My little Aislynn and my sweet new niece, B. I love how tiny she is!
AB-Solute Sexiness!
19 hours ago
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A Day In the Life of an Archaeologist
A couple weeks ago, I had the most amazing once in a life time opportunity thanks to my wonderful Father-in-law. My FIL has become my mentor over the years I've known him. He's an Archaeologist/Historian and with his help I finally decided on a career that would embody all of my quirky hobbies and loves. I love to take photos of cemeteries and old buildings. (Quirky I know and I'll freely admit it) I love seeing historical sites and learning new things about history. Send me somewhere and I could find all of the local historical & archaeological sites to spend my time exploring. ;) I love it!
I enjoy having conversations with my FIL about history and asking him questions about archaeology. I know he secretly loves telling me about their newest projects at work and I love hearing about it. Well, about three or four weeks ago he let me know that they were bidding for a burial project and that I just might be able to come and help. Woohoo! It made my day just to hear that. It took them a week longer to get their bid approved and then he gave me the ok to come up the day after they started the project. Unfortunately, however I could not find a babysitter for my three lovely kids. I was absolutely heartbroken! I'd been anticipating this since he'd told me about it.
I received a phone call from him later that evening, to let me know that they'd be getting into the caskets the next day and that I was still welcome to come up. I told him I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get a babysitter on such short notice. My sweet Hubby spent an hour at least while he was at work calling various siblings to find me a babysitter and eventually it paid off. His kid sister said she could watch them until about 230 when she was heading out for a camping trip. I jumped at the opportunity.
I headed up there after dropping my kids off and I was elated. I was going to actually get to see what I was going to school to do. I can't give all the details incase I have any wrong info, but I can tell you it was the best experience. It was really awesome seeing how they document their progress and their findings as the go. I mean my FIL had to draw a scale drawing of the caskets with their measurements as far as the length of the headboard & footboard, its depth, how wide the wood was that makes the sides, etc. It was pretty cool. I got to help a little as far as helping grab various tools that they might need, empty out buckets, etc. I did get to help do a small amount of digging to help find a casket handle. It was fun. It was neat to watch as they slowly and steadily made their way into the first casket. I even got to touch the skeleton. I know his guess on how old the bodies were was something like 130 yrs based on the look of the casket. (I found that very interesting) Unfortunately they had to deal with some very nasty clay and so they weren't going to get to the second casket and I missed the removal of the burial since I had to be back at my in-laws by 230. I was heartbroken to leave before the day was done. I got to hear more about it later and I'm looking forward to having a nice long talk with him about all his findings.
He did allow me to take all the pictures I wanted and of course all I had was my camera on my phone, but I took tons of photos. Unfortunately I promised not to post any online, as to not get him or myself in trouble with his boss, but lets just say I got some very neat pictures. I truly have found what I want to do. Being there that day just made it more apparent, I was where I belonged. Now I have this renewed desire to go back to school to finish my degree. I have to have a bachelor's degree in order to intern with the company my FIL works for and it seems so far off. But going to school to become an archaeologist requires most of my classes to be on campus and who can afford a babysitter these days so that I can go? I can't. I mean I have three kids. I have three semesters left til I get my associates degree and then from there I have no idea how long til I get my Bachelor's.
I just know I need to get it! Whatever it takes. Thank heavens for Army schooling benefits, it will take me some time I think before I get everything back in place, but soon I will get to use them and that will help. Which reminds me I need to tell you about my being reinstated in the Army Reserves, but I'll leave all those details for another post!
I enjoy having conversations with my FIL about history and asking him questions about archaeology. I know he secretly loves telling me about their newest projects at work and I love hearing about it. Well, about three or four weeks ago he let me know that they were bidding for a burial project and that I just might be able to come and help. Woohoo! It made my day just to hear that. It took them a week longer to get their bid approved and then he gave me the ok to come up the day after they started the project. Unfortunately, however I could not find a babysitter for my three lovely kids. I was absolutely heartbroken! I'd been anticipating this since he'd told me about it.
I received a phone call from him later that evening, to let me know that they'd be getting into the caskets the next day and that I was still welcome to come up. I told him I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get a babysitter on such short notice. My sweet Hubby spent an hour at least while he was at work calling various siblings to find me a babysitter and eventually it paid off. His kid sister said she could watch them until about 230 when she was heading out for a camping trip. I jumped at the opportunity.
I headed up there after dropping my kids off and I was elated. I was going to actually get to see what I was going to school to do. I can't give all the details incase I have any wrong info, but I can tell you it was the best experience. It was really awesome seeing how they document their progress and their findings as the go. I mean my FIL had to draw a scale drawing of the caskets with their measurements as far as the length of the headboard & footboard, its depth, how wide the wood was that makes the sides, etc. It was pretty cool. I got to help a little as far as helping grab various tools that they might need, empty out buckets, etc. I did get to help do a small amount of digging to help find a casket handle. It was fun. It was neat to watch as they slowly and steadily made their way into the first casket. I even got to touch the skeleton. I know his guess on how old the bodies were was something like 130 yrs based on the look of the casket. (I found that very interesting) Unfortunately they had to deal with some very nasty clay and so they weren't going to get to the second casket and I missed the removal of the burial since I had to be back at my in-laws by 230. I was heartbroken to leave before the day was done. I got to hear more about it later and I'm looking forward to having a nice long talk with him about all his findings.
He did allow me to take all the pictures I wanted and of course all I had was my camera on my phone, but I took tons of photos. Unfortunately I promised not to post any online, as to not get him or myself in trouble with his boss, but lets just say I got some very neat pictures. I truly have found what I want to do. Being there that day just made it more apparent, I was where I belonged. Now I have this renewed desire to go back to school to finish my degree. I have to have a bachelor's degree in order to intern with the company my FIL works for and it seems so far off. But going to school to become an archaeologist requires most of my classes to be on campus and who can afford a babysitter these days so that I can go? I can't. I mean I have three kids. I have three semesters left til I get my associates degree and then from there I have no idea how long til I get my Bachelor's.
I just know I need to get it! Whatever it takes. Thank heavens for Army schooling benefits, it will take me some time I think before I get everything back in place, but soon I will get to use them and that will help. Which reminds me I need to tell you about my being reinstated in the Army Reserves, but I'll leave all those details for another post!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Writer's Workshop: 'Loss'
There is a hole.
A hole I can't forget
One that won't fill in.
It leaves me empty.
Wanting.
Yearning for what can't be mine.
Not yet.
I try to be ok
I feel its expected
Demanded even.
How can I?
It hurts.
The reminders are there
All around why some are lucky
And some are not.
I feel the loss.
I feel the pain.
I'll plaster a smile on my face
Pretend your joy
Isn't my pain.
But it is.
So I'll lie.
I'll pretend.
That my heart isn't aching.
I'll keep the peace
And let you have your joy.
I'll keep my loss
Tucked away.
You all will forget
And I'll try.
To forget my loss.
A hole I can't forget
One that won't fill in.
It leaves me empty.
Wanting.
Yearning for what can't be mine.
Not yet.
I try to be ok
I feel its expected
Demanded even.
How can I?
It hurts.
The reminders are there
All around why some are lucky
And some are not.
I feel the loss.
I feel the pain.
I'll plaster a smile on my face
Pretend your joy
Isn't my pain.
But it is.
So I'll lie.
I'll pretend.
That my heart isn't aching.
I'll keep the peace
And let you have your joy.
I'll keep my loss
Tucked away.
You all will forget
And I'll try.
To forget my loss.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday Blog Hop
Head on over to Confessions of a Marine Wife and join in on Link up Thursday! I love getting to know new blogs!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Bad Tidings & Some Heartache
I'm sure you all remember that sad poem I wrote back at the beginning of June, I Might... Well, I finally feel like I can talk about what was going on that day. We miscarried that day and I'll be honest I was devastated. It was so early they couldn't even get a positive pregnancy test, but sad that it was the kind where the egg can't attach to the uterine wall. I hurt physically and emotionally. I wasn't feeling comfortable sharing with anyone what I was going through, so I vented through the poem. Apparently, we're having a bit of bad luck because I spent time in the ER on Friday due to some bleeding, horrific cramps and a sharp pain over my left ovary following two very faint pregnancy tests. Unfortunately, when they went to get my HCG count, they found that there was no longer any in my system, meaning we'd miscarried around the time I got my positive tests. I guess it was a relief to know it wasn't an eptopic pregnancy, but they did find I'd had a cyst on my left ovary that had burst that afternoon (the cause of the sharp pain) and I have one on my right ovary, just waiting to burst.
So once again I'm no longer pregnant and I feel so devastated. Now that the pain (physically) is starting to subside, I'm finding I'm struggling emotionally. Two miscarriages within two months of each other is a blow to anyone I'd imagine, but we have such a hard time getting pregnant and I know my time for having my own kids is running out, it worries me that maybe it won't happen. We know that we are missing someone in our family and so, I feel almost desperate to get them here before the window of opportunity is gone.
We had to pick up some prescriptions following my ER visit and the moment I saw the pregnancy tests on the aisle by the heating pads, I burst into tears. I was so excited when I saw those lines, as faint as they were. I knew it meant I was pregnant, but my sweet husband wanted to be more sure wait for a darker line. We wouldn't have told anyone until after the first trimester, I felt we needed to wait that long. Obviously for a reason. I feel so empty. I hate that. So here is my bad tidings & some heartache. Hopefully we'll be able to talk about good tidings soon. Keep me in your prayers! I'm going to need it!
So once again I'm no longer pregnant and I feel so devastated. Now that the pain (physically) is starting to subside, I'm finding I'm struggling emotionally. Two miscarriages within two months of each other is a blow to anyone I'd imagine, but we have such a hard time getting pregnant and I know my time for having my own kids is running out, it worries me that maybe it won't happen. We know that we are missing someone in our family and so, I feel almost desperate to get them here before the window of opportunity is gone.
We had to pick up some prescriptions following my ER visit and the moment I saw the pregnancy tests on the aisle by the heating pads, I burst into tears. I was so excited when I saw those lines, as faint as they were. I knew it meant I was pregnant, but my sweet husband wanted to be more sure wait for a darker line. We wouldn't have told anyone until after the first trimester, I felt we needed to wait that long. Obviously for a reason. I feel so empty. I hate that. So here is my bad tidings & some heartache. Hopefully we'll be able to talk about good tidings soon. Keep me in your prayers! I'm going to need it!
The Official Pirate Island Birthday Cake
Can I just say how glad I am to be done with this cake? It didn't take as long as most of my cakes, but it sure looked great. It was the hit of the party! What do you think?
Trips to the Zoo
Since summer began we've been twice to the local zoo. My kids have absolutely loved it. We even dragged my brother & sister-in-law plus their new baby with us on the 4th of July when military got in free. I think the two things, I guess make that three things my kids have loved the most during bIoth visits were the tigers, the wolves and the dinosaurs. Yes, you heard me right dinosaurs. This summer is their Zoorassic event. They have 13 animatronic dinosaurs spread throughout the zoo and boy, do my kids love them. Especially the ones that spit water. I have some fun pictures.
The coolest story from both trips to the zoo actually involve the wolves. In all the years I've lived in Utah and been to the zoo here I have never seen the wolves awake and moving. Sad, but true. I love to tell people about a trip to the Milwaukee Zoo when I was a kid, where on their mile & a half wolf walk and there were no wolves to be seen. My sister, J, was a tiny newborn and she suddenly decided to let out a mighty wail and suddenly there was a wolf within a few feet of the fence pacing. Then other wolves began popping up all over the place. She'd brought out the Mama Wolf. I remember that all these years later and how cool that was. We have a pure breed Malamute and we have a Wolamute (1/4 wolf and 3/4 Malamute), so I decided the first time we went to zoo this summer to see if I could call out the wolves by making the same noises I use with my dogs. Within about 2 mins we suddenly had a male wolf pacing the fence and he'd come out of nowhere. Yeah, me! We decided that he could smell our female dogs on us and both dogs were getting ready to go into heat.
Well our second visit to the zoo, I tried to do the same thing and sadly it didn't work, but after standing their ten minutes Rhiannon started babbling and suddenly the female wolf was down by the fence line pacing. I don't know what it is, but we have lots of luck with the wolves. We had so much fun! My kids keep asking to go back to the zoo. We'll see, but I do want to make a winter visit since the animals will be way more active. ;)
The coolest story from both trips to the zoo actually involve the wolves. In all the years I've lived in Utah and been to the zoo here I have never seen the wolves awake and moving. Sad, but true. I love to tell people about a trip to the Milwaukee Zoo when I was a kid, where on their mile & a half wolf walk and there were no wolves to be seen. My sister, J, was a tiny newborn and she suddenly decided to let out a mighty wail and suddenly there was a wolf within a few feet of the fence pacing. Then other wolves began popping up all over the place. She'd brought out the Mama Wolf. I remember that all these years later and how cool that was. We have a pure breed Malamute and we have a Wolamute (1/4 wolf and 3/4 Malamute), so I decided the first time we went to zoo this summer to see if I could call out the wolves by making the same noises I use with my dogs. Within about 2 mins we suddenly had a male wolf pacing the fence and he'd come out of nowhere. Yeah, me! We decided that he could smell our female dogs on us and both dogs were getting ready to go into heat.
Well our second visit to the zoo, I tried to do the same thing and sadly it didn't work, but after standing their ten minutes Rhiannon started babbling and suddenly the female wolf was down by the fence line pacing. I don't know what it is, but we have lots of luck with the wolves. We had so much fun! My kids keep asking to go back to the zoo. We'll see, but I do want to make a winter visit since the animals will be way more active. ;)
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