heat created from trying to cut through stone."

HOW? WHO taught you? Do all fathers pass this down in some sort of oratory tradition? Did Matt think to ask these questions before I ever did when he was but a wee lad and has therefore a much larger database for monster tools? Incredible.

3. Animals like him first.

Granted I have only observed this mostly with other people's dogs we are just meeting, so perhaps it's not across the board, but I would estimate about 90% of our encounters with new animals, the dog or cat seeks Matt's attention first. I've seen this with Jeff and our dog Elmo- even though I'm pretty sure Mom's the one who feeds him. I've seen it with my Paw Paw and two consecutive toy poodles he purchased for my Maw Maw's delight. They end up following him to build sheds and go fishing before you would ever witness them wanting to be groomed in any sort of fashion (which I think is a very tragic tradition for the poor pups).

Perhaps the animals can smell the adventure and testosterone oozing out of man-pores. But I happen to love adventure, and every girl has a little testosterone- so I'm not sure if this is logical. You could say that maybe they can sense Matt's kindness- but come on, more than ME?! I would probably give them my bed if they twirked their head cockeyed and sniffed the air at me just right. AH! Maybe it is the fearless dominance men don't mind exerting over what's said to be their dominion. But Matt really just pats their heads and scratches their backs, and I don't think they're THAT intuitive. Whatever it is, Matt's got it. Remarkable.

with KITTENS inspired by KITTENS?!

2010-02-05T17:32:00.001-08:00

I haven't laughed this hard since yesterday. But I laugh a lot.

To Merry Your Christmas?

2009-12-20T16:56:00.000-08:00

with Human Irony?

2009-12-03T20:40:00.000-08:00

I was about to crumple up some paper to restart a lazy fire, when a headline caught my eye from November 10 of this year. Vandalism draws students' attention.

You see, right outside Moscow, there's a billboard rented by The Humanists- an organization that seeks to be "good without god," according to their site.

Recently, the billboard that had initially read "Millions are good without god" was vandalized to read "Millions are good with god."

So many things to say about this, but what strikes me is that the humanists, who so firmly believe in "no deity will save us; we must save ourselves," are being passively persecuted by none other than the human race. Although, I suppose the culprit has not been caught yet, so it could have been the chupacabra, seen here recently in Moscow...

In Texas Thanksgiving and the Flood?

2009-12-03T20:03:00.001-08:00

Matt and I were fortunate enough to fly down to Texas for Thanksgiving. As always, it was a whirlwind of hugs, food, chatting, food, hugs, food, sharing brewskys, food, watching a movie while eating food and then some dessert. Despite our less active selves, it did my heart good to be with the parental units and greater circles of bloodline. Highlights included feeling my nephew/niece kick in Jenny's belly, taking family blood pressures, fighting dogs off at my MawMaw and PawPaw's house, watching 2 Ballards and a Gaither man's legs as they wrestled pipes under a bathroom sink, my brother asking whether to pee on Tucker's (teacup yorkshire) incontinence pad or in the toilet and OH so much more. Did I mention we had LOTS of food- Thanksgiving lunch AND dinner being no exception? I absolutely love talking with my family and I realize more and more that just being with each other is comforting- no need for lots of bells and whistles.

Before and after flying down to The Friendly State, Matt and I stayed with our friends Tara and Patrick Oar- very generous hosts- and perused Seattle. If you have not been and you are living or traveling through this sleepless city- I highly recommend Annapurna Cafe- tasty morsels of the Nepalese/Indian variety- and The Stumbling Monk- a 1st-class, dimly lit, cozy Belgian brew-pub, no less. We also got a couple of hours in The Magic School Bus going through the human anatomy- or the closest thing to it: Bodies... The Exhibition. The controversy over this is apparently the Chinese have not released records for any of the bodies in the exhibit, and some wonder at the maintaining of the anatomy without injecting someone before death with the "plasticizing" material into the vasculature, etc. I hope it's not true because this science exhibit is worth the measly $15 ticket- but I wouldn't trust China as far as I could throw them. Ask Tibet. The exhibit was truly so rad for this nurse-wannabe.

And cut to Sunday night arriving home. We walk into a freezing house- colder than usual without a fire going for over a week- but the weather had been getting colder. Matt noted the furnace must not have worked- disobedient lump of metal! Quick trip to the bathroom- huh, the toilet's not flushing quite right... and time for tea! But what's THIS?!? No pressure there... Matt BOLTS out the back and comes running back in- yup, you guessed it. 3 and a half feet of water had collected under our house during the week we had been gone from a busted pipe on the side of our house. You can see The Flood documented by the Nikon below.
So, the Wilsons over at The Big Haus kindly offered us a fabulous room and we stayed there a couple nights until the water was pumped out of the unfinished root cellar. Inside the house is okay, but all the insulation Matt put in not a year ago and most of our vegetables from this year were ruined. We DID save a few floating pumpkins! Sea-worthy vessels, who knew? It's also the closest I've been to living in a houseboat, and isn't that exciting?

Hopefully by tomorrow, the plumbers will be able to fix the pipe that Matt slaved away in uncovering by digging a very deep trench today. It just reminds us to continue being thankful for all things- families, breathtakingly complex bodies and running water.

With Painted Fauna Metacarpals?

2009-10-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

Unbelievable. For some of them, it took me a while to figure out how it was even a hand. Enjoi.

Credit: http://guidodaniele.com/

To go back to dating in the 80's??

2009-10-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

If only I had been of legal age when this little gem came out. Matt wouldn'a had a chance!

I don't even know where to begin with my favorite quotes...

YOU decide!

*Thanks to the lovely Jackie Beeler for this one.

In Nursing School?

2009-09-27T17:05:00.001-07:00

Hey-yoooo. I am alive after all, and here's what I'm doing:

Monday: Meet for carpool @ 7. Class in Lewiston 8am-5pm. Quiz day in Professional Role Development. Home by 6. To bed early.

Tuesday: Clinicals- now in Acute Care @ Pullman Hospital. Leave by 6:30am if driving, 6am if biking. Finished by 2-3pm. Grower's market with Matt 4-6:30pm. Pipe night and Lewis Reading @ The Big Haus 7:30-9pm.- the Space Trilogy, starting with Out of the Silent Planet.

Wednesday: Clinicals again. Bible study @ 7:30 at the Big Haus- Hebrews this semester. Study/read for pharmacology.

Thursday: Meet for carpool at 8am. Class 9-3pm. Quiz in Pharmacology. Home by 4. Study/read for Med/Surg.

Friday: Meet for carpool @ 8am. Quiz in Med/Surg. Home by 1pm normally, unless additional testing that week- woohoo! Harvest if Clean Quickcare with Matt (usually) some time before bed.

Saturday- 5am, prepare for farmer's market- load truck, breakfast. To site by 6:30-6:45. Set up and sell produce 8am-12pm. Afternoon for catch up- Gritman from 6-10:30p, normally. Help Matt clean Quickcare.

Sunday: Hallelujah! Sleep in to 7 or 8 and enjoy church. Gritman 6-10:30, normally. Study for Professional Role Development quiz.

Now spice things up with extra assignments, readings, lab work and the occasional house clean= why I'm no longer cool.

Fortunately I have a fabulous man who helps with everything. What would a girl do without him?! He's working out at the farm a few times a week, and cleans a couple of places during the week. He's just built us a wood shed and we have a couple more trees to take down; hopefully, we'll have about 4 chords going into winter. At the moment we're brewing our second homebrew- a Homemade Pumpkin Ale with sugar-snack pumpkins we grew at the farm. Oh BABY! We'll be heading down to Texas for Thanksgiving, and I DEMAND a good time.

Life is full, and good. We are very thankful.

OO-dah-Lolly

2009-07-27T19:47:00.001-07:00

She's all growed up. The Gaithers traversed the height of the continental US for the union of Chelsea Ballard and Lee Legate, officiated by Jason Douglas Ballard the First. Here are some favorites.

With New Spokes from her Beaux

2009-07-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

Directly preceding his proposal, my man sweetened the deal with a wish to buy me my first road bike- which not only pleased me, but ensured the positive reaction to the next question. Blackmail, perhaps? You decide.

Seriously, after 10 gruelling months of sighs as the spandex-ed laden super-skinny wheels zipped past me, Matt surprised me with this new Trek he found on Craig's List. Not even a year old, immaculate condition and half the price, this baby's a goldmine.

We just got finished with my first good ride on the ol' gal- a 17ish mile, up past Robinson Park through the green and gold patches of field. Aaaaah. Moscow.

Shanksh, darlin'. Here's to ridin' buds.

To Checkmate Zucchini?

2009-07-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

The first zucchini my man brought home from the farm. Weighing in at 350 lbs*, this beast was seriously the size of my arm. We chopped it up last night and I threw it in with the orange chicken stir fry I was a-cookin' up.

Yes to vegetables. Here's to a hopeful harvest.

*Weight exaggerated for dramatic effect.

For some free Dodos?!

2009-07-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

So we're back from Texas and 100 degrees plus heat. Getting to see family and be in another Texas thunderstorm, all whilst celebrating my sister's holy matrimony made losing a few molecular structures worth it. I'm sure my cells will recover: the human body is an amazing thing.

Before I put up a few of the bestest, here's a hott tip:

The Dodos next album is up and can be heard FREE at this website:

http://timetodie.net/

Logan and Meric are the two dudes the make up The Dodos. Formerly known as The Dodo Bird, the duo changed accordingly when fans who couldn't seem to say three words reduced it to their new- yet still sweet- name.

Their first album on their record label Frenchkiss Records was Visiter. This name was misspelled after being sent a piece of artwork from a youngster and thus history was made. I highly recommend them, and from what I'm hearing right now, I think you'd enjoy this new one as well.

Human Tetris and MXC

2009-06-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

How could I have forgotten about the jewels of the world wide web? Please, allow me to introduce you...

Human Tetris

MXC

With Desire and Contentment?

2009-06-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

With all the people I meet at the hospital, my head swarms with some good yarns. I always thought it'd be interesting to hear short tidbits of stories, and the point of this Interview Project is to roadtrip over 70 days and interview people they find along the road- in bars, in their yards, etc. The hope is to give "a chance to meet these people." They claim we can't stay away from it, and so far looks like they're on the right track.

Here are a couple of examples: Tommy Holliday, spouting some hilarity after burying a man for his lady fair; and Clara, a bulwark for contentment. Enjoy.

Tommy Holliday
InterviewProject.com

Clara
InterviewProject.com

With 100 Years of Birthdays?

2009-06-10T14:38:00.001-07:00

I sat next to my patient in room 203 on Gritman's Med/Surg Unit as the bed mechanically tilted to a fully upright position with the press of a button. As I looked at him, I spoke loudly to rouse him from his afternoon nap, which had extended from his morning siesta, with lunch the only hour I'd been able to wake him. I knew what patients that slept all day meant: a long night shift; so, I was determined to wake Mr. 203 up for dinner again.

"Mornin' sunshine!"

He roused slightly and the shake returned to his right arm as his Parkinson's awoke with him.

"Hey hey, Mr. 203*- I've got dinner, ya hungry?"

His left eye cracked open like the dinosaur you thought was a rock a moment ago revealing his dreamy baby blue. I could see the battle between his belly and his body- he was hungry, but it's so hard to wake up. I gave him my biggest nurse aide smile and he weakly returned the favor as best he could. He finally opened both eyes, signaling to me that it was safe, according to hospital protocol, to commence with the feeding. I carefully fitted his glasses for him, with the padded ears tucked correctly on each side. My task now was to keep him awake enough to get through the meal so he didn't choke on any of the bite-sized pieces or aspirate any nectar-thick liquids.

As we made our way 'round the plate, I made cheerful conversation, mostly so he wouldn't fall asleep again, while intently concentrating to see that he swallowed every bite well before taking a command for the next one.

"Meat." Dutifully given by spoon. The patient chewed slowly and carefully and the cube was swallowed successfully, about five minutes per bite. Normally, I encourage patients to do for themselves if they can. While my 203 man here could technically hold a spoon and perhaps eat, it would take him all day, and only end up with maybe 10% in mouth and the rest for leftovers on his person and his bedding. I gladly took up my post as not only a peaceful moment off my tootsies devoted in one room, but also because Mr. 203 had more than one reason to eat up and get well.

"You've got a birthday in a couple of days, hey?" He hummed an agreement. I suddenly saw a newspaper lying in the chair across from me at his bedside and realized after picking it up that it was Mr. 203 himself front page!

"Mr. 203! You made the front page- you're turning 100?!" He finished his swallow and casually glanced at the page I was displaying for his bifocalled vision like Vanna White herself, beaming. He shakily replied.

"Yes... my daughter... she brought that in."

"Do you want me to read it for you?"

"She read it to me once already," he managed. And without any pushing, "But go ahead and read it again to me."

As I rotated from a bite of potatoes to meat to carrots to apple sauce, I read this man the story Moscow Pullman Daily News saw as an accurate description of his entire life in a few paragraphs on the front cover to a bit more on the back page, 10A. I stopped a few times to ask questions and patiently waited between bites to hear more. Turns out, Mr. 203 was retired from the National Cash Register Association. He had traveled all over the U.S. "keeping honest people honest," according to the article, and all over the world after retiring. His first wife had passed after 17 years of marriage and he soon married again. His second wife, who had passed a few years before, had done most of his traveling with him. After retiring, he couldn't get enough of those registers and began restoring ancient models to sell to museums and collectors. In his lifetime he restored over 300 antique cash machines, including his favorite- a model from 1888 made from birdseye mapel. Aw, son. He wasn't enrolled in the military because of both a knee problem and a bad eye, but worked in gold mines in California for the summer. I asked about the work and he smirked and said it was just to keep in shape for football.

Halfway through the article, I wondered if this was a good idea after all. Seemed like a lot of emotion packed in- to hear about your two deceased wives, and a hobby Parkinson's had made no longer feasible and that he now resided in a care center. I even noticed that instead of saying the "d" word, I implemented the euphemism, "passed away." 203 just stared ahead and worked on getting his nectar thick milk down in swallows.

There was to be a community celebration on his birthday in two days that I hoped he could attend if he could get well enough for the doc to release him.

I had a million thoughts running through my head. Was he glad to be alive? Had he any regrets? Did he have any memories stirring up? Was it hard to remarry? Is he a Christian?

The only question that came out, though, was, "Well, whadya think Mr. 203? Did they peg ya?"

"More cookie." I realized he had bypassed all of his main dish and veggies and was now working on the chocolate chocolate chip cookie alone.

I obeyed with another piece and waited to hear the emotional outpour from 100 years of living this man had to offer- the secrets, the triumphs, the tragedies, the wonder.

He cleared his throat. "It's a pretty good write up." And he began nodding off after the last of the cookie.

I think by 100 years, all you want is dessert.

*Name has been left at this to respect the man's p-riv-acy (-riv- read as in "river")

For a Spring 'Do?

2009-04-27T17:21:00.001-07:00

We had a fabulous visit with The Gaithers when they came to see us here in potato country for Easter weekend! The whole crew was here, Matriarch and Patriarch and Jordan and Christa- what a dream!

We hiked Kamiak Butte, showed them around the farm (including the dead calf in the barn...) and they helped Matt and I start our flower garden out front. Plus, we got treats, including our new wheelbarrow and of course an Easter Basket with yummies. Christa and Jordan camped out in the loft and we enjoyed a bit from The Fall- a must see. I love how they enjoy building our family up, including making our Gaither Lodge feel more like home!

The next weekend my man and I took on WSU's 100k relay with a team of nurses and aides I work with from Gritman. Matt ran the 6.5 mile leg to kick us off, coming in at ~52 minutes- wow! He handed off to me for the 5.6 mile portion. On my first downhill two people passed me and I thought, "Crud. Oh, well." But then I cruised by four other peops, so I had a little confidence boost and came in ~46" . Our team came in about 9 hours and 45ish minutes- well done!

In other medical news, I am officially accepted into Lewis Clark's nursing program for the fall. Whew. Two more years and another bachelor's degree later, I will be one step closer. The more I work at Gritman (lovingly referred to as The Grit), the more I know I am meant to be providing care to people. It challenges me in unexpected ways, yet I find myself using my God-given gifts and personality joyfully and with a sense of purpose. Ah, the stories I could tell... the time will come.

Also, to celebrate the spring and many hikes to come: a short hair-do. Logically, more economical in shower supplies and time-efficient; stylistically, tons of fun; athletically, 2 minutes cut off my 4-mile run from the lost poundage. Come on in, Spring.

With such talent?

2009-04-01T11:06:00.001-07:00

Jake Hamilton, a true pal from ye olde alum and part of the Aggie Men's Club has finished a short film that I think is rad. Go vote at the website: La Pluma.

And, our favourite from La Blogotheque, Vincent Moon, has a new blog of goodliness, to be sure. Here's one by Mr. Moon- the first song was my "walk down the aisle" beauty. You could seriously get stuck viewing these videos for hours..

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

With Love United?

2009-03-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

Click Photos for Full Albums.

As Mrs. Gaither?!

2009-03-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

Here ye, Here ye!

A sneak preview at le wedding photogs, taken by the talented, ever-lovin' Lauren Larsen herself.

Once I get some time, I'll post a good mix on ye olde facebook.

I love this day.

When She has to Study?

2009-02-11T14:29:00.000-08:00

Look up music videos!!
First, Animal Collective with "My Girls": I dare you not to dance. Underwater.
This is one that I could listen to and not realize it had been going for 2 hours: mesmerize me.

And here's the second from Tahiti Boy and the Palmtree Family's new EP; a psychedelic wave to your happy place appropriately entitled "1973." Stunning show of animation and good humor.

Clip "1973" - Tahiti Boy & the Palmtree family
by ThirdSideRecords

For Tar-OAR's Birfday?

2009-02-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

And my personal fave:

Here's to more mountainous moosey adventures.

To Catch Up?

2009-01-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

I. He's 27, Dec. 13, 2008.

The first day of snow in Moscow happened to be my (at the time) betrothed's birfday.

He's so happy.

A suicide omelette, homemade cinnamon rolls with glaze, fried potatoes and bacon with a side of O.J., milk and french-pressed coffee. Tums for dessert.

We tried to hike the East Side Trail for Moscow Mountain, but the Civy couldn't quite make the snow in Troy (much more than had hit Moscow) and so we had a beautiful birthday drive instead. We almost died about five times that day- twice in the Wal-Mart parking lot- but braved the blizzard to eat at Swilly's in Pullman- delic-i-o-so. We had homemade carrot cake and relocated the party to the 2nd Street house from Bucer's to indulge and celebrate a wonderful man's life.

Here we are that day after shovelling snow off our sidewalk for the first time this season. This is our house on Adams Street- 2 blocks from the hospital where I work. The Lodge is quite cozy with its wooden trim, wood stove (the Centennial) and loft hang-out. Apart from the 46" Toshiba Hi-Def TV I found in Salvation army for $50. Another story, dear readers.

Let us be thankful for Matt Gaither and that we did not indeed perish trying to celebrate this day.

II. The Wedding

Perhaps I should save more talk of this for when I have pictures on file to post. My sweet friend from Texas A&M was our photographer and her talent can be oggled here: LaurenLarsen.com. For those who love wedding trivia: her husband, Mr. Matt Larsen was our officiant, an excellent one, at that- two for one whamo!

If you have specific questions, ask away; I will say that I cried for about 3 minutes only 15 minutes beforehand out of no where- and I'll ponder this episode of emotional hysteria the rest of my days. I was utterly joyful apart from those few minutes, and will always remember Rose telling me to "suck it up." I picked the right bridesmaids. Other than that, we were rightly pleased and couldn't believe how many of our beloved friends got to come out and party down. Having our families meet for the first time was quite the riot and I loved seeing our favorite people in the world coming together.

III. Costa Rica- the Rich Coast for our Luna de Miel.

Know this: Ticos will tell you that their country has no national army. Instead, they point to ants, coffee bean sprouts and hermit crabs and, beaming, exclaim these their soldiers!

We spent two nights at the volcano where we saw it erupting that night. We hiked to the top of a smaller volcano crater lake here, experienced a couples' massage, explored the hot springs labyrinth (I kid you not) of Tabacon, took an informational wildlife tour and had our own private cabina, complete with flowers and a towel in the shape of a dog on the bed with a hilarious note. This little "coati" is cuter'n-a bug's left ear.

Next two spent at the beach- Playa Samara. We spent New Year's Eve enjoying an Italian Pinot Griggio (the best I've ever had) watching the fireworks exploding above the water all along the horseshoe-shaped coast. We took a walk into the low-tide and with the clear starry night above and the shiny wet sand dotted with seashells underneath, it was quite a fantastical feeling- like walking through a universe. And the wine was good, like I said. Matt had made contact with some German folk who ran a hostel on this beach and we rented a kayak and some snorkeling gear and hit the ocean. We kayaked out to the nearest island and snorkeled for my first time ever! We must've seen at least a dozen types of fish, incredible shapes and sizes and color. Eat your heart out Nemo (although we saw him, too).

For the last two full days, we escaped the heat absolutely oppressing mi esposo, and rode up an unforgiving one-lane, two-way, unpaved rocky mountain "road" to MonteVerde- the Green Mountain! We definitely did the zipline cloudforest tour and Matt captured some excellent shots of some reptile friends we visited- don't look Mom. We ate at the restaurant I dreamed up somewhere in between seeing Swiss Family Robinson and getting married- The Treehouse. It was built around a humongous fig tree, well-priced and excellent food and service. After overstuffing, we jollied back to our welcoming hostel we had found for $20/night run by the couple living next door.
Of course, the coffee had been calling our names the entire trip and we grabbed a spot on the tour of Don Juan's coffee plantation. Coffee is Costa Rica's gold, so they say, and many Nicaraguan's find work just over the border here to help their families. Another tour we didn't regret taking was the Night Tour! Much of the rainforests' wildlife becomes active at night and we saw frogs, birds, mammals, and even GIANT TARANTULAS! Patrick and Tara, think twice the size of Mitch. With orange knees. And it leapt out from a hole in the roots of a tree and almost ate us. Alive. I don't like spiders really.

Matt has some of the goodliest photogs up here. I should post some on the fbook when I get the chance. It was a honeymoon of honeymoons and we loved playing Scrabble all night holding hands. That's what you do, right Holly?

IV. Back to Life, Back to Reality OR Our Economy Visits the Gaither Lodge

1st Day back from Costa Rica:
Mr. Gaither gets a call from his boss. Half the office has been laid off, and he is on the unfortunate side. Mrs. Gaither laughs and kisses him. They are thankful for the test and enjoy the sweet time of poor newlywedhoodship.

As of today:
Matt will be working temporarily at a farm 5 miles south of town doing some work I am envious of (especially after spending a day studying in one spot). Praise be to God for his provision. The guy said he put it up on Craig's list that previous night and already had 20 responses this morning! Because Matt had a few buds put a word in him, Providence sees fit that he put his hands to the tractor steering wheel and get to milkin' some cows! So he'll have full-time employment until mid-March and hopefully will have time now to stamp down something permanent starting then.

V. The Married Life for Me

I have been bumping into myself going in and out from working to school on 2 campuses, including nursing school in Lewiston (40 minute commute down a canyon) to unpacking (haha) to working on the house, to trying to change my name in 1,000 places, all whilst applying for scholarships, an Idaho driver's license, the nursing program etc. etc. We've also gotten to hang a bit with friends around town and enjoy cozy nights at home by the Centennial as our giant screen television projects UFO-like beams across our smiling, open-mouthed, wide-eyed, drooling faces.

I get to wake up a few times a night to rip the covers back onto me from Mr. Gaither (aka bed-heater) and then I get to wake up and smile at him in the morning. It is a wonderful spot and makes it hard to peel myself from our queen-sized mattress (thanks Dad) to begin a day. I do so love my husband.

With the Best Day Ever?

2008-11-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

I'd like to take this moment to direct your attention to a little story on my Main Squeeze's Blog: DerFlugplatz.

I like it.

After reading his side, I'd like to add a tidbit from my point of view.

I had no idea. Okay- I had some idea. But only because he was moving into a house on his own and he had asked if I liked it- enough to live in. Tricky question. But still, I told myself it could be years and I was enjoying the pace- I've never felt in a rush. But on that particular day, I had NO idea.

A couple weeks before, my mom and stepdad had come up for a visit. Mom prides herself on poking and prodding for any information she can squeeze out of me- and I equally delight in keeping my feelings to myself. We have a good relationship. Anyway, she managed to make me admit it- if Matthew asked, I would marry him. I had to let it sink in for about a week.

Cut to September 2nd- my brother and sister-in-law's anniversary coincidentally. That morning, I don't know what came over me, but I felt like telling my sisters. I called them and shared: I love him. I would marry him. It's taken me a while, but here I am.

I brought Matt some coffee while he was at work and invited him up to my place (a block from his office) for a lunch break later on. He accepted and asked if I'd also like to test out another bike... you know from there.

I will add in some details for Moms alike: After reaching the top of that last hill, I was feeling the ride, but truly loving it as he explained. We were supposed to meet our friends that afternoon to bottle the latest homebrew beer concoction with them, but were also flying out the next day to visit his parents in Wisconsin. We were debating on leaving that night and staying with a friend in Spokania (my thoughts) or staying in Moscow and leaving at 3 in the morning to catch our flight (his idea, based on what he was about to do.) Very suddenly Matt's entire visage changed into all things nervous. Shallow breathing, shaky voice, deliberately long eye contact paired with flushes of color. After repeating how glad he was that I loved cycling a few times, I began thinking, "Wow, I had no idea this meant so much to him- we could've done it sooner!" Then he tells me he wants to get me a road bike of my very own as a gift. I was ecstatic. I gave him a celebratory hug and stepped back to look at him again- but his face was the same. What in the WORLD is going on?!

"Oh, Amy, there's more!" Throwing his hand back behind him, "There's MUCH MORE!" (I'm thinking, what, like a helmet?)

He pulled the heirloom ring from his spandex back pocket and spake the magic words. What he did leave out as well was the fact that we had to sit down because I thought I was going to pass out- blame it on my first long ride, eh? He then explained to me my perfect ring. It was passed down from his mom's mom's sister (great aunt). She came over from England in the early 1900s and the ring is somewhere between 1910-1920. European cut with delicate flowers stamped into silver arrows spreading from the diamond. The band is a brassy golden that tapers as it rounds to the underside of my ring finger. So lovely- what a man.

On the ride back, I was basking in estrogen: the sky was more blue; the fields, more golden; the smells, more filling and surrounding. I was quite stereotypically on cloud nine- and everyone/everything was there with me in my mind.

And he's right... there is MUCH more! "It will be my joy," was my answer. On with the Good Life and on to Glory. True.

We are thankful for your prayers as we prepare for the big day and beyond.

Sidenote for all the Aggies out there: my new initials will be A.G.- WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

With What Brings Us Togeva Today

2008-10-21T06:21:00.001-07:00

HOTT TIP: Those that plan to stay overnight, book those hotels early! Hurricane Ike made it impossible for us to block all the rooms together.

To Stick

2008-10-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

With the Aftermath?

2008-09-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ike is gone, but it looks like he took Bridge City with him. My hometown took the brunt of his worst- flooding 90% of my old stomping grounds. I'm thankful for my family's safety, and am glad Ike did not flood as many communities as estimated. Mine just happened to be one.
Photos are archived here.

My mom's house and my dad's were substantially flooded. Here's mom's water line once the water went down- about 5 1/2 feet inside.

It is a sad day to know a place you've called home your whole life will never be quite the same- but not depressing. I am more saddened for the families whose loved ones and/or homes are gone, people who had to fight off water moccasins from their roofs until being rescued, those without jobs, and those who will sink into depression from treasuring above all else the blessings received in this life.It is hard to know I am up here and my family is hurting down in Texas. But everything will be okay in the end, and I'm glad we know that. Continue praying with me for our community and those effected by the storm.This Sunday, we studied this particular Psalm, which I found to be personally comforting, and also relevant to those going through this tough spot.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

With yIKEs?!

2008-09-12T01:31:00.000-07:00

The flirtations of Gustav are no match for the pursuit of Ike. 9/12/08 @ 0133- looks like he'll make landfall around Saturday early morning near Houston. The right upper quadrant of a hurricane this side of the equator is the strongest point of a hurricane- headed for Beaumont/Port Arthur. Although, Hurricane Ike is so massive, effects will range from Texas to Florida. Of course winds and flooding will be issues- last I heard possibly around 10 feet of water near my house in Bridge City. Yowzas.

Pray with me for those evacuated along the gulf coast- my entire family included. Many thanks. When all's said and done, we are in God's pocket. The rest is extra.

When She Wants to Share?

2008-08-31T00:31:00.000-07:00

I have shied away from letting my virtual self become vulnerable... until now.

I want yet another way to keep folks up to gravy with The Life and Adventures of Yours Truly- and I am attracted to the flexible format of blogging. I write when I can. You check wagtodo and return the favor when you can. Considerate, no? Yessss.

Not to mention: the fishy ideas that swim into my thoughts that I would not feel sane calling to tell you, I can post here and it will be heralded as comical, quirky, interesting, brilliant. Or lame. Either way, I can share and so can you.

And of course, night shifts at The Grit can be long and others don't post near as much as they should. This should keep the peepers-a-peepin.

Here goes.