I turned 55 yesterday - double nickels, the speed limit......... I don't feel any older - in fact, Glenn told me that I looked younger than last year!! (he must have felt a need to rack up some brownie points or something!)
I always expect to wake up on my birthday with a totally different FEEL about the day since it's MY DAY - but I didn't feel any different - it's just another day - and I'm just another year older. And somehow that instant joy I felt in the morning turned to immediate sadness as I realized, another entire year had passed by!
My day was OK - Glenn fixed me breakfast and we headed over to one of my client's homes to get a pickup load of free wood - not a real exciting way to start the day but it was something that needed to be done. And fresh air and a little exercise is a great way to start the day!
We headed to Colorado Springs early afternoon - we had a shopping list of course - we ALWAYS have an ongoing list of things we can't get in W. Pk or are just too expensive to buy up here. I needed a few things at the Dollar Store so that was our first stop and it just amazes me the amount of things you can buy for $1.00! We carried out 3 bags and the total was only $23.00!
It was on to the movies from there - we saw "Journey To The Center of the Earth", only it wasn't playing in 3D at the theater we were at! And we later decided that a better choice would have been the 3D theater! The movie was good, but it would have been GREAT had we seen it in 3D - there were a lot of places in the movie that would have been amazing to see in 3D - live and learn I guess! After eating a large popcorn and drink, we needed to walk awhile before heading out to dinner so it was on to Target and finally, Home Depot.
I don't think there has been ONE time in the last year and 1/2 that a trip to Co. Springs didn't include Home Depot! There's just ALWAYS something to get there when you're building! And since we're planning on starting on the basement soon, I'm sure Home Depot will become our 2nd home once again!
The plans were to buy a new gas grill - we have been putting it off FOREVER and yesterday seemed to be the perfect day to buy one - well, all that was left were the extremely expensive ones - so now we're back to square one again...........
We ended up at Texas Roadhouse for a wonderful meal - I always get the same thing - the grilled smothered chicken with cheese, onions, and mushrooms on top, loaded baked potato and baked beans - unfortunately, by the time the meal arrives, I have already eaten at least 3 of their YUMMY rolls and I'm so full that most of my meal comes home in a box! Of course Glenn mentioned that it was my birthday and the waiter insisted on bringing me a piece of cake - in a "to go" box of course!
All in all, it was a great birthday although I was sad at not being with the girls and their families - but we'll celebrate soon!
I think it's OK to be a little self-centered on your birthday - after all, it IS your day and it DOES only happen once a year -so I'm giving all of you the OK to put yourself up on that pedastal on your birthday and stay up there until the day is done - you deserve to be SPECIAL on that day!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Dedicated to my "Middle" daughter - 7/13/2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL! 28 years ago I was in the hospital waiting impatiently for your arrival - and you arrived, a tiny pink bundle of joy! But the most special part of that day was your gift to me - you arrived on my birthday!
And for the last 28 years, we have celebrated our birthdays together - not always ON the day, but at least around the day! You've shared your cake not only with me, but usually with sister Jessi too, and it's always one big, happy party!
28 years old!! That may not sound old to you but it sure makes me feel old!
We also have shared being the "middle" child - not a bad thing at all! And as Jessi and Jaime always say, you and I are ALIKE! We are organized, everything is planned out to the tiniest detail, our houses are spotless, and we like to have things OUR way!
I won't be with you today to celebrate - but I'm looking forward to the last weekend in July when we'll be spending the weekend together! Our plans - I'm sure you'll have them made - must include a trip to that cute little shopping area, one of your wonderful coffee places, a nice walk around one of your many walking paths, and of course drinks on your deck! And I know you'll have a special place picked out for dinner that evening..............
I liked the year when you were 25 and I was 52, those great reversal numbers! We've had a lot of special birthday memories and many, many more to look forward to!
You have grown into a beautiful, loving, caring person and it was indeed a SPECIAL day 28 years ago when you were born - who knows, maybe you'll carry on the tradition and have a little girl someday on OUR birthday - wouldn't that be something!!
Happy Birthday Jill - Enjoy each and every minute of TODAY and know that I'm thinking of you!
And for the last 28 years, we have celebrated our birthdays together - not always ON the day, but at least around the day! You've shared your cake not only with me, but usually with sister Jessi too, and it's always one big, happy party!
28 years old!! That may not sound old to you but it sure makes me feel old!
We also have shared being the "middle" child - not a bad thing at all! And as Jessi and Jaime always say, you and I are ALIKE! We are organized, everything is planned out to the tiniest detail, our houses are spotless, and we like to have things OUR way!
I won't be with you today to celebrate - but I'm looking forward to the last weekend in July when we'll be spending the weekend together! Our plans - I'm sure you'll have them made - must include a trip to that cute little shopping area, one of your wonderful coffee places, a nice walk around one of your many walking paths, and of course drinks on your deck! And I know you'll have a special place picked out for dinner that evening..............
I liked the year when you were 25 and I was 52, those great reversal numbers! We've had a lot of special birthday memories and many, many more to look forward to!
You have grown into a beautiful, loving, caring person and it was indeed a SPECIAL day 28 years ago when you were born - who knows, maybe you'll carry on the tradition and have a little girl someday on OUR birthday - wouldn't that be something!!
Happy Birthday Jill - Enjoy each and every minute of TODAY and know that I'm thinking of you!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Dedicated to my Youngest - July 10, 2008
Happy 27th Birthday Jessi! This blog is dedicated to you, the baby of the family!
Where did 27 years go? Can it actually be that 27 years ago you came into this world? A little darling blue-eyed girl, ready to capture her mom and dad's heart!
I'm wishing I were spending the day with you! And I know exactly what we would do - some of our favorite things! Coffee at Caribou Coffee would be first on the list, just sitting around sipping that wonderful stuff and talking! Then it would be off to the movies - not one, but two - paying one price and then slipping into the theater next door when the first show is done! (Did we really used to do that???) Of course popcorn and drinks are a must, as long as I get to put the salt on! (one of my favorite memories is seeing "A Bug's Life" with Jessi - we got a huge bag of popcorn to split and SHE put the salt on - so much in fact that we couldn't even eat it!)
After the movies, it's off to shop for a little bit and then back to the house to eat and hit the hot tub! A perfect day! For a perfect daughter!
You're all grown up now - with a husband, a toddler and another baby on the way! But you'll always be MY BABY! Happy Birthday!
Where did 27 years go? Can it actually be that 27 years ago you came into this world? A little darling blue-eyed girl, ready to capture her mom and dad's heart!
I'm wishing I were spending the day with you! And I know exactly what we would do - some of our favorite things! Coffee at Caribou Coffee would be first on the list, just sitting around sipping that wonderful stuff and talking! Then it would be off to the movies - not one, but two - paying one price and then slipping into the theater next door when the first show is done! (Did we really used to do that???) Of course popcorn and drinks are a must, as long as I get to put the salt on! (one of my favorite memories is seeing "A Bug's Life" with Jessi - we got a huge bag of popcorn to split and SHE put the salt on - so much in fact that we couldn't even eat it!)
After the movies, it's off to shop for a little bit and then back to the house to eat and hit the hot tub! A perfect day! For a perfect daughter!
You're all grown up now - with a husband, a toddler and another baby on the way! But you'll always be MY BABY! Happy Birthday!
WORK - WORK - WORK
For the first time in 12 weeks, I went outside after I got home from work and actually did some WORK around the place - it felt GREAT!! I didn't do a lot - just picked up some trash and carried some large boards to another part of the property but it was enough to make me feel USEFUL again around our home!
Our house still looks like a construction site outside - what am I saying, it STILL IS a construction site! The garage is not quite finished, the house is not finished, and the basement has yet to be started! In due time, it will all get done - somehow after you have worked at your job all day, there are only so many hours left at the end!! And we do like to play on weekends!!
After my "outside" time, I retreated to the basement to start rearranging things - everything that belongs in the garage is in the basement, along with everything from our old attic, and also our family room furniture. Plus the washer, dryer, freezer and a pool table!! So there's not a lot of room to move around down there, let alone start the construction process. The main goal this week is to sort once again some of the boxes and move everything possible outside (to be put under tarps) so we can start to finish off the basement. Sounds easy but it actually isn't! Glenn's blind business is ALSO down there and my job last night was to condense as much as I could into the storage room which will NOT be finished off! And I got it done! What a great feeling to acommplish something as little as that!
Tonight will probably find me back down in the basement, trying to make sense of Glenn's numerous (and I mean NUMEROUS) tools and where to put them - I'm sure wherever I put them, we'll never find them when we need them!
Our house still looks like a construction site outside - what am I saying, it STILL IS a construction site! The garage is not quite finished, the house is not finished, and the basement has yet to be started! In due time, it will all get done - somehow after you have worked at your job all day, there are only so many hours left at the end!! And we do like to play on weekends!!
After my "outside" time, I retreated to the basement to start rearranging things - everything that belongs in the garage is in the basement, along with everything from our old attic, and also our family room furniture. Plus the washer, dryer, freezer and a pool table!! So there's not a lot of room to move around down there, let alone start the construction process. The main goal this week is to sort once again some of the boxes and move everything possible outside (to be put under tarps) so we can start to finish off the basement. Sounds easy but it actually isn't! Glenn's blind business is ALSO down there and my job last night was to condense as much as I could into the storage room which will NOT be finished off! And I got it done! What a great feeling to acommplish something as little as that!
Tonight will probably find me back down in the basement, trying to make sense of Glenn's numerous (and I mean NUMEROUS) tools and where to put them - I'm sure wherever I put them, we'll never find them when we need them!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
The Great Outdoors!
Gosh, is the weekend over already? Why do the weekdays have to drag and yet the weekends just fly by? Always happens it seems! ESPECIALLY on holiday weekends.
It was sure nice to have the 4th fall on a Friday this year! So after work on Thursday, Glenn and I headed out camping - our first time this year! We headed west and drove about 3 1/2 hours to our destination - Saguache! (For those of you that have NO idea how to pronounce that name, it sounds like Sa Watch!) Glenn will be hunting over there in a couple of months so wanted to scout it out! It's a LONG drive though and I TRIED not to think about all the diesel we were using which is close to $5.00 a gallon! But heck, this was a HOLIDAY - you're supposed to spend money, right?
Glenn practiced shooting his bow and I just continued to read to my hearts content! I always bring my boom box too and am surprised at the stations I can pick up! Good food, good music, great books and romantic campfires! It was a great time! And I'm already counting the days till we can go again!
It was sure nice to have the 4th fall on a Friday this year! So after work on Thursday, Glenn and I headed out camping - our first time this year! We headed west and drove about 3 1/2 hours to our destination - Saguache! (For those of you that have NO idea how to pronounce that name, it sounds like Sa Watch!) Glenn will be hunting over there in a couple of months so wanted to scout it out! It's a LONG drive though and I TRIED not to think about all the diesel we were using which is close to $5.00 a gallon! But heck, this was a HOLIDAY - you're supposed to spend money, right?
The drive back into the camping spot was pretty rough and rocky but we found a nice place and got camp set up right as the sun was setting! Glenn asked me if I wanted a campfire but it was so late, I said no and we headed to bed to read a little bit............ I should have told him I wanted the campfire!
I only have one problem with camping - the darkness! I am so claustophobic that if I can't see some type of light, I have panic attacks! And unfortunately, the moon was just a sliver. I always take the flashlight to bed with me and keep it right by my pillow in case I wake up during the night and have an attack - but usually it's only when I first turn out the light. The feeling is horrible - I immediately think I can't breathe - so back on goes the flashlight - I talk myself back into turning it off and try it for a minute, only to turn that darn light back on again! I despise being like this, but just can't seem to get over it! If I can just relax long enough without the flashlight on, I usually can see the stars. And that was the case Thursday night - the stars WERE out and after I saw them, I was fine.
The next 2 nights were fine because there were nice glowing embers from our campfire to see. So one out of three wasn't bad! I have found too that putting a towel under the mattress on the side where I sleep, does lift my head up a little more off the pillow. I think another problem is since we usually camp in the mountains where it's quite cool at night, we are always covered up with at least one sleeping bag, if not two - and the weight of the covers doesn't help matters any - I feel ENGULFED I guess! Anyway, once I get asleep, I am usually fine!
We stayed 2 nights at our first campsite - it was a nice place, kind of in a meadow with the trees right behind us - only problem is because it was a pasture with cows in it, there were FLIES!!! And mosquitos! I'm sure I looked real cute sitting in the sun reading a book with a fly swatter going 90 mph in front of my face! Afternoons were usually cool with some rain and we took advantage of that to even take naps, although we both slept in too! Funny how tired the fresh air makes you!
So what did I do for 3 days? I read 3 1/2 books!! I had really intended to do some of my Swedish weaving but it never left the carrier - I was having too much fun reading! We ate some great meals and snacked the days away! Glenn got to do his scouting and we just did a lot of relaxing! Marshmellows by the campfire is always fun too and Jessi will be VERY surprised to hear that Glenn beat me both nights in Scrabble and Upwords! (I have to let him win once in a while so he'll continue to play with me!
Saturday about noon the flies and I were having a battle - it was time to move on to the next spot! We headed back towards Poncha Springs on a road we had never been on before - ended up in a beautiful place where our camping spot was right in the pines and aspens and the ground was covered with pine needles and dead firewood - my type of place! No mosquitos - No flies! We should have came there a day earlier!
Glenn practiced shooting his bow and I just continued to read to my hearts content! I always bring my boom box too and am surprised at the stations I can pick up! Good food, good music, great books and romantic campfires! It was a great time! And I'm already counting the days till we can go again!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
July
I love the month of July - I was always partial to red, white and blue colors so I love decorating for the 4th of July (yes, I DECORATE my table!) (and every other holiday during the year too). And July is not only my birthday but Jill's and Jessi's too, along with a host of other family and friends!
July is when summer has FINALLY reached the mountains - the wildflowers are starting to bloom, the days are warm (notice I said warm, not hot!) and the nights are cool, the sun doesn't set till after 9:00, the hummingbirds are out, and you can FINALLY plant flowers in your outside pots!
The afternoons are becoming typical mountain days - sunshine in the mornings with clouds rolling in for the afternoon - lots of thunder and lightning and some rain showers (although we're hoping for MORE rain!) And then by late afternoon, the sun is back out and the evenings are sensational!
Glenn and I are leaving after work today to go camping for 3 nights - our first camping trip of the season! To say I'm excited is an understatement! We both love camping in the mountains! We're heading west today with our first night around the Gunnison area and then moving over to the Saguache area - that is where Glenn will hunt in Sept! So he will take his bow and rifle for target practice and will spend his days scouting. I'll take my 3 books and my Swedish weaving. And both of us stay happy! I do hope to do a little bit of walking too but still must be very careful on any uneven ground!
We have started back walking in the mornings now - and that makes me happy! As soon as it gets light enough in the spring to walk in the mornings, I'm out there walking my 2 miles! So it's been a tough spring for me with the broken leg, not being able to do my walking! Glenn and I have started out very slowly - in fact, the first couple of days, our driveway is all I could manage! But we're gradually increasing our treks in the morning and I'm hoping in another month's time that I'll be back to my full 2 miles!
Happy Anniversary wishes go out to Jill and Robby who were married on the 4th, 5 years ago! You can bet their wedding was done in red, white and blue and I had a ball scrapbooking that wedding! Enjoy your holiday weekend - Happy 4th of July!
July is when summer has FINALLY reached the mountains - the wildflowers are starting to bloom, the days are warm (notice I said warm, not hot!) and the nights are cool, the sun doesn't set till after 9:00, the hummingbirds are out, and you can FINALLY plant flowers in your outside pots!
The afternoons are becoming typical mountain days - sunshine in the mornings with clouds rolling in for the afternoon - lots of thunder and lightning and some rain showers (although we're hoping for MORE rain!) And then by late afternoon, the sun is back out and the evenings are sensational!
Glenn and I are leaving after work today to go camping for 3 nights - our first camping trip of the season! To say I'm excited is an understatement! We both love camping in the mountains! We're heading west today with our first night around the Gunnison area and then moving over to the Saguache area - that is where Glenn will hunt in Sept! So he will take his bow and rifle for target practice and will spend his days scouting. I'll take my 3 books and my Swedish weaving. And both of us stay happy! I do hope to do a little bit of walking too but still must be very careful on any uneven ground!
We have started back walking in the mornings now - and that makes me happy! As soon as it gets light enough in the spring to walk in the mornings, I'm out there walking my 2 miles! So it's been a tough spring for me with the broken leg, not being able to do my walking! Glenn and I have started out very slowly - in fact, the first couple of days, our driveway is all I could manage! But we're gradually increasing our treks in the morning and I'm hoping in another month's time that I'll be back to my full 2 miles!
Happy Anniversary wishes go out to Jill and Robby who were married on the 4th, 5 years ago! You can bet their wedding was done in red, white and blue and I had a ball scrapbooking that wedding! Enjoy your holiday weekend - Happy 4th of July!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)