Hunt...Take 2

When my parents graciously offered to take P for a second weekend in a row, Rob and I decided to head back to Cave Lake to try our luck at another elk. We (i.e. Rob) spent hours scouting out different water holes he found using his GPS. We decided to hunt the same one for all the hunts because it had the freshest "sign". Saturday night I had a good feeling about the hunt but after being in the blind for about an hour I started getting horrible stomach cramps. I couldn't sit still because I was in so much pain. We decided to end the hunt a few minutes early because I was near tears due to my stomach hurting. After a good night sleep Saturday we headed out again Sunday. During last night's hunt I was ready to pack up at dark but Rob asked to stay a few minutes longer. Within seconds we heard a thunderous sound of elk trampling down the hillside. Rob started a commentary, telling me everything he could see from his viewpoint. All of a sudden I heard elk running back up the hill, the other way. The elk sensed us there and hightailed it out of the area. Rob was able to call them back in again with his elk call but they never got close enough to us again. I was really bummed because I didn't even have an opportunity to see the elk through my sight. A huge tree trunk stood between us and the elk. Last year I was able to shoot at 3 elk and missed. This year I had the utmost confidence in my bow ability, knowing that if given the opportunity I'd be able to bring home the meat. When we left the blind there was a lightning storm taking place and a herd of elk ran across our path. It was the most excitement we had had all weekend. I'm hoping that next year I can draw a tag so I'll have a chance to bring home the most delicious meat I've ever eaten!

Hunt

I don't consider myself a hunter. I don't want the latest and greatest hunting stuff. I don't get excited about Opening Day. I don't feel a burning desire to shoot my bow every day. But, after our friends brought us some elk meat a couple years ago I've been obsessed with getting an elk. The meat is by far the best I've ever had and I want a freezer full of it! Last year I got 4 shots at elk....and missed every one. This year when I drew my tag I was determined to get an elk. I practiced shooting my bow for hours and was so excited for our hunt that I literally did not get more than 1 1/2 hours of sleep in 36 hours.
The first day, rather the first HOUR, we were in my hunting area Rob and I saw close to a hundred elk I'm sure. At one point I went up a mountain, in hopes of cutting off a herd as they went to bed down for the day. Unfortunately the only elk I got close to got wind of me and ran off. Later that day we decided to try our blind from last year. We had checked it out and there was some elk sign there. We got there early so someone else wouldn't claim it. Rob and I were laying there talking when we heard, "BAAAAAAA!" About 500 sheep came, at a fast speed mind you, up the canyon and toward our blind. We grabbed our stuff as fast as possible and got out of there before we got their smell on us and before the sheep dogs attacked us. We decided we were better off going close to where we had seen the elk earlier in the day.
Although we didn't see a cow during that evening hunt, Rob called in a cute little bull elk. He came within 10 feet of us, grazing all around us. I would've been happy just to see that bull but the next morning we saw 3 HUGE bulls walking along a stream. I couldn't do anything except stare in awe at these majestic beasts. On top of seeing the elk we saw a lot of deer. At one point we had a mama and her 2 fawns close to us. Because they're mule deer, their ears are enormous! The fawns looked so cute with their scrawny bodies and big ears.

Rob teases me that he wants to make a video of me hunting. He can't believe some of the stuff I come up with. I consider myself to be a smart lady but, with most things, I will learn until the day I die. At one point I asked Rob if it was ok to shoot an elk standing in front of a tree. He said yes and asked why. I told him I didn't want to take a chance on the arrow going through the elk and pinning it to the tree. I was being serious but he laughed so hard I thought he'd wet his pants. Another story that is contrary to what Rob is telling is that I had a face mask on and couldn't hear. I asked what a noise was that I kept hearing because I thought it was a quad full of hunters coming back to hunt by us. He informed me, however, that it was simply a plane going over head. I played games with ants that Rob found humorous. But I'm told I can't move, talk or make any noise for that matter. If you know me you know that's about impossible. So I created a game with ants that kept me-and Rob for that matter-entertained.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to even get close enough to any elk this year. I was going to call it good and just hope Rob got one on his hunt next month. But my parents graciously offered to watch P again this upcoming weekend so Rob and I will make one more attempt at bringing home some elk meat. If I don't get one, that's ok. I got to spend time with my husband and got to see animals I had only seen on TV up until last weekend. So I'd say it was a memorable experience regardless of the outcome!

Prison Guard

I started up on my soapbox tonight, ranting about school changes that I don't like. But, after re-reading my entry several times, it was too offensive. So, I'm taking a different approach, one that I'm hoping is less aggressive.

I pulled up to school with mixed emotions about starting this school year. So many changes that I don't agree with and am not happy about. When I saw the chain linked fence that surrounds the campus and thought of the new mandated school uniforms a mental picture of prison popped in my mind. But when I walked through the gate it was a completely different story. The principal surprised me by immediately stopping me and asking about P's health. Several other teachers asked as well. One teacher took time out of her day to seek me out and ask if our house was okay after the fire. Those personal touches made my day.
Another thing that made my day was the beautiful roses Rob sent me. In fact, to be honest, that was the highlight of my day. The kids were....well, they were acting like it was the first day of school. When I covered my head at 1:30 and asked the Lord to give me the patience and strength to finish the day I remembered last year's class. I remembered doing the same thing my first day with them and by the end of the year they ended up being one of my favorite classes (Yes, I am one of "those" teachers that have favorites...gasp!). So, who knows? That may be the same with this rowdy bunch.
I know the year won't be the same with a couple friends of mine gone and the other changes that took place. But, the staff that's there is going above and beyond, making the prison facade just that....a facade!

3 P's with P

P goes in spurts with getting sick. He'll go a few months without getting sick and then will get one virus after another for awhile. We're dealing with the multiple viruses at the moment. As you already read, I got puked on Saturday. His cough is so bad that it makes him gag and sometimes throw up. I was the lucky one holding him when that happened Saturday. Last night we decided to take him to the ER because we couldn't get his fever down and he hadn't had a wet diaper since his nap. While we were explaining this to the RN (or whoever it was that acted bothered to check him out) he pee'd through his diaper....and onto my shirt. I guess he wanted to prove me wrong and make us realize we didn't need to be seeing a doctor when it was bedtime. This morning, much to my dismay, I realized I wasn't going to be able to go to school to greet my students on their first day (Luckily my teaching partner was there). P's fever has come and gone all day. He has drank a liter of Pedialyte but it doesn't stay him in for long. This afternoon he came running out of our room yelling, "I pooopy!". Unfortunately it didn't stay in his diaper. Needless to say I didn't just have a messy bum to clean up. :( I wish I could say that, as I write this, he's on the road to recovery. But his fever is back and he's not wanting to drink anything anymore. He did eat some Cars Cheese (mac n cheese) which was the first solid thing he's eaten since Saturday morning...other than a cookie this morning. He just looks sick and it breaks my heart. I'll be glad to see his doctor in the morning so we can get some answers and SOLUTIONS! The Three P's is more than I want to deal with within a 48 hour period of time!!

God is Good

This afternoon P and I were in the yard, getting fresh air even though he's sick. I looked up and saw that the clouds looked weird. Then P started coughing more than he had been. I looked up again and ash was falling from the sky, smoke filling our nose. I got us inside just in time to answer the phone, hearing a message that asked residents south of the road to evacuate. I didn't know if that was us or not but I figured out what was important to take and started loading up the car anyway. Then our power went out and another fire started. At that point we could see 2 fires (the smoke from them) and lots of dry lightning while sitting at our dining room table. I called my parents to ask them to pray and said a quick prayer with P. Then I went back to put another load in the car, with P hot on my heels. The wind had picked up so I tried to get P out of the way but the door smacked him right in the middle of his back, throwing him forward. When I picked him up to comfort him he threw up on me, on himself and on the carpet. Without power we had no hot water to get cleaned off properly so I gave us both a sponge bath. While all of this was going on, Rob was stuck at the bottom of the hill because the fire was along the road. The police officer told him there was no access into our development so he was not happy to say the least. After a couple hours of being powerless and watching smoke with a sick toddler all seemed to come to a halt. The smoke cleared, the power came on and we heard Rob's truck in the driveway. Although we are not completely out of the clear I feel confident in saying we're safe for tonight. Thank you to all that prayed and offered help. It's been a crazy afternoon, one that I'm glad is over, and I have no doubt that I'll sleep good tonight!

Summer Storm

I love, love, love Summer storms! I love the thunder and lightning. I love when the power goes out and all is calm within the house. I love how everything smells so fresh afterwards. So last night I thoroughly enjoyed the storm that met all of the above criteria for a great storm! Here are some pictures from the night.....

Hard Week

I started back to work this week. Every day this week has seemed like a long day, especially the first three because of a dumb assessment symposium I had to attend. Not only has it been long for me but it's been long for Rob and P as well. Rob is waking up at 4:30, working 10 hours, picking up P from daycare then coming home and doing things around the house to help me. P is the one having the most difficult time with this week. It breaks my heart when he asks to cuddle and watch Thomas with me after breakfast and I have to tell him no because we don't have enough time. He has cried every day I've dropped him off, today being the worst. Tonight when I put him to bed he just cried and cried. So I picked him up out of his bed and sat in the rocker with him for awhile. He was more than happy to let me hold him and tell me about his day. I'm glad I got that time with him because missing him has been the hardest part about the week. I would like to say that I only have to work tomorrow and then I have the weekend with my boys but I fear that I'll be working a lot this weekend to get ready for the first day of school. But come Tuesday morning you will be able to find me in my recliner with a cup of coffee, holding the cutest toddler in the world, watching Thomas the Train.