DEEP BREATHS

I guess the whole adadge of "when it rains it pours" is really true! I had the plumber out yesterday morning and that went fine. $94 and 15 minutes later, he was done! At least I have kids out of my shower now! I still need to go in and deep clean all of the baby oil build up from a certain daughter, out of it!

Since I had a couple of hours before SEARS came out, I ran to the Post Office and then to Sprawl-Mart for Charles' school supplies. To my surprise, the repairman calls my cell phone and says he's finished his first call already and that if I was home, he'd come by and work on the machine. Have you ever heard of a repairman who was early??? Yeah, me neither! Unfortuantely, I had to tell him that I was school supply shopping and that I still needed to clear out my laundry/utility room for him to be able to move around. I hated doing that but didn't really have a choice.

I'm home by noon and like a maniac, I am yanking junk out of the room, sweeping the floor and mopping up all of the water out of the drip pan underneath the washing machine. He calls at 12:31 telling me he is on his way and should be here by 1 PM. He finally shows up at 4:15 PM! Technically though, he wasn't late because SEARS told me he'd be there between 1-5 PM. I explained the problem in a nutshell, mentioned the servicing of the dryer and asked if there was any way we could flip the appliances. I can't open the back door because the dryer sits out too far. He tells me that the cord isn't long enough. 15 minutes later, he tells me that the repair is going to exceed the $500 on the service warranty and that I'll be getting a voucher. It made sense but I told Dave later that I wondered if he was just ready to go home and said that so he was done for the day. I could be wrong but...when I mentioned servicing the dryer, he told me that the way it's vented, less than a foot to the outside vent, that there's not much build up. I mentioned the air soft pellets, compliments of my teenage son and him leaving them in his jeans pockets, were rattling around in the venting. He told me that he could do it but it would take less than 5 minutes and it would cost $40 or I could save the money and do it myself. Gee, I wonder what I chose?

He leaves and I am in the laundry room taking apart the venting and sure enough, out pops the pellets. Of course putting the venting with the stupid collar and clamps took ME more than 5 minutes! Out of curiousity, I decided to see if I could in deed, switch the washer and dryer around. There was PLENTY of cord to do that! (I still think he was ready to go home.) I had to go back to the original set up though because the washer stuck out too far, not because of the depth, but to accomodate the venting going out of the house. I wrestled in there for at least 45 minutes, getting hot, sweaty and "linty". Blech!

You have to understand that I have emptied the contents of the laundry room into the living room. I did this recently when the air conditioner went out on us this summer so I know the drill by now! I despise clutter and this is all over the place! I told Dave that I wasn't taking everything back into the laundry room only to take it back out 2 days later when a new washing machine arrives. Still, I had to do some thing! I compromised and put some of the junk back into the laundry room, then Dave & I went up to SEARS and looked at washing machines. I guess I'm going with another front-loader, I sound excited don't I? We just replaced the refrigerator, the range and the TV less than a year ago and now we're spending more money on another appliance! My dishwasher was replaced about 4 years ago and the dryer 2 years ago, so we should be okay for a while!

Today, I go back to work and when I come home I get to look at all of the junk in my living room. I'd wear blinders but I'm so klutzy I'd probably trip over said junk in my living room!

EVERY DAY LIFE

This has been a full week for me. College started back up for Laura Lou on Monday, Charles is an 11th grader as of this past Tuesday, I've been working and scrapbooking in my free time. Free-time! What is that? I have been setting aside a little time this week so I can work on my album from June 2006. yeah, I am a tad behind! I don't have any houses to clean today but I have the plumber coming out to fix the hot water faucet in the kid's bathroom. Everyone has been using our bathroom for showers and it feels like Holiday company has come to visit! He's supposd to be here this morning.

This afternoon, I have the washing machine repairman coming out. If you remember, I posted about the washing machine BEFORE we went on vacation. The serviceman never returned my calls about setting up a time to fix the machine. I had to wait until we got back to get it fixed. My temporary fix was to put a drip pan underneath it! I called Sears and even though we didn't have a service contract on our 6 year old front-loader, I was able to purchase one over the phone. I paid a total of $300 and this will include the service call, parts and labor. If the repair is more than $500, I get a $500 voucher towards a new machine! The first repairman, the one that doesn't know to return phone calls gave me an estimate of 425! I feel I got a good deal here. At the same time, I will have him check out my dryer, vaccuum it out, check the belts etc. All of that and it's STILL cheaper than the original estimate! Since I am housebound today, I will read and scrapbook.

Speaking of reading...While I was on vacation I read the followup biography on Theodore Roosevelt. If you remember, I read, "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" by Edmund Morris back in April. I returned it to the library and bought it used on line. At the same time, I purchased Morris' "Theodore Rex" as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it certtainly wasn't "fluff" reading! I ordered another book which came while I was on the trip. I got "River of Doubt" (by a different author) which tells of TR's trip down the Amazon River and how he nearly died. It looks really good! I've been in the mood to read but every biography I have waiting to be read or classic piece of literature, I stall out after the 1st chapter. I think it's been because T Rex was so intense. I kept thinking I needed some lighter reading and in lieu of that, I did scrapbooking. Last night I picked up "River of Doubt" and now I'm back in my groove!

This week, we began watching "Band of Brothers" again. The ironic thing is that we started watching that on the 25th of August. I told Dave later that the 24th of August was the 65th anniversary of my Great Uncle AZ being killed in WW2. Remember the post about my Great Uncle AC, his twin brother going to the WW2 Memorial in DC? The next day, the 26th was the first anniversary of my Mother-in-Law passing away. My mother calls me on the phone and tells me my Aunt Iris has just passed away! Poor Pop, this has been a rough year for him! My brother died suddenly in December and now, his sister has passed away. I'm glad I visited with her at the Nursing Home when I was back home for my Father-in-Law's 81st birthday. She's a Believer was suffering from cancer and told me she really wanted the Lord to call her home. I guess He heard her prayer. Her funeral is today and I really wish I could be there for Pop. I'm blessed that my daughter Jennifer is able to be there and stand in the gap for our family!

JB IS OFICIALLY A KINDERGARTENER!!!

I think Jessica looks pretty "together" here in this photo. No tears (yet).

Here's Gigi's Jelly Bean, complete with My Little Pony lunchbox! She called me after Jessica picked her up and told me all about her teacher and her new friends! Gigi loves you big girl!

SOMEONE'S GROWING UP!

Today is the day that all Mom's dread. Today is the first day of school for a very special Kindergartener! Our little JB is doing just that! It doesn't seem possible that she is already old enough to start school! Our Gigi & Me days are going to take a hit for sure! I'm going to go to school and have "lunch" with her next month. It's really more like Brunch since they have to eat at 10:40AM! Chin up Jessica! You can get through today!

IN CONCLUSION...

Today's entry will be the last entry about our vacation.

We left the lodge in Banff and drove straight through to Yellowstone National Park. We spent 2 more days in Yellowstone, relaxing and enjoying the beauties of this very special place. If I close my eyes I can transport myself right back to a very special memory.

One of my favorite things to do in Yellowstone happens at night. We usually stay at the Old Faithful Inn which is located right next to the Old Faithful geyser. As the evening wears on and the crowds lessen, the area around the geyser basin affords more solitude. The only people around, are people who are either staying at the Inn as well or over near the Snow Lodge area. I love to go out when it's dark, ly down on the bench over near Old Faithful Geyser on the boardwalk and look up at the night sky. While we wait for the geyser to erupt we watch the stars, look for sattelites streaking across the sky and hope to catch a shooting star. This time, we watched a meteor shower! Lying there, I feel so small and insignificant and at the same time, I feel like I am in the very presence of God Himself. After Old Faithful went off and Dave had gone back inside the Inn, Charlie and I continued to watch the night sky and talk about that very subject. I remembered the verse from Job:

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions?
Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone-
while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?"
Job 38:4-7

The next morning, we loaded up the cars and headed for home.

NUM-TI-JAH LODGE

Peggy & I got up the next morning and broke down camp. We took showers and were out of the campground by 9:15 AM! We went into Jasper and poked around a bit after breakfast. Dave had asked that we meet them at 2PM and pick them up from their hike. I told Peggy I'd rather be there around 1PM instead. I know my husband and he's always been early coming out of the backcountry. I think it's the idea of a shower and fresh clothing that spurs him onward! Sure enough, we pull into the trailhead at 1:05 and there they were! When I asked how long they'd been waiting, I was told, "not even 2 minutes!" They had just taken off their backpacks! Later that even at the lodge, Charlie was wiped out! The hike had exhausted him!

Dinner at the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge's dining room.

Charles relaxes in the elk antler chair which is in the lounge area.

Of course, loving mooseys, I had to photograph the moose chair in the lounge.

Bow Glacier empies into Bow Lake. Num-Ti-Jah Lodge sits on Bow Lake. It was built by Jimmy Simpson, the last of the Canadian Mountain Men! I bought a book on him that I've started reading! The lodge is beautiful, very rustic and is one of Canada's great lodges! Check out the link and look at the photos and read about its history. I LOVED this place!

ATHABASCA GLACIER!!!

This was one of the neatest things our family has ever done on vacation! We went to the Columbia Icefield Center to take a ride out onto Athabasca Glacier.

We took a ride on a shuttle bus part of the way and then transferred to this massive Snowcoach. The tires alone are $6,000 a piece! (It really doesn't matter if that's Canadian or US dollars since the exchange rate is almost even!) This thing was amazing! You go down a 30+ degree grade thorugh the "tirewash". This removes any road rubble that will disintegrate the glacier.

The meltwater from this icefield feeds 3 ocean, the Atlantic (via Hudson Bay), Pacific and Arctic! We drank melted glacier water. It only looks dirty, the water is pure & clean! Our driver told us women that it would make us younger. I guess I should've bathed in the stuff!

The Athabasca Glacier behind Perry, Peggy & Charles.

The first snowcoach, AKA
"The Shake & Bake". A Greyhound bus mounted on tank-like treads!

DOWN TO LAKE LOUISE

A reflection of the mountains in a small roadside lake while we were driving down to Lake Louise.

Peggy & I had went down to the lake while the fellas were out on their hike so we played "tour guide" at the hotel. dave actually remembered his folks bringing them up to lake Louuise when he was a young boy! It was cloudy this morning but i still took a picture of Charlie with his Uncle Perry!

Another gift shop mascot!

Living proof that it doesn't take a whole lot to entertain us!

Charlie, AKA "The Chipmunk Whisperer" strikes again!

MORAINE LAKE

Dave with beautiful Moraine Lake in the background! We climbed to the top of the "rockpile" to get these photos!

The clouds begin to lift a little.

The blue color in these glacial lakes comes from "Glacial Flour". This is the fine particles left, after glaciers grind their way down a mountain!

Peggy on the trail around the lake.

Brothers.

MORAINE LAKE, BANFF CANADA

FOOLISHNESS!

After finishing up in Lake Louise, we headed back to the parking lot so we could drive back to the lodge, 30 minutes north, for our last night in Canada. Charles saw this wall next to the restaurant and proclaimed that he would jump over it. What you can't see is the cook sitting back behind the restaurant taking a cig break, waiting fo the show to begin. As he started his jump, he realized that the wall was a lot wider than he anticipated so his leap was less tahn spectaculiar. At least he landed on his feet though!

Not to be outdone by some mere whippersnapper, my hubby decides not only can he jump the wall too, he can do it with more finesse! This is the guy who was encouraging our son to jump over shrubs at my parents house 2 years ago! His foot touched the top of the wall, he spilled over the top, landed unceremoniously on his rump, somersaulted and said "Ta-Da!" He may be 52 years old but I think he's younger at heart than guys half his age!


Perry chillin outside the lodge.

Somewhere, the fat lady is singing...

BACKPACKING THE SKYLINE TRAIL

We drove from the campground out to the Trailhead at Maligne Lake. Charlie & Uncle Perry concur with the map!


Charles loads up his backpack.

Uncle Perry helps with the tightening and adjustments.

Goodbye Dave, have fun!

Away they go on their 3 day, 2 night backcountry hike!

WHAT A GIRL WANTS...SHOPPING!

After we left the fellas with hugs and kisses at Maligne Lake, Peggy & I headed back to Jasper to do some serious shopping!

Pyramid Peak-Jasper, Alberta.

Peggy with some of her treasures in front of Baxter's. This a really cool store!


Having some fun!

After a full day of shopping, eating lunch and then dinner and dodging the raindrops, we were treated to the most intense double rainbow I have ever seen! We went back to camp but wound up turning into our sleeping bags once the rain began to fall harder! Sleep came easy that night!

GIRLS HAVING MORE FUN!

The second day of the guys backcountry hike was spent having even MORE fun than the day before! We decided, knowing the male mind as we do, to check out the sites and shops more in-depth than what the fellas would want to do once they got back. Peggy & I got our day off to a great start with breakfast at the Bear Paw Bakery in Jasper. From there, we drove down to the Columbia Ice Field Center. We had an excursion planned for all of us to go out on Athabasca Glacier in a couple of days but the place is SO crowded, we knew that going through their gift shop and museum with that many people when the guys were with us would make them just plain crabby! We got there early and I was able to get some goodies for my girlies! This moose was at the entrance of the gift shop.

With our purchases tucked away in the van, we contiued our drive down to Lake Louise. We saw this Mama Bear who had 3 babies with her! What a treat!

Beautiful Lake Louise on a cloudy day. This place was packed with tourists! I'm absolutely amazed I was able to get this picture without a bajillion Asian tourists in it!

The Fairmont Hotel is an unbelievably beautiful hotel, very posh and very fru-fru!

Inside, there are murals painted into niches on the walls, stained-glass windows that go from the floor to the ceiling, wood-carved interiors, even the bathrooms are amazing! Peggy & I decided that at $400 a night, maybe we could split it between the 4 of us grown-ups just so we could say we stayed there! As we were walking through the hotel, some snobbish, rich-looking woman passed us. As she went past Peggy, she looked her up & downwith the "you certainly don't belong here" kind of look! We laughed so hard that we were rolling! We stayed for a while longer, hoping to catch a glimpse of a wedding that was being held there but we never did.

We left and headed back to our campsite in Jasper, almost 3 hours away! On the way, we were going over our day, the shopping, the sites, the food, the snobbish woman when suddenly Peggy grabbed my right arm. She pointed to the front of the van and began stuttering, "W-W-W-OOOLLF!" In a blurry, blink of an eye, a HUGE wolf crossed the road right in front of the van! It happened so fast that I didn't even have time to hit the brakes, which was probably a good thing. Too many times really bad accidents can happen when you slam on the brakes, jerk the vehicle around and you end up rolling it. Our hearts were pounding and stuck in our throats. We talked about our Wolf-encounter the remainder of the trip as well as on the phone now that we're back home. We got back to camp around 9PM and I made a campfire. We talked and talked until the wood ran out and it was finally time to turn in. The next day we were breaking down camp, repacking the vehicles and picking the guys up from the hike.

THE CANADIAN ROCKIES!

The day before the guys backcountry hike was spent driving to some of the waterfalls and photographing the mountain vistas in front of us!



If you click on the photos it enlarges them and you can see how thinck the glacial ice is on these mountaintops!

I love this picture of Charles photographing the wildflowers!

WATERFALLS

Athabasca Falls.

After we left Athabasca Falls, this bear crossed the road in front of us. I spotted it first and started hollering at Dave, "BEAR, BEAR!" Peggy, who loves anything related to bears, also was yelling at Perry to stop the car. She had her door opened and was climbing out of the car before it was even parked!


Sunwapta Falls.

Tangle Falls is right next to the roadway and is a very poular stop. Dave had his camera all set up on the tripod to photograph the falls with the slower shutter speed which gives it a milky affect. He accidently bumped the tripod and in slow motion we stood and watched it begin to topple. I screamed and Charlie reached out and saved it before it went down!