Nigella, the beautiful

As of today, Nigella has officially been classified as a "Breeder" for Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, California. She left us in October 2011 and it has taken this long for her to pass all the medical and temperment tests. She was probably one of the most beautiful of the 13 dogs we've raised to become guides, but not always the most obedient (after she left we found out that it wasn't Johanna that was chewing everything up!). Anywhere we took her we got comments on how beautiful she was. When we were walking, people would screech to a halt to talk to us. She had the softest coat and a very quiet demeanor. I used to say ... "Nigella was born old" because she was so laid back. We will think about possibly raising a "little Nigella" down the road as we get to choose from one of her litters.

Nigella was always so good with Johanna that both Scott and I know she will make a GREAT MOM!!!

I married an older (wiser) man!!! Scott hit the big "6 --- 0" this year. We had a quiet celebration ... just the two of us. He got a great present but it will be a while before he gets it. It is something he has wanted for a looonggg time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde.

January thaw....

We've been experiencing a reprieve from the frigid cold and have had temperatures in the upper thirties and even into the forties!!!! This is extremely warm for our part of the cold rocky mountains in January! So warm that my riding friend and I decided "Get those horses out!" Two days in a row we have been out in the foothills. And those same horses have shown us that they are raring' to go. Yesterday "Miss Maddie" refused to do anything but trotting and came home all lathered up (not such a good thing in cold weather). Today she was much calmer but she slipped in the mud and went all the way down, sending me over her right shoulder onto the ground and right in front of Sharidean's horse, Mr. Mator (the little red tow truck). This was a first for Miss Maddie and I. But as Sharidean said..."well at least you had a soft landing"...mud and dry winter grass. If only I would have had a video!

Beautiful place to live

A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE


Logan: nation's most crime-free area
By Stephanie GrimesDecember 19th, 2011 @ 9:13pm




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LOGAN -- The Logan metropolitan area was recently ranked the most crime-free in the nation based on statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

CQ Press released its annual list of city and metropolitan area crime rankings Dec. 8. Logan had the lowest crime rate ranking, followed by the St. George metropolitan area at third place and Provo-Orem area at seventh.

The city of Orem was ranked the 20th-safest city in the nation of those with a population of at least 75,000.

The rankings are based on the amount of violent crimes, such as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, and property crimes, such as burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.

Some organizations caution against relying on rankings using crime rate data because of the many variables that affect crime rates, such as population density and economic conditions. The rankings are still useful, though, according to Asst. Chief Jeff Curtis of the Logan Police Department.

We're really trying to focus on our theft rate. Residential and auto burglaries, property theft … those are probably the biggest things we're battling right now.
–Jeff Curtis
"There are variables involved with everything, of course, but these rankings are helpful," he said. "They give you a little bit of an idea of where you're at, and whether the programs you're doing are working. It appears as though ours are."

Curtis attributed the Logan area's low crime rates in part to a mixed effort by the police department and local residents.

"We have a great working relationship with various organizations throughout the community, as well as our citizens, and that helps us," he said. "People in our valley aren't afraid to report crime, and we've been working on educating people so they know what they should and should not report."

"As a result, we are able to deal with the crime we have in a very efficient way."

Curtis said the police department partners with schools, parking organizations and city programs to educate citizens on how to prevent being victims of crime, especially in an age of Internet fraud.

But despite all the opportunities for online crime, one of Logan's main concerns is still a more traditional one: theft.

"We're really trying to focus on our theft rate," Curtis said. "Residential and auto burglaries, property theft … those are probably the biggest things we're battling right now."

How is that for playing catch up!

After 10 posts in one day I'm sure you are sick and tired of the Marshall Family. I want to do better and tomorrow is a new day. My motto: New Day, Know Better, Do Better!! (And Scott thinks that is just for my diet)!

Adelaide turns TWO!!!

Sweet Adelaide turned two on December 17th. Here is a picture of her while she was in Utah. Our favorite part was at the end of the blessing on the food she would yell ... AMEN!!! Priceless!!!

St. George, Tuachan, Zions and Bryce

We took a long weekend and went to St. George with Kim and Karen. We saw some magnificent scenery, two fun musicals (Grease and Little Mermaid), ate at some fun places and took a few hikes into the canyons. Temperature was perfect, plays were super and we were able to cross off some of our "bucket list items" by visiting Zions, Bryce and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Loved it!!!