Monday, December 29, 2008

Why I missed showering for 2 days...


Ok...I realize I'm late to jump on the Twilight bandwagon (and I was a little skeptical at first).  A teenage vampire love story? No thanks, I'm far too cool for that.  Besides, I usually can't get into anything magical and mythical (aside from Harry Potter).  Anyway, I was completely wrong about Twilight.  It completely consumed my life and took over my Christmas.  

I read Twilight (which had been sitting on my bookshelf for about 2 months) Christmas Eve night.  I couldn't put it down.  I read through A Christmas Story (my favorite holiday movie), when my parents called to wish us a Merry Christmas, I couldn't even feign excitment.  I was Twilight obsessed.  So I finished Twilight that night, went to bed, and could think of nothing except buying the rest of the series the next day.  

Woke up Christmas morning, raced through opening presents, and then tried to figure out what stores would be open on Christmas.  And you'll never believe it but, not.a.single.store.was.open.  not....even....one.  I'm an east coast girl.  I grew up in the suburbs of D.C.  and while I appreciate that everyone here in Colorado was celebrating the holiday, it completely boggles my mind that literally everything was closed.  Needless to say, I was not happy.  I had no choice but to reread Twilight in order to pass the time before the stores opened.  My poor fiance.  All I talked about on Christmas was Twilight and how much I wanted the other books.  He thought I went crazy.  

Day after Christmas (aka. the shopping day from hell):  I woke up, showered (shock) and ran down the hill to Borders.  Got into borders and found that they had New Moon (relief washed over me) but not Eclipse or Breaking Dawn.  Relieved but not completely satisfied, I ran back home and dragged Charlie to Target under the pretense that we had something to return.  When we got to Target and I found out that they had the last two books I immediately snatched them off the shelf and ran to the checkout counter.  Checking out took 30 minutes because the people in front of us had decided that they HAD to have one of the display models ... a heinous looking snowman that counted down the days to Christmas.  It made me glad that I wasn't their neighbor so I wouldn't have to look at is next year.  

Got home on the 26th and read New Moon and half of Eclipse before I had to sleep.  Woke up on the 27th and finished reading Eclipse and started Breaking Dawn.  I knew my mom and sister were coming to visit the next day and I needed to clean, shop, etc. but I couldn't stop.  Finally, around 5:30 (after Charlie yelled at me for an hour to stop reading and get off my butt) I got up, did a minimal amount of cleaning, went to the store, and sat back down and finished Breaking Dawn.  

My verdict:  It was good.  Fabulous.  Best series I've read in a LONG time.  I don't think I'll be able to resist the boot-leg copy of Midnight Sun on her website.  But I'm trying.



Thursday, December 18, 2008

The new addition...

So Charlie and I, crazy people that we are, adopted a cat from Petsmart.  We originally tried to go to the Humane Society in Longmont but when we got there we were told that we had 2 minutes before they closed (so much for doing anything to save a pet).  We stopped at Petsmart on the drive back to get some stuff for the dogs, looked at the cats they had for adoption, and 3 questions later walked out with a cat.  Meet Ollie, he's sweet, cuddly, and (after a much needed bath) clean:  
he was very interested in the camera...

he's a coffee drinker
the staredown

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

...but the fire is so delightful

So I've been whining about a lot of things recently: not having a job, getting waitlisted for school, not having a job, being lonely for christmas, not having a job.... you get the idea. So I decided to remind myself about some of the things I'm lucky to have.

1. Charlie and I watched Planet in Peril last week. It really made me thankful that I was born
in this country. Obviously, things could be better and this isn't a great time economically, etc. but I am SO lucky to have the life I do. Seeing how some people were forced to live, find food, work... it made me really thankful.
2. It's been freeeeezing lately. I mean freezing. I'm an east coast girl. I'm used to warm
winters. Snow occasionally but mostly rain. The past three days we've had sub-zero temps. The dogs have icicles hanging off of their faces when they go out. But, I have a nice warm fireplace that I've been spending a lot of time by. And a large bottle of wine to go with
it. :)
3. It's Christmastime! We have snow on the ground, a tree, and everywhere I go is decorated.
4. My family is healthy, happy, busy and coming to visit soon!
5. Uh, my fiance. He's a pretty cool guy. Supportive, fun, and willing to drag me up mountains when I've given up.
6. Puppies who keep my feet warm. I mentioned it's cold. Dogs are warm, and when they sit under your desk they're better than slippers. Which is good because they ate my slippers.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The hike before the cold

So we went hiking today. Probably a smart move seeing as the weather report has snow and freeeeeezing temperatures in our forecast. Anyway, the weather was great today and it was nice to get outside. Unfortunately, I wussed out and didn't make it quite to the top. The hike down was interesting, too. There was enough snow on the mountain that it was pretty slippery. I think Charlie and I each fell at least four times. Here are a few pics of the day:




Thursday, December 11, 2008

Unemployment...

So yesterday was my last day at the doggie daycare.  For some unknown reason there was a part of me that was sad to leave.  I think it was a combination of me hating goodbyes and knowing that I didn't have another job waiting for me.  Moving to Colorado has been great but I don't know how many more goodbyes I can handle.  Even though people have come out to see us (Charlie's parents and my Dad) and I got to go home to see my family and even catch up with a few friends it was hard knowing that I can't see them again for 5 months.  It's one thing when we live 45 minutes apart and don't see each other bc we're so busy...but somehow knowing that I can't see them makes it worse.  

I've been looking for jobs all over monster, craigslist, company websites, and newspapers and there's nothing.  I'm beginning to think I was stupid to quit, despite how miserable that job made me; at least it was a paycheck.  *sigh* I'm done feeling sorry for myself and off to finish dinner and xmas presents.  I have a million cards to write and I need to mail my package by Saturday.  

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Thankful Thanksgiving

So, obviously I haven't posted in a while. I took a trip back home to Maryland about a week ago and between being gone and then being busy with work and Thanksgiving when I got back I've been slacking on the blogging. So here are a few things I've been meaning to write about.

1. It was great to see my family. I missed them so much and the trip back was so unexpected and on such short notice that I think it made me appreciate it more. We did a lot of sitting by the fire, drinking wine, cooking good meals, and wedding planning. I love my family tons and it was so nice to be able to spend some time with them.
2. I was also able to catch up with some friends when I was back. It's always nice to know that even though I'm 1,500 miles away we can go for months without seeing each other and still feel like no time has passed.
3. Charlie and I had Thanksgiving dinner at a woman's house who he works with. Their family was there and they had invited us and a family of refugees from Burma to celebrate with them. It was so nice to have people to spend the holiday with, especially because I had to work in the morning and cooking would have been a nightmare.
4. I quit my job when I got back. I've been thinking about it for a while. It makes me absolutely miserable, and driving back to the east coast gave me a lot of time to think. I realized how much I missed teaching and how much I missed having a career as opposed to a dead-end job. I decided to submit my subbing application for the next semester and try and get a full-tim job the next year.
5. It snowed!! Ok, not a lot maybe and inch or two. But things look a lot more festive and it feels like the holidays now. Oh, and Henry loved it.
6. We went hiking yesterday. Charlie went without me when I was back home and wanted to show me the trails that he did. We had a great time and got some great pics thanks to our new camera. Here's a few:

At the beginning....before the long climb.

The Royal Arch.

The view at the top wasn't too bad! Dunkin and I decided to enjoy it for a bit before hiking back down.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Saturday Stuff

I missed Friday.... so here's things I'm thankful for the past 2 days:

1. The way that snow sticks to evergreen trees.
2. Living in a place where I feel safe.
3. Making a trip home, spending time with family, actually being a part of planning my wedding.
4. Someone to hug in the middle of the night.
5. Lazy Saturday mornings.
6. Bookstores, breweries, and malls that are walking distance from my house.
7. My goofy winter hat that keeps me warm.

8. 5 days of hiking in a row. A new record.

9. The rockies. They're beautiful.

10. The way my dogs get so excited when it snows.
11. Spending stress-free, quality time with my dad.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thankful Thursday

So I've missed a few days. (Oops...)

1. Leftovers. There's nothing like having a warm, good dinner without having to cook it. It definitely makes working hard the night (or nights) before worth while.
2. Snow flurries!!
3. Curling up in bed with a good book and a good dog.
4. Finally, being able to say that I can drive a stick.
5. My fiance coming home from Vegas tonight.
6. The CMA awards. I love country music.
7. Lyrics from a song that describe exactly what I'm feeling.
8. A weekend off from work.
9. A hot shower.
10. A big, cozy sweater that's too big but soo warm.
11. A windy, cloudy day. It makes me appreciate my warm, cozy apartment.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Funday Monday

Today I'm thankful for:

1. Hopefully a new job soon.
2. A nice, warm, Italian lunch followed by a nice walk on a cold fall day.
3. Spending time with family.
4. My rock climbing fiance.
5. A cozy evening, a new recipe, and good dinner company.
6. My unexpected trip home in a week!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Lazy Sundays

I'm thankful for:

1. Frequent flyer miles.
2. Seeing my dad for the first time since August.
3. Instincts.
4. "A pair of jeans that fit just right".
5. Country music.
6. Hopefully seeing my mother and sister for a few days before Thanksgiving.
7. Re-reading a good book.
8. A time in my life where I have time to appreciate the little things, help out friends who need it, and make spending time with the people I love a priority.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

I love Saturdays

Things I'm thankful for today:

1. A clean apartment. I mean really clean.
2. Food in the fridge.
3. A full tank of gas.
4. Dinner with friends.
5. Crawling into bed with Charlie knowing we have no alarms to set for the morning.
6. A warm winter jacket on a cold, windy night.
7. Watching puppies play.
8. Salt and vinegar potato chips.
9. Long phone calls home.

Friday, November 7, 2008

TGIF

Today I'm thankful for:

1. The fact that it's Friday! I have 3 hours left of work before a whole week off.
2. My second interview at a new job (hopefully). I would LOVE for this to work out and be able to say good-bye to doggie daycare forever.
3. My cool canisters I got at Crate & Barrel yesterday with my 15% off coupon.
4. Any place I can bring my dog. Trails, breweries, stores...I love them all.
5. My super warm down jacket that I bought wayyy before it got cold.
6. My thoughtful future mother-in-law.
7. Taking a nap on the couch, wrapped in a warm blanket, with the sound of the wind whistling outside.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Thankful Thursday

Today was a good day :) ...
I'm thankful for:

1. My free coffee at Starbucks. They felt bad bc they had to brew a new pot for me.
2. Christmas music at the mall. Yeah, I know it's early but I love it.
3. My clean dogs. 2o minutes and 2 baths later I have two clean, coconut smelling pups.
4. No work next week. I plan on spending it hiking, cooking, and hanging out with my dad.
5. The fact that I think I found bridesmaid dresses. Hopefully. (I've said this before.)
6. I can start decorating for Christmas soon. Very soon.
7. The first snowflakes of the season!
8. Friends. The show and the people.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Wonderful Wednesday

I'm thankful for:

1. Norah Jones in the morning. It's always nice to start the day off relaxed.
2. Hobby Lobby. LOVE it!
3. The Holidays.
4. My red blanket.
5. Flowers.
6. A finace who does laundry.
7. Kisses from my favorites.


8. A good book I can't put down.
9. Hot chocolate. With marshmellows.
10. Target. I could spend hours there and I owe them many paychecks.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Thanks on Tuesday

Things I'm thankful for today:

1. A glass of wine in front of a fire with the dogs at my feet and a cat in my lap. mmmm.....
2. That election day is finally here so we can have a decision and move on.
3. My parents. Who took a day off of work to meet with a caterer for our wedding. It makes me wish that I was a part of all of the decisions though. :(
4. Free long distance.
5. My cuddly cat who always wants to sit on my lap.


6. The fact that I got an oil change today which means that I don't have to get another one for 5,000 miles.
7. Cheese and crackers.
8. Sleeping in late, under a down comforter.
9. Hooded sweatshirts.
10. The greeting I get from my dogs when I walk in the door. :)

Monday, November 3, 2008

Things I'm grateful for...

So I was reading an article in a magazine about people who kept a "gratitude journal" for a month. Basically, they just recorded every day the things they were thankful for. So I figured being November and all that I would give it a try. I don't know if I'll manage to post every day ... but I'll try.

The 10 things I'm thankful for today are:

1. The fact that I live in such a beautiful place. Seriously, everytime I walk outside I see the Rocky Mountains. There are endless places to hike, explore, and see and they all amaze me. Even though we live in an apartment...this is what our patio backs to....not bad, eh?

2. My finace who has given me enough support and distance to discover what makes me happy.






3. My pets. Our two dogs, Dunkin and Henry, and our cat, Toby. I have always wanted to live with dogs and I'm so thankful that I finally can. They cuddle with me when I'm sad, make me go outside everyday, and are goofy enough to remind me not to take myself too seriously.




4. That Charlie's parents were able to come and visit us. It's been a little lonely since moving from D.C.. It was great to see them, do some sightseeing with them, and I know how much it meant to Charlie that they came out to see us.


5. My red bookshelf. Charlie wanted to get rid of it when we moved (before it was red) and I told him that I wanted to keep it and paint it. It's my favorite piece of furniture in my favorite color and it only cost me about $12 (the cost of paint).
6. That my dad is coming to visit in a week. We used to take trips to the beach every year together and I'm really going to miss that. I can't wait to see him and spend some time with him.

7. That I'm starting grad school in a couple months. It's taken me a long time to figure out what I wanted to study and I gave up a good job that I really liked to move to Colorado and pursue my degree. It hasn't always been easy...but I'm glad that I made the decision to make the move. I think I always would have regretted not coming.

8. My job. It sucks and I hate it but it's a job and considering where we live and what's happening to the economy, I'm lucky to have it.

9. I don't work until 11 today so I get to drink 2 cups of coffee. :)

10. Our fireplace. I LOVE it. It makes the winter seem a lot cozier!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Holidays...

So, I've started thinking about the holidays. Things will definitely be different this year. Not only will we have no family to spend it with but I have to work through the holidays and get literally no time off. I was expecting to be celebrating differently (I mean, what's the point of cooking a turkey for 2?) but it's depressing to not be able to really celebrate at all. Obviously we can decorate and bake cookies, etc. but I'm going to miss my family, opening presents with everyone, overeating, and seeing family I haven't seen in a while. OK, enough whining for me .... who knows, maybe we'll get a bunch of snow and have a white Christmas.


Here's a pic of Dunkin last year at my parents house. I was glad they wanted us there enough that they let the boys stay for a couple days.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Finally...Apartment Pics

Just a few pictures of our new place. Hopefully it won't be our home for too long but for now we love it.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Vail and Breckenridge Trip










So C and I decided to leave Boulder and Denver behind today and see what some of the ski towns out west looked like. I've been curious about Breckenridge for some time and Cowboy had recently been out to Vail (well really Beaver's Creek) for business and wanted to show me what he saw. We headed out after I got off work and drove through some beautiful mountains to Beaver's Creek. We ended up at the peak of the foliage season and it was beautiful. Definitely different than what we had back east, all the trees out here were yellow, but it was beautiful.





We went to Beaver's Creek first. It was like stepping into a different world. I knew that places out there were expensive but I had no idea just how expensive they really were. We walked around, played some put-put, and almost bought a lift ticket until we saw that they were $20! So we headed home and stopped at Breckenridge along the way.













Now Breckenridge, I LOVED!! I could easily leave the city behind (after I finish school, of course) and settle down here. Awesome town, so much to do, I just wished we hadn't spent so much time in Beaver's Creek so we had more time in Breck. We'll definitely be making a trip back!