It's all in who you ask!

So today while at work- I was explaining my latest adventure with the Arizona wild life- to my co-worker. I told her "Then out of no where I see this thing! It was like a pig, or a hog or a..." and then she cuts in "A Javelina?! You got to see a Javelina?!" Which she said with a huge smile and little kid voice. Of course my reply was "A Jave what?!" Then we googled it and sure enough that what they were. Apparently they are very common wild life here, but are not usually seen in subdivisions. They are usually only seen by hunters! Here are some pictures that were on google! (Posted for your viewing pleasure, since the one from my cell phone wasn't so great!)

Kinda odd looking creatures with scary eyes! huh!

Strange Happenings

Today was funny. I just find myself chuckling about a few of the events that happened.


Really- my day at work was great. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Then I headed off to get my emissions tested for my car. Now as many of you know, I have had pretty embarrassing things happen at car places. My most famous Jiffy Lube experience was something that I didn't want to repeat today.

I took a deep breath and drove up. I watched very carefully as each person went before me. I figured- Just do what they do Jill and you'll be fine. It seemed simple. Roll down your window, get our of your car, wait in a little blue booth and then drive away! Got it. There was really no place for something embarrassing to happen. However, I must have forgotten who I am or else I wouldnt have had that thought!

I was sitting there, I noticed that my passenger seat had some crumbs on it. So, I started brushing it off. I turned my attention back to what was happening in front of me. A few minutes later, I felt pain in my finger. I looked down and it was bleeding!!! I had no idea why. I wondered if I had actually brushed shards of glass off the seat instead of crumbs! Of course it was right then that I got the "wave" from the emissions guy! It was my turn.


I rolled down the window as I was trying to stop the blood flow(which didnt work too well!) I had a flash back to my experience at Walmart a year ago- when the guy with the bloody hand tried to help me. I now feel bad for having judged him! (Maybe he had no idea he had cut it so badly!) As I handed the man my ticket, I sheepishly said "I'm sorry! I just cut my finger!" trying to assure him that I dont normally have blood dripping from my body. I looked around for something...anything and all I could come up with was a gum wrapper! Here's a word to the wise- gum wrappers dont stop blood! Who knew?


I kinda laughed to myself as I got out and waited in the blue booth. I thought that I had had it all under control. The blood seemed to have stopped. When he came in to get me, he told me how much it was. Since they dont take credit cards- I started writing my check. I then realized that my finger was again bleeding profusely! (You would have thought that I had hacked it with a chainsaw! I mean it was a tiny little opening! Give me a break) So- my brain started thinking "MUST STOP BLEEDING" and my ears stopped listening to the man- so I didn't hear what he said. So I had to ask again. Then the bleeding started again and I forgot! It was as if I could only think about 1 thing at a time! Yeah, sadly enough, I had to ask the poor man about 3 times. How much and to whom! I finally finished and headed to my car...I'm sure by that time,he was ready for the bloody blond to leave!



Then tonight as I waited at the gate to leave the community where I live, I noticed some activity in the bushes. Um, yeah then I saw it was. Actually, I'm still not fully sure what they were. I believe they were wild hogs roaming around. At first I thought they were boars! But thats silly- wild boars live in the jungle! Not in my neighborhood! But they were something of that sort! I stopped my car and just stared at them! Really- it was so bizarre to me. They both just stood there staring me down. I thought they were going to charge me. I looked up and saw a 10 yr ol on a bike. He too had stopped and was watching them. I'm sure he was just as curious as I! By the time I realized that I wasn't imagining them (which, I doubt I would be doing anyway! Who wants to imagines wild hogs?!) I grabbed my phone to take a picture. Of course it didnt turn out too well, but you can kinda see one of them! I guess we really do live in the boonies! This just 2 weeks after I saw a coyote inside our gated community! I called my roommate and told her- "See- I told you that you shouldn't run outside especially at night. Because if the coyote that we saw last week wont get you, now the wild boars will!"

Yeah, we were that close

You know that phrase "Its all in who you know?" Well- It's true. Thanks to some generous people in my ward, I scored some Diamond back tickets. Not just any D-back tickets mind you. Some pretty sweet ones! The couple that so graciously gave them to us are season ticket holders and since the D-backs play a bazillon games- they don't feel the need go to each one.

As we walked into the gates I had no idea what the night held! We did have to use stairs but instead of going up, up, up- we went down, down and kept going down. I thought it was possible that we were going to end up in the dug out! Check it out!




I know this is a blurry picture, but all I had was my camera phone!

What I especially loved was the fact that we were right in front of the railing which meant- no one right in front of you making you change positions each time they do and one thing all tall people love---plenty o leg room!

We were on the 21st row and let me tell you it is a whole different ball game down there.

Here are some pros and cons between the 21st row from the field vs 21st from the top wall!

Pro: Being so close makes you feel like you are right in the game. The players are actually human size vs little specks! (okay being high isnt that bad, but its crazy to see the players up close).

Con: It is a constant anxiety attack! I usually like going to baseball games because you dont have to watch the whole game. You can look around, talk and relax. But oh no honey- not where we were. There had to have been at least 20 fly balls- each one hurling at a top speed of who knows what- directly at my head! It was terrifying. Each time the bat came in contact with the ball, I felt my heart sink and my body duck! (If you think I'm exaggerating- just ask the 70 yr old man that got a zinger in his arm and had to be escorted out by the medics!)

Pro: You are actually close enough to maybe just possibly catch a t-shirt thrown by the cheer leaders.

Con: Being close to the cheer leaders means that you may be on the jumbo screen! (Thats always fun to see yourself up close and personal! )

Pro: Generally the crowd is calmer near the bottom. Yes, they drink, but it seems like just a few.

Con: You dont get to see the crazies that sit up top. I guess if your ticket is only 10 bucks, that leaves a lot more for alcohol- and as sad as it is- they somehow have a way to keep you laughin! The more the beer I guess equals more team pride!

Fun was certainly had by all. Too bad I dont think the D-backs are going to make it to the finals, because I would love to have returned to these seats- but this time ready with my face mask and glove!

Gratitude

Gratitude is something that is amazing to me. I think that many of us go through life- barley making it and then someone shows just a little bit of gratitude and it seems to give you enough stamina to go on! This happened to me today.

There are times in my job when I really wonder if I am making a difference and if I really should be doing what I am. Then 2 really special things happened.



#1- One little 3 yr old that basically lives at the hospital is often times left alone. We've had some good bonding times during this past admission. Today she woke up from her nap, saw me in the hall and just booked it toward me. She threw her arms around me and said "My Jill!"



#2 I have been working with a 9 yr old that has had pretty serious procedures within the last few days. They have been painful, but he has done AMAZING! Today when I went in to see him, I noticed some beautiful flowers in his room. Of course I had to comment on which one of his girlfriends sent it to him (I'm kinda a pest sometimes!) His mom wasn't there this time- just his dad. When I returned a few minutes later with some activities, his dad was on the phone. Speaking Spanish- I'm sure assuming that I didn't understand- He was saying "No- you talk to her. You tell her." Then he handed to phone to me and it was the mom. She proceeded to tell me that she works in a floral shop and had made them especially for me to say thank you. Honestly I was SHOCKED! Things like that don't usually happen to me. I mean look how beautiful they are- and look at that great vase:

Both very different experiences...one seemingly larger than the other, but both warmed my heart. It really made me realize how important it is for us to show our gratitude for people. I had no idea that I had really helped that little boy and his family so much.

This is what I learned from these experiences today. The family felt thankful and they DID something about it. How many times do I feel thankful for something, but keep it to myself. People need to know and feel it. And the little girl just simply made me feel thanked by what she said to me and by her actions!

It made me realize again the importance of saying thank you. It doesn't even have to be with something expensive. You never know if someone is struggling and how much you can bless and help them by using those two powerful words.

Update

So one month ago I posted about my basketball" burning of the feet" episode. And look....

it's still there! Luckily- it doesn't hurt...and I don't even know it's there...until it randomly catches my eye. (Which doesn't happen often- since when do you get random glances of the bottom of your feet?!)

To me- it looks like I took a black permanent marker and doodled on my foot! :) Any guesses as to how long you suppose this will stay?!

Observations

So I decided to get down and dirty with the house hold chores today. The fridge was in definite need of cleaning and the stove as so black underneath that it freaked me out to cook on it. (I have a hidden fear of setting off the fire alarm because of past experiences- but that is for another post!)
However in order to do said cleaning, I needed some heavy duty cleaners. In looking under the sink in the kitchen and the bathroom, I then realized that a trip to Albertsons would be needed. In pondering for a brief moment- I decided to walk. Really, its only a mile there. It would be good to get out and stretch my legs some. Plus, I was only getting cleaners- it's not like it would be too heavy to bring back. (I was proud of myself for at least having the thought!)

So on my short walk- besides loving being outside and having time to think and ponder, I observed a few things.

#1 I loved hearing the lizards scurrying around me and trying to hide as I passed. I found it funny that had they just stayed still, I would have never even know that they were there. However, as they ran, it shook the bush, rusted the leaves and moved the rocks. One in particular made me laugh out loud. ( I know, I'm a geek!) On the side of the road there were many bushes next to each other. One lizard ran from one bush to the next always staying ahead of me- and appeared to look around in panic mode to see if I was still there and then took off again. I thought it was funny, because had it just waited, I would have passed him and all -in his world- would have been fine for a moment. I wonder if the Lord often feels the same way as he watches us run around like crazy people! All we need is to just "be still" as the scriptures say and then sit back and see that things usually work themselves out!

#2 I passed a few political billboards on my way. One of them is a picture of a man with his whole family in matching clothes...all with perfect smiles,perfect hair and perfect poses. Everything was just a little too perfect! You know what would make an even better picture? If they showed what a typical family is actually like! :) I thought of the 2 yr old not being able to sit still and crying because they have to sit on dads lap and not run around. And then the 7 rd old brother poking his 5 yr old sister and making her cry. And don't forget the teenager- being a typical teen with an annoyed look on her face because she'd rather be with her friends!
That's the picture I'd like to see politicians use! It would make them seem a little more real! :)

#3 And thirdly- my last observation in my little jaunt. Even if you leave and its overcast and cool- always remember you have to come BACK. On the way home, I felt a little warm and by the time I got back I was a sweat ball! :) Thank goodness for glasses of ice water and cold showers!

Hey- with all these observations that I made in my 2 mile round trip- can you imagine how much more I could learn on longer walks! Maybe next week! :)

Labor day

What do you get when you cross-

A man in love with his jeep...

Guns...
and dirt roads?
A whole lotta fun!!!

This was our labor day outing!

First of all we went to the "Jeep playground" as Jeff called it! AKA- lots of dirt hills with lots of bump, dips, and steep hills

Most people wouldn't dare enter into such treacherous places with roads that seem made for just of dirt bikes...

but when you have a beauty like he does- there is nothing stopping you!

Even though the boys in the back seat believed that they were "GOING TO DIE!!! AHH!!!"

Favorite Jeff quote:

As we're driving down the road and we saw another road off to the right- Jeff says as he starts turning the wheel - also with a glimmer in his eye and a smile on his face "Hmmm...where does this road go?! Lets find out!" :)

One time when we were going down a pretty bumpy road and the kids were screaming about tipping over, I tried to be the calm voice of reassurance. "We're not going to tip. Your dad is driving very slowly-its when people go really fast that they have problems!" I turned and looked into the 9 yr olds face and he replied with a dramatic tone "But going slow makes the horror last longer!" Wow- horror huh. Thats pretty intense!

We ended up finding the perfect place to go shooting. It was off the road and had a nice little hill. The boys were so excited to put up targets all over the hill. And then the real fun began. After strict gun safety rules...we began the fun. Jeff is such a good dad! They all had a blast!

First off- Jeff showed them how it was done. The all watched intently to see if he would hit the targets. He didn't disappoint!

Then it was their turns!

They were so cute! Each time the coast was clear and they got the okay from "gun master Dad" they would run to see the targets and what they hit! They also loved finding the shells and showing us!

And of course- their aunt had to also show them how to get 'er done as well!

You know that the kids are ready to go when they find the only shade and plop down. I think thats a hint!

All in all it was just a fun day! Thanks for the invite!

The only downer...

Jeff took the top off of the jeep and I was loving the breeze- however, the thought of a sunburn really didn't cross my mind until we were almost home! oops!

Yeah, I realize that it looks like I am wearing shirt with white shoulders and red long sleeves... too bad it all my skin! ouch!

Oh well it was worth it every bit