Thankful Thursday!

I have been REALLY homesick (as you can tell from my past posts) and my mom said that it would be good for me to start a journal about what I am thankful for. I was joking with her and saying that I am thankful for not yet falling on ice patches out here and breaking my hip! But then I got to thinking...If I think about the positives, then hopefully I won't be so negative about being out here. Let me just preface this by saying that the people in Colorado are nice people and I have NOTHING against them. I started to think of my favorite things and that song from Sound of Music popped in my head. Fraulein Maria for example liked raindrops on roses. (So far only snow has fallen out here.) And whiskers on kittens. (How sad would it be to see a whisker less kitten?) Bright copper kettles. (I prefer the microwave.) And warm woolen mittens. (These have come in REALLY handy while on my early morning dog walks.) Brown paper packages tied up in strings. (They were green and they didn't even know it!) But these are a few of her favorite things.

Here is a short list of things that I am thankful for and that are some of MY favorite things!

Please note that all of these are things (beside the first and second one). I didn't include any friends or family because the list would be too long. You all make me who I am!!

My Sweet Husband

He has been SO great through this whole transition. This has been a hard time for both of us and we have been such a great support team for each other. He works SO hard in the FREEZING cold (since he is in the tire department, he is always exposed to the elements). He helps me around the house and doesn't complain that he now has to change the litter box.

Our Little One

I know that we don't know him/her yet but I feel SO lucky to be carrying this little miracle. I am so excited for July! It has been 2 months so far and each day the baby grows more and more. I can't wait to meet you and love you with all that I am!!

In-N-Out

OH MY GAWD...I have been craving this exact meal (minus the onions) for the past 3 months. There is NO place like it out here. The people out here have no idea what they are missing!! I got to have it last weekend when we visited Tom's parents in Las Vegas. Tom was making fun of me because I was making "yummy" noises while I was eating. I was just AMAZING!

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

I LOVE me a good Non-Fat Sugar Free Vanilla Latte (large of course). I have now switched to decaf and it is still just as good. Again, this isn't out here (I am sending pleading emails to them to come to Colorado) but I got to have one in Las Vegas. It hit the spot. Starbucks ain't got nothing on Coffee Bean (sorry Junie!)

Ugg Boots

I know that these are popular in California but we wear them differently out here! I always think of girls wearing these with SHORT jean skirt, tank top, and a scarf!! They actually have good use out here. I am still in the process of buying more closed toed shoes but they have kept my tootsies warm MANY days!! I can just imagine all the HB girls out here in their outfits..they would FREEZE!!

What not to Wear

This is my Friday Night ritual since Tom closes that night. I LOVE Stacey and Clinton!! They crack me up! I just look at the people that have been nominate and ask myself, "what went wrong for these poor people?!?!?!" They are usually moms that have just let their fashion go to the wayside. Oh it makes me scare that it will happen to me!! I am going to fight to make sure that it doesn't....please help keep me accountable!

Aquaphor

One thing that Colorado is lacking is MOISTURE!!! I have always used Lubriderm, which is really moisturizing, but since we have moved out here I need a stronger arsenal against the elements. This stuff is AWESOME. It takes care of everything from lips to cuticles to feet. It is the main component to my skin care army.

Reese Witherspoon Movies!

I have to say....I love Reese!! I can throw on Legally Blonde and immediately feel better. I don't know what it is about her but she just makes great movies.

Trader Joe's

I miss 2 buck Chuck!! I always have such a great shopping experience whenever I step in the store. They have so much fun stuff to look through and to try. I love their hummus and their chicken fajitas! It is just a wonderful store and I love just walking up the isles and seeing what fun food items we can enjoy.

Well that is just a few things that are my favorite and that I am thankful for. Try to make your own list and just remember how lucky we all are.

Viva Las Vegas

We escaped the cold of Colorado and went to Las Vegas for the weekend to see Tom's family and celebrated Christmas early. We left on Friday morning (early. THANK YOU Laura for taking us to the airport) and it was snowing when we took off. Tom and I went thru our first de-icing of our plane. We both have never went thru the fun of just SITTING and waiting on our plane for them to get to de-icing us. It delayed us just a little. It was nice to see family and spend some quality time with them. I am really homesick right now and seeing Tom's parents was really nice. They are so amazing and I love them so much.

We also had some friends come down and visit us. Dale and Lynette came in on Friday afternoon and we had a BLAST. Lynette is a good friend of mine and I SWEAR that Tom and Dale were separated at birth. They got along so well and it was nice to see some friends from home. We ate WAY too much, gambled too much, and spent too much money!! They helped get me thru until I can see everyone next week. Oh and surprise surprise, I cried when we picked them up at the airport!!

Anyways, I can't WAIT to come home next week. I will be home from the 25th-1st. I don't have too much planned but call me if you have some free time.

See you all soon!!!

Mom and Dad visit!

Sorry for the length of delay between the blogs. Our computer at home needs a tune up and I have been having computer drama at work too. Oh yea...I got a job! I am working at Bogert Built Constuction (where my friend Laura used to work before she had her son 3 weeks ago). We do restoration of homes when they have damage from a pipe burst or flooding. It has been slower now since the weather has been really nice lately. We did have snow yesterday but it is pretty much melted away now. It is supposed to snow on Saturday so hopefully we can take our Christmas card picture then!

Going back to work has been nice. I feel like I have a purpose for everyday. When I wasn't working, I just stayed in my jammies until like 3. I made sure that I was showered and pretty for when Tom got home. I didn't want to be that slobby wife. Tom is a great help around our apartment. He helps me with the chores around the house. He is SUCH a good man! I am VERY lucky!!

Anywho...back to the topic of the blog...Well my parents surprised me back in October with a visit!! It was their 30th wedding anniversary and they said they were going to Portland to celebrate. I talked to them the morning they left and my mom said that she needed my address to send me a postcard (sneaky lady, they were already at the Denver Airport and she needed to know how to get to my house). So I gave it to her and told them to have a fun time. I also put in my guilt comment of "If you really loved me you would come to Colorado and spend your time with your daughter" when I was on the phone with my mom. We said our goodbyes and I went back to watching TV. At about 10am there is a knock at my door and I immediately started to think about who it could be. We don't know anybody around us and my only friend who lives near me was at work. So then I was kinda freaked out about answering the door. I looked thru the peephole and who do I see but...MY PARENTS!!! I opended the door and said "Shut up"! and then started to cry and hug them. It was the best surprise EVER!! They were here for 6 days and it was the BEST 6 days I have had here. It was just nice to spend all my time with them and soak them up. It was hard to say goodbye but I know that I get to see them soon. I have the BEST parents ever!! I am one lucky girl!!

That has what has been the hardest change being out here. I feel like I don't have a place. I don't fit in yet. And for those of you who know me....I dont think that I will ever fit in!! Ha haa!! I am just a weird person and I get it. Anyways, making friends has been really hard. We don't have kids to meet other parents thru sports or dance classes and we aren't in school anymore to meet other people. If any of you reading this have any ideas on how to meet new friends, please send me them at my personal email or on MySpace. I am not looking for "bar" friends so that is out...hee hee.

Anyways, here are some pictures from my parents trip.

Talk to you all later!

Jen

It's HERE!!

The snow has arrived!! It started snowing last night on our way home from our friends house in Colorado Springs. The temperature dropped fron 61 to 45 in about 10 minutes!! I guess the old saying is true....if you don't like the weather in Colorado, wait 10 minutes. Here are some pictures of the girls first seeing snow....Enjoy!!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY BABY BEAR!!

It is Georgia Belle's 1st birthday today!! She has been such a wonderful addition to our little family. Yes...I realize that she isn't my child but she still is a part of our family. Here are some pictures of her from this last year!!

We are here!!!

Hello All,

Sorry for the delay...I have just been busy with getting the house set up and unpacked. Here is the story of our drive here:

We left from Tom's parents house at 4am and arrived here in Colorado at 7pm that night. It was an uneventful drive...thank goodness. The cat was drugged and the dogs were amazing. We didn't have any fights or issues with the trailer. It was just a LONG time in the car. Here are some pictures from our drive:





Yes...there are snow on the mountains. That picture was from the way in thru the Rockies. They have been saying that there is going to be snow but it never comes. I am OKAY with that!!! I bought some things for our car that I was informed is good to have: a windshield scraper, windshield fluid that won't freeze, and gloves to leave in my car. I just need to buy closed toed shoes now!!

Here are a few pictures of our place:














The girls and I found an AWESOME dog park that is about 15 minutes away. It is located in the Chatfield State Park. You can camp, fish, hike, and all that other fun stuff. The dog park is HUGE and not fenced. They have 2 ponds and miles of hiking paths. Georgia will swim after a ball if we throw it into one of the ponds. Penny will go into the water buy won't go too far into the pond.

Overall, the move has been great but I am just lonely while Tom is at work. I am looking for a job but just enjoying this month that I have off. Tom is working a lot which it is good for overtime but is hard on Tom. I have started making dinner every night and doing all that homemaker stuff. I am actually enjoying it. Send me any recipes you have!!

Hope you all are doing well and I miss you all. Oh and I will be home for Christmas from the 25th until the 1st. I want to see about getting together at Cliff's Hideaway for a drink...Let's plan on the Thursday the 27th!! Hope to see you all there!!

Let the driving adventure begin.....

So we left late last night from my parent's house and got to Tom's parents house at about 2am. It was a unique experience driving with the 2 dogs and our cat in the truck with us. Luckly, I went to the vet and got traquilizers for the cat to calm him. It was a longer drive then normal because we are towing all our junk. You don't realize how much crap you have until you have to move it across country!! The highlight of the drive was our Barstow dinner of In N Out. Oh...How I will miss you In N Out!!

Thank you to all our friends that came out on Saturday to wish us fairwell. It was a great night and I appreciate you all. I think that Chubby Bunny was the highlight of the night!! Once I download the pictures I will put some up of the competition. Thanks for sharing our last night with us in California. It was a blast!!

Love you all!!

9 Days and Counting

This has been a lot harder than I thought it would be. I miss the hell out of Jen. I finally got into our place. A little lonely though. I have an air mattress, a closet full of clothes, no furniture, no tv, and no computer. Yes, I said no tv. I miss everyone, but I'll be home soon. I fly in the 27th of this month. Jen, I love you, I love you, I love you. PS. This picture was taken at Travis's house.

2 WEEKS TO GO.....

So Tom comes home (well to his California home) in 2 weeks! I can't wait!!! We will be leaving the state on September 30th. I am really sad to leave work and friends but excited to start our new adventure together. I am still figuring out the details of the going away party on the 29th so please keep it open. Jeannie comes home today for the weekend so we are going to have a girls brunch on Sunday. I am going to miss my beootches!!

Here are a few pictures for Tom of the girls and I:

Happy Birthday to ME!!

THANK YOU ALL for all the calls and text messages. I really appreciate it! It means a lot to me since Tom is gone. I am realizing that I am WAY more dependent on him for my everyday support than I thought. So thank you all for being a great support to me today!! I love you all!!

Tom's NOT flipping you off.

So it was brought to my attention that it looks like Tom is flipping you off in the picture of the 2 of us. It isn't true. He was giving the peace sign adnd the way I cropped the picture makes it look like he is giving you the bird. SORRY T!! Here is the real picture.

Just wanted to claify!

Day 11

Howdy all,

Thats what they say out here. Howdy, Yall, All Yall..... It's day 11 and it feels like I'm on another planet. Everyone is very nice, they let you in when your blinker is on, they like to wave, and want to talk to you. Hello, California, California plates, I don't want to say hello. Anyway, it's not so bad. It's beautiful here and living here will be a good thing. I miss you all and especialy my wife. I love you. Happy birthday, sorry I can't be there.

Toma-loma-ding-dong

And so the blogging begins.....

Hello All,

I wanted to get this started so that our friends and family can check in on us and our new life in Colorado. Tom has found us a place to live and it looks beautiful!! He searched ALL weekend and found us an apartment in Littleton. Once I get the address I will send it out to everyone. Here is a picture of one of the buildings:

It is about 10 minutes from my friend Laura and about 15 minutes away from Tom's work. I am really excited for Tom today because it is his first day of work. I can't wait to hear about it. I will also get to see him in just a few weeks. He left for Colorado last week and it has been REALLY hard to not see him everyday. Only 30 days until he comes back to California to pick me up.

I wanted to let everyone know that we will be having a BIG going away party on the 29th of September. I will be sending out more info once I start planning it.

Hope to see you all there and I hope that you enjoy this blog!

P.S. Tom-Here is a cute picture of the girls. They miss their dad....and so do I!

Love You por vida!!!