Well, I skipped right over the our Birthday. I have been writing about our adventures here for a little over three years now.
Over the years (and the past year especially) I have started to include more “I”s in our adventure stories instead of just the ambiguous “we” (as in the dogs, me and whoever happens to be in our party that day). I want to continue to grow a stronger voice in our story.
Some fellow pet bloggers proposed a challenge recently: For the authors of blogs to come out from behind the camera and start staying in the picture. I thought this challenge was the perfect opportunity for you to get to know me better.
So here I am……TA-DA!
My answers to some of the challenge questions
- What’s one thing you have to do every day?
Kiss my Hubby, kiss Chester and Gretel, and check my blog, Facebook and Twitter….not necessarily in that order. Yes, I know that is more than one thing.
- What makes you feel fabulous?
Hiking and other physical exercise in the outdoors!
- What do you like to do in your free time?
Hiking! Well, that and blogging, listening to music, playing with the dogs, traveling, camping, mountain biking, snowshoeing, snowboarding, keeping up with the newest outdoor adventure gadgets and gear, and spending time with friends and family.
- What one word would people who know you use to describe you?
You mean the positive one right? Ha, ha. I think it would be friendly and outgoing. Yes, again, I know that is more than one. I make my own rules 🙂
- If your pets could talk, what one word would THEY use to describe you?
Bestest…as in “the bestest dog Mom in the world”.
- What is one thing you’ve done that you’re most proud of?
I fought Wildland Fires for two years. I was a crew boss in charge of 8 people for my second year. I have never physically pushed myself so hard in my life and probably never will again.
- If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?
I generally don’t think about “changes” to things that happened in the past – the choices I made and things I did. I always try to remember that I did the best I could do then with the things I knew and was capable of. I do believe in having goals for the future and relentlessly working toward them though. One of my goals is to be able to make enough money through my social media consulting business that I don’t have to work for someone else…..and can spend more time with Chester and Gretel.
10 other little-known facts about me
- My all-time favorite outdoor clothing brand is ArcTeryx. Icebreaker or Smartwool tie for second.
- I love to plan – Life, our next adventure, etc.. Unfortunately, I am more motivated to plan than to actually DO.
- I have a degree in Geology, worked 10 years in environmental protection and education, and am currently earning my Masters in Digital Communications (inspired by this blog).
- I am older than I look.
- My favorite colors are lime green, turquoise and lavender…but together they remind me of a squashed bug. (but I DO wear them together sometimes).
- Two of my favorite musical artists ever are Ben Harper and The Crystal Method.
- I grew up on an urban farm before it was a term or cool.
- My Mom once brought home a recent college grad who was hitchhiking the country and she lived with us for a few months.
- I once completed a 40-mile mountain bike race. It was horrible. I have forgotten how horrible though and am contemplating doing it again.
- Both my head and my heart play a big role in my decision making but, in the end, my heart always wins out.
So there it is. You’ll be seeing more of my from now on….provided I can get someone to come with us on our adventures that can take photos of me with Chester and Gretel.
Elizabeth says
Great photos Jessica! I especially love the one of you towards the bottom.
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks. It was super windy that day so we decided to use it to our advantage and capture the wind-blown look 🙂
Sassmuffins says
Jessica:
Hopping over from the blog to meet you. I think those are lovely photos, and I loved reading the little know facts about you. Wow, crew boss fighting wildland fires – you are much braver than me!
Jessica Rhae says
Well, we weren’t the kind of crew that was the first to fight the flames but we did encounter some. I like some danger so it wasn’t too scary to me 🙂
Bruce Sherman says
Jess, thanks for sharing. I can see that we have a lot in common, especially the kiss my spouse and dogs every day. We are also Ben Harper fans, by the way. Did you see him recently at the Opera House? Happy blogging, and when I get it up and running, I’ll send you a link to my new blog about Marine Engineering.
Jessica Rhae says
OMG…YES Ben Harper. I drug my hubby there claiming that even though I had no clue if he had a new album, he was going to see one of the most amazing concerts ever. That guy is so freakin talented. His voice is amazing. Aferwards, my hubby kept talking about how awesome the concert was. TOLD him so 🙂 Did you go?
The only other time I had seen Ben Harper in concert was at Bumbershoot about 9 years ago.
Please do send me me a link to your blog! I love science-y…especially having to do with water 🙂
Bruce Sherman says
Oh yeah, we were there too. Shelley is a big fan, and I am one too. We just got back from hearing the Blind Boys of Alabama too. They were awesome.
Kelley says
The pictures are very nice, you have nothing to worry about.
I am also better at “planning” than “doing.” I’ve got a room (OK, house) full of partially completed projects and diet books.
Jessica Rhae says
These were professionally retouched so they look decent. Ha, ha. It’s capturing a good photo of me after a long, sweaty hike that is a challenge 🙂
retro rover says
Very nice to hear about you and I really love your pictures! You have such a joyous smile and thats so nice to see
retro rover
Rachael says
They’re lovely photos- it’s great to find out a little about you. And can’t wait to read more about you in the future, too! Thanks so much for sharing x
Rebecca says
Thanks for sharing more about you!! Hiking is one of our passions as well. So much fun to just be out in the woods with your dog.
~Rebecca & Teach
Leslie says
You are a rather amazing person. (Fire crew boss? 40-mile mountain bike races? Yikes!)
So glad you stepped out from behind the camera and joined us today. I loved reading your answers.
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks Leslie! I can’t wait to go read a little more about you.
slimdoggy says
Pictures are great and loving this Hop today – learning so many interesting things…firefighting huh? WOW.
maggie says
Hi Jessica,
Beautiful photos! You should feature them front and center…their paw-some. Great to learn a little more about you!
Maggie
Jessica Rhae says
The top one is the new profile photo for the blog – about avatar, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. It’s been fun becoming a bigger part of the picture…literally.
Jen K says
Fought wildfires?! That is intense and awesome.
I too am a huge fan of Arcteryx. Wouldn’t be able to get through Canadian winters without them! And Smartwool are the only socks for me – period.
Jessica Rhae says
With very few exceptions, I have only worn Smartwool socks for the last 10 years! I find that even other wool socks don’t live up. I have not tried Icebreaker socks yet though. They are the only wool clothes that have swayed me from Smartwool at all.
Seattle got the first US Arcteryx store a few months ago. We went to the grand opening and I wanted to do a blog post about it but it was so crowded I didn’t get any good photos. We need to go back.
Pup Fan says
I had no idea that you used to fight fires. You are amazing! I’m so glad you joined the hop and that I got the chance to learn more about the amazing you. 🙂
Love the photos of you and the pups!
(And I’m a total planner too… now if only I could do as much as I plan!)
Jessica Rhae says
Awww…thanks…but it doesn’t feel all that amazing to me. It was a lot of fun though and an amazing experience. My mind would still be doing it but my back and knees said “heck no!”.
Roxy the traveling dog says
Nice to learn a little more about you. Hiking, yep hiking is the bestest.
Tori says
These are such great photos! And I love reading all your responses, this is such a fun blog hop!
Kari says
Nice to meet you!
Nailah Bone says
Wow, didn’t know you were a fire fighter! 🙂 Thank you for doing us all such a great service!
Jessica Rhae says
I feel privileged to be given the opportunity. The experiences you get and the things you get to see are unlike any other. I still miss it to this day. My knees don’t though 🙂
Pamela | Something Wagging This Way Comes says
Wonderful photos. And I’m sure many of your readers are relieved to know that you don’t send Gretel and Chester out on the trails on their own. 🙂
Jessica says
You seem like you must be very busy. I’m always awe-struck by busy people. I just can’t do it day in and day out.
You and my husband could closet-bond. He even wears Icebreaker’s wool polo shirts to work.
Jessica Rhae says
I hear that I am busy 🙂 I think I am not as efficient, and a little lazier, than people think I am.
Flea says
Hey! I know you! I like this game. 🙂 And I love that you’re earning a masters in digital communication. My Hunny has one in corporate communications and technology and has been quite helpful to my blogging endeavors over the years. I’m sure yours will be an amazing help. Hmm. Sounds like a great degree. Now I’m jealous and wondering where to sign up …
Jessica Rhae says
It’s really a cool program. One of the most progressive in the country. Check it out. I am taking the MCDM concentration: http://commlead.uw.edu/
Marquie says
Love those pictures of you 3! So sweet and pretty.
Your answer to “if your pets could talk” was going to be my answer if I had done this! Haha.
I really like your answer to the last question. I wish I could be like, I’m trying to be, but as of now I dwell way too much on things from the past that I wish I could change.
It was great getting to know you!
Jessica Rhae says
Dwelling on the past is an easy trap. If we didn’t do it at all, we wouldn’t be human. Some just hang out a little longer than others. I used to dwell more than I do now. As I have grown older, I have become more and more accepting of what is (I had good training because I’ve had some pretty crappy things happen to me) and focusing on what I am going to do with the future. I admit that is IS quite liberating.
Jen says
I’m so glad that you joined in on the hop and I got to know some more about you! Your smiling face just makes me smile and I wish we had more time to talk earlier in the year when we met.
40 mile mountain bike race and you fought WIldland Fires! Holy cow Jessica you are awesome and motivated!
Jessica Rhae says
I wish we could have talked more at BlogPaws too. Those conferences are always crazy busy though. You can barely sneak time to recharge (if you can at all). Are you going again this year?
Sand Spring Chesapeakes says
love love love lime green, nice to meet you and your cute pooches. Have a great night.
julie says
Such great pictures of you and your pups! Love all of your answers 🙂 I have a limit of about 1.5 hours on a bicycle, at which point I lose all interest – 40 miles is completely out of the question! Best of luck with your social media consulting business – it is SO needed!!
M. K. Clinton says
Awww your pictures are great! I love your pups little jacket type harnesses. It’s nice to meet you.
Ann Paws says
Great post Jessica! Loved learning more about you. You must be older than you look because you seem to have done lots of cool stuff that took a while to accomplish. I think you look about my age but I’m curious now! lol
Jessica Rhae says
A woman never reveals her true age. Ha, ha. Although I feel very fortunate that I look younger than I am, I don’t like to go around advertising how old I ACTUALLY am. Maybe hit me up at BlogPaws 🙂
Liz (Woof Woof Mama) says
WOW! Fighting wildland fires…that’s some amazing stuff! Love seeing your photos and learning more about you!
Abby says
Great photos of you and your pups! Thanks for sharing! I always love seeing dachshunds hiking; way to go!
Caren Gittleman says
Jessica I soooo enjoyed learning more about you! You fought Wildland Fires? Wow! I never knew, that is unreal, you are one brave chick!
I also see you come by “making your own rules” genetically, your Mom picking up a hitchhiker that lived with you? Love it! Your Mom is a free spirit too!!!
Jessica Rhae says
I think I have always made my own rules but my Mom certainly encouraged that kind of thing. She was certainly a “the rules don’t apply to me” (in a positive way) kind of gal. I miss her so! I am also grateful for the “downers” in my life though that taught me be more realistic and practical. I am always dancing the line but I definitely lean toward “anything is possible if you put your mind to it”.
Taryn says
Nice to meet you! Love your positive attitude!
Amy@GoPetFriendly says
Your photos turned out fantastic!! I applaud your intention to become more present on your blog … I’m working on the same thing in 2014. It’s so much easier to hide, to speak in the “we,” and to hedge our opinions so as to never offend anyone. But, that also means no one ever really gets to know who we are. They can’t connect to us, because we’re a shadowy version of ourselves. I’m looking forward to seeing how this works out for us both.
Jessica Rhae says
While I do hope that some people will better be able to connect with my blog because they know the real person behind it, I fear it might turn others away. Due to my style of writing in the past I think I have a significant following that are connected only with Chester and Gretel. My intention is to not lose that though. I think this change is more in my head than will be apparent on the blog. The way I write about our adventures will not change I think. What will change though is that I have given myself permission to write about some things (like tips, reviews, etc) that are specific to dog parents, not the dogs themselves. Some of my posts may only mention Chester and Gretel indirectly. Those are the post that I think my resonate more with some but less with others.
Kia says
Nice pictures 🙂 It was nice to get to know more about you 🙂 Interesting facts…fighting fires? Go you! 🙂 40-mile mountain bike race? Good lawd! LOL
Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady says
Hi there! It was so great to read more about you today! I lobe the idea of this hop!!! We have joined at #91 and BTW that one pic of u and the Weiner’s (LOL) looks like a professional model shot!!! Your hair is all blowing in the wind and stuff LOL haha! Great pic! Great post!
Jessica Rhae says
I think it is going to take me a week to get through everyone in the hop! Ha, ha. I promise I am coming though 🙂
emma says
Great post! Love the pics of you and the pups, so cute! My mom is going to stay hidden in the background. I’m kind of a take charge GBGV and don’t like to share my stuff more than I have to. Hope your life with school is working out well.
Genevieve says
So fascinating to learn about you. There is definitely a theme running through your life. I like it!
Beagles and Bargains says
I absolutely LOVE those photos. Wish I could have some as nice with Luna. It was so fun learning about you! I also love Smartwool!
Jodi says
Hi Jessica! I’m so glad you decided to join the blog hop, even though I already knew what you looked like, it’s good to ‘see’ you again!
You’ve certainly done a lot of interesting things in your life, I think that’s very cool!!
Jackie Bouchard says
Nice to SEE you and get to know you better. Very impressed with the fire fighting work! Wow! I can’t even imagine. Very interesting about your mom bringing home a hitchhiker (who stayed) too! You must have a very cool mom. (These posts have been so fun to read. But there are so many! Trying to catch as many as I can!)
Jessica Rhae says
I am pretty sure it is going to take me at least a week to get through everybody! I am sure loving reading more about the bloggers I follow though.
melf says
Whew! I finally made it here Jess! I’ve been wanting to stop by since I saw you post in the hop. Now that I have I am totally blown away. You have done more in your life in (your 25 years?) than I have in my 45. I am so impressed. Not only because you have done so much, but because you have such a verve for life and pushing yourself. I am so honored to know you via blogging.
Not to embarrass you, but what an inspiration you are. I have been exploring going ion a new direction. I love that you have reinvented yourself so many times. Okay. I’m done lavishing you with praise. 🙂
I am so glad you joined the hop and that I finally made it here. Wishing you much success with the social media business. It’s certainly something needed these days. If you get a chance check out David Meerman Scott. He was the guy who inspired me to use social media to grow my pet sitting business. 🙂
Jessica Rhae says
Awwww…..25 is VERY generous 🙂
My Dad thinks I am a bit irresponsible because I am always “reinventing myself”. Ha, ha. I get bored pretty easily and think life is to be enjoyed, lived to it’s fullest (although I don’t think I will every reach this “fullest” thing people speak of) and to be made the way you want it to be. I have made several life choices that make that freedom possible. I don’t really consider myself an inspiration to anyone but I am flattered that you find me so.
I think it is going to take me until the new year to get through everyone in the hop! It’s been such a great turnout.
Susan from LifeWithDogsAndCats.com says
So nice to meet you through the blog hop. So impressed with your firefighting. I admire folks who can do that. Good luck with your social media business and goal. It’s a dream of mine, too, and I am inspired by others who “make it.”
Jessica Rhae says
I am pretty unsure of my ability to “make it”. I am putting one foot in front of the other though and looking and looking for opportunities. I believe people can do great things if they are dedicated and focused.
Chris and Charlie says
ArcTeryx is amazing! I have a shell from them (when I can find it!) and it is by far the best coat I have ever had. I wish they weren’t so expensive!
Hailey and Zaphod says
For some reason blogger is just showing us this post now! We loved it1 Great to meet you!
Pixel Blue Eyes says
I truly loved your ‘meet the blogger’ post! And Mommy plans stuff she doesn’t always do too. I guess everyone does. She talks a little about her ‘quilting projects’ in my interview of her. I am so glad we are friends! Sending love to you, Chester and Gretel.
~ Pixel & Jenny
P.S. I especially love the photo of you three where Gretel is looking up sideways at you. SO cute!!
Jessica Rhae says
Gah! I am still trying to get through the meet the blogger posts. I can’t wait to read your Mom’s. I am glad we are friends too 🙂
YourSpecialDog says
Nice meeting you , have a great day
Beth says
I’m so glad you shared this, and I loved the pictures! It is nice to know about Chester and Gretel’s Mom! I really enjoy everything you post. My life is very busy, too and it is nice to know that there is another dachshund mom out there that is on the same busy road of life! Happy New Year!
Brian says
Wow, thanks for sharing! I love your attitude about the past and wish I could be so positive… I tend to dwell on mistakes I’ve made, although the choices we make inform who we are so I guess I wouldn’t change a thing. Also, I want to hear more hitchhiker stories!