It was a Fair Day

This weekend was the Trinity County Fair, which, for some 4-Hers, is THE WEEKEND of the year in this community. Because I didn't grow up here, or around 4-H, I was extremely fascinated with all that goes on at this event. Let me start by saying that Wes didn't go to the fair, partly because he already had plans to go on a ride, and partly because he feels a little bit scarred by his childhood fair memories. Ok- that's a bit extreme, but let's just say he really doesn't enjoy all that the fair has to offer. So, while the grown-up males on the Scribner side of the family got on their street bikes and headed out to the coast- the females on the Scribner side gathered up the kids and headed to Hayfork. Grandma Linda graciously offered to drive, and with my sister-in-law, Bridget, me, my nephew, Shawn, my niece, Brynn, Kylee, and Owen- we had quite the crew! We went first thing in the morning on Saturday, because we wanted to beat the heat. When we arrived, the first thing I noticed was that there weren't a whole lot of people milling around yet, and those who were, were hanging out, riding around on bikes and quads, kind of like they had settled there. I realized that these kids had been here all week, at this point, the fair is just going on around their campsites. Fascinating. We went in to see the animals, which was really cool. We know two of the girls who were showing their lambs, and they were awesome to let the kids come in their pens and meet these nibbly-friends. It really was neat to see all of these proud children and young adults sitting with the animals they had raised all year to be in the best possible shape come fair day. I always used to think about how sad it is that the children work so hard, and get so close to their companions, and then have to give them up at the end (sometimes for a hefty check, I must say!), and now I realize that there is a lot more to it. I think that the 4H is a great group that teaches kids values and work ethic, and the kids who participate are learning valuable life lessons about responsiblity from a young age. Wes did it, he raised the pigs and the turkeys, and tells stories of wearing the stinky "pig shoes" to school. This may be the reason he wants to steer clear of the fair now, but I think it's part of what makes him such a tremendously responsible and hardworking man today. He has said our kids will NOT be walking pigs in the morning before school, and I support that. I have to smile, though, because it is TOO funny for me! When I think about all the things I had hoped my kids would stay away from as they enter adolescence, walking pigs is definately not at the top of my list :)

So, the Fair day was full of rides (all courtesy of Grandma Linda), yummy greasy food, and Bridget and I even treated ourselves to a stop at the beer booth. We were happy to see a bunch of Kylee's little buddies from gymnastics and new classmates, and we were all having so much fun, that what we had planned to make a morning-only event, turned into an all day excursion! The temperature was well above 100, and the nap-less kids got along famously the entire day. Needless to say, the ride home was very quite (I even got to nap a bit!) and we arrived shortly after the men finished their 5 hour ride- which, by the way, was also awesome! I'd say that Fair day was definately a very fair day for the both guys and the gals!

Seeing Clearly Now

This has been my super-cool look for the past 3 weeks, as I have been solely wearing my glasses. Many people who have known me for many years keep saying "I didn't know you wear glasses!" Well, I have been completely dependent on glasses for my VERY nearsighted eyes for twenty years, but switched to mainly wearing contacts 16 years ago. I finally decided, enough is enough- I bit the bullet and had a LASIK consultation. After my 3 week stint without contacts, to let my eyes resume their natural shape, I went under the laser yesterday. Life changing doesn't even begin to describe the whole experience. I was a bit reluctant the morning of the procedure, but my mother in law gladly came over to watch the kids and reminded me that it's so common, and everything would be fine. My mom called just as we were getting into Redding and gave me some more encouragement, as she had had it done 9 years ago. My office in Redding, http://www.imperiavison.com/, beyond amazing, they treated me WONDERFULLY! After a little valium, and constant reassurance that everything was going smoothly- I found myself laying under the lasers thinking "This is painless- why in the heck did I wait so long to do this!" I was awake the whole time (the whole 5 minutes per eye), I stood up and looked over my shoulder at Wes who was watching everything through the glass windows outside the operating room. I was immediately overcome with emotion because I could see his face- I could see him smile at me all the way across the room. Fellow nearsighted people know this lost feeling of having someone you know smile or wave at you- and not be able to respond back because you really have no clue of who they are. I remember being seven years old and refusing to wear my very uncool classes, and I'd walk to my nieghborhood park and just keep my eyes down because I didn't want anybody to recognize me. I always would worry people would think I was so rude because I never said hello. So, it was INCREDIBLE to look at my husband, my eyes independant of any prescription aide, and see him smile when just ten minutes earlier I blindly handed him my glasses for the last time.



My recovery is going well- this first week I have to keep on my stylin' safety shields (I call them my "Owen Shields"), have to apply prescription, steroid, and replenish eye drops, refrain from wearing any makeup or touching my eyes, and tape shields on when I sleep. I literally feel no pain or discomfort today, I just get blurriness every now any then as the top flap on my cornea adjusts and heals.



This is me now- with no prescription- seeing the whole world a lot brighter and clearer!

Leaving Home

Ok- so maybe she's not REALLY leaving the nest, but Kylee heading off to preschool sure left mommy with an empty feeling! Yesterday morning was Kylee's First Day of School, and she was very excited. I was proud of her, she woke up at the crack of dawn, got dressed by herself, sat still while I did her hair, she ate all of her breakfast without being told to finish, cleared her plate, brushed her teeth, and then sat by the door with her backpack on about 2 1/2 hours before it was time to go. So, as we waited for Owen to wake up, I thought about what a big girl she has become. She was heading out into the world for the first time, and I was a bit teary eyed at the thought that she wasn't my baby anymore. She told me it would be ok, and it was. We all did REALLY well when we dropped her off. Owen LOVED the school- he got right in there with the big boys and started to play with trucks. Kylee was a bit more reserved, she took in the scene, and was shy because she only knew one other girl. But they began to play and Kylee gave Owen and I hugs and kisses and we were on our way. Owen and I had a lot of fun together, he asked for Kylee a couple of times, but mostly enjoyed having the trampoline and all the toys to himself for a few hours! Kylee's school day ends at noon, and she was pretty wiped out by then! Aside from a few moments where she said she felt left out, she loved her teachers and was excited to go back again today. Owen and I miss our mornings with Kylee, but we are getting used to spending a little more one-on-one time together. And we know it is good for Kylee to be out there meeting friends and learning about the real world. All in all "leaving home" might just be a good thing for all of us!