Winter Carnival

       Well, as usual this time of year McCall is transformed into a true Winter Wonderland not to mention tourist trap.  Once a year for two weeks all the local business compete in a snow sculpture building competition and the streets  of my tiny town become nearly un-navigable due to so many flat-landers up for the festivities.  Hey, I am not complaining!! For the first time since I can remember (Middle School maybe) I have actually gotten to enjoy the carnival.  Being unemployed has it's downsides, but being free like everyone else on the weekends, is definitely not one of them.  My friend Dusty and I started off the weekend by taking his little girl (the adorable child hidden inside the pink marsh mellow snow suit) for her first sledding experience at a local park.  What a hoot! We followed it up by watching the big kick-off parade on Main Street where I nearly smeared a small child to get a Tootsie Roll thrown from one if the fire trucks....The fireman totally threw it at ME and the little snot got in my way...NEVER come between a girl and her sweet-tooth, right??!! Yeah, I'm going to H-E-double hockey sticks for that one, no doubt about it...go me...

       Anywho, even Mr. Charlie got to take part in the festive atmosphere!! Each year the local animal shelter McPAWS, hosts The Monster Dog Pull.  Basically to raise money for the shelter, dog owners pay a $10 entry fee to watch their pups pull weighted sleds one at a time down a 10 yard racetrack.  The rules are simple: bring bacon to entice your furry friend to the finish line and may the fasted mutt win!!  Well, Charlie was the the smallest competitor by 8lbs weighing in at just under 5lbs (he put on some winter layers) so the officials allowed him to pull an empty sled thank goodness!! Turns out we should have done a few practice runs because the little guy had never pulled a thing in his life and when the sled moved he thought it was chasing him. He went sideways and backward until he figured out that if he didn't move at all, neither would the sled. And so we stood at an impasse.  Me calling from the finish line and Charlie sitting in the middle of the track refusing to move.  Eventually I just scooped him into the sled which I pushed across the finish line. It took him nearly a full minute to move 10 yards beating only a Pomeranian who never moved at all.  But the whole crowd cheered and he received many congratulatory pets afterward. Thanks Chris and Larry for the great photos!!! Better luck next year Charlie Brown!!!
       In other non-carnival related news, I have started recycling and composting. I know this may not seem exciting at all, but it's another New Years Resolution and ever since I visited Hailey in Portland, ME it has really stuck me how behind Idaho is on the reuse/recycle front.  Well that is changing!! In this household at least.  It is tough to get the parental units on board but they too are making and effort...when I am watching....after constant reminding....and scolding. Baby steps. It's important.
       I was also able to go for a snowshoe with a good friend earlier this week out on Little Lake. She brought her pup Bentley and we all cruised around in the sunshine for a while.  It was beautiful.  But not to worry concerned family members!! I am not becoming a complete snow-bum/jobless weirdo!! Between the skiing, snowshoeing, Nexflixing, baking, fire starting, snow ball fighting, Charlie walking, sledding, and snowman building I have squeezed some time into my clearly overbooked schedule for a few job interviews!!! Mostly more overseas teaching positions and as soon as I have a definite plan you all will be the first to know.  I don't want to jinx another one by talking it up too much on the innternet!! Haha?
       Well, I hope all is well with everyone and you are all enjoying your winter!! In traditional Madi fashion I will end with a charming pic of Mr. Brown (just in case you haven't gotten enough Charlie yet).  I found this photo from when he was a baby with my Stepdad John locked in my computer somewhere...precioso...I forget he used to be so tiny!!                                                               Love and miss you all so very much!!! xoxo