Adventures in Backyard Camping

Last weekend we took the dogs camping . . . in the backyard! The last time was took the dogs camping (many of you may remember the infamous camping trip!), we ended up leaving the campsite and driving home at midnight because Thor couldn't get to sleep and had to let us all know that there were bugs and things outside the tent.
We decided to try camping again, only a little closer to home so that our bed wasn't too far away in case Thor couldn't sleep again. It's a good thing too! This camping trip we stayed out till 2am. So, he's getting better! Saige, good as usual, went to sleep with us. But Thor had to walk the perimeter of the tent (at least we bought a bigger one so that he didn't step on our heads this time!). Then he had to go outside, then back inside, then check all the windows, then walk the perimeter, then bark a lot . . .
Anyways, we'll keep trying - maybe someday we can actually go camping somewhere that's further away than an hour! Meanwhile, here are some picture of the happy dogs.

And it just keeps raining . . .

Ken's cousin was in a horrible truck accident and is in the hospital. We drove up yesterday to visit him, and were glad that he was doing so well. After looking at pictures of the truck, it is a miracle that he is still alive! He has a broken neck and collarbone and other minor injuries, but he is conscious and was cracking jokes from his hospital bed. He will have surgery to place two metal plates in his neck, and there are still risks, but his attitude is good and we have high hopes that he'll be well again.

Unfortunately, more bad news.
Krista's cousin's husband died after about a week in the hospital battling injuries from a motorcycle accident. Both my cousin (Christy) and husband (Blaine) were in the accident, but my cousin is doing fine. I visited them and their kids in South Dakota a few years ago after meeting them at a family reunion in Missouri with Grandma Sue. They were always very warm and welcoming, and though they're actually my second cousins, I always felt closer to them.
Blaine and Christy had 5(?) children and recently became grandparents. Our hearts go out to Christy and their family.

Tales from a Mile in the Sky

Update on Ken's trip to the International Conference on Software Quality (ICSQ), where he presented his speech, Software Test Automation 101 . . .

Well I thought I’d report in from Paradise. Turns out Paradise is a lot like a 3^rd world county with software testers. The hotel is umm… well… let’s just say that they have many opportunities to improve. Also, unless you get up real early there will be no hot water. And a cold shower when it is 35 degrees outside is… brisk.

My speech today was a success! I was a bit worried at first but after attending some other presentations this morning, I knew I had it nailed. I did talk a little fast, but otherwise, I think things were fine. There are only around 200 people at the conference and there were four sessions throughout the day. Of the four I attended (including mine), I was the only one who got applause at the end of it!

The smallest session I attended had 14 people and the largest had 33. Mine had 23 people in it, which made me feel good since I was afraid I’d be talking to an empty room! But the audience actually took notes and asked questions and everything. I had people stopping me in the halls afterwards asking my opinions on tools and processes and stuff. It was pretty cool, like they thought I knew what I was talking about or something!

The audience filled out speaker evaluations on me at the end, so I’m interested to see how I REALLY did. The speaker with the best scores wins a ‘best in show’ type award… no dog jokes please. And the best two get invited to speak at the World Software Quality Conference next year. I'll keep you posted! ~Ken

That's country living!

So, the other morning, Saige and Thor were making quite a racket in the backyard. I looked out to see what's in the picture. Apparently, this guy had escaped to see whether or not the grass was really greener on the other side.
A little while after I had brought the dogs inside to eat breakfast, I heard another ruckus outside. So I looked out the window and saw a sheriff car following behind the cow to get him back in his own yard! When you see cops herding cattle . . . that's country living!
-Krista