Monday, December 27, 2010

'Tis the Season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

I bought this chandelier for myself for Chistmas.  And I love it.  I love it more than I love most things in life. That is not a totally bad thing.  Right???

I'll be back next week.  With a whole slew of resolutions, goals, plans and the unveiling of something wonderful.  Maybe.  Even.  A Giveaway!!! 

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Cleaning Machine

I have the day off (Thank you Veterans!) and I need to clean my house!! In a major way. So, I emailed my sister because she can motivate me. Check this out:


Me: i have tomorrow off. and i need to deep clean the house. i need a gameplan.
help.

Sister
: Well, you know you have to put in Dirty Dancing for background.
Crack open some windows for fresh air...and to blow the cobwebs out.
Light a good candle...maybe even go buy a new candle.
Start with bringing all dirty laundry downstairs, sort it, start a load.
Then go to the kitchen - clean out all the cruddy old food in the fridge, then
wipe it and the stove down.

Clean the rest of the kitchen and start the dishwasher.
Dust and vacuum.
Then, tackle the bathrooms.
End of day - success will look like this - a clean, refreshing house.
Go!

Me: how long do you estimate this will take me? total cleaning???

Sister:I would plan on an all day event...especially if you are going to do major deep cleaning. Do take one break in the morning before you start for a motivating foo-foo drink, one break for a healthy lunch.

You should make a to-do list that you can cross things off throughout the day. That always keeps me motivated and focused.

I love days like this. Love.


End of conversation.




Clean fridge. Thank God for clean fridges. Who knew??

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Like mother. Like son.

The little man and I had date night on Friday. He had options. Swimming? Bowling? Golfing? Movie? What did he choose? TARGET!!! With a $20 spending limit (approximately $19 more than usual), we were having FUN! In the toy aisle for atleast 30 minutes straight:


Intense. Focused. Driven.




Thourough. Concentrated. Realistic.


In the end, we left with his one millionth new Star Wars Figurine and a miniature skateboard. Success.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

What's a (temporary) bachelorette to do??

It's that time of the year. The menfolk head for the family farm for HARVEST. My big man and little men are currently working the fields at our family farm in the midwest. I miss them a lot. What have I done??


1. Watched an embarassing amount of Real Housewives Atlanta.


2. Stayed up late watching youtube videos on crocheting.


3. Happy Hour with a new friend.


4. Sushi by myself.


5. Not one. Not two. THREE yoga classes.


6. And one weekend full of crafts and mocktails with one of my besties:


Monday, October 11, 2010

A day off....me time!

I don't have to work today. What to do with it?

Coffee.
Running.
Sun Salutations.
Bubble Bath.
Sushi.
Lttle Boy time.
Window washing?
yes.
Window washing.
Why.
I.
Don't.
Know.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Mountain Momma

When our son came home with a homework assignment to go on a nature walk and collect fall related memorabilia, we took it very seriously. We slept until noon and went to Starbucks. Ordered a tall Zen for the boy, a large Pikes Peak Roast for the man and a dreamy, creamy Pumpkin Chai for moi. Then we headed for the hills. Wheelchair and all. Driving through the high country with homework on our minds. John Denver on the ipod.




Yes, breaking out my thermals for the year and some out of control frizzy hair. And for some reason an attitude from hell. I had to put myself in check and vow to appreciate the beauty of the land. The freshness of the air. And the excitement of the little boy in the backseat.



Finished the day dining al fresco on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder.


Hello Fall. I love you.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Brekkie Fast of Champions

Try one! They taste better than they look! And you can knock out 3/5 of your daily fruits/vegetables.  Feel your skin radiate and glow!

In the mix:
1 c. milk
1 big ass huge handful of spinach
1 banana (vital)
4 large strawberries
handful of frozen blueberries
blend and serve!


 

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Easy Like Sunday Morning

The weather is cool and breezy.  Fall is in the crunch of the leaves.  The roar of the football fans.  The slow snore of my little one sleeping.

Today I will honor myself.  Which I accidently typed as humor.  So to humor, to honor, that.  is. the question.

i will....................read The Help
i will......................do 5 more loads of laundry.
i will..................fix myself a drink
i will...............sit in the sunlight.
i will........................peruse the Target add

it is Sunday. and it is Fall.  and I am present.  and I'm in love.




and yes. i recycled that picture. easy like sunday morning.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Top Ten!

In an effort to get my day started with a clear and clean brain slate. And most likely because I read an article in some womanly magazine. I'm going to start my day with a little meditation and prayer. And since, I've been doing it for one WHOLE day now, and I really like the focus of this morning's meeting of my mind. I will share. With myself. And now with Deborah. Welcome Deborah! :)


Top Ten Most Positive People in My Whole Entire Life!!!!!

In particular order:


1. God. This is the best picture I could find of God. He's not much for posing in pictures. Or maybe he is in every picture. I don't know. What I do know, is that when I talk to God and Believe in God, my life has peace and harmony.


 
2.  Justin.  Man.  So, so, so blessed to have this man in my life.  He is loyal and loving and handy and handsome and WOW!!!  Let's just say that #1 was 'good lookin out!' when He put Justin in my life!  
 














3.  River.  You know?  This kid, besides being the entire air I breathe.  He is FUNNY.  I realize, I am partial and I also realize that he is FIVE.  But seriously, he can make me laugh.  belly laugh.  every. single. day.  For example:  yesterday, he wore a shirt and tie to school because it was chapel day. After putting his tie on, he says "Momma.  I look like a college boy.  Am I a college boy?"  "yes sweetie, you are".  Today.  We are getting dressed.  He has a long sleeve polo shirt on.  He asks to wear the tie again.  I think 'a little weird, but just a battle, i don't feel like fighting!' and let him wear the peach colored tie with a brown/green striped polo.  whatever.  and then he says "momma.  i'm the guy from 9 news today' and he goes into a whole rendition 'i'm river, reporting live from boulder.  next up, we have the weather'.  too funny.














4. Mom. Despite the fact that my parents were divorced when I was a mere 9 MONTHS OLD! really. who does that?? I had a relatively normal childhood. No weird uncles. No physical abuse. Lots of love. My needs were met. I had attention. I had a bed time. My parents went to my parent/teacher conferences. I had a curfew. I had rules. I had consequences. I had it all. I was happy. There sure are a lot of I's in this mom post. Interesting. Thank you mom. You are in many ways, my very good friend and confidante. I love hearing your nightly updates of Dancing With the Stars. I admire your passion for teaching. You are a beautiful role model of healthy living. You are hot. xoxo
















5. Dad. You have had the biggest impact on my culture. The way I do things up in here. You are a true rags to riches story. You are the definition of success. You give the greatest advice. I love everything about you. You are strong and able. And I won't mention anything about the cancer. Because cancer isn't who you are. Cowboy, dad, grandpa, husband, with a side of banking. That is who you are. xoxo
















6. Donna. We really oughta be the Virginia Slims Poster Girls. Why? Cuz' we've come a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG way baby!!! Donna. My step-mom of over 33 years. You are a saint and a sinner. And I can say that because I'm 99% sure you will never read this. And in the 1% chance, you do read this, know that you are forgiven for being a little bit horrible at times. I also apologize for being a little bt horrible to you. Especially the time I told you, you were a 'stupid fucking bitch'. That wasn't right. But enough of that. You are my style icon. You ooze with class and sophistication. You are my friend. You are the love of my dad's life. You are a beautiful person, inside and out. You are the best grandmother and you are a DAMN good domestic goddess. xoxo
















7. Gwammie. Patricia Ann Gwammie Pat. My favorite. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. I love the fact that she grew up in South Central Los Angeles. Holla!! Met my Grandpa in L.A while he was in the Army. World War 2 VET,HOLLA!! (R.I.P Grandpa). Anyway, met Grandpa, fell in love and then moved to the farm. And by farm, I mean, a 3 day train ride from her family. Smack dab in the middle of corn and soybean country. On a farm. Not just living in the country. Living/working on the farm. Nearest town? Population 1800. And she did it with class. And morals. She's a good girl. I'm pretty sure they have a special room in heaven for guys and girls like Gwammie. And I would like to add that she makes the best, BEST, BEST, like BEST EVER: chocolate chip cookies, egg salad and chocolate sauce. Oh, and she is a genius on the computer. She is 84. And has a Facebook account. That keeps me honest. xoxo!!!




















8. Mandy. Today's topic is POSITIVE INFLUNCES. And this girl is one of my tops. My friend from high school. We laugh, we cry, we gossip, we craft, we cook, we talk and talk and talk and talk. And then we repeat. She is a good person. A beautiful heart and a solid friend. I love her forever. xoxo















9. Emma. Emily. E-Maw. E-Monster. Mee Seester. What can I say. We have our own language. We have ups. We have downs. Usually she doesn't know when we are down. Which is great. I love having a sister. And a little sister, at that. And my little sister is 30 now. And a mommy. And I love her.





10. Melanie. Mel. Aunt Meel. Not sure why I'm doing the duplicate nicknames. It just started and I can't stop. This girl. She is my wine drinking buddy. My friend. My confidante. My sister-in-law. And the BEST aunt in the WORLD. I'm not joking. You might be a good aunt. I know I definitely love being an aunt. But we aren't the BEST aunt. Melanie, she is the BEST AUNT IN THE WORLD. xoxo


Thursday, September 9, 2010

dem bones. dem bones. dem broke bones.

This was lil' homie's first day of school picture.


And two weeks in.....this is where we are now.



They keep telling me. Boys will be boys. It is so hard to think, this is what happens to boys. He is so strong and brave and tough and handsome. I could go on and on forever. I'm so in love.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

it's frrrrrrrrrrrriday!!!!

Girls Weekend!! Holla!! This weekend I will be heading down to Canon City, Colorado with some lovely relatives!!! Or, as I love referring to them as, "MY FAVORITE OUTLAWS". There is my mother in law, sister in law, my niece, my gwammie in law and my newly engaged sister-in-law to be, which is already DRRRRRRAMA!!!! and my cute little gil!!! There will be antiquing, running, wineries, buffalo burgers, cards, movies, laughing, more than likely crying. Fun times. I am truly blessed with a wonderful set of loving inlaws.

Renegade Family Photo-




These pictures were taken near Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. On a freezing balls cold day in December. Just in time for our Christmas Cards. Back to Red Rocks. It is a magical place. You should add it to your bucket list. You must MUST must see a concert at this natural amphitheater. I've seen so many acts here. Willie Nelson, MOBY, Stevie Nicks, Big Head Todd, Tool, Widespread Panic and a few more. It's awesome! On my bucket list??? Go to a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Maybe the Los Angeles Philharmonic? Or Metallica with the Symphony?? Dream big.

What is on your musical bucket list??

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

my annual post!!

Seriously? Last September was my last post Jeesh. I don't get out much! Well, it's summer here in the Mile Hi City. It's actually probably summer in most of North America. But, this summer has been remarkably superb! I'm not a gambler, but if I were, I'd dare to say that any summer that kicks off with my friends: Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda, is going to be a GREAT summer!!!! Speaking of SATC, (if you don't know. you really should. and you should ask someone. and we probably would not be friends!!) Anyway, SATC. I'm not sure when they started serving alcohol in the movie theaters? And, I'm not sure, it was a great idea?? Regardless, here is a pic of me and my best girlfriend in the bar of the theater. Yes, that's right. It's ridiculous!!!




We've gone camping three times. And by camping. I mean, within 3 square miles of the nearest coffee shop,in an RV, with showers and a swimming pool And, lest you judge, this is all the husbands idea. He will NOT tent camp. He's totally over it. And I'm totally into HIM, so I oblige. This is my favorite picture of my whole entire life:



Sorry sweets. And by sweets, I mean me. Because I have yet to market this piece of me. No idea. Right now my marketing plan simple: If I build it, they will come.