my family of dogs

California

2010-01-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

Hello.....it has been too long. In fact it has been ridiculously long. My camera has been unable to download pictures for months now and it has made me a bad blogger.
I am living in California now. I get to help raise my niece and it is AMAZING! It is my favorite part of my life right now.

The Almost New Digs....

2009-09-19T21:43:00.001-07:00

Today was a great relaxing day. Sarah, David, Siena and I went to my soon to be new house and hung out poolside. My housemate Kyra was out of town and told us to come on over and get a feel for it...ohh we did......

....a few shots of the house, the views, the pool and the fun!

Re-Do On Life

2009-09-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

Hello there. Crazy days that we live in. I am moving. I am leaving my beloved Leadville. I feel positive about this move. I am having a hard time wording my feelings but I am going to try......I have been blessed with so many opportunities and quite frankly spoilings in Leadville. I feel like I am no longer doing good things with my power there....see this is where it starts to sound super heroish....... It is the the one thing that has gone through my head though when considering this move.
I am realistically excited about about this move I suppose. I fear my down spiral which is o.k. I know it is there and I know I will make it through to the other side. It's the lonliness....the darn lonley feelings. I am moving to be with my family. My sister and brother-in-law just had a baby....a life changing....beautiful little girl. I weep just thinking and writing about her. I am so in love. She smiles, I weep, she cooes and I melt. I talk to her pushing the stroller...I swear I could hit a wall and not know it. She is my focus.
I am going to miss my roots, my adult made family that I have created in Colorado. That is scary and big and real to me. I make strong connections with people. My friends are my world. It is such a strange feeling....I am sitting here, in the dark, in my sisters house, while she and David make this great meal and my heart is breaking for a place that I haven't even left yet. On the other hand, I know that this is a good move. I know it is a posivite move and I am happy that I have decided to embark on it. That is my logical side....even emotionally I think it is an amazing step for me...the stagnation that has filled me as of late has left fear brimming over with self doubt and mind chatter. I am excited to kick out my crap and grasp on to my deep spiritual knowing that I have placed aside for a while. ....The universe only brings me good...I am safe!

EXHAUSTED

2009-09-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to say...just trying to get back into the habit of writing again. Things are going alright here. I am having difficulties staying motivated to go to work...it turns out that I am VERY sick of restaurants right now and am screaming for a change. I have sent away for some information on a few schools on the front range and am excited to see what they have to offer me. I am looking into becoming a Nutritionist ...with the whole gluten thing it has become a huge passion of mine...add to the list of my passions....
I am also just wanting to be in California right now. I am really excited to get out there and meet my neice. She is beautiful and surrounded by love...can't wait!

Holy Crap

2009-08-04T19:05:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it has been since October friggin 08 that I last wrote. Changes changes, always changes. Life is good. I am continuing my learning process about myself and surroundings...spiritually, socially and physically. Trying to stay centered yet let go some....how do you find the balance?
I am living back in my favorite spot in Leadville. I have GREAT views and neighbors. There are 11 dogs on my block...That is one side of the road between 4 houses. It is great. It keeps snobby people away. We all love it. We all help watch each others dogs too....so nice.
I am single and really liking it. Sam and I have remained good friends and really both want to stay in contact with each other. he is moving at the end of the month. I am very excited for his personal adventure to begin. Hopefully he can gain some clarity on what he really loves and what his true passions are in life. It's funny how alive he has become since we broke up. He notices it too. He was so bogged down by his past that he couldn't enjoy his present...he is starting to...YEA!! He is a beautiful man.....enough about him though.......
Having a great summer...walked out on my job that was eating away at my soul and making me cry daily....best move in a while for me. Took my buddy Emily with me..got new jobs at a popular restaurant in town. Making double to triple the cash and no responibility except to show up and waitress!!!! It rocks! Thinking about the possibility of living somewhere else....not that I am moving, but considering the possibility. Everything is open and I am free...I LOVE IT!!!!!

Days Off

2008-10-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

Today was my first REAL day off in a long time. No one could call in sick or bored or just for fun or anything. It was blissful. I hung out all day. I sat in the back yard with the dogs and took some great pictures. It was the first day that I have been able to play with my awesome camera my mom got me. Soo nice. Here are some shots ..............

Rooms.....

2008-09-29T15:15:00.001-07:00

More Rooms.......

2008-09-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

Yippie Skippy.....

2008-09-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

We rented out our old house today!! So happy that our plan worked. The renters want to move in on sunday..which gives us very little time to get all of our stuff out and clean the place. I am overwhelmed at the moment and waiting for the dish network guy to come hook us up. He will be here between 12 and 5...gotta love that. I have a few new pictures, but only of the living room. I won't post anymore until I'm done with each room...

2008-09-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

This week, my friend and co-worker, Olga, passed away. She had a stroke a few nights ago and that was that. She left behind five children and a husband that hasn't worked in two months. They haven't paid rent in two months and I'm sure their are other bills too. It is so sad, so terribly sad. I went to the viewing yesterday at their house. I have never gone to anything like that before. It was actually pretty normal feeling being that Olga was just laying there in the living room. They couldn't afford a casket or embalming, so there she was, on a gurney, with everyone sitting around on the sofas. It was like she took the place of the T.V. for the day. Very few people there speak english and all were praying in spanish. Her sisters and brothers all came in from Texas and California. She would have loved to have comforted them...thats what Olga did, she took care of everyone. She was always beyond her limits which was frusterating to watch knowing that she didn't keep anything, time, energy or money for herself.
Pinche Olge, you will be missed

My sisters blog......

2008-09-05T05:58:00.001-07:00

I was down and out on the computer world for about a week, about a week ago......I am back on now and I have some tome this morning to wander.....so I checked out one of my fave blogs. Sarah, my sister, wrote about childhood memories. My memories do indeed match hers. Using chunky peanut butter when we were out of tape to hang my cool posters in our room is a top one. Sarah also had a tape recorder which we used almost daily for a while. We would record ourselves, our cat purring and our dad snoring...which would always make us giggle and our laughter would drown out the snores and eventually wake our dad. He never thought it was as funny as we did. We also had a radio flyer wagon that Sarah would talk me into taking down the big dead end hill that we lived on. I would also take "the nerd mobile", my small big wheel type trike, down the same hill. I would get so scared that I would bail half way down every time. I still have the same reaction to speed and fear....probably why I have never been able to ski or snowboard.
Pistachio pudding facials I remember very vividly...do you remember how mad mom was at us?? She had a client over to look at wedding rings and Sarah and I were in trouble for being bad at dinner.....punishment was to sit at the dining room table and finish dinner, which included the pudding. Sarah told me to do it so I did. Our mom came in to introduce this woman to us and there we sat, laughing, with pistachio pudding dripping from our faces. There are so many more too...making perfume in our fort...climbing our trees and getting yelled at from my elder siblings for climbing THEIR trees....mine was the smallest and you couldn't really even climb it. They were our space ships.

Paint, paint, paint

2008-09-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

We are going to start painting the interior of our new place on monday!! Jenna, the current owner, is a great lady and feels that the house is ours and we can do whatever we want with it. We brought all of the dogs over yesterday for the first time......they loved it. We hung out there for about 5 hours. We had our first guests stop over too...Steph, of course, was there and our new neighbors a block away that are good friends of mine. They have a 12 yr old and a 1 yr old...Turkey let Jade, the 12 yr old hold her and then chose to sit on her lap.....amazing!!! Akai barely even freaked out when they came over. We are so excited.
Tonight Steph and I are going down to Telluride and Ouray for a running race she is in. We are bringing Zucca and camping out tonight and hotspringing it tomorrow. It should be a lot of fun. We are going to stop at a friends house that just had sled dog puppies.......so steph may be coming home with a new baby!
I got offered a great job in town yesterday. Our local coffee shop proprietors offered me the job of general manager......seems to be my place to be these days......We are getting together on monday to discuss the details. I am pretty excited about it though. It is a block away from our house, it would be a day job, they are talking about benefits, paid vacations and bonuses! I just really feel like both Sam and myself are living the lives that we want....FINALLY!!!
Sam moved out here to work in the ski and food industry...and now he is running the food and beverage department at Ski Cooper. I moved out here to............well, I always wanted to live in a small mountain town...and I've been figuring out the rest along the way.

Patience......

2008-08-31T05:41:00.000-07:00

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pa·tience Audio Help /ˈpeɪʃəns/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pey-shuhns] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

This is a word that has never been used to describe me by anyone that knows me. The 15th of September...close? yes...but yet so damn far away.
I am so excited to move into our home. We finished picking out all of our interior colors last night so now I want to get in there and paint NOW. I can't wait for you all to see the place...so beautiful.
Akai is a funny one...every time we have driven by the house she gets excited and starts sniffing like crazy...she smells the place on us...so she and I spent a few hours there a couple days ago. We threw the ball, marked up the yard, drank some water, did some people watching and even took a short nap. She likes the house and yard...she is the decider in the family.
First thing we will do to the house is add on a prison-style top to the fence. Ottis has multiple scars on his stomach from years of escaping fences. The only thing that has worked is to have a top that is bent in with chicken wire and posts. That should scare anyone from building on the empty lot next to us.
We are going to leave the exterior of the house the way it is until next summer. We have a few ideas for paint though....duh. I have a friend that is a Leadville history buff and she is going to check on the historic paint of this house...if we like it then we will do that..if not...reds, yellows and oranges...Casa De Fuerte. The House of Fire.
Must get ready for work now...the dogs are about to eat me.

YIPPIE!!!!

2008-08-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

We signed the papers to start us off today!!!...we move in sept 15th!!!!!!!!

OUR NEW HOME!!!!

2008-08-26T05:41:00.000-07:00

So, this afternoon Sam and I are driving over to Dillon to sign the papers for our NEW HOME!!!! We are doing a lease option until we sell our house...it is beautiful...we love it. Here are some pictures........

Here is the whole lot....the house, the aspens and the private parking where my car is (five spaces)
Close up of house...fun paint time!!
the view to town....
The back yard from the back fence
view from the porch...big yard

The Insides of Our Home

2008-08-26T05:29:00.003-07:00

This is our living room
...another shot of the window detais....
The bay window
this is our front door/ mud room...equipt with hooks for coats and a basket for leashes....it has a cute round window in it too...Our office from the front door...

More Inside Pics......

2008-08-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

This is our office/ formal dining when family is here/walk thru to every room.....
Duh......
This is the detail on one of our kitchen windows
The kitchen going out to the back yard

Kitchen facing the office

more pics.....

2008-08-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

The One

2008-08-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here it is...we absolutely love it. We are putting in an offer. It has everything we want. We talked to the realtor about different financing and living options. She said that we could rent our house out as soon as tomorrow if we wanted.....not to say that we are but it is a possibility. So, we could move into this house and rent ours out for at least as much as the mortgage and still have it on the market. We are also looking into a lease to own option with the owners of the house until we sell ours...for financing purposes. It is such a perfect lot...We can build a garage and have a HUGE yard for the dogs. It has a gas heater that we can switch to a wood burner with no problems and it has a claw foot tub. We shall keep you posted!!!!

Day Off

2008-08-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Wow...what a busy three weeks. I am so glad that the craziness of the 100 mile races is over. Today Sam and I are cleaning all the bad out of our house. I have been scrubbing the grout of all the tiles with a toothbrush and getting the muck off of the walls while Sam is industrial steam cleaning all of the carpet. The place is looking and smelling great, which makes both of us feel more confident about selling it. We have been looking at quite a few houses and are learning a lot about the process. We put an offer in on the first house we looked at, possibly a bit immature and impatient on my part...but I'm glad we did it...we have since terminated our contract due to a sketchy inspection and have seen the complete extremes of houses since. The market in Leadville is a funny one. Today we are looking at a CUTE little Nebraskan grandmas house on two city lots that is located a block from the main drag. It has original hardwood throughout. It is smaller than we have been looking at, but we are realizing we don't need much house space if it has the spaces we need and a HUGE yard.... This house is also quite a bit less expensive then the others. We have gotten some REALLY good ideas for yards and fencing too...so with the money saved on house space we can do exactly what we want in our yard. We are very excited for the whole process and thrilled to buy a home that we really want. I'll take pictures of the one we look at today with my new camera I got for my birthday.....thank you again mom and dad!!!

BIG DAY........

2008-08-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

Well, today I payed off my car and signed up for a couple classes at CMC. Feels good...gotta run to work. Will try and write more later.

Life around the water cooler...

2008-06-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

2008-06-20T05:26:00.000-07:00

Sam and I climbed Mt. Sherman on monday.....that is a picture of our little town from the top
My Family
Akai watching a man on the next peak....just in case
Legs

Random Thoughts......

2008-06-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

that is snow on the roof...two days ago
little zucca getting bigger
hee hee...a funny picture from the past..always an animal lover!

I have not been a good blogger lately. Life has been busy i guess...or have I been extremely lazy after work...probably more lazy then anything. Thats o.k. though.
It is nice to be back on the blog today. I quit my cleaning job last month which makes me so very happy...the people I cleaned for (not the guy who paid me) were SO mean to me, like really just mean. But, without that job I had to pick up another day waitressing which is great but tiring. I'm not sure where I am going with this....lets see. I don't know......I'll just go on in possibly another direction. I am happy. I love my job. I had one day last week that I allowed outside influences to make me feel bad about my job and life but I was able to see the next day that all was truly great and that I am really good at my job. It's funny...I used to be a control freak with myself and others. I had some things happen in my life a few years back and I just let it all go. When certain situations come up at work I think about how to deal with them and then I wonder how I would have dealt with them before......I'm pretty sure I handle things better then I would have years back. Wow....not sure still where I am going..........
On another note...next month will be one year that me and my man Sam have been together. CRAZY! I swear it so does not seem like it has been that long. I am so lucky to have such a patient and understanding guy. He gets my crazy, and I swear that is what it is all about.
I tried to get another dog a few days back.....A chihuahua of course, her name was Baby...so I called her bacon. Turkey (The hua formally known as Durka Durka) and Bacon...pretty cute. She looked exactly like Turkey too...not really what I was looking for but......she needed a home. Well Akai decided that it wasn't our home, she is the chief of all of us...so she has the last word. She kind of scared me really...but once I drove the dog back from whence she came all was good in our world again. It made me realize something....my life is perfect just as it is and I have everything I need. Life is frigin rad. I love you all!!!!

The Mad Taggers.......

2008-05-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

My friends Marcie and Sherri have way too much time on their hands.......

2008-05-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

My buddy rocks

2008-05-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

jen "98
jen 02
jen ??
jen 05

Sam and I just spent the last few days in Ft. Collins with my parents for my friend Jen's graduation from CSU in the Interior Design Dept. We had a great time with Jen. My bro came to her graduation also....
Sam, Jen and I spent friday, all day together, which was the best part. Jen and I figured out that it has been almost two years since we last saw each other. It just seems stupid being that we live three hours away from each other. Jen won two awards...one was the spirit award, voted on by her peers. We were not shocked at all. She also won Best in Show for her capstone project which was judged by her professors. I am so proud of her. She is such an amazing artist and person.
....these are some of jens paintings from over the years. She gave me the three piece one this weekend for my birthday....I can't wait to hang it, we've been saving a space for it.

Random

2008-05-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

Drugs......

2008-05-01T10:09:00.001-07:00

So, Akai and Ruby have both been in desperate need of a good nail trimming. Unfortunately, neither of them will let me touch their toe-toes. A few months ago the shelter had an overly aggressive large dog that had some strong sedatives. It took two pills to calm him down. There were a few pills left over so steph let me have them for the girls. I gave Akai a half of a pill and she has been out all morning with glassed over eyes...she is starting to come around a bit now. Her sister Ruby on the other hand started with one fourth of a pill and then one fourth more an hour later....I touched her feet and she bit me. She has been running around fairly unaffected all morning except that she sleeps hard every once and a while and she has glassed over eyes also. Akai weighs 60-70 lbs...Ruby 14. What a pissy pug.

In search of a new digital camera.........

2008-04-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize until my brother-in-law pointed it out to me but......I need a new camera. I know David was joking with me when he asked if my camera was from the 70's. It did make me more aware of the lack of functions though. It takes forever to take multiple pictures. Basically, as you all know, most of my pictures are of dogs. Dogs move fast...I lose so many shots to a slow camera and I never thought about it before David said something. So, thank you David, seriously, I am looking forward to a new photo taker.
With that said, I've been doing a little research online and have two that I'm interested in. I would love to get some feedback.
Here are the two: Canon powershot sd750 and the canon powershot sd1000. They seem pretty similar but I need input....or if there is another one between $150-$250 that might be better for continuous shots.

What a Great Day.....

2008-04-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

The proud parents take a moment for themselves
Puppy Love

As many of you know, The Columbine was about to close its doors for good because of a bad land lord. Thanks to the hard work and calm head of our leader, Stephanie Camp, we will not be closing and we will not lose our jobs. YIPPIE!!!!! It has been a very stressful month and I have really realized how lucky we all are at the restaurant to have such an amazing crew and awesome bosses. Seriously....steph and scott are such generous and kind people. We are so happy. The entire town is thrilled too, which makes it even more fun to be at work. Between the signs on the building and the newspaper article this week we have been packed with people wanting to get their last meals in at their favorite restaurant!! I love giving them all the good news!!!! And now that we are not unemployed we can save up for the fence we have to build to hold all of our babies. heehee.
....Oh ya, the new dog got a name. Her name is Zucca (Zuka) Poohpaw. Zucca is Italian for pumpkin and the Poohpaw part is pretty self explanatory.
Yesterday we had a really nice day. We took Zucca, Akai and Ottis down to Gunnison to socialize them and wear them out. They had a blast. Akai and Zucca stopped at every street corner and sat down like good little girls and waited for me to say o.k. Akai, unfortunately nipped at one passer by but he was cool about it, or he was too shocked to say anything. Tomorrow Akai and I start our intense fear passing training. I have received a few pointers from people on how to change her behavior. On a more positive note though, Akai has shown an incredible mothering side that we did not know existed. She is so good with Zucca, she plays nicely with her and points her in the right direction when they are called...it's been really nice to see this side of Akai. Ottis is not as fatherly , he is getting better though. Today he played with her a few times. Usually he lays on the sofa and bays REALLY loud if she touches him, its is funny. Very dramatic.

A New Day....

2008-04-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Today we added a puppy to our family. She was an abandoned little muffin out at one of the trailer parks in town that was brought to the shelter. Steph knows we are suckers and have been thinking about a new dog.....so, here she is.

.....and, not to be out done...Ruby got a new sweater from a friend today

The Girl Likes Her Plastics....

2008-04-07T10:31:00.001-07:00

David suggested I document Turkey's plastic consumption..... She ate the tube of Burts after breakfast yesterday..within minutes. The last picture is what was left from one of my hair clips.

Funny Timing.....

2008-04-07T05:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I stopped in at The Columbine to do payroll, get some breakfast and see the hot new cook we hired :) Right when I sat down at table 9, I looked up and there he was....Lawrence David Foldes!!! How funny. Unfortunately I did not have my camera on me, but I did have my cell phone. I turned the sound off on my camera option, acted like I was messing around with my phone and got a picture of him....

Independence Pass Film Festival.......

2008-04-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

Randel Kleiser, John Landis, Myself, Rachelle Collins
John Landis and Emma Collins

Last summer Leadville hosted it's first film festival. Lawrence David Foldes and his wife Victoria Paige Meyerink spent many months in the Ville trying to charm the locals and impress us all with their knowledge of Hollywood. Basically they gave us all something to giggle at...I know it sounds rude, but that is how we roll here. Here's the deal....we are skeptics, we are blue collar people and even though we may get star struck for moments, when we are not treated as equals we don't put up with it. These two would get free meals at restaurants and tip $2. They would come in late to a restaurant and sit for hours totally oblivious of their rudeness. Diane Ladd was here for the fest and was SO rude to a local business owner that she got herself and crew kicked out of a restaurant.
For the actual film fest they brought actors and directors....the only well known people that were nice were John Landis, the director of Blues Bros, Animal House and Michael Jacksons Thriller and Randel Kleiser, the director of Grease and Honey I Blew Up the Kids.
My friend Rachelle and myself helped cater an event on our local tourist train.....above are a few pictures from that.

Hello Peeps..........

2008-03-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

The above picture is Ottis' tongue art. He licked a heart..........I don't know why I took a picture of it, but I did.
SO, Sam is the new kitchen manager at The Columbine Cafe. He is also the new manager of the food and beverage department at Ski Cooper and of Golden Rose Catering. Yippie!! Scott, Steph,(of scott and stephs columbine cafe) Sam and I sat down the other night and figured out everyones jobs. Here is the deal....Scotts uncle, Harry owns the food and beverage dept at ski cooper in the winter and in the summer he has his own catering company. This year he decided to retire. Scott is taking it over...nice business opportunity. So, I am the new general manager of The Columbine and I am the human resources dept for all three businesses. I got a raise!!!! It is a great deal for all of us. Steph and I have also discussed possibly me buying into the Columbine at the beginning of the year...using this summer for all parties to get out of some personal and business debt. We will see. We are looking for a new home for the restaurant...a nicer spot. Whatever happens it is all good and Sam is so happy to have a constant job now. Today was our first day working together. It was fun. I was the only waitress on and got my butt kicked!!! It was a busy day!!!!!!!!! I was a bit nervous about the two of us working together, just because of past stuff. You know, him and the x always worked like this...But I have moved past it now. New times, new situation, new relationship. In the winter he will be at Cooper the whole time anyways.
I also started a Core workout class this week. I'm digging it so far. My abs burn, so I think that is a good sign that it works.

Update.....

2008-03-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

I have this habit of leaving my camera plugged in after I finish downloading my pictures. I have gone through so many batteries...it is truly wasteful and annoying. Any advice? Maybe a new camera that will beep obnoxiously at me when it is done? Hmmmmm.......
This last week Sam's brother Greg and his wife Kim were out here skiing. It was really nice to see them again and to get to know them better. We didn't do anything exciting..we worked they skied. But it was nice to just talk and eat. I would have taken pictures but I ran out of batteries...bring on the annoying!

More of It

2008-03-16T17:07:00.001-07:00

We are supposed to be getting our biggest snow storm of the year....Really??? Could there be more?

Woolly Mammoth

2008-03-10T17:33:00.001-07:00

My First Vacuum

2008-03-03T13:09:00.001-08:00

The whole clan is very excited about our newest addition.......a pretty, brand new vacuum.

Happy Leap Day

2008-02-29T07:21:00.001-08:00

2008-02-27T16:31:00.000-08:00

House Updates

2008-02-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

Snow, snow, and still, more snow

2008-02-25T12:31:00.005-08:00

........just finished shoveling.... again

Team Crazy's First Race

2008-02-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

Sam, Akai and Ottis skijored today in their first race...in the Shelter Dog Shuffle. Steph put on this fun race to benefit our local animal shelter. You could ski, run or walk the 1 mile course. Team Crazy (thats what we named them) came in fourth place. They had a blast and just did such a great job, especially for not being used to being around other dogs much. Unfortunately they were coming at me too fast to get a descent picture of them.
These two pictures are of Stephanie Dwyer and her six dog team. Steph, not only helped put on the second annual Mount Massive Mush sled/skijor race, she competed in the six dog sled race and came in FIRST PLACE!!! She is an amazing athlete and dog trainer. YEA STEPH!!!

My Mommmmeeeees Day

2008-02-20T11:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Mom!!! I love you, you little pig.

Hello.....Well, we have not been washed away by toxic muck yet, so that is good. Yesterday there was a town meeting concerning Leadville's mess....oh and what a mess it is. The EPA, the BOR and the CDPHE were all there and pointing fingers on who is to blame. Who owns what and blah blah blah. Our County Commissioner, Ken Olsen, finally stood up and said that he didn't care who's fault it was or who had the rights to what.....he just wanted them to all get along for now and fix the problem now. The people that are living in the trailer park where the drainage tunnel is are living in fear daily. Olga, who works with me at the Columbine brought her two kids to work with her on Monday because they didn't have school and she was afraid for them to be home alone....just in case. Since then, Olga, her family and some friends have moved into the apartment upstairs from the Columbine. They can stay there as long as they need. There are still over 200 people out there though. Friday night Lake County is testing their sirens and having an evacuation meeting for the trailer park residents.
It is such a shame that this problem has been going on for as long as it has and that the officials contunue to do nothing about it except talk, write letters and as the BOR said...they are writing a study about this that should be done somewhere around June or July. Really????

President's Day Ham

2008-02-18T14:55:00.001-08:00

Skiing with The Pups

2008-02-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

Today has been a wonderfully relaxing day for us. Made breakfast, drank coffee, played Rummy and we just got back from taking the dogs skiing down the road on some trails. It was a blast......

Oscar

2008-02-13T15:09:00.000-08:00

Here is my beloved Oscar. I moved him yesterday which was quite a fun ordeal. Luckily mom was not busy and kept me company on the phone for most of the draining of the tank.
He us adjusting well, last night he faked death a few times by floating to the top...but I just pushed him down and told him to knock it off. I think he is happy to see us all and be part of our chaos again. We decided to put him in the living room so he could keep and eye on us all. The wall he is up against is very big, empty and white......soon it will have a huge 3 piece Jen Barbour painting to liven it up....as soon as we can find the time to meet up. The silly little girl gave it to me for my b-day last year. I can't believe we don't see each other more often. It is so stupid. Jen, Pat and Linda are all on the front range 2-3 hrs away and the last time I saw Pat was in Mn. I saw Linda at a party at her place in september and Jen?? Two Boom Days ago in August. LAME!!!!!

2008-02-12T15:49:00.000-08:00

Our Home

2008-02-11T15:47:00.001-08:00

2008-02-07T18:04:00.000-08:00

I got new glasses today. They are green and pretty...the lenses are wider than I have had in years. I get nauseous when I look to either side but I'm sure by tomorrow it will be fine.

Picture two? My friend Tracie and I on November 18, 1989...the last time I had green glasses.

New Digs

2008-02-06T13:26:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have written...... I moved in with Sam. I was quite scared at first...but I am slowly getting used to having a roomie. I actually am starting to love it. Sam is the best for me. He gets me, like I've said before.....the pictures that I have posted here are of my room. He gave me a room for me..for my space. I am going to paint it soon...just have to get a feel for the color. The last picture is Sam and our kitchen. I will post more soon...possibly tomorrow. I want to get a picture of the front of the house...too snowy today.

I can't wait for visitors!!! hint, hint!!!!

The Culprit

2008-01-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

I bought my first new DVD/VCR player last week on line, it got delivered yesterday. This morning I set it up and put aside my old ones to give to Sam. I left and went to my Dr's. apt....came home and Turkey had eaten the new cord that I was giving to Sam....her sister Ruby ate the instructions for the new player. They are so predictable and it was my fault for leaving such temptations out......'lil bastards.

Other news in my life....I just ate beer battered mushroom caps for my first time in years. I am a bit nervous, but I don't think I will get sick. The holistic guy, Dr. Wignall uses a combination of acupressure, muscle testing and some other tricks to cure allergies and sensitivities. I am very excited about this and I feel pretty positive about the results. I definitely have some emotional barriers with letting go of the whole gluten thing but I am working on it and as I said am fairly positive about it.

And yet more news......After eating my shrooms.........I went to Zichitellas to meet Jen (sams x) and fill out my W-2s. It was really good. I told her that I was sorry for the way things had gone down and that it was all just timing. It was good, you know I've always liked her and am glad that we got to talk....not going to be BFFs but it was a good closure.

Leadville is warming up finally so I think I will move back into my house. Sam has been so nice to let all of us stay at his place the past few weeks but I feel it is time to move home. So we are. Lots of love to all of you!!

Going to the Doctor.......

2008-01-17T15:07:00.001-08:00

I went to a holistic chiropractor over in vail last week to get "scanned" for allergies. It was a very enlightening experience. I am on my way over this a.m. for a second teatment to get rid of my grain allergy!!! Very exciting. Will write more later.

My Babies

2008-01-16T10:26:00.001-08:00

My good buddy Steph just sent me this picture! What cute little girls. This was taken between 1 1/2 and 2 years ago. Puppy is so little and Gup is a plus size Pug.
Not much going on here. It is COLD today. I think it is 2 degrees. We've got a fire going....bbrrrrr. Hope all is well.

Christmas Sweaters

2008-01-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

Good morning all! The girls got new sweaters for christmas and they couldn't be more happy. They are both warm and cozy all the time. It took Ruby a few days to get used to her clothing...for some reason it affected her balance (lots of tumbling off the sofa)...but now that she is used to it I think she really likes it. Her sweater has a hood and a pocket, Turkeys just has a pocket. Of course Akai and Ruby have already started to chew on Turkeys pocket. I think it would be funny to fill it with peanut butter and let them all go. Just kidding!!!! But it is a good threat when she is bad. I have the next few days off, which means, cleaning, summit county for groceries and recycling and down south to the hot springs. Lovely! If Sam has today off we are going to take the dogs skiing. I'll get pictures this time. He's got a long rope that he ties to both of them and holds on to the middle of it. They are pretty good pullers. I haven't braved it yet....maybe today.

Happy Happy!

2008-01-01T12:05:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone is having a great New Years thus far. I know we are. A couple of my good friends from high school, Matt Seckenger and Eric Harman and his family, are out for the holidays so I'm (and hoefully Sam) going to meet them all for dinner tonight. . I think they are coming to Leadville. ......should be fun. Hope all is well with all of you!

A Fun Group

2007-12-25T07:35:00.000-08:00

The best and most accurate compliment that I can give Sams fam is..........they could hang with all of us. No drama, they just love each other. We had a great time.

Nervous.....

2007-12-24T07:48:00.000-08:00

Tonight I am meeting Sams family for the first time. I am a bundle of nerves which I know is silly and I'm not quite sure why I am THIS wound up about it, but I am. I slept like crap last night thinking about it. Silly, silly girl. I will try to remember my camera sarah. More importantly though I must remember wine. I hope you all are having a wonderful christmas-pig eve!!! I love you!

Columbine Cafe Christmas

2007-12-23T14:52:00.001-08:00

Today we had our Christmas party at work...the first picture (below) is of our crew. Picture two, looks like I didn't do a good check before leaving my house. The third picture is of Rhonda and Brian, my faves. We had a lot of fun. We had stockings that we filled with lots of crap. I got starkly fake dog pooh from Marcie and Sherry ...added picture

The Christmas Pug

2007-12-23T06:44:00.001-08:00

One of the ladies I work this got this for Ruby for Christmas.....too much. I think she looks like the grinch in the picture with Turkey

2007-12-23T06:31:00.000-08:00

Ottis has been wanting to sleep on the little girls chair since it became theirs.....last night he finally got his chance. They all slept like this for over an hour. Pretty frigin cute.

I've Got Water!!!!

2007-12-18T12:24:00.000-08:00

Yippie! They thawed out my pipes today. I am enjoying using all of the water functions in my house.

Oh So Cold

2007-12-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

....Plumber is here and they are starting the thaw.

The Frozen Tundra.....

2007-12-16T19:41:00.001-08:00

....My pipes froze last night.....still no H2O.

2007-12-15T06:14:00.001-08:00

yes, that is ice...on the inside. Holy frigin cold. Note to self, buy plastic for the windows today.

Winter is Here

2007-12-14T17:02:00.000-08:00

Snow, snow, snow...cold, cold, cold. It got up to 7 degrees today. That, is cold. I forgot how cold my house gets in the winter. It is an uninsulated OLD house with one heater and a wood burning stove. BRRRR........ It tends to make me very grumpy sometimes. Last night all of my windowsa had ice on the inside.....BBBRRRR.
It is a nice home though.
I can't think of anything new going on. All of the dogs are great and I am too.

Hey Strangers.....

2007-12-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven't written forever. We are covered in snow out here. It has snowed more in the last week then we usually got in a month. It is beautiful!!!!

My Man

2007-12-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

This is my man Sam. He rocks. He is fast becoming my best friend

Snow

2007-12-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

I haven't written for a few days. About a week. We got our first big snow fall the last few days. A couple feet, at least. It is wonderful. Akai is in heaven.

Quick Post

2007-11-26T11:43:00.000-08:00

my family
Ruby playing the part of the perfect grand dog
An amazing couple

Not much to say right now, exhausted. Here are a few pictures from our trip to California. The wedding was beautiful

Going To California.....

2007-11-20T05:43:00.001-08:00

Good morning. Sam and I leave for Cali today. YEA!!! I am so excited. I have to waitress today and clean this evening and then we are out! We'll drive as far as we want, not pushing it. I was hoping to see my buddy Matt in San Fran but he is going to be gone the exact days that we will be there. Oh well. I think we might go up to the redwoods for a bit. Sam has only ever been to L.A. so I can't wait to show him the REAL California. The girls know something is up. Turkey and Puppy won't leave my side, yet Ruby is calm and unfazed. She is such a little shit. We gave Ruby and Ottis their second baths of the week last night. No stinky dogs in the car. Sam installed my new dog door last night also. My old one was missing the flap that keeps the door closed so if there was any wind it would just be open...BRRRRR. This will help keep our winter a little warmer.

2007-11-17T16:17:00.001-08:00

Here is our new sofa....the dogs love it, as you can see. I moved Auntie Vi's chair by the wood burning stove for now. Ruby and Durka couldn't be happier.....heat and comfort.

On a Lighter Note

2007-11-17T06:34:00.000-08:00

Sue, the adoption coordinator in Glenwood that helped me with Bobo has a few elder dogs in need of a good home. When I get back from San Fran Steph and I are going to drive down and most likey pick up a little Maltese mix named Mavis. Blind, old, sweet, perfect

Bobo...............

2007-11-17T05:57:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday we said goodbye to our good friend Bobo. He got a large turkey bone the night before all to himself, followed by a peaceful sleep and a beautiful morning sky. I am going to call Carol and Lyle this morning and let them know that he passed away and that if they want they can come and get his remains or I will bury him in my family of critters plot.
O.K. I did it. I just called Carol and let her know. I didn't let her grill me, I told her he passed away...she asked if I brought him to the Dr. I told her yes, but that Bobo was old. I asked her what they wanted me to do. I'll be buring him with the critters and they will come up later. I think I can cry now.

Bobo

2007-11-15T06:43:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your advise on the Bobo/Carol debacle mom. I emailed the woman from the shelter this a.m. Kind of funny actually, I had decided yesterday to go that route and when I checked my email she had sent me a message about two elderly small dogs that need a home in Glenwood. So I sent her a msg back and we'll see what her response is. I have made an appointment to have Bobo "put-down" on frday afternoon. I actually feel pretty ok about it. Its a strange thing, he is SO a "B" teamer. I have never really gotten close to him like I have with some of the others. I think a lot of that has to do with his old owners. He is a sweet boy though.
One thing about the communication with Carol and lyle ......I told them, when I first got Bobo that I would let them know when he dies. A lot has happened since then but I did say that. What to do, what to do. I'll wait to hear from Sue before I do anything. Wha do you think?

Rubys Party Dress

2007-11-13T09:04:00.001-08:00

She can't wait...this is the third time she has tried on her dress. She is so excited!!!

Getting Steph Back....

2007-11-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

Having Steph back at the shelter is awesome. Her first official day back she let me bring this little muffin head home to play with Akai. They had a blast, it was the first time Akai actually looked mature. My bosses now have him at their house on a trial run. It feels great to be able to help people find pets again.

On a different note...Bobo is not doing so hot. I am calling the animal shelter in summit today to get the cost of euthanizing him. The poor old man. He has two infections, one on his face and one in his tooth, with his cushings(sp) disease and diabetes he is unable to heal properly. He has had these infections for years and nothing was ever done for them. I have spent the last few days contemplating the situation and I think its best to say goodbye. I could use some advise again from my peeps on how to handle the olsd owners. I know they will blame me and I'm fine with that....but, do I call them before I do it and tell them or wait until they call me again. Hmmmm? Please let me know.
And yet another note......Sam and I are so excited to be going to my sisters wedding!!!! We didn't think it would work out, but it did. YEA!!!!!! Ruby Gup and Ottis will be making the journey with us. They have already started bonding. Spent yesterday curled up on the sofa together. pretty cute. We are going to leave wed afternoon and spend turkey day in san fran. Most likely spend the night there and then drive down to santa cruz on friday. I am so excited.

Akai's New Friend

2007-11-11T06:15:00.000-08:00

This is Tree's dog Kiva. She is a BIG Malamute....very sweet. Akai and Kiva became instant BFFs. Tree came up this weekend to run a canine race in Buena Vista...

Ridiculous

2007-11-11T05:50:00.001-08:00

Ocars New Digs

2007-11-05T21:21:00.001-08:00

Ultimate Multi-Tasking

2007-11-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

It is beautiful out yet again today. We are all enjoying it. Akai is playing ball with her self and Ruby and Durka are warming their bellies. I am in the midst of cleaning Oscars aquarium, shoveling pooh(dogs), painting the wall behind Oscar and cleaning out my wood burning stove. I've got the chimney sweep guy coming this afternoon...first time. It needs it, for sure.
I got another raise this week at work. YIPPIE!!!! I'm psyched. I love my life. I've got everything I want right now. I have learned to have boundries with people and I am amazed at what this has done for my friendships. I know that may sound silly, but it is awesome. I am blessed.
Steph got her job back at our local animal shelter which is conveniently located a block away from me. Today is her first day. She is really excited and has a bunch of plans to make it better there. I have a feeling that I will be getting a chihuahua soon through there.
Back to cleaning.......

The Ruby's In Hawaii

2007-11-02T14:43:00.001-07:00

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!My friend Sheri made this...she has way too much fun with her computer

Todays Tummy

2007-10-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

Here is Ruby and her tummy today

Tech Time.....

2007-10-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

I have today off of work and thus far i have been exploring the depths of my computer. I have found many pictures that I thought were gone and I have moved them to their appropriate homes. It is all very exciting. Here is a gem of a photo. This is Ruby prior to the weight loss. WOW!!!!

The Late, Great Ladybug

2007-10-30T07:47:00.001-07:00

This is the first picture of Ladybug on my site. She unfortunately passed away before I started my blog. You can track Bugs whole story by going to savedogsonline.com. I found her on petfinder.com and fell madly in love instantly. I spoke with Jon, her foster dad many times...it took us a few months.......BUT, Jon got me a ticket and I flew to L.A. I met Jon and Ladybug at the airport. Wow, that little girl was SO frigin cute. She only had one eye, a cleft pallet and a hair lip. She had also under gone surgery to remove bladder stones. Anyways, we went out for lunch, had a quick walk on the beach and Bug and I were off to her new home. The girls took her in as one of their own. Durka used to sit on her, which in Durka world means love. She and Lil' Gum would actually cuddle....Gum didn't even growl at her!!!! I decided to walk all of the dogs together one day. I opened my gate and let them loose (no leashes). It was ridiculous. The "a" team; Ruby, Durka and Akai went running full speed up the road to the hills..Lil Gum limped off to the left and Bug to the right. I grabbed the little old lady's and ran up the street after the spry youngsters. That was also the last time I walked them all together. Bug just loved life and wearing warm sweaters and cuddling. She is definitely missed. Once I figure out how to post videos better I will post some cute ones of her and the girls.

Mixin It Up

2007-10-29T14:51:00.000-07:00

...I decided to change the look of my blog. My sister inspired me, I'm still trying to figure out how to use certain link thingys. I started a feevy account, but I can't get it on here yet. Can you help Beark?

Still Hazy

2007-10-29T09:27:00.001-07:00

2007-10-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

Ruby and her bitch

The Love Birds

This is what it looks like here when California is on fire

Everything Happens The Way It's Supposed To.....

2007-10-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

I have always been a firm believer in that saying. It has shaped me into who I am by helping me deal with situations in a positive light. I feel like the universe gives you presents in your life when you follow your right life path. It is simple to do, follow what feels right for you. I find dimes everyday when I make good decisions for my life. No eye rolling please, it is true and it feels good to me. I had a friend that used to put dimes out around me whenever he was trying to convince me to do something....it was cute.
Today I talked to an x. Zach Neater. His family actually grew up with mom. His dads first love was Aunt Marilyn...pretty funny. Anyways, I called him to thank him. The last time Zach and I spoke he pushed me into dealing with Joppa. It was so good. Of course I was pissed at Zach at the time for pointing out my OBVIOUS dating flaws. Two days later I called Joppa flew out to Cali and fell back into this routine that I had been in for years with this man. Except that I felt like I had outgrown him. I felt embarrassed by him at dinner with sarah and david. That made me sad. I had never looked at the situation like that before. I had been embarrassed by him many times before and always got mad at him. This time I got mad at myself. How unfair that I had been holding both of us back from happiness by holding onto this person who deserves someone who can laugh with him...because he is funny. Two weeks later Joppa flew out to visit me and it was horrible. He was here less then 24 hours. I stood up for myself with him and in doing so freed us both. I think he was just as happy as I was that it was finally over, even if never admits it. We both walked away too easily to think anything different. Wow. Well I wasn't planning on going in that direction with writing today but I guess it's because I haven't been writing in my journal lately. It was a really good talk with Zach though, he thanked me for teaching him about organics and recycling and I thanked him for allowing me to let go of my vision of what joppa was...even if he was never that.

Tuesday

2007-10-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

What to do today. It is another beautiful one. I have the day off...maybe the hot springs?? Just got off the phone with my friend Lisa.....Mocha and the springs it is. See ya!

Fun, Fun, Fun

2007-10-22T10:34:00.001-07:00

I had such a great time last night.............

The drive down was a bit stressful, ice, snow, jack knifed trucks and traffic. It took us two extra hours to get there. Once we got to Denver though, perfection. We were a bit short on time so we went to Outback Steak House. It's right off the highway and they have a full Gluten Free menu...which saves time. Our waitress was awesome. We had a really good time with her. We drove to the game and got a $30 parking spot in an office building RIGHT across from the field. Got right in, had AMAZING seats surrounded by Steelers fans. So fun. What a great time.
Next up? Avalanche games!!!

Two Hours Later

2007-10-21T10:36:00.001-07:00

Football and Snow

2007-10-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Today is the Steelers/Broncos game. Lovely day to be sitting outside at night. I am so excited though. I know it sounds silly for me to say that, but it is true. Sam is beside himself. He hasn't seen the Steelers play since he was about 5. It is snowing in Denver and I'm sure at all points in between. We're going to leave by noon so we will have plenty of time...Sam is a great driver mom, don't worry. I already told him that I wouldn't drive in bad weather. Still too freaked out from last years wreck.
We're going to stop at BeauJo's Pizza in Idaho Springs on the way down for Gluten Free Pizza and beer. YUMMY!!!!! What a fun filled day. I will be wearing my ski shells and sorrell boots with many layers. Wow...drank some coffee. a bit shaky now. Well have a great day all. GO STEELERS!!!!!!!

2007-10-19T07:07:00.000-07:00

It is just so amazing here. It was stormy and cold the last few days. The snow is starting to stick in the hills. We are supposed to get dumped upon again this weekend. I am hoping for no snow on sunday night though. Why?..you may be wondering.......
Sam and I are going to the Steelers/Broncos game. Thats right mom, no reading at this one. We will be sitting under the overhang under Terrell Davis. That was a lot of unders and overs.
I'm off to work...over and out!!!!

The New Kitchen

2007-10-16T16:07:00.001-07:00

Well, I got the walls done...just need to finish the trim. I love it.

Moments Ago

2007-10-16T06:48:00.001-07:00

Todays Project.......

2007-10-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

This is my bland kitchen. I painted it this way months ago out of a total lack of vision. Well, last night it came to me...finally. So i thought I could have my own remaking of a kitchen...except this is the mini version...way mini. It's really just more of a before and after.

Let's Get It On

2007-10-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

This is an oldie but a goodie. I took this a while back of Lil Gum. She LOVED this toy and I just figured out how to download video....O.K. must work on video...its in slow motion and its fuzzy. hhmmmm