Thoughts for Today and the New Year ~

I started doing this in 2008 and now its my New Years Eve tradition, so here goes...

I'm feeling...Fortunate to be where I am!  Living in a wonderful old log cabin in the mountains with the most incredible view ever!  Sharing my life with a funny and kind soul, Justin, and raising a super smart, beautiful and also funny daughter!  I'm surrounded with laughter and love and its awesome!

I'm seeing...all the possibilities for 2018!  I'm hoping to do more short trips and adventures with my family and friends, and I look forward to creating lots of new wonderful memories!  I'm imagining my photography business growing, and I see success for Justin and Heliotrack!  And lets not forget that Justin and I will both be turning 50.  Turning 50 is gonna be a blast!

I'm thinking...of all the fun things we did in 2017!  It was a great year filled with lots of adventures...a new job for me and a new school for Jordyn!  A vacation in New Orleans, a road trip to Wyoming to see the total solar eclipse, going to a Rockies/Dodgers game with my family, and so many others.  Lots of great times with great people!

I'm appreciating...My new job!  I still get to work with the kids, but I don't have to do any of the planning or paperwork!  It's amazing how stress-free my world is, and how much free time I have at home now.  I love the people I work with and I enjoy going into work every day!  I delight in going the extra mile as the media/tech, and I'm always striving to make things more interesting for the kids.  Our job is important and it feels good doing it!

I'm cooking...Nothing!  We had friends stop by earlier and we put out some appetizers, cheese, crackers, etc, but no cooking!  Hooray for a kitchen free evening!

I'm planning...More artistic endeavors.  I had hoped I would have my photography business in full swing by now, but I did do a few shoots over fall that were successful, so here's hoping I can get more organized for next year.  I see some painting in my future too!

I'm reading...The second book in the Court of Thorn and Roses Series, "A Court of Mist and Fury" by Sarah J. Mass.  I'm about half way through the book and its been a fun read so far.  My Goodreads challenge was to read 20 books this year, but alas I only finished 12.  Maybe I'll make that goal next year, but its all in good fun!

I'm wearing...Fuzzy flannel pajamas!  I was dressed earlier when we made the rounds visiting friends, but now Jordyn and I are cozy on the couch in our pajamas!

I'm creating...lots of things lately!  With the new job, I have more time for creativity and fun and its been great.  Jordyn and I recently participated in the Mask exhibit at the Fort Collins Museum of Art which will come out next year and that was cool.  I've done some scrapbooking, jewelry making and quilting, but I'd really like to start painting again.  I've even started painting wine glasses.  I love having the time to make things again!

I'm hearing...The sounds from the movie Trading Places...a New Years Eve tradition!  I used to come home and watch it by myself while Justin and Jordyn were asleep, but now Jordyn stays up and watches it with me!  We were so engrossed in the movie tonight, that midnight passed us by and we didn't even realize it!  Doh!  I love the way we casually cruised into 2018 though!  Happy New Year Sweetheart!

I'm enjoying...The company of great friends tonight!  Earlier Tabby and her family stopped by on their way home from Steamboat, and we enjoyed champagne and tasty treats.  Then when they headed down the mountain, Jordyn and I dropped in on Connie for a visit.  Justin is playing over at Fox Acres, but we wanted to stay home instead.  Normally we go to Leanns for New Years Eve, but she was cramming for an income tax test.  So it was great to stay close to home and visit with good friends!

I'm sharing...Some photos from this evenings fun...the shot of Justin drumming was sent to me by Amber while she was working!  Thanks Amber!

May 2018 be filled with joy and laughter, peace, good health and prosperity to all!

Merry Christmas ~

 Merry Christmas!!!  Jordyn tried to wake everyone up at 6 am for presents!  Doh!  I reminded her that I was up until 3 am, so she went back to sleep.  We headed out into the living room around 9:30 instead...a much more sensible hour!  First thing we noticed when we looked at the stockings was one of them was missing!  Kitten!  This is the second Christmas in a row that she has raided her stocking before anyone gets up.  She managed to pull the whole stocking down and steal her cat toy, which was wet from slobber!  I guess she likes what Santa brought her!

 Kato was a good kitty and patiently waited for her prize!

 Jordyn started opening gifts, starting with a few tech gadgets!  She received a pair of virtual reality goggles and also a Merge cube.  The merge cube creates holograms in your hand with the use of your phone or VR goggles, so that will be a lot of fun to play with!  We tried to download some of the games, but the site was bogged down on Christmas day.  I guess it was a popular gift!

 Jordyn received lots of fun goodies!  Light up cat headphones, a fox purse, some new make up, clothes, some black boots, colorful clay and a clay figure book, a manga book with some new markers, sketch pads and a watercolor set, some movies and lots of other fun stuff.  Justin got some new sweats, underwear and a movie, "Guardians of the Galaxy 2", and I got a battery operated drill and some lens filters for my camera.  Denise sent me a hilarious notebook with this inscribed on the cover, "A comprehensive recollection of the many ways Lisa Westrope has pushed the boundaries of common decency and socially acceptable behavior"  Love it!  Grandma Barbara sent us Xmas money, so I bought some new flannel sheets and a belgian waffle maker!  yeah!

 After presents it was time for breakfast!  Jordyn and Justin skyped Grandma and Grandpa Bruen in Arizona while I made bacon and spinach quiche with biscuits and gravy.  Yum!  Then we realized the pickle gift was still under the tree, so Justin and Jordyn went in search for the pickle ornament!

 This year it took them quite a while to find it...but finally Jordyn was the victor!  Naturally Justin was a sport about losing!  :)

 Now it was time for my favorite part...the stockings!  Jordyn was already anxious to tear into her stockings after having to wait for breakfast and a phone call with family, now was the big moment...but wait, lets take some family photos first!  doh!  I set the timer on the camera, and shot a few pics...they actually came out rather cute, so we thought we would try a couple with the cats....quick grab her...hurry up, before this one gets away...where's Kato!  doh!  After the cat herding we were able to get a pretty good shot!  What do you think?

Finally...stocking time!

 Lots of tasty treats and chocolate in the stockings, which these two ate almost all of that morning!

 

Then we skyped Grandma Barbara in California with Aunt TJ and cousin Jake!  It was fun sharing our gifts with them, and I think they enjoyed it when I took the computer outside to show them it was snowing!  What a wonderful White Christmas!  We stayed in our pajamas the entire day power lounging and playing with all our new goodies!  Those two spent most of their time on their new computers, while I took a nap!  I hope your Christmas was filled with joy, laughter and love!  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve ~

 Christmas Eve was spent with Grandma and Grandpa Bear up at the front house.  This year Damian and Jen couldn't be here so they had delicious brisket shipped in from the Salt Lick in Texas for us!  Yum!  Thanks guys....we'll see you around new years instead...can't promise there will be any left overs though!

 After dinner and puzzle fun it was time for gifts!  Justin opened his first, and he received a new laptop!!  His poor computer was on its last leg, so this new computer is the perfect gift!  It has all kinds of cool features!

 And speaking of new computers...look who else got one!  WOW!  She was sooo excited and sooo surprised!  Her computer had crapped out about 3 months ago, so she's been hogging mine lately, so I'm equally thrilled she received a new computer!  :)  Her computer has wonderful features including a touch screen and opening 360 degrees so that she can use it like a drawing tablet with her stylus!  Thats right, Miss Fancy Pants has a stylus now and can draw on her computer!  This gift was from Ken, Kristi, Damian and Jen...thanks guys! 

 I received a new flash for my Lumix camera, that can be used as an off camera flash as well as on the camera.  Here I am testing it out on Jordyn and Grandpa.  Very Excited to get a new flash, and can't wait to figure out all its uses!  The built in flash on my camera was always a little frustrating, so this is going to make my photography gigs a lot easier!  Thank you soooo much for all the wonderful and generous presents...we are thrilled!

 As the evening winded down, these two tech geeks explored all there was to learn about their new computers.  Jordyn LOVES the stylus and immediately started creating a bunch of art to share with friends online.  It was a wonderful evening, but it was getting late and I still had a lot of wrapping to do, so we all headed home.  Those two continued to surf until I finally sent them to bed.  Meanwhile, I was up until 3 am wrapping and stuffing stockings...good grief!  May you all have a warm and wonderful Christmas!  G'nite!

First day of Winter Break ~

 Jordyn had Andrea over for a sleepover last night and this is what they are both doing on their first day of winter break!  Sleeping in Rules!  :)

Happy Winter Solstice!!!

Officially on vacation!!! Oatmeal cookie cocktail in hand, pajamas on and a cozy book by the fire! YES!!!!  Happy Winter Solstice everyone!!!

Holiday Dance at CLP ~

 Jordyn and Justin headed down to the holiday dance at CLP.  Justin enjoys chaperoning the dances and I think Jordyn likes having him there too.  He is a cool dad, after all!  Have fun sweetheart!  You look beautiful!

National Junior Honor Society ~

 Jordyn joined the National Junior Honor Society today, and Justin and I are so proud!  She was excited to be a part of this club, and after filling out a questionnaire and getting teacher signatures, she was accepted in and the induction ceremony was tonight.

 Each new member was handed a yellow rose to give to someone who has made a strong and positive influence in their life, and she presented it to me.  Thank you sweetheart!

 Each child stood up and made a speech about what NJHS is all about, and then every other child took turns lighting a candle.  Then they took the NJHS pledge.

 Congratulations Jordyn!  Your dad and I are excited to see where this journey takes you!!!  We love you!