June 14, 2015

Back in the Saddle

No....no horses for me but I made myself go on a hike on Saturday. I had to get back on that "horse" and overcome my newfound fear of nature due to the rock slide I was in a few weeks ago while on a hike. We spent this weekend in Steamboat Springs and Don convinced me to hike. It was a simple trek to Fish Creek Falls and they were magnificent because of the Spring runoff. Of course we couldn't just stop there - no we needed to go to the top of the Falls where we lost the trail a few times but we didn't come across any dangerous situations this time. To be on the safe side I found that one could appreciate the Falls ten feet from the edge just as fine! 

There was a girls softball tournament in Steamboat this weekend so our campground was full of families and lots of teenage girls. I have never seen a KOA so busy in the evening - kids everywhere riding bikes, swimming, and running around. We had a fun time sipping wine in our lawn chairs and yelling at them to "stay off our lawn!" 

Maggie enjoying the Falls

Ok Nature is still cool!

June 12, 2015

On Vacation

It's been awhile since my last blog because I have embraced being on vacation with open arms! This was my first full week of vacation and I enjoyed having limited deadlines and the ones I had were for fun. I did make myself do laundry (when I start running out of clothes you know there is a problem!) and go to Costco. It had been so long since I'd been there that two different employees asked what event I was catering...! However, I had a wonderful lunch with my friends Cheri and Lynne - who were my outstanding paras this year (we missed you Caroline!) I also hosted Knitting Club this week and today my childhood friend Colleen came over with her grandson Jack. It was wonderful to reconnect with friends and take the time to just visit.

Summer is grand!

Cheers to Cheri, Lynne, and Caroline!

Max and Jack. Max  found that the safest place to be when an 18 month old boy is running around is the kennel!

June 7, 2015

Leaves of Hope

This morning Don and I (and the dogs) joined many of Don's coworkers to participate in the Leaves of Hope Run/Walk. This event was sponsored by Cancer Centers of Colorado at Lutheran Medical Center and Lutheran Medical Center Foundation and began at the hospital in Wheat Ridge. This was Max's first 5K and he was really into it! Although Don and I were just walking, he ran like he was being chased by wild animals!  Actually, he was probably trying to get away from all of the moving feet around him and to keep up with his sister. Every once in awhile I would plop him into my "crazy dog lady" puppy pouch when he looked tired but he made it most of the way.

 It was wonderful to see all of the cancer survivors in their purple shirts, celebrating life. What a gift all of us have to be able to get out of bed and walk 3.1 miles on a beautiful Colorado morning. Of course this event made me appreciate life and remember my loved ones who were not cancer survivors. Especially since our walk took us past the hospice where my good friend Cathy lost her battle. I miss you Cathy, sister Pam, and friend Leslie.....!

5K Action Shot!

Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital contingent

June 5, 2015

Be Prepared

Experiencing the bad storms that we have had lately, prompted me to contemplate my current emergency plan in case the electricity should go out. I do my best thinking in two places, one being on the couch. Maybe I should dig out all of my candles and make sure there are matches or lighters strategically placed around the house. Where are the flashlights and do they have working batteries? Maybe I should go buy one of those weather radios. But wait......I do have candles out, I just need to grab the remote and ...wallah...the battery powered candles turn on! Also who needs a flashlight when I have one on my iPhone? Weather alerts magically appear on my phone and iPad. I also have back up battery pack for it and my iPad. Emergency preparedness is looking a little different in 2015. My only remaining problem is I don't have a battery powered blow dryer but I do have a hat....

June 4, 2015

Something I Will Never Do

Tonight Paige talked me into watching Naked and Afraid. Yes I've heard of it but have never actually watched an episode. I don't get it. Why would anyone want to be stranded -naked -on an island with a complete stranger for 21 days with no food, water or room service? They don't even win a prize if they make it! Okay, it is a great weight loss idea - your pixelation would reduce in size after the first 10 days or so but other than that what is the point? And another thing - I know how dirty you get from camping with clothes on so I can only imagine how dirty you would get - everywhere -sans garments! The producers addressed that tonight by making the participants swim out to the ship so they would clean up a bit before they let them board. Yep, the only island I will be dropped off on will have Ricardo Maltabon greeting me in my new vacation ensemble! 

June 3, 2015

Two Keys and a Fob

The End. Today I checked out, turned in my keys and said a final goodbye to Fremont Elemetary. I have been there for six years - three years full time and three years halftime. It was my first Teacher Librarian job and because of all of the great people I worked with there and all of the wonderful teaching opportunities that I have had there, this school will always have a special place in my heart. Change is hard but I am already feeling the relief that I can now just concentrate on one school, one staff, one population of students, and one library to manage. Also, my pants may stay up better because instead of a handful of keys, I'm down to two keys and one fob. I will always remember that Fremont gave me wings and the inspiration to Soar!

I will miss this wall that Tracey painted for me!

June 2, 2015

The Desk Stops Here

Don and Akex have been playing a game of desk shuffle that I inadvertently created a few years ago. After a couple of years at Fremont the first time, I purchased a desk for my library office that Alex kindly put together for me.That next Spring I found myself having to relocate to another school so Don disassembled and reassembled it at the new school. The Spring after that, I was able to return to Fremont and...you guessed it...Alex had the honors of moving the desk back. 

Today it was Don's turn again to move it to Stott. This is probably the desk's last move because, like me, it is showing signs of wear and tear from all this upheaval! My husband may not be the most romantic but he showed a true act of love by being willing to perform -after a long day at work- as a furniture constructor and mover in his dress pants and shirt at two facilities with the air conditioners turned off! What a guy!