It’s COLD Outside!

BURRRRRRRR! It is so cold in Denver today. We set a record low last night of -18 at the airport, it was still below zero before I got to the office this morning, and currently we are sitting at a balmy 3 degrees, but with the wind chill it feels like -12. We are supposed to get up to 12, but I am not counting on it. I love Denver, but seriously- this is a little ridiculous. I can’t remember the last time it was this cold- but hey, the sun is shinning, and the sky is still a beautiful blue- ah ha- that is why I love Colorado! Good thing I am leaving for Brazil in 11 days- it is partly cloudy and 72!

This weekend I went to a cookie exchange at my Aunt Jenny’s house. My mom was supposed to be there, but my dad and her got in a car accident on the way to the house. Everybody is fine. Mom hit her head on the glass window, so she went to the ER just to make sure everything was ok. She was diagnosed with a bump on the head and nothing more. We had dinner with our friends the Martini’s. Stella came too and she got to play with Olive and Daisy (The Martini’s labs). Olive and Stella were so cute with their Christmas bows on!


Please say a little prayer for my Grandma, Ma, she was in the hospital with chest pains. All of the testing is producing good results, so hopefully she will be released soon.

Stupid Road Signs

Last weekend we went up to visit my parents. There is some construction on Highway 285 (there always is), and like good construction workers, there are signs to let you know about the construction zone. There is one of those large digital signs that changes and it reads: “CAUTION”……”TWO WAY TRAFFIC AHEAD”. Now on a major interstate highway this sign might actually mean something, because on a major interstate highway the traffic is usually separated by a large ditch or something. Highway 285 is a mountain highway that is TWO WAY TRAFFIC the ENITIRE WAY! There are only a few short sections of this road that happen to be separated, the majority of the traffic on this road is only separated by the two solid yellow lines running down the middle of the road. It would have been more appropriate if the sign read “CAUTION”…”LANES NARROW” or, “CAUTION”…”CONSTRUCTION ZONE”. Although, neither of these would really be that helpful given that any person that is smart enough to have a drivers license can figure out that it is a construction zone, given the large orange cones, and the large crane perched between two boulders.

In other news, only 15 days till we leave for Brazil! I have so much to do…..

Giving Thanks

My family has a tradition to go around the circle after we pray before Thanksgiving dinner and say what we are thankful for. This year I am thankful for a lot of things, as I am every year. However this year, I am even more aware of my thankfulness to have my Mom here. I have been reminded several times during my life that life can be taken at any point, with out any forewarning. This year I was reminded again of how important it is to be thankful that you have those that you love in your life. This spring was a truly scary and stressful time for my family. When Mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor, suddenly the little things didn’t matter as much. We banded together to pray and support each other. I am truly thankful to Dr. West and his team for successfully removing the tumor. I am truly thankful for the large and overwhelming support system that emerged through family and friends. I am truly thankful that my Mom is healthy and strong and able to celebrate Thanksgiving with us as if nothing happened. I am thankful for Mom’s quackiness, and her willingness to share her spiritual journey during that time with us. She is one of my best friends, and I am so thankful that she is in my life.

I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

I’m off to mash 20 pounds of potatoes….

Update...

My brother Pat was in town last week. He left on Tuesday to go get on a ship in CA that goes to Hawaii carrying cars and boats – LUCKY!!! It was so great to spend time with him and his girl Sarah. They are just so perfect for each other. They are one of those couples that you just know is meant to be together, so it makes me a little sad that their relationship is long distance, but it makes the time that they do have together so much sweeter.

On Saturday we went to Mikey and Ryan's wedding. Mikey (Michaeline) and I crawled together as babies. My mom was her first daycare mom when Mikey was only a few months old. It was an absolutely beautiful wedding. The ceremony was full of life and love and so many personal touches. Mikey's brother, Taylor sang, and he has an amazing voice. The Priest that married them was a long time family friend, so he knew Mikey and Ryan. The reception was held at Lakewood Country Club and it was so nice. The food was good, the toasts were a true testament of the couple, and the dancing was great. Congratulations Mikey & Ryan- we wish you the best.

Nothing really new on the home front. I am getting SO excited to go to Brazil. I bought my two dresses for the formal nights, and the shoes too. I had to order a bunch of swim suits because apparently nobody sells swim suits in Colorado in November. I got the suits in last night and 2 of 5 will work. Jon and I are going to start tanning this week in hopes to limit the extent of the sun burning that is bound to happen while relaxin’ on the beach in Brazil. I only have 25 work days left before we leave- I can’t wait!!!!

I had Tuesday off this week due to Veteran’s Day. Thank you to all of our military personnel, your sacrifice is extraordinary. Even though it was a day off, I drove all over the city- I had to take Jon to work, Pat to the Airport, and then down to Littleton to drop the car off for an alignment, then back to Arvada for an Eye Dr. Apt, then home for a little bit. Then back to Littleton to pick up the car, back to Aurora to pick Jon up, and then home again. It was a lot of driving! The perk though was that I got to drive a new CR-V while our car was being aligned – it was so nice- it is on my wish list.

It's Christmas Card Time

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Stella has a boyfriend

Stella became a, errr.... full woman dog a couple weeks ago. She is starting her third week of the heat cycle and, well, lets just say that her new theme song goes something like "My Milkshakes Bring All the Boys to the Yard, My Milkshakes are Better than Yours". Her two new boyfriends are a little Scotty Dog, and a Dachshund. The Dachshund has been brave enough to come the the front door. Could you imagine if we actually let Stella go and play with her new friends- we would have Labrascotts or Dachshradors!

Happy Halloween

Jon and I went to the Martini's for a Scare-tini. Jon went as Brian from Family Guy dressed like a Banana and he sang the "Peanut Butter Jelly" song very well (click here for the original character), it was hilarious. I went as Dorothy- but no matter how many times I clicked my heels together, I just could not get home from work.