Happy New Year!

There is a wonderful tradition that is carried on here in the Pikes Peak region on this night. It's one that I look forward to each year because it's unique. It is all to honor the original "frozen five" from 1922.

You see, in 1922, five men decided that the standard social parties and affairs for New Year's Eve were just too boring. The opted to do something that nobody had ever done before: climb Pikes Peak in the dead of winter. These men were Fred and Ed Morath, Fred Barr, Willis Magee and Harry Standley. We now have a trail named after Fred Barr on that mountain...due, in part, to the fact he actually built the Barr Trail. This happens to be the trail that is still in use on this night, though these original men used the Cog Railway trail. It may be shorter by 3 miles, but it is also extremely steep, slippery, and dangerous.

Anyway, these men took off and climbed to the top of the 14,110 foot mountain in minimal cold weather gear. That stuff just didn't exist in 1922! They eventually made it up through the deep, deep snow drifts and pushed through the high winds to the summit house. Inside, they lit a fire in the potbellied stove to warm up, sang songs, ate, and goofed around until midnight. At that time they lit flares and other fireworks for the city of Colorado Springs to see. It freaked the people of the city out that night, but it began a wonderful tradition.


1923 saw the beginning of the Adaman club. Each year the club adds only one man to the club (Adaman = add a man), sets off on the 30th of December, no matter the weather, on the Barr Trail to the summit of this great mountain. They camp overnight about halfway up and make the summit usually around 2 or 3pm on New Year's Eve. Then they warm up, eat, goof around, set off 5 shells at 9pm to honor the Frozen Five, and wait for the stroke of midnight. At that time, they entertain all of the area with a fantastic display of fireworks.


Bearing in mind we are approximately 40 miles from Pikes Peak, we actually have an amazing view. In all actuality, the past 2 year you could see the fireworks for about 150 miles! Wow! Tonight? Well, if the clouds remain as mountain wave clouds (meaning they don't actually lay on the peaks, but leave a wave of clear sky over them), we'll be able to see them again. I hope so, because it's an amazing thing! It's a tradition that I absolutely love, and I hope others in the area appreciate it as much as I do.

I hope and pray that all of you have a wonderful and safe night. May you have a fantastic 2009 with nothing but fond memories from 2008. Happy New Year!

Argh, Matey!

Talk about a very merry Christmas! Look at what is now in my backyard!!! Welcome to your new "home," Catch 24!

She actually was just bought today by our friend, Jason, but he and Jeff are sailing partners. Rather, they will be once they can get onto the water. They are in this whole thing as a joint venture. As such, Catch is staying here because we have the room for her, and we live a whopping 2'ish miles from the main body of water they will be sailing on. Frankly, I think it's pretty cool.

I now need to come up with a name for a blog for these two crazy men. That's my mission in all of this: to blog about their journeys. Well, that, and keeping the cabin in good shape (I volunteered that info tonight, much to their shock)...but mostly I'll be blogging. When I come up with a name and get things going, I'll share it.

In the meantime, we'll enjoy the winter and make sure she's exactly how the guys want her to be for the spring thaw. I'm sure they're already twitching and stomping in wait, but what a wonderful Christmas present to each other!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

From our home to yours.....

Christmas Eve
Tear it up!
Front Loader!
Welsh Pony in a load spreader?
Front Loader!
Tear it up, again!Looking at you!
Luke's Bounty

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

After a couple of days baking chocolate chip, pumpkin chocolate chip, sugar with frosting, and apple-berry oatmeal cookies along making 3 batches of english toffee for our friends and neighbors, I now have a spare moment to wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas!

I apologize to all that no cards have been sent. It seems time completely got away from me! I will be getting them off, but they obviously won't make it in time for Christmas.

We are so looking forward to tomorrow morning with our little man! This is the first year he's not just looked at the lights, he tells us all about them. He is aware of the presents under the tree, though he's still not entirely sure what they're about. He can tell anyone who asks who each member of the Holy Family is, and he'll also tell about Christ's friends in the stable. He knows who Santa is, but he was a little afraid of him this year. Bummer for us, no pictures. That's okay, there are many more important things!

The only real boogie about this year is that we got smacked with a bunch of snow almost 2 weeks ago. There's still quite a bit out there, and we received about an inch yesterday. Today is windy, which around here doesn't bode well for the remaining snow. Tomorrow is supposed to be above 50, which means no White Christmas. Again, more important things in life, but the card-like scenes are a nice touch.

Tonight we will be attending the 11pm candlelight service at the Methodist church in downtown Pueblo. Yes, our church has the late candlelight services, as well, but we've attended the other each year since we've been here and it's a lovely setting. Tomorrow morning will be fun, complete with sausage balls and chocolate twists for breakfast (more baking???).

From our family to all of you, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Do You Ever Have Days...

Do you ever have one of those days where certain people just drive you up the wall? Every little thing they do just makes you want to throttle them. Some are things that always irritate you, yet you're kind enough to let slide. Other things are just the fact you woke up and it's not their fault.

Today was one of those days for me. There is one individual in my life whom I love dearly. I wouldn't trade this person for anything. But on certain days I just want to drop kick this person and make them stay as far away as possible....if even for an extended period of time. I don't really know why it happens, it just does.

I think some of this may be due to the epiphany I had just a couple of weeks ago. There was an extension tonight, much to my delight. I love when things fall into place like this! Now, if only I can be sure to express what I've learned and stick to my guns! Lord willing, that's how it'll be. The other part of what may have caused that "stay the heck away from me" attitude today is the fact I've been cooped up in the house for the better part of a week. Well, I am pleased to say I was able to spread my wings a bit today!

Luke and I ventured into downtown Pueblo. My favorite part: the historic district. It was planned, sort of, because that's where the main library is and I had books to return. On this level, it will be nice to have our little branch reopen in March after the addition is complete, but it I'm sure we'll still manage to visit the main branch that's not so far away. Point being that we were able to get out of the house and see something a little different. It did not satisfy my overwhelming desire to go fly fishing, sledding, or just doing a little trek in the high country, but it did satisfy that need to see some different walls. Even Luke was happy!

I do hope to get a day to spend with my fly rod in the cold waters near Leadville before the New Year, but only time and weather will tell. While my parents were here, dad and I got to talking about fishing. I have some spots I am dying to take him, none of which I've been able to hit since I've only been fishing one time in 3 1/2 years (blasphemy!!) due to pregnancy and momhood. I look forward to taking my boy with me, but not until he's a bit older. Anyway, since those little chats I have been just overwhelmed with the need to bundle up a bit, don my waders & boots, and climb into the ice-lined rivers in the mountains above my home.

Until then, I just hope I don't take any heads off with this nice little attitude of mine....

Back on Track....

Finally, we are back on track! All three of us came down with the virus Luke had. It was HORRIBLE! While I am grateful that I did not get it as hard as the other two did, I still will be glad to never see anything like it again. The last time I felt pain like that from being ill was when I had e-coli...11 years ago. Thank you, but never again.
I am feverishly working on disinfecting the house today. I doubt I'll get all the way through, but even a good start is better than nothing at all. And it feels good to know it's being done, not to mention that "clean" smell is a refreshing change.
I will return to regular visits soon. It's going to take a few days to be back all the way, but at least we're not all lying around waiting for the next wave. Thank goodness!

Absent...

I'll undoubtedly be hard to come by for the coming days. My little boy is really sick and it appears it's going to be a long run with a ton of attention. If only I could snap my fingers and he'd be all better.......

I Now Present.....

The pristine wilderness.

The ones from the house are from yesterday. The ones at the lake are today. I wish I could have done a better job capturing the views...at least you can see the steam rising. That makes for a dramatic fog bank when I look out the front windows of my house! When I took these pictures it was a balmy 2 degrees out. It's early for here, but still kind of a nice to have it for Christmas! (I apologize for the lack of slideshow....it just wouldn't load tonight...)

Pristine Wilderness...

I haven't had much chance to get any pictures, and those I have been able to snap will be on the camera for a little bit, but we have such a pristine sight out our door right now! We were aware a storm was brewing, but all forecasts told that we'd be lucky for even a little bit of snow. Just the cold. Well, it is currently a balmy 10 degrees outside (at 2pm) and we have 5-6 inches on the ground! YAY!

In a way I am relieved because I didn't really want Jeff to head to Boulder today. I don't know, something just didn't feel right about him going today. The chance will arise again, so I think it's okay. He's currently shoveling the drive. In a way, I am thrilled because the snow is so wonderful this time of year, and I relish the thought of frolicking in it with my Little Man. In a way, I hate it because it's going to cause a mess when I let the dog in and out....but how minor is that?

The bad thing is that my sweet little boy is unable to play in it today. We woke to get ready for church and all was well. We'd been up maybe 10 minutes when his tummy decided it no longer liked anything about anything. The poor thing is begging for some water, but each time I give him a sip (literally, just a sip) it comes right back up on him. He's so upset. Frankly, so am I. This is the part of parenthood that sucks.

It's tempered just a little bit when I look out the window and see the beauty that's been laid before me. Oh, how I would love to grab a sled, dash out the door, and have a ball!

The Teeny Tiny Gap....

Holy crap! Our itty bitty, teeny tiny Cranfills Gap is not only in the news, it's the subject OF the news!

For those who may have missed it (and if you live outside of Utah, don't subscribe to the SL Tribune, or don't live within a few miles of Gap, you probably did miss it), Cranfills Gap, the town of a whopping 350 people in Central Texas, is going to Las Vegas. Okay, so only about 120 people of the town are going because they're the ones who can afford to take off of work or are over 21, but still! And what's more? They're going to be the subject of Vegas' tourism campaign for 2009! It all starts tomorrow (Saturday).

Why is this a big deal to me and my household? Because that is the town my ever faithful, loving, and still a cowboy husband is from! Seriously! We even married in the Old Rock Church there!

Was it only August that we were last there? Why, yes, it was! (Hi Jason, Cassandra, Larry, and Janet!). Jeff graduated from the school, my stellar Bosque Sheriff Deputy of the Year Father-in-law was a teacher at the same school (the ONLY school) for...I won't share how long, but he retired as a Lion. It certainly isn't the same town of Jeff's childhood, not even the same town as it was 10 years ago when we married, but it's still "our" hometown. And freaking hilarious! (no worries, Sandy, Utah. You're still my hometown, and our other hometown!)

So, thank you, Mom, for sharing this tidbit with us. We will be making a couple of phone calls tomorrow to pass a few jokes....as long as those we're calling are still in town! Who knows, they may be gallivanting down the Strip! For those who want to read all about it, here's the link to the article mom alerted us to. The rest we went in search of and laughed our butts off over:
www.sltrib.com/ci_11149120?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com

Have a great time, all ye from the Gap!

Christmas Music!

I have finally joined the ranks of those who have added music to their blog! It's a short list, but let's face it: who really sits and just listens to all the selections on a friend's blog? Still, they're a few of my favorites for the Season. Enjoy them! I'm sure there's even one or two that some of you out there haven't heard.

I received such an incredibly sweet invite last night. It was from a few people I grew up with who are getting together the day after Christmas back in Sandy. It was especially touching since a) I've been missing my childhood over the past couple of days, and b) it's a sort of ward get together and I'm not LDS. There were some who were exceedingly mean to my brother and me while growing up because we didn't share their faith, but these ladies were always kind. To know that they're still such sweet and kind women is just a wonderful thing. I can't explain it....I've just become a bit of a skeptic on human kindness over the years in all of my travels and it does my heart good to know there are still those who extend warmth without strings. I can't attend since I won't be traveling this Season, but my I'll be with them in spirit.

Thank you, Ladies....

Winter Wonderland....

We got snow last night! Snow! Real snow! Okay, so the reality is that we've had real snow, but this was one of those storms that makes you take notice. It was lovely! A whopping 3-inches, but that's more than we've had in a while.

I let Luke play while I set to work cleaning the 4Runner. It was in some serious need. He was happy. Red had some fun galloping around and barking his head off, too. By the time they got out there the melting had started, but there's still enough to keep them happy. They were both bundled up since it's pretty chilly today, and Luke ended up a little sweaty, but he was also lovingly intrigued by his snow pants and boots. He likes them, but he doesn't get to wear them very often. I think we may need to venture into the High Country sometime over the weekend. Get some serious play time in the snow!

So, here are a few shots of the boy and his dog......

Holiday In Lights....

It's been kind of an emotional day. Mom and dad flew out and returned home this afternoon. The month really did fly by! The thing with it is that I don't think I can ever convey just how thankful I am for all the help mom gave us, and I don't think she can ever fully understand it. Poor Luke was a bit confused. He kept asking where "Gaum" (that would be a combo of gam and gum) and "Mel" (he calls my dad by his name...weird) were...."some more." He's stuck on saying "some more" with everything. EVERYTHING. It's really quite funny! But it was really difficult when he kept asking for them. To gain a better vantage point than we were offered in the airport (thank you once again, terrorists. Nothing like complete inconvenience to get through the day), Luke and I piled into the car and drove onto Peterson AFB to watch the plane take off. He saw, knew what it was, asked if it was Gaum and Mel, then said "bye, bye Gaum-Mel." He was also waving.

I made a run to the mall that's right near the Springs airport, a planned trip. While in the store waiting our turn to pay, Luke kept calling out for his Gaum. When I'd quietly tell him she went home, he'd call for his Mel. The process repeated I don't know how many times. It was tough. He took a short nap in the car when we met the freeway on the way home, looked in the guest room when we got home, and hasn't asked since. He's now more confused by the other parental unit working overnight. Currently he's walking around saying "Daddy, where are you??" I'll be surprised if we don't repeat the process again tomorrow.

We made it home for a little bit, just enough time to say hi to Daddy before he had to leave. We left about 10 minutes later for the community's Holiday in Lights parade. Yes, Pueblo has one (it was last weekend). Yes, Colorado Springs has one (it was also tonight), but so does our little community. They do special little things to let us all know we're appreciated...despite the Board being full of a bunch of doofuses. The annual parade is accompanied by the lighting of the (teeny-tiny) community Christmas tree, a HUGE bonfire, a special visit with Santa, and tonight we had fireworks.

We all experienced this event when Luke was 6-months old. There was a fair amount of snow on the ground and it was cold, so we remained in the car. Last year Daddy met us there because he had to work. There was no snow, but it was frigid. Seriously, it was in the teens. I couldn't get warm enough, but Luke was bundled in his Sorel boots, snow pants, heavy coat, hat, and gloves. Underneath was the fleece-lined jeans, and something warm up top. He was ticked because he was sweating. We got enjoyed the parade, then ventured up to the bonfire. It was fun, but Luke wasn't much impressed, I don't think. This year it was just Luke and me. Daddy is covering for an injured co-worker. There's no snow, it was a balmy 43 degrees, and we had a good time. We didn't attend the bonfire this year, though. Luke has a bad cough from a crazy cold and I didn't want to keep him out too long. We did get to see the fireworks, and we drove through the neighborhood to get home. Forgive the pictures...it's not the easiest thing to capture since it's dark.
In the car waiting for the start

I'm glad we had to take the scenic route! If not, I wouldn't have caught these pictures. The first house has to have a serious electric bill. They do this each year. Every inch of their property is covered in lights. They have an inflatable carousel that sings. They have a train! They have just about anything you can think of. All other houses pale by comparison.

Including this house. They also decorate this way each year, complete with the oh-so-subtle reminder of what we Christians actually celebrate. I can only imagine what the area atheists and large population of Jehovah's Witnesses think! By the way, this display also sings....and half the lights aren't in the picture because they blink to the music. I just couldn't catch it.

Next-door neighbor, Joe, got his lights up tonight, too. This year he put them in the trees instead of on his house, but it looks nice. Ours will be up in a few days.

Since I was a brainless tweed this morning and sprayed my child's hair with sunblock instead of No More Tangles, I need to get him in a bathtub. Maybe I can have my head on straight tomorrow.....

2 Down, 1 to go....

Two papers are down. I have a little editing and a resubmission to do, but that will take about 3 minutes....once I get the notes back from my instructor, of course. One paper is left, and that is my actual final for the class. I'm not looking forward to it. Seriously, who actually likes to evaluate their own writings? My stomach turns at the thought.

Today has been a lovely day. While others out there are griping that it's 21 degrees and snowing, I am thrilled. There's just a dusting on the grass now, which is weird because this morning we had close to an inch, but it's all a good thing because it's one less day this winter I need to worry about putting a sprinkler on. Yes, I know that sounds strange, but in this kind of area if it's a dry winter the plants and lawns still need to have water applied. Otherwise, I'm happy. It's the time of year I enjoy snow. There's just something difficult and a little sad when it's the Holiday Season and there's no winter weather. Hawaii was the sort of exception because of the location.

It's also a fun time of year to look at how everyone decorates. The lights are up in force, the inflatable snowmen are smiling at the cars, and the Nativity scenes remind us of the real reason we celebrate (despite the Pagan roots of the date). Last night I was sitting in my living room and enjoying how we do things. It's not simple enough to be considered plain, or even simple by certain Conservative people, but it IS very simple. Just our little 4-foot tree with heirloom ornaments, stockings, a wreath on the door, and the kneeling Santa in the corner. That's it. So simple and understated that I feel it's perfect. I enjoy other people's displays, I just don't want to contribute too much. We might get a chance to put the string of lights around the overhang of the roof, but that's more than enough for us.

I can finally hold my boy again, which is wonderful. The hard part is that I can only hold him for very short segments of time. He gets frustrated, I get a little flustered. It's going to be a little bit before I can carry him all over the place again, but it's a start. It's amazing how much muscle tone you lose in such a short amount of time! The other good thing is that I can get on a pony again. Granted, it's going to be a bit before I can jump courses, or even a measly little cross-bar, but I can get on and do a few minutes of walking and trotting. Maybe I can get a little canter in before January....but we'll see. Thank goodness I have a whole pile of fat and fuzzy ponies who are in dire need of work! We can get back into shape together...and Luke can even start trotting.

I pulled our saddles in and cleaned them a short time ago. Luke insisted on sitting in his, so I let him. Despite being barefoot, he managed to stand in his stirrups when I asked him to. It was the first time he did it, the first time I think he actually understood what I had been asking him. He's such a big kid with an impeccable sense of balance that I've only been waiting for the moment he demonstrated he could stand in his stirrups to ask a pony to trot with him. Jack will be the one to teach him because I can trust him to just shuffle along without being too bouncy or getting tired. Maybe, just maybe next summer he can enter his first walk-trot class. It's a lot to ask of a (will-be) 3-yr old, but if he can do it himself and wants to, I'm all for it. Otherwise, we'll hit as many shows as we can with leadline classes. I'd love to take him to Upperville, but I'm not sure how that's possible since it's in Virginia, we'd need to ship a pony or find one that someone would let us use for the class, and it'd be an expensive trip for a 2-minute class.

Can you tell I'm in a rambling mood? I have some things to do in the house today, namely to clean out and organize the stupid linen closet, but I thought I'd touch base and let everyone know my brain has not slowed down. Despite writing papers on equine cloning, vaccines, and figuring out how to evaluate my writing....scary, isn't it?

Finals....

Give me a few days. Since this was the semester of the Class of a Zillion Papers, I am using this time to complete my 3 final papers. It sort of feels like busy work right now, but it's definitely the homestretch.

I do have to admit, however, that I am anxious to dump the subjects of cloning, vaccines, and what makes a good college-level writer well out of my mind. Seriously, the latter topic is pretty basic to me, and therefore a bit boring. The former topics? Well, the one is extremely interesting, the other a bit maddening, and mixed together cause some outlandishly strange dreams. I'm now to the point I wake in the middle of the night and come watch TV because my poor brain is just.....done.

Next semester doesn't start until almost the middle of January. A little break will be nice, but I'm looking forward to a new class. It should be slightly interesting since I've never encountered a psychology class before. It is a core requirement, so it's basic, which means it won't be something way off the wall. The nicest thing about it, though? It's the only class I have, one day a week, and first thing in the morning. I can't explain it, but I sincerely relish that thought.

With that, I bid thee all a good night. I am tired, I hope to sleep, and I will speak again soon enough....