The Chamberlains: April 2015

The Latest Random Stuff

Lexi's new glasses

A few Sundays ago, we hiked Adams Canyon to the waterfall. That was an accomplishment for a group of out-of-shape people like us.

I'm currently reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I like it so far, but I'm not sure I understand all of it. But it's interesting enough to keep me reading.

I'm looking for a Pontiac Firebird. I want something around a 1976 or 1978 with T-tops, the firebird on the hood, and the blower. It's a lot harder to find than I realized it would be, unless I want to drop a pretty big wad of cash, which I obviously don't. It doesn't have to be in great condition; in fact, some rough spots just add character. I don't want to restore it... I just want to drive it around. But they're old enough now that they're expensive. You can pick up a 1990s Firebird for way cheaper than a 1970s. Which makes sense. We'll see. It would be fun.

Courtney chose Kenny Chesney for her birthday concert this year. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm a little too anxious for summer to come. Not even so much the season, since we never even really had winter this year; I just am ready for a break from teaching. It's that time of year when we all sit around at lunch wondering if a career change is in order. That's normal for teachers this time of year; the problem is that I've been feeling that way all year. I hope next year is better.

I'm trying to lose 20 lbs by my birthday. Sean is doing the same. So far, he's doing much better at it than I am. I need to be healthier, I need to be able to wear shorts when hiking without my thighs being so fat, I need to not feel like a stuffed sausage in my swimsuit, and I need to be able to hike with my grandkids (or my grand dogs and grand cats, whichever), and I need to have an easier time finding clothes that I like. Twenty pounds won't do all of that, but it's a start. Sigh.

In January Sean and I decided to start particpating in Bountiful Baskets produce co-op. It's really funny... it's so exciting to see what you're going to get every week, even though it's produce. Everyone gets all excited when they spy orange bell peppers or tangerines or something. It's funny, but good.

Spring Break

For Spring Break this year, we took a camping trip to Sand Hollow to go hiking around that area, and to go fishing and swimming. The weather was so warm. It usually hit about 88 degrees the first few days. A storm blew in and we got a lot of wind on the third day. We woke up to crazy wind that night, shaking the trailer. It's so beautiful down there. My mom used to always say how beautiful the desert is, and I thought she was crazy. I thought it was so ugly. But now I understand. I love it so much.

Time for camping again means time for... drumroll... The View From Under My Awning.

We went hiking in Snow Canyon, Red Cliffs Recreation Area, and Dixie National forest. We swam at Sand Hollow, and went fishing at Sand Hollow and Quail Creek (there are no fish in Sand Hollow or Quail Creek, just for the record). Lexi has a fixation on pioneers, so we visited Jacob Hamblin's winter home and Brigham Young's.

President's Day

Over President's Day weekend we headed down to check out Capitol Reef National Monument. Heather and Peter came down, as well. It was really fun and really beautiful! Going back through all of my pictures just reminded me of how beautiful it was. The weather was lovely, too.