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....

Black Friday?

I am not one who gives into the idea of rising at 2am (or earlier) to shop on the day after Thanksgiving. I have worked the day multiple times. I enjoyed getting up early, going into the store, redding up (yes, that's a word, PA people will get it) the place, and opening the doors at 4am for the insane customers who PATIENTLY waited (I emphasize the patient part because my customers actually behaved themselves. Other stores were less than lucky with that). It was a piece of my part-time job as a cashier that I actually truly enjoyed. This was a day that flew by, was never boring, and still lent me time to get my Christmas stuff up before dark.

That said, I have never entered a store or left the house on Black Friday with the purpose of spending a singe red cent. I'm not crazy enough to brave the insane crowds, and I tend to be one who is done with her shopping by September. It's just easier. There might be a little thing here and there, but the overall "stuff" is taken care of early.

So why did I leave a question mark in the title? Afterall, it IS Black Friday. Well, not for us! We received our first snowfall of the season overnight. I realize it isn't much, but it's the first we've seen. No laughing by our counterparts in the Salt Lake and Pennsylvania areas. Salt Lake always receives more, and PA? Well, that's obvious, and we all know you're being pounded this year. Complete with lake effect from Erie. Believe it, or not, I'm actually homesick for that area! Not Buffington, really, because our little house there was so awful in the winter weather (and I don't really miss the oil fuel smell or residue on the furniture), but even into Morgantown near Cheat Lake is on my mind. So, this little bit of snow is a very, very nice change of pace.

Enjoy your day, everyone. Stay safe in the crazy crowds, keep warm and snug, and keep yourselves sane! I'm off to get my Christmas stuff up now.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Tristan, I haven't forgotten about the tag...just haven't accomplished it, yet)

We ventured to the historic district again yesterday since it was a lovely afternoon and a good place to walk. It's amazing how much has changed in the past couple of weeks, and Union Avenue has sincerely been hit by tragedy over the past little bit. No need for details, but there are a lot of people in the area who are hurting....emotionally...due to various circumstances. Not just because of the explosion. Especially given the time of year, it's heartbreaking.

We had a lovely walk, though. Lots of windows to look in, some perusing of shops, good smells, and plenty of giggling at my boy. He was happy to be out & about.

Today is baking day. Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving and the turkey will be using the oven for the duration, I am getting the cheesecakes (pumpkin and chocolate), green bean casserole (a cliche staple), cornbread for the stuffing, and a few other things baked today. It should prove to be a full day!

I conclude by sending everyone Thanksgiving wishes. I am eternally grateful for my little family; my husband of 10 years who can drive me up the wall but also takes very, very good care of me and lets me know he loves me (seriously, I drive him further up the wall), my sweet little son who amazes me each and every day. My almost 12-yr old cat who has traveled the distance with me and still manages to know when I'm even remotely sad and works to cheer me up. My almost 9-yr old dog who has visited every battlefield, nearly every trail, saved my butt from certain situations with farm animals, and is the ever-faithful companion. And my parents, who have selflessly given time to help out during this interesting fall season.

I am thankful to have a warm and comfortable home, food on the table, a faith that keeps me somewhat sane, and true friends who remain close to my heart.

And I edit into this post, at 10:27pm Weds night, that I am thankful friends Jeff and Brittany back in Salt Lake are safe and sound at home here in the United States with their new daughter from Mumbai.

I pray this is a wonderful time for everyone else!

The Branch Inn

It's been nearly a week since the trip into the historic district. It was a trip that was unlike any other I'd taken into that part of the city. It wasn't just the fact it smelled funny because of the explosion, or that there were two buildings no longer there, but the fact we had to backtrack and walk behind the buildings to get around.




The pictures are pretty standard of what anyone would take. The ATF was here to help with the investigation. There were clothing racks, pumpkins, and stools appearing to be untouched while chaos ruled the rest of the place. Glass was thick and shattered all over the sidewalks. It was an eery feeling to know my usual parking place was currently buried under rubble. But the fact that only one young woman died and 7 others were injured and survived was heavy in the air. We left a message on the makeshift memorial for Ashley Johnson and just marveled at the fact more people weren't killed or hurt.





The official cause has been ruled a natural gas leak with the buildup storing itself in the basement of Branch Inn. Gino, the 74-yr old pulled last from the rubble, was in the basement when the blast occurred. Nobody smelled anything except what they thought was sewage. It was explained, but I can't remember how. Essentially it came down to that sewer smell being the gas and not recognized due to how it traveled, etc. Nobody's fault, just an accident.




I am slowly healing. Things are just not going as fast as I would like, but that's the way the body works. I'm just not patient. It's going to take a long time, despite having had good tone. That annoys me, but it's better than getting into trouble. This is the reason I waited until summer was over...something I am very happy to have done.

Dad came into town last night for Thanksgiving. It's great to have a full house for the holiday, and it makes cooking a feast so much more fun. There are a few times in the year I like to go crazy in the kitchen, Thanksgiving being one. It's just difficult when the normal thing results in so many leftovers that we can't get through them all! But it's going to be a fun one.

Suffice to say, it's been a strange November, but I'll appreciate it for a long time....