Dirty

So right about now I bet your asking yourself, "why is there a picture of dirty legs?" Well, I'll tell you!

I must say I am very proud of my dirty legs. So proud in fact that insisted on taking a number of pictures of them and procrastinating as long as I could before I had to wash off the dirt. These legs are what I am now labeling as an "Idaho Tan." Very temporary, this dirt tan is a result of being dust blasted on the four wheeler driving through the hills (and the herd of cows) on the ranch! We had so much fun that I didn't want to turn around! I am still blowing dirt out of my nose! I loved it!

Dingle, ID

In the heart of Bear Lake Country lies a little town that has no gas station, no store, only people, horses and cows and one stop sign. This little place is called, Dingle. John took me up to Dingle and the Ream Ranch to explore this beautiful place tucked between rolling hills, Bear Lake and a bird refuge! We had such a great time! I will post more pictures later, but for now here are some landscapes that surrounded our trip! *Notice the Snapper (American Great White Pelican), my favorite bird! We saw alot of them - I was so excited!

Minnetonka means "Cave of Falling Water"

On Monday we decided to go up St. Charles Canyon near Bear Lake and explore Minnetonka Cave. The cave is notorious for housing 444 stairs (888 in and out) that either go straight up or straight down! The limestone cave was formed from earthquake activity from the fault line that runs East / West through bear lake and into the mountains. The fault line was clearly visible as we trekked through the cave. Only after we were half way through the cave did they tell us about the fault line, a little unnerving.. 300 feet below ground and walking beside the fault line. We are either really brave or really dumb! HA! It was a great experience!!

Still Lost... For Now

Last night was the season finale of Lost Season Three and I must say I was a bit disappointed. Each episode in the series is woven with a flashback from one of the characters lives, in the season finale the flash back turned out to be a flash forward. That was a spin that I didn't expect. Unfortunately the flash forward was not very uplifting and fun. In fact, it was down right depressing! Jack was back in the "real world," unlost and alot like his unlikeable father - a drunk and drug addict. He is miserable and desperate to get back to the island and find himself lost again.

I can only hope that the writers are tricking us! Having to watch all of the survivors's lives fall back into ruin after being rescued for the next three seasons seems about as fun as nothing!

Charlie died. I suspected that would happen. Overall I was left unfulfilled and not in a nail biting "oh my God" sort of way!

The season finale ended almost as I suspected-- without any major surprises - except the gloomy future. After that ending I'm looking forward to going back and reliving all that Lost has been. I am ready to get re-Lost all over again and patiently wait for whatever lies ahead!

I did find this quote very interesting:

"There lies in the Ocean an island which is called The Lost. In Charm and all kinds of fertility it far surpasses every other land, but it is unknown to men. Now and again it may be found by chance; but if one seeks it, it cannot be found, and therefore it is called The Lost."

Honorius of Autun, De Imagine Mundi, about AD 1130
????????????????????????????????????????????????????

The Final Countdown

"I feel like we're playing a chess game, and in the first six moves, we've lost our queen and two bishops, and the audience is saying 'They are the worst chess players in the world!' What they don't realize is that we're nine moves away from check-mating you."
- Damon Lindelof on writing Season 3

Season Three Finale of LOST Tonight!!!!!!

B Stands for Brown[ies] (John)

What Your Favorite Color Brown Says About You:

Solid - Stable - Dependable Masculine - Comforting - Responsible Unwavering - Mature - Realistic

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

Maybe It is Easy Being Green (Annie)

What Your Favorite Color Green Says About You:

Balanced --- Relaxed --- Flexible Compassionate --- Philosophical --- Humble Loyal --- Inventive --- Unique

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

Lost and Gone Forever

OK, so if anyone asks we'll admit it... We have a problem. My name is Annie. My name is John. We are addicted to LOST!

For anyone who hasn't seen the show our only advice is DON'T DO IT!! If you do, be prepared to set aside every wednesday for the next three years of your life to be confused and obsessed!! This show keeps you guessing and always wanting more! Anyone that has watched Lost from the beginning of season one is completely addicted! For those of you who haven't seen it... STAY AWAY or ELSE!

Next week is the two hour season finale!! There are so many questions: is Charlie going to die? Are they going to be rescued? Is Locke ok? Who is Jacob? What exactly is the island? and on and on and on and on and on. All we can do is excitedly wait for more clues guiding us to the light of what is going on!!

Now that season three is coming to an end, yet another question is posed -
what the hell are we going to do now?

Talking to Ourselves

I know it has been awhile since we have posted anything new (not that any of you have been anxiously checking in to see what's new in our lives), but we have both been very busy getting the summer started! Hopefully I'll post new pics this weekend! For all of you that have checked out our blog and written nice coorespondences -- thanks!! It is always great to hear from you.. and also to know that we are not just talking to ourselves out there in virtual land.

It's a busy busy week for us, parties, birthdays, kitchens, museum collections, cooking - the list goes on and on...

Check back soon!
xoxo,
J&A

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JANE (The Queen)!!

hey teacher! leave those kids alone

I am happy to report that I made it through finals successfully!!! My brain is offically on vacation to la la land!


Time to sit back and get ready for Hawaii and our big day!! I can't wait! Aloha!

Village Banking Campaign

Yesterday was one of the rare days that I was home in the early afternoon and watched The View. I am not a fan of the show but was fated to turn it on just in time to see an interview with Natalie Portman. Portman is promoting a humanitarian organization called FINCA or the Village Banking Campaign.

The organization provides small loans to the world's lowest income entrepreneurs so that they can create jobs, build assets, and improve their standard of living. Most of these loans go to women. These women live in third world or war torn countries and are beyond poor. The Village Banking Campaign establishes banks funded by private donations in hundreds of villages and towns throughout the world. They give women small loans to start a business that can support them and their families. From doing handiwork, to a small restaruants, these women use the money from the loan ($50 US dollars and up) to develop and open a small business that enables them to create financial stability, self-suffieciency, and most importantly, empowerment for themselves and their families. All the organization asks is that the women repay the loan without interest whenever they can. 98% pay back the loan in full and usually contribute more than what was originally given to them!

Portman told about a women who received a loan of $50.00 from the organization 10 years ago. The women was a single mom with no education, no home and no skills to earn money. Through the Village Banking Organization, she was able to open a small food stand in her village. That stand turned into a small sucessful restaurant and now, 10 years later, employees 7 other women. The owner is also sending her daughter to a university this year. She paid back the loan in less than a year! All of this from $50.00! How amazing!!!

Please check out their website and pass this amazing idea along!! help donate inspire

http://www.villagebanking.org

Unique Is My Dove - Our Song

Unique is My Dove lyrics by. Matisyahu

On the way into this world, our soul was born in two
Searching for you, I been searching for you
Where ya been, where ya running to
Where ya got to go, what ya got to do
Don't care where were goin, just wanna be with you
Put your head on my shoulder, tell me what you been through
When I lose my focus, you remind me of the truth
Lift us up to the heavens, for a birds eye view

[Chorus:]
One woman for me
Other half of my soul, you're my queen
One woman for me
Other half of my soul, roots of my tree

We could forget about Gallus for a while, our troubles for a while
Sometimes I look at you and just smile, sit in the park and just laugh all day
Sometimes I just lose it with the things that you say, waiting by the subway
But we missed the train, well take the next one if you can pull me away
Keep me cool down to earth, and no anxiety
Stay modest with the humble heart always

[Chorus]

We don't need no umbrella when we're walking in the rain
Sunlight or clouds, it’s all the same
Don't need no umbrella, when we're walking in the rain

So smart and sharp, oh so lovely
And a beauty shine bright, yes you're there for me
Keep the ways of our fathers, how it use to be
Moving forward, don't mean erase our history
Look to your ways, and see a girl who wants to do the right thing
Dedicated to a life, bigger than you or me
Build a temple in our hearts, for his majesty
Stay simple, serve god, and keep our feets clean