Christmas Second Nature Style

So, As many of you know I spent my Christmas in the field this year. I had major reservations about this leading up to the start of my shift, lots of tears on my part, lots of love from my family members. I ended up working in the girls group that I love and with JP and Erik, who are like my older sister and younger brother here, so I had the perfect set up going into the week. It was also an 11 day shift so that added some stress to the week. As a staff we brought a lot of fun things out for the holiday because it is really hard for those kids to be out there on holidays and keep doing their therapy and be missing their families.

I have to admit that I love Christmas Eve more than Christmas, all the anticipation is what I really enjoy, so I did a lot of my fun stuff on Christmas Eve. I had an ipod and speakers so we watched Charlie Brown Christmas, my all time favorite, then I read to them a book that mom got me, "A Tennessee Night Before Christmas" I of course cried on the last line, "Good night Tennessee, I wish I could Stay". That night I stayed up late and made stockings from ziplock bags and hung them up in the canvas tent we were staying in. They had recieved letters from family and I put those in there. I really enjoyed doing that for the girls, so that they would have something fun to wake up to. They really enjoyed it I think. Ok, my battery is about to die. I know Ash is probably going to comment on me always cutting these short...I'm sorry dear sister!!! I might finish at the airport friday!! haha

Lazy Blogger here...

I should change the name of my Blog to the "Rare Blogger"

So, last blog was when I went to Green Bay to see Jay coach right? What has happened since then...

Yes, I just checked my calendar to see what I've done...I think there is something in the desert air causing short term memory lose.

Well, I have recently started Senior Development at work, which basically means I am training to be a Senior, or in charge of a group. It is a promotion, and a big one. It basically means that when I am out for a week with a group I am in charge, legally! eeks. So, I have to go through a few weeks of SD to be ready in the eyes of my bosses for the new challenge. I was talking to a senior recently and said I was worried because I hadn't seen a lot of challenging stuff and he told me that they aren't hiring me because I have seen it all, but because they trust me to make the right decisions when I am in a tight spot. It can be a stressful preiod for a lot people. My first week of it was indeed stressful and I was more tired than I have been in my 15 months with the company. I have the week off this week and will get back to it next week.

I also started and finished a book "A Year living the Bible Literally". At first glance I thought it looked sacraligious and didn't want to read it, then a friend of mine who is Christian as well had it and let me borrow it. So basically this guy who doesn't believe in God is interested in relgion so he decides to follow the Bible litterally for a whole year. It was an eye opening read and suggest it to anyone who at times questions what the Bible tells us. He is more respectful and open than I thought he would be and really enjoyed the book.

Ok, bad timing to start a blog, my flight is about to board....

hello out there

So, the internet is down at my house, so I'm at the local coffee shop for now...it is nice though to be out of the house. So, what to update on....I suppose I'll start with my recent trip to Green Bay to see the Lions and oh yea, my brother who is a coach ;) I left St. George on Saturday morning and was back by Monday afternoon, so a short trip that was worth it!!! I got to hang with Jay saturday night and we at Lombardi's Steak house, it was great food and we got to catch up on the past few months, just the two of us. Sometimes it is nice to sit and talk with my brothers one on one, and remember they are two men who have watched me grow up and have spent more time with me than most people. The restaraunt was really neat too, a lot of old packers photos, old timey music. On my way back from working out I ran into Jim Schwartz (our old d coordinator) and it was like running into a family member...surprise surprise, i got choked up! I have known him since I was 15, I was there the day his twins were born, used to babysit his kids and have grown up a lot around him. Jay later told me that he was smiling from ear to ear after I left...how cool! Bonds in the NFL are deep...that's for sure. I feel like I'm jumping around a lot, but stick it out...That night we watched football and then because we are old fuddy duddies, we went to bed before 11. The next day I made my way to Green Bay, a town that is similar to Shelby in size and excitment! I got there and it was around 41 degrees...cold for a girl who has been in the desert. I got in and went to look at the field and jay was out there...so I went and chatted with him for a while. I wanted to see him warming up his gusy so i went and got some food (with cheese of course) and found my amazing seats. I saw Jay come out and run across the field and the emotions that came over me were so powerful! I was so full of pride and joy for my brother! I got a picture...here it is.

The O-line warms up in the corner of the end zone, like dad's guys! So, I was able to get lots of pics of Jay, I put them up on my Facebook, but here is my favorite...

We didn't win, but our two best players were out...we play them again on Thanksgiving and i will be there too...we will get our revenge then! I had a blast with jay and getting to see a new stadium and check a state off my list too! Such a productive weekend! Next season Susan is going to come with me! cant wait!

To all my blog stalkers...

Does that sound big headed? Good, that's what I was going for ;) I'm writing from my hotel room in Green Bay, Wi after seeing the Lions play the Packers. It has been a while...pretty much because I am lazy not because of being busy! I think my last post I was in NH for Jess' wedding. For some reason, I have never been a dancer...WELL, that night, because of many things I'm sure I just boggied my little butt off! It was so much fun! I'll put a pic of that monumentus moment later on. After that I went home and got to LP Field 30 mins before kick off only to see the Texans win. it is reasuring to know that I still turn a special breed of crazy when things get close or rough. I guess that will always be in me. That Thursday I went to Knoxville to be in Cassey and Dylan's wedding that weekend. Their wedding was GORGEOUS, a total souther affair! I was able to get all gussied up, i'll add pics of that as well for all of you who have trouble picturing me in a dress;) After that I spent 7 great days at home soaking up all the time I could with my family and it was just what I needed! Ok, I need to get ready to go to bed, have a 6 am flight back to the desert...will add more later!

Washburn's are Special

So, i have been in New Hampshire the past day getting ready for Jess and Clays wedding and spending time with her family, and no surprise it has made me really miss my family. Whenever I spend time with friends or other families, i automatically compare them and how they operate as a family to the Washburns. And not saying that we are superior, it is just different, we have always been a different family than most. There are so many friendships within our family, spouses, siblings, parents, we are all friends with each other and that is what I think makes us so unique. When i come home from Utah, I spend 99% of my time with family and that is by my choice. People out in Utah have learned that family is my #1 priority, bc I spend so much time traveling to see them.

Also it is fun to think of how it will be when i eventually get married, not only because I will be geting married! But because I know it will be a big family event, like the other 2 weddings have been. That in itself excites me! I love when our house is full to the brim with our family, it makes it feel so alive. Nothing is better than waking up to a random niece or nephew telling me i have to get up because the sun is up too and then coming downstairs to mom and the boys drinking coffee and reading the paper...oh how i miss my family!

New Hampshire - Check!

Today I added a new state to my ever growing list, New Hampshire! My good friend Jess, my twin, is getting married this saturday, so i have flown up for the week to hang out and then attend the wedding...this is the picture that got our whole friendship started!

We have been fortunate enough to work together all summer, and it has bee a blast. We talked about this not long ago, but when you work with friends in our job, you get to learn such vulnerable stuff about eachother, things it would take months and maybe years to learn in a regular friendship, so things kind of get expedited out there. We have definitly benefited from that.

So, anyway, that is why i am out here in NH for the next few days. Let me just say, I was driving from the airport tonight and the temp was 58 at 7:30! I was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and felt amazing and tonight I could see my breath! What a different place this is. From what I have seen so far it is a beautiful green place. I am so excited to see a new place. I feel like lately my travels haven't really taken me anywhere new and exciting, so I will get a taste of that this week. Tomorrow we are off to pick Apples...how quaint does that sound!? I will be back with more Northeastern updates!

Avett Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGKdBkBuBZQ&feature=related

check it out, it will only add joy to your day

Weekend in California

I am back from my weekend in California...what did I learn? I don't like LA. I'm sure I wasn't in the "cool/fun" part of town, but i couldn't even see that part of town from where I was. However an amazing show by the Avett Brothers more than made up for anything bad that happened on my trip! This band over the past year has become a big part of my life, their music in a way narrating my life. It is always special for me to see bands like that live and feel the energy that they put out and realize again how much i love their music. I also feel that southern connection with this band, they are from Concord, NC and you can feel/hear their southern influence in their music. It was funny for me to see all these LA types dancin along to good ol southern bluegrass! I suggest everyone checks out their music, it is hard to not find a song that speaks to you somehow. 

On to the next month or so, I will be working this week and the day after I get out, wed, I will be getting on a plane to New Hampshire for the wedding of my two friends from work Clay and Jess. I will spend 4 days in NH and then fly home Sept 20 and my flight gets in at 11 and I will hurry to the stadium and catch the Titans home opener! Dad doesn't know so it will be cool hopefully for him to look up in the stands and see me there not expecting it! So TN readers keep it a secret! I will spend a few days at home, going to my own dentist(this gets me very happy!) and maybe going to see the Avett Brothers again in Oxford, Ms. Then I head to Knoxville to see two of my best college friends get married! Cassey and Dylan were two of my first friends at MTSU and we were all on a trip on the Smokies when they started dating, I remember her coming back to our cabin and telling me about their first "mini-date" so it will be a lot of fun to celebrate their wedding and see some college friends! They are also my Western buddies. They have been out west a little longer than I have, living in Idaho, Joshua Tree, and now Death Valley. We all 3 realize how nice it is to have a home connection out here. Then I will head back home for a week and I FINALLY GET TO BE HOME FOR A FAMILY BIRTHDAY!!! I will be home for Brady's birthday! I am almost beside myself, I have been in the field for sOOO many birthdays and for someone like myself who always likes to celebrate birthdays with family it has been beyond difficult, so i'm glad I get to hopefully share the day with Brady! I head back to Utah Oct. 3rd. I am so looking forward to some time in Tn- it is desperatley needed these days, I haven't spend much time in Tn since my birthday. 

I think sometimes my body/soul knows when I have been away for so long and just craves it. And thanks to football season I will be spending many Fall weekends in Tn this year!!

Party for me and Luke

So, I have just been just sitting around looking at old pictures today. I have been mostly looking at ones of Luke from his young days at a toddler and for some reason I was taken back to a certain memory of him. Shania Twain was have a concert on Broadway in downtown Nashville for some morning show. So, Ash and I decided we wanted to go since it was free. Luke might have been right around 1 over or under not sure. It was a cold crisp morning, and we had to go at like 5 am. But we got there and I carried luke in the snugglie thing on my chest and she had a duet with Billy Currington "Party for Two". I know that this song has more of a sexual undertone to it, but for some reason when that came on I had my first nephew on my chest and we were all dancing along and i was singing the song and so whenever i hear that song anymore all I think about is dancing with luke on my chest in downtown nashville, so in my mind "party for two" is me and luke's song. I have to explain that carefully considering some of the lyrics ;) But like usual, I don't care! Ash is looking for a picture of the two of us from that morning and when i get it i will put it up here...

here they are

Another one

Here is a funny one of brady hitting luke in the knee... and one of him hitting me in the side of the head...what a loving brother!

Missin Luke

I found this video today, boy do I miss this guy. I have been playing it over and over just to hear his sweet voice...

Back to Blogland

I am once again out of the field, not a moment too soon this week. As you loyal blog stalkers know, i was struggling with the fact that erik was leaving last week as i headed into the field. Tip to those who want to work in wilderness therapy...taking your own baggage into the field with you is not good for anyone! And on top of that, i was missing Ashley and Ally's birthdays. 2nd year in a row that I have been in the field for Ally's bday, and before these 2 I had prefect attendence...same with Luke. I have been battling with this for a while, I've had a lot of guilt for missing family events, games, bdays because of work. I keep wondering, is it worth it? Deep down in my heart I know it is. Because I did live at home and had a job I didn't love and it wore on me and all i thought about was leaving. Yet there is still that part of me that feels like I need to be with my family when it matters. 

This is the sunset on Ashley's birthday

Ally's token bday card on a clients shoes

I luckily have wonderful support systems everywhere i turn. I talked to dad about the guilt and he was able to commiserate and told me of his doubts during his coaching career. Today I took Erik to the airport to go back to school. My close friend Jess offered to go with me so that I wouldn't have to drive home alone and sad. I ran errands all afternoon so I wouldn't just sit around the house and be sad. My sister figure JP called me and took me out to get some good Greek food(yes, there is a decent food place in St. g!) and we talked about what's going on for me. She is amazingly supportive. Her husband Shad and I shared some Root Beers(I'll post more soon about RB, yes i will blog about Root Beer) and talked football. Tonight I went to a movie with 4 friends and made plans with another to make a trip to Tn in the fall. It is funny that during the great times I tend to underestimate how wonderful the people in my life are. Then when I am going through a rough transition they all come swoop in and make sure that they iron out whatever wrinkles they can. It is extremely reassuring after I had a week in the field where I started to doubt my life here. 

In happy news I celebrated my 1 year anniversary with Second Nature! I can't even believe it! It was a weirdly cyclical week in that regard. I was with group 4 my first shift and with them this shift, we spent time at the first campsite i ever visited, we climbed Water Canyon Peak last year on August 29th and this year we climbed it on August 30th. To weird right? here are 2 shots almost a year apart....

last year on top of WCP 8-29-08

this year on top of WCP 8-30-09

Here are a few other pics from the week...

Me with Jess and Katelyn, the ladies I have been working with all summer

Hiking wound

I will be blogging up a storm hopefully this week, so come on back

Apprehensive

So, this week feels like it is going to be an emotional struggle for me. I go into the field knowing that I will see Erik for about 30 more hours when I get out and then he leaves. I talked to some friends about it last night and they had a hard time understanding, Erik puts up this front of he's the cool kid that has tons of energy and is always doing stupid stuff, and not many people get to see what is under that so when i say I'm going to miss him they just don't get what i'm going to miss. That was frustrating for me last night looking to cry on some shoulders and not really getting it. So, i came home upset and basically sobbed with Erik for a good while and really got it out there that i am scared of being alone. I have now 2 roomates on the opposite shift so I will never see them and jackson my full time roomate has a job and doesn't get home till 6, so I will basically be alone all day. one of my biggest fears is being alone in life. I know this is an irrational fear, but it is a fear for me none the less. So, if you guys could say some prayers for me that I am able to handle this change well, I would greatly appreciate it.

On another note, tomorrow marks a year that I have been with Second nature! I will write more about that when i get home next week. I can't believe I have lived out here that long and been in this amazing job that long! I wish I was in a happier head state for this week, but hopefully I can turn it around. 

Back home...for now

I'm never in this town for very long...and I will be leaving for most of the month in Sept...more on that later...

So, we are home, back in St. George after our magical weekend in JH. Last night we got back after our hike and got pizza from a local place, and it was amazing. One of the major perks of this trip was all the great local food we got to enjoy! Not much of that in St. G. This morning we slept late and pushed our departure time back as much as we could. We went to a few shops and got some gifts, Ash my loyal reader, I got your bday gift today :) Then went to "Jedidiah" for a late breakfast, I had buttermilk pancakes, not as good as Pancake Pantry, but they were fabulous. The weather was amazing this morning, windy and chilly, I wore jeans and a hoodie! As we were walking back to our hotel it started raining, and we took that as our sign that it was time to go home. The drive back was a bit harder this time with no break in the middle like on the way there. We both were able to split the driving time and had more great time to talk about the changes coming up for the both of us. As glad as we are to be out of the car and at home, I know there is a part of Erik like there is a part of me that wishes we could still be there...not worried about what is coming next. So, just a note, get ready for a few posts filled with Erik sadness, let's not pretend to be unaware of my emotional side blog stalkers! So, here are a few of my favorite pics...

This is atop the lookout station, where they look for fires

A cool tree along the trail

This is Erik, he loves energy drinks

I wish I could take a picture of the smell...

That is how I felt last night walking around the town of JH and walking up the trail to Mt. Washburn. This town even has a special smell to it. Something here is special, maybe it is just the whole place, never the less, you can't deny it. So, yesterday was a busy one for the roomate duo, hence no daily update. We left around 930 and went to the local bagel place, Pearl St. Bagel. We had delicious homemade bagels and coffee, then headed to Yellowstone National Park. We didn't exactly know where Mt. Washburn was in the park, and I am so used to small Zion that I was prepared for that....WRONG! We first drove through Tetons National Park...with a front row view of THE Tetons...breath taking! Then we finally get into YNP an hour later and find that MT Washburn is another hour or so in, almost at the other side of the park...hmmm. Erik was an amazing co-partner. He knew this is why I piked JH as our destination, so we could hike this MT so we buckled down and drove through hellish park traffic with people stopping every 4 seconds to take pics of the poor buffalo. 

I need to go on a quick tangent here - The American population disapoints me here, they seem so surprised to see these good ol buffalo, like they have never seen a big beautiful animal like this, so they have to get up in its face and take million photos. The same with elk and bucks. I suppose my dissapointment comes from the fact that they have never put themselves in real situations where they will see that stuff, places without roads, or at least old state roads way out in the middle of nowhere. Another part of that is, why come to one of the first national parks in our countries rich NP history just to take pictures along the road? I know you are thinking, well maybe they went hiking later...no no. I have been to enough NP to know who is driving through and who is going to get OUT of their car to see the wonders in front of them. The stuff from the Road is amazing yes, but the way it works is that the best stuff is on a trail. I see more Europeans on trails than Americans...let's see what our country has to offer!!! Get on a Trail and out of the car!!! 

Ok, it is out of my system, that is the outdoor rec/outdoor professional/outdoor lover coming out and sometimes I can't keep it inside any longer! You know!? Ok, so we have driven on these 2 lane roads and sometimes get caught behind buffaloers(thats there new nickname) and go about 30 mph. Luckily the views are amazing so we tried to take that in, but both of us were itching to get hiking. So, 3 hours after we left JH we arrived at the trail head for Mt. Washburn, finally!! So, we all know I'm a nerd for my family and last name. So seeing Washburn on a bunch of trail signs was almost too much for me! Erik had been cooped up in the car for too long, so he ran...literally up to the top. Which was nice because i had an opportunity to spend some time along hiking. Our elevation gain was around 3,000 ft. It was def a challenge when I started getting to the top and the air was thinner. Erik came back down and met me when we were close to the top and we finished it up together. When I got to the top and saw that sign "Mt. Washburn" I got pretty emotional thinking about all the other Washburns. Big surprise:) And this is going to be a cheesey emotional metaphore, but i am in the business of cheesey emotional metaphores, so deal with it. I was standing on top of a mountain bearing my last name and thinking of all the mountains our family has had to climb and how my brothers are out there right now climbing their "mountains" Jay with his new adventure in Detroit...Brady putting himself out there for something new, and me living out west. There are a lot of Washburns out there climbing mountains as I stood atop "Our Mountain". After that moment, erik and I went to the lookout up top, there is a fire lookout up there because it is so tall! We took some pics and enjoyed the view. I then took rocks from the top! and we headed down. The drive out wasn't as bad as before and we got back to JH around 7 pm. Overall is was a very special day with Erik..

We are leaving today, and both of us are trying to put it off as long as possible. We both agreed this is like we are not in reality and as soon as we get home, back to reality and back to knowing he is leaving soon, something neither of us want to realize. Erik has grown to be someone I hold very dear to me, my little brother as i call him. I am so proud of him going back to school, and I will miss him dearly...so, the longer we are in JH, the longer he is here with me...

naptime in the albertson's parking lot

So, last night I updated about being in Park City, Utah. So Erik's friend was late getting to us and when I mean late....3:30 Am late! We had not planned on staying in PC over night so we had no hotel and basically no place to go after all the places in town had closed. So, we went to an Albertson's to get some cheap movies and watch them in the car while we waited. Luckily my car is great for putting the seats down and sleeping room. So we got comfy and started our wait. After both laptops had died Erik decided to charge his computer in Albertsons while I tried to sleep. I woke up at 2 am and after we got back together still nothing from his friend. So we tried to sleep again. Around 3:15 his friend called and said he was there. We sleepily drove over and got settled. I last saw the clock at 3:48. Wake up time was 7:25. We got on the road to finish our drive to JH, Wyoming. Breath taking is an understatement to the views we saw along the road. The town itself is simply amazing! If you are ever in Western Wyoming, I suggest you stop through!

What is quieter than a ski town in summer?

The answer is NOTHING! HA! I am in Park City, Utah today on my way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We have stopped here for a few hours to wait on a friend of Eriks. The scenery is beyond amazing, but it is pretty close to a ghost town as you can get. It has been a great day in a new town though. St. George is one of the most un-local places i have ever seen, and park city has a lot of local eateries that we have been enjoying, the taste of REAL food is an amazing thing! And getting away from the heat of southern utah is reason enough to be at 10,000 ft! That's right...rarified air! This is the only picture of main st. i could find, apparently they don't take a lot of pics without the snow...use your imagination

6 months later...

Been a while since I have been on this thingy, glad i remembered my password! I'm sure the past months have been eventful, some things that are different since my last post in Feb...I am a Wilderness First Responder...What does that mean? Well, say you and I are hiking deep in the woods, hours away from medical care and you fall and break you ankle or pop your shoulder out of place...well, I can pop it back in or split your ankle until we get to doctors. It is a pretty amazing thing to have and a neccesary one if you want to work in the wilderness field where you have people in your care 24 hrs a day. It was an intense 8 day course, and i was lucky enough to take it in Boone, Nc and spend the week with Uncle Chris and his family. Mom had been out here 2 times and dad once. We had amazing times both trips. It is great for them to see where I am living and picture how my life works out here. I think it reasures them that I am going to be ok when they meet all the amazing people in my life, and then they realize that I really do love it out here and they get sad because they know I'm not leaving anytime soon:( I turned 25...no big deal there. Mom on the other hand turned 60 with a celebration at the beach in South Carolina surrounded by her children and grandchildren, it truley was a magical week that will hopefully get repeated for all her birthdays! My friend from college Anna came out to visit as well and we hiked the Narrows, a hike in Zion national park that is almost all in water, some parts go up to your chest and you get to go back in narrow canyons, it was amazing and great to have a friend out here for a week. 

More recently I met mom in Ohio for THE START OF FOOTBALL SEASON! The titans were starting the season with a game against the Buffalo Bills in the Hall of fame game. Not only was this a chance to see FOOTBALL, it was a chance to see the Pro Football HOF - something I have always wanted to experience, and let me say it didn't disapoint. For someone who's life has been shaped and molded by football like rocks have been shaped like water, it was great to get to see and be a part of the history. As I walked in I will gladly admit I had to fight back a good deal of emotion. Even though no Washburn will most likely ever BE in the HOF...we are a part of Pro Football, so we are in a sense in the hall, and now a new generation is there. The game was amazing as well, we played great and it was fun to see live action Football, something not aboundful in Utah;)

So now that we are caught up let's move to the present tense...I am about to celebrate my year at Second Nature Entrada! It is hard for me to realize that I have spend a year of my life in Utah and about half of that sleeping on the ground in the upper desert...where does the time go? This year though has been by far one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. It is true that we sometimes get just as much therapy as the clients, it is hard to work here and not take a deeper look at yourself, which is not easy! 

This off shift I am headed to Jackson, Wy with my roomate Erik, he is leaving to go back to college in NY and we decided to take a roadtrip together before he leaves. I will be beyond sad when he leaves, he had become like a little brother to me and it will not be the same when he leaves. I will put up a few shots from the last few months then it is off to pack the car and hit the road...

A perk of getting to work in the Wilderness...this is a sunset from the night Steve McNair died

me and the goofy parents!

This is just to show you the funny people I work with, trying to get me to dance he decided a proposal was neccesary!

The water got deep fast..

Maybe I will be able to keep this more up to date in the next busy months of fall...just badger me, that usually works!

So I am back in St. George after a 3 week break and time back home in Franklin. I think I could have spent just a little too much time at home this break. Like mom said, I got comfortable in my old home routine. Wasn't having to do a lot for myself, just relaxed and was taken care of by my sweet mother for the most part. I am now back in utah and don't have plans to go home for a good visit in the near future. I am def struggling today missing home, and it has gotten me thinking about how much I miss home sometimes and when if ever that will go away. I love my job and wouldn't be living out here if I didn't, but sometimes I miss my family so much it hurts. And not just my family members, the way of life in Franklin, the comfort level I have there, the people I know. Being there for almost 11 years, it is hard to get up and go somewhere else all of a sudden, and to go alone is even harder. I'm not new to moving, but am new to moving on my own. I guess I am having a bad day and have been pretty weepy. I am praying that getting back into my work routine will help me get over a little of my homesickness...and some prayers for God to direct my heart. Realistically I think I will always be someone who misses home, until I have a real home of my own. I was raised in such an amazing family that it is only natural for me to miss that. I had hoped that writing all this down would help me, just by getting it out, and it has a little bit, but I don't know what will help me stop feeling this sad feeling today. Maybe I should just let myself be sad for a little while and then move on to my work week....

Guitar Hero

So the Washburns have discovered Guitar Hero and needless to say, we had a BLAST...Brady played rock videoer and got me playin....enjoy the humor!