"It's not a dog, Callie!!!"

As most weeks, this had its ups and downs. If you follow me on Twitter (@LindseyHarvell) or you follow me on Facebook, you know that I have had problems with my cable, internet, and phone since moving in here. Ironically, I did some checking and called Quest and what happened? My phone went out losing the call. That was the last straw. It pretty much cemented my decision. While I got on the phone with Optimum/Bresnan, mom got on the phone with Quest. I managed a $96 credit from Bresnan and mom ended up conferencing me in to set up my new service with Quest. They are handling my phone and internet and they do a special service through DirectTV which will cover my cable. I wonder what it will be like to have stuff that actually works. In one day, my internet and phone went out 6 times. Unacceptable.

I received the water/sewer/trash bill and thought it was a little high. When I compared it to others, the prices varied. So, I called the city to see what was up. Apparently, at minimum the bill will be $49, and then your water is added on top of that. Needless to say, I was shocked! It shouldn't be that much, but what can you say, the west coast is weird ... and apparently expensive.

I am appealing my taxes on my house. They have the market value $20,000 higher than what it appraised for. Good when you are selling a house, bad when you just bought it. So, I'm going to to to Parowan to a court date and sort this out. Everything in Utah seems to be backwards, so I can't wait to see what the court system is like. :-)

On a lighter note, I went to a super fun Pampered Chef party at a friend from church's house. Looking forward to getting all of my cool stuff, especially my pizza stone!

Check out these pictures that hang in the office at school ... they are all at varying heights and all crooked. It's really bothering me. I may need to go and fix them.

Callie has decided to write something as well this week:

I got to go on a lot of walks, although not as many as I had hoped. I don't understand why mom doesn't get that pulling weeds in the backyard does not replace walks. Also, walking to the mailbox does not constitute a walk. Those birds in the backyard are taunting me again. One of these days, they are going to taunt me on the wrong day and then POOF, they'll be gone.

I had a really fun time playing with my neighborhood lab friend, lady bug (she's the black dog in the picture). Mom let me off the leash and we played in the park. Then this furry thing that kind of looked like a dog came out to investigate. I tried to play with it, but it got on its back and was hissing ... then mom came running over yelling, "it's not a dog, Callie!!!" She said it was a cat and that I wasn't supposed to like it. It seemed nice to me!

My Shower Gel Smells Like Play-Doh!

Ayr Gel. Truly a gift from God when the Monsoon Flow leaves.

As most weeks, this week has proved to be interesting. The week ended much better than it started. So, let's go there ... 

Monday was meant to be a relaxing day of work at home. I took a morning walk hoping it would be peaceful. I will spare you the details but will tell details on the funniest part. I received a phone call from my realtor's office saying the bill was in for my handyman repairs and house cleaning. Now, think. What would you expect it to be ... $100? $150? That's what all of us were thinking. It was originally $360, but when it got to me it was $300. Needless to say I was peeved and wanted answers. I went to pick up the bill and called Juan. Little did I know this would be the most hilarious and oddest conversation I've ever had. I called him, and apparently he was tired of hearing about my bill ... others had called. I'm not really sure what happened between the time I left ReMax Velocity and the time I crossed the cattle guard onto Lund Highway towards my house. All I remember is a bunch of nonsense and then ... clarity. He told me just to not pay it. I almost stopped the car, I was so shocked. I thought, surely he didn't mean it. Then a friend told me, "If a Mexican says it, he means it." I asked him if I could call him back, he kept saying he was working for someone else and no. Of course, I'm going to pay him ... I'm just going to pay him a more reasonable amount. 

On that very same evening when I was taking my relaxing sauna shower before I go to bed to add some humidity to my bedroom, I realized something. My shower gel, which I purchased at the dollar store, smelled familiar. But, I just couldn't put my finger on it ... then it occurred to me. My shower gel smells like play-doh! I don't really like to waste it, so I am still using it. No wonder kids seem to like me this week. 

Some photos from the week:

This finch couldn't wait until I replaced the bird food.

Callie was doing everything to avoid getting a bath.

I think she feels better ...

Annoyance of the week: the monsoon flow leaving

Obsession of the week: Sister Wives

"It's the one with the dress, mom!"

This week has reminded me of one of my famous sayings that I said to my mom as she was on a path to walk into the wrong restroom at Disney World... "wait, mom, it's the one with the dress!" Luckily, she had me there to remind her and saved her from an embarrassing moment in the world's most happiest place. I was 9. Unfortunately, 20 years later (Yikes!), I seemed to have forgotten my advice ...

I need to first mention that the bathrooms in the SUU Centrum (where my office is) has multiple doors. Last week, I had accidentally walked into the wrong bathroom ... you know, the one without the dress ... the one ... with the pants. Yikes. Well, it wasn't a huge deal, nobody was in it. Earlier this week, I repeated my error, except this time, somebody was in there!! Luckily, he wasn't a coworker. I ran out as quickly as possible. Of course, I was paying attention to my email on my phone so it took me awhile to realize ... actually that is probably the reason I made the mistake in the first place. I am proud to report that I walked into the correct bathroom the rest of the week. Unfortunately, this was not the end of my "interesting" adventures for the week ...

The same day that I successfully walked into the correct bathroom, I locked myself out of my office and squirted Yoplait Yogurt all over myself. What can I say, I was on a roll this week.

Callie and I are still extremely happy to be here. In fact, we had a chat the other day, and we can't imagine ever living any place else! This place is somewhat backwards, but the trade off of the location and the amazing people I work with and friends I have made thus far, it is completely worth it. I'm just so unbelievably happy ... I never thought I would get here when I embarked on this journey 10 years ago. I feel so blessed to have fabulous family, friends, and amazing coworkers at an amazing place to work and live. I'm not sure life could get any better. And ...

I can GROW things here!!! The curse of me killing plants is over!! Check it out:

I grew this carrot from a seed. I also have onions and that is strawberries!

This is my sod after its first mow! 

Annoyance of the day: mean people

Obsession of the day: "Say Yes To The Dress" ... that show is hilarious! 

Snakes Rattle, Prairie Dogs Attack

Well, today was a very interesting day to say the least! I finally found Callie a vet ... conveniently right down the road of of 56 highway. While I was there, I learned that we have quite the rattle snake problem here. Not that I should be surprised ... we are considered "high desert." Although, this is the coldest desert i've ever seen. Of course, I don't think i've ever been to a desert. But, I just kind of always thought they were hot. I could be wrong. Maybe only the low deserts are. Something to investigate ...  Also while at the vet, I learned of a rattle snake vaccine. I haven't decided for sure whether I will be getting it for Callie. All I could think was to heck with her, what about a vaccine for me?? Ha! I'm trying to find out. Apparently the snakes are more concerned with getting away from you and only bite as a last resort. Don't worry, Mr. Snake, I will definitely get out of the way. But what happens when there are multiple snakes and no escape route? I suppose this is where a gun would be helpful ... and John Wayne. So, while we are on the subject of snakes, during Callie and I's walk, we found out that those holes in the middle of the dirt road? Those are not prairie dog holes, oh no. They are snake holes!! When Callie and I peeked in one of them, we saw a snake  ... a big one ... coiled up. Not sure if it was a rattler ... i've only ever seen them on Nat Geo. I didn't wait to find out. It was asleep, and I wanted to keep it that way. I tried to take a picture with the zoom ... not sure if you can see it in there ... but, I really didn't want to get any closer. :-) So, just when you think the stream of knowledge has stopped, I learned more ...

Prairie dogs, while incredibly cute and cuddly, are not in fact cuddly. Actually, if you get too close, they attack (think squirrel and raccoon attack combined). Callie and I like to hide in the what I now know as snake infested bushes and watch them communicate with the other prairie dogs. They actually chirp like birds. It kind of takes the peacefulness out of a nice country walk. So, I think I will rethink a) letting Callie run after them and b) the idea they are cuddly. They really are everywhere. What I haven't seen? A squirrel. Haven't seen one since in St. George at Zion. Despite the snakes and dogs that live on prairies, Callie has grown a liking to horses ... and the horse have grown a liking to her! Every time we are by there, she refuses to continue until we have said hello. Interestingly, they always come over right to the fence and say hello. Once I get some apples on my apple tree, I'm going to bring them some. As far as I know, horses don't attack, so we should be good there.

I also learned there are hardly any female medical doctors here. Not really sure why, but it's bizarre. I set up all of my doctors and got my cardiologist all set up here. He's kind of a temporary cardiologist. Because, of course, if I am dying or something, I want my Kansas cardiologist. They just need to keep me alive until he gets there. Not that I'm expecting anything like that. But with all this hiking, you never know. Check out the view from my doctor's office... breathtaking!! To quote one of my closest friends, I live in a postcard. It's pretty amazing.

On the school front, Theory class is prepped, Research Methods is pretty much prepped, and the intro comm class will be prepped by the end of the week! Then on to working on research!! :D

Annoyance of the day: Why am I listening to ads on Pandora?!

Great obsession of the day: Adele

Wind, Altitude, and Monsoon Flows

Looks like the monsoon flow that had been over southern Utah for the past week has finally past us. The news had said it was leaving, but what a vast difference. We have had unusually high humidity (40-50%) and it is definitely all gone. The current humidity is 18%, making my walk very unenjoyable. I also tried to run for the first time at a high altitude ... definitely not at the point where I can do that. Maybe i'm not as used to the altitude and climate as I thought I was ... even Callie was having issues! Hopefully we both get over our issues by Saturday ... Callie and I are going hiking at Cedar Breaks ... which is at about 10,000 feet. We'll see.

The wind here is much like it is in Oklahoma, except less like a hair dryer. The wind here is actually cold. So, the only thing that was enjoyable about my walk was this amazing view ... check it out:

Sodtastic!

I haven't written in awhile due to the fact that I have been working extremely hard on the house, school office, and the major beast, my backyard and front yard. Two weeks later and a stress fracture in my heel and numerous bruises and sore muscles, I can report that everything is finally complete! YAY!!! So, let's start at the beginning ... 

Backyard

As many of you know, this house had been vacant for about 7 months. It's amazing what can happen to the little grass that I had in that time frame. It was really ugly. Now, keep in mind, that when I first moved in, I only had grass in the front yard. It seems as though my builder, who is from Vegas, loves rocks. And the previous owners had a love for rocks that I had never seen before. So much so that they put the entire backyard in rocks. Take a look at the before pictures of my front and backyard: 

Front Yard

My mom and I pulled every weed in the front yard and sprayed weed killer in the holes. As for the backyard, that was more of a process. First, we had to get all of the rocks out of the swath where we wanted the grass. For those wondering why I didn't just pay someone to do it, the estimates ranged from 600 to 1000 dollars. All of this cost only around 100 dollars. So I saved a large amount of money. Once the rocks were removed, it was time to till the soil. Which was hard as a rock, so first we watered, then tilled ... by hand, with a rake. And we thought that was the hard work ... not so fast ... 

Spreading the Manure

The next step was to fertilize the soil ... which meant we got to spread manure all over the yard. Wonderful, right? While that was a stinky job, it wasn't all that hard. The next steps were, however. The next step was to lay the sod ... 

Jack was trying out the grass as we were laying it ... 

Once we were complete, the whole project took us about a week, but I think it looks much better, don't you?? 

Here is the backyard:

And here is the front yard ... 

Even though it is hard work, I recommend doing it yourself. Not only it is rewarding, but you save a boat load!! :-)

Zion National Park

We spent the day today at Zion National Park! It was beautiful!!! I would say more, but I think the pictures speak for themselves. Take a look ....