Message from your friend

Hi, CAM
Your friend C thought you might be interested in this article.

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=177644&catid=339

I don't usually get too caught up in matters such as this but I guess today I am avoiding my work and looking for excuses to blab. OF COURSE HE IS INSANE - no sane person does this, just as no sane person commits suicide bombings or shoots up his workplace or a student shooting up his school. That is NOT sane behavoir. To me there needs to be an overhaul of the judicial system's approach to "Not Guilty by reason of insanity" I think we should not only look at whether the individual had the capacity to know and/or be aware of the consequences of his/her actions but also the basis of ones claimed insanity. Obviously what I propose is very subjective, but when matters of insanity we're already being subjective so let's add another step and go a little deeper. People lose their minds over ANYTHING and just because they CLAIM insanity does NOT excuse them from prison in all instances. We have all been around truly insane people . . . or maybe not, but I have seen a few on 16th Street here in Denver and experienced some on the light rail and from my, albeit, bird's eye view THIS man should not be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Store advertisement and mountain fashion

I pass this store almost everyday, DinEa, and almost everyday I say I'd like to step in there and see what they offer.  They are on the corner of a pretty main street just on the edge of the Denver University area but not really in the little "shopping" area on Pearl Street or University.  I've been noticing it since my first visit to Denver and STILL have not been in the store.  Regardless, here is the point I'm here to make.  Last week I noticed there outside advertising board said something along the lines of "Be different, be in style."  Now this just made me laugh out loud and of course, K asked me  what I was laughing at and when I tried to explain why this was funny to me, I'm pretty sure the point didn't go across the gender barrier.  I've already noticed to myself, not in any kind of a judgmental way at all, but that fashion is just not a big thing here in Denver, at least not the fashion that a lot of the world is consumed with.  Just like you've always heard, a lot of women don't wear makeup and are often in slouchy, comfortable clothes and shoes.  The Colorado-fashion, or rather mountain-fashion, is found at REI, Inc. and other outdoor stores such as local cycling and board shops which have high-end outdoor gear and wear.  You don't care about heels, sassy tops, shiny jewelry and fancy makeup so much out there when the wind gusts up to 25 mph frequently, it snows in the morning then is 55 degrees in the afternoon, and you very well may be commuting to work/or wherever on a bicycle or planning to participate in some other outdoor activity at some point that day.

Now, of course I am way over simplifying the reality.   Women do have on makeup, wear heels, and all the other "fashion" trends; however, after observing them for quite some time now I can earnestly say that fashion trends do not drive the average Coloradan.  I am sure that the market research and those that study all that have long ago made this distinction about the Front Range, but back to the store's slogan . . .  it was hilarious to me because no where else that I can think of would a store really have to encourage women in that way to be "in style."  From my experience, limited albeit, most women I know and have been around are trying hard to follow some of the stylish trends. 

Maybe it was just the charismatic mood I was in that day . . .   - NO, I still find it funny. 

New Vocabulary

Yesterday evening as I was driving home from commuting from work to the rail station we had parked the car, and as we had gotten about three inches of snow in the last four hours or so, I started thinking about this whole new set of vocabulary terms that I have had to (or by default) have acquired here in Colorado.  Words like: white out - when it's snowing so hard out, its just white out; black ice - when the road is frozen; blizzard - not that it's a new word but I sure as hell never used it back in Mississippi; also, along those same lines is snow shovel, slush, gropple, beanie . . . You get the idea.  Of course those are just snow/weather terminology, but it's just a whole other world out here ;)  

Really though, being from a completely different region of the country honestly does make the most mundane everyday life things seem out of the ordinary to me.  I love it!  I love being so far out of my element that the everyday isn't even "everyday."  It excites me for the most part.  And honsetly, I don't even really do any of the more adventurous stuff out here.  haha.  I mean I do want to I just haven't gotten around to it all yet.  Honestly. 

She is too adorable!

Snow is here to stay . . .

I believe that January will make up for no snow in December.  This is our second big storm of the month and it is probably here to stay!  I think, or K guesstimates that it was a least a foot this morning.  We both came in to work and so I did not really get any pictures but took these too on our way to the lightrail station in DU. 


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The year of first

Well there's no doubt that 2010 was a year that I will always view as a true turning point in my life.  To describe it as "a year of first" seems so cliche' and in my opinion does not really do it justice, but then again it is my life so I am probably being biased. 

Honestly, I feel like I've hardly caught my breath since the new year and truly I'm not one to do a whole lot of reflection and resolutions anyway but given that 2010 really was a HUGE year of changes for me I feel like I should reflect a little on what all I have been through and where to go from here.  I feel like for the most part the major changes have all mellowed at this point and I've gotten into a groove, so to speak, in Colorado and with K. 

This year has been a wonderful year in summation.  K proposing was such an unexpected, joyous surprise to cap it all off.  I just did not imagine that he would do that right now, but I find myself looking at my hand and just being overjoyed with love and happiness.  Not just because my ring is pretty (in my opinion anyway), but because I know that K and I are meant to be together and will have a fulfilled and loving life together.  Being engaged was really just icing on the cake, I knew we'd get married but I had started to believe it would just be in some Colorado-low key, common law fashion of "I marry you."  Ha ha (but kind of seriously!)

I guess I could easily make a list of all the things I've yet to check off the list since moving to Colorado, but that would just be in keeping with the negativity that I've grown up with all my life - always pointing out what HAS NOT been done or what IS NOT okay, etc. etc.   However, I think instead I'll just point out that I am now consistently working with the same company and in a position that provides me with income to live off of, I absolutely love living in Colorado, I've made a few friends, I came to work today inspite of there being a foot of snow on the ground, I'm getting back into shape, K and I are still very much in love and are supporting one another in a way I've always hoped a relationship would be!  We did so much fun stuff this year and I've made a photo album of all our trips and shows but I still have to add December to it so I'll have to post it later this week.  My plan is to send it to shutterfly and have a hard copy album created!  I'm so glad I went ahead and waiting until after Christmas since we had such an exciting one!! 

Most importantly, I am personally feeling confident, at peace, loved, proud and excited about myself and my life here in Colorado.  What more could I ask for?

Naturally, I have more things to get in order and on top of . . . a job with benefits, the CO Bar, learn to snowboard, climb a fourteener, figure out a wedding plan, get our other car repaired, - the list is always endless of course but whose isn't.  One day at a time, one step at a time, one thing at a time. 

Happy New Year!!

We rang in 2011 with the McCls at the Pepsi Center for the second night of WSP.  K and C had gone on Thursday night, after the McCls arrived Wednesday evening.  I don't have my pictures downloaded yet.  In short, we had a "perfect" time.  Cold, cold weather, beautiful snow, good food and MSU won the Gator Bowl.  I honestly think the whole visit went as smoothly as it could have and got a real sense that all the McCls enjoyed themselves in their own way.  We didn't make it to the mountains, due to the weather, so they'll just have to come back in the Spring/Summer sometime!! 

Here's Reverb's write up about the Panic Show.  I really enjoyed it and am becoming quiet the fan inspite of myself!  http://www.heyreverb.com/2011/01/03/live-review-widespread-panic-the-pepsi-center-day-2/

Merry Christmas and WE'RE ENGAGED!

We had a wonderful Christmas and boy was it full of surprises!!  No. 1 best surprise was of course, K proposing!!!!!  He'd been fretting over a last minute package coming USPS from his mom, and my only crossing thought was "Well, I don't think he would USPS a ring here," and so I put any thought of such behind me and just figured it was something else.  He's such a worry-wart but boy did he play down his nerves well because I never suspected . . . although he did have us up and doing Christmas gifts before 8 A.M.!  Ha.  After we'd opened our gifts, he said there was one more for me on the tree and that I had to find it.  Looking for a new Christmas ornament, after about a minute or two he narrowed down my search to the top part and then I spotted a RING hanging from a branch.  And yes, he did officially ask "Will you marry me?"  I was crying as soon as I saw the ring.  He really did surprise me good and swept me off my feet for the second time.  Don't get me wrong, I knew we'd get married but I had really gotten the impression that we wouldn't do the whole "engaged/ring" part or at least not anytime too soon.  I can only describe my feelings as, SO Happy!!  That doesn't really do them justice because I'm feeling so much more certain and true with all of this than ever before, and a real deep sense of sincerity . . . 

from the Democrat:

http://neshobademocrat.com/main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=301&ArticleID=22545&TM=35492.91

Kiley Goforth and Corby Mason of Denver, Colo. came home for a visit and the infant baptism of Corby's 6-month-old niece, Molly Mason Harrington. Baby Molly's family, Reed, Yancey and 7-year-old Mary Presley welcomed visiting family and friends to First United Methodist Church of Brandon for the morning worship service, presided over by pastors Goeffrey Joyner and Daniel Herring.

Brunch was served in the Harrington home to paternal grandparents Billy and Brenda Harrington of Starkville and brother Kirk's family, Laurie, Alyssa, Megan and William of Flowood.

Maternal great-grandmother Lauretta Clark, grandparents James Paul and Judy Mason and friends Chuck, Kim and Chelsey McClain of Philadelphia and Belhaven were in attendance along with John, T.J., Will and Caroline Shapley of Madison. Friends departed mid-afternoon and the family gathered again at FUMC for the evening Son Shine Praise Kids' "Star of Wonder" Christmas musical.

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Fw: Christmas Dinner Menu:

Sent: Dec 22, 2010 9:50 PM
Subject: Christmas Dinner Menu:
Christmas Dinner Menu:
Pancetta wrapped beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce, asparagus-new potato hash, roasted root vegetable salad, wild rice pilaf, and sister schubert rolls. Baked goat cheese dip app, sausage balls, cornflake marshmellow candy.
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Pictures from our visit home

We had a GREAT visit home a couple weeks ago! I think between the two
of us we did a good amount of visiting but we didn't stretch ourselves
too thin and were really able to enjoy some time with friends and
family. My nieces are SOOO big and such precious little girls. We
got to see MP in action on the basketball court and for her church
Christmas program, as well as be there for MM's babtism. We made the
most of our time at home and have special memories for sure. Aiports
goodbyes are the worst because there's no lingering and goodbye is a
blink of the eye.

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Last of the Firsts

I'm just days away from having been here in Colorado for one year.  Pretty hard to believe how fast the year went.  I realized at Thanksgiving that K and I were spending our last "first" together and we have now essentially spent 365 days together.  I was kind of sad when the reality first set in but I'm not going to read anymore in to it, besides there's way more surprises in store for us I am sure.  Although, we have now spent all major and minor holidays together- which makes me really happy. 

We actually have a flight planned to go home this Thursday-Monday (Dec. 6), which will be one year to the day that I left Mississippi.  Not really that ironic but kind of interesting how it worked out.  Looking forward to seeing my nieces and visiting with family.

It's looking like my work will wrap up tomorrow and I haven't heard any word about more to come.  I pretty upset about this timing and just hadn't really thought it all through because now I'm anticipating that I"ll be out of work until the new year, just given the holidays and all.  That really blows because I won't be able to do much of a Christmas for us.  Perhaps something will come up but I'm really not feeling that it will.  When we get back from Mississippi I am going to try and find some kind of Holiday-season work, somewhere. . . .

The doggies are all good.  Dixie is so happy for the winter weather.  Today it was single-digit temperatures, with the wind, and I could not get her to come in from the backyard.  Ha.  The other two were of course buried under blankets inside.  They are SO incredibly spoiled now that I've been working from home the last few weeks.  Paige is essentially in my lap all day.  I definitely think she's a little confused about whether she's a dog or a baby, which is partly my fault because I pamper her pretty good. 

We still haven't had a big snow yet here in Denver but I know it is just a matter of days, maybe even while we're gone (although right now the forecast looks pretty mild). 

That's about all for now.  I'm sure I'll have pictures of snow soon. 

First Dusting

And it's still going, might get up to 6 inches today! Glad I'm working from home today!!!
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MM

She's so pretty! and SO big!

MP

Skeleton Nieces

Even on Halloween they are too cute!! Man, I miss them.

Our First Jack-O-Lantern!!

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Pumpkins

MP 7 years;  MM 6 mos.  

Message from your friend

Hi, CAM
Your friend C thought you might be interested in this article.

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=159520&catid=339

I believe Old Man Winter is here! Although we won't see snow in Denver out of this storm, I believe we could any day now that this storm has moved through . . . !!!! Tonight's low is 30 and then 20s the next two or three days!!! Oh no, oh no, oh no

Breaking the silence

I'm not exactly sure why I haven't made more of an effort to write lately.  We've gotten ourselves into a bit of a routine these last few weeks and I guess all is just clicking right along.  Of course there's been a million passing thoughts, ideas, complaints, inspirations, joys, and low points that I've wished I would've written about but all that is in the past at the moment.  Right now I am sitting on our back porch, amongst our bit of dessert-land (the backyard) and enjoying the sunshine.  The nights and mornings have started to be in the low 40s so the house is now chilly and will go from chilly to down right freezing in a matter of weeks I'm sure. 

This week I've had the good fortune of being able to work from home on the project with Falcon.  We are asked to work four 10s, so I'm still on the computer most of the day but at least I am at home and can have some flexibility in when I get my hours in.

I'm slowly getting back into a decent workout routine.  I finally joined a gym and as ridiculous as it may sound, man did I need to do that a few months ago.  It has helped my psyche tremendously!  . . . not so much my weight but I have felt generally a lot better since getting back into the gym last month.  I missed spinning way more than I realized (and so did my thighs). 

The first of the snow caps are back and the mountains look beautiful, along fall colors.  The weather is really perfect right now and the doggies are loving it.  Although I know, Dixie, at least is looking forward to some more snow to roll around in for sure. 

Hard to believe it is almost Halloween.  EVERYONE says we'll most likely have snow on the ground by then.  We didn't get ski passes yet and not sure we'll be able again this year.  Plus I obviously need a board and boots.  There's several sales going on at all the outdoor gear places but other bills have obviously taken precedence.  I do hope to try and get up on a board a few times this year, or rather try and go to the mountain and attempt to get up on a board.  I've met a friend at work that says she needs to re-learn riding and will be glad to go out with me some days.  We'll see about all that!

EXCITING, EXCITING NEWS!!!  We have our first visitors coming for New Year's Eve.  We'll be ringing in 2011 with the McCls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hope we aren't all snowed in :)