A milestone, quite literally

I was driving home yesterday from work, stopped at a red light, happened to look down at my dash, and my odometer was at exactly 43,000 miles. How cool is that?! I realize that 43,000 isn't all the special of a number, in and of itself. Maybe I am easily amused. But I've never just happened to notice my odometer at just the right moment...at an exact number.

So I thought I'd take a quick picture to capture the moment.

Popping pills

This week has been the week of heavy lifting and bruises. As many of you know, I’m in the process of moving. I had the offer of a lifetime: to move into a large 2 bdr/ 2bth/1650 sq ft condo, living on my own but also close to family…and within my limited non-profit salary budget! *If you are wondering what the catch is…you are smart. There is one, but it isn’t that bad: The condo is on the market. So, I have to be willing to have open houses and willing to move when/if it sells. But in this economy, I figure I have at least 4-6 months before another move comes my way.*

As much as I enjoyed living with my fantastic friend, Jessica, I was also just ready to be out on my own. I had lived on my own before, loved it, and wanted to do it again. So of course I couldn’t pass this up!

The plan was to take two weeks to pack and gradually move my belongings from my old apartment to the new. Well, we all know how plans go….they completely fall to the ground and we are forced to simply roll with the punches. And that’s exactly what happened.

Seattle was hit with a freak snowstorm. If you are from Wisconsin, North Dakota, or Alaska…I realize that a foot and a half isn’t really all that much. But you have to realize that Seattle NEVER get’s more than 2-3 inches. We aren’t prepared for weather like this. We have hills, no salt (it’s not “environmentally friendly”), and no one knows how to drive in snow. So it pretty much incapacitated the city. I literally wasn’t able to get to my old apartment due to road closures. There was no way in. Daily I tried. Daily I failed…and slipped and slid all over the icy road.

Finally, 4 days from needing to be completely out of my old apartment (with 3 of those days being work days), the roads were open. Granted, we pretty much went down the road sideways praying and praying we wouldn’t hit anything along the way (and thankfully didn’t). But we made it.

And there the bruising, muscle straining, and pill popping began….

* Note to self for the next move *

1. don’t have stairs
2. hire big, strong men to help out
3. downsize

To Blog or Not to Blog

One of my friends has recently been trying to convince me to start blogging again. His reasons are mainly very logical (which is no surprise with him), with a fun reason thrown in every once in a while.

I confess…It has been 4 months since my last blog. But in all truth, that was intentional. I purposely stopped writing on my blog for several reasons:

1. I'm on Facebook and it is seemingly the easiest way to send updates to the masses.
2. I’m much more passionate about photos than writing, and frequently struggle with trying to come up with something to write.
   
3. I lead a fairly uneventful life, so the VAST majority of posts would be incredibly boring to everyone...even to me! :)
4. Who will take the time to actually read my blog anyway?? When I did write, I never got comments on it or anyone mentioning that they had read it. So what’s the point?

But I can say…I am inspired to try again. Not only because of the logical reasoning provided to me or the criticism from my sister Teresa for being a “horrible blogger”….but also because I am an avid blog groupie myself. I LOVE seeing pics and reading updates. I truly enjoy being able to share in their lives, no matter how mundane a task they are sharing. It is fun to have a way to stay connected, especially as the busy, hectic schedule of every day life prohibits staying in touch with everyone. Military life hasn’t made it any easier, with friends scattered all over the world.

Therefore, I find myself reading post after post, and checking blogs regularly just to see the next snippet of info. I sometimes even read blogs from people I have never met. Yes, I’m a groupie. “Hello. My name is Sarah and I’m a blogaholic.” It’s just plain fun to have a window into other people’s lives. (I didn’t major in Psychology for nothing.)

So, I’ve decided to try again. Welcome to my world...

Autumn Evelyn Ingalls

I HAVE A NIECE!!

Autumn Evelyn Ingalls was born at 3:58am in Nashville, TN. 7 lbs 2 oz, 20 inches long. All are doing well. Here are some pics!

Weekend Adventure

Yesterday, Dad decided to surprise me with a fun adventure. All he told me was to bring my camera (with a fully charged battery) and to wear shorts and my hiking sandals. I had no idea where we were headed or what to expect, but I was excited!

It was an absolutely beautiful drive. We were about 20 minutes away from our final destination when my Dad finally decided to fill me in. Turns out, we were headed to go hiking around some ice caves. It was awesome!!

We got there, had a little picnic at the trail head, and then set out for the caves. Apparently, last winter there were some pretty decent avalanches that knocked out the bridges. So we had to wade through the river. Keep in mind, this was glacial ice water. COLD! I kept thinking, "Just keep going, just keep going." And then when we got to the other side I was thinking, "Keep moving. Warm your muscles back up. Just keep moving." It worked. :) Then we began the second half of our hike up. Finally we got to the ice caves, and it was most definitely worth it.

Geocaching 101

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching (pronounced geo CASH ing) is a high-tech form of "treasure" hunting played around the world. A cache is the object that is hidden; geocaching is the act of finding a cache, utilizing a GPS and exact coordinates from the internet. A geocacher can hide a cache somewhere in a public area and then post the cache coordinates online at www.geocaching.com. Anyone with a GPS can then try to locate the cache.

Personally, I'm a fan because it is a fun way to explore the world around me. I have found so many parks, trails, cool views, historical sites, etc that I never would have known even existed otherwise. It can be done alone or in big groups, and provides a new adventure every time.


How do you begin?

1. Purchase a GPS, or befriend someone who owns own. :)
2. Visit the geocaching website.
3. Register for a free account. Be sure to pick a cool username, as this will be what everyone sees.
4. Click "Hide & Seek a Cache."
5. You can search for caches by either typing in your address or zip code, or putting in your coordinates.
   
6. Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
7. Make sure to look at the terrain and difficulty level, and plan your adventure based on your preferences and time limits.
   
8. Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS unit.
9. Follow the GPS directions to the cache area and start searching. Good luck in this stage!
10. Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
11. Log your find in your online account. Please share your geocaching stories and photos!

Tips on picking a GPS:
Below is the list of things to consider, taken directly off of the geocaching website. From my experience I would suggest looking for the following: ability to add additional SD memory cards, ability to download maps, long lasting rechargeable batteries, and easy operating instructions. And recently I've noticed that a colour screen is handy too...though not at all necessary.

• Basemap. This is highly recommended. The additional cost is marginal, and the increase in the equipment's usefulness is substantial. Driving directions to the area near a cache can be incredibly useful, so consider this feature in a higher end device.

• Channels. Most GPS units today now have 12 parallel channels. Channels help to acquire GPS satellite signals faster and more accurately. If you are looking at older GPS devices, consider models built after 1997. Older, single-channel receivers are much slower and may not be as accurate.
• External antenna jack. With new GPS devices this has become less important since the newer chips are sensitive enough to acquire signal inside a vehicle. However, it is not always possible to obtain good satellite coverage through a front windshield; this is when an external antenna can help. Even backpackers will benefit from the ability to safely store the receiver inside a pack with an antenna attached to backpack shoulder straps. It can also help outdoor use in places, like heavy tree cover, where signals are weak.
• Interface jack. If you are using the receiver with a computer, be sure that it includes an interface cable so you can quickly load maps and waypoints onto your device. Newer GPS units often support USB while older devices generally have serial attachments. If you purchase an older GPS device and have a newer computer, you may need to purchase a USB to serial port adapter as well. If you own a Mac, you should check to ensure that it supports the Mac operating system.
• Memory. This is used to load detailed topographic maps, street-level maps, or additional waypoints into the receiver. Detailed maps can use a great deal of memory on your device. Consider internal storage capacity. Higher end devices also usually accept a memory card for additional storage.
• Power source. It is preferable to have a device that can support external power, like a cigarette lighter power cable. Due to the power requirements the device should support standard batteries (AA or AAA) for easy replacement on the trail. Lithium batteries are recommended for newer GPS models to ensure a longer battery life, and power geocachers should consider rechargeable batteries.
• Rocker keypad or touchscreen. Using a receiver without a rocker keypad is like using a computer without a mouse. Some newer GPS units have touchscreens which helps immensely when navigating using the maps.
• Screen size. For visual ease of operation, use a device with the largest screen that can be realistically carried. Screen size is measured diagonally. Color is great and helps define map features and a backlight is important, although both features burn additional battery power. A screen protector is important in preventing scratches out on the trail.
• Waterproof. Sooner or later your device will get submerged. Get a device that is at least water-resistant, although an IPX7 designation is preferred. An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Plastic bags and boxes are also recommended for added protection.
• Geocaching Features. An increasing number of higher end GPS devices now have functionality specifically created for geocaching that can store all the information from Pocket Queries. Some will also store field notes to help you log your caches after a hunt.

Keep in mind:
As I mentioned before, make sure to take note of the terrain and difficulty level, as well as the size of the cache. Pack everything you are going to need, such as water, food, a pen, trinkets for trading, etc.

Now grab some friends and start your exploration. HAVE FUN!

I've been TAGGED!

So here are the rules…

1. Link the person who tagged you. -Thanks Kassia! You are such an amazing friend, and I miss you!
2. Mention the rules in your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers’ blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

THE QUIRKS

1. I have this crazy obsession with keeping track of random quotes. I tend to get into really odd conversations, which, of course, leads to really odd quotes. They make complete sense in the conversation, but if taken out of context they would be really really bizarre. And I HAVE to record them. I plan to make a nice little coffee table book sometime. :)

2. I'm kind of ambidextrous. I have a tendency to write with my right hand and eat with my left hand...most of the time. For everything else, the hand I use is pretty much up to whatever mood I'm in at the time.

3. I'm known for my universal hand symbols. When talking, I frequently use my hands to better convey my point. It really is a good way to express my thoughts. And the best ones, the ones that I use over and over, are now known as Universal Hand Symbols. Get ready because someday soon, you will be using them too.

4. I randomly break into song and dance, to songs that are constantly stuck in my head (whether it be a real song or one I make up as I go). Really, how could one not sing and/or dance when they always have songs in their head?!? *this includes finger dancing at the computer*

5. I have a bajillion nicknames. Apparently, I am the type who just needs a nickname. Here are just a few: Sours, Calgon, Frogprince, Buffy, Duk Wuk Stu, Rubber Face, Grandma Mad Cow, Coffee Cup, Hotlightsan, etc.

6. While watching movie trailors, I almost always forget which movie I'm about to watch. Maybe I get sucked in to the stories of the previews. Maybe I just have a bad memory. But, if we ever watch a movie together, be prepared to hear "What are we about to see again?"


Now for the tagging. I don't know 6 people with blogs, because my friends are apparently slackers. But here are some:

Teresa and Clayton

Adam

Eddie

Beth

Robin

I'm a PUBLISHED photographer!!

As my last blog stated, I was the lead photog for the dinner and auction event, called Field of Dreams, for Medical Teams International. An article was written about this event in the Puget Sound Business Journal, and they chose my photograph to go with their article!!

So, on Friday, June 13th the article came out. The photo is of Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks and the Head Coach of the Washington Redskins (Mike Holmgren and Jim Zorn, respectively). Below is the article (on the right).

As you can see, Friday the 13th really did fulfill it's superstitious bad luck because they credited the photo to Brett instead of me!!!! But luckily, there was documented proof that I, in fact, took the photo. So in the next week's issue of the Puget Sound Business Journal, they wrote a correction. Below is the correction (bottom left). :)
So...while it didn't happen correctly the first time, I am a published photographer! WOOHOO

Field of Dreams 2008

As many of you know, I work for a fantastic organization called Medical Teams International. They are a Christian, humanitarian aid organization that sends medical, dental, and work teams worldwide for disaster relief and to help countries plagued by chronic poverty and/or conflict. I am extremely impressed with this organization and feel incredibly blessed to be a part of it.

This weekend we had our annual fund raising event, a dinner and auction we call "Field of Dreams". It is held at Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners, and is backed by some of the most important people in the area. This year, I was asked to be the lead photographer (which, of course, I loved!). Here are some of my favourite shots of the night:

Family in Seattle

I promised some pictures of this fantastic vacation..and now I deliver. It was a GREAT time with the original Cutter clan (and a couple little Broussard boys). I miss having them around!