George and I went on and Alaskan cruise with his parents Mike and Robbie, his sister Maggie, brother in law Justin, and their four girls Sophia Hannah Isabella and Mia.
I had never been on a cruise before so this was a new experience for me. We were on the Westerdam of the Holland America cruise line. The first day we met our floor attendant, Uhgi, who was amazing the whole trip. Anything we needed he was able to get for us and everyone who worked on the cruise was amazing. It was some of the best service I have ever had. The boat was beautiful and the only thing I can say that was bad was the amount of rocking. I know it is a boat and that is kind of a duh that it would be rocking however everyone on the boat who had been on a cruise before kept telling me that it was rocking more than most boats. I got a little sea sick but after I got a Dramamine patch from Robbie I was ok the rest of the trip.
Maggie and I took some girl time and got massages and facials which was awesome. The lady at the spa sold me the great product that I am going to order for Ginger. It is a kind of lotion that I put on my temples and my headache went away in a few minutes. Then George and I went wandering around the boat seeing what we could find. We found chairs that looked like the captains chair from Star Trek, a beautiful piano bar, a great jewelry store, and beautiful decks where we just sat and watched the ocean fly by. They had things to do every day on the boat they showed movies that were still in the theaters, they ran karaoke and bingo, we saw a really funny comedian, a musical revue, and George actually got 4th in a blackjack tournament the ships casino ran.
The second day we got off the boat in Juneau. We all went on a whale watching tour and then a hike to see a glacier. It was all spectacularly beautiful, we got some great pictures, and we had a great time hanging out with the family. After the tour George and I wandered around town shopping and taking pictures.
Every night we went to dinner in the Vista Dining Room and had a 5 course meal each time. We had steak, crab, lobster, and every other decadent food you could imagine. I think my favorite thing was when 6 year old Mia got very adventurous and tried escargot. The rest of the girls were a little horrified and we were all cracking up because she was loving it and not really understanding what she was eating.
We got off the boat in a place called Ketchikan where we went through the state park, saw about 30 totem polls, and got a pretty nice overall history of Alaska going to what they call the Russian Bishops House and through the Alaska Native Museum. We saw some of the largest leave I have ever seen in my life, the girls found slugs every few steps which was hysterical, and a fur bikini which was just bizarre. We also got to see the Raptor Center which was really cool. They take in injured and abandoned baby bald eagles, screeching owls, hawks etc, rehabilitate them, and release them back into the wild. If they are not able to be released then they become part of the educational program teaching people about them and their survival. We got to be in the same room with one and watch him get fed.
Then we got off in a town called Sitka. We got to see an amazing Lumberjack show which was tons of fun. We got to go shopping in a really pretty market called Creek Street which is a bunch of buildings on stilts.
All in all it was a great trip. We got to spend time with the family, see some beautiful places, and learn quite a bit about Alaskan history.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Our 2nd Anniversary
5 years ago today I went on my very last first date. 2 years ago today I walked down the aisle on a beautiful beach in Jamaica and said ‘I do’ to the love of my life. We were not only blessed by the presence of so many wonderful friends and family members but by a rainbow going over the resort. The minister told us it was the island blessing us. And I have felt blessed every day since:)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Simple Pleasures
I have been on vacation for the last week with my fabulous husband working on our house and completing tons of things on our ‘to-do’ list. From the moment I was done with work I felt like a giant weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I was moved into my new position at the end of January and since day one it has been very hectic and stressful. I have let it follow me home and take a big toll on me physically. I needed this time away to center myself and recharge my batteries. And over the last week I have learned that I have been missing out on some very simple pleasures that I have let fall into a ditch since starting this job.
The big project for us was painting the house. There were three rooms that I had previously painted that I was not happy with at all so we had to do some color corrections. The last time I painted it was hell because I was doing most of it alone (even though I did have some help from Sophia). This time I was stunned at how easily the painting went with both George and I splitting the work. It was also a really nice just spending that time together talking and laughing and getting back in touch with each other. Since I started this job I have felt a little disconnected from him and quite a few of my friends because I have let it take me over.
We also went a little nuts cleaning the entire house and completing little projects that we have been putting off as low priority for a while. We cleaned out the fridges and freezers, all the closets, shampooed the carpets in every room, hung up different curtain rods down stairs as the old ones did not fit right, cleaned off the top of the fridge in the garage, organized my painting supplies, when through mountains of mail, had our rings cleaned and serviced, went through my library of books and got rid of over half of them, went through my shoes cloths and purses and got rid of a bunch as well, organized and hung up pictures, cleaned out our linen totes, gave the boys baths, cleaned out their kennels, cut their nails, and we did tons of yard work. I am tired from just reading that list.
We did take some time away from the house and went shopping and to the movies. We have not been to the movies in months and it was really nice to have a date night. We saw Thor which was fantastic and I highly recommend it. I also went and got a pedicure, went shopping with my mom, went to dinner with my parents, and hung out with Marcus and Nikki next door.
In this week off I rediscovered the simple pleasures of my life. In addition to everything else I got to read books, paint a few pictures, catch up with friends on the phone, and walk the boys. I got to spend time with my husband talking about everything from our opinions on politics, our hopes for our future children, and how to make sure we stay connected even after the vacation is over. Over the last few months I have had headaches that have been almost debilitating. Every few days without fail I would wake up with a headache that went from the back of my neck all the way to the back of my eyes. Some days I could not even make it through the work day because of it. Since I have been on vacation I have not had one headache.
So as I return to work I have a clear vision of how I need to handle it going forward. I am going to calm down, realize that certain things are just out of my control, and above all I have to leave work at work. I cannot continue feeling like I have been hit by a truck being driven by me. I have created this and I am going to make sure I do not go back to feeling that way. It is not healthy for me or my relationships. My husband has been patient with me throughout the last several months and has been nothing but supportive. And enough is enough for us. From here on out I am getting back to the work/life balance that I used to have down to a science but have recently forgotten. As I go back to work I just have to keep reminding myself…life is grand.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Grandpa Jan
One year ago this week we lost Grandpa Jan. I have been thinking quite a bit about him this week, even more so the normal. A year ago at this time I struggled to put into words what he meant to me. But now that a year has passed I want to share a little about the man I called Grandpa.
Grandpa Jan married my Grandma Kitty right before I turned two. The story I have been told is that when Mom Dad and I lived in Fort Knox Kentucky they got a phone call from the posts Military Police. They advised Dad that a man and a woman had flown illegally into Fort Knox and landed claiming that they knew him. They told them that their names were Jan Ziegler and Arthea Bowesock. Well Dad knew Arthea was his mother but he did not know Jan. But he went down and signed for them. This story cracks me up. Only Grandpa Jan would pull a stunt like that. And in a post 9/11 world I cannot imagine anyone getting away with that today. Only Jan Ziegler. According to Dad on this trip Grandpa asked permission to marry Grandma.
When Ginger and I were little, the family would spend 1 week with Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Jan and 1 with Grandma and Grandpa Heard in the summer on a visit. I remember going to the lake, going out with him on his boat, flying with him in his plane, grilling, and playing in the bar. I think everyone has some concrete memories of childhood. Those are some of my most vivid. Ginger and I, and all of his grandkids, were his ‘buddies’ or is ‘Pollock’s’ as he called us. There are a few things I knew as a kid. Mom was the best at everything she did, Dad could always listen and give the best advice, and I would always be Grandpa Jan’s buddy.
As a child I did not really put together than Jan was not biologically related to me. I did not have a concept of divorce or that someone who I had known my whole life and I have called Grandpa would not be ‘really’ my grandpa. We did not have a personal relationship with my biological Grandpa Rick. I only ever met him a handful of times in my life. The Grandpas in my life were Grandpa Jan and Grandpa Heard. When I was 12 I saw a picture of my Great Grandpa Rick and Mom explained to me that Jan and Kitty had not gotten married until after I was born. I remember thinking “Oh… so he is not ‘really’ my Grandpa…but he is.” And that was all the thought I really gave to the issue. He was my Grandpa and I did not really care how that came to be nor did it matter. He always treated us like his own and Mom and Dad like his kids. So who cares?
When my Dad went to Korea for a tour in the Army we lived with Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Jan for a year. I was about 12 and in middle school at the time. Wapakoneta, where they lived, is a small town and I got picked on quite a bit. These kids in school all seemed to have come out of the womb together and the new girl from California was an easy target.
I am not sure if this was true but it is the story I remember hearing. Apparently at one point Grandpa called the school and told them that since our Dad was out of the country that Jan was ‘stand-in daddy’ and nothing better happen to us or he would have something to say about it. As I said before I am not sure if he really did that. But thinking he did offered a level of comfort that I can hardly describe. Knowing that even with Dad half a world away that I had a protector was a great gift. And I could not have asked for a better stand-in.
There were a few things about Grandpa that if you knew him at all, you knew these things about him. He was a former Marine who was very proud of his service to our country. He loved grilling the most amazing food as a master chef. He loved flying his plane as he was a pilot. And he loved taking his boat out on the lake. But most of all he loved his kids, his grandkids, his great-grandkids, and Kitty. He adored the restaurant Hooters and whenever he ate good food he would say ‘Them’s groceries’ with a hint of a southern drawl and a growl. And whenever anything was good at all he would throw back his head, close his eyes, and slowly drawl out the word ‘Mercy!’ He loved to go to Florida for the ‘Christmas’…which always seemed to mean from sometime after Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day. He loved his motor home and his shop in the back of the house. He loved his pooch Gizmo, Fox News, and Bill O’Reilly. He loved his greenhouse, and his beautiful backyard with his waterfall and pond. His great-grandson Lucas dubbed his greenhouse and his yard the ‘jungle’ and from then on Lucas called Jan ‘Grandpa Jungle’.
Grandpa was the hardest working person I have ever met in my life. He would be gone before any of us were out of bed working in the shop. Then he would leave in the afternoon to work at Ford Motor Company until the late hours and come home. He always seemed to be on the go and that stress caught up with his heart over the years. He had high blood pressure and when Ginger and I were younger we would have ‘pamper grandpa time’. I would massage his back and Ginger would comb his hair. I think he was just indulging us but he loved the attention. When we lived with them I would give Grandpa a back massage every week. He always told me that his blood pressure went down after a massage and that always made me feel like I was helping.
Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Jan came out to Colorado for my graduation in 1998. Grandpa pulled out all the stops throwing an amazing party. He deep fried multiple turkeys and cook up a storm for my graduation party. You could smell the turkeys from blocks away at the school and people driving by just stopped to join in because it smelled so amazing. On this trip we went to Hooters and as usual Grandpa was buying up all the Hooters memorabilia he could for him and even for us. The problem with this trip was that they did not have a pair of Hooter shorts in Gingers size which was extra small. Now another thing about Grandpa was that he was charming…dangerously charming at times. He asked a Hooters waitress what size she wore and he discovered it was extra small. After a few whispers she went into the back, changed into jeans, and handed them over. Now you know damn well those Hooter Girls have heard it ALL! But Grandpa still managed to talk one out of her shorts. He was that kind of charming.
When Grandpa and Grandma came out for Gingers graduation we took them to a place here in the Springs called the Iron Springs Chateau. It is a dinner theater where they serve a family style meal with bowls of chicken, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and beans passed around the table. After dinner you go upstairs to the old fashioned theater where there is a melodrama performance. During an intermission they have a performance of follies. At one point during our visit they had a torch singer come out and while she belted out her sexy song she sat in Grandpas lap to serenade him. We were all cracking up because she had no idea what she was getting herself into. We have the greatest picture of all time with her in his lap, she has her lips puckered right up on his face, and the picture catches his head thrown back right in the middle of saying ‘Mercy’. And anyone who has seen that picture knows what he is in the middle of saying.
One of things about Grandpa was his love of family. There is nothing he would not do for us and he was so proud of what we all had become. During that same trip Dad took Grandpa and Grandma on a tour of ATMEL, the semi conductor company where both Dad and I worked. I will never forget as we walked around the building Dad introduced them to his coworkers as his Mom and Dad and not his Step-Dad. And every time he said Jan was his Dad, Jan stood up a little straighter, puffed out his chest a little, got a big grin on his face, and looked so proud. It was a really cool moment.
When George and I were getting married Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Jan determined they would not be able to make the trip to Jamaica for the ceremony. But they came out for my bridal shower. This was be the last time I saw Grandpa. They day they arrived I came over and we all sat around the table and cracked up laughing reminiscing. I am not sure I have ever seen Grandpa laugh so hard he had tears streaming down his cheeks at some of my memories as a child. Like the time I asked him why I never saw him and Grandma kiss…I won’t repeat Grandmas answer to me at the time but it was hysterical. Grandma then leaned over and kissed him. He then pretended to be grossed out and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Then he gave her a loving look and winked. Both Grandma and Grandpa had forgotten about this but they thought it was hilarious that I remember it.
That week they came over to visit us at our new house and meet George. George and Grandpa hit it off really well and George grilled up some steaks. This was of course was a test for Grandpa which George passed as a good griller. If he had not I think Grandpa might have stopped the wedding. It was really important to be that Grandpa not only meet George but like him. My parents adore George but Grandpa was one of the most influential men in my life and I wanted him to approve. At one point in the visit Grandpa and I were standing on my deck looking out at the mountains and he put his arm around me. He told me he was very proud of me. He said “Man I’ll tell you Buddy. You done good for yourself. You gotta good life here. I a mighty proud of ya.” Then he looked over into the house at George. He said ‘You know that man loves you.” With a smile I said “I know.” He hugged me tighter and said “That makes me feel good. I know he will take care of you when I am gone.” I just laughed and said “Oh please. You are tough. You are gonna probably out live him and then you will be stuck with me all over again!” He laughed and gave me a big hug. I will hold that memory with me always.
He has been gone a year now and I think about him all the time. I think about him when I grill or cook. I think about him when I pass Hooters or hear a clip of something totally crazy that Bill O’Reilly has said lately and I laugh thinking about how Grandpa would have agreed with him no matter what. When I am gardening or making the grand plans for our deck and yard. When I pass the wedding photo of Jan and Kitty I have in my living room. And I carry him in my heart every day. And I hope wherever he is that he knows how much he is missed.
Grandpa Jan married my Grandma Kitty right before I turned two. The story I have been told is that when Mom Dad and I lived in Fort Knox Kentucky they got a phone call from the posts Military Police. They advised Dad that a man and a woman had flown illegally into Fort Knox and landed claiming that they knew him. They told them that their names were Jan Ziegler and Arthea Bowesock. Well Dad knew Arthea was his mother but he did not know Jan. But he went down and signed for them. This story cracks me up. Only Grandpa Jan would pull a stunt like that. And in a post 9/11 world I cannot imagine anyone getting away with that today. Only Jan Ziegler. According to Dad on this trip Grandpa asked permission to marry Grandma.
When Ginger and I were little, the family would spend 1 week with Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Jan and 1 with Grandma and Grandpa Heard in the summer on a visit. I remember going to the lake, going out with him on his boat, flying with him in his plane, grilling, and playing in the bar. I think everyone has some concrete memories of childhood. Those are some of my most vivid. Ginger and I, and all of his grandkids, were his ‘buddies’ or is ‘Pollock’s’ as he called us. There are a few things I knew as a kid. Mom was the best at everything she did, Dad could always listen and give the best advice, and I would always be Grandpa Jan’s buddy.
As a child I did not really put together than Jan was not biologically related to me. I did not have a concept of divorce or that someone who I had known my whole life and I have called Grandpa would not be ‘really’ my grandpa. We did not have a personal relationship with my biological Grandpa Rick. I only ever met him a handful of times in my life. The Grandpas in my life were Grandpa Jan and Grandpa Heard. When I was 12 I saw a picture of my Great Grandpa Rick and Mom explained to me that Jan and Kitty had not gotten married until after I was born. I remember thinking “Oh… so he is not ‘really’ my Grandpa…but he is.” And that was all the thought I really gave to the issue. He was my Grandpa and I did not really care how that came to be nor did it matter. He always treated us like his own and Mom and Dad like his kids. So who cares?
When my Dad went to Korea for a tour in the Army we lived with Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Jan for a year. I was about 12 and in middle school at the time. Wapakoneta, where they lived, is a small town and I got picked on quite a bit. These kids in school all seemed to have come out of the womb together and the new girl from California was an easy target.
I am not sure if this was true but it is the story I remember hearing. Apparently at one point Grandpa called the school and told them that since our Dad was out of the country that Jan was ‘stand-in daddy’ and nothing better happen to us or he would have something to say about it. As I said before I am not sure if he really did that. But thinking he did offered a level of comfort that I can hardly describe. Knowing that even with Dad half a world away that I had a protector was a great gift. And I could not have asked for a better stand-in.
There were a few things about Grandpa that if you knew him at all, you knew these things about him. He was a former Marine who was very proud of his service to our country. He loved grilling the most amazing food as a master chef. He loved flying his plane as he was a pilot. And he loved taking his boat out on the lake. But most of all he loved his kids, his grandkids, his great-grandkids, and Kitty. He adored the restaurant Hooters and whenever he ate good food he would say ‘Them’s groceries’ with a hint of a southern drawl and a growl. And whenever anything was good at all he would throw back his head, close his eyes, and slowly drawl out the word ‘Mercy!’ He loved to go to Florida for the ‘Christmas’…which always seemed to mean from sometime after Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day. He loved his motor home and his shop in the back of the house. He loved his pooch Gizmo, Fox News, and Bill O’Reilly. He loved his greenhouse, and his beautiful backyard with his waterfall and pond. His great-grandson Lucas dubbed his greenhouse and his yard the ‘jungle’ and from then on Lucas called Jan ‘Grandpa Jungle’.
Grandpa was the hardest working person I have ever met in my life. He would be gone before any of us were out of bed working in the shop. Then he would leave in the afternoon to work at Ford Motor Company until the late hours and come home. He always seemed to be on the go and that stress caught up with his heart over the years. He had high blood pressure and when Ginger and I were younger we would have ‘pamper grandpa time’. I would massage his back and Ginger would comb his hair. I think he was just indulging us but he loved the attention. When we lived with them I would give Grandpa a back massage every week. He always told me that his blood pressure went down after a massage and that always made me feel like I was helping.
Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Jan came out to Colorado for my graduation in 1998. Grandpa pulled out all the stops throwing an amazing party. He deep fried multiple turkeys and cook up a storm for my graduation party. You could smell the turkeys from blocks away at the school and people driving by just stopped to join in because it smelled so amazing. On this trip we went to Hooters and as usual Grandpa was buying up all the Hooters memorabilia he could for him and even for us. The problem with this trip was that they did not have a pair of Hooter shorts in Gingers size which was extra small. Now another thing about Grandpa was that he was charming…dangerously charming at times. He asked a Hooters waitress what size she wore and he discovered it was extra small. After a few whispers she went into the back, changed into jeans, and handed them over. Now you know damn well those Hooter Girls have heard it ALL! But Grandpa still managed to talk one out of her shorts. He was that kind of charming.
When Grandpa and Grandma came out for Gingers graduation we took them to a place here in the Springs called the Iron Springs Chateau. It is a dinner theater where they serve a family style meal with bowls of chicken, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and beans passed around the table. After dinner you go upstairs to the old fashioned theater where there is a melodrama performance. During an intermission they have a performance of follies. At one point during our visit they had a torch singer come out and while she belted out her sexy song she sat in Grandpas lap to serenade him. We were all cracking up because she had no idea what she was getting herself into. We have the greatest picture of all time with her in his lap, she has her lips puckered right up on his face, and the picture catches his head thrown back right in the middle of saying ‘Mercy’. And anyone who has seen that picture knows what he is in the middle of saying.
One of things about Grandpa was his love of family. There is nothing he would not do for us and he was so proud of what we all had become. During that same trip Dad took Grandpa and Grandma on a tour of ATMEL, the semi conductor company where both Dad and I worked. I will never forget as we walked around the building Dad introduced them to his coworkers as his Mom and Dad and not his Step-Dad. And every time he said Jan was his Dad, Jan stood up a little straighter, puffed out his chest a little, got a big grin on his face, and looked so proud. It was a really cool moment.
When George and I were getting married Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Jan determined they would not be able to make the trip to Jamaica for the ceremony. But they came out for my bridal shower. This was be the last time I saw Grandpa. They day they arrived I came over and we all sat around the table and cracked up laughing reminiscing. I am not sure I have ever seen Grandpa laugh so hard he had tears streaming down his cheeks at some of my memories as a child. Like the time I asked him why I never saw him and Grandma kiss…I won’t repeat Grandmas answer to me at the time but it was hysterical. Grandma then leaned over and kissed him. He then pretended to be grossed out and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Then he gave her a loving look and winked. Both Grandma and Grandpa had forgotten about this but they thought it was hilarious that I remember it.
That week they came over to visit us at our new house and meet George. George and Grandpa hit it off really well and George grilled up some steaks. This was of course was a test for Grandpa which George passed as a good griller. If he had not I think Grandpa might have stopped the wedding. It was really important to be that Grandpa not only meet George but like him. My parents adore George but Grandpa was one of the most influential men in my life and I wanted him to approve. At one point in the visit Grandpa and I were standing on my deck looking out at the mountains and he put his arm around me. He told me he was very proud of me. He said “Man I’ll tell you Buddy. You done good for yourself. You gotta good life here. I a mighty proud of ya.” Then he looked over into the house at George. He said ‘You know that man loves you.” With a smile I said “I know.” He hugged me tighter and said “That makes me feel good. I know he will take care of you when I am gone.” I just laughed and said “Oh please. You are tough. You are gonna probably out live him and then you will be stuck with me all over again!” He laughed and gave me a big hug. I will hold that memory with me always.
He has been gone a year now and I think about him all the time. I think about him when I grill or cook. I think about him when I pass Hooters or hear a clip of something totally crazy that Bill O’Reilly has said lately and I laugh thinking about how Grandpa would have agreed with him no matter what. When I am gardening or making the grand plans for our deck and yard. When I pass the wedding photo of Jan and Kitty I have in my living room. And I carry him in my heart every day. And I hope wherever he is that he knows how much he is missed.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Catching Up
Wow it has been a while but I thought I would catch up. Out house was broken into on Oct 24th and it freaking sucked. This creepy little bastard used a code grabber to get in the garage. He stole all George’s tools, my lap top, purse, meds, wallet, cigarettes, etc...We are just grateful that no one was hurt, including the boys.
The cops did nothing. I had to do all the leg work to get security tapes of this tweaker using my debit card at the grocery store. Then I practically had to beg the cop to go get the tapes because they would not release them to me. All the cops did when we called and said we were robbed was come to the house an hour and a half after we called, give me a spiffy pamphlet that explains why the city does not do jack crap for you unless it involves giving you a speeding ticket, tipped his hat and said ‘have a nice day ma’am.’ And rode off into the sunset like he saved the freaking day or something. Worthless.
I have put myself in a sort of cable news hiatus. I am tired of being the progressive representative in Colorado Springs. I am just a little tired of being constantly told I am wrong. When I watch the news I just get riled up and I am tired. So for a while I have just decided to nod my head and smile.
We refinanced the house because CitiMortgage sucks. If you have your mortgage through them or considering getting one through them DON’T! They will rip you off.
We had a great Thanksgiving with all the parents at May and Gordy’s. It was a nice day of fun, family and food.
Our oven broke which totally sucked. But Mike and Robbie very graciously bought us a new one as a Christmas present. Thank you so much!
Our wonderful friend Kristen, who is an amazing photographer, came over the other day and took tons of pictures for our Christmas card. She took pictures of us and the boys and I am very excited about that as a picture junkie.
George started his new job as a claims adjuster for USAA. It is a much more challenging job for him and he is loving it. Every day he comes home with new stories of claims that are always entertaining. It is nice to see him in a job that clearly makes him so happy:)
We are very excited about Christmas because we are going to Wyoming to see Maggie and Justin and the girls. We have not seen them in what seems like forever and it should be tons of fun:)
So even though getting robbed sucked, life is pretty good:)
The cops did nothing. I had to do all the leg work to get security tapes of this tweaker using my debit card at the grocery store. Then I practically had to beg the cop to go get the tapes because they would not release them to me. All the cops did when we called and said we were robbed was come to the house an hour and a half after we called, give me a spiffy pamphlet that explains why the city does not do jack crap for you unless it involves giving you a speeding ticket, tipped his hat and said ‘have a nice day ma’am.’ And rode off into the sunset like he saved the freaking day or something. Worthless.
I have put myself in a sort of cable news hiatus. I am tired of being the progressive representative in Colorado Springs. I am just a little tired of being constantly told I am wrong. When I watch the news I just get riled up and I am tired. So for a while I have just decided to nod my head and smile.
We refinanced the house because CitiMortgage sucks. If you have your mortgage through them or considering getting one through them DON’T! They will rip you off.
We had a great Thanksgiving with all the parents at May and Gordy’s. It was a nice day of fun, family and food.
Our oven broke which totally sucked. But Mike and Robbie very graciously bought us a new one as a Christmas present. Thank you so much!
Our wonderful friend Kristen, who is an amazing photographer, came over the other day and took tons of pictures for our Christmas card. She took pictures of us and the boys and I am very excited about that as a picture junkie.
George started his new job as a claims adjuster for USAA. It is a much more challenging job for him and he is loving it. Every day he comes home with new stories of claims that are always entertaining. It is nice to see him in a job that clearly makes him so happy:)
We are very excited about Christmas because we are going to Wyoming to see Maggie and Justin and the girls. We have not seen them in what seems like forever and it should be tons of fun:)
So even though getting robbed sucked, life is pretty good:)
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Lucas
It was two years ago this month that my nephew Lucas had a horrible accident. He was burned very badly with boiling water on his head, face, neck, and chest. He was flown from his home state of Montana to Salt Lake City, Utah where he was admitted into what I understand is one of the best burn units in the country. Only Ginger, his mother, was able to come with him directly. His father had to drive. My father and I immediately jumped on a plane the next day to go be there for them in any way we could especially until Josh, his father, arrived. My mother arrived later that day from Ohio.
The hospital staff was nothing short of wonderful. A nurse was with him almost around the clock, answering all of our questions, tending to any of his needs, and monitoring him very closely as he was in an induced coma. It was an incredibly scary time especially for Ginger and Josh not knowing what the future would bring. There was a shortage of hotels in the area due to a convention going on in town and even the ones that had rooms were kind of expensive. When they first arrived the worst estimate that I heard was that Lucas could have been there for a month or more.
Eventually the hospital referred Ginger and Josh to the Ronald McDonald house which was very close. They were able to get a room there for free. I knew of the charity before this incident however I did not REALLY know what it did. Seeing how the worry of where to stay so far from home was taken away was amazing. Lucas has recovered beautifully and I rarely see him without thinking how amazing it is that he came through it all so well. Seeing him playing on the beach in Jamaica was amazing. Seeing him running around my mothers house saying 'Auntie George!' always makes me smile. And knowing that he is well now, in part, because of the generosity of others makes me want to give that gift back.
In these times of economic crisis I understand that it is getting harder and harder to give. However, this charity is one of the best ways to help a family through one of the darkest hours they could experience. I donated today because I know that another family like mine will be helped with that money. It is not only a gift of a place to stay but a gift of a little peace of mind. And in times of crisis a little peace of mind goes a long way towards healing. If you can, try to help them reach their goal. I have posted the link below. Thanks!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
When I was 20 years old I asked my Dad how he knew he was in love with Mom. My Dad, being the very matter of fact person that he is, said simply “Well we had very similar goals. We both wanted to get married, have a military life, have two kids, buy a house, and retire.” At that time I did not think that was very romantic. My mom always told me that I would know when a man really loved me because I would never be able to get rid of him. Mom worked for a factory at the time and by the time her shift was over she would be pretty dirty. But instead of going to her house to pick her up for their date Dad would show up at her job just wanting to get their dates started and not caring how she looked. At the time I thought that sounded annoying.
Years later when I met George I realized that they were right. George and I both wanted to get married, travel, kids were a maybe, buy a house, have two dogs, and someday retire to a house in the islands somewhere. It was amazing to have someone who loved me and who was totally on the same page as I was. It was awesome to know that George and I are going to share our lives, our hopes, and our goals together. And I could not get rid of George if I tried. I would run to the pharmacy drive through which was 2 minutes down the road and he wanted to come with me. I used to live all the way on the other end of town from work. However, when we hung out after work he would beg me to just hang out for just another ½ hour until it was 4 in the morning and I was driving desperately fighting to keep my eyes open.
To this day George will text me and call me throughout the day to tell me that he misses me. When he is playing video games he wants me to sit in his office with him and read just so that we are close. And even now that some of our dreams have come true like getting married in Jamaica, buying a house, and getting our dogs, our new goals that have come along have also grown together like knowing that we do want kids someday.
Quite a few of my friends are struggling right now with relationships ending. It has made me think about my romantic history and made me very happy that I found George. Today I was talking to one of those friends and she was thinking about what she wants and deserves from someone. And I passed along the words of my parents. “If a man loves you he will want the same things out of life you do. And you will never be able to get rid of him.”
Years later when I met George I realized that they were right. George and I both wanted to get married, travel, kids were a maybe, buy a house, have two dogs, and someday retire to a house in the islands somewhere. It was amazing to have someone who loved me and who was totally on the same page as I was. It was awesome to know that George and I are going to share our lives, our hopes, and our goals together. And I could not get rid of George if I tried. I would run to the pharmacy drive through which was 2 minutes down the road and he wanted to come with me. I used to live all the way on the other end of town from work. However, when we hung out after work he would beg me to just hang out for just another ½ hour until it was 4 in the morning and I was driving desperately fighting to keep my eyes open.
To this day George will text me and call me throughout the day to tell me that he misses me. When he is playing video games he wants me to sit in his office with him and read just so that we are close. And even now that some of our dreams have come true like getting married in Jamaica, buying a house, and getting our dogs, our new goals that have come along have also grown together like knowing that we do want kids someday.
Quite a few of my friends are struggling right now with relationships ending. It has made me think about my romantic history and made me very happy that I found George. Today I was talking to one of those friends and she was thinking about what she wants and deserves from someone. And I passed along the words of my parents. “If a man loves you he will want the same things out of life you do. And you will never be able to get rid of him.”
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