Look Ma, I'm Blogging!!

Well! It seems like it has been years and years since my last post, and I guess that would be pretty close. I honestly think it is because for some reason this computer does not like upload my pictures to blogspot and that frustrates me, so I stop whatever it is I was about to post. I swear I won't give up this time. I won't, I won't, I WON'T!!

But, things for us are a changin' so I guess its about time to post.

A little bit about me: I suffer from Clinical Depression. It's in my family, so it's genetic. (Don't worry, I didn't have a horrible childhood and I certainly don't have Mother issues.) Most of the time I can deal, but lately I have been getting worse and worse in the winter. The icky smog and skyless weeks and weeks have made even getting dressed seem like too much. A few weeks ago, I bottomed out. The house was a disaster, I was upset about my infertility and with all the chemical things going on in my brain and body it was just....argh. It got so bad that I lost my job for taking too many sick days. Things were already tight enough and without a job I started to feel things spiraling out of control. I was desperately looking for some sort of reset button. Well, we found it!

We're moving to Heber!!

What's in Heber you ask? Well, let me tell you!

1. Blue skies in the winter. There may be more snow and it might be 10 degrees colder (that does mean it is 10 degrees cooler in the summer, btw) but there is almost no smog! That means lots and lots of sunshine, which is very very good for me.

2. My horse is up there. Riding is so therapeutic for me. I would ride everyday if I could. So many times I was invited to go up and ride with my brother and dad, but couldn't make myself get up to go. Now, I can go ride whenever I want. Also, you can come up and ride, whenever you want!

3. The Provo River is RIGHT THERE! Fly Fishing is also a great way for me to relax. There is something about standing in a beautiful spot, watching and listening to the wildlife that is all around me. The mountains are my Heaven.

4. My family is up there. My parents made the move up to Heber about 5 months after we got married. We used to spend weekends up there...but lately it has turned into every-other Sunday. Now my brothers are both married and have chosen to live in Heber and Orem. I miss them, I do. We have been SO BLESSED to have lived so close to Russell's family for 8 years. I think this way we might actually see them more. Deena has graciously agreed to let me teach my piano lessons at her house on Wednesdays so I don't have to give up my students. (I will be down here for Bell Choir anyway, and I'm most definitely not giving up Bells on Temple Square!) Also, I'm sure there will be many nights spent at their home when driving through a snowy canyon doesn't seem like the best plan.

5. It's a small town, but Provo is only 20 minutes away.

I know that Russell is 100% doing this for me. He told me that I mean more to him then a house, or a 40 minute commute. He can see that since we have made this decision I have been happier and more motivated than I have been in a really long time. He knows that a happy Liana=a happy Russell. I think that being able to get out and work with his hands more will give Russ some happiness too.

We have decided that instead of looking for a new house up there, we are going to take a step back and live in an apartment for a while. This way we can afford fertility treatments, adoption if need be, get our savings back, and get our credit back up. Having a house has been great, but we will be just fine with a 2 bedroom apartment for a while.

Because of this, we have said "Goodbye" to our babies Echo and Loki. We know that finding loving homes for our dogs would be easier than trying to find a place that would let us have 3 dogs. Echo went to our good friends Travis and Angela who love her as much as we did. She is in heaven there. We had a harder time, unfortunately finding a home with friends for Loki. He went to a family we found on ksl.com. I haven't heard from them, but I'm sure he is loved and having a great time terrorizing their Chihuahua. It was very hard letting them go, but as much as I miss them, I don't miss cleaning up after them. (We kept Odin, of course! I think if I told Russ it was "me or the dog", he would have gone with the dog. :)

The past month has been filled with cleaning out closets, deep cleaning, and painting painting painting!! We are just about done with that, with a little bit of trim to go. Whew! What a project that has been, but now that it is done the house looks better then ever. We are crossing our fingers for a fast sale. If you know anyone in the market, send them our way!

PS I'll post some pictures soon!

WCW District

If you would like to make any size donation we will advertise your business on our banner!

Our home for the weekend.

Chillin' in the shade!

Here's the wind up....

...and the throw...

Caught 'em!

Waiting to start the Potato Race

The passing of the potato poky stick. I got the potato first stab...and I made it all the way back to the other barrel with out dropping it! Yay for me!

Trying not to spill the water

Handing off the ladle for the Water Race

Collision! I can't believe we stayed on! My foot is out of the stirrup!

Picking up the rope

Trevor being dragged (I did this too..though they didn't get any pictures of me)

Trevor Chasing his calf

Team roping...no time...but nobody else got a time so they'll move on to Regions

Team Penning..trying to separate 3 cows from the herd. That's me on the left "settling the herd" though I didn't really have to cause we got our cows out way fast!

We didn't pen our cow, but we had a blast!

After we took first in Parade!

Aww...Don't we look great!

Pairs Pleasure with Kyla. She was my rock! I couldn't have done it with out her!

We really had a most excellent time! Our team is going to regions in Single Barrel, Team Barrels (Both A and B team*), Single poles, team poles, Team Keyhole, Pony Express, Ladies Pleasure, Pairs pleasure*, Reigning, Ranch Cutting, Team penning, Team roping, Parade*, and Drill*. (I get to do everything with a star.) Last year I was in a different club (Saddle Pals) and the only thing we made it to regionals in was Parade, Drill, Ladies Pleasure, Pairs Pleasure, and the hide race so this is very exciting for our brand new club!

Need something to do Friday night?

The Wasatch County Wranglers in all our glory!(I'm the front middle holding the blue flag)

The Western Riding club that I'm in will be competing in the District Competition this Friday and Saturday!!!

The event is completely free and takes place at the Fair Grounds in Pleasant Grove. We are a brand new club and are really excited to make our mark and show everyone how great we are. Friday is going to be action packed with some crazy fun relay races...but Saturday is the day we'll show our Drill.



I'm in everything with a star! There will be plenty of time between events to have a chat, or let the kids ride around a bit on our horses. Your support would mean bunches to me, too!





District Working Order 2009
Pleasant Grove Aug. 7-8
Friday Aug. 7
6 pm
Grand Entry *
Water race *
Potato race *
Keyhole *
Single Poles
Team Poles
Single Barrels
Team Barrels *
Hide race *
Pony express *
Trailer race
Saturday Aug. 8
10am
Draw for races
Cow cutting
Ladies western pleasure
Mens western pleasure
Pairs western pleasure *
Reining
Break
Parade *
Drill *
Grand entry *
Team penning *
Dally team roping
Break a-way
Ribbon pull
Wild cow milking

Transitions

Due to the slowing economy, I have lost all of my hours at Riverton Music. :(
Rather then hunt for a new job, I have decided to put all of my focus on teaching piano. I now have studio space at the Riverton Music in West Valley (4100 S Bangerter Hgwy) so I will be teaching there and in my home 4 days a week. I charge $60 per month for a half hour lesson once a week.
Please tell everyone you know who might be looking to start their little ones on the piano.

Come, Come!

All Horse Parade

Sandy's South Towne Center attracts equestrian friends and fun

South Towne CenterSandy, UtahJuly 11, 200910:00 a.m.The All Horse Parade moved to a new location in Sandy City in 2006. The event enjoyed unprecedented success at the new venue and, thus, Sandy City will again host this Old West parade.
The route is approximately 1.3 miles, starting at the intersection of 10000 South and 240 West, going east one-half block to the west-side lanes of the Centennial Parkway. The route continues south on the Parkway, looping around at the end, then turning north up the east-side lanes of the Parkway, returning to 10000 South. The route then turns east one-half block to Civic Center Dr.; north on Civic Center Dr. and going around Sandy City Hall to return to the starting point.
The Days of '47 All Horse Parade is fun for people of all ages. Entries in the parade represent the finest horses, carriages, wagons, drill teams and authentic costumes in the West. You will likely find the "Cold Water Gang" stirring up trouble before, during and after the parade. Bring the whole family and join us for an exciting time at one of the country's largest all horse parades.
For information regarding All Horse Parade registration and entries, please click here. The registration form for All Horse Parade entries may be obtained here. Click here for a copy of the route map for the All Horse Parade.
FREE admission.

Bryce Canyon

This weekend Russ and I went on a camping trip to Bryce Canyon with my cousin Sarah and her hubby Ben. They've been married for about 2 years, but because they live in Ceder City, we've never really had the chance to get to know Ben. In fact, because Sarah and her family (Uncle Don and Aunt Debbie and Co) always lived so far away I didn't really get to hang out with Sarah much growing up. We had a great time getting to know each other!

Ben and Sarah

Ben and Sarah got there first and found us a killer (FREE!!!) campsite. The plan was to meet them at approximately 8:30 at a visitors center at the junction due to lack of cell service. We rolled into town about an hour than expected and could not find the visitors center they were talking about. We drove back until we found one in Red Canyon, but we weren't sure it was the right one. We waited about 10 minutes after we were supposed to meet and I decided we would drive until I got cell service then we would wait there until I could get in touch with Sarah. Luckily she had the same idea. So we were able to connect without any problem. (The Visitor's Center Sarah was thinking of was not even in Bryce!) It was just about dark when we got there so Russ and I set up our tent while Sarah made us a dinner of mac and cheese and hot dogs. Ben and Russ got a fire going, quite impressive considering the wood was wet, so we toasted Mallows and made s'mores with Andes mints. Yum!

After a chilly night, (we think it was so cold because the air was so damp) we woke up to a gorgeous blue sky. We ate a quick breakfast, made our lunches and headed for the canyon. We hiked Fairyland loop.

Here is nps.gov's description of the hike:
Fairyland Loop Trail begins at Fairyland Point, at the northern portion of the park, and takes you through spectacular hoodoos and scenery along the rim and into the canyon; including a spur trail to Tower Bridge. The Fairyland Loop Trail also includes a portion of the Rim Trail from Sunset Point to Fairyland Point.This hike is considered strenuous due to its length and meandering trails with multiple elevation changes. It is best to carry plenty of water, 1 quart (liter) for every 2-3 hours of hiking per person, as this hike typically takes 4-5 hours round trip over the 8 mile (12.9 km) length. In the summer sun screen or large brim hats are recommended and are even a comfort year round to avoid sunburn.

Topographical image of Fairyland Loop Trail


The hike had just started, and we were going down hill, so we're still in good spirits!

Tower Bridge. This is where we had lunch.

Me and Sarah!





Going down. Look at that sky!


And that sky! Southern Utah has my favorite sky. Its just so blue!


After our exhausting hike we decided to cool our feet at Tropic Reservoir with a little fishing. (Ben and I fished, Sarah sketched, and Russ enjoyed the sensation of the baby fishies nibbling his toes. We all enjoyed that last bit actually!) The cool water completely refreshed our tootsies!






After our non-productive fishing trip it was back to camp to start dinner. We made tinfoil dinners with a twist! My Uncle just got back from a fishing trip in Alaska where he caught tons of Salmon! He very generously gave me an entire side of fresh caught wild Alaskan Salmon! We brought it along and cooked it with squash, zucchini, potatoes, shallots, carrots, butter, and dill. It was probably the best meal I have ever had on a camping trip!

With his welding gloves, fire is no mach for Russell Muscle!

After a beautiful sunset, Ben and Russ built a bonfire. (What is it with boys and fire?) We had some more S'mores, some hot chocolate, and went to bed. This night was much warmer, and we slept so much better. (Though at about 3 in the morning I had to potty, which is never fun when there isn't a bathroom!)

Yes, that is a log sticking up out of the fire. Sigh....boys....



The next morning we broke down camp and drove to Mossy Cave for one last hike.

Waterfall!

Playing in the waterfall! (The rocks were very poky and ouchy on bare feet!)

In mossy cave. It wasn't very mossy though.

The traditional tourist photo!

Thanks so much, Sarah and Ben, for an amazing trip!

Girls Trip!

I was lucky enough to be invited to go on a road trip with my bestie Sam and her cousin Kira over Memorial Day Weekend. Kira was going to spend the weekend at her Mothers house in Redlands. Much fun was had by all!