Star, Idaho

We packed up our 24' Budget moving truck for two solid days and headed to Star on Aug 6th. It's amazing how much crap you can accumulate over the course of 7 years. Even after a huge garage sale and a donation to the local youth ranch, we still managed to have a few items that just wouldn't fit in the truck. Thanks to our good friends the Dixons, we didn't have to trash the stuff and can pick up our sorely missed BBQ during our next visit to Idaho Falls.

So here we are now in our cute little 1200 sq ft rental home in Star. It's the first time the house has been a rental so it's very cozy and better maintained than all the others we'd seen. We choose it because it has a fantastic backyard with a deck, mature trees and a garden, a large kitchen with lots of cupboard space, and located in a really great neighborhood in the heart of Star. And, Brett's commute is less than ten minutes to SpurWing CC. We've been really happy with it so far. Bailey finds a bone almost everyday buried somewhere in the backyard and Brett got to buy a new flat screen LCD TV because our old one just wouldn't fit in our small family room. But most of all, it's great to be back together as a family again. There's still lots of unpacking to do but I'm sure it will get done eventually. Funny how much time you don't have when you're a full-time unemployed mom.


Star has a population of 1795 people. Let me introduce you to a few of the hot spots...

The MERC...all the essential groceries you need at inflated prices.

The STAR COUNTRY CAFE...a local favorite for biscuits and gravy. Need to try those soon!

And SAM'S SALOON...cocktails and cold beer according to the marquee.

There's also this really great barn that I love to pass by...

And this huge pile of hay bales...

And lots of scenes like this...

But the farm livin' doesn't last too long. We're only a short ten minute drive to Eagle or Meridian or the interstate. And we do have two workout places, a mexican and chinese restaurant, two pizza parlors, a library, a bank, a post office, doctors and dentists, etc., etc. So what I'm saying is feel free to visit any time. We're not totally in the boonies!

SOLD!

After moving to Star a few weeks ago, we finally sold our house in Idaho Falls. WAHOO!! WOOT, WOOT!! HALLELUJAH!! We were actually supposed to sign the closing documents the day we moved but a very long, boring and stressful story short, the deal went through as planned on Aug 18 after a two week delay. We just had to fork out a couple thousand more dollars to make the deal happen, but a small price pay to help the buyer get our house and let us move on to new adventures. We had so many great memories in our first home and we will always cherish them. A fond farewell to 1887 Ironwood Dr...

P.S. She's lookin' hot in her picture above sportin' a new paint job, manicured bushes, and a brand new bed of flowers!

3rd of July in Idaho Falls

If ever the 4th of July falls on a Sunday, it's celebrated the day before in Idaho Falls, hence, 3rd of July. But nonetheless, we just love the Independence Day celebrations. Idaho Falls does it up right. Even after we move, I'm sure we'll be back just for the festivities on the 4th (or 3rd!).

The last several years we've attended the parade at our friend's parent's house. They live right on the parade route and are kind enough to let friends and family take over their yard for a few hours. Plus, they share yummy donuts, coffee and other treats! A kickstart for the day!

This float was from Melaleuca. Melaleuca puts on the awesome fireworks show every year, and didn't let us down with their parade float either. Probably the best one of the day.


Austin and Dad chillin' together. It was nice to have Brett in town for the entire weekend. Austin was pretty much scared of everything; the firetruck sirens, the loud motorcycles, small fireworks later in the day, so him and Brett got lots of snuggle time together.

Austin sportin' the American flag shirt with a handful of bubble containers. He has two obsessions at the moment; bubbles and balloons!

Since Austin was being pretty sensitive to loud noises all day we didn't attend the big fireworks show that evening. But no worries, he'll see it one day.

My 'No Shame' Pictures

Yes, that is Robert Pattinson on my shirt and yes that is a bite wound on my neck with leaking blood. I'm a classy Twilight fan.


This is Joelle and I at a super fun Eclipse pre-party hosted by one of my co-workers daughters. Edward and Jacob joined us :). It's funny how you can get together with total strangers and have an automatic bond with them...all because you read the same books...more than once.

Eclipse

I have no shame. Tonight I will once again attend a midnight premiere showing of the Twilight series. This time, Eclipse. But nay, I will not be alone. Hundreds of other people will flock to Edwards Theater with me to sit in 14 sold out theaters…and that’s just here in Idaho Falls. This time my friend (and midnight premiere buddy) Joelle and I will also be attending a Twilight “pre-party” a few hours before the show to get pumped up and gossip about all things Eclipse: Edward and Bella, Bella and Jacob, the newborn vampires, the wolf pack, the campout in the mountains…

Ah, perfect timing. I need a girl’s night out. Go Team Edward!

Seriously, in June?

Austin and I went out for a walk tonight around 7pm. We had to put on our winter coats and hats. While we were walking I noticed that I could see my breath. Seriously? Are you kidding me? It's friggin' June! I WANT MY SUNSHINE!!! Mother Nature is in a seriously foul mood.

Detox

I recently completed a 3-week detox with a group of other people at Cottage by the Falls Wellness Center in Idaho Falls. Stress and eating seem to go hand-in-hand in my life. I was at the point where sugar and junk food were the main staple of my diet and I needed a health reality check. So, I signed up for this special “spring group detox” lead by a wonderful naturopathic physician and got back to basics. The goal of it was to “eliminate toxins in our bodies, freeing up our body’s energy for healing and increased vitality.” And that we did.

First, we had to eliminate everything from our diets that could cause havoc in the body (or that some people have food sensitivities or allergies to).

Here was my AVOID list:
Gluten (wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, kamut, triticale), dairy, corn, soy, eggs, sugar, alcohol, coffee, artificial sweeteners and colors, processed foods, hydrogenated oils and trans fats, and peanuts.

So, what did I eat?

Here was my OK list:
Fruits, vegetables, rice, quinoa, millet, amaranth, beans and lentils, fish/shellfish, lean organic meats, nuts and seeds, non-dairy milks (almond, hemp, coconut), non-caffeinated herbal teas, oils (olive, coconut, flax, safflower), and stevia.

I was also taking detox supplements and powders, increasing my water intake, and drinking one glass of vitality tea and a greens drink once a day. Oh, and dry skin brushing and deep breathing and soaking in hot baths. :-)

Seems a bit intense, and it kind of was. I had a massive headache for 3 days because of sugar elimination (in my opinion). I had to go 5 days only eating vegetables and thought I was going to go crazy by the last day. And I’ve never craved a donut so badly in my life (the awesome blueberry cake donuts from Baker’s Dozen)! But it was worth it. I’ve become so much more aware of what I put in my body and how it can affect it. I cooked and ate new foods I’ve never tried before like kale, quinoa, almond milk and beets. In our weekly classes I learned a lot about food, environmental and emotional toxins and ways I can reduce/eliminate them. And I lost a few pounds to boot; a nice perk for swimsuit season! My body just feels better.

I loved (most of) it. It was the reality check I needed. I took the opportunity to gradually add foods back in my diet to make sure I wasn’t having negative reactions to them, like gluten, dairy, and eggs. Nothing seemed to bother me so that’s good. And, I just feel better about myself. I can whip up a quick meal that is healthy and delicious. Brett is happy that I’ve started cooking again and is excited about all that I’ve learned. I did it for myself, but my whole family will benefit in the long run. It felt good to held accountable for what I was eating and feel a sense of accomplishment when the 3 weeks were up. I guess I am “revitalized” in more ways than one.