Have I ever mentioned that this is the greatest dog in the world?
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Blooms
I'm not particularly a fan of roses - but that doesn't change the fact that this is a pretty flower.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Family Vacation #2
We took our 2nd 'family vacation' - and aside from the car issues - it was incredible!! I'm so glad Brian decided to go along this year with the pups and make it a true 'family vacation'.
We left Saturday morning, drove to Boulder, Colorado - checked into our hotel, got the babies settled. Residence Inn Marriott was 'home away from home' for the long week-end - the girls adapted well, and did great!
After Estes Park, Ken & Alexis took off further up into the mountains - and Jim, Brian & myself headed back into Boulder. We hit Mountain Sun Brewery, had dinner & a few local craft beers. The Blonde Bombshell was excellent - I would highly recommend. Afterwards, we headed down to Pearl Street, which is the touristy hoppin' part of town' - it was a fun night, we had to be in fairly early - the big run was the next morning.
We left Saturday morning, drove to Boulder, Colorado - checked into our hotel, got the babies settled. Residence Inn Marriott was 'home away from home' for the long week-end - the girls adapted well, and did great!
After we got unpacked, we freshened up, and took off to find somewhere to have dinner and a few drinks! It was a long drive after all... We ate dinner, had our 'few drinks', played 'bar' trivia, and then headed back to the hotel - we had to be up early. Sunday mid-afternoon, we drove up to Estes Park - and did some hiking and sight-seeing:
Beautiful aspen trees:
Jim taking a break...
Brian & I
On our way back down the mountain...
Our group - Alexis, Ken, Me, Brian & Jim - what a great time we had!
After Estes Park, Ken & Alexis took off further up into the mountains - and Jim, Brian & myself headed back into Boulder. We hit Mountain Sun Brewery, had dinner & a few local craft beers. The Blonde Bombshell was excellent - I would highly recommend. Afterwards, we headed down to Pearl Street, which is the touristy hoppin' part of town' - it was a fun night, we had to be in fairly early - the big run was the next morning.
Monday morning - [our 2nd] annual Bolder Boulder 10K - Jim & Ken's heat left at 7:00 am - mine didn't take off until 9:20 - it was fun - I ran some, I walked most - I lost the timing chip off of my shoe somewhere (lord knows where, it was about mile 5 when I noticed my shoe was untied) - but I had an app on my phone to keep my time, pace, and my unofficial results.
Brian met me at the finish, and we took off to get my free beer at a nearby local pub. We had a couple beers, Jim met us, we ate lunch and then headed back to the hotel for a quick nap, and a much-needed shower. Later in the evening, we headed out to the Avery Tap Room for a couple beers. We tried a bar called 'The Dark Horse' - we left after 7 minutes, because it. was. disgusting.
We found ourselves back at Harpo's (the bar we went to after the race) for dinner and a few more drinks before we headed back to the room for the night. We made friends with the owner, and I must say - if you're looking for a bar in Boulder, I definitely recommend. He sure knows how to make his customer's feel welcome.
It was a great time overall - hanging with friends was a fun, the hotel was good, the dogs were happy, beautiful sights, good food, good local craft beer, nice weather - - - and a good run (the purpose behind the trip) - - - followed by a long drive home.
I love Colorado - it's so beautiful there...
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Lady Luck was on our side
I'm going to start with the end of our trip first...
Imagine: Brian, Jim, Callie, Chloe & myself are driving home from Colorado - Jim offers to drive, because he doesn't want to be smashed in the back seat with the girls and their kennel. I accept that offer, because I have a new book on my Kindle to read.
**side note: go buy 'Thorns of Decision' by Breeana Puttroff right now. Right now. It's the third book in the series, if you haven't read the first two - read those first. They are amazing.**
We stop just outside of Denver to fuel up. Puppies go potty, everybody is good, and we're back on the road. In the middle of nowhere, eastern Colorado - a guy pulls up beside Jim with his window rolled down, and tells us that our car is smoking. Jim says thanks, and they drive on. We are five miles away from Julesburg, CO - pull off on the exit, into the Conoco gas station, turn off the car, and get out to inspect what could possibly be smoking...
As that is taking place, oil is pouring out from under my car.
The same gentlemen that told us the car was smoking had pulled off at the same exit to get gas. He comes over, and states that he has a friend that lives in Julesburg. He calls his friend, tells him there's a group of young people that are having a major problems with their car and need help. He asks his friend who he would recommend, someone good, someone fair, and someone close. He gives us the name, and the number, and wishes us luck.
I wish I knew how to send a proper thank you to this amazing person that 'saved' us. God Bless him.
I'm sick to my stomach. We're in the middle of nowhere - and my car is broken. I, of course, am imagining the worst... ...that's the [ir]rational side of me.
The mechanic shows up, he asks a series of questions:
When was the last oil change? Friday (before the trip)
Was the engine making any noise? No
Any knocking? No
Elusive is towed to the shop, lifted up, (I'm off with the pups at this point, so this next part is second-hand) - and he says "Everything looks goo... oh. wait. That'll do it."
No oil plug.
He puts an oil plug in - I get [another] oil change - he starts the car - and everything sounds good.
Take a minute to imagine our series of lucky breaks that we caught:
- gentlemen alerts us to the fact that our car is smoking
- he gets off on the same exit
- he has a friend in Julesburg, CO to get the name of a local mechanic
- there was no damage to the car's engine
We drove the rest of the way home, with several stop-and-check-to-make-sure-everything-is-still-okay, and no further incidents. Car checked out fine at the dealer - the dealer didn't charge me for the inspection (which is practically unheard of) and the company that changed my oil last Friday is going to get a telephone call from me tomorrow
I'm sure I've used up every single lucky break I had for the year 2012 - but I bought a lottery ticket anyway...
Imagine: Brian, Jim, Callie, Chloe & myself are driving home from Colorado - Jim offers to drive, because he doesn't want to be smashed in the back seat with the girls and their kennel. I accept that offer, because I have a new book on my Kindle to read.
**side note: go buy 'Thorns of Decision' by Breeana Puttroff right now. Right now. It's the third book in the series, if you haven't read the first two - read those first. They are amazing.**
We stop just outside of Denver to fuel up. Puppies go potty, everybody is good, and we're back on the road. In the middle of nowhere, eastern Colorado - a guy pulls up beside Jim with his window rolled down, and tells us that our car is smoking. Jim says thanks, and they drive on. We are five miles away from Julesburg, CO - pull off on the exit, into the Conoco gas station, turn off the car, and get out to inspect what could possibly be smoking...
As that is taking place, oil is pouring out from under my car.
The same gentlemen that told us the car was smoking had pulled off at the same exit to get gas. He comes over, and states that he has a friend that lives in Julesburg. He calls his friend, tells him there's a group of young people that are having a major problems with their car and need help. He asks his friend who he would recommend, someone good, someone fair, and someone close. He gives us the name, and the number, and wishes us luck.
I wish I knew how to send a proper thank you to this amazing person that 'saved' us. God Bless him.
I'm sick to my stomach. We're in the middle of nowhere - and my car is broken. I, of course, am imagining the worst... ...that's the [ir]rational side of me.
The mechanic shows up, he asks a series of questions:
When was the last oil change? Friday (before the trip)
Was the engine making any noise? No
Any knocking? No
Elusive is towed to the shop, lifted up, (I'm off with the pups at this point, so this next part is second-hand) - and he says "Everything looks goo... oh. wait. That'll do it."
No oil plug.
He puts an oil plug in - I get [another] oil change - he starts the car - and everything sounds good.
Take a minute to imagine our series of lucky breaks that we caught:
- gentlemen alerts us to the fact that our car is smoking
- he gets off on the same exit
- he has a friend in Julesburg, CO to get the name of a local mechanic
- there was no damage to the car's engine
We drove the rest of the way home, with several stop-and-check-to-make-sure-everything-is-still-okay, and no further incidents. Car checked out fine at the dealer - the dealer didn't charge me for the inspection (which is practically unheard of) and the company that changed my oil last Friday is going to get a telephone call from me tomorrow
I'm sure I've used up every single lucky break I had for the year 2012 - but I bought a lottery ticket anyway...
Monday, May 28, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
The Long Week-end
I won't be blogging for a few days, I'm going to enjoy my long holiday week-end.
I hope you enjoy yours, and are able to spend it as your heart desires. Whether that be with friends, family, or alone - - - whatever makes you happy.
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