Naps are bad mmmkay...

I may have accidentally fallen sleep for brief 20 minutes and now I can't get to real sleep. 

So now this is happening. 

I've had a marvelous weekend. Despite working 12 hours on Friday, and close to 10 on Saturday.

Saturday night  I saw The Muppets Christmas Carol on the big screen with my family. Then we all had pizza. Following that the wonderful man known as my boyfriend and I, cuddled and watched the grinch before turning in for the night. 

Sunday, I slept in. Then , again with the boyfriend,had brunch and mimosas. Saw the hobbit and shared dinner while watching my favorite Doctor Who Christmas special. I had the accursed little nap and finished my book. Now I lay in bed with my dog tucked beside me and the wind howling outside. It's three days until Christmas and the store is going to ridiculously busy. But I'm happy. Happy and content. 

I'm surrounded by people who love me and whom I love. The ones that aren't around me physically are filling  my heart and head. 

Yes. Happy and content :)

Active August!

Tomorrow is September. Holy cow. 

August was eventful and crazy! For those rocky peeps, you'll understand what I mean when I say I'm going to blog this Wiki style. 

Guardians of the Galaxy, moving,  G.I.S.H.W.H.E.S., no sleep, so fun, dad in town, Emily's sweet 16, first red rocks show, new oven, Arizona, big turtle, hanging with family, ten year reunion, amazing friends, bathroom rumours with mood lighting,  dancing the night away, home sweet home, new niece announcement!, moving Casey, tour de fat, fantastic boyfriend. 

Now. The Top Ten photos of the month. 

ALS ice bucket challenge part 2...

Em, here ya go! Click the link if you dare. 

http://youtu.be/ehrX6fwJ5pw

ALS ice bucket challenge.

I was wondering if/when I'd get called out for this. First and foremost I would like to present this: 

This is something that my friend Bryant put up on Facebook a few days ago and I "liked". The very next day I got selected for the ALS ice bucket challenge. 

You see I donate fairly often. Anytime at the grocery store when they ask if I'd like to donate a dollar to whatever, I do. I donate the animal charities regularly. It's not something I feel as though I need to post on social media every time I do it.  

Now that, that had been said, two more  things. 1) This whole ice bucket challenge thing is fun and all, but I don't think people realize that they are supposed to be donating AND doing the bucket of water. The challenge part is if you don't do the bucket of water, then you have to donate $100 versus a domination of your choice. Either way you still donate. How is getting all wet helping anything? Are all of these celebrities and folks doing the donation part too? Or just the "fun" part?

And 2) 24 hours? Really?! I have a job, also, I'm going out of town tomorrow and have yet to pack, also, I have nobody to film me pouring buckets of water over my head. This whole 24 hour thing that really wasn't thought out properly. I got this challenge at about 3 PM yesterday while I was at work. As I mentioned before I am going out of town so I have lots of errands and what not to do this morning and there was just no way an ice bucket dump was going to happen. However I was able to do my donation.  I emptied my tardis change collector at the bank and put my check in the mail this morning.

I will do the second part of this ice bucket challenge in Arizona , when I have someone who will be able to film me when it happens. 

So for this whole stupid challenge thing, consider part one, the more important part, done, within the 24 hour timeframe. Part two you'll just have to wait a few days for.

'Coon, Ferrets and deer oh my!

So my dad has been in town for the last couple of days. I haven't been able to spend too much time with it because of work. One of the days we did get to spend together we went to the, Rocky Mountain Arsenal Animal Refuge in Denver. It's this huge plot of land northeast of Denver where they used to dispose waste from chemical warfare stuff during the Cold War. Some of the areas still can't be inhabited but the area that can, they turned into an animal refuge. We were there for about two and half hours and the most animals that we saw were a few prairie dogs. Tonight however, we went to a concert at red rocks which was a lot of fun. It's an amazing venue. While tailgating there we saw three deer, or rather one deer and two bucks. Just hangin out. While driving home from the same concert not only did I almost hit a black ferret, but we witnessed a whole family of raccoons crossing the street! Go us. Ok. Now bed time. 

New and old all at once!

So I moved at the beginning of this month. I call this post "old and new all at once" because I moved into a fairly old place. It was originally constructed back in the 30s, but to me it's new. A new experience, a new adventure, because I'll be living by myself for the first time in my life. 

Also I took several pieces of old furniture and sanded, varnished and redid them to make them like new. 

My grandmothers dresser: before ( note the huge marks on the surface. 

And after!!

My other grandmothers coffee table:

Before 

Again with the scuffs and scratches. 

And after!

This one actually was done twice. Once by me. It didn't look too bad:

But I glooped on too much varnish, so my uncle redid it. And did it better :)

And the last piece, wasn't an old price of furniture, but an old pallet and sheet of plywood I found. 

(Note Eko watching from the porch)

With these I designed and built a kennel cover for Eko!

Before backing and paint.  

Now: in the apartment, where it will live. 

Also featured is Mr. Monty! Check back soon, I'll try to get a video tour up in the next few days. 

The knowledge of knowing I have good friends.

It's an understatement really. I have great friends! Amazing! Marvelous! 

I know this because even after all the crap that has happened this month, my friends pull through and we have nights like last night. 

Not so bad: part two

So after my bus ride this morning. I ran a few errands. Play tickets. Library. Little things. 

I had a few hours to kill before the Argentina v. Netherlands game started, and new book from the library. It occurred to me that I should find a nice spot by the Poudre and read. Something nice and relaxing. Once I got riding up the trail to find a nice spot I realized, the last time I tried to take that part of the trail it was closed due to flooding. I had never been here. Where does it lead? What might I find if I continued?! Plus Juniper and I had been on an adventure ride since her make over. So away we went!

For about 6 miles out. It kept going, but by then Brandon had informed me that he was going to take a half day at work and join me for the FIFA match so I had to turn around and make my way back down town. I did see some nice stuff though. 

 By the time I met up with Brandon and we got to the pub I had ridden about 15 miles in all. With out water. Or sunscreen. 

Here is where I quote people who are much smarter that I :

"Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '99

Wear sunscreen

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it
The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience "

I didn't even notice it at first but through out the match I was getting more and more uncomfortable. When the game resulted in a shoot out and I was one of three people in the crowded bar rooting for Argentina, the adrenaline was pumping and I was getting goosebumps. Then I knew. I knew for sure I was burnt. Burnt bad. 

Luckily my boyfriend is awesome and has been slathering me with aloe goo for hours. All in all, my day wasn't bad :) 

Not all that bad.

Its a nice morning as I sit at the bus station. The last few weeks have been ebbing and flowing right along. Some times good. Sometimes not so good. While my morning has been fairly pleasant so far, at least my mood has been on the up side, the events of the morning haven't been as such. 

That's how it's been lately. Unfortunate things, events, circumstances, have been occurring, but it hasn't been as crushing to me as similar events in the past have been. Maybe it's the abundance of friendly faces I have in my life. That's what I equate it to any ways. 

Last week I had the joy of spending the day with one, Desiree Samson. I don't think we've sat and caught up on things in probably about 8 years. Yes we kept in touch via facebook, texting and the occasional run-ins around town, but to sit  over a meal or a drink and really converse.. 

It had been a long while. It was long over due and I couldn't have been happier! During one of our long ramble filled, giggle inducing chats she asked about my move up to the mountainous state. I told her it was the best desicion I've ever made. Despite the misfortune I've had the last week or so, with various aspects of my life, I hold to what I said. Moving here was good for me. I think overall it's made me a more positive person. And while I deal with the various poo poos at least I'm around people who appreciate me and it's not 115 degrees. :)

A weekend of wealth.

I don't mean wealth in the terms of money, but rather, in company and entertainment. I had a busy weekend that started Thursday night, and my car not starting. Since I primarily rely on my bike in the summer I hadn't driven it in a few days. I'm still not sure what's wrong with it, but I plan to sort it out before Thursday when I have to pick up Sara at the airport. Brandon instead came and collected me. We then went down town to join in Cody's birthday celebration. Friday was a beer demo at work that resulted in delicious beer bread and beer and cheese dip. After work Brandon and I, again, went to join in Cody's birthday celebration, this time in the form of a BBQ at his house. 

Saturday I got to sleep in a bit before heading to work for another demo! This one was on gadgets. I used various avocado, tomato, garlic and lime tools to make gaucamole. After that it was off to Brandon's to get ready for his work party. Every year the company he works for throws a hugs summer party called simply called the orange party. Everyone in attendance is required to wear orange. Remember that dress I made? This is what I needed it for. I think I can safely safe the night was a success. Sure I drank way more alcohol than was necessary , but it was free, we weren't driving, and I didn't get sick or hungover. Plus I got to spend the night with a great guy. So success! 

Hair and makeup. All of which I managed by myself. 

A bit of pre gaming. 

Handsome date with an elderidge knotted tie, which he let me tie :)

As you can see, there were lots of drinks by the end. Sunday we slept in till noon! Just in time to grab food and go watch the USA v. Portugal game at Steakout. 

 

You can't tell well from the photo but standing on the bar is a guy wearing red white and blue face paint and a cape made of the American flag. He had the whole bar chanting "I believe that we will win!"

It was my first World Cup game. It was pretty freakin awesome, even if we did let Portugal score in the last 30 seconds. 

Because our weekend wasn't full enough, we then caught a showing of "how to train your mother fucking dragon!"

Also known as " how to train your dragon 2". 

When that let out I had a phone call and text from Casey saying we should get our hineys over to The Kitchen, a savy new restraunt down town, to check out the hot bartender. The bartender was of course, her man , my friend and all around cool guy, Shane, who is rocking his new job. We grabbed a few drinks before returning to Brandon's and completely passing out. It was a great weekend :)

A few little notes. 

* I saw a fox run by me yesterday while walking. 

* my cleaned bike is running much better! 

* I haven't purchased bread in two months, still making it at home. 

* Sara will be here on Friday!

Keeping busy.

I've had several projects to keep me busy over the last week or so. My first one is a vertical herb garden that I created using old pallets I stole from work. When I say stole I mean remove them from the alley where we let them sit until someone else takes them. I only have a few little herbs on it for the time being, and who knows if they'll even grow since I started them from seed but I'm hoping that by this time next year I'll have enough that I won't need to buy dried of fresh from the grocery store when I need them for cooking. 

I'm also hoping to build something to set over Eko's kennel once I get into my new place. For as long as I've had Eko his kennel just sits in a corner somewhere. I hoping that I can make something to act as a kitchen workbench or nightstand or something depending on space allowance. 

My most challenging project this week has been an orange dress. Brandon's company has a big company event each year called the orange party. Everyone is required to wear orange. I don't really do orange. In fact other than cori I don't know many who do. However I said I would come up with something, and I did. It took three attempts, three evenings after work and a little more money than I wanted to spend, but the result came out exactly like I wanted! I have a picture of the process, but I'll save the pictures of the final result until the night of the party. Just to keep y'all coming back ;)

I had to take a quick picture of Eko out on the patio as I write. 

Any who. Work is been a little bit crazy and very stressful to most of the staff. I've managed to keep my head on, but with the installation of this new POS system I can see how it's starting to get on everyone's nerves. I keep thinking I should start baking cookies or other such goodies to start taking in for moral boosts. 

Not much else to report. I'll leave you with this photo I took in downtown FoCo today. 

Further proof I'm living in the right city :)

Two p.s.'s 

1) I just scratched the hell out of my leg! 

Apparently there was a straight pin attached to my towel after my evening shower. 

And 2) Wednesday was the epitome of a day off. I was so distracted by projects I had almost forgotten how great it was. I woke up and took my cousin to her summer play thing. Then I went and checked on the garden that I started a few days ago at my uncle Marshall's.  After that I ran a few errands, as one should do on their day off, and I met my friend Connor for lunch. Next I went to the library got a few books.  Followed by an afternoon snack of a milkshake with Shane. I went home for my first attempt at the previously mentioned orange dress.  While that was soaking I read a bit in my book. When Brandon was off work we grabbed some lunch and then met up with Shane, Casey, Connor, Brittany, Dani and Joel for 2$ bowling. Or as our bowling names went The Ginger, Tall Boy, The Huntsman, AA, Panda, Gumby, The Butt-on and The Vixen. Great day!