Memorial Day Weekend Recap (Long)

Memorial Day weekend had plans for one adventure, in return I had many I did not plan on. This blog will come across as a montage of personal accomplishments, reuniting old friends, being true to myself and my family.

It started early on Thursday evening in my home town, visiting with my parents and my old buddy (BC) at one of our old college haunts.



Funny how coming home can feel just like that. Across the bar as I waited for BC to join me I recognized a face but could not put a place with it. Then it dawned on me, it was Suzy…Suzy who taught me to tap dance to the Beastie Boys while we were both part of the dance department at CSU (talk about some shuffle ball change…). A few moments later, another old college friend (Kimberly) came in and sat right next to me at the bar. I have not seen Kimberly since we celebrated my college graduation at this same bar in 12 years ago…(really? That long ago? Scarey!) Kimberly had no idea who she sat next too, to her she was sitting next to some random stranger. I looked at her and said “Hey lady!” She looked at me with a blank look, then she recognized me, followed by a scream and a hug that pretty much tackled me off my seat.


After spending some hours in Elliots, BC and I did what we do well, walk around old town FTC and discuss all the changes in life we have experienced over the years and plans we have for the future. Finally long after my bed time, BC and I hugged, departed our separate ways while I peddled away on my bike I yelled across old town square ‘I love you!!!’ to hear a reply on the other side of the Square ‘I love you too!!!’ Some things just feel right. The love we have for each other is completely plutonic and a special bond we share as surviving our adolescence and early 20’s together. Also, it is when I am with BC I am reminded of all the crazy stuff we DID survive. For instance, once in an adrenaline rush I lifted my car to save his life (so I thought—he really wasn’t under the car when it fell off the jack)…True it was a Honda CRX, but still, I tore every muscle in my body for him. That is another story all together…

The next morning I got up early to go on a road bike ride with my dad and one of his cycling buddies. We met up at the Jiff Store, road “My Nemesis” hill around the south end of the reservoir to Horsetooth Park and back to the Jiff store, where my dad and his friend loaded up the car and I opted to ride my bike home, making a small detour on the way.

I hate this hill!!! Our relationship started early when I was a kid and tried to tackle it on my dirt bike…Ever since I get a huge sense of accomplishment every time I get to the top…sometimes I find myself yelling “Spank that, hill”—it’s kinda weird I know…


While on my way to old town, I chased my own train…It’s not the Iron Horse, but it was as close as I would get to riding against a train on Memorial Day weekend :)


On the way home I stopped by Kansas City Kitty, a very cool little shop owned by my childhood friend Chip, his wife Christi and her business partner. If you ever find yourself in Fort Fun you MUST stop in and see them. They have a very cool little shop full of fun, lovely stuff

After I got home and changed out of my lovely spandex I took off to the North to Cheyenne, Wyoming to take advantage of Sierra Trading Post’s Memorial Day sale.

After giving my credit card a workout in Wyoming I headed home to watch my niece graduate from my alma matter (FCHS). Followed by a wonderful dinner with my parents.

After dinner, when I was getting ready to retire for the evening I got a text message from another old friend who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. He and his family were passing through Colorado Springs the next night and they asked if they could stay at my house.

Uh sure…I headed home on Saturday to frantically prepare my house for three house guests I was not prepared for. The evening was spent telling stories, new and old, catching up and eating pizza. Also, I made them take the bottle of Jagermeiser that was left in my freezer after his last visit over three years ago…

Speaking of Pizza, on my way home on Saturday I discovered Abo’s is now in Loveland!!! Abo’s was my favorite pizza in my youth. It required a drive to Boulder’s Pearl Street mall to be able to abide. There were many afternoons missed of school for Abo’s pizza…



Sunday I finally got some time to myself. Fun Tina and I headed to Territory Days and were rained into sitting in Meadow Muffins and observing from a far, with cocktails in hand.

Monday I enjoyed a Rockies game with my brother, sister in law and two wonderful nieces.

Coors field pic taken by Hailey

Coors Field pic taken by Natalie


Natalie and I

Some serious baseball fans

Hailey and I

Me and my two favorite little princesses

What an amazing weekend!!!

Florida Trip Recap

I went to Florida to heal my heart, spend quality time with my grandmother and grab a tan and some adventure.



I had originally planned to spend three days with my grandmother, take off by myself for two days to the east coast to surf, and come back to the gulf coast for one day before leaving. Funny how plans get changed once the adventure is under way. My grandmother was not happy about me leaving her after a couple days visit, so I decided to not take the side trip to the coast to go surfing. (Although I really really wanted too, there are some things we need to do to make our families happy). Sigh…Next trip….



This turned out to be a good decision because on the flight out there I had befriended the gentleman sitting next to me on the plane. Had I been on the east coast I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to go on a personal tour by him of Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg, the Baywalk and sea shell hunting on the beach until 2 in the morning.




Here is a picture of my new friend Jason on the beach amid our middle of the night sea shell hunting adventure…


My grandmother had also filled our agenda with lots of fun things to do every day. We went to see a Broadway play “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at a local dinner theater. Played at the beach , went to Busch Gardens and of course touring the shopping and dining locals around Tampa, Holiday, Port Richey and Tarpon Springs, (My favorite Greek community in the entire world—Can you say Baklava?—yummmmm).

I came on vacation with a purpose, I left tan, relaxed, well read (I knocked 4 books off my reading list this week) and with a new friend…



You could say it was a perfect vacation. (Even if I didn’t get to surf…next time)

Rough

It has been a rough week.

Yesturday I had to say goodbye to a close friend that passed away suddenly.

I have a lot to report on, the fall colors, E and I's weekend in Durango, my sisters wedding and a final farewell to my friend Kelly.

I'll post some of these things when I am feeling a little more open and a little less drained and raw.

In the meantime, Enjoy a picture of my favorite baboshka kitty...



Bella, planning her attack on me when I least expect it...

High School Flashback

Since NM posted this on her blog months ago...I did a little cropping and finally decided to show the world what I looked like in High School. Fort Collins High School Boosters Dance circa 1989.

There are SO many funny parts of this picture.

--Ah, the dresses. In attempting to be unique and inspired by John Hughes films, both NM and I altered our dressed to make sure they had that special touch of individuality and show proof how creative we were. I asked a friend to make me my hat. It matched the cumberbunt of the dress I designed, and sewed. Can anyone say Pretty in Pink? We were Pretty in Black and looking back, more cheesy than cool. Oh well, coolness was never my forte.

--The hair. Yes, my bangs were down to my chin and straight normally, for this dance I spent HOURS curling the poorly bleached, orange strands of hair to sit just right on my head and around my green satin beret type hat. NM, had amazing long and naturally red hair. I was the one that couldn't put the dye bottle down.

--The cheesy grin. I think I had that grin because I couldn’t breath. Remember, I made my cumberbunt and I wasn’t too good about sizing it. I remember holding my breath most of the night.

--Did I really admit, not once, but twice I wore a cumberbunt? Hey…it was the 80’s what can I say? At least I was over my turquoise mascara phase by this time...

(NM—back atcha, I told ya I would post it :) -- eventually)

Puppy Picture Friday

Look! Mom got a new camera...



I'd really like a cookie now, look how cute I am...