Universal Language

Because I speak Spanish, I often find myself wanting to speak Spanish to anyone for whom English is not their first language. It seems logical, right? Anyone with an accent should be able to understand Spanish. A lot of people start speaking more loudly when it is clear there is a language barrier, I feel like I should be speaking Spanish. It actually works pretty well if they speak Italian, Portuguese, or even French, you can at least make yourself understood. Other languages, not so much.
So the other day Tim was speaking to a new client on the phone. She had a thick accent and he was having a hard time understanding and making himself understood. He finally told her that he was going to have his wife (me, the superstar translator), speak with her. I picked up the phone and introduced myself in Spanish, then asked a basic question about what type of home she was looking for. Silence... I repeated myself, thinking that maybe I hadn't spoken clearly or she couldn't hear me. Still more silence. She finally said, I'm sorry, I don't understand you, I'm Korean. Oops. Clearly Spanish is not the universal language. Poor lady. Next time I'll just speak louder, that should do the trick.

Poor Puppy

WARNING, IF YOU ARE AT ALL SQUEAMISH, DO NOT KEEP READING, JUST COME BACK TOMORROW WHEN I WILL HAVE A NICER POST. SERIOUSLY

So, with that as an introduction, here is the story. Last week Everest had a spot on his back where he had scratched off all of the fur. We thought it was strange, but weren't super worried. The mosquitoes have been super bad at our house this year, so we thought maybe he just had some bites. We started spraying him with bug repellent and Tim even tried putting Neosporin on the spot that he had scratched. After a few days he had a second spot so we decided that we better take him to the vet. When the vet examined him, he discovered that he had an infestation of maggots. Apparently some type of fly had burrowed into his back, then laid eggs, and started a cycle of maggots. They secrete some type of chemical that had been eating big holes in his back, and everything was now infected. The vet shaved until he got to where the skin was clear, then treated it all with medication and gave him a big shot of antibiotics. Once we got him home we had to keep giving him pills which he refused to take. The first few nights were a joke because he wasn't eating anything because he was so sick, and I had to try to force the pills in his mouth and down his throat. Luckily he is a good dog, otherwise, I might have lost some fingers. Twice a day Tim cleans his wounds and puts on some medication. He still looks awful, but, the wounds are improving and he is also acting so much better, finally eating and drinking, and will come out to see me when I get home. He's doing well enough that it is almost funny when he runs into things with the cone...almost. Are you starting to itch yet? We have been since this ordeal began.

Raindrops on Roses....and Schnitzel With Noodle

These are a few of my favorite things...

Sunday Tim made a homemade German meal for us.

Schnitzel, spetzela (the noodles ), rotkohl (red cabbage),

and brown gravy.

For the noodles he had to make a batter, push it through

a spetzela press, boil the noodles, then cook in a pan.

It was all a lot of work and truly a labor of love.

The flavors are very distinct,

But absolutely delicious.

We capped off the theme by having him say the prayer in German.

Everyone agreed we need a repeat of the night.

Orem Owlz

Our Seven Peaks passes came with free passes to the Orem Owls,

A minor league farm team for the Aneheim Angels.

It was a perfect night for baseball.

Cool temperatures and six home runs in one inning.

Brycen in left field waiting for an over the fence home run.


Don't judge that I am wearing the same clothes as last week.
Choosing a new outfit it highly overrated.

Serenity Now

My brother Cory is a really great photographer, I am always amazed at his eye for objects and landscapes. He and his little family (Jenna and Calvin) have been a part of the Arizona clan (aka Compound North), but lucky us, they just moved to Utah. He created this slideshow of pictures he took along the way. I keep putting this on replay because the images are so calming to me. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

What Happened to Sports Radio?

At the risk of exposing myself as a talk radio nerd, I have to ask, what happened to sports radio at 104.7? Yesterday the station was sports talk with all of it's regular hosts and shows. Today it was Spanish music. Now I'm completely in favor of good Spanish music, but why did it have to kick sports radio out, and where did it go? This time of year they talk about a lot of things I wouldn't mind if I missed, but come college football season, it will be a serious problemo.

Stadium of Fire

It has been over 15 years since I have been to Stadium of Fire and Tim has never been. This year we were wooed by Brad Paisley and the whole family decided to go. I may have a little crush on him. I'm sure his wife doesn't mind, Tim didn't seem to be too threatened (he knows I'm his forever). We went to see Brad who did not disappoint, but the entire show was entertaining. One of the funniest parts was the parachuters that came into the stadium. The first two came in and landed on the field without a hitch. The third one came in fast and skimmed some of the barriers, landing on his butt but made a good recovery. The last one totally missed the mark, knocked down a barrier and a camera man. Luckily the cameraman got up and appeared to be unhurt, that way we didn't feel bad laughing about it. I was surprised at how emotional I got at some of the references to patriotism and our country. It really was a great reminder of the freedoms we enjoy and the opportunities we have.

I was surprised at how emotional I got at some of the references to patriotism and our country. It really was a great reminder of the freedoms we enjoy and the opportunities we have. Today in church we sang the Spar Spangled Banner and I was touched by the last verse which I don't generally recall singing. Since last night I have been thinking a lot about the sacrifices that have been made to make my life better, men and women that have been fighting for freedoms for the past few hundred years. I'm not sure that I consider this as much as I should and hope that I can figure out how to better use my freedoms in a way to justify the sacrifices.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!