Blah, Blah, Blog

I wish I could explain why I just haven't had the energy or desire to blog lately. Sometimes I think it's because I don't think blogs are exciting unless they have pictures and well, loading pictures takes time and effort and I just don't feel like it. And I just don't know that I really have anything to say either. But I'm going to try this month to blog every day (excluding yesterday of course) and see if I can meet the challenge. Maybe a few new challenges in my life with get me out of this slump!

So, what's new??!! I spent a few days last week with my brother up in the mountains. I can't post pictures now, but I will in the next few days! We had a great time despite a few unnecessary adventures in our weekend! Just being together, sharing old stories and enjoying the great outdoors was well worth it!!

The day after Ed arrived we took off for the mountains. After a quick stop at the condo, we headed up to show him how much fun snowshoeing was! Well, at the intersection in the town of Montezuma, we should have parked for the journey BUT NO, we thought we'd see if we could go farther up the road. We went a few hundred yards (maybe) and we SANK! A big truck doesn't move that easily and despite trying to push it back downhill, we just pushed it deep into the driver's side rut. The shovel that is always in the back of the car, was well, back at the house! It was taken out because of so much luggage (ah, there will NEVER be no room for that again)! Well as we contemplated what to do, a young women came walking by with her dogs. Although she did not bring 4 burly men with her, she did offer her shovels and her assistance. 4 diggings and 1 1/2 hours later, we were finally out! Thank heavens for good Samaritans (from Indiana)! And at least we were all still laughing!

We did manage a short snowshoe trip to the beaver ponds before the sun began to hide behind the mountains. I think Ed enjoyed it and I'm guessing he'll agree to do it again someday - just don't drive up a road not plowed!

Want to read more of our adventures? Come back tomorrow!!! :)

Beautiful day!

Oh what a beautiful day it was for snowshoeing! We took a drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park and went playing in 8" of new snow! The temps were warm and the sun was shining! Too bad I over-dressed because I was sweating so bad I had a melt down just shy of the lake! When we finally reached The Loch (remember that place Marlene?), I was so happy to finally eat and relax! The fresh air really did us good - I'm exhausted tonight! We figure we went around 6 miles or so - sometimes even blazing our own trail! The hike (or slide) down was the best part!
Tomorrow we're headed up to Summit County (not sure where yet) for another day of skiing! Only a few more good weeks left, so we've got to enjoy the snow while we can! My brother is coming in just under 3 weeks and I'm really looking forward to his visit! We're taking him to the mountains and plan to do a little skiing, maybe some snowshoeing or tubing or just enjoying the views! We never did this stuff as kids, so we have lots to make up for as adults! It will be fun!

New Car

We finally did it - broke down and bought a more economical car! As much as we love our Expedition and are keeping it for towing people and campers, we really needed to give it a vacation! It has 152,000 miles on it and it's 6 1/2 years old! It is in great shape, so it should last us several more years! But to save on gas and mileage, we decided to splurge and get a new car. We choose the Mazda Three - in red! I really wanted the red-rust color, but we couldn't get it with the "moon" roof - they were no where to be found in the Mountain region! And I didn't want to wait 3-4 months to order one. So we settled on the red with black leather interior. It has EVERYTHING but a dishwasher!! Keyless entry and ignition, blue tooth, moon roof, heated seats, and cup holders!!!!!!! Remember when we didn't have those in our cars?! Anyway, it drives really nice and is fairly comfortable. I'm not quite sure I want to take it for really long trips, but that's still to be determined! Anyway, this was our Valentine's present to US this weekend!!! Maybe someday it will be Melanie's and we'll get that little 2 seater sports car!!

Valentine's Day Card

I'm pleased with my simple but popping Valentine's Day card! I like this design so much, I'm using it to create some black/pink cards for a swap I joined. I thought that joining some swaps would pump up my creativity and get me working again. It's done an adequate job I suppose. I still struggle with scrapping to my satisfaction.

CJ Challenge - February

Here is a peek for my CJ friends at my completed challenge for Rocio! It was kind of hard but fun to scrap only journaling! I was definitely struggling after the first 5 or so, but FINALLY they're done!! The thing that was out of my comfort zone was journaling with my own handwriting. It wasn't required, but I thought it would be what she'd want. In the end, I'm pretty happy with the results and hope that she is too! The 10 things about me include... projects, clean, mother. travel, mountains, 20/20, colors, chocolate, college and career! Hope you can read them!

Simple card

Here is a simple card I made last week with a tree stamp. I really liked the paper and have had it in my stash for a long time, so it's time to use it up! I made a few others that were similar, but sent those out to friends! I can never seem to build much of a stash up!

I'm working on the first round of the Circle Journal I'm participating in with my great friends from Seasoned CJ Survivors. Originally it was suppose to be my round, however I gladly gave it up to Rocio who was much more on top of sending out the supplies than I was! I'm really glad for her! I have to journal 10 different things about ME - one on each 4x6 cards. I didn't have much of a problem coming up with the 10 things; I am however having trouble trying to figure out HOW to journal them and make it look like something! I'm sure it will click at some point! I hope soon... I'm getting frustrated!

It's been a long tiring week but I'm really looking forward to skiing or possibly snow shoeing this coming weekend! We got jipped out of it last weekend when our water pipe burst in the basement for the 3rd time in just a few months! Hopefully we've fixed it so that it doesn't happen again but we still have to complete the repair come Spring.

Have a great weekend!

Another Birthday

We're celebrating yet another birthday today... Dan celebrated his day by skiing by himself! He didn't have to wait for anyone; didn't have to listen to anyone complain; and he had a fantastic day! He was home in plenty of time for a nice lobster ravioli dinner and soon we will be off for ice cream at our NEW Baskin Robbins!! (Now if only we could get a Dunkin' Donuts!)

Colorado is now in another deep freeze and we're not looking forward to some cold days ahead. Fortunately I will be getting a ride to the office the next few days and won't have to freeze on a bus corner. This is the first week of my new schedule and so far, it's OK. No more bus from Castle Rock, instead I have to rely on my chauffeur's! I'm not thrilled, but what can you do?!

I made this card by embossing the guitar and thought I might copy it for a card swap. I haven't done one of those in a long time. I'm looking for a new challenge again!!! Any suggestions?