Monday, November 30, 2009

An early Christmas!

I just remembered that I recieved a Broadmoor gift card back in March for being nominated for Employee of the Month. And I never spent it!! Our resort has retail shops and is upping our employee discount this week to kick start the Christmas shopping season off.

So I decided to search for it when I got home tonight. I remembered it being in an old wallet, I just had to find it. And once I located it - BAM! I hit about 4 different gift cards! I don't even remember getting them, and I must have left them in there just in case I found myself at those stores. Then, I switched wallets and forgot to transfer the cards.

It's like I had an early Christmas! Wonderful little treasures! Just wanted to share my happiness!

Nice vacation

Well, it's working again...for now. Apparently the internet has been slower the past few days, but I haven't noticed. Then again, I'm not an online gamer. :-)

I don't totally have anything specific to talk about except that today was my first day back to work from my 5 day Thanksgiving vacation. Talk about bummer! It wasn't too hard to catch back up after being out, but it was just annoying because there was TV that needed watching, a video game that needed to be played, and a dog to be walked. I think I enjoyed my lounge time off a little too much! If you looked through my last few posts, I was very busy with family events, and trips to the dog park and hiking...it was a great vacation, and I didn't even travel anywhere! I can't even do a vacation sum-up post, because I've blogged everyday!

Bailey did go to the dog park and on walks several times, so he wasn't totally a bum. But I think I wore him out by going on all the trips! I think he's ready for me to go back to work!




On another hand, today is the last day of NaBloPoMo and - I DID IT!!!! I blogged each and every day, even when I didn't have something to blog about or my internet was down!! I was even able to blog twice in one day on two separate occasions! I'm very proud of myself and feel a great sense of accomplishment. I will say, however, that I feel a little relieved. I don't think I will continue to blog each day for sure, but it's almost like I will feel "weird" if I don't post. It's just so hard to come up with something if I have nothing particular in mind.

But keep reading!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Bogus internet

Our internet is spotty again so this is, once again, from my phone.

Today was a great day. Nothing special, butI tackled the kitchen again, and took Bailey to the dog park!

I also played Lego Batman and got quite a few more levels. It was a great end to a 5 day vacation. Let's just say I don't want to go back to work!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

My first Christmas Wreath

Over the years, my parents have, of course, bought wreaths for our houses. But this year, I found a great deal on Christmas items, and decided to make my very own, first homemade wreath! Check it out!

First of all, I got these really cute Christmas socks, and they have sparkly thread! They're keeping my feet warm right now! (And just in time - it's supposed to start snowing tonight!)

So here are all the materials: a wreath, 3 attachments, and a box of little ornaments to fill in the spaces.

Here's the "staged" wreath, so I could see where I wanted to put the attachments.

And here's the final product, with the ornaments added in arrangements intended to look like berries!

Then, finally - the wreath made it onto the door, and fit so perfectly that I can still see through the peephole!

Cheeseman Canyon

Yesterday, Justin wanted to go fishing in an area called Cheeseman Canyon. Well, I really don't like fly fishing, but he talked me in to going with him because I could bring Bailey and get him some great exercise! It was beautiful, to say the least, and I got some great shots of the most handsome Weimaraner ever. (ok - I'm a little bias!)












Friday, November 27, 2009

Puppies!!!

So I don't drink Jim Beam, but this commercial couldn't be more true. Give me a man with a puppy any day of the week!

Click here to see a very funny commercial!! (Karen approved).

(For those of you worried, it's a clean commercial. Nothing innappropriate.)

Thanksgiving Memories

For more detailed descriptions, see yesterday's post. But...I do want to point out a couple of more things:
- Justin made the pumpkin pie (and he hates it!). I only read the instructions but he put it together!
- That turkey was 25 lbs! It could feed up to 18 people!








Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Festivities

Whew. I finally find myself with a few minutes to take a deep breath and blog. (Pictures to come very soon!!!)



I think the best way for me to document what has happened over the past few days is by listing it in "bulleted" form. So here goes:



Wednesday:

- Had the day of work and was able to sleep in (finally!) til 9 am or so.

- Met up with my mom, sister and her 2 kids, and went shopping at K-Mart and the Dollar Store. There is no way on this planet I will step foot in a store on Black Friday unless absolutely neccesary, so shopping the day before is fine with me. And I didn't even get anything!

- We went to Justin's parents house around 4:30 and had a mini-Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberries. Then after dinner, we took Bailey and their 4 dogs for a walk around the neighborhood. Anything to get Bailey to lose some weight! (He's still limping).

- Talked Justin into getting me LEGO BATMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So let's just say that's how my night ended.



Thursday:

- Got up a little earlier than normal and drove to the local dog park to meet up with Justin's parents. Spent about an hour there and Bailey was TIRED!

- After returning home and showering, we went over to my parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner. We got there around 1 and mainly spent the time watching the Cowboys and lounging on the couch. Justin helped me by making the pumpkin pie!!

- We left briefly to run to the store for milk and to get Bailey his dog food, which he promptly scarfed down.

- Dinner was WONDERFUL!!! We had turkey, stuffing, cranberries, corn, squash, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans...and I think that's it!! Talk about a feast! Lots of laughs were shared, of course, and dessert was just as good with apple and pumpkin pies. I feel like I don't have to eat again for a month!



And the best news???? That I get to put my Christmas wreath together this weekend!!! And start decorating! I think Justin and I will be going tree shopping this weekend too - I can't wait! And I can finally listen to Christmas music and not feel guilty. I'm so thankful for a 5 day weekend!!



Hope the holiday was wonderful for you! Have a safe weekend! (And NaBloPoMo is almost over - and I've posted every single day!!)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Broken internet

Justin had to fix the internet and I haven't set up the new password. So I'm actually posting from my Blackberry.

But I had Day 1 of Thanksgiving today and took a lot of pictures. And Day 2 is tomorrow. So check back for a great post!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Dream Forecast


This is my dream forecast. All I could ask for would be for those percentages (chance of precipitation) go UP in the next few days - and not down!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Christmas FAIL

I admit it. I broke down. I broke a lifelong tradition.

I blame it on the unpredictable Colorado Springs weather and Pandora internet radio.

This morning, I woke up to a very cold, hazy mountain view. I threw on my pea coat and headed in to work. As I'm driving down the main street, I can see little snow flakes falling down in front of me! The morning continues, of course, and the sky gets foggier, and the flakes get bigger and come more frequently. It even starts sticking to the ground!

I don't have windows in my office, but we have a Webcam on our roof, and I was able to keep an eye on the "storm". And then I broke down.

I played Christmas music.

I couldn't help it!! I get streaming Christmas music on my phone and it was snowing!! I didn't go and help myself to hot apple cider, so it wasn't quite the Trifecta. But I feel that I let myself down because I always, ALWAYS wait until the day after Thanksgiving before playing Christmas music. And I can never take this back!

Oh well...there are worse things. But still - I can't believe I broke down!

*On a side note, my neighbor's music has reached an all time high volume. To the point where I now have a headache from their bass. I have sent in an informal complaint to my apartment complex office asking what I can do and what actions they can take. I would like to remain anonymous, because I still have to live above them and I don't want to feel uncomfortable in my own home. If they can keep my complaint anonymous, and if they impose fines, then I will go through with a formal complaint. It's getting to be rediculous. I can't even hear my own tv that's 5 feet away from me when they're playing their music.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

More Saturday details...

Sorry about the very abrupt post last night!! I was busy all day and realized at 11:30 that I really wanted to get my post in for the day, even if I did cheat a little bit. :) But...I did post twice on one day a few weeks ago, so I would still officially get 30 posts in 30 days. This is harder than I anticipated it would be, and I even mentioned that I wouldn't have a problem! I have posted every day, but I'm not totally proud of most of my posts - I really pride myself on coming up with what I feel are creative or fun posts, and some of them have been very boring.

So about yesterday...

I was able to get up early for me on a Saturday, probably around 8:30. I made myself some breakfast and Justin drove up to Woodland Park to go fishing with his dad. I took my time getting chores done around the apartment, and it couldn't have been nicer! 30 - 45 minutes of cleaning swapped with 30-45 minutes of Lego Star Wars. Before I knew it, I was hungry. Thought that was weird, until I realized it was 1:15! What happened to my morning!

I fixed myself lunch, then continued the cleaning/video game cycle from the morning. About 4-ish I drove to Sears to return a few items, and then drove over to my parents to greet my sister and her family and have dinner. I swear, her kids get cuter every time they visit! Now I'm totally pumped for Christmas in Dallas!! Then I get to see even MORE family, and all at once!

I got home around 8:30 and just chilled at the apartment until 11:30 or so before writing my mini-blog and going to bed. It was a great Saturday - I was able to relax and do absolutely nothing, AND feel that I got some work done and fit in social time too. The perfect mix and a perfect Saturday.

Today, I slept in a little later and have been watching the Cowboys for an hour or so. I'll be going to lunch with Justin, his parents, and his brother and his girlfriend. Not really sure what this afternoon holds, but I'm sure I'll enjoy another day of relaxing.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Family in town

My sister and her husband finally arrived today! I went over to my parent's house and ate dinner with them and played a little bit. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures, but I fufilled my NaBloPoMo for the day! Much much more tomorrow!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Television...again?

I have mentioned these shows once before, but I'm just addicted to them!

1) Man vs. Food - Adam Richman - Travel Channel -
This show is just plain awesome!!! He travels around the states looking for the biggest, spiciest, craziest food dishes. He always goes and experiences a few other local places first before visiting his challenge destination, and it's always interesting to see recipes behind interesting and unique dishes. Plus, he's really funny! A marathon was on a few days ago, and I just couldn't turn it off!

2) Ghost Adventures - Travel Channel -
I started to watch this on Halloween as a way to kind of "get into the mood". Apparently, it was a marathon, and I stayed up until 2 am watching episodes! I don't really feel like I believe, but it's very intriguing to hear the stories and at least digest the "proof" that they collect.

If you have cable, I highly recommend tuning in to the Travel Channel and watching these shows!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Hooray for new discoveries!

I know that I’m about a year behind everyone else but I just discovered the magic of Cuties Clementines! Why did no one rave about them to me sooner?!!? Someone at work bought them to share, and originally I was turned off. I don’t normally like peeling and cutting my own oranges. And I hate seeds!

But after being informed that not only do they come seedless, and in pieces, I decided to suck it up, peel a clementine and try. The first bite was AMAZING!! You bite into a little individual piece and the orange juice just squirts out and it’s just yummy!

Justin’s mom went shopping a week or two ago, and bought a huge bag at CostCo, and graciously gave us half! We were on the verge of running out when the same co-worker who turned me on to Cuties called and let me know she had brought in more! It made my day!

I just enjoyed a Cutie actually, and now my office smells like citrus and it makes me happy! Hooray for the little things!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Still love those Legos


I know I’ve talked about it before, but I really love the Lego video games!! I currently only own Indiana Jones and Star Wars, but Batman has continued to elude me. And the funniest part is, that was the game I rented in the first place and got me into the Lego games! I found it once at Kohl’s for only 19.99 (since that’s what I paid for the other two) but was “good” and didn’t buy it. Now I’m kicking myself. Because I’ve “beaten” the other two and now can go through it as Free Play. I want a new story!

But this past weekend, I started getting back into Indiana Jones. For some reason, I just really couldn’t get it out of my mind, and now I can’t stop playing! I’ve almost gone through the entire game again! I have 1 or 2 more levels and then I’ll have finished the game. It’s just so addicting!

Anyone have any good/bad comments about the Batman one (if you’ve played it even)? I’m just wondering if it’s worth the money. Probably, since I love the Lego stuff anyway!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Verdict is in...

I'm not sick! After my second "bout" of whatever it was that was bothering me last night, today was totally opposite! It must have been just a 24 hour bug or something.

On another note, my sister and her family come into town on Saturday for a week surrounding Thanksgiving!

And on an upside - I think tonight is the first night in probably a month (I haven't kept an official count) that I CAN'T hear my downstairs neighbor's music and/or tv through the floor!!! Justin and I did spend 2 hours of the evening eating dinner and playing Uno Dominoes (confusing game, by the way!!), so I can't account for the hours between 6 and 8 pm, but it's 9, and *knock on wood* I haven't heard anything! However, when he and I left, for some reason the neighbor's child, who is probably 3-ish, was screaming and banging/kicking their front door. I couldn't tell if it was happy screaming or a temper tantrum, but either way - COME ON!!! Who lets their kid just scream and kick doors???!?!!!? If you have a house, I guess let the kid work it out. But they're in an APARTMENT!! So I guess even though this started off as a positive thing, it became a negative. I should stop doing that!


Since it's finally quiet for one night, I think I'll crack open my non-fiction book that I promised myself I would read and get through one more chapter!!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Sick or not sick?

So - I never get sick.

Seriously, in 3 years of working at my current job, I have only taken 2 sick days. And technically, I was only sick the first day. The second day I was sick for about the first hour, then I was fine. In fact, it's almost been a full year since I've been sick (click here for documented "proof"). So it's hard for me to tell when I'm getting sick, because it's so rare that I get sick, that I don't know what signs to look for! I don't know what my body is telling me!

This morning, I started having small dizzy spells when I was putting on my make-up. I shook it off as just my body waking up. However, when I got to work, it continued. Plus, I also started having a headache that came and went at random times, and when my head hurt, it made my stomach hurt. I just didn't feel normal. The only word I could use was "fuzzy".

It wore off as the day went on, thanks mostly to Ibuprofen, but after dinner, the "fuzzy" feeling came back. So I just don't totally feel right, but I don't think I'm sick. Or getting sick. But I might be? Who knows...I kinda hope so. Because then I can take a few paid days off from work without digging into my vacation time!

And to top it all off, I stubbed my pinky toe on a shoe (yes, a shoe!) and I think it's broken. I can't bend it and it hurts like hell to walk on. Poor me.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Almost missed it!!

It's 9 pm Colorado Springs time, and I almost missed my post! In honor of not missing it, and the fact that it snowed last night, please enjoy my snow pictures!! (And Bailey's "bed rest" proof!



Saturday, November 14, 2009

Miss-Mash Saturday

Didn't do much today, which felt nice. Got up a little early because Bailey had to go out, and watched random movies on tv.

I was able to get out with Justin for a while though. He recently got a brand new phone from Verizon and it had come out of the box with a defect, so I went with him to the store to have it replaced. I will never go to a cell phone store on a Saturday again!! Fortunately, it took only about 20 minutes to talk to a representative and then we were out of there after 10 more!

Then we were discussing lunch options and decided to go to Chilis, since they started back their 2 dine for $20 option. We figured if we went to a place like Chipotle or Panda express, we'd end up paying betwen $7 to $10 a person anyway, and at least at Chili's we'd make sure we got our fair share of food and even have leftovers. Best decision of the day!! He got ribs and I got a Bacon Burger, and between that and the queso with chips, we couldn't even eat our dessert! So yummy - and we ate around 2 pm, so by 8 pm we weren't even hungry for dinner!

Then we went grocery shopping. It's never a good idea to go shopping for food when you're hungry, so we couldn't have gone at a better time. Now I'm settling in to watch a movie or two before Saturday Night Live. Better be good!

Friday, November 13, 2009

So the Christmas story goes...

So the story goes…

I didn’t feel that I would be able to buy my own ticket to Texas for Christmas, and after finding out my parents had already bought theirs, and we hadn’t talked about them getting a ticket for me, I figured I definitely wouldn’t be going.

My dad did call me and let me know that he was feeling sad that I would be the only one not with them at Christmas, and he’d be willing to go halfway on a ticket with me. Unfortunately, things are really tight for me, as well as most other people these days, and I couldn’t even do that. Keep in mind that it would have been a $200-250 ticket, which doesn’t seem like much, but that’s just half!! And the later you buy, the more the prices go up.

So I had come to terms with being the only one out of state for Christmas, and was making plans to do things up here with Justin’s family and trying to get a seasonal retail job. But one day out of the blue, the younger of my 2 older brothers called me. He wanted to let me know he had read one of my Facebook updates where I wrote I wasn’t going home for Christmas. He explained that he really wanted to see me, and wanted to know what days I’d be available to visit, because he wanted to participate in buying me a ticket. I was actually speechless – I didn’t think they would do this. I know they love me, but I was really blown away by the nice gesture.

A few days went by and I wasn’t really expecting to hear from them because money is tight for my siblings as well, and my parents had already spent about $1,000 so far on just getting themselves down there. However, my dad called me last weekend and said, “Did you know your brother was leading a campaign to get you to Dallas for Christmas, and is getting everyone to chip in and buy a ticket? Well, everyone loved the idea and we’d love to buy you that ticket”.

I tell you what; I’ve never felt more loved by my family then when I found out that they had done this. I mean, they’ve come to graduations, and plays, and marching band competitions and things over the years – but this was huge, and really meant a lot to me. I finally purchased the ticket last night at my parents, and I will only be there about 4 ½ days, which is not nearly as long as my parents 8 days, but I’m still grateful that I’ll get to see them all and grateful that I even get to go.

I will see some at Thanksgiving, but this Christmas trip will probably be the last time I will see any of them until Thanksgiving next year. Once a year – that’s how often I get to see my brothers and sister and their extended family. Makes me sad to go, because then when I leave I know it will be another year, but even happier because I get to make the most of it. And leave with memories to last a lifetime. I’ll be telling my grandkids about this Christmas!!!