Thoughts For Today and The New Year ~

I started doing this in 2008 and i really enjoy looking back on them...so here goes.....

I'm feeling...very thankful! 2013 certainly had its ups and downs.  Justin lost his job of some 20 years in March, and i was hired on as the new preschool teacher at Red Feather in the Fall.  When one door closes, another one opens i guess.  Justin is now concentrating on his business, Heliotrack, and doing a lot of solar research.  Its scary taking that big step, but we seem to be making a go of things so far, and that makes me feel very thankful!

I'm seeing...a festive living room filled with Christmas goodies everywhere!  Presents still sitting in the living room, pretty lights on the tree, cats cozy in front of the fire, a wonderful afternoon indeed!

I'm thinking...about all the projects id like to create to add to my Etsy site.  Ive sold one item, which was exciting, but traffic on my site as been a bit slow since, so i want to add more to it.  I have lots of crocheting ideas, painting ideas, and quilting ideas...now i just need to find the time to do them :)

I'm appreciating...the time off with my family!  With the chaos of a new career, training, classes, and all of my volunteer work, i have had little time to relax with my family.  The holidays were a bit stressful for me this year, something that normally doesnt happen to me, so i am happy to just relax at home with Justin and Jordyn, cranky-free! (im sure Justin is happy as well)   :)


I'm cooking...nothing at the moment!  We've enjoyed left overs all day, and then we will be heading up to Aunt LeAnns for what has become our traditional New Years Eve celebration feast of Seafood goodness!  LeAnn is providing the main courses: lobster, shrimp and crab, and im bringing the salad, and some appetizers, so no cooking involved for me this time around.

I'm planning...to get a jump on my health!  Once again i find myself overweight and out of shape!  I tend to work out for a few months and then fall off the exercise wagon, but it needs to become a lifestyle and not just a phase.  Ive spent a lot of time sitting at my computer with the new job, and i do not like feeling sluggish!  As i get older, the weight seems more difficult to lose.  Its time to get moving!

I'm reading...The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.  Im about half way through and really enjoying it.  Its the first ive purchased for my new Kindle, and its been fun reading an ebook.  Heck, with the new job, all the training, and the class i had to take last semester, its been fun reading for pleasure at all!  :)

I'm wearing...flannel pajamas...thats right, im still in my pj's!  im thinking of going ice skating in a bit, so i suppose i will have to get dressed.  :)


I'm creating...well, not much at the moment.  Most of my spare time has been spent exploring crafts and projects for my preschoolers, but in that process, i am still creating and having fun.  Jordyn gets to make a lot of these crafts as well, so thats been fun.  I have one more class to get out of the way for the new job, and then i can hopefully get back to my projects.  Im hoping in the next school year, when i am not taking classes, i might be able to work on art projects in my classroom after school.

I'm hearing...Jordyn's My Little Pony Game that shes playing on her new Nexus tablet.  She has been watching My Little Pony episodes, and playing her game all afternoon...i think its time to get outside for a bit!

I'm enjoying...a warm fire on this very windy day.  Its 35 outside, but the wind has been miserable.  It looks like the wind has finally died down though, so its time to go ice skating...be right back!

I'm sharing...a few photos of our ice skating fun this afternoon!

 May 2013 bring you all good health, lots of love, joy, happiness, laughter and fun!

Rollerland ~

A bunch of us mountain moms decided to meet at Rollerland on Monday for some skating fun!  There were quite a few of us, so the kids all had a great time together...as did the parents.

Then we had time for some silly family portraits...

 

Thanks for taking these Robin, they are hilarious!

For dinner we enjoyed some Mexican fare at El Burritos, and then we enjoyed a drive through old town Fort Collins to enjoy the festive lights on our way home.  This photo doesnt do them justice....it was soooo beautiful!  Another great day in town!

Skiing With Cousins ~

 As i mentioned before, Jordyn was on her own grand adventure...her and daddy went skiing for two days at Snowy Range with Aunt LeAnn, her girls, Deni and Jana, and Deni's kids, Dionisio, Olivia and Vicente.  LeAnn treated everyone to two days of skiing, which was quite a generous gift, and then her girls splurged on the hotel room, so it was a great Christmas gift indeed!  Thanks to Olivia for taking these photos...i love them!

 This was Jordyns second time skiing and apparently she is becoming quite the natural!  Justin helped Jordyn down the slopes for the first half of the day, and then after that, she cruised on her own (with daddy close behind of course).  They did the bunny slope for a while, then Jordyn decided the bunny hill was too boring and so they headed over to the green slopes for the remainder of their trip. 

 Towards the end of the last day, Jordyn convinced daddy that she was ready for a blue run...so off they went to the blue run.  She had a little trouble on one hill because it was slanted at the bottom, but they chose a different blue run and she cruised along quite well.  Way to go kiddo....looks like ill be on the bunny hill all by myself next time we go.  :)

Passport to Paris in Denver ~

 There was a wonderful exhibit at the Denver Art Museum that i wanted to see, Passport to Paris...so i cruised down to Denver to spend a little time with my family while enjoying art.  This is probably only the second time ive gone down to Denver solo, Jordyn usually comes with me, but she had her own adventure going on, so off i went. 

 The weather was a little cold, but the sun was shining and there were no crowds, so it was a great day in the city!  I went to the museum with two of my favorite people, my Aunt Gwen and of course, my cousin Christy.

 We spent over 2 hours enjoying the exhibit!  There were 125 pieces, paintings and drawings, and i was surprised to see this one in there.  I love this painting of Monet in his garden painted by Renoir, and i have a copy of it in my kitchen, so i was delighted to see the original!

 

Another exhibit we enjoyed was Thomas Moran's Yellowstone: A Project for the Nation.  When i lived in Idaho, i would often go to Yellowstone, and i absolutely loved Moran's work depicting Yellowstone's beauty.  In fact, there is a small museum in the Mammoth Hot Springs area with examples of his work, his easel and his tools, so i was excited to see these pieces in person.  His delicate watercolors are full of wonderful colors...so lovely to look at, and they take me back to my many adventures in Yellowstone.

 

 On museum days, we have a tradition... after all that walking around, we head on over to the Pub (Pints Pub) for some house-made crisps and cocktails. 

 Christy and i have been coming here for almost 20 years and we love this place!  I know folks come here for the single malt and the ale's, but i prefer the bloody marys (as does Christy). After a full day in the city, we decided to head home and call it a day...we were all pooped!  :)

 It was great to spend time relaxing with my best friend.  We talked for hours, enjoying wine, sharing stories with laughter and tears and just being there for each other. 

 My cousin is having a rough time right now, her father, my Uncle Lynn, was diagnosed with terminal cancer about 4 months ago, and we are all devistated.  I walked in her shoes over 10 years ago, when i watched my father go through a similar battle, and she helped me through those rough times, so i know what she is going through, and want to be there for her too.  I love you Christy!

 While i was in Denver, i did get to visit with my Uncle Lynn a bit...he stopped by and brought us breakfast.  He's between chemo treatments right now, so he was looking and feeling good.  His last two treatments will be in January, and we are happy that his treatments are almost done.  I love you Uncle Lynn!

Merry Christmas!!!

 Ho Ho Ho...Merry Christmas!!!  And what a Merry Christmas it was...looks like Jordyn was good this year, Santa left her a new Nexus tablet, complete with keyboard and protective case, and a stocking filled with goodies!

 She got many wonderful gifts including, this beautiful coat from Aunt Denise, a pretty necklace from Aunt TJ, and a Broncos sweatshirt from mom and dad.  Of course, there were lots of other goodies, but the big excitement, was definitely the tablet from Santa, which her and daddy played for a good portion of the afternoon.

 Then it was time to hunt for the pickle ornament...Jordyn found it first, so she got to open the pickle present, which was a Battleship game.

 Trash was enjoying all her stocking goodies, however, Fuzzy raided her stocking in the middle of the night, so there were no surprises for her Christmas morning.  :)

 Then Grandma and Grandpa Bear stopped by for some breakfast and to help us finish our puzzle.

 Jordyn, of course, joined us for the last few pieces.

 And the rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying our day together...

Merry Christmas!!!

Twas the Night Before Christmas ~

 Christmas Eve morning, Jordyn finished off the last chocolate in her advent calendar.  We spent the afternoon relaxing and working on a puzzle, and then it was time to head up to Grandma and Grandpa Bears house.

 Jordyn and Grandpa enjoyed some Polar Express train fun, and then it was time for presents...

 We received some wonderful goodies along with some fun money, and Jordyn scored a ukulele.  Grandma had a ukulele when she was a little girl, and she loved it, so she wanted to share that joy with Jordyn. 

 Naturally daddy had to give it a try...i cant wait to hear the beautiful music Jordyn creates with it! 

 Then it was time to head home and get ready for bed, lest we miss Santa!  Jordyn opened a Christmas eve gift from Grandma Barbara, new pajamas, and then it was time for daddy to read the Night Before Christmas...

 but then, daddy was already asleep, so Jordyn read it to him :)  Sweet dreams everyone...