January 31, 2009

Ok, the cleaning project continues. This is the main room of the basement. The before picture looks pretty darn bad but let me tell you that a lot of this stuff is supposed to go in the kitchen or dining room area and since that renovation is not done it is down here. Also, when Carl's Mom moved in we had to move stuff out of the guest room so that she could have room for her stuff. We got a lot of stuff organized, thrown out or recycled. The clean out continues!

On a side note, I made it through the whole month on the blog with no missed days. Hooray!

61, 24.

January 30, 2009

Okay, so this was my idea. I decided for my 40th birthday I wanted to clean out the basement. "Oh no, I don't want to go anywhere, I just want to get things organized." It seemed like a great idea and really it is, but it is a lot of work! This is the cellar all cleaned up. I tried to take before pictures but my battery died on the camera and I had to recharge it so I only have the after. Picture this little room filled with boxes, and empty boxes and packing material in a big mound in the center. It really does feel good to get things cleaned up!

51, 19.

January 29, 2009

At the Curtis Hotel they had different theme floors. We were on the 8th floor, which was the Sci Fi floor. They had different cool posters from the X-Files and Sci Fi movies and a shadow box with different toy Ray-guns - very cool. We actually toured all of the floors, and this picture is from the 6th floor - Fun and Games. It is an earlier version of Chutes and Ladders. They really should re-release this earlier version with the more obvious lessons in good behavior! The ladders show that Unity leads to Strength, Courage to Reward, Industry to Success and Patience to Attainment. The chutes are snakes (very sinister) and show that Indolence leads to poverty, Indulgence to Illness, Disobedience to Disgrace, Mischief to Woe, Ill-doing to Trouble and Conceit to Friendlessness.

37, 13.

January 28, 2009

My Birthday! I took today off work, and tomorrow and Friday! Carl and I went up to Denver and got a room at the Curtis Hotel- love it! We met Dawn and David for dinner at Vesta's Dipping Grill, my favorite Denver restaurant. As we were leaving I told them all to pose for a picture and this is what I got- goofballs! We had lots of fun and the food was great. David is looking awesome and is recovering well.

42, 18.

January 27, 2009

Ok, I have a picture... really I do, but it is on my phone and I can't get it off right now since my micro sd card corrupted. It is my birthday eve and I am feeling pretty buzzed as we just got back from Bristol and I had two glasses of the Skull & Bones Grand Cru and it has a lot of alcohol in it apparently!


Picture finally added - 1/29.

24, -6.

January 26, 2009

My new furniture arrived today! I spent some of my year end bonus money and bought this new sofa and recliner. Carl and I made a deal that if I got a plasma tv then he could get a recliner. Well finding a recliner that isn't hideous is no easy task - but I finally found this one! I was unsure about the set when I first walked in the door but by after an hour or two I decided that I really like it. It's comfortable and the fabric is nice - I notice from this picture that I need to wash the floor! Ack- my work is never done...

January 25, 2009

I took this picture through the window- the squirrel was in the tree right outside the window. I always worry about the little wild animals when it gets so cold! I know it's silly, but I do.

January 24, 2009

Okay, I guess all my pictures don't have to be perfect but I am disappointed with how this one turned out. I accidentally cut Hilary out of the picture! It was a hard picture to take because I had to hold the camera almost at the wall in order to get everyone in and I still missed Hilary- you can see her boots. Tonight was book club and the book was the Devil Wears Prada. In the picture: Hilary's boots, Krista, Angela, Mom with baby Avery ( I forgot Mom's name!), Veronica, Alexis and Karen.

36, 12.

January 23, 2009

We went down into the crawlspace at work today. Time to shred the records from 7 years ago. Vicki the bookkeeper didn't want to go down there so she offered Phoebe and I free lunch for doing it. It's only about 4 feet high down there and the floor is dirt but it didn't take too long- totally worth it!

50, 18.

January 22, 2009

This is where I sit every week day for 8 hours. I love my job and my desk is a comfortable space for me.

66, 44.

January 21, 2009

It wasn't dark when I left work today! Still a little light left in the sky. I love it when the days start getting longer.

69, 33.

January 20, 2009

HOORAY!!

Out with the old and in with the new!
The Bush's greet the Obama's for coffee at the White House. It was a wonderful day.
Yes, I did take this picture - off of the TV!

63, 42.

January 19, 2009

I received this poster 4 years ago for Christmas from Dawn and David. When I got it it seemed like a lifetime before Bush's term would be over. I crossed out the little spaces and now there is only one left to go - tomorrow! I am excited for the inauguration and looking forward to see what changes will take place in the next 4 years. Some health care reform, an end to the War in Iraq and growth and retention of jobs in the United States are some of the positive changes that I hope will take place.

My brother Robby was laid off and had to move back in with the folks. I hope he can find a new job soon. He said that he has lost 30 pounds since Thanksgiving because he didn't have enough money for food. I wish I would have known. I feel horrible that I didn't.

62, 35.

January 18, 2009

Another beautiful winter day- warm and sunny. We took Maxx for a walk and then I napped on the couch while alternating between reading and watching football. A great Sunday all around. This is the view of Pikes Peak as seen down Bijou Street in our neighborhood.

60, 29.

January 17, 2009

Phoebe & Alan set a nice table! Delicious food and beer. Cute puppies, fun games and good friends - we had a great night!

54, 33.

January 16, 2009

I took this as I was leaving for work this morning from my car. It is always so sad to see your puppy watch you leave.

David is doing well. We found out today that the pathology report confirmed Renal Cancer but it was contained and with the removal it is 90% that he is cured with no further treatment. Hooray!

56,23.

January 15, 2009

Mmmmmm, tacos. I love food.

43, 20.

January 14, 2009

I got my first Birthday present today! I know it is silly but I wanted a nice big flat screen TV and I finally talked Carl into it. He surprised me with it tonight. I love it!

44, 24.

January 13, 2009

David went into surgery at about 11:30 or so and was done at about 2:30- we didn't get to see him until 7:00. The doctors say everything looks good and they are sure that they got the whole mass and the kidney. No one had said Cancer until today- Dawn told me that they found out Saturday that it was about 98% sure that it is Cancer. This type of Cancer apparently does not typically spread too easily and they checked the other areas where it would most likely spread to and it looks good. As Dawn said it is not an option for him to not be okay.

51, 9.

January 12, 2009

Add another white can to this group and that is what I ate (drank) today. The chocolate one was disgusting! It's time to try for a New Year's slim down and I am trying a new thing - dieting every other day. I read a book and it sounds reasonable with lots of research to back it up. So, I will eat 20-25% of my typical calories 3 days a week and eat normally the rest of the time. Supposedly this will give health benefits beyond just losing weight, including reduction of inflammation in the body. We shall see. I am giving it a try. I took a picture but it was boring so I used some fancy Photoshop filters - I love those-they are so much fun!

David is going into surgery tomorrow. We will go up to Denver for the day and be with everyone.

41,19.

january 11, 2009

I finally put away all the Christmas stuff -except the outside lights, those will stay up a little longer. The puppies played and I kept busy all day cleaning and de-Christmassing. Here they are sleeping on the couch. Typical Sunday stuff.

42, 23.

January 10, 2009

Yeah, we like beer...
Went to the recycling place today and dropped off the empties - and the cardboard, plastic and paper. We really need to go more often, it gets a little overwhelming having all that stuff around. Sometimes I think that it just gets to be too much and then I picture it all in a landfill somewhere and I change my mind. I came a little late to the effort, it all seemed futile- but every little bit helps, I guess!

43, 14.

January 9, 2009

Maxx waiting for Carl to get home from work.

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January 8, 2009

This is not my ring. It belongs to my sister and she has been divorced for a year and wants to sell her ring. I took pictures for her so she could list it on eBay. It's really pretty - platinum and diamonds - how can you go wrong really!

62, 29.

January 7, 2009

Have you ever tried to capture the wind? It is impossible, but here is a picture of the trees swaying in the wind with the moon behind- not sure why it looks like there are two moons.
It has been windy for days now, it is just so agitating!

Happenings today:
David's surgery is planned for next Tuesday- all looks good so far and we are keeping things positive! David has a great attitude.
Chuck is getting his life together and taking responsibility for his life and health. Good things will come!

56, 35.

January 6, 2008

Maxx and his new favorite toy. Monica gave it to him for Christmas.

38, 24.

January 5, 2009

I had to replace the lights at the top of my tree because they didn't match the rest of the lights and since it is artificial, I store it with the lights on. So I took the lights off the top and went to put the new lights on when I realized that the lights I bought early in December were white wire. I was so pissed! So I went to Target to see if they had any left since everything is now 75% off- no such luck. All they had were green wire clear lights. Soooo- I removed all the lights and from both strands of 200 lights and switched them out. Finally done! Here is a picture mid-process.

Happenings today:
Finished Inventory at work
Lunch at Montague's for Patsy's Birthday.
Carl's brother was laid off.

38, 3.

January 4, 2009

I started putting away the Christmas stuff today. Broke one of my favorite ornaments a glass peacock. Santa took a fall too, but he was ok!
18, 10.

January 3, 2009

Okay, this may be harder to do than I thought. I have to get in the habit of taking my camera with me wherever I go! This is from my camera phone - so not the best picture. This is the view out of my Mother-In-Laws condo as it was getting dark with the Christmas lights. I kind of like it anyway because of the blurriness of the lights and the color of the sky which is one of my favorite colors.

The other issue is that sometimes the most important thing that happens in a day cannot be caught in a picture. I received a phone call and one of my best friends has a growth on his kidney and will require surgery. More to be found out later this week after further tests.

I had hoped that this year would be a little easier. I have to go with the belief that everything will be okay.

50, 17.

January 2, 2009

Deb has been visiting her Mom in Denver and she came down to visit for the evening. Every time I see my friends I realize how much I miss having them in my life on a daily basis. We have been friends for 25 years. It is really unbelievable, I do not feel that old!
Beer, food and Christmas presents- a fun evening!
60, 34.

January 1. 2009

This is the first day of the New Year and I am looking forward to a new start. Last year was extremely difficult and I am glad it's over. It seems like every year on New Years Eve I say "I sure hope next year is better than this last one!" I don't see how it couldn't be! Other than the fact that I will turn 40 in 27 days. Ack!

I love this picture, it is of the lights on our house. Christmas is one my favorite times of the year even though it is hectic and tiring. I love all the lights- they add a cheerfulness to the winter. I am trying to get Carl to let me keep them up at least through my birthday. They don't look too Christmasy - more wintery. We didn't use any colored lights outside this year.
Beautiful, sunny day to start the new year, I actually sat on the patio and talked on the phone earlier.

57, 36.