Susan Branch- items from the dot com

I e-mailed S that I wanted this scrapbooking kit - from www.susanbranch.com and he bought it for me, what i wanted to shoe you was how sweetly it was packaged! - they sent it to me with love, there were stickers and

Tissue wrap and extra goodies- like two calendars - it was so very nicely done.

Isn't this nice. even the outer package had stickers and sweet sentiments.

I am alive and well!

sorry I haven't posted, this is an extreme time of the year for me. We are getting ready for open enrollment at CU ! and that involves alot of computer time for work and then I just want to vege at home.

But on Friday the 17th S and I celebrated 10 years of married life! He is the best pal and friend , and a great husband and a wonderful dad to the kids. I would make this decision again and again no doubts or regrets.

Friends and Family

Life is fortified by many friendships. To love, and be loved, is the greatest happiness in existence~~ Sydney Smith

Aunty's lovely hands and fun nails

a few more pictures

at the hotel we saw these lovely trees- Hh's new favorite and U.B.'s too. Palms will be forever in Hh's mind when thinking of lovely San Diego

Hh took this photo- well composed in the evening light - of a sun on the patio at A.S and U.B's beautiful home.

The view from the patio- look at the golf hole and link, and lake. ( water feature) so stunning.

A little Lemon anyone? there was a Lime close by too. right in the patio garden.

Love love love it. We had a blast.

Same stuff different day?!?

Back in Colorado Springs- benefits office today. Trip down to my folks last night yielded a bit of fluffy snow- what happened to spring? in the last two weeks we have had several large winter storms. It makes this trip less than pleasant.

I was glad to have had a few days off and did fun things and serious things ; while taking a VaCa... dealing with taxes, forms and other assorted items that need care. The only thing I didn't get to do yet is work on a trip album documenting our Fun in San Diego- will get that sooner than later I hope.

well just a little snippet updating my day. Be Well and Happy.

we went in the water!

The hot tub was warm

The ocean was COLD!

But we had a blast on spring break.

the fearless foursome

photos from sunny SD - Cali

my camera was acting up at the zoo- I don't remember what this was

the flamingoes were very beautiful

the giraffes had babies - these were from the tour bus

photos from sunny SD - Cali

I wish I could have taken some of these plants back with us, the ivy grows everywhere!!!

It grows up the sides of these huge palm trees- Hh loved the palms, I have a " few" pictures of them

This was yesterday before we left.

She loved her time in the sun and had a blast of fun. She didn't want to go home!

Day number 3 will be as great as day1,2,!!

we are planning the world famous san diego zoo today, more photos and discriptions to follow once we are home.

yesterday we went to Horton Plaza a four story shopping mall, very cool. we found lots of things to try and buy. We went into juicy couture - wow they were proud of their clothes. we could not afford anything in that store. but we saw some cute fashions and we just choise a better alternative at a better price point and recreated some of the looks we saw.

We are so enjoying being with aunt Sunny - we have a lot in common and have a great time discovering all the things we love... her albums are so wonderful. the photos she has are great, things I have never seen before and people I love and remember as well as great young shots of those same people. The albums are such a treasure. It is fun to see my Dad and her as young kids and even as babies. They were both so good looking. But I have to say that even now niether of them look their age either!

well off to get ready for our day of fun in the sun.

in sunny San Diego

we arrived in sunny SD on friday night, and have had a fantastic time so far!
we took the old town trolly tour and went swiming in the ocean at la Jolla yesterday - it was freezing cold! but we stayed in and had a blast.
we swam in the hotel pool and sat in the spa and have been living the life of the princesses we are. We could adjust to this life in a heartbeat. My aunty is fab and her hubby is awesome. They make the darn cutest couple we have been with in a long time.
will post up some photos when we have more time and get home.

kicking it

this was last saturday's activity, these are the, boards, and the kid who broke some ( 3 of 4 she tried) and a shot of her ankle after a failed attempt.

Going on a trip!

We are going to see Aunty! Hh And I can't wait for a " girls weekend" -
Sunny weather will be on opur agenda, maybe some beach and ocean time, and lots of other fun things. Plus spending time with our family we don't get to see nearly enough.

They are predicting " bad weather here tomorrow" as in Snow- so we are hoping it will all be gone as we wing our way to San Diego on Friday afternoon.

Suggestions for must see places will be taken right here in the Comment section if you want to leave them.

Life with Boys - you can't make this stuff up!

Thursday evening we made our 15th trip to the Emergency room! My Son J - the emergency room baby had another Bike crash ( not his first) -

These pictures are from today and as you can see he put alot of stitches on that " pretty Face" - 16 more than the 21 he already has in him from prior stuff. and he tore the skin off of both palms and messed up the top of the middle finger on the left hand.

He was a Lucky boy- nothing broken, though he had a concussion- and then had x-rays and a CT scan, because he passed out at the site of the incedent and on the way to the hospital. But in the end he made out o.k. will have to watch all that face stuff though.

paid day off for your anniversary

Karl- a guest blogger at Chief Happiness officer blog- is writing about giving employees time off with pay on their company anniversay. in his coments another blogger says they would celebrate the creation date of the company ( anniversay) with thier employees doing something all together- another good idea if the business is small and couldn't afford to give individual days off.

here is my coment :

I think these are both fantastic ideas, I work for a Public institution, but highly agree with the annual celebration idea, I value my leave and personal time and would be motivated by recieving additional one day perk every year.
As for the company anniversary_ I think that is a great idea to celebrate with your employees the sucess of another year in business.

Truth or Dare?

You Are Truth

You are communicative, talkative, and honest to a fault. You love telling others about yourself, but not as much as you like hearing about them. You connect easily with strangers. You're very open, and you can find common ground with people. You love to gossip and tell secrets. Telling all is how you get close to people.

Are You Truth or Dare?

friends

here at work Happy - an interesting article about making friends at work.

I have been mostly fluff lately

I have a lot on my mind. but put off dealing with some of it. I am still on the Colorado Springs rotation- to UCCS- for work, and that takes a toll on my self. The novelty has worn off, nights away from my hubby and family- wear and tear on a body and my mom van is slowly going down hill too. I was hoping that the job would be filled and relief was in sight at the middle of last month. But it is the bureaucratic wheels that turn slowly.

I am thankful for a good job with benefits. Great teammates and co-workers, my loving family and old and new friends. I have alot going for me for sure. A little girls only trip coming up soon. ( end of the month)

I need to get busy with a few things, send in licence plate registration, taxes and some more bills. None of them any fun !

Thats my story and I am sticking to it.

Adventure!

Because of our routines
we often forget that life
is an ongoing adventure

Maya Angelou

Super hero- supper?

create your own super hero here- thanks to Aimee Friend of Kathryn for the inspiration!

pantone - color forcast

Here is the Fall looks and colors

from the pantone web site, this is a pretty cool report and has some advise from designers about what to get this year.

and color advise like this from WNTW's Clinton Kelly

Colors that flatter you never
go out of style. Just choose
wisely. Have a lot of Pink in
your skin? Beware of bright
Cherry Reds which might
make it even Pinker. Instead,
try shades of Burgundy or
Maroon that are easier to wear.
Yellow undertones? Avoid
Mustard Yellows which may
make you look sallow. Gold
or even Lemon Yellows might
be more flattering to your
complexion. And if your skin
is losing some of its natural
luster, bright jewel tones are
the best way to bring your
look back to life.”
Clinton Kelly
Co-host, TLC’s “What Not to Wear”

my favorite color this year is of course : Pantone 18-3520 Purple Heart! I hope I can add some to my fall wardrobe.

Holmes- and J :)

A special happy birthday with to K8 and J- another teen-ager joins the world! Happy birthday friends- twins from different mothers. :)

There is no friend like the old friend

who has shared our morning days,

no greeting like his welcome,

no homage like his praise;

Fame is the sentless sunflower,

with gaudy crown of gold;

But friendship is the breathing rose,

with sweets in every fold.



Oliver Wendell Holmes

shrove tuesday - Pancakes

WHY DO WE EAT PANCAKES ON 'FAT' TUESDAY?" ...there is a historical ... reason why pancakes are consumed on this day. Many centuries ago, fatty foods including dairy were forbidden during the 40 days of Lent. So in order to use up their supply of these ingredients, the Anglicans added flour and voila — a feast of pancakes on the day before Ash Wednesday. ... growing up in an Episcopalian family, and watching all my Catholic friends head with their families to Galveston or New Orleans to revel in those last few days before Lent, I always felt a little sheepish walking into my church’s annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. No beads, no floats, no dancing, just stack upon stack of pancakes. And yes, it was a bit gluttonous, but compared to Mardi Gras, it was bit tame, too." ~ Homesick Texan for her Gingerbread Pancakes

source is BLOGHER

more photos of adventure

geared up and ready - flight suit check, helment check, goggles check, earplugs- huhhh?? yep

here you can see S taking photos from another angle

Look ma no hands - I am flying!! I love it.

YES!!! this was the best birthday gift EVERVVVVVA - I am so pumped lets do it again soon ??

Skyventure indoor skydiving - Hh's adventure

I'm flying. And now I'm soaring. And, abruptly, I'm plummeting like a rock. And then I'm sort of flying again and Derick, my skydiving instructor, is using the hand signal he showed us earlier that means "relax."

I'm trying to relax, really I am. But I'm falling and flying and flopping around in the 120-mph breeze trying to do as well as the 40-year-old man who did so well in the flight tunnel just before me. Of course, the Man had prior skydiving experience and whirled around through the artificial windblown sky.

Me, I'm a sack of potatoes tumbling through the air. Apparently I have yet to master the "Superman" pose employed by my friend T, who came with me to fly. She is acting like a kite through the 120-mph breeze like, well, Superwoman. But am I having fun? You better believe it. She had a blast too.

I've wanted to skydive for about a year now- but thought better of it, what with jumping out of a perfectly good airplane and all. Skyventure is skydiving without the legitimate fear, or mathematical probability, of death. This is skydiving lite, but it's still great fun.

And if you don't want to thrust yourself into the wind-driven vortex, ( like my mom) spectators are given a seat in an observation area to view all the fun they're missing.

Adventure accessories provided: helmet, jumpsuit, goggles, instructions on how to stay alive, photo of yourself flying (prices vary).

Happy Birthday Hh- 13

These are opposite the order! the one above was pre- flight and the top one was post flight, with the flying in the middle!

Yes this was soooo much fun, I am sure we created a monster flyer.

Ivory and Tapestry

Beautiful and rich is

an old friendship

Grateful to the touch

as ancient Ivory,

Smooth as Aged wine,

or sheen of tapestry

Where light has lingered ,

intimate and long.

Eunice Tiejens

Music questions? meme from Scott- tomusicfan

Scott *** Music, as you may or may not know, well really if you have been reading this blog at all you know, I am a huge music fan. I have put together this little survey here. I know that it will take some time for you to answer but I would love to read how you relate to music. So... post it on your blog, share it with friends, get it out there.*** posted this on his blog- great questions.



1) What's a piece of music, any genre, any year, and form, (i.e 45, album, MP3, etc), that you often return to. Something that continually resonates throughout your life, and seems to gain greater impact as you grow older. How often do you find yourself seeking this piece?



I am a huge John Denver fan, and right before he past away he recorded an album of " train songs" called All Aboard, the 1st song is Jenny loved the trains- As I was going through my Divorce - I listened to this album and song very frequently- it soothes my soul in ways I can't describe.



2) Is there a specific story that relates to this?

Vince Gill wrote this piece and John recorded it, there is also a version at the end of the album called Jessie loved the trains ( for his youngest daughter) it is not listed on the album credits. He recorded this and it was produced and released the year he passed away. I grieved my marriage and his loss at times equally. This album won a grammy for best childrens album posthumously.



3) Was there a piece of music, despite the fact that you may have "outgrown" it now that at one time changed your life? How about something you feel you'll never outgrow?

I can't think of anything I have truely " outgrown" - but then I am not sure any music has changed my life.





4) Could a piece of music that you found in common with a stranger bond you for life? Is there a story behind that?

I would say yes- in fact there is a story behind this! Scott sent some of his blogger buddies a mixed " tape" CD and one of the songs on it is " Rain King" by counting crows. I didn't get a list of songs on this mix but - I googled the lyrics and found out what this one was and by whom, then I looked for some other refferences to the lyrics ( because they are interesting) - so I am bonded to him by his album of creations and who ever suggested this song to him to put on the mix we are bonded too. When I play it I can play it on repeat several times in a row!




5) Is there a favorite artist that you had that you gave up on only to have him or her redeem themselves?
I can't think of any at the moment



6) Has music ever got you through some really tough times? How?

Yes, music soothes my soul. I play it to affect mood. So I have quite an extensive play list of feel good tunes.



7) Can music change the world or is that naive wishful thinking?
Wishful thinking maybe- though it can and does make it a better place.



8) Is Rock and Roll dead?
Nope. I like Scott's answer that there will always be someone else coming along in a basment or garage somewhere that we don't even have a clue about today, but will blow us all away with their Music.



9) What's the song you wish played at your wedding? How about your funeral?

Wedding song I like Shania Twain- looks like we made it. ! title of song is : You're Still the One

funeral song - The Eagle and the Hawk



10) What's the greatest live show you ever saw? In what year? Why? How old were you then? Did you attend with friends? Were you a skeptic going in?Did you enter a huge fan? How about the most disappointing show? Why?

Bruce Horsby and the Range at Red Rocks, really all the shows I have seen at Red Rocks . I saw John Denver there and also Jethro Tull - the greatest venue in the entire world. I have been by myself and with others and everyone here would agree the best place to see a performer live. There are no bad seats, there is so much love for anyone you see there and the performers are inspired too.

Bruce Hornsby and the range at Fidller's Green Ampitheater- was the most disapointing, seating was awful and the croud was bad i felt as though I paid too much for cruddy seats and obscured veiws- then it rained!!



11) Has your feelings about recorded or live music changed over the years?

I think I am less likely to go out of my way to see a live performance as I get older, for some of the same reasons- scott uses- just don't want to go anywhere there are too many people or young people doing things I am not interested in. Don't want to fight any crowds. Want to be able to see and hear a performer at their best!

reordings and digital have helped me to listen to more music that ever though!



12) Do you listen to radio? How do you listen to music?
I listen to the radio for about an hour in the morning - everyday. I have a morning show I listen too get a bit of news weather, traffic and music.
I listen to the radio in the car too.
I have a 10 CD changer in my mom van and That is what I listen too alot. I have a MP3 player and A palm that plays music too. So I have lots of ways to get in my music fix.



13) Has the amount of time you listen to music changed over the years? To what extent?

not appreciativly - though I think I listen to a bit less now that ever before, just because my job involves talking by phone almost all day and listening to music makes that part of my job harder and more itracting.



14) In these tough economic stressful times do you gravitate towards a different kind of music, i.e happy, nostalgic, the blues, then you did say, 4 years ago?

No I don't think so:)



15) You're stuck on a desert isle, you've got a mix Cd with 10 songs you're stuck with until your dying day, (or at leas until you're rescued) what are those 10 songs and why?

1. Somewhere over the rainbow/ its a wonderful world Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
2. Anyway Maritna Mcbride
3. Jenny loved the Trains John Denver
4. Little Things Tanya Tucker
5. Rain King- Counting Crows
6. Rocky Mountain High John Denver
7. Adalida- George Strait
8. Little Bitty - Alan Jackson
9. Where the green grass grows Tim McGraw
10.Anything But Mine- Kenny Chesney

all these songs touch my heart and bring back special times and people in my life- this would make a great mixed tape.

been off the grid- out of sorts

Hh had a cold that kicked her butt and mine, we have been out of sorts for more than a week now.
last monday the 9th I went to Colorado Springs, She started not doing well, she missed two days of school and layed low her whole - mid-term break ( read another 5 days) - Me ,I started to not feel good mid week and by friday was way done. I spent a little time getting my Valentines greetings to my friends, but some even got sent late.
we didn't even go to a church function - Valentines evening - because S- said we didn't need to spread this joy around at all. - so true. We stayed home Sunday morning too- same idea, we are hacking and coughing and generally germ factories.
Have more to talk about soon, but for now this is small update. !!

K8 you are simply the best!

this is so sweet K8

Wisdom

In God's wisdom, He frequently chooses to meet our needs by showing His love toward us through the hands and hearts of others. ~~Jack Hayford

Happy Groundhogs's day and birthday to me.

Today weather-forecasting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, and proclaimed another six weeks of winter

I saw my shadow too- it has been pretty darn nice here in Boulder today too.

S remembered that to send me something at the office was the ultimate in Good love points in my book. And a bouquet of flowers and ballon arrived at lunch time here. they are quite lovely a mixed boguet with roses and lilys and a gerbra daisey carnations and snapdragons. Very sweet.

I am in the Dog house now!

sadly I made a big boo-boo I didn't call my Mom and tell her I wasn't traveling to Colorado Springs last night. So when she called me to see where I was at 4:45 pm - I told her I had other plans and I was not on the road. YIKEs was she mad. In my defence, she ussually calls and gets all wrapped into the details to check out for sure that I was coming, well she didn't do that and time got away from me and I didn't call in advance to tell her I wasn't coming. - so my fault really. Today I ordered a blooming plant and a green plant ( they sent a peace lily LOL) and I think by the phone call I got that my apology was accepted.

Yearbooks and Funny things

My High School Classmates are organizing a reunion- an all school all years reunion. An interesting concept. A few years ago I helped to organize my 20th class reunion, it was fun but lots of work. There seems to be more interest from people of all groups to have this type of reunion.

Harrison High School, Colorado Springs CO - they have a facebook page, a myspace page and I have an '81 HHs reunion yahoo website I have maintained for many years. So the word is getting out - the Dates are set for August 7-8, 2009 - it should be a fun time had by all. There are still lots of opportunities to be involved with planing and other things.

Hh and I were looking through the year books I have 1980 and 1981 and she was pointing out the " cute" guys and I said well they were pretty cute then, but now they are all old and balding LOL - well that is just the facts you know. It is fun to look at all the style choices especially hair styles and all those wings and feathered styles, even the guys did it. ( my Brother Dave too) :)

so from time to time I will be posting more about this event - here on my blog. stay tuned.

skyventure

Skyventure is where Hh wants to go for the 13th birthday celebration. We went there today to see it live and in person, just to be sure she really does want to do it!, she came away more detirmend than ever. Should be a fun time, I told her she could invite one friend to do this with her. ( it is a little pricey) - we will try to get video of the adventure and post it too. She is all over doing this, next it will be the real deal out of a plane?!?!

Updates

Well I haven't posted in a while on the status of Mom- She is finally at home and doing well. She did get to go home the day before christmas eve.

So after the initial week I spent in Colorado Springs taking care of issues with the intensive care and hopsital stay. Mom was moved to a skilled care facility- nearer to home, my Brother ( older) went with Dad to be sure this was a good fit for her. She seemed o.k. with it. At first when she was in the hospital she didn't want to work on getting around, out of bed or anything, for the 1st week or so she didn't even want to watch T.V. ( her thing- soaps) - this was tough. My bro and SIL came down from WY and my Brother went back after two days., SIL stayed with dad ( she does not work at the moment outside the home) Then my brother came back the end of week 2 and took his wife, they had a trip scheduled for Dec- christmas holidays to HI - so off they went mid month. At that point Dad was doing better and the two of them were in a little routine.

I went down the monday before Christmas and then She went to the apartment the Next day. Surprizingly she was doing well at the skilled care and they really worked her to be able to do the stairs and get around. So she was back to almost her fiesty self by the time I saw them again.
She was still fatigued when I went down on the 5th of Jan, but overall the improvment is tremendous.

for the next three months I am on a every other monday rotation to c/springs for work. We are still tring to fill a position there and are filling in on a weekly basis. I am glad I will be able to see Mom and Dad regularly for the next few months. there isn't much more to it the apendix is out, the incissions healed and stamana is returning. So onward we all go.

soon it will be birthday time. yeah.

low brown belt

Hh graduated to Low brown belt!! way to go girl . SSD1 will be graduating to High red on Friday! way to go for him too.

Time- the simple things

When we take time to notice the simple things in life, we never lack for encouragement.

We discover we are surrounded by limitless hope that's just wearing everyday clothes.