Last night we had our first combined youth group meeting.
I'm in charge of helping lead the spiritual progression of the teenage girls who attend my church. Unfortunately, the numbers of teenage girls attending our congregation has dwindled. In an attempt to bolster our young ladies we've decided to combine our Wednesday evening youth groups with 2 other groups in our local area.
So last night we had about 65 teenagers all come together and play toilet paper dodgeball together.
It was pure and utter insanity.
Instead of hanging out with the same 10 kids I've spent every Wednesday with for the last 2 years I had a whole crop of new kiddos to get to know. My girls were all excited by the new, cute boys and the boys had a new group to play basketball with. At first, the energy was exciting and intoxicating. Meeting new people always amps up my energy; I live for the balance between excitement and anxiety. It was really exciting for me until I realized (again) that I am no longer the target audience for these gatherings. These kids don't see me as a cool slightly older peer, but as the grown-up. The adult.
And if those kids had been just a little bit less over the moon with excitement then I might have felt a little ripped off. A little neglected. A little...separate.
I'm not a youth. That's for sure. But I donn't really seem to fit with the rest of the adults since I don't have kids of my own.
Sitting squarely in limbo is where I found myself as I swept up spilled popcorn kernels and ripped pieces of TP.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
An official new holiday
Saturday was the first gray, cold, wet day of fall in Colorado. We decided to celebrate the turn of the season by having MAN DAY.
First, we slept in....not necessarily a man-exclusive activity, but I've never met a guy who didn't appreciate a nice lazy Saturday morning.
Then, we played Wii for 5 hours. New game on our brand New TV.
Then, we changed out of pajamas and went to get Denver's best pastrami sandwich. I know it is the best pastrami in Denver because my husband has done an exhaustive search of all the options and this, my friends, was the best.
Went home, took a nap while watching True Grit.
Woke up, finished up an easy but infinitely rewarding home improvement task which appropriately covered us in sawdust.
Ordered pizza for dinner and watched the BYU football game.
Rounded out the night with a Aerosmith Guitar Hero jam session.
First, we slept in....not necessarily a man-exclusive activity, but I've never met a guy who didn't appreciate a nice lazy Saturday morning.
Then, we played Wii for 5 hours. New game on our brand New TV.
Then, we changed out of pajamas and went to get Denver's best pastrami sandwich. I know it is the best pastrami in Denver because my husband has done an exhaustive search of all the options and this, my friends, was the best.
Went home, took a nap while watching True Grit.
Woke up, finished up an easy but infinitely rewarding home improvement task which appropriately covered us in sawdust.
Ordered pizza for dinner and watched the BYU football game.
Rounded out the night with a Aerosmith Guitar Hero jam session.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Personal reminder
Today my coworker complimented my outfit and then said that she thought I always looked so great and had the cutest clothes.
It totally made my day.
Note to self: when I think someone nice about someone I should SAY it. It might just make all the difference in their day!
It totally made my day.
Note to self: when I think someone nice about someone I should SAY it. It might just make all the difference in their day!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Midnight musings
Today my littler sister wrote a really great post about what keeps her up at night. She's pregnant with #3 right now, so most of her nocturnal worries center on the welfare of her little ones.
I have always been a good sleeper. Always. When we were little my parents played a game where they offered a dollar to the kid who fell asleep first. I'm pretty sure I was always the winner...and come to think of it, I was never really reimbursed for my obedience.
Even now, as an adult, I'm a rockstar sleeper. But occasionally something keeps me up.
Money.
It's the only thing that can tear me from my dreams, rob me of slumber and motivate me to sit at the dining room table in my underwear signing checks and licking envelopes.
How about you? What keeps you up at night?
I have always been a good sleeper. Always. When we were little my parents played a game where they offered a dollar to the kid who fell asleep first. I'm pretty sure I was always the winner...and come to think of it, I was never really reimbursed for my obedience.
Even now, as an adult, I'm a rockstar sleeper. But occasionally something keeps me up.
Money.
It's the only thing that can tear me from my dreams, rob me of slumber and motivate me to sit at the dining room table in my underwear signing checks and licking envelopes.
How about you? What keeps you up at night?
Monday, September 19, 2011
One down
Saturday night our friends treated us to free club level tickets at the Rockies game. Usually, I don't really like baseball, but this weekend it was perfect. It wasn't unbearably hot and at the club level the chairs are farther apart and you have a waiter that will bring you food so you don't have to bother the people on the end of the row getting up and down.
And even though our team lost, it was a totally awesome night.
Why?
Well, I'll tell you.
After going to a million games and longingly watching the jumbotron filled with happy smiling faces I FINALLY made it up on the screen! Yep! that's right. If you'd been at the game on Saturday night and looked up in the middle of the 8th inning you would have seen the ear doctor and I going crazy because they'd chosen us! US! to do the macarena in public.
Even cooler?
This morning at work my coworker asked if I was at the game because he saw a girl who looked just like me on the jumbotron!
Scratch that one off the bucket list!
And even though our team lost, it was a totally awesome night.
Why?
Well, I'll tell you.
After going to a million games and longingly watching the jumbotron filled with happy smiling faces I FINALLY made it up on the screen! Yep! that's right. If you'd been at the game on Saturday night and looked up in the middle of the 8th inning you would have seen the ear doctor and I going crazy because they'd chosen us! US! to do the macarena in public.
Even cooler?
This morning at work my coworker asked if I was at the game because he saw a girl who looked just like me on the jumbotron!
Scratch that one off the bucket list!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Favorite NY moment #4
After we'd spent a few hours strolling around the MET we needed a little sugary energy infusion. So, upon the advice of the lovely Sharon, we strolled a couple of blocks over to William Greenberg Desserts. We bought two black and whites and couple of cans of diet coke.
There is only one word for what transpired next.
Nirvana.
At first I was a it skeptical...could this simple cookie have just changed my life? Could I have found a new favorite confection?
Then I became suspicious that everyone around me wanted to steal it and have it for themselves...
For my whole life I thought these cookies were just normal sugar cookies, but they are so much more than that! They are more like a slice of cake that is easy to eat and covered with beautiful chocolate and perfect icing:
Take a look at that beautiful crumb!
We had one every single day we were in the city and right now as I type this I'm craving another!
There is only one word for what transpired next.
Nirvana.
At first I was a it skeptical...could this simple cookie have just changed my life? Could I have found a new favorite confection?
Then I became suspicious that everyone around me wanted to steal it and have it for themselves...
For my whole life I thought these cookies were just normal sugar cookies, but they are so much more than that! They are more like a slice of cake that is easy to eat and covered with beautiful chocolate and perfect icing:
Take a look at that beautiful crumb!
We had one every single day we were in the city and right now as I type this I'm craving another!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Favorite NY moment #3
The first day we were in the city we decided to go on a REAL TOUR of NY. I have to say, I was a bit nervous it would be super touristy and I would regret spending my cash. I was totally wrong. It was awesome. Small group, funny guide, awesome hole in the wall dim sum place that we never would have found for dinner...all in all awesome.
One of our first stops was to see ground zero.
I was a little bit overwhelmed by how fresh the events of a decade ago were in the memory of New Yorkers. Fresh and painful. We walked through St. Paul's churchyard and I was totally overwhelmed by the sense of love and support that ordinary people offered...without any kind of government organization helping them out. I found tears silently rolling down my cheeks as I listened to our tour guide tell us how his mother was supposed to go to her job that morning in a gift shop on the 40-something-ith floor and how her 25 year old boss told her to take the morning off. That 25 year old saved his mother's life.
More than the devastating loss that was experienced that morning, I'll remember the pure charity, unselfish devotion, overwhelming unity and unconquerable spirit of hard work that poured our of our nation following the disaster.
At St. Paul's there is a table were you are encouraged to leave your prayers and thoughts. I wrote this on a card and left it there:
One of our first stops was to see ground zero.
I was a little bit overwhelmed by how fresh the events of a decade ago were in the memory of New Yorkers. Fresh and painful. We walked through St. Paul's churchyard and I was totally overwhelmed by the sense of love and support that ordinary people offered...without any kind of government organization helping them out. I found tears silently rolling down my cheeks as I listened to our tour guide tell us how his mother was supposed to go to her job that morning in a gift shop on the 40-something-ith floor and how her 25 year old boss told her to take the morning off. That 25 year old saved his mother's life.
More than the devastating loss that was experienced that morning, I'll remember the pure charity, unselfish devotion, overwhelming unity and unconquerable spirit of hard work that poured our of our nation following the disaster.
At St. Paul's there is a table were you are encouraged to leave your prayers and thoughts. I wrote this on a card and left it there:
"My prayer is that it does not take another disaster to unify us again"
Friday, September 09, 2011
Favorite NY moment #2
OK, just to preface this. What happened isn't exactly my "favorite" experience in the world, but it just seemed so perfectly iconic New York that I couldn't resist sharing it.
The entire time we were in the city we ate 2 dinners. First dinner usually happened around 6 pm. It was usually at a normal restaurant and in a normal setting. Then we went out and found something fun to do or see and around 10 we were hungry again. This is when second dinner occurred. Sometimes it was 3 huge desserts we shared, sometimes it was piping hot pizza fresh from the oven.
One night after second dinner we were riding the subway back to our hotel. The train was filled with the usual interesting array of people. People chatting, reading, staring off into space, singing along to their ipod, whatever. We pulled up to a stop and an elderly gentleman boarded the train. He took his place standing in the middle of the car, even though there were plenty of empty seats. As soon as the train started he looked around the car, slowly lifted his hand and proceeded to flip off the entire car.
He kept his hand raised and slowly spun on his heel, making sure that everyone in the car had the chance to take in his totally unprovoked message.
The next stop came and he got off the train.
The ear doctor decided that he was probably upset with the fact that the platforms were unbearably hot (underground, no ventilation, 85 degree days and 80% humidity) and the trains were all running slow from construction on the lines.
Considering that, I am inclined to add a nod of agreement to the gentleman's outward expression of frustration.
The entire time we were in the city we ate 2 dinners. First dinner usually happened around 6 pm. It was usually at a normal restaurant and in a normal setting. Then we went out and found something fun to do or see and around 10 we were hungry again. This is when second dinner occurred. Sometimes it was 3 huge desserts we shared, sometimes it was piping hot pizza fresh from the oven.
One night after second dinner we were riding the subway back to our hotel. The train was filled with the usual interesting array of people. People chatting, reading, staring off into space, singing along to their ipod, whatever. We pulled up to a stop and an elderly gentleman boarded the train. He took his place standing in the middle of the car, even though there were plenty of empty seats. As soon as the train started he looked around the car, slowly lifted his hand and proceeded to flip off the entire car.
He kept his hand raised and slowly spun on his heel, making sure that everyone in the car had the chance to take in his totally unprovoked message.
The next stop came and he got off the train.
The ear doctor decided that he was probably upset with the fact that the platforms were unbearably hot (underground, no ventilation, 85 degree days and 80% humidity) and the trains were all running slow from construction on the lines.
Considering that, I am inclined to add a nod of agreement to the gentleman's outward expression of frustration.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Favorite NY moment #1
All I've ever heard is how New Yorkers, and east coasters in general, are a bit cold. Somehow I got a stereotype into my head that they are a bit rude, unfriendly and pushy.
One morning we were sitting on a bench looking at a subway map (my favorite pass time) and trying to chart our course to the closest shake shack. It was early and getting warm. People were out walking their dogs. One guy was on a jog and reached into the pocket of his gym shorts to pull out a piece of paper. Suddenly, a huge wad of cash spilled out of his pocket. The wind caught the errant bills and started blowing them all over.
I expected people to either totally ignore this guy's plight or to bend over and scoop up a bill for themselves.
The total opposite happened.
Every single person in the surrounding area ran around collecting this guys money. People jumped out into the street for a $1 bill. People across the street, on the next block even scooped up the cash and trotted over to return the money to it's rightful owner.
It was the final little push I needed to help me fall head over heels in love with the city.
One morning we were sitting on a bench looking at a subway map (my favorite pass time) and trying to chart our course to the closest shake shack. It was early and getting warm. People were out walking their dogs. One guy was on a jog and reached into the pocket of his gym shorts to pull out a piece of paper. Suddenly, a huge wad of cash spilled out of his pocket. The wind caught the errant bills and started blowing them all over.
I expected people to either totally ignore this guy's plight or to bend over and scoop up a bill for themselves.
The total opposite happened.
Every single person in the surrounding area ran around collecting this guys money. People jumped out into the street for a $1 bill. People across the street, on the next block even scooped up the cash and trotted over to return the money to it's rightful owner.
It was the final little push I needed to help me fall head over heels in love with the city.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Photo Series
I can't tell you how much we loved our trip to New York. People always talk about how great the city is, but I never really got it. I've been to big cities and liked them, but I've officially joined the I (heart) N Y bandwagon.
And is there any better way to document a great trip than through self portraits? I think not.
And is there any better way to document a great trip than through self portraits? I think not.
Times Square
The Met
New Amsterdam Theater
Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
Ferry Ride
Moma
Brooklyn Bridge
Birthday Cake in our hotel
30 Rock
Thursday, September 01, 2011
New York trip prep day 4
The ear doctor and I brainstormed songs all about New York to create a mix tape.
We then went out and found a ghetto blaster.
We plan to bump those tunes all through the streets of NY.
CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF!!!!!!
We then went out and found a ghetto blaster.
We plan to bump those tunes all through the streets of NY.
CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
New York trip prep day 3
Monday afternoon I went over to my friend's house to get my hair cut in preparation for the trip.
When I moved to Colorado 8 years ago I met this really awesome, funny, beautiful girl. I found out she was a hair stylist and gladly cut people's hair in her kitchen. Well, I was new and didn't want to put the effort into finding a salon. Plus, I 've never really been that picky about my haircut.
So I sat in her chair for the first time...and have never looked back.
She is probably the most talented hair stylist I've ever been to. Usually when you get a cute cut and time passes it starts to look a little raggedy. I don't know what it is, but every time she cuts my hair, as time goes by it just looks better and better.
And I love the fact that we've stayed close enough that I can come over and get my hair cut, then have dinner with her family, then play in the grass with her two little boys (4 and 2). Who else gets that kind of special treatment from their stylist?
When I moved to Colorado 8 years ago I met this really awesome, funny, beautiful girl. I found out she was a hair stylist and gladly cut people's hair in her kitchen. Well, I was new and didn't want to put the effort into finding a salon. Plus, I 've never really been that picky about my haircut.
So I sat in her chair for the first time...and have never looked back.
She is probably the most talented hair stylist I've ever been to. Usually when you get a cute cut and time passes it starts to look a little raggedy. I don't know what it is, but every time she cuts my hair, as time goes by it just looks better and better.
And I love the fact that we've stayed close enough that I can come over and get my hair cut, then have dinner with her family, then play in the grass with her two little boys (4 and 2). Who else gets that kind of special treatment from their stylist?
Monday, August 29, 2011
New York trip prep day 2
I told myself that I would attempt to cool it on the scheduling of this trip. I have been known to over plan a vacation and not allow any free moments for relaxation or spontaneity.
But I just couldn't help myself.
We're only in the city for a few days and there are so many things to see and do that I would hate to get there and spend time schlepping around and looking at each other and asking what we should see next. Or even worse, end up eating at some crappy chain restaurant because we didn't take the time to find somewhere amazing to eat. That would be a real tragedy in my book.
So here it is, our plan for the trip. I know it seems a bit detailed, but that's what happens when my type A personality gets a hold of a spreadsheet. Our tickets are purchased and our reservations are made. The good thing about me is that the moment a trip begins my red personality morphs to yellow and I have no problem dropping the schedule entirely.
Is there anything totally awesome that we've missed in our exhaustive research? Something we MUST add to our trip?
But I just couldn't help myself.
We're only in the city for a few days and there are so many things to see and do that I would hate to get there and spend time schlepping around and looking at each other and asking what we should see next. Or even worse, end up eating at some crappy chain restaurant because we didn't take the time to find somewhere amazing to eat. That would be a real tragedy in my book.
So here it is, our plan for the trip. I know it seems a bit detailed, but that's what happens when my type A personality gets a hold of a spreadsheet. Our tickets are purchased and our reservations are made. The good thing about me is that the moment a trip begins my red personality morphs to yellow and I have no problem dropping the schedule entirely.
Is there anything totally awesome that we've missed in our exhaustive research? Something we MUST add to our trip?
Friday, August 26, 2011
New york trip prep day 1
In one week the ear doctor and I will be leaving for our trip to New York and I am R-E-A-L-L-Y excited. There are very few things I love more in life than being away from work with my best friend doing things we've never done before.
In an attempt to convey my excitement I'm doing to do a series about how we're getting ready.
This morning the ear doctor and I decided that we're going to start practicing talking like native New Yorkers. Unfortunately, the most exposure we have to real New York dialogue comes mainly from Seinfeld and movies featuring Brooklyn Mobsters.
So this morning there was a whole lot of "yadda, yadda, yadda" and "fogetaboutit" goin on in our house.
Clearly, we need help.
What other lingo should we be practicing to avoid standing out like the country bumpkins that we are?
In an attempt to convey my excitement I'm doing to do a series about how we're getting ready.
This morning the ear doctor and I decided that we're going to start practicing talking like native New Yorkers. Unfortunately, the most exposure we have to real New York dialogue comes mainly from Seinfeld and movies featuring Brooklyn Mobsters.
So this morning there was a whole lot of "yadda, yadda, yadda" and "fogetaboutit" goin on in our house.
Clearly, we need help.
What other lingo should we be practicing to avoid standing out like the country bumpkins that we are?
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Age appropriate
Yesterday afternoon I was sitting in Panera eating my lunch alone at a table for two. I do this about once a week. Unlike 14 year old Katie now I actually really enjoy sitting by myself in a crowded lunchroom. I like to watch the elderly couples consume their bowls of soup and enjoy the comfortable silence that only people who've lived together for 60 years can create. I like to watch the young moms attempt to wrangle their toddlers and convince themselves that the $5 peanut butter and jelly sandwich that sits uneaten doesn't annoy the crap out of them. I like to see the other people like me, taking a break from work, eating a meal alone.
But yesterday as I was sitting there at my usual table I looked up and made eye contact with an elderly gentlemen. I was about to politely look away, when I noticed the corners of his mouth turn up. Then he gave me the most perfect wink I've ever seen.
It wasn't creepy and it wasn't paternal in the slightest. It was flattering and I actually felt myself blush the tiniest bit.
What is it about the men of the greatest generation? They effortlessly wear a fedora without any of the pretense that radiates off most 20-something hipsters who attempt to don the accessory. They seem strong, independent, honest, real.
Or maybe it's just that my own grandpa is an amazing man, and I transfer my perception of him onto every like-aged gentlemen I see?
But yesterday as I was sitting there at my usual table I looked up and made eye contact with an elderly gentlemen. I was about to politely look away, when I noticed the corners of his mouth turn up. Then he gave me the most perfect wink I've ever seen.
It wasn't creepy and it wasn't paternal in the slightest. It was flattering and I actually felt myself blush the tiniest bit.
What is it about the men of the greatest generation? They effortlessly wear a fedora without any of the pretense that radiates off most 20-something hipsters who attempt to don the accessory. They seem strong, independent, honest, real.
Or maybe it's just that my own grandpa is an amazing man, and I transfer my perception of him onto every like-aged gentlemen I see?
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Getting the timing right
Last night when the ear doctor came home I was sitting on the couch, watching Rizzoli and Isles unpicking 3 seams. I've been working on creating a masterpiece of a dress and it just wasn't coming out right. The gathers were all uneven, the plaid pattern wasn't matching up perfectly, my top stitching couldn't walk a straight line if the chief of police pulled it over and asked it to.
I'd cocooned myself on our big leather couch with pillows stacked up to either ear, my feet propped up and my body covered with rumpled, yellow-and-brown plaid, poor quality work.
And I was feisty.
The weird thing about me is that sometimes when I'm feeling feisty I don't even know it. My emotions work about 3 times faster than my reason.
So when the ear doctor walked in the door and started asking me what was wrong I snapped at him. I unintentionally ignored him. I finish unpicking my seams, tossed my seeming failure of creation aside and went to look at my garden. Which is FULL of weeds. And the tomato plant that is actually producing fruit had slumped off it's cage and those green little beauties were sitting in the mud. After stomping around the garden a few time I came in and was enraged by the dishes we'd left linger in the sink from the day before. I testily grabbed the scrubber and started tackling the pile.
And the ear doctor through this? Looked at me like I was insane. Probably because I was. My brain had yet to catch up with my temper. When he, again, kindly asked what was wrong with me I totally lost my mind. I was mean to my sweetheart. I was snarling for about 3 minutes...until I looked up at his perfectly sky blue eyes and my brain caught up to my soul.
I wasn't mad at him at all. I was stressed out with my job and defensive because I knew I was taking my fury out on the one person in the world who never deserves that. And I started hysterically laughing at myself.
Two minutes later I was sobbing in his arms and apologizing for the mismatch in timing from my heart to my head.
I ate some dinner and put myself to bed early.
And at 3 in the morning when I couldn't fall to sleep I decided it was the perfect time wage an epic steamroller battle.
Do you know the game steamroller?
Anyway, the point is that I'm learning to work out the timing between my emotions and my reason. Trying to feel slower and think faster.
I'd cocooned myself on our big leather couch with pillows stacked up to either ear, my feet propped up and my body covered with rumpled, yellow-and-brown plaid, poor quality work.
And I was feisty.
The weird thing about me is that sometimes when I'm feeling feisty I don't even know it. My emotions work about 3 times faster than my reason.
So when the ear doctor walked in the door and started asking me what was wrong I snapped at him. I unintentionally ignored him. I finish unpicking my seams, tossed my seeming failure of creation aside and went to look at my garden. Which is FULL of weeds. And the tomato plant that is actually producing fruit had slumped off it's cage and those green little beauties were sitting in the mud. After stomping around the garden a few time I came in and was enraged by the dishes we'd left linger in the sink from the day before. I testily grabbed the scrubber and started tackling the pile.
And the ear doctor through this? Looked at me like I was insane. Probably because I was. My brain had yet to catch up with my temper. When he, again, kindly asked what was wrong with me I totally lost my mind. I was mean to my sweetheart. I was snarling for about 3 minutes...until I looked up at his perfectly sky blue eyes and my brain caught up to my soul.
I wasn't mad at him at all. I was stressed out with my job and defensive because I knew I was taking my fury out on the one person in the world who never deserves that. And I started hysterically laughing at myself.
Two minutes later I was sobbing in his arms and apologizing for the mismatch in timing from my heart to my head.
I ate some dinner and put myself to bed early.
And at 3 in the morning when I couldn't fall to sleep I decided it was the perfect time wage an epic steamroller battle.
Do you know the game steamroller?
Anyway, the point is that I'm learning to work out the timing between my emotions and my reason. Trying to feel slower and think faster.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Birthday Recap
I'm going to try hard not to make this a brag-about-my-awesome-husband post, but I don't really see that there's any way around that.
Simply put: he is amazing and made my birthday perfect.
Friday afternoon we went out for lunch at my very favorite sandwich spot in Denver. Fantastic. Their hot ham and swiss is so melty and delicious that juice runs down my chin every time. Then, we packed up and headed to the mountains. He'd found us the cutest little cabin tucked beside a pond up in the beautiful Rocky Mountains above Idaho Springs. We fished, caught big beautiful rainbow trout and grilled them up for dinner. We watched the sun go down and he brought out a little, adorable lemon curd cake and sang me happy birthday.
Saturday morning we slept in. The first thing I did when I woke up was run over to my phone to see if anyone had already called and left a message on my phone. It was then that I realized my phone was totally dead and I'd forgotten the charger! TRAGEDY! My birthday is the one day a year I keep that phone with me all day and answer all the incoming well-wishing calls.Bummer.
We packed up our stuff and headed farther up the mountain to Echo Lake. This place was beautiful. Stunning. If you haven't been to Colorado before and want the full experience, go here. It is breathtaking. We drove up the highest paved road in North America to the top of Mt. Evans which stands at 14,240 feet. It was at the top of this mountain that he handed me a letter he'd written. A letter expressing his heart.
Then, he handed me a letter written by my mom.
Then one from my dad.
Then he explained that he'd hacked into my email account and send out emails to most of my close friends and family asking them to write me a letter telling me what they thought about me. All day long he kept handing me letter after letter from people I love most in this entire world. Each one brought laughter and tears. Seriously, I don't think I've ever felt more love.
I slid each one into a plastic protector in a beautiful green album.
It is something I will CHERISH for the rest of my life. One of the 4 things I will grab if my house is ever on fire.
Simply put: he is amazing and made my birthday perfect.
Friday afternoon we went out for lunch at my very favorite sandwich spot in Denver. Fantastic. Their hot ham and swiss is so melty and delicious that juice runs down my chin every time. Then, we packed up and headed to the mountains. He'd found us the cutest little cabin tucked beside a pond up in the beautiful Rocky Mountains above Idaho Springs. We fished, caught big beautiful rainbow trout and grilled them up for dinner. We watched the sun go down and he brought out a little, adorable lemon curd cake and sang me happy birthday.
Saturday morning we slept in. The first thing I did when I woke up was run over to my phone to see if anyone had already called and left a message on my phone. It was then that I realized my phone was totally dead and I'd forgotten the charger! TRAGEDY! My birthday is the one day a year I keep that phone with me all day and answer all the incoming well-wishing calls.Bummer.
We packed up our stuff and headed farther up the mountain to Echo Lake. This place was beautiful. Stunning. If you haven't been to Colorado before and want the full experience, go here. It is breathtaking. We drove up the highest paved road in North America to the top of Mt. Evans which stands at 14,240 feet. It was at the top of this mountain that he handed me a letter he'd written. A letter expressing his heart.
Then, he handed me a letter written by my mom.
Then one from my dad.
Then he explained that he'd hacked into my email account and send out emails to most of my close friends and family asking them to write me a letter telling me what they thought about me. All day long he kept handing me letter after letter from people I love most in this entire world. Each one brought laughter and tears. Seriously, I don't think I've ever felt more love.
I slid each one into a plastic protector in a beautiful green album.
It is something I will CHERISH for the rest of my life. One of the 4 things I will grab if my house is ever on fire.
After the mountain climb we drove home and he took me to dinner at Fruition. If you ever plan a trip to Denver, this place should be on your list of places to eat. It is fantastic. And I know you have to get a reservation 2 months in advance so the ear doctor has probably been planning this forever.
After the best meal in recent memory, we came home and I opened my last letters and his gift. His gift was a new Vera Bradley trip kit. Inside was a travel book for New York! He got us tickets to be in New York for almost a week over Labor Day! I have never been to the city before and can't wait to go!
All in all, a FANTASTIC way to celebrate my first 30 years of living on this planet.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Unexpected mortality check
Today for lunch I sat in the middle of a crowded fast-casual restaurant at a small table all alone.
I was surrounded by moms with strollers and elderly retired couples. There were teenagers on dates and groups of girls shopping for cheap clothes.
And I sat alone enjoying my spinach salad quite contentedly. Well, the salad was bit overdressed and for $7.50 I had hoped for a few more blue cheese crumbles.
I was really pretty perfectly happy until I decided to aspirate the balsamic fig dressing. Vinegar trying to make it's way into your lungs? Not a great feeling.
As I started coughing and hacking I looked around to make sure I wasn't bothering someone.
And guess what? No one even glanced my way!
I wonder if those happy lunch goers would have let me DIE sitting right there in the middle of the crowded dining room?
The thought was really creepy...and it made me remember why I don't really like eating at Noodles & Co.
I was surrounded by moms with strollers and elderly retired couples. There were teenagers on dates and groups of girls shopping for cheap clothes.
And I sat alone enjoying my spinach salad quite contentedly. Well, the salad was bit overdressed and for $7.50 I had hoped for a few more blue cheese crumbles.
I was really pretty perfectly happy until I decided to aspirate the balsamic fig dressing. Vinegar trying to make it's way into your lungs? Not a great feeling.
As I started coughing and hacking I looked around to make sure I wasn't bothering someone.
And guess what? No one even glanced my way!
I wonder if those happy lunch goers would have let me DIE sitting right there in the middle of the crowded dining room?
The thought was really creepy...and it made me remember why I don't really like eating at Noodles & Co.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Busted
I have a deep, dark, guilty secret.
I freakin love Kraft singles.
I love their slightly rubbery texture, their over salted flavor and I take great joy in peeling off that clingy plastic. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good fancy cheese too...but the kraft singles will always hold a place in my heart.
When we were little my parents bought my sister and I the cheese. We would sneak slices all day long and thought my mom never knew about our pilfered prize...because we stuffed the plastic wrappers between the cushions of the couch.
When she sat in that chair and heard the tell-tale crinkle of plastic wrappers her brains exploded. She ripped the couch apart and picked out every single piece of greasy plastic.
Kraft singles were banned in our house from that moment forward.
I freakin love Kraft singles.
I love their slightly rubbery texture, their over salted flavor and I take great joy in peeling off that clingy plastic. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good fancy cheese too...but the kraft singles will always hold a place in my heart.
When we were little my parents bought my sister and I the cheese. We would sneak slices all day long and thought my mom never knew about our pilfered prize...because we stuffed the plastic wrappers between the cushions of the couch.
When she sat in that chair and heard the tell-tale crinkle of plastic wrappers her brains exploded. She ripped the couch apart and picked out every single piece of greasy plastic.
Kraft singles were banned in our house from that moment forward.
This morning I woke up and found this note, lovingly left for me by my husband on the kitchen counter:
I hope he doesn't decide to ban Nature's Valley granola bars from the house, because I really REALLY like them...
Friday, July 15, 2011
Just a little jealous
Last week we found out that a good friend of ours got laid off from his job.
He and his wife went away for a long weekend to celebrate their anniversary and the morning he got back to work they told him not to come in anymore.
I would totally freak out if this happened to me. I know it's always a possibility, but it just seems crazy to have your security just uprooted so dramatically. To his credit, he's totally taking it like a champ. For the last week he has been a stay at home dad, taking care of their 10 month old baby 24 hours a day.
On Wednesday his wife told me that he was totally going crazy. She asked the ear doctor if he could take her husband golfing this morning. And, since the ear doctor is really great at service and sacrifice he rearranged his schedule and was up bright and early this morning organizing his golf bag and cleaning out his soft spiked shoes.
Instead of getting to go out to the links, I had to haul my sorry buns to work.
To make it worse, my commute takes me right by a huge reservoir where people were out water skiing on glassy water.
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He and his wife went away for a long weekend to celebrate their anniversary and the morning he got back to work they told him not to come in anymore.
I would totally freak out if this happened to me. I know it's always a possibility, but it just seems crazy to have your security just uprooted so dramatically. To his credit, he's totally taking it like a champ. For the last week he has been a stay at home dad, taking care of their 10 month old baby 24 hours a day.
On Wednesday his wife told me that he was totally going crazy. She asked the ear doctor if he could take her husband golfing this morning. And, since the ear doctor is really great at service and sacrifice he rearranged his schedule and was up bright and early this morning organizing his golf bag and cleaning out his soft spiked shoes.
Instead of getting to go out to the links, I had to haul my sorry buns to work.
To make it worse, my commute takes me right by a huge reservoir where people were out water skiing on glassy water.
And then, to really emphasize the fact that I'm working and not having fun I had to drive under people launch hot air balloons!
I know I should be grateful to have a job, and not feel any jealousy at all for someone who unexpectedly lost his. I know that to the depths of my soul. I get it that I am SO lucky to have such a great job that I really do like 90% of the time.
But wouldn't it be fun to golf, or water ski, or ride in a balloon today?
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