Simple Moments

I'm wishing you all a Merry Christmas! I may be offline for a couple of days but I wish you all a Happy Holiday season and fun with family, friends and even strangers! Stay safe and warm and enjoy the simple moments of life... the hot chocolate, hot buttered rum, lingering talks around the table, new recipes, board games, movies, music, books, hugs, and just being with family and friends. May you all have a cat in your tree or other moments that hold your smile!

As I wrote this I realized that it is indeed the simple moments that make the holidays so enriched. It's the moments that you usually don't slow down enough to acknowledge that are truly the most treasured in the long run. It's not the long awaited toy, video game, vehicle or money but the heart warming moments shared with other people... some family and friends and some not. I wish you all the calming breath to see and feel the shared moments. Make a snow angel, go for a walk, hold hands, smile, talk about nothing, just be there for each other.

Freaky

We have been playing the If you give a mouse a cookie game... you know... if you start to clean one room then that affects all these other places... storage sort of shifts. I am trying to get my house back in order before the family arrives next week. Looking for a place to put books in the tutoring office I discovered the cake topper from my wedding! Tomorrow is my 38th wedding anniversary! I have not seen this topper for 38 years (didn't even know I still had it) and I find it on my anniversary's eve????!!!!!! Thanks mom... I know you hid it for me to find one day. That day is now. Love you!

Laptop

I have never had a laptop and this is just fantastic. I have adapted quickly and hope that it actually becomes mine! Yes!!!!!!! I am in love with mobile technology!

How Ironic

It all started by me getting my mail. Just routine...right? Well, there was my Real Simple magazine peeking out of the mailbox and I was excited because I like this magazine. I noticed that it's the January issue and the main theme is: Feel Calmer Now! Well, I take a deep breath and smile and think ...Great! As I enter the house every alarm in the place begins to sound at the highest volume ever! Now my adrenaline is pumping. I check everywhere for a break in... I try to turn off the control panel... an even bigger alarm goes off. Call my DH and he has no effin idea! First of all this darn alarm system hasn't been set for ..oh ... maybe 10 years! Had to call the company and get directions to actually power down the entire system. I ended up getting a huge splinter, knocking out all the comcast services to the house and scaring the heck out of the cats. Now it's all peaceful and quiet at the house and I'm thinking about Hot Chocolate. How Ironic!

Thirty thousand dollars and it kicks butt!

The carpet guys just left and my carpets are beautiful. Stains that have been in the carpet since the girls were little are now gone. I swear it's like magic. Even the coffee spills on the stairs have disappeared. I used a private contractor who just bought a new $30,000 machine and the machine did everything it promised! And,.... after it dries if I am not happy he will return and redo it for free!

Don't Touch My Monkey!

It's the little things in life that take you by surprise! I was so excited when my ice cream arrived with a monkey. (And he was lime green!)

I'm in Big TROUBLE!

The cats are in their glory. I was only half way done putting up the tree when Abbey decided it was so cool that I was putting up a tree for her inside since it is getting cold outside. Gizmo noticed that Abbey went up the tree and decided that looked like terrific fun. Abbey is now in her glory sleeping in the tree. Now... do I put on ornaments and lights or just play it safe?

Post Secret

I love this post secret from today! Thank you to whoever sent it in.

Overload

Last week I had the great pleasure of overdosing on Christmas at a store in Frankenmuth Michigan. I kid you not... this store had everything you might want for decorating for Christmas or it doesn't exist. Within seconds I was binging around the store muttering incoherently. I had to ship all of my purchases home since I didn't have a remote idea on how to get the breakable items home on the plane. I would have had to buy an extra seat for the moose alone. Wow! Great way to start the buying frenzy! I think I saved Michigan's economy single handed.

Day after....

This is the day after the wedding. I guess the brothers of the bride had just a little too much partying! The rest of us kept right on going. It was a whirlwind five days in Michigan.

It Wasn't Me!

This last weekend I went to Michigan for a fun wedding. As the evening reception went on the group that I was with remarked that there was one thing we hadn't done yet. Yep! you guessed it. The most surprising thing was that.... it wasn't me!!!!!!!

Sweet!

The jetted tub in the downstairs (now guest room bathroom) works! After cleaning and painting we decided to see what items worked and what items didn't. Looks like everything works... even the jetted tub. I'm stoked! Can't wait for a jetted bath!

Living in a Snow Globe

I'm off to Michigan where I hear it's snowing, cold, and blustery. I don't think I'm quite ready for this. I think the hall closet has eaten all of my gloves, hats and scarves. Maybe I can wear them all on the plane so I don't have to pack them... I can be a little Nanuck! Heck.. I'm even still in flipflops. Good thing I'm wearing someone else's boots. It's bad enough I have to be on the road by 5 AM, now I have to dress like an overstuffed cartoon character. Since I'm short and a midge overweitght all the extra layers make me look like a roly poly. Lovely!

Hey.. where did it go?

Our cat Gizmo loses all self control this time of year. This is his third Thanksgiving and each year we have had to institute little kitty time out while we are cooking, eating or even looking at the turkey. I think it's because he was just an itty bitty when the first Thanksgiving came around and not only did everyone feed him turkey but his feet never touched the ground. Since he had been abandoned in a trash bin we ended up with him because he was too small for the Humane Society. When he experienced Thanksgiving he was totally blown away. There was more food than he had dreamed. Well three years later he still goes nuts if there is turkey anywhere close to the house. If he is not given turkey scraps he will become desperate and take his own. Beware of the Turkey Stalker!

TURKEY

Tonight we are cooking a turkey breast, spatzel, pumpkin pie, and of course cranberries. We decided that even though we were breaking tradition that we still wanted turkey sandwiches.... so tonight is turkey and we'll eat sandwiches all week!

Bachelor Ways

I don't know if it's because I'm flying out for 5 days or what but the hubby has started to regress a little lately. Today when I went into the kitchen I noticed a definite sardine smell. I looked all around and did not see anything so I began to wonder. Upon questioning the other half he did admit to eating sardines for lunch and sharing some with the cat. But..... it still shouldn't smell as bad as it did. The mystery was solved when I opened the refrigerator. He put the can of sardines in the refrig without covering it. I couldn't believe it. At least put it in a baggie or cover with anything to contain the smell from taking over. It definitely made me flash back to his fraternity days when I would catch some of the guys eating pizza from the cardboard box on the top of the trash. Hello!

Breaking Tradition

Dan and I are smashing the barriers and going out to eat as a couple for Thanksgiving at an expensive French restaurant. While friends are sort of miffed as to why we would choose to go out to eat instead of doing the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with friends or family... we are actually uber excited! I think it sounds perfect!

Just For You

This picture is for anyone that was in love with the TV show David the Gnome (not sure if that's the right name). It was a great show about twenty years ago and he always rode through the forest on a fox. Every time I see a fox I think of David. Sorry this guy isn't looking at the camera but I was so surprised to be this close that I was late focusing.

Whoa!

Someone is getting ready for the big game. Having attended Ohio State the weekend before Thanksgiving is instilled in my life forever! The football season can be terrible as long as we win one game (of course we want to win them all but only one really counts!) I guess it's time to dig out the T-shirt, the earrings, the singing coasters .....oh and of course the CD tape of The Ohio State fight song so we can do script Ohio in the living room.

Miss You

I only spent a week with Frank and then he moved to his new apartment. I find that I miss him a lot. In only one short week I got used to talking to him, playing with him, and having him follow me and the other cats in the house around. I now realize that I would never be able to be one of those foster people that could take care of kittens, dogs, etc. for the Humane Society or rescue league. I am way too much of a softy and I bond to the animals way too quickly. Am I turning into the cat lady?...you know the one... the little old lady that has a ton of cats and leaves her whole estate to them!

Unbelievable

For some odd reason the little rose plant on the table has started to bloom again. I thought the plant was almost a goner and then it ups and blooms. Looks beautiful.

Dinosaur Toes

Ok... I wanted to stay healthy (somewhat) but I really wanted chocolate too. Then it was the Ah-ha moment when I remembered about the snack I used to give my kids when they were small. A peeled orange slice dipped into melted chocolate bark. Yes! So yummy! One craving gone.

Holiday Sales

Tonight was the beginning of the meetings for the new sale items at Bath & Body Works. There were some fabulous gift sets and new fragrances. I won a pair of super soft socks so I felt the meeting was well worth missing some football.

It's happening!

I lucked out and due to a delayed move I am getting my guest bedroom/bath painted this weekend. It's actually wonderful because then I can get the carpet cleaned (trying that rather than new carpeting right now) and put the guest room together for Grandma! The goal is just the bedroom and then I can work on the closet later. No matter what... I'm moving forward.

Family Members

OK... we all have them.. those weird wacky family members that sort of kindle a little smile in your heart. You know you love them... you just can't take them out in public.

Made My Day!

Imagine my surprise on a dreary day working at home and hearing the doorbell ring. Left on my doorstep is a long red box. Not only did I not know what was in the box, I assumed it was left for me to deliver to the neighbors. Upon closer inspection I realized that the box was for me...then I realized that it was flowers. Since my husband is not one to usually send flowers (he will bring them home occasionally though) my mind began racing to figure out just who might have sent them and why. I loved it when I found out the flowers were from Nicole and Clay and the brood just for Happy Fall. The flowers now adorn my coffee table and look stunning.

Travel Gnome

The little travel gnome has been traveling with me from place to place. He especially likes to run around bookshelves and kitchens of a condo or hotel rooms or other people's houses. I notice that he torments cats when no one is watching. Go travel gnome! He's thinking that it is time for another trip. I might have to start loaning him out since I don't have any plans to go anywhere.

Score!

I am amazed but I literally picked all of the correct football trams this weekend. Go figure! I don't know a whole lot about football so this is such a fluke. I think I just won a free burrito!

Current Life

For the next couple of months I am dedicating myself to living my current life! I am not going to relive what has already happened or what might be in the future. I want to see people and events as new and acknowledge the changes we have all accomplished. I want to experience the "now" to the fullest I can. I am starting today to build new pathways in my life that are based on healthy actions for me. Events don't have to be different or new...I will just be fully experiencing them through clear filters and not through past expectations.

I can still work towards goals for the future but I will fully appreciate each step along the path. (That means you may get some strange Christmas stocking gifts as I'm totally experiencing my environment and interacting with it!)

Newest family Member

Frank is the newest member of my extended family! In all fairness he does not have red eyes and is not really a devil cat! I caught up with him in the parking lot and took the picture from an angle. He was so good not to struggle and bolt while I was trying to take a picture in the dark. He seems perfectly happy living with Natalie and Scott. In secret I think he plays all of their video games while they are at work.

Highest I've been for Awhile

With the snow starting in this area I probably won't be able to hike up to this elevation for awhile. it was fun to catch one of the last days open for a hike. Cold...but worth it!

I love this cat!

Gizmo has upended the pirate ship and is watching to see if anyone will play with him. I love this cat!

Flaming Volcano

It all started innocently enough as a simple movie for ladies Night Out. It ended up past midnight sipping a Flaming Volcano drink at some closed restaurant that invited us in from the cold. Sometimes reality is just a little too strange!

What?

Is this the biggest freakin cat you have ever seen? This is another jacked picture but I thought it was strange enough to put up. It's like having a hairy little kid run around your house. Heck you could dress him up and pass him off as the kid of Big Foot. All he needs is a t-shirt and backwards baseball cap!

Difficult

Did you ever notice just how hard it is to get up in the morning when the cat decides to snuggle with you? Every morning Abigail comes and snuggles when she hears me move. It makes getting up an extremely huge deal because in my book there is nothing better than a snuggling cat!

P.S. Be sure to vote!!!!!

Just playing around and seeing if this works. I am trying this new site for blogging... as well as keeping my other stuff going. Keep on blogging!

Exercise

Yes, I am trying to walk, lift weights, use the elliptical, do Wii fit or some type of exercise every day! I am hoping to tone my body up not only to be healthy but to get in a little bit of shape before the cruise in January. Ahhhh... the cruise! I have never been on a cruise before so I can only imagine all the nice things that people tell me about. I am excited to have this opportunity. It's our 38th wedding anniversary and thought that a cruise would be fun to do as a celebration. Looks like I'll have to think summer clothes in the middle of a Colorado winter. Hmmmmmmm...... Hope I look better than the hamster...but then the hamster is cute!

Nablopomo

I am trying something new.... not major but new none-the-less. I have signed up with nablopomo to try and blog everyday. I actually blog on myspace and here so I do blog almost everyday but I'm going to try and blog on this site everyday. I am not quite sure why I am doing this but I'm following an instinct. If nothing else it will probably force me to take more pictures since this is the site I tend to post pictures on when I do post them.

Pumpkins

We actually made Jack-O-Lanterns this year. By looking at the picture can you guess which one is mine and which one is Dan's? Yes, Dan's looks like an alien or weird guy from another planet. With the heat it turned out to look like a pumpkin with a harelip! Mine is so happy!!! Yes, I'm not a very scary person. In fact I am refusing to see the new 3-D scary movie that is coming out soon. Please take pity on Dan and invite him to attend with you...I'm not going!

It Just Happens.....

Lately I have been caught between two worlds and it takes a lot of energy. Since August I have had one foot in last year and one foot in this year. Events happened so fast last year and I had no time to really feel them...it was more of do what had to be done ~ especially concerning my dad. I find myself stopping at different intervals (usually when I least expect it) and reflecting on what was happening last year at this time. Like last year at this time Grandpa had been in the hospital several times and was in the Life Care therapy program because he had lost the ability to walk and he was getting ready for the Halloween parade. I was spending most of my time traveling back and forth to be with him as much as possible. Now when I relive the events I can feel the whole emotional impact of the events from my side and Grandpa's side. Last year I had to just react unemotionally and try to do what we thought was best. I know the hardest events are still to come but in this transition year I also find it freeing. Last year... Thanksgiving was horrifying... Christmas was peaceful and warm... and then the long goodbye with the medical care I had to administer that was difficult but necessary. The final goodbye was peaceful, warm, and loving but the roller coaster ride to that point was filled with emotional ups and downs that were staggering.

Hello

General Update
I haven't been on this site for awhile. Somehow, I have continued to take pictures but haven't really downloaded anything to share for blogging. Life continues to be full of drama at times but seems to be leveling out a little. I'm sort of in that calm before the storm.... or maybe the storm is going on around me and I'm just out of touch. I'm hanging loose on the Washington DC situation.... everything will be hitting a defining point soon.

Other News
I'm excited to begin the book "My Sister's Keeper". I really like Jodi Picoult as an author. Ruby sent this book for me to read with terrific recommendations so I'm excited to get started!

Cat News
Abbey and Gizmo have been tearing up the house! Both have managed to get caught in collars or handles on shopping bags. Daisy just wants loved and tries to stay out of the way of the younguns!

Irish Dinner
This Saturday is the Irish Dinner. I am to make a fabulous and decadent dessert with the Irish theme. I have been searching recipes but haven't decided on one yet. I have to keep myself from panicking. After all it's only a dessert and people will either be too full or inebriated to worry too much about dessert. I do want it to be scrumptious though.

Last but not least
I'm into the fall TV series! They have started off very interesting and exciting. I'm hoping the series I watch stay that way. I've had to DVR most of the shows because I am out of routine of watching TV. Now I'm scrambling to find time at other times to watch what I've recorded. If that is my biggest problem... I am truly blessed!

DC Bound

Yeah... the closer I get to leaving the more little messages I get from M.A.
...sort of like this...

"You are going to hate me"
"I'm not going to hate you."

"well, about the empty beer cans all over my room... I use beer to wash my
hair."
"OK... I'll get rid of them"

"Well... about the empty tomato cans in the kitchen and bedroom. You know I
don't save empty cans."
"Ok... I'll throw them away"
"Well, I was saving them for the recipes."

"Well maybe the Fire Inspector has a small point about the basement."
"What do yo mean?"
"Well I've been throwing garbage down the stairs because it's too hard to take
it outside."

"But I know you... You'll have the place cleaned up in four hours and then I can
go home."
"No, you can't go home until you hire a cleaning lady and a home companion.:"
"Don't you worry about me... I can work magic."
"But you need to hire a cleaning lady and a companion."
"I don't know why you are being mean to me... I wouldn't do this to you."

Sigh.... I have to hang up now!

Favorite Balloon Pictures

These are my favorite balloon pictures from the weekend at SnowMass Balloon Festival. There were an assortment of balloons and people. The weather turned out terrific which was sort of a surprise since it was snowing at Eisenhower Tunnel on our way over the pass. The last picture was taken at night where they put a special gas in the balloon to make them glow at night. Fascinating.

March of the Gnomes

I was gloriously happy when I
encountered these Gnomes! The picture is a little deceptive as these Gnomes are really only about 3 inches tall. It's just so exciting to think of all these little Gnomes in the same place. I know... this is where I'm supposed to make all the Gnome jokes. I did just receive a traveling Gnome where I am to take my Gnome places and take pictures. I have started doing so and there will be some of the pictures online. Where's the Gnome????????

You know you want one!

This little guy sits in my kitchen holding a scrubby pad (which I haven't had the heart to use yet!) You know you are jealous and want one! In fact I bought one for Cole at the tomato fest and when Dan saw it he stated that he wanted one. This is how one was sent to us in the mail by surprise! We were so excited! Now the tomato scrubber holder sits proudly in the kitchen to remind of us of a terrific weekend!

Tomato Heads

These were the best Tomato Heads. They were sort of punky with tons of attitude. I was a little surprised that they even agreed to let me take their picture. It added a little gangsta attitude to the festival to have this herd roving around the crowd. Go Tomato Heads!

Tomato Queen

When I was in Nashville in August I was lucky enough to be there during the Art Tomato Fest! I was like a little kid in a candy store. I loved all the music, artwork, costumes, and people. Of course I was overwhelmed when I sat close to the Tomato Queen at lunch and much to my family's dismay I interrupted her table to ask for a picture. Not only was she excited that I had asked for a picture but she dragged me outside to take a series of pictures. The above picture is not from that session but from a later encounter with the big haired fan. It's all about the Karma and being in the right place at the right time!

Yea Me!

This is what my desk in the kitchen looked like a few days ago. Yep...pretty piled high and totally disorganized. It's sort of unnecessary to say that I lost soooooo much time looking for things on my desk that I needed. You know.. all the stuff you save just in case you might need it. It's sufficient to say that I didn't even remember what I was saving it all for! Now my desk looks like this! Yea Me!

Red Flags

I have recently encountered a hostile person. I haven't been around a hostile person since I was with my family in DC. I don't tend to run into very many people who are so angry at themselves, the world, and life in general that they react explosively to little irritations. It's those times that you actually realize that it isn't you that they are angry at but rather they are building up inside until any little thing could set them off. Kind of scary when they would rather use intimidation tactics over discussion to pseudo control situations. I think I am beginning to believe in psychotherapy!

On the other hand this is the stuff that scary movies are made of. Ok... now I'm off in my own little fantasy world...I will not go down in the basement... everything always happens in the basement... and since I'm not a virgin I'm in trouble! In fact I probably qualify as the old crone which can be the evil person or the wise sage to point the way for the hero. Now I know I shouldn't be reading all the Joseph Campbell books but... too late!

Anticipation

Photos of the Nashville/Tennessee/Kentucky/lake trip are coming soon with the Good...Bad... and Ugly comments.

In other news... the rain has stopped after 3 straight days and our drought is over for the time being. It would be nice if Colorado had sewers for times like this. Good part is that our roof held (we think...haven't been in the attic) but the bad part is that our basement leaked through the window wells.

Rescue

Another picture from the iphone. My van broke down on the diagonal. Somehow I knew to cut the airconditioning (in 100 degree weather) and cut my speed. Because I didn't want to be stranded on the side of a highway I limped off the first exit which put me by Gail's house. Luckily Gail was home (and answered the door even though she knew it was me!) and gave me a lift home. The next day both Dan and Gail helped rescue me with the tow truck etc. They were more there for moral support than anything. Turned out that the water pump froze and it snapped the serpentine belt. How I was able to drive it without power steering is not known. I was lucky and there wasn't any other engine damage!

First iphone picture

Not very exciting but it was the first picture I took with the iphone. Breakfast!

Another Jacked Picture

I love this picture! I just keep saying Awwwwww.... and Ooooo... when I see it. And to think... I will see two of my favorite pets next weekend!

Watch

Watch for pictures and blogs from the iphone! Woot! I'm so stoked. As soon as I figure out how to use some of the features I'll let you know and maybe even post from the phone!. It's almost (but not quite) a waste for me to get the iphone since I have no idea how to operate it. I will be in a high learning curve! This is so exciting.

Jacked Picture!

I actually jacked this picture from a family member. This really made me laugh because it took me by surprise. I love my family... and I love twizzlers too!

Double Post

I felt this was important to post on both my blog and myspace to help clarify my reasons for drumming this Friday.

I am drumming at the traveling Vietnam War Memorial in Boulder this Friday evening. After agreeing to do this with a small group of people I realized that it could be misinterpreted by not only people in my family but others outside of Boulder County. I have spent time looking at my personal reasons for doing this gesture.

Drumming is spiritual for me. It's my way of enhancing the power of the the wall. It's about the heartbeat of the world...honoring people, families, and life. It's not about politics - not about the war - it's about the lifeline or pulse that connects people heart to heart around the world.

We have been careful to be aware to not overshadow the reading of the names.... we may play at a slight distance and we have chosen a piece called the Welcome Wave to do in rounds that is based on the heartbeat. Hopefully this will help heal and pull people together and create harmony.

Arrrrrggg......

The cats are loving their new Pirate ship. Usually they take turns being inside and the other cat stalks around like a piranha on the outside. There are various leaps and jabs. At times the outside cat will block the doorway so the other cat is trapped inside. Gizmo even has dragged a whole loaf of bread inside for provisions for his trip at sea. Cat toys have been going in and out at an alarming rate. I have no idea what they are planning next.

Stuffing bags

This crew beat the unofficial all time record for stuffing 1200 bags to give away at registration. It took the team 2 hours with three assembly lines moving at breakneck speed to fill all the bags. I was so impressed with them! I couldn't even keep up tearing down the cardboard and keeping the line filled! Whoa! Go Team!

1200 T-Shirts

This is what 1200 T-shirts look like. This year for TIE they were tye-dyed. HaHaHa! I must say that they were pretty nice shirts and it was a neat effect to see hundreds of people wearing their shirts at the same time. I almost felt like it was the 70's.

This year's truck!

This year's truck for TIE was awesome! It had air conditioning, cd player, fabulous speakers and an upgraded cab. The drum even rode up front with Dan and I to keep it from getting thrown around in the back with the heat. All the computers, food, t-shirts, brochures, cables, and our clothes fought for space in the back. It was nice that this truck even handled I70 and all the hills. We were in the flow of traffic and not waving to everyone sailing by.

Pictures

New pictures coming soon! I do have some new shots but have not downloaded them yet. Now that I'm loading pictures I find myself at places and wondering why I didn't bring my camera. I'll get better!

I can see!

I can see! I can see! I can see! It looks like the saga with the contacts is finally over. (we'll actually test that in the next few days!) When I received the replacement lens the divergence was too great and there was a point in space (like right in front of me) where neither eye wanted to take over. This made for a little awkward viewing and sort of a blank space that my brain was trying hard to fill in. Since most of you know my brain... I was spacey!!! (Sorry... had to throw that in there.) Today I received another replacement lens and it seems to have given me back my peripheral vision... no excuses now for running off the road when driving!

Wedding Crahsers

I attended a very nice outdoor wedding recently. It was a ton of fun and I took this photo. It's like these guests are the wedding crashers... oh.. here comes the ushers and the bride and groom...quick hide... did they see us? ... uh.oh...if they spot us we'll have to make a run for it. Darn and I wanted cake too! When we're finished hiding we can have drinks. BTW... the real story is that it was extremely sunny... they had no sunscreen and later they were drinking because they were totally burnt!

Random

I never did get the bulbs to grow that Nicole sent to me. However, they make cute vases for flowers out of the yard! Just random... guess I better start taking some updated pictures. Maybe next week at the TIE conference I can get some good shots.

Abbey

This is one tuckered out cat! This is what happens when you don't talk to your cat about catnip and they spend the day chasing the elusive squirrel. Isn't she sweet?.... that is until she wakes up and terrorizes the house!

Love this Pic!

I took this picture from Carla's post. I happen to think it's a pretty nice picture. I'm not sure what type of plant it is that I'm using as reggae hair but it was a fun day at the Flower Bin.