Dad,

I just wanted the world to know that I'm the luckiest daughter out there to have a dad like you!  

Happy Fathers Day!!!  See you and Mom very very soon!!!

Love you both, Barb 

Just some randomness delightfulness I wanted to share - 

Qtips says "It's soooo much work being this cute.... "

My first salad with my own home grown greens.  Just like candy!  Well, sort of.... but maybe not really.  Just the best greens I've ever tasted!

More tired cuteness:

Today I had one of those days where the stars, sun and the moon were all aligned.  It was just a beautiful day with more touching moments that seem fitting for one person in one day.  Love was everywhere.  Here is a list - not all inclusive by any stretch - of what made today just so special:

*Waking up to a beautiful cool day after a great night's sleep

*Hearing my friend's 20 month old say "more Barb !" 

*Riding Olde Stage with out stopping

*Warm brownies in Jamestown at the Mercantile with girlfriends

*Watching nature everywhere, the deer grazing, the Magpie chasing the Fox, the horses grazing, the river roaring 

*The hummingbirds trilling while I did yard work

*Playing with the dogs at the park

*Time with the niece and nephew at the Iris garden while inhaling the delicate scent of the stunning flowers

*Watching the sky continually change 

*Listening discretely why the kids practice saying "Barbara" in the back seat...personally I prefer Aunt Barb, but I guess they need to practice linguistic skills!

*Snuggling with my god child as she woke from her nap 

*A long, long soak in the tub

*Talking to my mom and my sister on the phone (well, that's almost every day, but still is special!)

*Coconut curry chicken for dinner

*Well used, tired yet happy muscles 

*Relaxing in my living room with some of my favorite men...the guys on Deadliest Catch! 

 Blessed, that's what I am.  

Today my mom mentioned that she was tired of London and reminded me I was quite overdue in updated my blog...so, like any good daughter here I am...posting. 

It feels like the month of May has been lost to me.  We had a big deliverable at work that has consumed close to all my time.  I'm not exaggerating...Maybe you are thinking, really Mountain Girl, even one tiny little bit?  Nope...working till 11pm many a night, full day's and then some on holiday weekends?  I'm not saying this to complain one little iota about my job, because I really do like it and I am just THRILLED to have a job, but to remove any doubt!

Ok, back on track.  May, pthh.  Gone. I'm still wondering what happened to April.  I know I did get a trip to London and a couple of free days (thank goodness!) and I did participate in the Bolder Boulder (painful!  lack of training) but I'm anxious to get my life back in balance.  We "delivered our deliverable" yesterday in a 27 hour trip out and back to the Bay Area and it went well (woo hoo!!  thankful that the hours paid off!!)

Today I'm working from home...relishing this perk more than you might imagine.  Running clothes, windows wide open with a beautiful breeze, unkept hair, basking in the unconditional love of the fur babies.   Yup, this is a nice start back to balance.  

And Mom,  I'll get some pictures posted soon of the garden!  I can't wait to see it myself after all the rain we had...

After a ten hour flight I landed back in Denver Friday night.  The trip to London was successful on all accounts....I had a couple of days to recover from jet lag and to see some sights, and then long, but good meetings.  

Here are some pictures of the sightseeing part of my trip -

First, Big Ben and the House of Parliament, and me... 

The Tower Bridge and the Thames:

 Winchester Cathedral

 Mill in Winchester

 More Winchester Cathedral 

Today is snuck off with the niece-ette for some Auntie Barb fun time.  And, yes, we did have a nice afternoon. 

Our rirst stop was at our community garden plot.  The rotertiller guy is coming this week and the stepping stones left by the previous plot "owner" needed to dug up and moved, along with tending to our baby pea plants getting rid of the nasty weeds.

As I dug up the old walk way Elizabeth just marveled at the life under the stones.  Then, she wanted to help with weeding.  For every weed I dug and dropped in the container Elizabeth dumped at least a shovel full of dirt.  I made a newbie auntie mistake and only realized as I went to dump the weed in the composter I needed to dig through a bucket full of dirt to find the weeds.  Next time the little dear gets here own bucket!

Here she is....first DIG: 

 Then DUMP:

 Help with the peas, and finally.....

 ICE CREAM!!!!  

 What a nice day, for me....

This has been inevitable.  And, in spite of that I'm still pouting about the state of my new situation.

Here's the scoop - I've been wearing contacts almost 3/4 of my life.  Yes, a very very long time.  And I've had ZERO problems with them.  I'm lucky...pop them in and go all day.  No issue what so ever.  

Well age has caught up with me.  Literally over the last couple of months I've been on a down hill slide, and not a fun one like when I'm on skis.  The problem is I cannot read or work on my computer if I'm wearing my contacts.  Given I'm chained to my computer most days, this is a problem.  I've been experimenting with reading glasses, or not wearing my contacts.  Both options seem to work, sort of.  But, going back and forth ultimately gives me a headache.

Out of desperation I made an appointment with my eye doctor.  I was positive there must be some solution...maybe now is finally the time for Lasik??  Well, I left there disappointed.  I do have some options, and I will give it a try, but nothing sounded all that rosy.

First, I don't need bi-focals (yet).  I guess this is a good thing.  My eyes work just fine to read, when they aren't corrected for distance.  Lasik won't help.  Apparently if I get them surgically corrected I'll have trouble reading all the time.  My options are:

(1) wearing contacts and using reading glasses as needed,

(2) wearing my regular glasses and taking them off to read,

(3) trying one contact for distance, training my brain to use that eye for distance, coupled with training my brain to read with the other un-corrected eyeball.   

Since I've done 1 and 2 I think I need to try 3....but my brain is really fighting this idea.   People, do you have any other ideas?  I need some encouragement here!  Argh!!!

(Quiet mantra to myself:  at least I can see, thankfully I have my vision, and options....repeat, repeat, repeat...) 

A couple of months ago Mikey, one of the terriers, was diagnosed with a very serious blood disorder.  His red blood cells went crazy, and began procreating at an amazing rate.  He had more than twice the normal quantity of these cells which is life threatening.  

Apparently this disease is very rare.  It was diagnosed more by accident, than on purpose.  He went in for some dermatitis issues and through routine blood work it was discovered.  The symptoms are really subtle...over time he had become more lethargic, lost some weight, and did seem to be drinking a bit more water...but there weren't really any flashing warning lights. 

The good news is that after many, many visits to the vets office for some good old fashioned "blood letting" coupled with a daily medication he's back in the "normal range".  He feels good, and is much sassier than I've seen him in a couple of years.  The downside is the medication has side effects....such as hair loss. He has lost most of his long, crazy hair.  He's down to his soft, downy undercoat....it's taking some time to get used to...he really doesn't look like his 'old self'.  

And, since the medication impacts "hair" and toenails are "hair" they are not doing so good either.  They are all getting ready to fall off, which is very painful, as I know first hand from my chemo experience.  The vet says once they do fall off, he'll feel better, which again I agree with based on my own toenail drama.   I just feel sooo bad.  I really struggle each day when I give him the medicine which keeps him alive and spunky, only knowing it's causing him toe distress.

BEFORE:  

NOW (and I know, he is still incredibly cute handsome!):  

I really don't know how parents manage when they have kids with cancer or other such illnesses....it must be excruciatingly painful to take the little ones to infusion centers to kill the bad stuff, which also makes them really sick to boot.  I completely understand it's to save a life, but still, very, very painful.

Maybe some day we'll live in a world where all this pain will be a thing of the distant past??? 

As a Michigan State Alum I'm really excited to see the Spartans in the NCAA Final 4 Championship game.  I would be lying, fibbing and telling a huge mis-truth if I even implied I follow my Spartans on a routine basis (or on even a once in a while basis).  

Regardless, Woo Hoo!  I started paying attention as they began moving through the bracket, and now I'm just as excited as most.  Unless you count my Brother-in-Law.  He loves loves loves Michigan State sports...it's his "thing".  So, guess who is in the picture below....all ready to get in the stadium and support MSU???

Really, aren't they just the cutest??? 

I am such a proud mama!  I have seedlings!  

I am just amazed at how quickly seeds turn into sprouts which turn into little delicate plants.  I can just taste the Pico De Gallo I'm going to make with my just harvested tomatoes, peppers and cilantro....my mouth is watering.  

......and bestest friends....

Emma insisted she wear here mommy's alma-mater's colors this morning in light of the big basketball game tonight.  

I have to admit I don't usually follow sports, but this time of year it's hard not to pay attention to the NCAA tourney.  And, Michigan's economy is so sour the state really needs a reason to get excited and take people's mind of the tremendous level of unemployment....So, GO Green, GO White!  Make the state of Michigan Proud!!! 

Well, if you ask the IRS apparently even more than I've already paid....by alot.  

As you might guess I just got the bad news from my tax guy.  It isn't pretty.  Apparently it is far more expense to file as a single person than a married one.  

After the bad news, I made a mistake....a big one.   Here's what I did:

I sat down with a calculator and added how much money I personally pay in taxes and it was STAGGERING.  The easy part to add up was the thing right on my W2....then I moved on to property tax, vehicle tax, etc.  My STAGGERING number didn't even include other taxes that I don't keep track of like sales tax, or other taxes buried in my phone bill, my cable bill, and so on.  

This was the mistake.....pulling my head out of the sand.  In some cases I think we are far better off just not having much of an idea in total is...bottom line I am a bit overwhelmed, and I am just SO GLAD I HELPED THE AIG EXECS get their BONUSES!!!!!  

Yes, I am still MAD as HECK about this, and all the other shenanigans going on - people with absolutely no moral fiber ripping off the rest of us.  I better log off before I say something I'll regret later.... 

I spoiled myself last week with two decadent vacation days with the sole purpose of just skiing.  Add to that Saturday and Sunday on the mountain and my body is just pooped.  In a very good way of course, but toast.  Thursday I taught, Friday I did Alpine and Nordic, Saturday skied hard, hard, hard, and Sunday was too tired to even really look at my gear.  I did some runs that I've never done before and found some great powder...amazing given the temps.

And, now this week.  Not complaining but tons of work.  All day face to face meetings.  Today was a good 12 hour day, and tomorrow we kick off at 7....am....yes, in the morning.  With dress shoes on.  No yoga clothes.  No ski gear like Friday

I'm in Vegas for work.  I'm on a panel at the Reverse Logistics Association trade show. Just a quickie visit, because I am really not a big fan of Las Vegas.  Since I've been here, I've walked 12 miles in high heels...and that is just to get from my room to the conference center at the hotel.  I've hid in my room to avoid the smoke and I've paid way too much for just about everything.  

So, when I decided last night to take in a show I wasn't surprised at the ticket price.  It was, shall we say, extremely steep.  I was wondering, was the Cirque D'Soleil show "O" really worth $170.00?  How could it be?? But, given I've wanted to see this show since the first time I heard about it, I dug deep into my debit card and got a ticket.  

And now, the morning after, I am still stunned.  I cannot even find the words to describe "O".   I'm not sure what impacted me more, maybe it was the element of water?  (The show centers on a pool, if you can call it that, so water is a central theme).  It was just beautiful, mesmerizing, fantasy land, funny, and staggeringly "O".  

I'm gonna sign off now because as I said, words escape me.   It was worth every penny of the $170 bucks...

She is loving her vacation!  Little love bug!

Welcome 2009!  Can you believe 2008 has come and gone.....?  I can't....it seems like just yesterday we were all worried about an electronic meltdown in Y2K....

It's been a full and wonderful 2 days - one ushering out 2008 and then welcoming in 2009.  New Years Eve was action packed, starting at O'Dark Thirty at the pool where my swim coach worked us hard, followed by a mani-pedi with the kid's mom, then up to Eldo for some cross county skiing, followed by a night with friends playing Wii.  Yesterday was more of the same, with some sleeping in, signing up for the 5430 sprint and Olympic Peak Triathlon for the summer, and another tirp to Eldo for cross country skiing with Mrs. Speedy.   

Needless to say my body has been fully worked out and feels beat up wiped out like a noodle.   What a great feeling!  

So here's wishing you all a blessed, prosperous and very healthy New Year!  

PS.  Anyone know where the Advil is???  

Mountain Maggie, Emma's litter mate is back for a two week stay!  You might remember Maggie, who lived with me for a couple of years. She moved back to her previous house when I moved out of the mountains.  We'll, her people went on a vacation and she's staying with me and the pooches for her little get away  

She is lively, as always, and a treat to have here.  Emma's not so sure.  I'm sure she's thinking "how long is she staying this time??"  

I'm enjoying this Christmas season and taking more of a minimalist approach.  While decorating and extravagant gift giving is many people's idea of a great holiday, I'm just not there, it seems like too much effort and isn't really Christmas to me.

I did take some time to put lights on some plants, which I love.

So, other than the plant lights, things were minimal, until today.  For some reason I felt moved to hang stockings.  Maybe it was the need to enjoy some Michigan family traditions since I'm staying in Colorado this Christmas.

My family....what can I say......we are HUGE stocking people.  Over the years Christmas stockings has evolved from filling the actual stockings into stuffing a giant sack (or two) with a Christmas stocking drawn on it.  We all love this.  More fun than I can possibly communicate here....just trust me on this.

At stocking time....usually first thing in the morning still in our jammies.....we find our stockings (giant bags) overflowing with wrapped and amazingly practical and fun gifts.  One might find anything from duct tape to lip balm to scratch lottery tickets.   Who knows, it's really a grab bag and a very special tradition.  I think some of my most favorite gifts have come from the stocking!

So, today I decide it was time to bring out my stocking and the dogs (yes, Emma, Andy and Mikey each have a stocking, shaped like a bone, after all we are dog people!!).  Since I'm planning to be spending Christmas Day with my friend Mack I decided it would be "simple" to make a stocking for him and stuff it Michigan style.  

Here's the problem....I'm not Martha Steward, and I don't even play her on TV.  

It all started out simply....I got a plain stocking and some iron-on transfers.  I had the brilliant idea that I would create iron-on transfers of Mack's dogs and iron them on the stocking, after photo shoping in some little Santa hats and such.  Easy enough, except photo transfers on a red stocking just don't show up...it looks more like a blob.  Ick. 

Ok, hmmm, maybe I have a back up plan....I would print out pictures on photo paper and glue them on, and top things off by writing his name in glitter, held securely by Elmer's glue.  So, back to Michael's for a new stocking.  The back up plan ended up ok....the stocking looks a little grade-school-ish and maybe even tacky, but hey, it's the thought that counts, right?? 

Now, time to hang the stockings.  I ventured upstairs to my disaster area extra room and attempted to find my stocking but to no avail. After a bit of time I decided they must still be in storage!!!  Ick again.

Back to Michael's to get a stocking for me, and three little ones for the dogs.  Bonus, since I was here earlier today mark down's on Christmas stuff has gotten better....from 50% to 60% off!   I got back home and make a stocking for me with my doggies faces, and did my name in glitter too!  

Bummer, somehow I ended up with only two, not three, little stockings for the pooches..... Sounds like I have yet one more trip to Michael's tomorrow.   See, it's not so simple anymore!

And, if you got this far in my post, please wish my AWESOME MOM a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!  Mom, I love you.....

I arrived again at 0'Dark Thirty at the pool for my second swim coaching session.  All I can say is I'm gonna be sore soon, probably real soon.  Head Coach Mike and Assistant Coach Mat (not a typo, one T only) continue to work with me on my stroke.  Apparently I have tons of room for improvement!  Which, I'm thrilled about.  I'd hate to think I swim as slow as I do and was doing everything right....

I know for sure I used lots of muscles today that I've never used in swimming.  I'm confident D3 Multisport will whip me into shape...we haven't even started training in the other disciplines yet!   My "big" event race this year is the Boulder Peak Olympic distance tri....a 1500 meter swim, 42K bike ride (with the infamous climb on Olde Stage road in Boulder with a 15% - 600 ft climb - in under 2/3 a mile), followed up by a 10K run.  All this on July 12!   

You may recall my friend "C" from my October posts asking for your prayers after he was in a really nasty bicycling accident.  Well we had lunch today, and while he still has a long road of recovery, he is doing really good.

He still wears the clamshell body armor when he's up and around, but he doesn't need to wear it all the time.  His biggest issue is muscle fatigue and spasms...not the broken bones.  I think it is because the muscles are having to work so much harder keeping him together since he was so broken up.

Regardless I just wanted to update you all on his progress, and say thank you for the prayers!  They are still working!!!! 

Living in Boulder, the mecca of the uber-athletes,  there are lots of opportunities for regulars Joe's and Jane's (just like me) to get some coaching at really reasonable rates with world class coaches.   I pulled the trigger and decided my swim stoke and overall training regime could really use some professional guidance.  

So, drum roll please, today was the official first day of my official triathlon training for the official 2009 season.  (I know, it's still 2008).  This morning I crawled out of bed at 0'dark thirty and went to the pool for my first real swim lesson since I was 6 years old.   I felt like the new kid in class.  To top it off they were speaking a foreign language, like "do 4 100's with ten second breaks".  Hello, what does that mean???   

The adorable coach of us slower kids was super helpful.  He pointed out some things that immediately made a difference in my stoke...now I just need to practice and practice these changes to my stroke so they became natural.   I'm not sure how long it will take for this to become my new habit, but I'll work on it over the next few months.  

Bonus, I feel great now.  Exercise is such a great way to start out the day.  Woo Hoo!!! 

I had unexpected business in San Francisco late last week through today.  Things worked out such that I did get a little bit of free time over the weekend, which I spent downtown.  

A few of us headed down to Pier 39 and Fisherman's wharf.  The weather was stunning, clear skies, no wind, and downright balmy.  We strolled through the tourist areas, gorging on fresh saltwater taffy, watching the seals (arf, arf, ark) and just enjoying the outside.   Here's a shot of the bay and Pier 39.

We then settled in for some wine, cheese, pate and fruit at a delightful little place, overlooking all the boats.  

Sigh, nice things almost always come from unexpected and unplanned adventures!!!   

The last few weeks I've been fighting a cold.  I finally made an appointment with my doc, who suggested I consider using a Neti pot to "improve the health of my nasal passsages".    

So, off I went and picked out a cute little blue neti pot.  Little did I know this would now be my new best friend....

You fill the neti pot with warm water, add a little packet of salt and baking soda, lean over the sink, put the spout at one nostril and then pour, amusing yourself as you watch it dribble out the other nostril.   Half way through you switch sides, all the while breathing out of your mouth.

This is the oddest sensation....my sister said it's like flossing you nose, which totally fits.  It's a bit uncomfortable at the time, but WOWZIE how good it feels when you are done....

Speaking of which I think I need to floss my nose right now....

Hi All,  It's been way too long since I've posted here...life has gotten in the way of one of my favorite hobbies....my blog!

I write this from Michigan Sis's recliner in Michigan.  I've been back home with my family since late Thursday night of last week, and I fly home today.  It's been a wonderful week with everyone, awesome family time, even though I got by backside totally kicked playing dominos (I think I was set up!!).  

As always, eating is one of the thing we all love to do!  We had a great traditional Thanksgiving day dinner on Sunday, and enjoyed Venison from by Bros-in-law's recent hunt.  Lots of lots of fun, and great meals.  My mom and dad's house looks amazing...they got a new place that they just fixed up, and it's awesome.

 I also got lots of poodle and great dane lovin', in addition to some kisses by some Clydesdales at the farm.  

 In spite of less than stellar weather I did get two nice runs in, where the oxygen rich air made it feel like I was flying!  Tonight I will even get some Turkey as I stop by E's house on my way home to see my pooches.

So, I guess this post is all about things I'm thankful for...and this is by no means an all inclusive list:  

My family,

friends,

laughter,

having food to eat,

being healthy enough to run, 

wealthy enough to travel,

animals which enrich my life,

all of you who read this, 

love.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!  May your blessing be rich and many!!!!!!   

Will I never learn?? 

 I declined the GPS.....again...today....and guess what, it only took me 3.9 seconds to get lost....

Driving around on vanilla free way land, beautiful trees, and not a distinguishable landmark in sight....

Sometimes we never learn.... 

Good news....all those prayers and positive thoughts worked!  

My friend C was moved from ICU to a regular hospital room.  He was looking much better, and in spite of the still ever present pain, was feeling better.  It was nice to see him moving his arms more....doing things we all take for granted, like reaching for a glass of water.  Previously I only saw him move his finger to press down the little button that would release more pain killer into his IV.  

He still has a really long road to recovery...but its good to see the recovery beginning!!!

First, C wanted me to say thank you for all the prayers.  I just got in from a brief visit and while he is in pretty bad shape he was alert.  Biggest issue he is facing right this second is the severe pain.   

       Broken Bones Count: 10 ribs, 9 vertebrae, sternum, skull

        Other Injuries:  Punctured lungs, scrapes

Given I've had broken ribs twice and have fractured 2 vertebrae in the past I can only imagine the level of his pain....unbearable. 

He's in some kind of torso cast and neck brace....it reminded me of a bit of clamshell....and he'll be wearing that for the next 17 weeks.... this is going to be a long recovery.  

And, some more details on how/where this happened.  A group of guys - all who I used to work prior to joining Sun - are super competitive bikers.  They ride together a few times a week....and doing what boys sometimes do they ride hard for bragging rights....I actually went out with them on Monday, but that was at the invitation of another friend.  He knew I couldn't keep up so we rode together after they felt the need for speed and dropped us.  (Which I'm totally ok with...) 

Anyway, they were riding down Neva road....this road has two sharp 90 degree turns...I wouldn't even call them curves. Apparently C overshot the turn, missed a mailbox and telephone pole, but went careening into a ditch all while doing some somersaults.  Fortunately one of the guys riding is a retired EMT and was right there to help out until the ambulance arrived.   According to the ICU nurse C definitely used up 1 or 2 of his nine lives....

More updates later...thanks again for the prayers and positive energy!!   

I just received word that a good friend was in a very serious cycling accident at lunch time today.  I've known C for over 10 years now and he was out with a small group from work riding hard.  He hit a curve to fast and ended up a mess.  He's in ICU right now with more broken bones than anyone would want...however, it appears there is no head or internal injuries. 

C is is a really good man...very kind, generous...a wonderful family man and great engineer.   

Please take a moment and pray for his recovery.... he needs our help.....

Over lunch today I stopped to pick up some groceries.  As I only had a few things I waited in line at the self checkout.  The guy ahead of me was busy talking on his cell phone, scanning and bagging his groceries.  He put his cash in the machine, picked up his bags and walked away, forgetting his change...not the coin kind, but the paper kind....

I grabbed the money and went after him saying, sir, excuse me, sir, you forgot your change....he finally stopped after the clerk tapped him on the arm...he slowly swung around to look at me as I was holding out his money.  He gave me kind of a nasty look, took the money and just turned around, never stopping his cell phone call. 

I was dumbfounded.....here I went out ofl my way to return a stranger his money, and not even a smile, thank you, or whew from the guy?  I wasn't feeling all that good and was irritable.  Before I could disengage my mouth I said "you are welcome" quite loudly....he kept walking...which prompted me to YELL out "You are WELCOME".  Yes, lots of people turned to look at me, but the jerk who pocketed his money just kept walking.

Go figure.....