Aren't I adorable?

After a Christmas Turbo

On a work break

Yes, my coworker and I like to take our half hour break and go running. Doesn't everyone get breaks like this? (2 miles)

Thanksmas

Airplane tickets are so expensive, our family has just started celebrating the winter holidays when we all have the time/money. This year, my parents flew out and Josh and Courtney came down and we had a lovely weekend just chilling out and watching Xmas movies.

Even while sideways, I'm elegantly stylish

Consumed in one breakfast. Blackberry-jalapeno is awesome!

On my walk to work

Sometimes it good to remind myself just how cool it is to live here.

Pinochle nights

It's great to be able to hang out with friends and enjoy the evening. When I play with Heidi, Trudy, and Amy, we always have a fantastic time and I end up staying out far later than I really need to. Last night, Trudy had a particularly wonderful hand and I just had to commemorate the occasion.

Cocktails, cookies, and clothing party

Finally had my "C" party. We had new cocktails to enjoy, cookies to eat and clothing to exchange. It started with Facebook. Yep. Facebook. there was a post that said something along the lines of, "Forget exchanging cookies this year, let's swap cocktails instead!" More than one person commented that this should become a real thing, so... I made it so. And why not add clothing as well? Plus, I got to show off my kitchen ;-)
So, there was a lot of fun, a lot of friends who had never been to my house before, and just... a lot of laughter. I think there were 23 or 25 all together. A lot of people in my tiny house but my parents weren't here so I divided the party between the up and down-stairs. Kept it fun.

Christmas Stroll

Last night was the annual Gardiner Christmas Stroll. Instead of doing the stroll the whole time, I hung out at the Children's Corner and helped watch people's kids. It was awfully fun to see all the joy people got out of meeting Santa. It was also a self-defense mechanism to keep myself from eating/drinking too much on the stroll. I've learned that misdirection is a great way to circumvent will-power. If you don't have the willpower, just don't subject yourself to your weaknesses. This was a great way to do it. Of course, one kid did cough right in my mouth, but, whatever. Extra sleep took care of that.
There's a lot that goes on this time of year, but I would rather not miss any chances at a social hangout. Fun times.

Two miles at work

Can't believe it was warm enough to run in November. And there wasn't a ton of snow either. Love it! Pic of me post-workout. Feeling hot and sweaty. Legs hurt a little. Hoping to have lost at least ten pounds by next summer. Gonna work it. But it was fun.

Why, yes, I am a good citizen.

October-It's mostly all done...

Good-bye Bob

This was the last summer for one of our favorite researchers, Bob Flather. A man who never married (though he seems to enjoy women... quite a bit), he has spent all but one of the last41 summers here in the Park. He has been in to the library every day since 2003, except for our move during th summer of 2004.
He's a crusty-old fart that took some time warming up to. Used to the loos manner in which the library and archives used to be run, he was offended when we started professionalizing the access to the books and papers in the library and archives. "Why can't it just stay th way it used to be?" was a frequent question in early years. Eventually, he realized that we weren't trying to bedevil him, only to ensure that the items in our collections would be around for years of researchers to come.
We will miss Bob. Even the days when we had to watch closely to determine that he was in fact just napping ("Oh, thank God! He's breathing). The past few years he's gotten more and more withdrawn while his hearing has gone downhil and it became harder for him to hear in restaurant situations.

Aren't I the best sister?

Bob Ross is the Chuck Norris of painting

October Ride to Chico

Biennial Science Conference

Every two years, Yellowstone hosts a science conference talking about major issues going on in the park. The first years dealt with elk management and then predators as well as fires ('88 of course being a big discussion. This was one of those years.
I was a volunteer again, thankfully not on the microphones this time (the runners who have to run microphones to people asking questions).  Twice I was a timer (keeping track of the speakers to make sure they were on time) and twice I turned on and off the lights (somebody's got to do it!)
There is so much going on in the park, so many studies so many ideas. It is really, really hard to keep track of them all. It's conferences like this one that help keep people connected and keep people in the loop.

Bike to Chico

Heidi and I hadn't yet done our annual (okay, so this was the second year, but still) trip to Chico for their excellent breakfast buffet. This was a beautiful day that started off chilly, but I eventually had to strip down. I couldn't change back into my top layer fast enough, so I ended up on the East River Road in my bottom layer. Yes, they are not supposed to be your only layer, but... it was hot out there!

Turbo Training

Every two years, you need to renew your Turbo certificate. I did it a little early, but I hadn't gotten to do a personal training and wasn't sure one would be offered before my current expired. So I trucked myself up to Great Falls and spent the night at the Mermaid Lounge. Okay, the hotel there, but still...

I had an all day training with Amy Musgrove and it was fantastic. I didn't get gold like I had hoped. Frankly, but the time we had testing, I was exhausted.

It was an early morning start with a long day of talking about Powder Blue and working on Round 51. I was T-I-R-E-D. I was so zonked it took me a few minutes to remember to punch and kick correctly. I think that took me down a notch.

Which means that I'm going to have to go back and do it again. Which is okay, disappointing, but okay. I won't be able to do Camp Do More this year so another live training might help reinvigorate me. Just like this one did.

Cabinets September 11

Chocolate Party

This year we moved the party up the hill. Aimee offered to host at her place and Heidi and I thought it might be fun to do something different. Lots of Mammoth folks, not as many Gardiner-ites this year. But some great food and some great fun!

September 3 - Painting and covering holes in the living room

September 1-Study before new carpet (well, mostly during)

August 31-Almost done!

August 30 - New Carpet