Demotivational Posters

I've blogged about these before, but it's time for another go-around. Part of me likes a motivational poster, but most of me likes the Demotivator posters better. You can blame my cynical, sarcastic side. For whatever reason, the following made me laugh. I've copied the statements that were included with some of the posters; these people share my type of humor. Enjoy.

Life can be difficult. But if you work hard, keep a positive attitude, and meet your challenges head on, you’ll find that it can also be extremely painful.

 Some customs have been handed down generation by generation, all the way back to our forefathers. But remember: our forefathers were actually pretty stupid. They wore those dumb powdered wigs and everything.

Hey, that's me (except I'm not blond and I don't like those kind of heights and I like Apples not PC's and I wish I was that thin, and Utah has the best scenery...), and I blogged about this very trip!

 Just because you’re hearing voices doesn’t mean you’re crazy. It could just mean that your television set is on. If it’s not, then yeah, you’re crazy. 

 Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one that happened to be on fire. That, sadly, has made all the difference.

Keep your eyes on the prize. Just like a mouse, fixated on that tasty bit of cheese waiting in the trap.

Fall 2012

Fall is a great season and we filled it up with some fun things. 

Erin being asked to Homecoming

Ein and her Homecoming date

Sharla's 50th surprise party

The Deer Hunt.

This was my view for most of the day. It was fun to ride the 4-wheelers all over.

Such beautiful open country.

Besides the cows, we even saw deer this year, but the bucks were too far away and the rest were does. We did see a big coyote bounding down the hill. Curt was tempted to shoot, but Rachel thought it looked too much like a cute fluffy dog so Curt resisted.

These beautiful maple trees are on a tree farm near our house.

Queen Phish

For Fall Break, we took a quick trip to Idaho to visit my Grandma. She will be 100 in January!

We spent the night at Lava Hot Springs, so we went for a night time soak in the hot pots.

 The next morning we ate at the cafe and then went searching for souvenirs. Kevin is carrying a rug we found for our family room downstairs. Now we just need to paint, get furniture, frame some pictures, find curtains....but at least we have a rug!

We dropped Kevin back in Logan and decided it was as good a time as any for him to get a flu shot. Matter of fact, we got all the kids a flu shot. It was a memorable way to end the vacation.

After the flu shots, we headed to the Bluebird on Main Street. This weathered sign is in the back of the building. We loved the yummy sandwiches, pasta, and peanut butter pie! A shout out to the Pie Dump in Garland, Utah, also. Home of really delicious rolls and pastry; love the fun cafes and mom and pop restaurants.

Curt had actually eaten at the Bluebird when he was young on a junior high band trip. He accidentally walked out without paying and was too scared to go back and tell them. Fast forward 30 plus years to when we ate there as a family. He gave the hostess $20.00 along with an explanation. She was surprised, Curt's guilt was relieved, and now he is finally an honest man.

Here is Erin's answer to the Halloween Dance. Speaking of Halloween...

Krysta was a rag doll.

I was a pirate. 

Rachel was a dark fairy.

And the rest were party poopers! 

Lone Peak

The Saturday after Kevin opened his mission call, he decided to celebrate in true Graf fashion. Curt, Krysta, Kevin and Erin hiked to the top of Lone Peak. The hike summary: started a little late, very steep climb to the top, lost the trail on the way up, had to bushwhack a new trail for a ways, took a few brief rest breaks, made it to the top, Curt worried about the sheer cliffs (it's about time!), lost the trail on the way down, had to backtrack up a steep canyon, started to get dark, didn't have flashlights, almost ran out of food and water, got chased by a large mountain lion (well maybe not), a great time was had by all!  Another typical Graf hike in the bag. 

Most of the rest of the commentary is provided by Curt. (Does this make him an official blogger?)

On the way up (Jacob's Ladder route).  Beautiful day to hike..Lone Peak is in the distance..

..lost the trail again..had to short-cut through this boulder field...don't twist an ankle here.. Lone Peak is the high point on the top middle left (that's an 800 foot vertical drop)

one of the few rest breaks.. had to keep moving..

most of the way up now (about 4 hours of rough hiking/climbing in).

..on the Summit!! .. here trying to wave in a rescue helicopter (it's a long tough hike down from here).
Really though, this is an amazing Summit (approx 11,300 ft).   It's great to get to the top!

 USGS marker on the summit 

Curt and Kevin.  There's not much room on this summit, about like a table top.  Be Careful!

A little way back down the summit ridge, Erin, Krysta, and Kevin pose for a quick photo

one last photo near the summit

Steep granite cliffs of Lone Peak

Climbing back down the summit ridge.  This gets a little sketchy in places..  you can't be afraid of heights here..(well you can, but it's better not to be)

downclimbing..Salt Lake valley is way down there..

..trying to stay on the "trail".  There really never is much of a trail..

back down the steep ridge now.  Looking south into the Lone Peak cirque of sheer granite cliffs

..another very steep section of the trail..

Kevin pointing back at the summit of Lone Peak.  Krysta grimacing in pain.. there's still a long way to go and it's starting to get late in the day, only about two hours of sun light left..

No more pausing for pictures. 

A few hours later Krysta called home and we decide that from now on, no matter what, all Graf hikes should require a flashlight. Going a mile to look at a pond? Bring a flashlight. Hiking a few hundred yards up a dirt road? Bring a flashlight. Going around the block? Bring a flashlight. Just as it was full on dark they stumbled into the house like the walking dead. But hey, alive is alive, so all's well that ends well.