Well, perhaps it's happened - The peaking of fuel prices. 

As of about 4pm EST, "Light, sweet crude for September delivery fell $2.23 to settle at $123.26 a barrel in on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier the contract dropped as far as $122.50, its lowest point since June 5." according to AP. 

What were you doing on June 5th?  My family was in the midst of a "family vacation" in California.  Funny thing was, when we left the valley on June 1, fuel was still 3.89 a gallon and when we got back a week later, it had only risen to 3.93...Hmmmm

Its true - Idaho enjoyed some of the lowest prices in the region in June, as the convenience stores and stations held off as long as they could to post that big "4" number.

“People say typically prices shoot up like a rocket, fall like a feather. But this time ... it looks like it’s different,” AAA spokesman Geoff Sundstrom said. “The retail sector is interested in bringing these prices down as fast as they can to stimulate business in their convenience stores.  "A gallon of gas now sells for $4.006, the first time it has been that low in nearly seven weeks," AAA reports.  Sundstrom also said such a large decline indicates a deteriorating demand by the world’s thirstiest oil consumer. Retail prices have fallen about a dime per gallon in just the past week."

What is Pocatello missing here??  (Hooray for Smiths in Chubbuck - 4.03!!) But, there have been no other price drops that I know of...

Next time you purchase fuel, mention that we are now HIGHER than the National Average and ask why they are changing everywhere but here!!  Even Boise has experienced a drop.

Makes you wonder...Hmmmmm

Charlie, the Grizzly Bear's birthday is approaching quickly, and I urge you to go see him and wish him a happy birthday.  He is getting on in years, and I understand is having some health issues due to his age.  He is not going to be a fixture at this amazing facility forever, so make sure you go appreciate him while he is!!  I was heartbroken to see that he's just not the vibrant, playful bear he used to be - another reminder that we need to take the time and smell the roses while they are in bloom!

Happy Birthday Charlie!!

I want to say thank you.  Your escalated entrance fee of 7 bux per person not only saved me from spending 35 bux for my family just to get in, I got 35 bux of fuel instead.  And we watched your show for free! 

The news is startling.  According to NBC's story last night on the Nightly News, the demand for assistance across the nations' food banks have increased on average 20% - some as high as 50%.  Most of the NEW clients are considered "middle class".  During the holiday season, Southeast Idaho really pushes donations to the local food banks.  But within the last couple months, the need has increased and the projections are ghastly.  Thanx to the importing of oil and oil companies record profits, the staggering fuel increases are affecting EVERYONE!  (And to think I read on the internet MSNBC's Website only a few months ago that the increase in fuel costs weren't affecting anyone...that story writer should be strung up and flogged!)

Perhaps each of us are not in any position to donate to the food banks - which are in dire needs - here's what we can do.

Each time we go to the store, pick up a couple dollars of a storable food item(s) extra.  A bag of rice - a few cans of corn or tuna or soup - some powdered milk (ewwww) something.  I know my budget is stretched to the max, but I have a household of 5.  I do have about a months supply of food - it the grocery stores completely shut down, and nothing was available, we'd be ok for about a month.  It wouldnt be gourmet by any sense of the word; may not even be tasty...but we would survive. 

In this predominantly LDS community - its ironic that they've been preaching "1-Yr supply of Food Storage" for over 3 decades...And its not just food items...Bleach (to purify water) - Toilet paper - soap - If there were a REAL EMERGENCY ask yourself...what would you do?  What if there was a catastrophic earthquake here?  The roads crumbled; impassable?  No power?  No cell service?  Do your two way radios have batteries?  Does your family have an emergency plan?  Do you have an emergency medical kit?

Perhaps nothing that drastic will happen here in OUR LIFETIME - perhaps never...But the sad reality is that if you purchase a little extra STORABLE food while you can, should you really NEED it someday, you will have it and wont be adding to the Food Bank's crisis.

Of course, if you can donate - please do so.  Our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers are in need.

As I reluctantly drove to work this morning, I passed a PRT Bus...
On the destination marquis, it read...HAVE A NICE DAY!

Thank you PRT!  It was worth a chuckle, and a blog post!!

Taking four teenagers and a 7-year old into Yellowstone Park on a cold and soggy Sunday was not my idea of a good time.  Regardless of fuel prices, the tightly packed bunch of us – 7 in total – jumped into my pickup for the adventure of a lifetime.  A packed cooler in the back, a few umbrellas up front and a box of Dramamine was what we started with…and NO CAMERA!!  What kind of a mother am I?  As we headed up around the northern tier of the “loop”, the rain and snow really put a damper on the damp day.  (In from West Yellowstone, up through Norris to Mammoth)  The idea was to go around the large loop clockwise, but to our dismay, the road had been closed about 4 miles after Tower junction due to an avalanche.  But that’s near the “end” of the adventure…

We stopped in Lamar Valley about 2pm…the rain had stopped, a little sun was peeking through the clouds here and there, and there was a very light breeze.  All the “die-hards” had their enormous spotting scopes and thousand dollar cameras, and were taking a break.  The wolves had been active in the morning and they were just waiting for their evening appearance.  Lots of people; nothing to look at….Well, until we arrived.

My 15yr old and his buddy headed down the hill to the river.  I was making sandwiches in the back of the truck.  I saw a couple of Pronghorn Antelope around the knoll – didn’t think anything about it.  A few moments later, the antelope started heading towards the boys.  So, I’m watching and thinking to myself that as soon as the antelope see the boys, they’ll run away.  Wrong.  I think the big buck saw them first.  He stopped and watched cautiously.  The young buck carelessly grazed along the river bank.  Well, the 13yr old girls wanted in on the action and headed down the hill with the boys with the 7yr old in tow.  All 5 kids were silently standing there, wondering what this odd creature will do.  The young buck finally sees the kids – his ears twitch forward…the wind at his back.  No scent.  Brandon picks up a piece of brush and offers it to this curious creature…and he comes closer, closer.  The big buck is probably 50 yards behind him pawing the ground and snorting…but the young one appears unafraid.  When he was within about 20 feet of the kids, one of the boys got spooked and they all jumped and headed off in opposite directions while all the people on the hillside with their spotting equipment laughed and applauded the kids.  Entertainment at its best.

What a wonderful trip for a wet and cold Memorial Weekend.  We saw a grizzly bear – not huge, but not young – beautiful cinnamon color (and pretty close!!) and we saw a black bear cub playing in the brush and climbing a small tree.  (Not getting out of the truck THIS TIME…MAMA is not far away!!)  There were buffalo EVERYWHERE…pretty ratty looking – loosing their winter coats.  And the babies look just like little cows…very little resemblance of these big honkin’ slow moving animals.  We saw a few elk – also loosing their winter coats – the bulls have no horns this time of year, so they all looked the same.  We saw some deer – one with a fork in his velvet-covered antlers.  He’s gonna be a monster soon!  Absolutely gorgeous!!  No moose, though.  But I still would call the day a success – I don’t remember the last time I saw a Grizzly and a Black Bear on the same day!!

If you are headed to Yellowstone, Old Faithful and the geyser basin are in the lower loop – but some of the best animal spotting is between Mammoth Hot Springs (near the Gardiner, MT gate) and Tower Junction.  And Lamar valley will never fail you if you like buffalo.  Camping…there is a Campground in Lamar Valley next to a quaint little stream for the brave at heart and a “hard sided” camper.  (In the HEART of wolf and grizzly territory) 

We bought a season pass, and look forward to heading up there again…soon!

        & nbsp;       &n bsp;       &nb sp;       &nbs p;         ;                 & nbsp;       &n bsp;       &nb sp;       &nbs p;         ;                 & nbsp;       &n bsp; 

Are you kidding?  Take a look at what people are saying they plan on doing with them.  I will be paying off a high interest credit card and putting the rest into savings.  Gonna stimulate my BANKS depository, perhaps.

And after listening to President Bush this morning, he had nothing more on his mind than to point the proverbial finger at the less than mediocre job congress is doing, dance around election questions and have some fun with the reporters.  So if our LEADER of the country wont take the fuel, food and mortgage crisis seriously, we are pretty well sunk.

Let me share a joke with you that is circulating the internet...

"YOUR GOVERNMENT REBATE"

The federal government is sending each and every one of us a $600 rebate.  If we spend tha money at Wal Mart, the money will go to China.  If we spend it on gasoline it will go to the Middle East.  If we purchase a computer, it will go to India.  If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.  If we purchase a good car, it will go to Japan.  If we purchase useless crap, it will go to Taiwan, and NONE of it will help the AMERICAN economy.

The only way to keep that money here at home is to buy prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in the US.  Thank you for your help"

Good Morning all my JHub friends...Havent been around for a while; TAX SEASON for an accountant is a killer!!

There will be a RIBBON CUTTING with the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE on May 1 at El Jacalito.  (Located on South 4th across from the Cemetary and next to Tastee Treat)
There will be free food, a keg, and IDUMEA (MY BAND) will be providing entertainment.  It will be outside (Mother Nature willing) and should be a great time!  This is a GREAT MEX RESTAURANT - They have wonderful food!!

Hope to see you there!!

Hello my friends - Its been too long since I've posted - I guess the proverbial "busy holidays" kicked my butt this year.  So here's hoping that everyone had a blessed season.

Something good...Hm, lets see - there's the new Rexburg temple!  How about that?  From the pix Ive seen and the information I've heard, it's spectacular.  The only bad thing about it is trying to get tickets...I've been trying for 3 weeks...no luck.  So much for an "open" house - Seems more like a Hannah Montana concert!! But heck, what an amazing opportunity for the BYU Idaho community!!

Lets see...one of my co-workers had a get-together on Christmas eve...and OMG!  The food was divine and the hot buttered rum...MMMMMMMM  Not many people out (like, duh...) and it was SO PRETTY!  The freshly fallen snow, few people...it was a very nice evening.

The best part about Christmas...is that its over.  Christmas with teenagers is not the same.  They don't like to sit around and sing carols or go out and look at the lights.  They just want to eat and play their Wii or go to the mall. 

So, 2007 goes out with a bang, and 2008 stops by tonight.  A little party at our house - thats fun for me cause I love to cook and entertain...hot tub is full and heated.  And tomorrow....DOWN COMES THE TREE AND THE LIGHTS!!

...and then...it's TAX SEASON!!!  UGH!

My motto - MAKE A DIFFERENCE...
My journey - wow, that's a tough one.  Now that I've found myself at an age I dont want to be at and at a point in my life I dont want to be at either, where do I start...

One foot in front of the other, I suppose...

But what I wonder - How do you know WHAT to change??  All I know is something needs to.

So why is this GOOD??  Well, I cannot MAKE A DIFFERENCE with my current status quo...And no one can do it but me!!

What about you?  Are you where you want to be doing what you want to do?