Day 3:
The day started on a very bizarre note. I woke up early to run, and I let the cat into the house on my way out the door at 6:00. When I got home from my run, my sister (Leanna) and Elodie were watching television together. "Why are you both up?" I asked.
Leanna answered, "I heard the cat screeching just after 6:00. I got up and found Elodie trying to stuff him into a dresser drawer." Frightening.
The rest of the day was pretty tame and slow in comparison. Russ went into work (twice), so we had some downtime at my parents' house. That was okay with the kids since they thought the "new toys" were so cool. (Remember that they played with these same toys when we lived in Utah seven months ago, but they have short-term memories.)
Swimming at the university swimming pool was the day's highlight other than the joy of toys. We discovered that we timed our trip really well. Local schools started the week before our arrival, so we had the ENTIRE pool to ourselves. (Well, until a little boy and his dad showed up.) The four lifeguards followed us around as we moved between the kiddie and regular pools. It was a bit unnerving, but having an entire swimming complex to ourselves was sweet.
Rating: 5 out of 10
Day 4:
Russ left Tuesday with the girls for a mini trip to visit his cousin and her family. I was planning to spend the night with my youngest sister in Salt Lake during their absence. However, I got an unexpected call to schedule a job interview (via the phone) the next day. [Note: I am venturing a return to the world of paid work after a seven-year absence. I always have to clarify the "paid" work part because it's not like I haven't been working as a stay-at-home mom.] The phone call turned my fun evening into a trip to the library and studying for my interview. Fortunately, Leanna and I made a few pit stops at local stores which made the pain much more bearable.
Rating: 4 out of 10 (Full points to Leanna for being nice enough to hang out with me while I studied.)
Day 5:
I started the day with a jog into the canyon. The weather was great, and the run was very enjoyable. However, my long run (and my procrastinating) cut into study time for my interview. However, I'm not sure if more studying would have made much difference. It's been years since I interviewed for a job, and I am very rusty. I had a hard time reading my interviewers reaction, so I don't know how well I explained skills I haven't used for years.
With the interview behind me, Leanna and I did a bit more shopping. (You've got to maximize on those opportunities while the kids are with their dad.) Leanna then dropped me off at the bus stop where I took the bus to Salt Lake for my postponed visit with Kristi, my youngest sister.
Taking public transit worked out well and provided plenty of opportunity to people watch. I met Kristi after she got off work, and the two of us spent hours talking before finally going to bed. No, we didn't spend a wild night on the town, but chatting was just as enjoyable.
Rating: 6 out of 10 (points deducted because of the job interview)
Day 6:
After getting ready the next morning, Kristi and I went shopping. Neither of us planned to spend any money, but of course we did. We had a great time together, and the hours passed quickly. My middle sister (Kimberly) then dropped me off at the light rail where I headed back to Provo.
Soon after I arrived, I met my sister-in-law to see a chic flick. (We saw Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. I missed some of the things from the books, but overall it was pretty good.) I had to see the movie while I had the chance because there's no way Russ would ever see it with me.
After the movie, my sister-in-law, brother, nephew, Leanna, and I went for Korean food and then gelato for dessert. (I know--Korean and Italian are a weird combination, but it was great dining and great company.)
Rating: 9 out of 10 (It would have been a ten if I'd seen my kids during the day.)
Day 7:
I started the day with another run up the canyon. The weather cooled since Wednesday, but I finally warmed up as I progressed. I was sad that I didn't have a camera in hand because I ran into an enormous MOOSE during my run. (Well, he was on the side of the trail.) The two of us stared at each other, and then I ran on without incidence. How cool is that?
I also passed a waterfall and lost of other beautiful scenery during the run.
Later in the morning, Russ and the girls returned from their mini trip. They had a great visit, but we were all happy to see each other again.
In the early afternoon, we returned to the pool for another swim session. We still had the kiddie pool mostly to ourselves, but we had to share the regular pool with hordes of freshman newly arrived for the school year. The freshman hogged the pool with their flirtatious games, so we stuck mostly to the kiddie pool. This was fine as we still had an exclusive lifeguard and a lot of fun.
That evening we met my four siblings, two spouses, two nieces, one nephew, and a dog for a picnic in the park. The three middle cousins had a great time exploring the trees and playing together. The two toddlers required constant observation. The teenager texted friends. And the adults laughed a lot.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Day 8:
We packed and cleaned in preparation for our trip back to Oregon. Our departure time got pushed farther and farther back as we packed a whole lot of stuff into our van. (We left a lot behind when the girls and I lived in Utah earlier this year.) We finally left at 1:00 p.m. MST which led to us returning to Portland at 2:00 a.m. PST. Fortunately, Russ was a champion and drove the last six hours while the girls and I fell asleep.
And now . . . we are home with a bug-encrusted car, a lot of dirty laundry, and a whole lot of stuff to unpack. I guess that's what Labor Day is for.
Rating: 5 out of 10 (points lost due to our late departure and our overstuffed and filthy car)
