Choose Your Own Adventure

Ever get to someone's blog post and it's way too long, but you only have about 5 minutes to read? I've decided to make it easier and list my topics and you feel free to read whatever interests you.

Over the past 2 weeks, I.......

1. Survived a week of girls camp with a grand total of 16 hours of sleep.

2. Survived a 40 hour drive round trip to and from Nebraska.

3. My brother and his family survived a week long visit from the Tanner's.

4. Survived the mosquitos.

5. Survived by becoming physically forceful with a homeless man.

6. Survived the dirtiest hotel room...in Gallup, NM.

1. I got the pleasure of being called to serve as a Certification Assistant to the 1st years. We had 57 girls with 2 leaders. I was a bit nervous, but between Laurel and I crackin' the whip and some bang up YCL's...we got them all certified. Our certifications included: fire safety, CPR, knot tying and first-aid, and our infamous hike.

I tend to be bossy and usually love leading and being in charge, but being an assistant was AWESOME. I told Laurel to tell me what to do..and I'd be happy to ablige. She did a great job and I was happy to take orders. I had a lot of down time...but that isn't always a good thing in my case. I had a great time with my fellow staffers and way too much time for practical jokes. I tried to be helpful for Janice, who was in charge of putting together a slide show. She wasn't keen on having it all serious, so for whatever reason, she wanted to pick my brain. I thought a re-occuring theme would add the touch she was looking for...with our focus theme being the mailbox El Mirage ward decided to use. The mailbox was a horse...with the opening in it's rear end? I had been looking at that thing all week puzzled and giggling to myself. Between my less than mature ideas and Janice's spectacular photo shop skills, we were able to come up with some good shots that were thrown randomly in the slide show.

Lets see, good memories: YCL pranks, 'I Gotta Feelin', Dana's 'Drop', Mona's sister Stacy, late night laughs, wonderful spiritual nights that humbled me into doing something I never thought I'd do, ringing the bell, Miss and Mrs. Adorable ;), and many many more. I loved knowing Brynna was there and that I could see her anytime I wanted, except she didn't quite share similar feelings. Camp LoMia is truly a place of peace and beauty and the feeling of the spirit is present as soon as you drive in. I will miss my friends and my little yearlings. I wasn't ready to leave at the end of the week but couldn't wait another day for a shower...I was ripe.

2. Rather than driving all the way back to Phoenix to make a U-turn to head to NE, Jason came and picked me up early Saturday morning in Camp Verde. Other than being a wee car sick, I was completely wiped and slept most of the first few hours. Jason missed talking to me for a week and all he wanted to do was chat, so I'm positive he was annoyed with me. He did take pity and drove most of the way until night time...which is my prime. Like usual, when I took over the wheel was when we hit a major weather system. Between being in a construction zone, endless lightening, sheets of rain, and the kids asking if we were going to die...I was white knuckled with my forehead to the windshield. If I hadn't been driving, I would have loved it. I usually drive all night, but I was so desperate for a shower and a real bed to sleep in, we decided to park it...at Motel 6 baby. Every hotel we called was booked for the holiday weekend. We took our chances, but I think it was the best shower and bed I'd had in a long time. All in all the ride was uneventful. The truck ran like a champ. The kids did the best they'd ever done. The time actually flew. On the way home, we stopped at our cabin at Johnson's Lake. Our family no longer owns it, but I wanted to get some pictures since I don't have any. I miss that place so much. We went every weekend growing up. I wish my kids could have the same experience. I had great experiences and made great memories with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, 3 Wheelers, boating, skiing, fishing, swimming, tennis, the old marina, and of course, the wrens (of which were still singing). My kids were begging to stay. I remember that same feeling.

Only in Nebraska do they still sell candy cigarettes. Yes, I bought a pack, and yes, my kids were mortified.

3. We arrived on the 4th of July. It was a bummer we didn't get to go shop for our fireworks or plan the destruction of small toys, but we still had a good time. We celebrated it redneck style by trying to blow random things up...aka a swimming pool. Classy.

We always love to see friends and family and be able to truly relax on vacation. When we come home, we feel rested.

We saw 'Eclipse' and 'Despicable Me' and went to BBQ's, museums and planetariums, the park, bowling, played bones, ladder ball, basketball, and chatted til the wee hours. As usual, the kids played all day and only found us when someone was upset or hungry. We always have a great time and we so enjoy being with them.

4. Final total.... Mosquitos=36, Jen=6

5. I lived in G.I. for 20 years, lived in Los Angeles for 5 years, and lived in Phoenix for 9 years. Never ran into a homeless man in G.I., ran into too many in L.A., and several in Phoenix. I've had some interesting experiences but none that turned violent. I went to meet a friend for lunch downtown, but she was delayed. Thought I'd walk around to bide the time and decide to go to a used book store for a purchase. As I'm strolling I hear a man behind me trying to get my attention and uses the phrase: "Don't worry, I'm a nice guy!" I haven't lived that down since then. My brother said if anyone has to tell you they are a nice guy, chances aren't on your side. BUT..since I'd never had issues before I assumed he was a nice guy. He approaches and asks if I have a cigarette and tells me how attractive I am and wanted to know his chances (What do you tell someone in that situation? Even using 'I'm married' doesn't suffice because no way ever would he have a chance...so instead of being brutally honest, I smile, blush, and say...'oh stop'.) He asks where I'm from and tells me of his life in Oregon and of a study in college of the question if you collect more rain by walking or running in it. (If you want the answer, I have it.) He asks where I'm going and suggests a book I buy about God falling in love with a woman and kills himself because he couldn't handle the emotions of pure love. Then proceeds and tells me he is a raging alcholic who has lost everything but doesn't want me to pity him. As he continues he inches closer and closer to me of which I subtely back up until I'm tucked away behind a divide and against a wall of a building. I felt closed in and rather than listening to him, I started to get nervous and went through scenerios in my head. Then it happened...he grabbed me, tight on my left arm. Why is it when you are finally placed in the situation, the scenerios you thought you'd pick, you never do? Instead of screaming, telling him to back off, etc....I just went off and hit him. Instinct I guess. I bee-lined it for the one-way street where I was visable again. At that moment, a police officer drove by and I flagged him down. After going over the incident he assures me he would handle it and they know the man well.

I went to the bookstore, made my purchase and had a wonderful lunch. The whole situation didn't set in until later when I caught my hands shaking. Then guilt stepped in. I felt bad I didn't at least warn the guy to back off; that I just hit him. Maybe he was off balance...maybe he wasn't trying to be threatening. I think it might have been different if I wasn't backed in a corner. Regardless, Jason assured me I did the right thing, and if anything I know I can still defend myself. Jen=1, Homeless guy=0.

6. Since I had adjusted to Nebraska time. Instead of driving through the night like usual, I got tired enough to stop. We thought Super 8 couldn't be too bad for about 4 hours of sleep; especially when Motel 6 turned out great. Wrong, it was horrible. First, not to knock everyone, but everyone I met in Gallup was LAZY and to get a smile would have been a miracle. We pull into the hotel and check in, walk into our room and the smell of smoke blindsides us. The furniture was beat up and looked like we had stepped into a trailor that had been sitting since 1980. I took my shoes off and felt a thick film which covered the floor. Trying not to be a priss, I tell myself, it's ok, it's just to sleep. I pull back the comforter to find a pillow that has what looks like smeared mascara everywhere. Jason gets that settled, but then as we lay in bed I swear I feel things crawling on me. I know it was my imagination but the worst thoughts kept coming to my head. I find out in the morning Jason felt the same way...thankfully neither of us said anything to the other about it or we would have freaked each other out. Finally, I relax enough to almost be asleep when a train rushes by blaring it's whistle. That happened continually throughout the night along with my re-occuring dream of having cancer from breathing the air. I was amazed we woke up without a single bug bite. We packed up as soon as possible, went to get the continental breakfast of which ended 2 minutes sooner, and heaven forbid the worker would have to break open a cereal box. Lazy. Seriously, the only thing that made me smile on the way out was remembering a text I received from Megan earlier that week stating they got in the Hilton for $40. We got the hole in the wall for $70. Fechter always gets the upper hand. Curses.

Now we are back in the 113 degree heat. There's no place like home.