The New Digs

Two months ago, I was in my tent, spending my first night in Iowa. It honestly seems a lot longer. I took these pics of the new place a while ago but have been slow to get them up. I live in the Riverview Oaks Apartments. Apparently, my location is considered in downtown. It's an interesting place. Last night, running up and down the stairs in my building in a desperate attempt to get some exercise somehow since the despicable amount of snow and ice is preventing me from running outside, there was a grand fight between two drunken older gentlemen. There was a lot of thudding and thumping from them beating each other up, and a lot of shouts of "I buy the beer, what to do you do", "There's the door", and "I want my shoes; no, my nice shoes".

Here's a shot of my building, and the dumpster. If I were more cleaver/less lazy, I'd attempt to remove the dumpster. However, I think it only adds character to the place I live. I live on the third floor. The building just behind, which you can't see very well, looks out onto the east side of the Des Moines River, which is currently frozen over. That is definitely something I've never saw in Texas.

Here's a really fuzzy (sorry) shot of my floor plan, but flipped. My closet is on the left, the bathroom and kitchen on the right.

Here's a view of my bathroom. Doesn't it look like the door is hitting the side of the tub? It almost does. Behind the door is the toilet. This building was built before Americans became overweight. A larger person would have serious trouble getting around the bathroom door to the toilet, or to just shut the door. It took me a while to get used to maneuvering around in there.

I looked at a lot of places. What sold me on this one was the same thing that sold me on my place in College Station. Built-in drawers!! This is a part of my closet, showcasing the six big, deep, drawers. The opposite side has another rack for clothing and a shelf.

Moving on down the hall, we come to the kitchen. The kitchen is so small, I joke that when I cook my toes are in the kitchen and my heels are in the living room. As you can see, I have a tiny stove, a nice single-basin sink, and a tiny bit of counter space.

There is surprisingly a decent amount of cabinet space. However, there are these useless cabinets. Useless, you may ask? How could any cabinet be useless? Well, the person who designed the kitchen, must have been much taller than I am. (The same nincompoop architect who designed the bathroom.) He (or she) put cabinets above the fridge. Now, if the fridge wasn't there, I'd have no trouble getting in and out of them. However, I'm too short to reach over the corner of the top of the fridge. Totally useless.

Below is a shot looking back down the hall, with the kitchen and bathroom on the left, closet on the right, and my front door.

Turning around, you have the living space. I love my two big windows, and wish there were more sunny days like the one I took these pictures on. I have my table/desk on one side and my unfailing air-mattress on the other.

It is the perfect size for me, the location is great, the neighborhood is a little questionable, but I'm here and I'll be here until my lease ends or I get an NPS job. I'm up over 90 applications with the NPS since August and nothing yet. I tell you what, it's a job trying to get a job!

If you find yourself in Iowa and need a place to stay, give me a holler!

Thanksgiving

Ok, so I'm a little late. However, seeing as how Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I think I'm entitled to dwell on the day as long as I please. Talk about hidden blessings... not having a job the week of Thanksgiving allowed me to travel home and spend more time in Texas than I otherwise would have had. Adam wasn't able to come home and he was missed.

The day was wonderful and full of traditions, starting with cinnamon rolls and the Macy's parade in the morning, my job of ironing the table cloth and getting the table set, and the Brown's coming for dinner. Belinda and I met in kindergarten and her family has been attending Thanksgiving with us ever since. This year, we had a new addition; Dave, Belinda's fiancee, joined the group.

Dinner was wonderful. Everything down to the peas with pearl onions and the pumpkin pie were delicious! Later, we all played a game called telephone pictionary. It was Aimee's idea (Belinda's younger sister). Each person is giving a stack of scratch paper equaling the number of people playing. On the top sheet, the individual writes something random, then passes the whole stack to the right (or left, just consistent through the game). That individual reads the item, then places the paper on the bottom of the stack, and proceeds to draw as best he or she can what was written. This is then passed to the next person, who tries to write/describe what he or she thinks is drawn. The game proceeds in this manner (write, draw, write, draw, etc.) until the stack returns to the original owner. So hilarious!

This picture was taken by Belinda's mom right before dinner; she and my grandmother are the only ones not pictured.

From left to right, going around the table: Dave, Belinda, Me, Mom, Dad, Casey, Kurt, Aimee.

Did I mention this was my favorite holiday?!?!

Ledges State Park

A few weeks ago I was invited to go hiking at Ledges State Park, just west of Ames, IA. We left early, early Saturday morning. The park was much smaller than was first envisioned, but we hiked around anyway. It's an interesting place, and I'm sure, judging by the colorful leaves on the forest floor, a really pretty place when the foliage is still on the trees. However, we were able to see some views through the bare branches. That is the Des Moines River flowing through in the background.

We saw evidence of beaver activity in quite a few locations. At one of the trail heads (which we thought was a good 5 mile loop but was actually about 1.5) there was a sign talking about bow hunting taking place to thin the deer population. We saw a lot of deer and one bow hunter. He probably wasn't too thrilled to see us because we were tromping through the leaves and making a heck of a lot of noise.

As we were leaving, there was this large fallen log across a small ravine. As I had not taken the dare to climb a tree earlier (it was really cold and my hands were rather numb and useless, it was all for safety, not for wussiness) I was able to redeem myself by crossing the log. It was quite exhilarating.

It was good to get out one last time before it gets too cold (like now) and most activity is relegated indoors.

Box, Book, and Bugs

I have been in my apartment two weeks now. It no longer smells of the smokers who used to occupy it, but new carpet. I've had one person over, kind of, but otherwise, no visitors or knocks on the door. Yesterday, Friday, I had three knocks on my door. It was quite exciting.

The first knock came about 11am. It was the UPS lady. I got this lovely box from my mother. It will be opened tomorrow.

About 3 o'clockish, the second knock sounded. This time it was one of my neighbors. We had chatted in the parking lot a little earlier and she discovered I didn't have a phone book and thought it an important thing for me to have.

The third knock nearly scared me to death. It was 10:30pm and I was in my bathroom getting ready for bed. I hear someone outside my door and then I hear all sorts of horrid noises happening to my door. In my current state of half-dressedness, I was rather terrified. Then came the knock. I went to the door and looked through the peep-hole, but there was no one there. I asked, "Who's there?" but there was no response. I finished getting ready for bed, then carefully scanned the hall again before opening the door. I found a piece of paper folded in half slid between my door and the deadbolt nob. (Knowing there's space there and knowing how loose the dead-bolt feels anyway, even more reason to ask the manager if I can install a chain.) I carefully took the paper and closed and locked my door.

It says, in all caps, "Something you should know!!! Your apartment was infested with bedbugs before you moved in"

That didn't settle too well with me. I've never been so thankful for the not so pleasant smell of new carpet before in my life.

I was able to get my printer ink cartridge refilled for about $15 yesterday and find a Christmas gift for my mother. And that sums up the three knocks bearing three 'Bs' and the excitement of my day.

Inside the Capitol

I apologize for the dearth of non-Survivor posts. However, since you all faithfully watch Survivor and then read my analysis each week, as witnessed by the agreements, thoughts, reasoning, strategizing, and counter-arguments left as comments, I know you don't miss the less inspiring and more mundane posts I throw in once and a while.

I have now been in Iowa a month today. Crazy how fast it has gone. I was able to move into my apartment two weekends ago. Photos of the new place will be forthcoming. Last week the work flow dried up and I was let go. This week I filled out a plethora of applications and have an interview on Monday. We'll see how it goes.

Thursday (11/12) was my last day of work. Because there was a limited amount to do, we all got sent home early. An hour later, I got the call saying I didn't need to come in on Friday. Even though I knew it was coming, it was a bit rough to take. I didn't want to brood in my apt. so I decided to enjoy the sunshine (finally!) and explore the capitol building inside.

I was able to find a lovely one-hour parking space fairly close. Again, not my most favorite capitol. I learned that the roof is covered in gold leafing. Personally, with the amount of debt and the layoffs proposed throughout the state of Iowa, you think they'd put their re-leafing projects on hold. The amount paid for the re-leafing a few years ago could have paid at least eight salaries.
Looking down the hill from the capitol is Grand Street, the main downtown thoroughfare. After some of the other major cities I've visited, nothing to brag about, but there's a cool feeling downtown and I'm planning a weekend of more exploring. I have found Iowans don't have much state pride. (At least the ones living in the state; I've found state pride tends to increase exponentially once an individual leaves.)

The interior of the building was clean. I took the self-guided tour, which is always more fun because I make up a lot of my own information and comments to make the tour more interesting. If you ever come to visit, I'll make sure to give you my tour of the building!

As is common in many capitol buildings, the display of artwork is very important. As I walked up the steps to the second floor where the house and senate chambers were, I saw a picture that made me burst out laughing. It was a picture of corn. I quickly looked around for a picture of the pigs, but didn't find it.

The building totally and completely redeemed itself when I walked into the law library. I love libraries to begin with, but this one was elegant, regal, smelled wonderfully of old books, had spiral staircases at each end, an old card catalogue still full of cards, and just fabulous atmosphere and character. I loved it! The picture below does not do it justice.

On the southern end of the library was a dumb-waiter just for books. I've always loved the idea of a dumb-waiter and having one for hauling books only added to the library's charm. It was an absolutely amazing place. The picture below is a picture of the dumb-waiter from the first floor to the second. Grand!

Kremlin or Capitol

I will have been in Iowa two weeks tomorrow. I have done a fair amount of driving around Des Moines for job interviews and apartment searching. During my travels, I would catch glimpses, through pouring rain, of a building bearing a strong resemblance to the Kremlin in Moscow. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the state capitol building. Below, I'm posting a picture of each.

Do you know which is which?

I know, not that hard, but when you see the thing all lit-up at night or in rainy weather...sorry to my Iowa friends, but not the nicest capitol building I've seen.

And now, for real updates. I had job interviews two days after arriving in Iowa. Saturday, the sun finally shone through and I went for my first run. The weather was grand and it felt really good to get out, stretch my legs, and get some exercise after being couped up in my car the past four days. I'm going to have to get used to running on hills again though.

Monday morning, I got a call from one of my temp. agencies asking if I could start that day at noon. The pay was less than desirable, but I said absolutely. Have you ever written a check to pay a bill, enclosed it in the envelope and wondered what happened to it on the receiving end? To be perfectly honest, I have given this topic a great deal of thought. And, now I know. I'm in the check processing center for Rain and Hail Insurance. The amount of money that passes through my hands each day is staggering.

This is a temporary job and I was called only because they were really busy. Apparently, they start to slow down around this time of year. However, they kept me this second week. Another girl who started the same day I did, wasn't at her desk this morning and later one of the supervisors came by and took her name badge off her computer and threw it in the trash. Last week there was a woman who they let go mid-week. I have never been so paranoid at a job before. I'm in the part of the office where all the permanent/supervisors are and I hear them whispering and I get paranoid that I'll be cut. I'm terrified to make a mistake. It's strangely a very stressful job that shouldn't be at all. The work itself is incredibly repetitive and rather mindless. It is a job, I'm getting paid, I still have it, I'm not complaining, just explaining. Should you wish a more detailed story of what happens to your check, I'm more than happy to share.

I put a deposit down on an apartment that is apparently in the downtown area. Could have fooled me. It should be ready by Friday and I'll be out of the KOA, which officially closed for the season last Saturday.

My life has become very routine: up, work, KOA, run, shower, dinner, apply for NPS jobs, bed. I feel a bit loser-ish. But, I'm happy, I'm healthy, maybe a bit lonely, but perfectly content.

Brave or Foolish

I decided Friday, October 16th that Tuesday, October 20th, was the day to move to Iowa. I loaded my car with necessary items. It's amazing what you realize is necessary and what isn't when you're confined to packing a small space. My dad was kind enough to fill my gas tank (at least we think it was full; my baby's getting old) and I was off bright and early Tuesday morning. About four miles over the Iowa state line, I left the interstate and headed for Nine Eagles State Park. I planned to camp there over night. It was about 8pm when I left I-35, dark, and I was praying the park would still be open. It was; blessing number one. I was the only one in the tent camping site. It was really dark, I was alone, and honestly, I was rather terrified. I left my car running and used the headlights to pitch my tent and get my sleeping bag, blankets, overnight bag, etc. all arranged. The ranger came by and we chatted a bit. When he left, he gave me his card and the phone number of his boss in Des Moines who works for the Division of Natural Resources. Networking!!!

I got nicely settled into my tent, had some dinner, discovered there was no running water at all, and bedded down for the night. I was about to fall asleep when, pitter-patter, it started to rain. Now, my tent's been in the rain before. It does just fine. But, that was five years ago, so I got all nervous again. I enjoy the sound of the rain and again, began to fall asleep when, a certain female monthly visitor decided to arrive with all it's accoutrements. Mad dash to latrine in the rain. I downed more Tylenol than is recommended on the bottle but was still in agony the next few hours. I know I fell asleep because I had some really strange dreams. I was warm and dry inside my tent all night though. Definite blessing. I 'slept' in a bit the next morning. It was a beautiful morning. I'm catching the tail end of the fall colors in Iowa. Here's a view from my tent Wednesday morning.

I broke camp, loaded my car, and headed toward Des Moines. Instead of heading into town, I went west. My plan was to stay at the KOA in Adel, IA for the next few days until I found a place to live. I pulled into the campground, but the office was closed for the next two hours. I took that time to call the lengthy list of possible apartments to check for vacancies and make appointments to see spaces. When the office opened, I told the guy I planned to camp. Then I asked about the weather. He said rain and cold. Then, he said he'd give me a cabin for $30 off the usual price, it being the end of the season and all. Yet another blessing. Here's a picture of my cute little cabin.

It has electricity, but no running water. I still have to go across the compound to the bathroom/sink/shower. I unloaded some stuff and then decided to call the temp agencies and make appointments for Monday. The first place told me to come in tomorrow (Thursday). Wow! Sure, the sooner the better! Since I'd be all dressed-up for an interview, I thought I might as well try and get into the other places as well. I called and made appointments. Then, in the rain, I searched my car for my business attire, my iron and ironing board. The electricity in the cabin became a greater blessing. I then unloaded my computer and printer so I could print my resume. Well, I don't know if the ink was frozen or being jostled about in the back of the car put the printer in bad spirits, but it wasn't working. The KOA has free wireless internet. My new computer is set up for wireless internet. Blessings. I did a quick search and found the library in the closest town was open until 8pm. Blessings. I dashed to the library and was able to print off a few copies of my resume. I slept really well that night.

Thursday was a full day. I had two interviews at temp agencies, one of which required me to remember how to add fractions with uncommon denominators, and looking at tons of apartments. All in the rain too. I seriously began to wonder whether there was sky in Iowa, or just clouds and rain. By the end of the day I found a place I liked, and had very positive feedback on the job front. Friday I had another interview and put a deposit down on an apartment. It won't be ready for another few days, but I decided to move into an extended stay hotel. I went to pay for one more night at the KOA, and the lady said I didn't need to, and she was going to reimburse me for my second night. She then told me to stay for free until my apartment was ready. I almost cried. I told her if I had a kitchen I'd make her cookies. Huge blessing. Below are pictures of home for the next week or so.

The bunkbeds have become my closet, and the little bench my kitchen cabinet.

The bed is comfortable, but the ladybugs are annoying beyond all reason. However, I'm not complaining. It's free. Oh, and there's a desk, with a chair, and an electrical outlet, and wireless internet. Blessings!

However, probably the greatest blessing of them all is this little unit on the wall. It's a heater, and to quote a friend, it kicks out the BTUs. I have been quite warm and cozy in this little place.

So far, I have been extremely blessed in my Iowa adventure. I think I will still give it another week or so before I decide whether this escapade was extremely brave or extremely foolish.

Kate vs. The House

In my current jobless state, my dad offered to pay me to paint the shutters and front door of the house. I looked forward to this project with eager anticipation. I went to the local hardware store and got some estimates, took some measurements of the house, peeled some paint off for a match and prepared a project proposal for my dad. I assumed the entire project would take about 22 hours.

I returned to the local hardware store and bought the necessary supplies. After two hours of scraping in the blazing sun, I had removed an area of paint roughly equal to a ruler. By my calculations, I should have had two of the large shutters and one small one totally devoid of paint. Kate:0 House: 1.

The people across the street were having some work done and the carpenter came over and said what he would do is use a power-washer to remove the paint. I rented one from an industrial equipment rental place here in Houston. The gas-powered motor was heavy beyond all reason. However, I got fairly adept at pulling the cord while holding the wand trigger (due to built up pressure in the hose) and felt invincible.

I found the power-washer a rather enjoyable piece of equipment. Not only did I attack the desired painted areas of the house, I also took the power-washer to the chimney (which I didn't realize how desperately it needed it), the front walk, the brick by the outside dryer vent, and a small portion of the drive-way. My mom even got in on the action and drew loop-de-loops on the sidewalk.

I got incredibly dirty and soaked. However, I felt good about the day's accomplishments. However, that night, I could not lift my arms and the next two days I was in quite a bit of pain. Kate: 0 House: 2. (p.s.-wore the flip-flops through whole project and have a totally awesome tan line now.)

Next came sanding. I rented a sander from the same equipment rental place and set to work. When the guy put the sander on the counter, he said it might be kind of heavy. My arms had since recovered from the power-washing and I picked up the sander and said, "Ah, it's nothin'". After hefting that thing over 120 square feet of house, it is not nothing. I once again lost use of my arms. Kate:0 House: 3

I forgot to mention the battle with the crape myrtle and ligustrum. Have you ever tried to position a ladder around either of the two landscaping shrubs? Kate:0 House: 4

The next order of business was to prime the wood. This went surprisingly well. Until I went to wash the brush and realized I'd gotten an oil-based primer instead of latex. My hands were covered in sticky white paint that I couldn't get off and I was supposed to have dinner with a good friend in a few hours. Thank goodness for a dad who has a PhD in chemistry. Kate:0 House:5

And then, it was finally time to paint the color! I was thrilled, I could see the light at the end of my project tunnel. Let me ask one question; what happens when you paint reddish-brown on white? You get pink. Oh my it was a disaster!! And then it rained so I couldn't put a second coat on for a few days and I'm sure the neighbors were hoping the pink was not permanent. Kate:0 House: 6

Today, Saturday, October 10, at 1:30 pm, the third and final coat of paint went on the shutters. The front door was finished Wednesday. It's done. The paint has been put away, the brushes washed, and the ladder safely stored back in the garage. Here are the before, during, and after photos. I'm sorry I don't have a shot of the pink; I had no desire to document nor remember that stage of the project.

Peeling and terribly faded.

Primed.

Done!! Much more than 22 hours later.

Even though the house won by a lot, it has made me very thankful that I have a graduate degree and will not have to do this type of work the rest of my life. At the same time, standing across the street and looking at the house, I feel an incredible sense of accomplishment and feel there is nothing I can't do. Should you feel inclined to visit and admire the full effect of my painting skill, I'd love to have you! However, now that this project is done, I'm itching something fierce to get out of Houston.

Theme Song

As my life in limbo continues, as I try to stay positive, and as I attempt to ascertain what can be learned from this unemployment experience, I have acquired a new theme song. My last theme song was by the same artist, one of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XDxhDbtDak

Saving Money

I am an avid goal setter. I usually have a weekly to do list, sometimes daily, depending. I write letters to myself on my birthday, to be opened in a years time, five years, ten, etc. They not only include what I did that day and where I am in life, but also a list of goals I hope to accomplish by the specifed age. It's always fun to read them and see what I've done and what I haven't. Some things are a bit more of a wish than a goal, such as hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim, but this goal is still included in every letter. Wouldn't it be funny if I hiked GRCA the day before my 75th birthday so I knew I'd at least done one thing on my list? There might be snow on the north rim....but I digress.

One of my long term (ten-years) goal was finally realized Wednesday, September 16th. It was an exciting moment. I was in Bear's House (room in my folks house, long story), sitting on the couch, when my mom walks in and hands me a particular item, and says, "Arizona." I was thrilled beyond all reason.

Starting in 1999, when I was still in high school, I began collecting the state quarters. One week ago, I accomplished my goal of collecing all fifty, and the DC quarter. It was a grand and glorious moment when Arizona, the last state I needed, was placed in my hand.

The picture shows all the quarters. I know you can't really see them individually, but trust me, they are all there. In the same box where I keep my quarters, I also have other coins from different countries and my penny collection. Pennies, you might ask? I have a penny that was made in every year since I was born. I plan on having a total of 103 pennies to pass on to my children. Whenever Congress talks about doing away with the penny, I cringe. What would I save then?

Oh, and anyone interested in helping me accomplish my Grand Canyon goal?

Battle of the Aggies

Back in April I found out Texas A&M would be playing Utah State University in football. I have degrees from both schools. When people asked why I was going to A&M, I told them it was a conservation of mascots. While I attended many USU football games during my undergrad years, I was too poor, uninterested, and "skim" (less than 2%) when it came to Texas A&M and it's traditions. However, a battle of the Aggies... I couldn't resist. Plus, knowing some about previous playing abilities and team histories, I thought they'd be fairly evenly matched and it would be a grand game to attend. A star of a friend in College Station was able to swing two tickets and I looked forward to the weekend with more excitement than I usually deem proper for a football game.

The first order of business was the design and creation of a shirt. I decided to go half Aggie blue, half A&M maroon. However, there were no fabric paints that matched my desired colors so I opted for the acrylics and got a textile paint medium to mix with them. The picture below shows just how well the medium worked. The shirt was stiff as could be and could stand up on it's own power. Not only was it stiff, it no longer retained the lovely and necessary stretch cotton fabric has. I tried it on in this state and I couldn't move and rather felt I was wearing a suit of armor.
After washing it in the sink with a mixture of more paint medium and fabric softener, the shirt was run through the wash and put in the dryer with multiple dryer sheets. It came out much softer, and looking very warn and faded, but, at least it was more wearable than before. I used a fabric pen for my lettering and was ready for the game. I realized when I got home that I didn't take a picture of me in the shirt, so the floor shot will have to suffice for now. (I only wrote on the back of the shirt.)

I got up to College Station Friday afternoon and enjoyed seeing old friends. That night I was able to attend midnight yell, or yell practice, an Aggie tradition. Kind of silly, really. At midnight before a home game, any who are interested go to Kyle Field and go through the yells and listen to the yell leaders bash the opposing team. I was quite curious to see what would be said about USU, especially since my grad orientation warned us about going to midnight yell if our undergrad school was the opposing team. I found it harmless. (I would, however, be curious to see what happens at yell practice for the A&M v. UT game.) The game was Saturday and it was pretty spectacular, especially when USU scored the first touchdown. It was quite exciting. It was nerve-racking at times, and although USU lost 30-38, I thought both teams were well matched and I really enjoyed myself. Leaving the game, I ran into a kid with a USU shirt and we got to talking and realized we had been in the same church congregation as freshman at USU. Small world!

Here are some pictures from the game. I was in the student section, on the second deck, near the 20 yard line on the south of the stadium. I was close enough to recognize the white-haired mullet USU coach on the sideline that was coaching while I was at USU.

Half time and the marching band was quite impressive. I'd heard them practicing before in the wee hours of the morning, but had never seen them march. It was really cool to watch. It's a huge band, and they're all cadets and in uniform. They do this counter-step march where half the band is going one way and the other half are going the other and they look like they are falling on top of each other. Pretty spectacular. The picture doesn't do it justice.

To finish, they marched off the field in a "T" formation.

I was amazed at all the traditions and yells and actions and vocalizations that occur during a game. It would take a bit to learn it all. It was a wonderful weekend and I didn't want it to end.

A Stacked Deck, or Four

Ah, the life of the unemployed. I have officially applied for close to 30 different jobs, all over the country, received two "no thank yous" and am trying to continue to patiently wait. I have as of late taken up various and sundry hobbies. The latest has been card stacking. The below pictures show the creation of 1am this morning. (I have found insomnia to be a side effect of unemployment.)
This structure took four decks of cards and was three stories high. Thanks to the grandparents for being card players and my mother for being too sentimental and unable to part with the cards when we cleaned out their condo. The stack was built in the middle of the kitchen floor. As you can see from the pictures, I decided to employ the square/I-beam design as opposed to the triangle. It was an incredibly strong structure, as shown by my water bottle perched on the top in the picture below.

I basically mopped the kitchen floor sliding around working on the stack and then setting the timer on my camera and taking pictures with my creation. I was thrilled to see it withstood my father's early morning breakfast routine.

Now, if only my grandparents had been domino players....

August Adventures

I know, it's been a while. August has been a bitter sweet month. It has also absolutely flown by. First, Damn Yankees was a grand success. I highly enjoyed being on the stage again. I played six different characters, including a male baseball player. The picture below is from the opening scene when the wives are complaining that baseball takes precedence in their husbands' lives "Six Months Out of Every Year". Great number to start the show. Also pictured is the kid who played my husband, Eric Williams, yelling at the TV, which I'm sitting on, which contributed to many of my bruises.

I also had speaking lines. My favorite was granny. I got to play a 102 year old woman. That's me with the gray hair, cane, and "effects of gravity". Also in the picture is the baseball team coach, Applegate (the devil), and the reporter. "He never lived in Hannibal, that much I'll tell you!"

My job at Big Thicket ended July 31st. The following week was in between weekend performances so I took off for Corpus Christi, TX. I have a good friend who works at Padre Island National Seashore as a ranger. I stayed a few days with her, read my book on the beach, and ate delicious seafood. Thanks Chelsea!

The show closed Sunday August 9th. It was hard to say goodbye to the cast. It was a great group of people to work with. I moved out of my apartment in College Station the following day. That was bitter-sweet; I loved my little place and I will dearly miss the friends I made there, but it was so good to get out of that town. I was in Houston for two and a half days before I left with my brother Adam to drive up to Utah before his fall semester started at BYU. We stayed one night with his mission president and his wife in Vallacito, Colorado. In the morning, we took a beautiful hike. Below is a picture of Adam and I and one of the mission president's dogs. I think I look slightly malnourished in this picture, but it's a good one of Adam and the scenery is beyond compare.

We got to Utah Saturday and met our parents in Salt Lake that afternoon. They were up for BYU's Education Week. We celebrated Adam's birthday by having authentic Italian pizza. It was really, really good. Sunday evening we all headed for Provo. The next three days we attended classes for Ed. week. I was also able to take some time to see friends I hadn't seen in a long time and meet spouses or spouses to be. Below is a picture of me and Jenn Roundy.

Thursday, bright and early, I headed for Montana. I took a shuttle to the Salt Lake airport, rented a car that had a poltergeist, and drove to Deer Lodge. It was a grand drive and I realized how much I miss big sky country. Friday was spent visiting, running errands, and enjoying being back in town.

Saturday morning I made the wonderful drive to Missoula. My friend Heather and I tubed the Blackfoot River that afternoon. It was so pretty!! The water is clear, you can see the rocks on the bottom, even when it's deep, and you're floating through a canyon. The water was rather chilly for this Texan, but I was brave. My tiny rental couldn't hold both our tubes so Heather had to hold onto one of them out the window while I drove us up to her car. So funny!

Sunday night my friend Elizabeth put on a benefit show to raise funds for the local community theatre that burned three years ago. I was part of the action and had a good time. It was wonderful being back in the old theatre again and on stage with my friends. Monday was spent visiting more folks, driving my favorite routes on the east and west sides of town, and getting ice cream at the little shop by the old prison museum. In the picture below, I'm also sporting my new haircut. It's a bit shorter than I wanted, but thankfully hair grows.

Me and Elizabeth.

I got home late Tuesday night and have been back to cleaning and sorting through eight years of Utah State, Montana, and Texas A&M stuff, getting ready for whatever is next. I still don't know what/where/when, but I will keep you posted. It has been a wonderful month and I can't wait to see what adventures await in September!