New Beginings

I always see the new year as a new slate, a new begining and, a time to re-evaluate the past year. I suppose it is because I have a birthday right around the begining of the year. I know better that to make new resolutions, but still I can't help but want to do better next year.

I remember Mom making that a goal for several years while I was growing up. I also remember how foolish her children thought that goal was, only because perfect is so subjective. But subconsciously I must have bought into the process, after all she was my mother and in my mind she could do no wrong. So, perhaps this will be the year that I don't strive towards my own definition of perfection.

Still, I want to eat better and exercise more effectively. I also want to be less critically and more sensitive, to think before I speak, and of course, to be kind to those, who annoy me the most. I can't help it, I am what I am.

I kind of went shopping crazy this year, I know it was wrong, but still it has been so long since I spent so freely.

Which brings up my next point. I bought a bunch of CDs from Amazon (still not ready to download songs). One of the albums I got was Rodger Miller and one of the songs he sings is 'Me and Bobby McGee.' I love that line about 'freedom, just another word for nothing more to loose.' I also got a Merle Haggard album, and the line that I like best on that album is 'A one and only rebel child from a family meek and mild.' The name of the song is 'Mama Tried.'

I guess my point is the song writers are poets and even thought the words are simple they really speak to the soul.

So, I guess, I am not so sorry I spent so much money, because I really did feel something in my soul that I haven't felt in while (guess my soul can be bought). Food for the soul is not always free.

One of the new books I got was "Inside of a Dog.' So far it has been fairly interesting. Dogs see blue, but red looks yellow or green to them.

Meaning of Christmas

I know I am getting old and cranky. Because I feel slightly offended when I heard folks saying the meaning of Christmas is spending quality time with friends and family. So, here I am spending quality time with friends on the 18th

Over the River and Through the Tunnel

We thought it would be nice to spend Thanksgiving in UT this year so we took the dog and went grandma's house. Dinner was at Nikki's house. I don't know what was wrong with my picture taking skills that day. I must have been subconsciously intimidated by Nikki. Anyway here are the 'best' pictures I took that day. As you can see a good time was had by all.

Tree Shopping

I can't believe that it is only three weeks Christmas, where did the time go? So many things to do, so little time. We lost our internet access Friday moning. We tried everything we could to fix it and finally ended up calling Qwest. Qwest was able to do a remote diagnosis and said that our brand new modem was burnt out. They are coming tomorrow to fix it. Paul and I don't feel we use the internet that much, but we really did miss it this week end. We could not look up who was selling trees for the best price, we did not know how cold it was ou side, we could not get to the bank statement, I could not call kitchenaid on an ordered (Paul's Chrismas present) they messed up, I could aimlessly not check out the price of real estate around the country. Debbie showed up on our doorstep around noon on Saturday, she had been trying to call for two days and was unable to reach us, because the phone does not work without the internet. She wanted to know if I wanted to do lunch, which, of course, I did.

We have a a few cold days, but for the most part the weather has been beautiful. We move the big chair downstairs this morning so we would have room for a tree, then Paul and Brandy went tree shopping , while I went in to work, but the work I was planning to do was unavailable. I still have studying to do for Ecelys training. There is always something that I can work on at work.

Gray Hair and Apple Strudel

We have notice that Brandy now has a gray chin. She is only four, she is way to young to be going gray. It really bothers me when folks dye poodles bright colors, think pink or blue, but would it be so wrong to dye her chin back to it's original color. It is hard to accept the fact that she is no longer a puppy.

Now that winter is upon us, Paul has started making his apple strudel. I really miss it and glad to see it again. It is like revisiting an old friend.

Hare Today Goon Tomorrow

The other day a few of us walked over to Sam's No. 3 for lunch. I had a Gryo. It was delicious! Sam’s #3 is a Mexican-Greek restaurant that is across the street from where I work. I am posting a picture of a cute little meadow bunny enjoying his lunch in front of Sam’s. I think Sam’s would be perfect for the food network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. What can I say, even little bunny foo foo knows this a good place to hang.

A couple of week’s ago a gal at work decided she wanted to take a ‘work out’ class an outside party was offering at my place of employment. She didn’t want to take it alone, so I agreed to take it with her. I should have known better, because it was called ‘Boot Camp, but as she pointed out, the flyer said it was for “all levels.’ Well, the flyer lied, it is not for all levels and at the last minute my ‘friend’ backed out. So, I ended up taking a class that was way out of my comfort zone all by myself. I don’t have a picture of this so you will have to use your imagination.

The room we are using is about a hundred yards and the instructor was having us take turns sprinting across the room. We were suppose imagine that we were being chased by a bear. When to came my turn (I was last) I started out well, until I lost my balance and fell really hard, face first (think belly flop). I skinned both my knees and the arm with the recovering Shingles vaccine. Six people came running to my aid as I explained that it looked worse than it really was, I heard someone murmur “it looks pretty bad.”

After that I think the instructor realized I was the class’s ‘weakest link.’ because he kind of help me when we did the sit ups (which means I had to do them all). I can truly tell you that the five of six sets of eight of set ups are causing me more physical pain than my skinned elbow and knees, but I fell like such a goon for being so uncoordinated. Get it- ‘Hare Today Goon Tomorrow.’



The first picture is of Leslee and
Lisa, the second is of Lisa, Linda and Donna.

Yesterday we had a ‘team building’ lunch. Our supervisor, Linda, took us to Red Robin and then we went across the street to a nail saloon for manicures and pedicures. I had both. I feel so rested. The pedicure chairs are mechanical massage chairs, so while the technican is working on getting rid of your callous, your back is being massaged. See, here is a picture of my freshly painted hands and feet.


Saturday, Terrie and John are having a Halloween party. I was going to get a red sweat shirt and put black dots on it and call myself a lady bug, but Sarah had a better idea. So, now I am going to wear all black and then pin spice names (nutmeg, cinnamon, fennel)on my shirt and call myself a ‘spice girl.’ Cute, huh?

Change is in the Air

Well, the changing weather has brought both good and bad changes. The view from the backyard is at it's best. No need for Paul and I to go to the mountains when the view of the leaves changing colors is more diversified from our own backyard.

The Craft Fairs are upon us now, so my former bar buddies and I have changed our evil ways and now get together to prowl overprices bazaars. Here is Debbie lurking about for something special at the Gateway High School Craft Fair. Can't say what she got, it's a secret.

Here is a picture of Paula, June and Terrie waiting for Debbie to finish shopping. In the background you can see a picture of Bonnie. Bonnie is one of the new trainers, it was a surpise to see her at the craft show. This Craft Show was in the Air Museum of the Rockies, so we got to see the museum stuff as part of the admission fee ($5.00). The museum is pretty cool.

Can't say I got a lot of gifts, but I did but stuff I normally wouldn't. Here is a picture of what I picked up. Home made sausages and garlic sauce for Paul, the honey collected by local bees is for me.


I am not sure this is good change or a bad change, but the city left us a note on the door letting us know even in my redneck slash blue collar neighborhood we are not allowed to park a small pop-up camper on the side yard. So, we posted this morning and within two hours it was gone. I suppose it is a good thing for me and a bad thing for Paul. Paul is depressed because he sold it for $150.00 less than he paid for it. Never the less, I am happy it is gone.

Paul did not like the fire pit we got last year and wanted to put in on line, but my friend, Sarah wanted it so we are taking it to her house this afternoon. Good change for Paul, not so good for me. Then we will take Brandy to the puppie park, good change for her, not so good (boring) for Paul and me. And, if we have time we plan on moving the Rosemary Plant indoors when we get home. Good change for the Rosemary plant, if Brandy leaves it alone.