I am stuck in the mountains.
Snow... Avalanches... DISASTER IN COLORADO!

My ex-husband? Yep, he's stuck here, too.
MORE SNOW, MORE AVALANCHES, MORE DISASTER IN COLORADO!
(not really... it's the same snow, same avalanches, and same disaster... just a different article)

Christmas has come and gone and I can honestly say that I'm a little sad. I know, I know. I realize the shock this must be to everyone that has listened to me gripe through this busy and rather horrendous holiday season. But, really, yesterday was great. We were awakened by the children all of four minutes before the alarm went off. Downstairs the kids opened presents, we opened presents, Dave opened presents. It was fun, to say the least. Then the family came by and we made breakfast for everyone. I'm being strongly encouraged to pick up the family "Christmas Breakfast" tradition my dad started. Mike and I are mulling it over. We'll see how I feel after Thanksgiving 2008, you know? Then it was relax a while, watch the kids have a snowball fight, cook Christmas dinner and then scarf down too much food and too much wine. Watched Ratatouille and then went to bed. I got Uggs for Christmas and I didn't take them off until I crawled into my pajamas. :) It was a good Christmas. Now I just need to make it to the 1st!

Ian is in count-down mode. I hear every morning exactly how many days to his Holiday Show (5), how many days until we leave for Grandma's house (7) and how many days until Christmas (18). We're all excited, mind you... but Ian saw the bulges in the stockings over the fire place andb started the count-down to finding out what's in them.

It's snowing, finally. The snow is heavy and wet. It's the wettest winter I've seen in the three I've had out here. Walking out to my car isn't about slipping on ice this year... it's about making sure my pants are hiked up so as not to become saturated by the slush that has permeated my driveway. It's a disgusting mix of snow, water and dirt. Up valley, though, is a whole other story. It's still very wet... but the snow is thick and ski-worthy. The boys head to the slopes tomorrow for their first snowboarding day of the season and they're more than excited.

My house is decorated. I have presents beginning to take over my closet. I have a camera at the ready. And still... it doesn't feel like Christmas yet. I wonder if it's just because I'm not really doing much this year... or because I haven't started the wrapping. The wrapping is more fun than the gifts for me.... I dunno, though. Maybe it's just the waiting. With my sisters here I feel like I'm often just waiting for the next round of drama to start and after the emotional disaster that was my pre-Thanksgiving experience, I think maybe I'm subconsciously keeping myself from getting into the holiday spirit just to safeguard my sad self. Wow. Did you like that pity-party? It's true, though. I think maybe I'm just... disheartened.

We get the new car in a week. I'm not sure how many of you know about the fabulousness that is our new car... but we have a new car. It's a 2007 Subaru Impreza. Just the base model... which is totally fine because we got a pretty decent deal. It's black with gray and black interior. And, of course, the standard AWD that I'm so excited about. David has been laughing at me because I keep asking him questions... but I figure he's the one to ask, right? Right. I'll take pictures once we have it and post them then. *excited*

Thanksgiving was huge. 22 people. Going to Utah in December... just a few short weeks away. Dave is coming out a week after that for Christmas. David may come out but that's still up in the air. Either way, presents will make their way back with one or both of them. I have my tree up, my house decorated, and I feel mostly normal again. I dunno... things seem kind of up in the air still. I know they're not, really... but I can't get over that feeling that not all of the drama is over. We'll see how the coming weeks go, though, right?

So, not two weeks after that last post, I was not so happy.

My sisters create drama, which you all know. What's more is, they create drama for ME. I dislike this. They are no longer living in my space. It would take entirely too long to say here all that occurred. Lets just say that I'm insulted, I'm offended and I'm astounded that people can be so crazy for no reason.

Okay, on to Thanksgiving. We're at 20 people. I made wop salad and antipasto the other day. Last night, after Zach's band concert, I made the filling for my stuffed veggies (cherry tomatoes, pepperoncinis, and mushrooms). Tonight I'm making cheesecake and the stuffing for the dates... Tomorrow I'm on to prepping the stuffing and the candied yams. *sighs* And the cranberry relish. I think I'm on track for a happy and everything-done-on-time Thanksgiving.

What's next? Decorate for Christmas right after the holiday... then December 15th we're off to Cedar City, missing both of our Christmas parties... then it's back home, finish shopping and around the corner is Christmas! YAY! When will it be over again?

I am happy. I walked outside yesterday evening, like I do on any day I leave work, and I looked up at the sky and couldn't help but smile. The mountains are beautiful and it's hard to have a mediocre sunset where I live. Even on days when you can't see the sun, the way the clouds wrap around the peaks and drift into the valleys is truly inspiring. Last night, though, the clouds were the color of bright coral and the sky behind them like tropical waters. I wish I were a poet so I could make you see it with me. I called Michael and the only thing I had to say was "isn't that an amazing sky?" It made me slow down a little bit and remember why I'm here. I'm here so that every winter my kids can hop on a board and fly down the mountains on blankets of snow... and maybe one winter soon I can go with them. I'm here so that when I take a walk on a perfect summer day, which is every day in summer for me, I can be surprised by a random deer strolling out of the brush in front of me. I'm here so that I can sit on my couch and read a book and be distracted by the humming birds, chickadees, and magpies out my window instead of being distracted by the tv. I'm here so that every morning when I wake up I appreciate how warm the blankets are... and every night when I go to sleep I appreciate how warm Michael is. I'm here for the slower pace of life, for the appreciation of simple things, for the nice people in my world. I think back on my life in Las Vegas and I feel... happier. So what if we don't eat at Olive Garden on a regular basis? So what if we can't go to the supermarket after 11pm? I don't miss the conveniences that really just add to the stress of every day life in the city. Those sad ghosts gambling their money away in the grocery store at 3am. Driving 15 miles over the course of an hour because of construction or accidents or just an influx of people into a small space.

In real news, the boys picked up their snowboards and gear for their season rentals last night. They're all set to hit the slopes. I get my season pass soon... one of the girls here is a certified instructor and offered to teach me to snowboard. I need to get new pants... but other than that I think I'm ready to go.

Thanksgiving update:
Mom, Dad, Tara, Willow, Maria, Raul, Megan, Rusty, possibly Paul, Matt, Zach, Ian, Ayla, Alyssa, Austin, Hannah, Brandon, Mike and Me, possibly my cousins Sophie and Jay... and then little Mallory who doesn't really get counted because she doesn't eat solid food yet. 20 something people. AND I'm cooking. AND I'm cooking at Megan's instead of my place.... which is great for the space issues... not so great for the cook. On top of that, she's ordering a table. I tell her, "If you haven't ordered yet try to get a table that seats 8 - 10 (mine seats 8)" Guess what? She ordered a table that seats 6. *rolls eyes* I love my family. If I keep saying it then maybe I won't kill them all in a psychotic Thanksgiving episode of Kyzilla.

What else? I'm admiring someone from afar. I'm not stalking them. No, really. It's this remarkable person that is strong and lovely and so very sad... and I think they should marry one of my friends. (you know who you are) I will tell you about it once they're engaged.

We're planning on taking a trip to Cedar City sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's already feeling like I'm trying to run away from home. I always knew there was a good reason I lived at least 30 minutes from my family.

There's one more thing. I am deeply in love. I am lucky enough to have someone in my life that keeps me sane, grounded and happy with just a look... just that feeling of his hand on mine while we fall asleep. Even on days when I'm close to stabbing people in the eyeballs... he keeps me from that one last step that would send me to prison for my remaining years. And he's so beautiful on top of it all. I don't know what I'd do without him.

I'm really stressed out and semi-crazy these days. Really ready for my sister and the kids to move out. It's not that it's bad so much as it's just a lot. So, yeah. Ready for them to move. What's good about this? She IS moving. My cousin, Robert, is moving to Ireland with his girlfriend person and Tara is going to move in to his place. This could happen as early as November 15th but no later than December 1st. I will have my house back for the holidays! I'm way excited, but I'm still so on edge it's insane. *sighs*

Michael is being phenomenal. I don't know how he holds it together... I don't do nearly as well. Yeah, right. Who are we talking about again? My husband, right? *grins* He's crazy, too. He just has freaks out more often and therefor with less intensity. I turn into Kyzilla. Ridiculous, I tell you.

Nothing really new. There's no snow on the ground anymore. Just a lot of crunchy leaves... but it's coming. And Thanksgiving, too. *rolls eyes* Just you wait until I tell you all about Thanksgiving.

Next time, people. Next time.

It's SNOWING!

YAY!

And I leave tomorrow evening for Vegas. Of COURSE it's snowing when I go to leave town.

I've had another birthday come and go... I'm officially getting older. 34. Wow. It doesn't really feel much older than 24... though I have to confess that it feels a hell of a lot older than 14. Which, in my opinion, is a good thing. I'm not one of those people that stress over age. I think it's fairly relative.

I'm waiting for the snow. I'm so so so ready for the snow.

I think I'm getting carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Tom, the realtor that also happens to be a chiropractor that works next door, comes over and cracks all of the bones in my arm to fix it for me. I didn't know arm bones could make so much noise. You'd think I had a spine in there for all of the cracking it does. Ick.

I will be in Vegas on October 19, 20 and 21. Hair, food, coffee, shopping... stuff.

I think that's all. Right now. I'm working, sort of.

Tom Newman passed away on Friday. I don't know what to say or think or do... I'm shocked.

I'm sure you're all very sick of hearing how busy I've been. I won't bore you. Instead I'll say that autumn is here and I couldn't be more excited. The aspens will peak in a couple of weeks. The week of my birthday. The air is cold at night, brisk, and oh-so-comfortable during the day. I've taken to wearing a fleece vest when I leave for work in the morning. The water in the Eagle River is crystal clear once more, done with the spring runoff and summer silt, getting ready to freeze over again. Halloween is around the corner. Pumpkin soup in Beaver Creek while the kids run around trick-or-treating at the various company-sponsored booths before we head down valley for the real candy gathering. The grass is golden and, on the side of the freeway, purple. The flowers are still in bloom all over the place... but it's ending. The hillsides are yellow with the turn of the weather, instead of green. I find myself waiting for that perfect evening, when the day has been cold and I know the night will be colder, when I can curl up with a new book and a warm blanket. I itch for my kids to run in, cheeks red with cold and fingers icy, begging me for hot cocoa. There will be beef stew that simmers all day in the crock pot, hot chili, spaghetti... soup in cups that should really scald you but instead just melt the cold from your bones. I can't wait for all of those perfect comfort food nights!! The smells that gather in the house while everything is closed up to keep out the cold!! I can't wait to start baking! Ginger cookies and apple pies! Autumn, to me, is all things wonderful to my senses!

It's been more than two weeks since I've posted and I can't even begin to express in writing how horrifically busy I've been. But, you know, I'll try.

Where did we leave off? Ian's stitches? Well, he had them removed... and loved having them removed. He is required to wear sunscreen every time he exposes his face to the vast wilderness that is outside... which is fine. Except (of COURSE there's an except) he is allergic to the sunscreen that we originally used on him. He broke out in this horrible patch of dry skin that felt kind of like orange peel. Nasty. So we switched (to a sunscreen that actually smells like orange peel) and it's working better. The dry skin aggravated the scar, though, so where there was a thin line on his lip there is now a very red line and little Frankenstein looking sewing marks from the stitches. Yeah. We're using Maderma for kids at night. Smells like grape. You know, on his lip. I had to taste it to make sure that he wouldn't lick it off. It absolutely does not taste like grape.

Matt had his cast removed. Nasty blobs of skin came off after. it was like peeling only way, way worse. Now his palm is peeling. I really hope it's from the cast coming off and not some other nefarious cause or my son has a real problem.

My sister, Megan, had her baby. It was girl. So sweet. Mallory Ava Estes. :) We love her.

My sister, Tara, moved in with her three children. This is temporary, until her house sells. She's really trying so hard and doing such an awesome job that I can't complain. The stress is already getting to both of us, I can tell. I have to tell you though, damn my sister can cook. She made us Peruvian food. Yum.

So, that brings us to Willow. Willow moved in. She washed all of her clothes before she left but I'm re-washing everything she owns. Even pillows. Everything smells awful. The stench makes me think of smoking meat... except you don't want to eat it. Blech.

I think that's mostly it. I'm tired. I'm cranky. I'm giving up ice cream to keep Willow from inundating my pantry with potato chips (I give up something and so does she). So, you know, I'm going to be crankier.

*sighs* Wish my luck. I'll keep you posted. Hopefully.

Oh, and we have a spider/pet/garage sentinel. His name is Steve. He's huge. He spins enormous webs in the corner of the garage and eats bugs. He is so going to freak my mom out when she comes to visit next week.

I LOVE STEVE!

Stitches came out yesterday. Ian loved it. He looked at each one that was cut out as it hit the little tray next to him. He looks great. Scar will be minimal as long as he keeps sunscreen on it.

Sister, Tara, moves in this weekend. I'm excited for her. I think this is a great move for her and her family. I hope her house sells soon so that we don't have to worry too long about space. Willow will be here on the 24th and it's important to me that everyone is settled by mid-September.

I'm trying to lose weight again. I've been lazy... Lazy = exhausted, really. Just so much going on and I haven't had the slightest desire to exercise. I looked forward to summer all last winter so I could be outside. Seems this summer has been so busy and so stressful I haven't even wanted to move off of the sofa. Ah well. I'll get there.

Busy weekend, with Megan's baby shower and getting the rest of the new place unpacked. I think I have something like 2 boxes left.

Ian is doing WAY better. Here are some updated pics.

A little less excitement please.

I get a call at work yesterday afternoon from Matt. "Mom, Ian's hurt really bad. I think he needs stitches"

A dog bit Ian in the face. He did, indeed, need stitches. Not JUST stitches, mind you. He had to be taken to the Glenwood Springs ER to see the Emergency Plastic Surgeon.

Pressing questions:
Is Ian okay?
He's doing fine. He's much happier today than he was yesterday. He said the bite itself didn't hurt and his lip was kind of numb afterward. It was all of the blood that was scary. It was pooling in his hands and had covered both of his arms to his elbows. Scary for an adult... imagine if you were 6. :( And then poor Matt. He was such a trooper, though. Got the bleeding under control and called me. I was very proud of him. The only real pain Ian had was when they shot his face full of local so they could sew him up!

Will he have a scar?
Yes. We won't know the extent of that scar for at least a year.

Is the dog current on vaccinations?
Yes... but just to reinforce the sense of safety that gives me, the county is fed-ex'ing the dog to the state to rush his quarantine (Blood tests to ensure he doesn't have rabies as opposed to the ten day wait).

Whose dog was it?
The neighbors'. Two little kids are very unhappy today because their dad is having the dog put down. I feel terrible about it, really. My dog is a part of my family. I can only guess at what they must be going through. :(

Ready for my close up

Wow, this sucks

Stop taking my picture, already....

Those shots in my face HURT

Ice cream? What? Okay, I'm good!

Stuff going on: Ken and Amy came out to visit us on Friday from Nevada... like ya'll don't know where they're from. Sheesh. Anyway, Mike went to pick them up from the airport in Denver with iffy weather all the way there and back. Saturday morning we head out to Sylvan Lake where we all enjoyed a really relaxing day just hanging out and seeing the sights, eating fresh berries and veggies... it was really nice. Headed back to our place, hung out, had dinner and relaxed and chatted. It was fun. I got to know Amy a lot better, which was really nice. Sunday we headed out to the Rockies/Dodgers game in Denver prior to dropping them back off at the airport for their trip home. The drive really sent home to me what a huge problem the beetles are in our forest. Yikes. So bad. On top of that I have some family drama going on that I'll tell only my close friends. You'll probably know before you read this... but again, yikes. So bad. :\

Almost all settled in the new place. Love having more space... love that it's cooler. Megan's shower this weekend, Tara moving in and Ian's birthday the weekend after that... then hopefully I'll be done for a while! *sighs relief* Can't wait for a break. July = Crazy Busy

I am so tired.

There has been so much going on! We moved last weekend. It's Tuesday and we're already nearly unpacked. The new place is seriously fantastic and I couldn't be more excited to be somewhere! Hardwood floors through the bottom level, sunken living room, fireplace and laundry room... and I get my dining room table back from storage! YAY for being able to eat at a table!! The top floor is pretty awesome, too. Talked to the boys about who wanted their own room and after about 4 different conversations they decided that they were fine all being in the same room... so we now have a game room. It ends up being great for them. They have a separate space for their toys and video games... and the older 2 are ecstatic that Mike is putting our old surround sound system in there. I can't wait for my friends that saw my last place to come see this one. Hint, hint. I'll post pictures of the new place once we get unpacked and settled.

So, what else did I do last weekend? I adopted a kitten. He's fantastic and I love him and his name is Harry. I did not name him. The shelter did... and he's fantastic. I said that already. We thought it wouldn't be a problem with the dog... because my dog LOVES cats. Well, didn't consider that the cat would be less enthused about the dog. Harry tried to claw out Pagan's eyeball... so now Pagan tries to eat him pretty regularly. I think Harry has figured out that the dog can't jump up onto the bed (hell, I can barely jump up onto the bed) because he slept on Michael's head last night until Michael finally relinquished his pillow to the cat.

I <3 my new kitty

Okay, more in the Matt's Broken Hand Saga:

We went to see the orthopedists yesterday. The guy we were referred to wasn't there but an equally adept doctor was present and we were happy with him. For the ten seconds that we saw him, he was great. Then, his assistant guy took over. The assistant guy = awesome. It was decided that Matt wouldn't need surgery and that, because he's chronologically older than his biology says he is (he's aging faster than he's growing, he could have the bone set and it would straighten out as he grew. Awesome. So Matt sat there and laughed to keep from crying as the guy rotated his knuckle back into place and then took him for an x-ray, only to find that he needed to manipulate it more because the set didn't take. More manipulation = more pain. Matt didn't cry once... poor guy sat there and said "ow" more times that I'd have liked to hear but, other than that, he was awesome. Assistant guy tugged and pushed and massaged... by the time he was done Matthew's hand was huge and swollen and bore assistant guy's finger imprints. But, at the end of the day, Matthew was casted and ready for the trip to Vegas this weekend. Sweet.

Matt's casted hand:

WE COME IN PEACE!

I get a call at work today around 4pm. It's Zach. He sounds fairly panicked... you know? Like he knows he's in trouble or something is wrong. So I ask, "what's going on" and he says "Matt just broke his finger"

*blinks*

It turns out that my children were fighting over who got to put the trash bag in the trash can. I know, I know. You only WISH your children were so dedicated to their chores. But, hey... the spat turned into blows. Matt punched Zach in the head twice and Zachary got in a couple of kidney shots on Matt before it calmed down enough for them to realize that, um, something was BROKEN. Matt was in some pretty intense pain from what I could tell on the phone... and once he told me that his knuckle looked like it was flat and shoved back, I was on my way home. We get to the doctor, Matt had been iced for about 20 minutes and wasn't having any pain, and we tell the guy what happened. The doctor laughed. Really, laughed. By this point, I recognized the comedy in the situation... he punched his brother in the head. It's funny. But still. Then he says "well, I'm not comfortable setting this... we're going to refer you to a hand specialist"

*blinks*

So, Matt is now splinted in some hideous looking semi-cast and I'll be making an appointment for him to see the specialist tomorrow since it was so late when we finally finished with the doctor in Eagle.

Pictures... just for you!

It's almost 2am and I can't sleep. I just got up to take some benadryl and realized that I probably wasn't going back to bed any time soon... so I put my contacts in and decided to post. I've got a lot going on in my mind lately. What, with Tara in town this week, the 4th of July show on Tuesday, packing for the move, getting ready to head to Vegas and then moving the weekend after we get back.. and then Ken and Amy are coming to visit the weekend after that. I've got July fairly booked.

My foot itches. Mosquito bite. Stupid mosquitoes.

We went to a big summer party for my work on Saturday. More than a hundred people showed up for an open bar, apps and then dinner. It was like a giant reception only the food was better. Grilled salmon, steak and chicken, asparagus, baked potatoes and salads... mmmm. Did you know they make wasabi cheese? I didn't... until I had some. Crazy wasabi cheese goodness.

*sighs* I really want to be sleeping.

Bridge To Terabithia -
This movie made me cry. Actually, no. Not just cry. My throat still hurts from the overwhelming and unsuccessful efforts I was making to hold in my sobs.

I loved it. See it.

I just have to post about this. I was recently told that I couldn't have my nose ring at my job... so I went on a quest, having just had it re-pierced, to find the INVISIBLE nose ring! I have found it. Check this out!




Overwhelming demand has necessitated an edit to my entry. For all of you looking for this nose retainer, look here.

My life is crazy. Filled with unnecessary drama and frustrating lapses in the peace that I've come to treasure. It's mostly work, which I suppose is good because home drama would suck. Seriously way too busy to post about it this second but when I can breathe again, I'll let you all know what's up.

It's officially been a week since I returned from Las Vegas but it really feels like three. Jenny came to visit and by the time she left my thighs were aching. I had to type that just because it sounded so dirty. They ached from hiking Hanging Lake on Saturday afternoon... it's a pretty steep hike but well worth it once you see what's at the top. For those of you interested in seeing the AMAZING pictures she snapped go here. Now, though, my thighs don't ache.

I miss Bee... and even David a little. Grudgingly. In the last week I've seen Blood Diamond, Deja Vu and the last Pirates movie... I realize this is a little disjointed. I'm okay with that. It's not even 8am and I have to go to work in 20 minutes. I just finished breakfast and I'm still drinking coffee. My brain isn't ready for blogging yet. Besides, there really was some link there. David just joined Netflix, of which I am a huge fan, and thinking of him made me think of movies. I've got Fearless on the way. And something else I can't remember.

I missed the Democratic Debate because I was driving my Jennybot to the airport. I've never been very political but I've become more so over the last 5 years... I'm more interested than ever in how it will all pan out.

The boys are out of school for the summer as of TODAY. Crazy.

Off to work...

I am exhausted. We got back from Vegas last night around 1:30am... bed came even later (or earlier, depending on your point of view.) The trip was nice. We went to Utah for a couple of days and I got to laze around in a hammock for two days and go fishing. Then out to Vegas where, not surprisingly, there was drama. I found out on the way from Utah to Vegas that David had broken is leg while water skiing on Friday. So, Jenny and I went to see him on Sunday night when I got in. The nurse informed us that his wife was helping him shower.

*blink* Wife? Okay... whatever. Well, I had just gotten in and had late

dinner plans with Mike so my David visit would have to wait until the following morning (honestly, I didn't plan to go back but guilt got the best of me. I mean, he was my best friend once... what do you do, right?)

I have to tell you though, that they have something awesome at the new St. Rose campus... A SMOKERS' POLE!! HA!

Mike said we should put pride stickers on it. I love him.

So anyway, Mike and I headed back to see David on Monday morning. Suck. He's so lucky I was up early. I get there and meet the Missus, his girlfriend of 6 months, Meredith. She's... quiet. Really quiet. Not the best of circumstances to get to know her, obviously, which is just fine because I've heard it's a daunting task anyway. This sounds really mean but, seriously, I have better things to do with my time than expend energy on getting to know someone I will see only in passing and only very occasionally... especially when there's no interest on their part in helping that process along. You know? Okay, so David's leg... It's really, really gross.

Here, look:
See the oozing? Oooooozing. So nasty.

His dad (Marvin) asked him if he had knives and forks coming out of his leg. That made me happy.

After seeing David on Monday we took the boys and my nieces and nephew to Chuck E Cheese where I met up with my friend Kim and her husband, Don. :) I love them. They're great people. We're planning a big trip to Disneyland with them next summer. I'm more excited about it than I can express here. I could pee myself. Mike is less gleeful but still pretty excited... and so long as he actually gets in the car when it's time to go, I'm good. Following the madhouse pizza adventure we met my ex-husband at the hotel pool and let all of the kids swim and then headed out to my parents for a barbecue. It was a great, relaxing afternoon of sitting under patio misters and eating steaks. Saturday night was a cluster. We were meeting friends at Jillian's but it closed so we migrated over to another bar across the way... then migrated again to PT's. I think that once everyone was in PT's it was better. More relaxed, closer to home and it's PT's... we always have fun there.

Tuesday didn't go as planned. I had made tentative plans to meet Danielle for lunch but Mike and I ended up skipping lunch and I forgot to call her and then, at the end of the day, I saw that I missed a call from her. I feel crappy about the whole thing and I need to call her and apologize. Mike and I did get some shopping done, despite our seven year-old's whining endeavor to just go sit in the shade somewhere and rest.

Tuesday night was sushi. I love teh sushi.

AND THEN....

I got my nose re-pierced. I love it. love it love it love it.

That's mostly the end. We left Monday after Matt's ortho appointment and some lunch. I kidnapped the Jenny and will be taking her hiking with me this weekend. Right now, though, I'm just really tired.

So, hey, did I forget to mention that JENNY'S COMING TO VISIT ME?

For those of you that didn't know, Mike's sister Jenny was one of the best groomers in Vegas. A little while ago she moved to Cedar City and opened up a shop there with her parents called Muddy Paws.

Check this out.

I'm so happy for them!

Way blurry but still, very cute.

Note: I need a camera. Badly. Oooo... maybe that's what I'll ask for on Mother's Day.

My body hurts. Yesterday we took Matt and Zach out for the Community Pride Highway Clean Up for the Vail Valley. It was a great experience for them... and for us. I've never been one for community service. I wasn't raised to do it and, in the city, I never felt like it really made a difference. Up here, though, you SEE the difference. You see your neighbors out on the highway and your kids see other kids from their schools. And it was so incredibly satisfying to drive back down valley from Vail and see trash bag after trash bag lining the side of the highway and KNOW that I helped. That WE helped.

Most unusual thing picked up by our group: Urine bottles from truckers coming through the mountains.
Most unusual thing I picked up: Deer bones. At first I was grossed out... you know, because they still had fur on them down around the hooves. Then I found the spine bones. Nifty. I know, I'm gross. Still, they were neat.

Now, though, I hurt.

This morning Michael asked me if we could have lunch together since he was going to be up-valley for the day getting reports in Avon. I had to decline... lunch meeting with the boss for the Sunshine Kids fundraiser coming up (more on this later, probably not tonight). He says "well, call me if anything changes" so, when the meeting got canceled I sent him a note and let him know. He made the hour drive up and we went for lunch in the Main Street Grill in The Riverwalk, where I'm working this week filling in for one of the office managers. It was really nice, being able to take an hour... walking to the restaurant for lunch and then over to the coffee shop. So I asked him what he was doing after lunch and he says he's driving back to Glenwood. I'm totally taken off guard... what? Apparently half way through the morning he discovered he didn't need to come up-valley but he wanted to have lunch with me so he told the guys he had a personal appointment and drove the hour up-valley from Glenwood... then had lunch with me for an hour... and then made the trek back down -valley to work. How awesome is that? My husband took a three hour lunch today to have a meal with me.

And then we had Starbucks.

The End.

Vegas Trip: The Breakdown

We drove out to Vegas on Friday evening... the drive was uneventful, which is always good. After dropping off Hannah at my sister's we checked into our hotel and went to bed. We got up too early because of my rampaging allergies and my ravenous stomach. Tried to get in touch with the boys' dad, completely unsuccessful. This was bad because we were supposed to drop them off before breakfast. So, yeah. Bad but not completely unanticipated. So, Mike gets in the shower and I start bombarding our breakfast date (Ken and his wife, Amy) with text messages informing them that if they aren't awake yet they're going to force me to eat my own young. We bumped up our breakfast date a couple of hours... tried to get Dave again... no luck. Informed Matt and Zach they'd have to eat with us. They were less than thrilled... but whatever. OPH is never a bad thing. After finalizing all of that we went in search of Claritin. Holy God. My poor nose is still recovering. I lived there for 10 years and never experienced the pain of the mulberry trees the way I did during this two day trip. It was horrendous. Met Amy and Ken up at the Pancake House and ate yummy food while discussing poor parenting. People that let their kids raise them scare me. They're going to get beat up by their children once they're teenagers. Finished breakfast, tried to call Dave... Again. Still, nothing. Amy whips out her phone and smiles. I'm like "no way". Sure enough it was maybe two rings in and I hear her cheerful voice talking to my ex-husband. I couldn't decide whether I was amused by this or annoyed. Not at Amy, obviously. Anyway, ironed everything out, dropped all of the boys off at Dave's to go to the movies... and then left to get our haircuts. (Dave is absolutely fantastic about including Ian in their outings, for which I am grateful)

Haircuts... Mike's hair looks great. Mine is... well, it's SHORT. Way way way short. The longest pieces are around my jaw with some on the bottom around my neck that curl up. It's really cute and I like it now that I'm more comfortable with it. At first I wasn't so sure I'd be okay with it... but it grows. *shrugs* and I think in a couple of months it'll be just what I want. Jenny went with us and has decided to chop her hair off, too. Maybe I can get her in there with me when I go back in May.

Had sushi with my friends and met Bianca's girl... she's SO cute. It was a surprise. Bee brought in Jenny's birthday present and then started looking through her purse.... then she looks at me and says "I think I left your surprise in the car" and when she comes back she has an APRIL with her. Best. Surprise. Ever. Needless to say I think they're perfect for each other. After sushi I tricked Jenny into going to a surprise get together for her at PT's. She was so shocked and happy that she started to well up and I thought for a moment she'd break out in tears. I love my Jennybean.

Easter was fun. Went to my parent's house for our traditional holiday breakfast. It used to be just Christmas but now it's whenever it's a holiday and we're in town. :) My dad makes the best cowboy omelette ever. Then we got back in the car (again) and headed to Cedar City to visit Mike's family. Had the best chicken wings ever... then steaks and macaroni bake. Then back to Vegas for dinner with my sister for her birthday. We met Maria and Raul at PF Changs, had yet MORE food AND dessert... and then collapsed into our hotel room for the night. We both though we might have died from all of the food on Sunday. Christ. Ow. It still hurts to think of it.

Home on Monday... the drive was much longer than I remember.
I think I'm just used to driving in the evening now so the daytime makes me sleepy and restless when I spend it in the car. Yuck. But getting home is really wonderful. There's nothing like coming around that turn in West Glenwood Springs and seeing Sopris Mountain covered in snow and clouds while all around you the valley is that wonderful green that comes with the new spring.




OH OHOH! Mike took my shopping before we went home. He bought me a Coach bag and a matching wallet. I am a sincerely happy (and lucky) girl. Can't find a picture so I'll take one later and post it. Lovelovelovelove LOVE my new bag.

Wow. That was long. I don't get much time to do these anymore, though, so that's okay.

This post brought to you by sick child, Ian. That's right... I've been way too busy to post. And way too happy. Work is going so well and everyone is nice as can be... I mean, really. Nicest people ever. And they're smart and relaxed and ambitious. Big ideas and big projects to focus on, and I don't work on it at home. At all. Except today. Ian is sick (day 3 now) and I took the hit. I'm working from home, though, with gotomypc.com (which I love) so I still feel productive. Anyway, aside from my utter bliss at work, life has been life. The kids are doing really well in school. Matt is doing trig in his freshman year (jesus, I know) and Zachary is trying out for track team and has picked up another instrument. Freaking awesome. Ian is reading independently now and we couldn't be happier about it. Everyone is plugging along. OH! And it's SPRING. It's warm outside and raining every few days and I saw my first BLUEBIRD! I love them. They're my favorite. I see the blackbirds still and the robins... the bluebirds aren't as common and they're so very pretty. On a not so bright note, the freaking bugs are back. Blech.

Vegas this weekend. Sushi-joy with my Bee and the Jennybean... hair cuts and family stuff. Should be fun!

With spring comes fitness. I have been on a winter hiatus and, now that the snow has thawed, it is time to lose that 5 pounds I gained back (not god-awful for the holiday season, I suppose) plus some. I went for my first REAL walk today in a long time. My thighs are twitching and I apparently need a brace on my left ankle. Owie. But I feel fantastic... and I saw my first black bird of the spring. Pretty. Looked like this here:



















Wow. Looked JUST like it. Coulda been the same bird. I love it here, by the way. You know, in case I haven't said it often enough.

Matt got a faux-hawk. I love it.






Whatcha think?

The boys are out getting haircuts this morning. It's wonderfully quiet. Just me and the dog. I'm debating taking them out to Denver tomorrow for pictures. I regret that I haven't taken nearly as many pictures as I should have over the years. All of those moments are lost to me... and it makes me sad sometimes. So, yes. Pictures. Denver is far, though. Nearly a third of the way to Vegas... which brings me to the next topic. My trip to Vegas will be short. Too short, in fact. Just time to pop in, get my hair done, eat some sushi and spend some time with family and not nearly enough time with friends. I'm trying to talk Bee and Jenny into a visit this June or July. I think they'd both love it here in the summer. Bee got through a rather cold late winter/early spring visit last year (really? That long ago?? Seems like it was just a few weeks sometimes) without blowing up the state... so I think the summer, with its wildflowers and song birds, just might win her over. Maybe. And Ken might be heading out our way, too, soon. We'll see how the plans all iron out, I suppose.

My new job is really amazing. I love it. I'm busy and challenged and relaxed all at the same time. They are the nicest people I've ever known... and everyone is so great to work with. There are a billion times a day I wish I could update with something amazing that happened to me there... like my boss telling me that I'm already such an asset, or sending me a note saying he hopes my headache goes away... stupid little things that should come naturally to employers when they're dealing with the PEOPLE (key word) that work for them.. but that so often just don't. I'm very lucky.

Ugh. I can't believe daylight savings time is here again already. I do not react well at all to things like this. I live for the day that time falls back again because, I kid you not, I will be exhausted every morning all summer.

On a brighter note, spring is definitely here. There is no green yet... and the flowers have yet to peek out of their beds. That's okay, though. We have rain. Rain rain rain. I'm thrilled! Except it's kinda gray outside now... the gray isn't nearly as pretty as the white. But at least I know the green is coming soon!!

Started my new job. It's seriously fantastic. Everyone (EVERYONE!!) is nice and respectful and cheery. Happy to be there. My desk was all set up with everything I might need when I started AND I have TWO wide screen monitors. I <3 My New Job. And soup, too. I've become rather dependent on Smiling Moose for their chicken enchilada soup. And soup bread. So tasty.

Weekend in a Nutshell:
Stranger Than Fiction is a fantastic movie. SOS graduation was good. Food in Vail is way too expensive. I love my new boss... the one I have temporarily until I get my new, new boss. My kids are awesome. I got new pillows (ME GUSTA!)

That's about it.

It's been almost two years now since I left Las Vegas. It never occurred to me that in saying goodbye to the city I would be saying goodbye to any of my friendships. Sadly, along the way, I've lost someone that was an enormous part of my life for nearly five years. I keep telling myself that the ones that let you go aren't the ones worth having but that doesn't make it any less heart-wrenching for me. I dunno. It's just... hard. S'okay, though. In the end I have all that I need in life. People that I love and who love me just as much.

So, needless to say, I haven't much felt like posting. There's stuff going on, of course. My new job next week. The nasty weather attacking my early spring. The elk in the meadow and the deer that randomly decide to cross the street in front of us while we drive. Freaks. The kids are doing well. This weekend is going to be the last of their snowboarding lessons with SOS, so we'll be heading up valley for the party. Kids going to the dentist. You know, life stuff.

I'm getting my hair cut again next time I'm in Vegas. It will be shorter this time than last... but the same cut. When I do I think I might go back to glasses... Short hair and glasses. Thoughts?

Next trip to Vegas will be over Easter weekend, by the way.

Sometimes I have to ask myself why we were friends to begin with.

I gave my notice on Monday. From Las Vegas. I got back to work on Thursday (coincidentally my boss's last day at work) and discovered that he had told no one. So I made quick work of spreading the news... and my utter delight. I'm going to work at a realty company in the valley as the assistant to the VP of Marketing. I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity and what it means. The role is more project based than admin... and I can't wait to start. Jeff's boss came in and tried to counter but I'm honestly not all that interested in staying here. Wait. Not interested at all.

You know what sucks? When you schedule a massage and they don't tell you that the price structure has changed until you get there. By "changed" I mean "doubled"

Stupid massage people.

I love Samoas. They are the best girl scout cookies ever.

This weekend I plan on heading up valley to clean out my office and take Ian to lunch at Rocks. He loves it. :) Oh, and getting stuff. With my tax return money. STUFF.

Bilk

I cannot believe how utterly exhausted I am this morning. I'm yawning as I type this, even. Last night I slept really well, but it was the first time after about a week of being uncomfortably hot in the evenings. I guess the temperature pushing 45 degrees in the middle of the day is just too warm for me. It's been heavenly during the day, really. We started walking again this weekend, amidst the slush from the melting snow. My dog is gray from the muck on the side of the road.... and the brilliant decision to go out came AFTER his bath. You know, because I'm that smart. After all of the relatively warm weather I woke up to snow this morning, though. Wet, wet snow. Bad for the snow type of snow. It was beautiful to watch but icky to be in.

Mike and I went to dinner for our anniversary at my favorite Italian food place here. Ti Amo's. I had strawberry chicken (mmm....) and he had a stuffed chicken in a Chianti reduction that is to die for. I've had it before and it's really what I wish I had ordered. The evening was so pleasant that I quickly forgot all of my distractions from Friday and lost myself in the weekend. The boys went sledding on Saturday and then snowboarding again on Sunday. They're getting really good, from what I understand. Doing S and O turns. Yeah, no idea... but they assure me that it's good. Megan stole Ian away for the afternoon on Sunday so Mike and I headed out for lunch and some light shopping. It's not often we get an afternoon to ourselves without at least one child hanging around and we put it to good use.

Vegas on Friday... I'll leave here around 8:30 am and be in town in time for dinner. Which reminds me that I'm starving. Gonna go find some lunch.

Today is my 4th wedding anniversary.

Okay, so the news has broken.

My sister, Megan, is pregnant. Why is this a big deal, you ask? Well, a long while back Megan was pregnant with her second child when there was a very tragic occurrence. Her appendix burst... she lost the baby and nearly died. Because of the damage that was done to her organs, and the amount of scar tissue that built around them, along with the loss of one of her ovaries, it was assumed by all (including her doctors) that Megan wouldn't be able to conceive again. So, this is huge, huge, HUGE for her. For the first few weeks I cried every time I spoke to her. *grins*

So, now the list of upcoming baby-goodness. :)
Megan
Jenny
Jesse
&
Kira (my co-worker and friend)

I don't think I'm forgetting anyone.

Do you know what this means? I have at least one, possibly two, baby showers to attend. More than that to attend... and a TON of shopping.

My boss gave his notice yesterday. That's interesting. We've all been suspecting a while not that he wouldn't be around much longer... but wow. Still weird.

I will be in Vegas in one week and three days. Could I be more excited? Actually, yes. I'm really tired right now, for some reason. I'm sure I'll be super excited later, though. I need coffee.

sinfest is my favorite

There is so much going on that I can't really talk about on this blog... lucky for me there's a lot that I can.

A few weeks ago my sister was diagnosed with ASD (Atrial Septal Defect). For those of you that don't know already, this means she has a hole in her heart that is allowing blood that has already been cycled through her lungs to seep back through to be cycled again. Basically, she's reusing her blood. It's a defect that is usually identified in children but, given the way we were raised, was not identified in her at a young age. Now, the thing with this is that there are some people that go their entire lives without ever showing symptoms... but my sister is NOT one of those people. Hence, some of the recent drama that's been happening in my life. Anyway, she gets to see a cardiologist today to go over her "bubble test" and get a better idea of what's going to need to happen. I look for her to need heart surgery. I'm almost certain of it.

The only other thing I can say is that there are a vast number of babies entering into my life this year. Vast. Obviously "vast" means more than one... however, I need to say that they are not MY babies. :) I'm very excited. YAY BABIES.

This weekend was blissfully uneventful. Seems to be a weekend trend these days, though. :) I've been getting that itch to be outside and active lately. A lot. I feel like a slug, which is bad. Blech. So, yeah, this weekend Matt and Zach both started in SOS (Snowboard Outreach Society) where they are learning to snowboard. If they want to be involved more next season they go into what's called the "university" where they're responsible for doing community service in order to participate in the program. I think this is very cool and they're both really excited about it. They came home all amped up and ready to go back out!

While they were out we took Ian to Larkburger, the best burgers in the whole world, and then to ice cream in Edwards... where he ate half of his burger, begged for a milkshake and then only ate the candy out of his ice cream. Snot. He's awesome.

Two and half weeks until I'm in Vegas. Then (bwahahaha!) I get to meet David's new girlfriend. Her name is Meredith. I keep calling her Ursula in my head for some reason. David tried to tell me I was attempting to associate her with the sea witch from The Little Mermaid. That was hateful. I adamantly denied the accusation at the time... and still do. Meh. That's the only time I'll see him this trip, though. The rest of the time I'll be with Jenny, Bee and my family. Because girls are better.

One of the owners, whom I've never met, brought me wine and chocolates when he checked in this afternoon. Sometimes my job is pretty awesome... and on the days it's not so awesome, the people are.

Gotta love change.

I moved my blog to the new templates that Blogger is using with Google. In order to do this, and still have the blog I want, I need to navigate through some html that I'm not familiar with (thank God for Jenny). So, yeah. Just hang on until I get it the way I want it.

If you don't like it please let me know... though I seriously can't promise that I'll care.

Too much drama. I think my brain in breaking. :(

I'm tired. I've had one of those weekends where you lay around so much that you feel light-headed when you stand up. While I realize that the amount of rest I've received over the last two days has been incredibly unhealthy, I still feel like I needed it. I feel like the last two weeks have taken me on an emotional roller-coaster. My family is taxing my very last "don't tell mom" nerve... and I'm just exhausted.

I'll be in Las Vegas in four and a half weeks. I'm excited about this trip for more than one reason. I get to spend an entire freaking day with Jenny, which is awesome. I get to meet David's new girlfriend... which is less awesome, I guess, but still kind of cool. And *sighs* I get to see my Bee. I can't believe how much I've missed her this last week. I'm used to talking to her constantly, about everything, and when we spoke this afternoon I couldn't believe all of the things we'd both missed out on in the last week!

I want to go eat hamburgers made with yummy truffle oil with my sister... or Mike. Maybe next weekend.

Work is going well. I've been way busy. Way, way busy. That's what I've needed, though. Busy. It keeps me from feeling like my brain is wasting away. It's been nice and I've felt productive. It helps, I think, that I love customer service. I really do. One of the owners gave me $100 and chocolates for Christmas. Another is giving me a bottle of nice champagne... and I have a sneaking suspicion I'm getting something yummy from one of the realtors.

Right now, though, I'm just tired.

Today I really don't like people. That's all.