07*23*10

So, a few new things have been going on in my life lately. I found out about a month ago that I am going to be losing my job. September 30th is my last day. Unless I can complete the HUGE amount of work that needs to be done before that. Then I'm free to go and be paid through September, which would be nice, right? Plus, if I make it to the finish, I get an additional two months in severance, which will be paid out all at once as a "retention bonus". Which means I can collect unemployment right away.
I have mixed emotions about this whole thing. Most of you know, because I've made it no secret, that I haven't enjoyed my job for at least the last 6 months are so. It lost all of the fun and gained a bunch of stress. Plus, it stole my hobby away from me. The last thing I've wanted to do is look at scrapbook stuff when I get home. And I LOVE to scrap. It was my passion.
So, I think I'm really just ready for the Roberts chapter of my life to be over.
But, I SO need a job--I can't not have a job. We have too many bills and Shane can't cover them all. Unemployment only pays like 60% of what you earn on average, and then you have to pay taxes on that. Some people think you don't, but you do. Either now or at the end of the year, the taxes must be paid on ANY income that you bring in.
The economy sucks right now, so I'm a tad scared about finding a job to be perfectly honest.
On a happier note, we went to Flaming Gorge the weekend after the 4th and had some good old-fashioned family fishing fun.
Shane's dad had booked a guided Mackinaw fishing trip for us in May for Garrett's birthday weekend, but that one didn't go so well. Garrett had broken his arm a couple of week's before we went, so he couldn't really handle a pole. Plus, there was a new law past a couple of years ago that he needed a $5 fishing license that we didn't know about. So, he wasn't allowed to fish anyway, and it was his birthday. And, to top things off, it was FREEZING. So, we cut that weekend short. We only did a half day and decided it would be best to come back and finish it out when Garrett could enjoy it and the weather was better. But, before we left, Shane and Grandpa Terry caught some monster fish. Shane's was 19 lbs, and Terry's was 13. They say Mack's can get up to like 50+ lbs. Wow.
This time, the weather was gorgeous, but the fishing sucked. Ah well, you win some, you lose some. I caught a nice 5 lb Mack, and Garrett caught one that was about 4-1/2 lbs. Shane and Grandpa didn't catch a thing. But, Mack season was over. The guide dude told us that, but they boys still wanted to try.
Here are some pics of both trips. I posted more on facebook if you want to see them all.

Me and G being tourists lol

19 lb Mack

13 lb Mack

Sunrise on 2nd trip-wish I would have took the date stamp off

Garrett and Shane with G's 4 pounder

Enjoying the sunshine

My 5 pounder---Ewwwwwwww

The Jill-E-Fish (Captain Kory named the boat after his wife--cute huh?)