Yup, it's that time of year!!!  

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 

Iris Gardens, Boulder, Sunday, June 7....just part of the "what's not to love" previous post.....

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:

In addition to the community garden plot I'm sharing with the Kid's mom, I'm enjoying my own little patch of personal paradise.  My yard is tiny, but that hasn't stopped me from being a frequent shopper at the garden centers. 

I've got tomatoes, hot peppers, herbs and loads of flowers.  My plum tree is rich in little green plums which will eventually ripen to delicious tart fruit.  Here's how things are looking just this morning:

Little green tomatoes and basil from my store bought plants and my grown from scratch tomatoes, cilantro and parsley:

 Peppers I grew from seed: 

 Flowers:

My Topsy-Turvey tomato planter....not sure if the Dish TV people would approve of me using the satellite as an anchor, but who's telling? 

 Finally, plums!

One of these day's I'll get some pics up of our Community Garden Veggie plot....  

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.  

Last night I was rounding up my gear for the Boulder Sunrise "Tri for your Cause" event and I couldn't find my tri shorts.  I looked everywhere... 3 times.  I searched my cars.....  twice.  The dryer..... once.  Finally, I gave up, and after consulting with Gear Girl, determined that looking cute was more important than functionality and I should opt for one of my running skirts.  I carefully selected one that might provide the least amount of chaffing on the bike.  Tough call since I've never ridden my bike in any of this gear soaking wet after a swim! 

Well, I was resigned to the "risks" associated with this decision.  I was excited to wake and find the sun just peaking over the horizon...the thunderstorms of last night were long gone, leaving the sky fresh and clean.  I ushered the dogs outside while I loaded my bike and all the other stuff and then headed off the the Rez.

It was a very non-Boulder tri group.  Lots of first timers, even some mountain bikes.   I found a nice spot and began setting up my area.  Then, off in the distance I spotted the Outdoor Diva's booth in the race expo area!  Wonders for me, they actually had a few different brands of tri shorts in my size, and I found some to my liking.  Even more amazing, the wonderful woman just took down my name, phone number and my promise to return and pay so I didn't need to venture off to the remote parking lot to fetch my money. 

So, outfitted with my snazzy new shorts I was all set!  

The Rez water was perfect...probably around 65 degrees.  The swim was short - 500m instead of the more typical 750m for a sprint, kind of a bummer since the water was so nice and my swim mojo was working.  The bike was longer than typical, 17M in lieu of 12M, and the run on target at 5k.   I'm not sure of my final times yet, but the entire morning just felt great.  Unlike my first tri in May I had no wet suit induced claustrophobia!   The bike was fun.  I ride the course frequently so I knew when to shift, when to push it and when to back off with out a second thought.  Almost meditative.  The run even felt good!  The finish line even better!  

Shortly after my finish line Woo-Hoo I stopped at Outdoor Diva's to let my new BFF know how much I LOVED my new shorts and they for certain made me faster, and now that I was done I would take my fast bottom out to my car for money.  Which of course I did.  (Mom and Dad raised me well!!!). 

I hope I never need to know if my cute running skirt actually would have been better than functionality!  Tomorrow, Olde Stage to Jamestown with the ladies, wearing REAL bike shorts.  Phew.  

After my 0'dark thirty conference call this morning I went out for a spin on my bike.  Rather than ride east, I went west.  Up, up and up.  I decided there was no time like the present to give Olde Stage Road, a notorious climb in Boulder, a try.  It's especially prudent given I've signed up for the Boulder Peak triathlon this summer.

Initially I spent a great deal of time gasping for air, but that quickly changed to gasping in awe at the beauty of the day.  All of my senses were engaged.  The lightest cool breeze was tickling my skin.  My eyes were treated to the rolling green mesa in the plains, an unusual treat in semi-arid Colorado.  Young aspen leaves twinkled against the bright blue backdrop of the clear Colorado sky.  The perfume of the pines was subtle, while the trill of the hummingbirds competed with the crickets, all with the backdrop of the river roaring down the canyon.  A brief stop at the friendly Jamestown Mercantile for a fresh backed muffin and cup of coffee was just one more special treat the day offered.

I don't believe I have ever had a more amazing day on my bike.  In many ways it took me back to the summers of my childhood.  Everything was so green, so beautiful, so new.  I think the glow of this mornings unexpected sensory experience will stay with me for a long, long time....

(Not that these pictures even due the ride justice...but since I took them here they are!)

View from Olde Stage across the plains, Boulder Rez in the background: 

 While many of Boulder's uber athletes charge up to Ward,  I did the smart thing for me:

 This picture would be sooo much better with sound:

Check out that blue-blue of the sky.   The aspen leaves were just dancing in the breeze.  

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 

6 YEARS AGO: This picture takes me back in time....we had some kind of "dress up day" at work (Emma was my accessory).  It was taken just days before I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer - which happens to have been 6 years ago today.

It's funny, even though the experience changed me so much inside, heart and soul, so much for the better, I don't look so changed on the outside...just a bit older. Oh, and I have hair again  

Please, no congratulations, just take time to reflect on how blessed we are to have this life before us...embrace it!!! Chase it, love it even on days that are challenging and frustrating.    

Please do me a favor,  if you aren't current, call today for your annual mammogram or PSA test.  There is  no time like the present to be aggressive protecting your health and life.  The only thing worse than finding out you have cancer is NOT  knowing you have it...

Hmmm.  Very interesting question.

Last night as I was settling myself in for the long flight from Denver to London, something was amiss.  I got to my seat, found the expected complimentary pillow waiting for me in 22A.  I stow my luggage, and start eye balling the overhead bins looking for a blanket.  After all, it's a long flight, and a blanket feels almost like a necessity.

As we are going through all the preflight preparation, the pilot announces that due to the Swine Flu (or whatever jumble of letters and numbers we are now supposed to call it), United has taken extra precautions to protect our health and removed the blankets.  Really, removed the blankets?  

Now, I know I am not an infectious disease doctor, but something is just not playing out for me.  Blankets, which are customarily used to drape over your lap, and yes, maybe on occasion tuck under your chin....these are removed.  But pillows, by the nature of their design, are most often used to support our head and neck are still available?  Last I checked, my mouth, which if I was infected with the flu, is the part of my body which would sneeze, thereby spewing flu germs over things right near my head ....duh, like the pillow!  

Now, maybe there is some totally rational explanation....it's just not clear to me....or maybe this is just what flying is about these days?  I feel as about "protected" by having the blankets removed as I do with taking my shoes off at security, and segregating all my liquids into a quart zip lock baggie.  Go figure.  

Anyway, off to see the Queen tomorrow!   

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....

...just get your little white dog to PUKE all over the bed at 5:25 am!!!!

Poor pupkins!  

She's feeling better now, resting on the red leather chair.  She relocated over to this piece of furniture after she hurled all over the couch, which followed the bed incident...

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...) 

....you go to 7 am Mass, then ski in a crazy spring blizzard which includes noisy and stinging snow pellets and fog, followed by a yummy Easter dinner with the Niece and Newphew-ette!  

Happy Easter to you all....

 Tomorrow all the winter toys go into storage until the fall.       It's time to tune up the bike!    

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....

Yesterday and today is the 2009 Special Olympics State Games for Colorado.  I again had the privilege and honor of attending this marvelous event.  My role in all this is to ensure my athlete gets where they need to be on the mountain at the right time, to provide moral support, tons of enthusiasm and and to offer any kind of coaching advice that might be needed. The last part was a bit tough for me since I was assigned a knuckle dragger snow boarder to spend the day with.....and I only ski.  

It really was awesome.  I know my athlete from ESRP.  She's a super fun 26 year old lady, who was thrilled to be paired with me (I was thrilled as well)....we yak'd and yak'd and yak'd on the lift, about all kinds of girl stuff, our sports training and just life.  She faces challenges that I don't on a daily basis with such energy, joy and a sense of humor.  Here's a picture of us waiting for her run...and just for the record she does wear a helmet, it's just off for the picture!

After the races we all got cleaned up for the evenings fun....which starts off with an athlete's banquet (Here's Jacquie, Pete and Me after desert).

Next is the athlete parade!  With all the flashbulbs going off you'd think Angela Jolie was on the red carpet!  But no, it's just our Athletes!!!  

Here's some of our crew waiting to be called....

After some brief ceremonies (after all we are outside and it was snowing!) the Copper Ski Instructors form a torch light parade down the slope...It's the coolest thing to watch....next year I need to find out how I can do this!  Surely they need one more person to carry torches down?  

And after that a great fireworks show....(doesn't my iPhone take surprisingly good pictures??)

Last but not least is a big dance!  This is the high point of the evening for many of the athletes.  I hung out for a bit and then let the younger generation carry on into the night...well, at least until 10 pm when it's over.  I don't know how they all do it!  What a great day...

....aka Me yesterday. 

TT and I spent the day at Copper Mountain checking out the absolute beauty the recent snow storms created.  The views at the top of the lifts were just stunning, breathtaking, jaw dropping.  Here's TT checking out the view off the Storm King Poma lift.  

We skied lots of different terrain....Copper Bowl, Union Bowl, Resolution Bowl and some cruisers.   It was exhilarating.  The snow was soft and there were hidden stashes of powder, which I felt the need to explore in detail.  Did you know if you fall into really deep powder it:

a)  doesn't hurt in the least, it's actually really comfy

b) as you land you might hear a giant "woosh" and then a mushroom cloud of powder rises and slowly settles over you like a blanket

c) it is ALOT of work to get yourself out of that comfy little spot....I had to take off both my skies, undo my poles, and then crawl like a worm on my belly to get to firmer terrain.  

d) it is just a spectacular experience!!!

Here's me after one of my snowball experiences -

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!!! 

I am thrilled with the snow we got in Boulder....somewhere around 18" since yesterday.  This morning is beautiful...the sun hitting the fresh snow and glimmering like diamonds, or glitter glue the kids enjoy.   

I know many of you out there are thinking, big deal, snow.  You've seen so much already this winter, and a March blizzard is more of a nightmare for you, than a thing of joy.  But, we in Colorado are different....this is a semi-arid climate and most of our moisture for the year comes from these snowfalls.  If we don't get some big dumps our reservoirs dry up and our mountains catch fire and burn, burn, burn. 

And, when we do get snow in Boulder it isn't a long term commitment....it is usually gone within a day or so... most of what we got yesterday will be gone tomorrow....turning everything green and moist!  

Here's some shots from just now:

Not a good day to sit under the plum tree and read!

 And the trash cans...looking more like trash gnomes

Yes, finally.  After waiting, false promises and more waiting, our first "real" blizzard of the season arrived!  We have over a foot of beautiful white stuff, and it's still coming down.  It's a wet snow too, which isn't typical.  And, that is good.  We are DESPERATE for the moisture!  

A half day off up at Eldo would have been lovely, but responsibilities called.  Sometimes the weather cooperates with the schedule, and sometimes it doesn't....at least there will be fresh snow at Copper this weekend for one of my favorite events - the State Special Olympic games!  More to come for certain on that...

Gotta go shovel!!! 

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 am so proud of some of my little seeds.  Just 48 hours after they were stuck in the dirt some have actually germinated!  What little over-achievers they are...didn't they know it was supposed to take them 5 days??? 

 I would post a picture but I'm afraid that I don't have a camera that can capture such itsy bitsy tiny things....so, you'll just have to trust me on this one!

On another note I'm waiting, not so patiently for the big spring storm that is supposed to just dump snow in the mountains and in town.  Hello weather, where are you????   

Even though I'm heading to the mountains tomorrow to ski and continuing my snow dance for big powder, spring fever struck me hard today.  Temps in the low 70s, shorts and sandals and time in my community garden plot pushed me over the edge. 

The kids mom Marianne and I decided last fall we wanted to put a garden in and see if we had what it took to be successful gardeners.  Following a few nail biting weeks on the wait list we got a plot at one of Boulder's community gardens.  This program is really cool.  For $52.00 a season we get out own piece of land to take care of....our plot is 13 x 22 and the previous gardener built a really beautiful trellis.  It is partially fenced as well.  The program provides water taps and a locked tool shed (with tools) for our use.  Thursday night we had orientation and leaned alot....like if we don't keep it weeded the community will take our plot away.  (Lots of pressure here...)  Regardless we are moving forward.  

Over the next few weeks we'll spend some time deciding how to lay out our garden, getting it tilled, adding compost, picking rocks and getting dirty.

I grew up around gardening.  My grandmother had a massive garden that Michigan Sis and I spent hours and hours slaving in as children.  At least is what it felt like at the time.  As grown ups we are pretty certain we were not put into servitude as child labor, and probably spent no more than 15 minutes a day maximum helping Grandma pick strawberries and the like.....of which most went right in our mouths.  Michigan Mom and Dad also planted a garden.  My biggest memory with my folks' garden is of harvesting the potatoes.  Not sure why that sticks in my head, but it does.  Maybe because it was fun rummaging in the soil as dad dug around the plants and turned over the ground to bring up the spuds?  

All this gardening reminiscing and planning drove me to head to the store and get some seeds.  I felt absolutely compelled to start TODAY.   I planted 4 varieties of peppers, 1 early tomato hybrid, basil, cilantro and parsley.  If all goes will in a couple of months I'll have the makings of some awesome salsa and pico de gallo!  

I splurged on some little green house containers to launch my seeds.  The greenhouses come with this little pressed packs of Mulch about 1/8" thick.  All you do is add warm water and they explode into little beds for the seeds.  Then you carefully drop the seeds in, cover with dirt and cross your fingers!  

Here's what it looked like at the start:

Now, after the water:

Finally the finished greenhouse with seeds:

Container gardening here I come!!!  (Hopefully.....) 

Yesterday another famous person died skiing with out a helmet.  Natasha Richardson was the most recent "celebrity" to pass away tragically, and maybe needlessly, by choosing to not protect her head.  Sonny Bono and a Kennedy Clan member were two others famous names over the past few years to pass away helmet-less.

I'm going to get on my soap box now, so people, be prepared.

Celebrities are not the only ones to not wear helmets.  As frequent readers know, skiing is my winter passion and I spend a tremendous amount of my free time on the slopes.  I continue to be SHOCKED by the number of people, probably very intelligent folks, who choose to wear a beanie or fuzzy head band in lieu of a brain bucket, which is PROVEN to offer significant protection of death, or a serious brain injury.   

What are people thinking?  I hear a million excuses.  People perceive that they loose visibility wearing a helmet.  They think they won't be able to hear as well.  Even though people won't admit it, they think they don't look as "cool" in a helmet.  What is up with the parents who ski with their kids, who are wearing helmets, and they are not?  What kind of example is that?  Do as I say, not as I do???

For all these and other "excuses" I say GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!  PUH-LEASE!!!!   None of these excuses are even close to true.  

Now, have you ever spent a few hours with someone who has a cognitive brain injury?  Here's an idea of what you might expect if, maybe worse than dying, you survive a bump on the head with a brain injury.  

First, you may have trouble walking because your balance is off.  You might not be able to work more than a few hours a day due to blurry visions, headache or just not being able to function like you used to....you may have to quit your high paying job and join a company that provides employment opportunities to the disabled assembling gift baskets for the welcome wagon folks.  You may have paralysis on part of your body.  You may spend your day eating jello through a straw....and, here's the kicker, you absolutely know with out a doubt that this level of functioning isn't how you used to be.  Nope, not even close.  How do you think you'll manage that level of frustration????  Hmmm.  

So, WAKE UP PEOPLE!  Get a helmet before you step foot on the slopes.  If you can afford to ski you can afford a helmet.  While there are some pricey ones out there, you can get hooked up for well under $!00, especially this time of year.  

Check out my last few posts and see how totally gorgeous, hot and sexy I look in my helmet.  And, SMART.   

Ok, I better log off now, I'm all fired up and I don't want to start blogging about how !*#^% angry I am about the AIG bonus.... 

In my previous post I neglected to mention that Saturday was Retro Ski Day at Eldora.  The mountain was a sea of neon colors, crazy outfits, many of us reminiscing of the good old days.  

Me, on the other hand, had absolutely zero neon ski outfits in my closet, but I do still have my ski bunny outfit.  Black stretch pants, and a bright red puffy jacket with a wide belt.  Totally out of style and not really a good look. I decided to go with this....until I couldn't find it.  I had to resort back to my college memories....skiing in jeans and a big old flannel shirt.  I went from ski bunny to Paula Bunyon in the blink of an eye.   

Good Gracious!  Where is Babe, my blue ox?????