Mountains

I must say that I live in part of the country that was blessed by the hand of God. Yes - even God's country. I don't have to wait for a clear day to be able to see my mountains - I can always look around and they are there.

Matt and I took off yesterday in his jeep. We ended up being out longer than we wanted - at least that is how we felt after we got home. But it was a beautiful ride. Went to Sandpoint - the long way - over the mountain. Four and a half hours to get there - one to get back. :)

That is Bayview on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille. For those of you who know north Idaho. :) For those of you who don't - the lake is pronounced Ponderay.
The mountains just keep on going - a little hazy but it is windy and there is dust in the air.

Mountain views are just beautiful.
Name that wild flower. I can't - Damon, Cristy or Nikki? Can you remember? I ask you because of the great flower project you all had to do in High school.
The trip was great except for these guys. If they wouldn't buzz your ear, I don't think it would be as bad. I think?
After we got to Sandpoint - Matt and I did something we have never done before - walked the long bridge.

Was a good day - and we found other roads to explore some other time. :)

Sometimes you win & sometimes.......

So the Idaho State School Bus Safety Competition was held in Napa Idaho on June 19Th. The best of the best was from Rathdrum Idaho - pictured above - Back row -Ginger, who came in second - Roger, who took first. Front row is Sue and Ruthie. Ruthie and I placed on the other end of scale. :) But now that you know the results - I'll tell you about the trip.

Due to education cut backs we had to take the trip on a school bus. Six of us went down, the four of us competing and our boss, Darrell and his assistant Susie. Four women and 2 men. We left Rathdrum and 5:30 am and took the scenic way down - no hurry - we have all day - and we took all day. We ended up taking a grand tour of every rest stop in Idaho. A most interesting subject to explore. I must say that every rest stop is a little different and vary from clean to quite gross. We stopped in Riggins at the rest stop there and it was next to the river. I went to take a picture of the rapids and found Mr. Snake here. I took his picture and left.

I found a better place on the banks of the river - without snakes - and took this picture.

After 11 hours on the road we finally got to Napa. We found our motel with only a little difficulty and checked in. I took this picture - just cause - and then we got back in the bus to go find the school we had to go to in the morning. Then the best part of the trip - dinner at Sizzler. I asked the desk clerk for directions and after a few wrong turns we had a most delectable meal. I love Sizzler :) Back to our rooms to study , shower and sleep. Or at least try to sleep.

We where told that we would have an oral pre-trip test along with a written general knowledge test. There was allot of stuff to memorize. Most of us got four or five hours sleep between study time or worry time. We where up at 6 - in the bus at 7 - at the school for registration by 7:30. Turns out we didn't get an oral exam - both tests where written. Not a very easy test either - there where a few question that I thought non of the answers where correct. Oh , well. Next was the driving - we where to drive C2 buses, that where 40 feet long. Not a bus I am familiar with and one that I let intimidate me. The rest is history - I was really mad at myself for awhile but that was silly so now it is just one more lesson learned.

I knew Roger was going to win - he really had things down - and we all hoped he would win over all - meaning - highest score of all the divisions. And he did!!!! There is a traveling trophy - one that has only been up to our district twice before - and now it is coming again.

One very impressive trophy. Good thing we drove a bus down because we needed a big vehicle to transport it home.

We left Napa for home at 1 pm. We continued our tour of every rest area in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The other state rest areas are not any cleaner - in case you where wondering. We drove the last two hours in a very impressive electrical storm. I love watching lighting. Arriving in Rathdrum 10 hours later - I got into my car and went home. I took a shower - and spent the next eight hours - sleeping.

So next year when this Road-e-o thing comes up - remind me that I have already seen every rest area in Idaho - OK?

Regional Road-e-o

Today was North Idaho Regional Bus Safety Competition - OK the bus Road-e-o. We almost didn't have the competition because of all the budget cutbacks statewide. But one district in Napa Idaho volunteered to hold the State competition, so Lakeland (my district) quickly put together our regional competition.

Here is a picture of Mandy and I - she so generously volunteered to judge. It takes allot of people to judge these events, about 22. OK you are wondering how I did - I came in 4th. Not as good as last year but good enough to go to state. It was raining and a little cold so I really appreciate Mandy coming and helping out.

The competition has two written tests - one covering the "walk around" Questions about the bus itself. And another on general knowledge. Driving and bus questions. Then 10 driving events. Curb parking, straight line , crossing a railroad, offset alley, parallel parking, back-up alley, right turn, diminishing alley, picking up children, and stop line.

Because of the short notice and cutbacks we didn't get any trophy's. This economy is really bad when they take away the trophy's. :) Hopefully I can place and get one at state. :)

I had more pictures but I am having trouble with them this morn - oh well - So , now on June 19, I will be in Napa Idaho - for a much harder test - why is this fun?

My Mother - one great Lady!!!!

I wasn't going to be cruel and post the picture I took of my Mom today in the hospital with what I like to call a space shower cap on. The new "hair nets" they put on the patience now are silver. Who thought of this one? Anyway - Mom is fine - great even.

She went into the hospital today at 11a.m. and was suppose to have a kidney stone removed. But instead , she had an I.V. and a little happy drug and 10 minutes with the surgeon. He discovered that basically her left kidney is half dead. No need to do anything, since it wasn't bothering her in the first place. I don't have a medical degree and don't even pretend to understand all that was explained to me today - but I do know that when they woke her up from her groggy state all she wanted was a drink of water.

We actually got her home at about 3:30 and went to Appleby's for dinner at 4:30.

The more scary "procedure" is on the 23rd of this month. A stone in her liver. Not made of the same stuff the stones in her gallbladder. (She is keeping her gallbladder) Guess there is a narrowing of a duct - and the stone has formed in the narrowing. They want to know why there is a narrowing - they dropped the cancer word as one of the possibilities. We have chosen not to fret until the 23rd. But all your prayers will be helpful. Thanks :)