It is beautiful in Buhl

As you know, I've been dating Fritz a few months now.   He has been very sweet to come to Utah but last weekend, it was my turn to go to Idaho for a visit.  Very specifically Buhl where he owns a farm.  He was very concerned about how I, being a city girl, would feel about a weekend on the farm.  Honestly, I was a little curious too.  So Friday, I wrapped up work, packed the car, and headed out to Idaho.  It is a pretty standard drive through Brigham City but as you keep going, it becomes more and more remote and farmy.  There really isn't much between Tremonton and Twin Falls.  Lots and lots of farm land and cows.  It wasn't a miss on me that it was like a staging queue...similar to how Disney stages their rides so you are put in the mood for the theme of the ride while you wait patiently for your turn.

Just so happens I got there just in time for Fritz to get off work.  He works in Twin Falls so we met for dinner at Jakeys.  Jakeys is a bar and grill but has the best food and we were in time for happy hour.  I ordered a Sangria (the alcohol level was a clear indication we were not in Utah anymore) and we shared some Gorgonzola fries while we caught up.  We had a good dinner and then started making our way out to Buhl.  Buhl is about 30 minutes drive from Twin Falls. 

Buhl tower in town.

More farms, little towns that look like time forgot them.  Farms...corn...cows.  The farm is about 10 minutes from Buhl.  Fritz has the cutest little house.  Just a few years old.  A huge front yard with tall Elm trees....and the biggest Labrador retriever and shorty dog I've ever seen.  The Labrador reminds me more of a Rottweiler in size with a huge head and paws.  His name is Gizmo.  Then shorty dog, her name is Muffin.  They were both very excited to have a visitor.  I won't lie, Gizmo is intimidating because he is so big...and he is blind and hard of hearing.  He is actually a big lover and wants to be a lap dog.  At 120 lbs, that just isn't feasible but that doesn't stop Gizmo from trying.  Fritz was very concerned that Muffin would be aggressive.  She is known to bite but she came up to me and I rubbed her ears and we became very best friends quickly.  Fritz also has 3 cats.  They were not as friendly as the dogs.  But that is normal for cats...they aren't quite so easily won over.

Gizmo in the kitchen

Muffin...I teased  she should be named Muffin Top because she is a little...thick.
 

Fritz has worked very hard to make me feel welcome at his place.  He had it totally spic and span.  Out the back door, he has a wonderful patio that looks over the farm to the west.  He has a nice BBQ, fire place, and hot tub.   There is a river through the back but you can hear the babble of the "irrigation ditch" that was big enough and fast enough to appear to be a river to a city girl.  We grabbed a drink and enjoyed the sunset.  It was stunning.

Saturday, we went into Twin Falls for brunch.  He took me to a place called Elevation that is on the side of the cliff of the valley.  We sat on the patio and enjoyed Bloody Mary's and a delicious meal.  It was very fun and I had never had a Bloody Mary.  The first one was so good.  The second one was a little...spicy (we shared).  Still delicious though.

 

 

After brunch, we decided to head over to Best Buy to get a Bose Speaker for his house.  Philip and I had taught him about Pandora streaming music and he wanted a nice speaker to listen at home.  Then he spoiled me with Cold Stone ice cream and we went to the grocery store.

Let's just say that the grocery store in Buhl, Idaho is nothing like the grocery store in Salt Lake City.  The obvious difference is that you can get liquor and lotto tickets in the store.  It is also smaller then our grand stores and they cater to the different tastes of people that live there.  There was no gorgonzola cheese.  Some of the brands were different.  And you can get animal feed and hunting supplies while there!  We managed to get by though and headed back out to the farm to BBQ.  Fritz has a wonderful large garden and we took full advantage of the yummy stuff growing.  Just my luck, he has cucumbers and an abundant supply of zucchini.  We decided to throw some chicken on the grill and a bunch of veggies and call that dinner.  We bought some tomatoes (his aren't ready yet) and put them on the grill too.  If you haven't grilled tomatoes yet, you are missing out!  They were delicious!

Yummy!

Fritz in the garden

Sunday, we got up at Farmer o'clock and went to breakfast in Hagerman with his Mom, Betty.  It is a town about 20 minutes away.  It was a beautiful drive and I saw some falls along the way.  As much as I am comfortable meeting people, meeting your boyfriend's Mother is intimidating.  Especially because I am the "mysterious internet girl from the big city".  But Betty is the most amazing woman.  She is 80 years old but seems more spry then a 50 year old.  She has beautiful blue eyes and a sharp wit.  It was clear they were regulars at this breakfast place.  I think we got along pretty well for a first meeting.  We stopped for corn fresh from the field on our way home.  Very funny but there was no one there.  You go ahead and get your corn out of the vintage cooler and leave your $ in a box.  Don't see that in Salt Lake!

We used that corn for dinner and made blue cheese burgers, corn, zucchini, mushrooms, and more tomatoes on the grill.  True to farm life, Fritz had bought a split of cow from someone.  You know me, I am funny about my meat and was a little reluctant but the burger was delicious.  (Thank god)  We enjoyed another beautiful sunset.  We had planned on going out to see more of the farm on the 4 wheeler but we never did make it.  Something about beer, sunsets, and good food kept us from making it far.

Monday rolled around and it was time to get to work.  Fritz went into town to work and I maximized his internet to work from his house.  I was giggling as Muffin was right next to me while I worked.  Even Gizmo and I got along and he stayed pretty close too.  But before I knew it, it was time to get my stuff together and head home.  I did meet Fritz in Twin Falls for lunch before I headed back to Salt Lake.

I made it home in good time and feel completely relaxed and de-stressed.  I swear it was more relaxing than a day at the spa.  Now back to the reality of the busy schedule and life in Salt Lake.  It was a great weekend.  Fritz and I both enjoyed our time together.  I'm pretty sure we will get together again soon as our schedules allow.  Now that I know my work computer works there, I can head up there anytime the mood hits me.  I will need to maximize this opportunity before winter comes.

Here are a few more photos I took.

Looking out the back at Fritz's property. 
On the right, you can see the cow part of the farm.

This tractor is actually in front of his Mom's property. 
I thought it was a fun photo and learned the family used this tractor over 40 years ago.
 It is a good marker for her driveway.



Vegas...the 2015 edition

Thursday, I was minding my own business when Mary, my car dealer in Vegas, reached out to me.  Turns out Acura had a great incentive on the new TLX and she was ready for me to come get a new car!  It took a day of convincing but I finally agreed to go to Vegas and pick up a new car over  the weekend.

Now you hopefully know me and know I don't need a new car that often but when given the chance and a good deal, while leasing, there is no reason not to go get one.  I fussed about color and options and finally ended up with the economy version (if Acura really has an economy version) in black.

So I headed down early Saturday morning.  I made plans with Mom to stop in St George and have lunch with her and Grandma.  Grandma is going to be 98 in November but by gosh, she is still going strong.  It was so good to see her.  After a quick lunch, I continued on my way to Vegas.

I'm getting pretty good at that drive...even though it is incredibly boring.  I made it to the car dealership right on time.  Mary had everything ready and was waiting for me.  The new car is the new TLX model.  It is fancy.  Super fancy.  It took over an hour to orient me to the car with all the buttons and touch screens.  I met with the finance guy and before I knew it, I had a bag and was cleaning out my old car.  I always get a little sad when I trade in my cars.  But it was okay and who can resist a shiny back car that smells so good?



Driving into Vegas.

Isn't she pretty??

Me and Mary.  She really is the best!

Yes.  I drove off the lot with 7 miles on the car!  That is pretty exciting.

After stopping around Vegas for a few things (liquor), I cooked my way back to La Verkin for the night.  I spent the night at the new Best Western there.  I was pooped and had a good night's sleep.  Mom came and met me at the hotel for their full breakfast.  After a stop to help her and Chuck with Facebook, I started my trek the rest the way. 

It is always a nice drive to get to know a new car and learn the way it drives.  This car is a beauty and drives like a dream.  I think I'm going to really like it.

I've named her Veronica. (yes a repeat).  She is safe and in the garage.

4th of July

It is tough to believe it is July and we already have screamed past the 4th of July holiday.  This year was a busy holiday weekend for me.  My friends had 2 parties they invited me too.  I mentioned them to Fritz and he was interested in coming back to Utah to go.  I think he missed me but it was also a great opportunity to meet my friends in a casual environment.  Just so happens I had Philip all weekend too so they got to know each other better too.

Don't worry, he was more than happy to stay in the guest room.  I'm so glad I have a nice guest room and bathroom!  We also enjoyed the TV room while we watched a movie.  We went out to lunches, and we made it to both parties.

The first one was actually on the 3rd at my friend Lesley and Jason's house.  This is a huge annual party they throw.  It is crazy and I wouldn't be surprised if 200 people were there.  Philip came with us.  My strategy for this huge party is to find a seat and stay there.  We parked at the kitchen counter and stayed there most the night.  I admit, I intended to indulge in adult beverage and that I did.  I brought a bottle of cold tequila.  I shared it with many people.  Some I knew, and some I did not.  But I was glad to share as I have no business drinking a bottle of tequila.  Fritz is a whiskey drinker so he nursed his own beverage while he watched us crazy people drinking tequila shots.  Lesley and Jason live close to the golf course in Bountiful and everyone walked up to see the fireworks.  We decided we would head home....where we continued to drink, listen to music, and laugh. We had a great time.

On the 4th, we went to Mike and Kim's house for their annual birthday/4th of July.  I admit we were moving a little slow after the night before but we got there in time for some yummy BBQ pulled pork Mike made.  We had a good time visiting with our friends.  Everyone went to the front yard to watch fireworks.  We decided to head home.  I don't do 2 nights of parties very often and I was pooped.

Sunday, we all slept in on Sunday and then Fritz made his way back to Idaho.   Fritz and Philip got along really well.  I appreciate how Fritz seems to accept my close relationship with Philip.  I was a little afraid that he learned more about me than he was prepared (uhhh...tequila) for but he is still answering my texts and phone calls so maybe it was all okay.  Haha. 

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July.  I sure did.

The ladies - Me, Stacy, Kim, and Anna

Fritz and Philip



A cross view of the gang.

My Peeps - Me, Fritz, and Philip
 

Kitten Nursery Training

Many of you might have heard already that I became interested in volunteering for Best Friends Animal Society recently.  They are working very hard to make Utah a "No Kill" state (Utah had about a 30% survival rate of cats.  Now I believe we are up to almost 70% thanks to BFAS). They have a pet adoption center in Sugarhouse pretty close to my old house!  They make it really easy to find opportunities that fit your own personal interests and skills using online resources.  So I registered, clicked a few areas I thought I could do and waited...and waited....and waited.  They require training for most positions I was interested in (working with cats) and they just didn't have the training classes when I could attend.  I was a little bummed out to say the least.

Well in June, I got an unsuspecting email that they could use some help in the office.  Hey, that is right up my alley and no special training required.  So I went in on a Sunday and spent 4 hours scanning and attaching documents to volunteer profiles.  That was easy and something I can do.  I also figured out they were recruiting to work at their kitten nursery.  That sparked my interest.

So I read the volunteer profile, watched the video, filled out the application and waited.  I only needed to wait a few days and I was ready to start.  They take the kitten nursery very serious.  In fact, there is 10 hours of training before you can really be considered a volunteer.  And the nursery is at a different location in South Salt Lake.  I started with orientation where they talk about the program.  The kitten nursery was started in 2013.  The peak season is from May - November.  They take in kittens under 5 weeks old from local shelters.  These are the most at risk kittens.  Kittens under 5 weeks old do not have a good survival rate because the shelters don't have the manpower to care for them.  So in an attempt to put a positive dent in the survival rate of kittens, they opened the nursery.  They are currently housing about 170  kittens at the kitten nursery.  They expect 1,700 this kitten season.

Most these kittens come in without a mom.  So it is up to the volunteers (and a handful of staff members) to play "mom kitty" for these kittens until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered and adopted at about 9 weeks old.

To say the nursery and process is overwhelming is an understatement.  There are several rooms of cages of kitten litters.  They keep the kittens in their litters.  There is also a "Mom's Room" which volunteers don't get to go into but this is where mom's and their kittens go.  It is always best to keep the kittens with the mom if possible.

I work in 2 hour shifts.  In 2 hours, a new volunteer can potentially cover 2-3 cages of kittens.  Some of the  kittens are bottle fed.  Some are weaning.  Some are called independent eaters because they are eating on their own.  Most the kittens have not received immunizations because they are so small.  So they have extensive procedures to keep the kittens from getting sick.  Parvo is one of the biggest threats.  To work with the kittens, you must suit up, wear gloves, use extensive cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and DO NOT KISS THE KITTENS!  I am not lying when I say I dream of the procedures and when I use a gloved hand versus when I don't.  But it is very important.

Today I finished my last training buddy session so I am ready to work on my own.  Once trained, they require  you to work a 2 hour shift a week but I can see myself doing more.  There is so much need in there.  Those kittens are begging and crying for food and attention.

Tonight, I worked with one of the youngest kittens I've seen.  I saw him Tuesday when I was in.  He was between 1-3 days old.  He still had his cord!  Eyes are still closed, no teeth yet.  But boy is he a fighter.  I was bottle feeding him and his little tiny paws were just kneading away at my fingers.  It wasn't long before I had fed him all his food and put him back to bed with his heating disk.  I also worked with some other kittens that were probably 1.5 weeks old. These were gray babies.  These babies were bottle babies too still but eyes were open.  Big round bellies and still learning how to do things.  When they would drink from the bottle, their ears wiggle.  I was sharing a bottle with a woman that was feeding his litter mate so between turns, I was playing with them.  These little kittens love to roll on their back on the heating pad used while feeding them to keep them warm and have you rub their big tummies.  While I did this, his little paws were in the air and waving like he was running.  Then the most amazing thing happened...they started purring.  So soft for little tiny kittens but so strong.  Last I worked with 2 other kittens that were weaning so they eat gruel (kitty food pate' and formula mixed together).  These kittens are the hogs.   In fact, we were only allowed to give them a certain amount of food (all weighed in grams) to avoid them gorging.  Their bellies were ginormous!  And they ate their allotted amount very quickly and I had to take the dish away because they wouldn't stop.   I know the feeling kitties...believe me.  They were very sad when dinner time was over.  But they will be eating in a few hours again.

This is way more involved and physically demanding than I expected but my sense of fulfillment is significant and each day I walk out knowing I made a difference for a few kittens that wouldn't have made it without this great organization moving to action.

Today I had a chance to take a few photos between sessions.



This is the tiny baby.  Only a few days old.  They keep him
 in a "den" with a heated disk.  He is really really small.
 He is smaller than the palm of my hand (about the size
of a small rat).  About 74 grams today.  He is considered high
risk because he is so young but seems to be fighting well and is a
great eater.  I am hoping he makes it.

I'll just call these ladies the porker girls.  There are two in this litter. 
While they look big here, they just about fit in the palm
of my hand with their head hanging out.

I'm really enjoying this new adventure.  Now that I am trained, I hope I can find it easier to fit in my schedule.  It would be very easy to spend every day in there because there is so much that could be done.

One comment I get when I talk about it is "Oh I couldn't do that, I would want to bring them all home."  I was afraid I would feel that way too but I don't.  You work with different kittens each time and you don't really get attached.  You also don't get to bond with them like you might otherwise.  No holding them close.  No significant play time.  Plus I know my job is to get them big enough to be able to be adopted. And since it is a no kill organization, I don't feel the pressure to rescue the kittens.  Plus one big reason I won't be bringing any kitties home is my girls would NOT be okay with that.  They make it very clear, we are a two cat family!