Estes Park Shopping

Howdy!

The man and I went up to Estes Park yesterday. I wanted to do a little shopping and I had a feeling what I was looking for was there.

The drive was beautiful. We haven't gone up there during the winter before and the light blanket of snow on things was just breathtaking. We crossed a bridge to the shopping district and the river below was a layer of ice with water flowing below it. This picture doesn't quite "wow" but hopefully you can see the water below the ice.

We drove through Evans on the way and the damage from the September floods was amazing. There is still a lot of debris and destroyed homes. The roads are open again and I know businesses are thankful for that. My heart goes out to those families effected by the floods. I can only hope that 2014 brings them a fresh start.

The shopping quest? A success! I got the man what he wanted for Christmas. We're both happy. On the way home from Estes Park, we stopped at Beau Jo's for some awesome pizza then he drove me through the Tech Center to see the Christmas lights. A wonderful day together. Happiness abounds.

Airplanes and... X-Wings?

Howdy!

The man and I went to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum on Saturday. It was wonderfully quiet! It was cool to see all the different aircraft and the history. Technology sure has gotten smaller and smarter!

I think this was my favorite part.

A Star Wars X-Wing, signed by many of the actors of Star Wars including Harrison Ford. This was built to a slightly smaller scale but it is so cool to see!

Christmas Display Walk

Howdy!

We walked through that Christmas light display tonight. It was so cool to meet the owner. He's been doing this every year for over 30 years. He starts the backyard display the week after Halloween. There are several train tracks, along with lots of decorated trees, animated displays and so much more.

I took this picture for Emily. She knows who she is. ;-)

This display was full of nutcrackers. The displays were all built by him, complete with interior lights and tile on the base. So nicely done and full of love.

We also saw the movie Frozen today. What a great movie! I loved the animation! Amazingly there were more adults than kids at the afternoon show!

The final highlight for the day... drumroll please... I have an appointment on Monday morning back at the office that I interviewed at last week. I am feeling good about this! Keep the positive thoughts going!

A Little Christmas Stamping

Howdy!

Well, it was just a little. Enough to make a mess in my studio. I ended up working in the unofficially regulated 6 square inches of space. If you are a creative type, you know what I mean! I even completed one card!

Yes, I am quite happy that I actually got a Christmas card completed. Oh, details. Stamp: Stampendous. Colored with Distress Inks and waterbrush. 

So, I geared up to create another. Got out my paper, cut it, inked a stamp... hey! stamped perfect the first time! And here comes Ranger. Plop. Right in the center of my work zone. She then proceeds to snuggle into my arm. 

Pay attention to me!

Ok. I give. I'll quit stamping and go upstairs where you'll sit on your couch and I'll sit on mine. Funny beast. I'll be back to do more stamping when she hasn't been alone all day. If she was a box sitter, I'd have a box on my stamping table for her to sit in!

Mini Light Tour

On the way home from dinner tonight, the man took me to see this incredible Christmas light display in our neighborhood.

This place is amazing! There are fantastic vintage pieces on display. The garage has been converted and there's a village display in the window. On the right side of the picture, you can see a lit tunnel that goes into their back yard for another walk-through display. They even have hot beverages out!

We will be going back to do the walk through tour.

I can't wait to see more holiday lights go up!

Margarita Time!

Oh yes! Yumness abounds!

We tried a new Mexican restaurant tonight. Well, new to us and I'm still on a quest for a Mexican restaurant that I love as much as La Hacienda Real.

We went to Ajuua!! and it was fabulous! It's Thirsty Thursday so margaritas were half price! Woot! I enjoyed a pomegranate margarita and he had some sort of large private label strong doozy. The food was awesome, chips and salsa amazing and good service.

Oh yes, we will go back!

Oooh Shiny!

The man and I went to see the new Thor movie today. Ooh wow is that good! I really recommend it!

After the movie, we went to check out Gordmans and that is quite the store! My massage therapist and customer Mackenzie recommended I go there for home dec stuff. Oh my yes! All sorts of good stuff.

Just check out these fabu shiny keys!

I think they would look wonderful hanging on a painted wall. Painted something other than white, of course.

I saw all sorts of cool artwork, holiday decor and yes, clothes. I have a feeling I'll be doing some holiday shopping there. Hopefully I'll find those keys still there when there's some extra money burning a hole in my pocket. ;-)

Storage is Sexy

Especially when a storage space can now storage more stuff, in an accessible way. And my shelves fit perfectly in the space!

Next, put away holiday decorations and other storage stuff. Yes, that means more stuff put away and not in the unloading zone in the basement. Progress!

New Hairdo!

Yes, I did it. It was time.

I found a new hairdresser and got my hair cut this afternoon.

I told her what I've been doing and liking and why, including keeping my bangs short.

"Why do you have bangs?"
"Because I was told when I was a kid that I have a high forehead and I should have bangs."
"You don't have a high forehead. Let's try growing out those bangs."

For a new stylist, she was direct, cool and had a point. So, my forehead is showing. Not all of it yet. And she showed me how to style my hair to get volume in it. Hey! Now if it stays all day, that's cool!

Now, can I style it like this in the morning? I hope so!

An Island Halloween

We celebrated Halloween on Saturday, Nov. 2 with a group of the man's friends. Well, I'm becoming part of the group too now. (yes!)

The theme: Gilligan's Island.

Oh what fun! We were the Skipper and Ginger. I'm liking being a redhead!

Mr & Mrs Howell were there, along with Mary Ann, Gilligan, the Professor, another Ginger and Skipper and a native! The other customers in the restaurant really had fun with us, too.

Black Christmas?

It's that time of year. That annoying time when retailers put Christmas stuff up before Halloween. Sigh.

Yes, I was part of it today. I put up a display at Target that featured Christmas cards. Several of the designs are black glitter Christmas cards. Two things: 1. Black for Christmas? Well, it is elegant. 2.  Yes, I am touching loose glitter. I do go home wearing more glitter than I'd prefer some days.

A bit fuzzy but it is wrapped in plastic, thankfully to control the glitter!

DIY

I changed a lightbulb today.

Well, not just any lightbulb. A rear brake light on PT. And yes, I got my hands dirty but that doesn't scare me.

It was broken like this when I got the light lens open.

Now really. Broken while installed? I can only wonder what caused it but at least I fixed it and do not need a new tail light.

Dream!

Today I attended the Go Give Workshop in Colorado Springs. It was wonderful to meet so many wonderful people and learn from so many directors. It was wonderful to be reminded that the Mary Kay business is simple and to be bold.

It was a real treat to meet new National Sales Director Jill Davis.

I look forward to meeting more wonderful women and helping them improve their lives, through beauty or self-belief.

Another Day of Making it All Look Good

I love being a merchandiser for American Greetings. Make it look good, put out new products and repeat.

Here's just a small amount of freight to be worked in, along with my trusty antique handheld computer. It works, but it's a funny old thing.

Yep, I work at the busiest Target in the nation for American Greetings. Busy, busy, busy! It's my part time job that thankfully I enjoy and it helps!

Oh yes!

It was time. Time for popcorn. The man was out having beers with his best friend. My brain was fried from working all day with my merchandising job. After finding box K18 containing the popcorn popper, all I needed was a big enough bowl.

Mission accomplished.

And it was the most satisfying bowl of popcorn I've had in a long time. Or perhaps I've just missed it. Thankfully I haven't lost my touch so there will be repeats in the future. Just not as often as it was when I was living alone (almost daily!).

Please?

Howdy!

I swear I can hear this little squirrel begging me to take him home from Target. I already have his brother, who is on all fours with his floofy tail in the air. He's on the right of this picture, cropped out.

Now look at this dude? Can't you hear him?

Please?

Sun Worshiper

Howdy!

Yes, if there is sun to be found, Ranger will follow it. And nap in it.

Smart girl.

This is her afternoon spot.

Popped Tags!

Howdy!

I scored some good stuff at the Arc Thrift Shop today! I've been wanting a new purse and there it was! Further down the aisle, was a tote bag for me too! Score!

Yes, a Mary Kay purse and tote. Just what I needed! I also got a dress for my Halloween costume. Bwahaha!

Saturday's achievment

Howdy!

Today we got the rest of my moving boxes and stuff out of the garage and into the house! This is good for a couple of things. Progress on unpacking and we will be able to get both cars in the garage soon. My PT in the garage makes me very happy. Very happy.

Little by little, this spare bedroom storage will be unpacked and arranged. Getting there!

First Snow!

Howdy!

Today, the first snow greeted us this morning. There was about 3" of snow on top of the man's Honda when I left for my part time American Greetings job at 8:30am. It melted quick as it warmed up today.

A beautiful day.

Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado

Howdy!

Time for the story of the move. We started out on Sunday, Sept. 9. Not in the morning like we'd hoped. Nothing better than another run to the storage unit and more garbage trips to finish things up. We pulled away from my favorite drive thru Starbucks at 1:30p, chai and tea to keep us alert.

Ooooh! Where are we going?

Ranger did an awesome job on this trip. She did small meows on the first part of the trip. Once we hit the highway, she laid down in her crate and just snoozed the rest of the day. She missed out on the beautiful views through the Gorge. What an amazing first day of the trip!

The first night was in Pendleton, OR. We stayed at the Best Western Plus and it was very nice! They had just renovated the pool and hot tub.

A bit blurry but you get the idea. Relaxing!

A good night of sleep, and we were off. I'll admit that I was the clucky mom, worrying about Ranger. Thankfully that eased as the nights went on. She proved herself very adaptable; especially if there was a good hiding place.

I'm not sure about this!
Cruising down the road, we kept hearing the chirp of Ranger's mouse toy. All the way from the very back of the car. Ok, I'll be the smart one, take it out of the back and put it in with Ranger with nothing touching it. Right. Look who snuggled up to it. And the squeak carried on.

That little pink mouse is at the end of her nose.

Are we there yet?

Night two was in Jerome, ID. Ranger took right to the hotel room, again a Best Western Plus. The hot tub wasn't as fabu, but the carne asada burrito the man found at one of the town's restaurants was awesome! If only this place was closer, it would be a regular place to eat!

Hey! Nice place!

Day three was Tuesday, Sept. 11 and we were on our way to Rock Springs, WY. I think Ranger was watching the flies on the outside of the car window. Jerome, ID has WAY too many flies.

On the road again!

The final night on the road and this was the worst hotel. I don't know what decade it was built in but the slat ventilation windows above the door reminded me of Mid Century. Ranger was not a fan of this place either as the bed frame was boxed in. The good thing about that is she couldn't hide under the bed. Well good for me. Not so happy for her. (evil grin)

What? Can't I hide on the bathroom counter?

When we came back from day four breakfast, Ranger was no where to be found. Slight panic. Rattle the compressed catnip and she emerged!

Yep, I hid in the blankets at the foot of the bed!

Day four took us through Wyoming, into Utah and home to Aurora, CO. I love the layers of low clouds on the mountains, the fields and the snow drift fences in Hanna, WY.

The morning started soooo nice. This was a long hard day of driving however. Rain, low fog and more rain. We were both thankful and stressed when we got home. Little did we know that we were driving in the storm that would be the start of Colorado's flooding.

Home after 1,419 miles! We unloaded the car and made a safe area for Ranger in the bedroom. Then, out to inspect she went.

Fuzzy again, but then so am I!
Finally out of the car, too!

Inspecting, cautiously.

Ahhh! A window to watch out of!

Whew. Ranger is settling in very nicely. Rolling on the floor contentedly, adjusting to the move of the litter box and the constant movement of boxes and stuff. Ranger is a rock star! A snuggly rock star.

Filled Storage and Empty Condo

Howdy!

Oh my has it been a wild and crazy week! Ok, I'll be honest in that I'm not really sure what day it is. Let's continue with story time anyway.

The Pod left on Wednesday and Saturday, Dad and I pretty much finished filling my storage unit. Oh yes, I couldn't fit all my stuff in the Pod. That sucked but the man and I will return in the Spring to get the last dregs of my stuff.

I will miss some of this stuff but I know where it is!

The condo emptied out after many trips to the dumpster and a very generous donation to Union Gospel Mission. Ranger stayed nearby, watching the man as he cleaned the carpets with Christy's carpet cleaner. Thank you, you two!

Amazingly, Ranger sat on the steps and watched the carpet cleaning instead of her normal running.

Saturday was the send off gathering at Christy's shop, Runaway Art & Craft Studio. It was so awesome! Lots of awesome hugs and I was able to share some of my homeless art supplies with so many great people. I am so thankful I got to see so many before we left town. And the treats that people brought? Oh my! Yum and yum!

Lillian, myself and Dad. Complete with rabbit ears from Christy.

Sunday morning. The day we load it up and head out. We left Salem on a beautiful day. Sunny and warm.

Ranger soaked up sun one more time. I don't blame her!

I had the man take one more picture of Ranger and I in my condo. Of course I had it taken in front of the fabu red dining room wall that Christy painted for me.

Last snuggles in my condo.

Seeing my condo empty was hard for me. Knowing all my stuff was packed in a Pod outside of my reach and stuffed in my PT, I got a little emotional. Here I go on a wild adventure, starting a new life and any other appropriate clever phrase that goes with this. I am so excited, nervous and in love that I can't stand it.

Tetris Style Packing and More

Howdy!

Oh boy has it been nuts around here just this week alone. Here's the short version. Well, I hope it ends up short. We'll see.

On Friday, Aug. 30, the POD arrived! I gotta tell ya... this is a slick system! I ordered the largest POD they have, 8'x8'x16' and I had my doubts that I could get all my stuff in that 16' of space. I even asked the delivery guy "are you sure that's a 16' POD?" Um, yes it is.

Are you sure that's 16' long?

Thankfully Alicia distracted me with a pedicure at Top Line Nails after the POD was delivered. This place was awesome! Nice, affordable and look at the pretty flowers on my purple toenails! Don't look at the tan lines on the tops of my feet however. At least you know I got some sun this summer. Top Line Nails has awesome massage chairs and I needed one as my back decided to knot up. Oh ya. All better and lookin' good now! I will be going back to these guys when I'm back in town.

Thank you Ali for the toe treat!

Dad showed up bright at early on Sat., Aug. 31 to start loading the POD. Thankfully I had a ton of stuff already packed and ready for him to load. We loaded the studio on first so it would be last off. I don't need it first. I will need it eventually tho!

Blurry, but you can see the start of it all.

The sofa is in! Now Ranger and I have no where to nap tomorrow!

Day one was hard work. Freaking hot outside. Dripping sweat 30 minutes into it. Dad wasn't but he said he choses not to. Right. I know better. My fat was just crying. He was sweating a bit later. I don't know why, but that made me feel better. Misery loves company?

Fierce protector on my denim coat, next to my jewelry and money. Good Ranger.

He kept me running both days! "I need a box this big to fill a space" and off I'd go trying not to keep him waiting.  Of course he would venture off unattended and find boxes. At the end of day two, we agreed that hot tub time was needed for recovery. He has a hot tub at home, looking over the river so I'm sure he soothed his muscles. I went looking for my hot tub key at about 9p. Um, the box it's kept in is not to be found. Oh dear. So my pool house key is safe in a box, somewhere in the POD. No hot tub time for me but thankfully I know where the key is. I'll find it eventually... and mail it back to the rental management company. Sigh.

He left me with an aisle to fill, just wide enough for my wide load. ;-)

One of the joys of owning your own business if you get to keep your records for ten years for the IRS. Just in case. There just was not enough room in the POD for them. Great. Now what? Fire? No. Not my style. Panic? My style. Instead a storage unit magically appeared. A small one but it will hold enough for one pick-up truck load in the Spring. And it's climate controlled! Woot!

Oh yes, there will be a bit more added!

I found a travel crate for Ranger! It's a bit smaller than I wanted but for $25 and practically brand new, we're gonna be just fine. She sniffed, rubbed on it and has enjoyed treats inside. Yes, I put one of her blankets inside so she won't slide around for 1,200 miles. Next, go buy the stuff to help her travel better. Some sort of homeopathic stuff that another pet traveler recommended to me.

Inspector Ranger.

Today was my last chance to fill the POD as it gets picked up tomorrow. So I was all over the place and Ranger followed me almost the whole way. Yes, I think she was trying to help and I appreciate it.

That candle fixture almost makes her look angelic. Almost.

Up next... recycling, donating, cleaning and painting. The man arrives Thursday morning and we'll hit the road Sunday. Here's to getting the list done and the POD contents arriving safely.

Happy Cat

Howdy!

Today I bought Ranger a new harness for our upcoming travel adventure. The only one I could find that had an easy closure and would fit her was black with white skull and crossbones on it. I wanted red or purple. Black on a black cat? Ok. If she likes it, I'll do it. I know Christy would appreciate the skulls!

Sorry it's a bit blurry. Ranger was intense on a good sniff!

We went beyond the borders of my condo patio quite quickly. Well, Ranger did. I'm holding the purple leash and letting her explore without me clucking too much.

Wow. A whole big field of grass to inspect.

Nope. She's liking the dirt.

Really Ranger? You had to roll in the dirt so you could decorate the house, huh?

I like the dirt so much I'm gonna roll in it.

Yes, I would say Ranger likes the harness and I like how easy it is to get her into and it fits so I don't have to worry about an escape artist. I look at the picture of her rolling in the dirt and chuckle. You know, she rarely rolls over on her back in the house. Must be some good stuff in that dirt!

For our next adventure, some harness time in the car! Oh yes, gotta do a little driving together as I don't remember if she's a howler or not. I'm hoping she quiets down quickly as I'd rather not sedate her, myself or the man for this trip. Yes, she will be traveling in a large crate for the trip, not a small carrier. I still need to get that for her.