Goodbye 2008

One of the blogs that I follow is written by a woman named Annie. It is called MORE THAN JUST A MOM. I've really come to admire her writing and that fact that she doesn't seem to be afraid to tell it like it is.

Her post today really got me to thinking though. It is entitled Adieu 2008. It is a recap of what happened with her and her family throughout 2008. It made me sit back and start thinking about what has happened in my life this year. If you'll indulge me, I'll give you glimpse of my year in review:

January brought good things for a friend of mine as he finally got himself out of a bad living situation of more than 14 months. It was a sense of relief for me and his other friends as well as a sense of freedom for him. It also brought a very sad time for both of us. More so for him than me. His mother passed away mid-month. It was a blessing for her as she had been struggling with a crippled body for many years. She was a wonderful lady and I'm glad I got to share her life for the short time.

February brought more sadness when another friend lost her 3+ year battle with breast cancer. Again, those of us still here miss her deeply, but we know that she is no longer in pain and is not suffering.

Spring brought several get togethers with friends which included helping one friend celebrate a #0th birthday. My Grandpa celebrated his 94th birthday. We celebrated a new baby in Holly's family. One of my friends moved away (eastern Nebraska), but we keep in touch via email and even got to see each other the day after Christmas.

One of my friends bought a motorcycle and we spent a lot of time running around on that throughout the summer.

July brought the annual and bi-annual family gatherings. Got to see family members that had not been around for many years.

Holidays moved in for the fall and things got busy, traveling to Nebraska for Thanksgiving, home for a week, off to Florida for a week, home for a week and off to Nebraska again for Christmas.

So that's a brief recap of what my year included. I've been enjoying writing my blog because I love sharing pictures and fun/interesting stories. Through this media, I can write them and if someone doesn't want to read them, they don't have to. I thank all of you that have commented along the way and I hope you'll continue to read and comment.

Love to you all!

Happy New Year!!!!!

Roo :-)

The Birthday Cake

As I told you in my last post, we started a new tradition this year... a birthday cake for Jesus. Here are the pictures from this year's celebration. We figured one candle was sufficient since this is our first year of doing this... besides, 2,008 wouldn't fit on the cake!!!

TMan got the seat of honor since he is the one that suggested the cake in the first place.

Postive Post

I realized this morning, while looking at my page, that with Christmas just days away I couldn't leave my last post as the first thing people see when they come to this page.

So I thought I would share a cutie about TMann... Sis was trying to explain to her little man that Christmas is really Jesus's birthday and why we celebrate Christmas. Being a 3-year old his concern was that there be a birthday cake. So, we will be starting a new tradition this year... A birthday cake for baby Jesus on Christmas day.

Beware of Colorado Highway Laws

For those of you that may not be aware (or at least didn't remember) there is a law in Colorado that went into effect a couple of years ago which prohibits driving (cruising) in the left hand lane of the multi-lane highways. You should only use the left lanes for passing other vehicles and then get back over to the right as soon as possible.

I had forgotten about this until yesterday, when I got stopped by a CSP officer and given a courtesy warning. She told me that they are starting to enforce this more now to help avoid some of the aggressive driver accidents. Thankfully that was just a courtesy stop.

Unfortunately the rest of the story is not so happy. If you ever get a ticket for not being able to provide proof of insurance, don't depend on the court system to inform the DMV that you have provided such proof and resolved the issue. THEY DON'T DO IT!!! During this courtesy stop yesterday, I was informed that my Colorado driver's license was revoked more than a year ago for failure to provide proof of financial responsibility.

See, I had been involved in an auto accident in October 2007 and when asked for my information, I discovered that I did not have my current auto insurance card with me. I received a ticket for this and of course the DMV was informed of this citation. I was summoned to appear in court and provide the necessary documentation at that time. Prior to the court date I received a letter from the DMV indicating that I needed to provide this information. I went to court as instructed with the proper documentation. The insurance issue was dismissed. I assumed (and YES, I know what happens when you assume something!) that the DMV would be notified through the same channels by which they were notified of the original citation. I thought the issue was done and satisfied all the way around. WRONG!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, when the CSP officer took my license to run it through the system, she came back to my car and informed me that my license had been revoked as of 12/09/07!!! MORE THAN A YEAR AGO!!!! And I had never been notified by ANYONE. So she took my license but let me drive away.

Well, long story short, I panicked most of the rest of the day yesterday. This morning my thoughts were a little more clear. I made a few phone calls and found out what I needed to do get my license back. Turns out it was more simple than I thought it would be and I had my license back in about 90 minutes.

Just be careful and don't assume that the system is going to take care of things. Look out for yourself!!!

Lightning & Mater

TMann's favorite movie, from day 1, has always been Disney/Pixar's CARS (although THOMAS is a favorite as well). So, imagine how excited he was when he actually got to "meet" Lightning McQueen and Mater! Mater was a little loud so TMann had to cover his ears, but he really was thrilled.

Luigi's station from Radiator Springs has been setup at Disney's Hollywood Studios @ Walt Disney World. This is where Lightning and Mater hangout while they are in town. I think this was a highlight of the trip for TMann.

Vacation is over...

Well, vacation to Disney World is now in the history books. We returned yesterday and now the weather here in Colorado is -18!!!!

I haven't had time yet to review all of the pictures and get them edited for posting. Hopefully before the weekend.

Love to all.

Roo :-)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Taking off this afternoon to go to Nebraska and spend the holiday with Sis and her family.

I just wanted to take the time to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Remember to count your blessings and be sure to remember those that are fighting for our freedom as well as their families that make a sacrifice every day.

Love to all!

Roo :-)

Beautiful Photographs

I have a friend who has recently decided to try to make some money from his hobby. He takes beautiful photographs.

Check out his website:
A New Dawn Photography
Reflections by Steven James Reed

The Weekend

Sis & The Kid were here for the weekend. We had a good one. Lots of running around, lots of fun and funny things kids say. The best one was today as we were sitting, eating lunch. I asked The Kid, "Did you know that we're coming to your house in 9 days?" "Nine days?" he replied. "Yes, can you count to 9?" I asked. His reply? "To 9!" and that was that. I guess it was one of those where you had to be there, but it was funny!

Saturday we spent part of the day @ the Holiday Food & Gift Festival @ the Convention Center. The first thing we did was go see Santa Claus. This was great because last year he wanted nothing to do with the man. "NO WAY!" was all we got when we asked if he wanted to go see Santa. Here are the pictures from this year:

It finally came...

Our first measurable snow of the season has finally arrived. We were just one week short of the record for the latest "first snow." The record was November 21, set back in 1934.

It wasn't bad, but it made for a slow and sloppy drive to work this morning. People forget how to drive in those conditions from year to year. They get stupid over the summer. Plus then there are the ones that don't take care of their vehicles... tires spinning on the slush from bald tires, not scraping snow off the windows, brake lights, etc.

Anyway, it's finally happened and now maybe people can find their snow brains again.

Happy Fall/Winter everyone.

THANK YOU VETERANS

Today is Veterans Day. Sadly too many people do not acknowledge this holiday. Denver's Veterans Day parade was held this past Saturday and there was a very dismal turn out. I have to be honest, I did not attend either.

However, its not too late to acknowledge these brave men and women that have served our country and fought (in whatever capacity) for each us to maintain our freedom, both as a nation and as individuals.

If you're out and about today, you're probably going to see veterans all over showing some kind of sign that they have served or are serving. Please be sure to say THANK YOU! And you know what, don't forget to thank police officers and firefighters. They, too, make sacrifices for the rest of us every day.

THANK YOU VETERANS FOR HELPING TO GIVE ME THE FREEDOM I DO SO CHERISH.

Oh... Memories...

So... what was your favorite TV show when you were a kid? A couple of my co-workers and I got in to a discussion this AM about our favorite shows as kids and it was fun. However, for the life of me I can't really remember how we got to the subject. We were talking about plans for the weekend and craft shows and the next thing we knew we were talking about old shows like Gilligan's Island, That Girl, I Dream of Jeannie, Romper Room, Family Affair, etc. Then we started thinking about the theme songs.

I had to find a site that would give me a couple of theme songs because we couldn't remember exactly how they went. This site is great. Check it out. It's called TELEVISIONTUNES.COM They not only have the OLD favorites, but the new ones as well.

Here's the theme to a show we rememberd fondly...
http://www.televisiontunes.com/That_Girl_-_1968_-_Begining.html

Well, it's done...

I can't say that I'm happy with the outcome of the election, but at least it's over. The thing that is bothering me today is that The President-Elect's picture is EVERYWHERE!!! Every time I click on a page on the Internet, there he is. Even when I went MSN Live Search, he's there as the background.



Right now I'm not feeling very congenial toward this man who is supposed to lead our country and I really DON'T want to see his face every time I turn around. And you know, I think I'd be just as sick of anyone else's picture popping up EVERYWHERE.

Election Day 2008

It's finally here. I will be so glad when this day is over. I know there should be excitement and the anticipation of a new President, but this has been THE most obnoxious campaign season. I'm so ready for it to be over.

Just remember everyone, be civilized and respectful regardless of whether the elections go the way you want them to or not. We are all human beings and we each have our own opinions. Whether we all agree or not, we all deserve to be respected.

Have a good day and if you haven't done so already

DON'T FORGET TO

VOTE!!!!

Voting issues

BIG SCREW-UP!

How many of you heard about the "missing" ballot mess in Denver County? Here's the news story from the local NBC affiliate KUSA. Brief recap... Sequoia Voting Systems in California supposedly had printed AND MAILED 21,000 ballots on or about Oct 16. Come to find out the mail facility only received about 10,000 and the other 11,000 were never printed! It was finally discovered on Friday, Oct 24. This was after those poor souls @ the election office had to listen to phone call after phone call from citizens that had not yet received their ballots. I was one of them. I was asked to wait until Monday, Oct 28 and if I didn't have my ballot by then I should call back and request another be sent.

Well, when I heard about this "mistake" I decided to wait until today, Oct 29, to see if my ballot arrived. And arrive it did. So here I am, 3+ weeks after I requested the ballot; 2+ weeks after the date it was supposedly mailed; and 6 days from election day just now beginning to fill in my ballot. When I submitted my ballot request @ the beginning of the month, which was immediately acknowledged, I expected to have had it mailed back AT LEAST a week ago if not earlier than that. Thank goodness I have thoroughly reviewed the sample ballot and had a lively debate with my friend over the amendments and referendums. I should be able to just zip through the ballot and have it in the mail tomorrow or Friday.

It's been frustrating and I wasn't looking forward to going to a poling place to have to do my voting, but I would have done it. I would have felt guilty not voting.

Regardless of which candidate/party you're favoring, if you haven't already done so,

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU GET OUT AND

VOTE!!!

It is our right and privilege as US Citizens and it should not be neglected or ignored.

Halloween is coming

Halloween isn't until Friday but the local merchants had early trick or treating for the kids this past Saturday.

He kepting telling (Mom) that "trick or treat is cool!!!"



Here's Thomas the Train getting ready to go trick or treating "downtown."



According to Mom, the kitty was told "Sorry Frankie. I can't play right now. I have to go trick or treating."



All smiles and ready to go for the loot.



Got a sucker. Let's move on.



Mr. Cool ready for more.



Enjoyin' this sucker.

Have fun everyone and be safe!

List Your Self - Listmaking as the Way to Self-Discovery

Several years ago I purchased a book that I thought sounded extremely interesting. It is called LIST YOUR SELF - LISTMAKING AS THE WAY TO SELF-DISCOVERY. It is written by Ilene Segalove and Paul Bob Velick and published by Andrews and McMeel. I want to give credit to all responsible for this book, so I am not taking any credit for any of this. I only want to share. If you're interested in owning the book, it can be purchased on AMAZON.COM for only $10.17. I'm sure you could probably find it at local chain-bookstores.

This is not the type of book you sit down and read. This is a book which you create as you go throught it. It is truly intriguing. I filled in some pages and then put it away when I moved around and forgot about it. I came across it the other day and thought it would be fun to share it here.

The first chapter of the book is HOW TO USE THIS BOOK. One topic is THREE WAYS TO BEGIN:

1. FLIP THROUGH THE CHAPTERS. WHEN A LIST IDEA POPS OUT, GO THERE. CHOOSE THREE TO SEVEN TOPICS THIS WAY AND START LISTING. OR ...
2. ATTACH AT RANDOM, SKIPPING HERE AND THERE. THEN MAKE YOUR OWN COMPOSITE. OR...
3. START FROM PAGE ONE AND MOVE SEQUENTIALLY THROUGH. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH ORDER.

Write the answers in the book slowly, honestly. Keep it personal, confidential, and always write whatever comes to mind first. Try not to get stuck in your head.

Based on some of the lists the authors have created, this is the kind of book you should carry with you.

WHEN TO USE THIS BOOK:

1. On your travels
2. Big birthdays
3. Upon Waking
4. During career moves
5. At the outset of marriage
6. When you are troubled
7. At parties
8. Standing in long lines
9. When you are overwhelmed
10. When you feel stuck
11. When you forget your purpose in life
12. Before bed

The chapters cover different aspects of our lives:

1. Yourself
2. Daily Life
3. Business
4. Change
5. Culture
6. Men and Women
7. Greater Truths
8. Health
9. Growing Up
10. Suddenly

What I would like to do is share some of these list ideas with you from time-to-time.

So, to start, here is the first one:

Under the topic of YOURSELF - LIST THE PLACES YOU GO IN YOUR MIND WHEN YOU WANT SOME PEACE AND QUIET.

These answers are for you, but if you want to share, feel free to leave your ideas in the comments.

I hope you enjoy this.

Help Donate Mammograms

I'm sure many of you have seen the email going around about clicking on the Breast Cancer Site to help donate a mammogram. Below is the text of this message. If you want to, please feel free to copy this text and send it to your friends. You can also come back to this blog and click on the link that I have just added in the upper left corner of the home page.

Also, if you would like to add this same link to your blog page, I can help you with that or you can get the information after you click on the CLICK HERE TO GIVE - IT'S FREE button. In the upper left corner there is a link that says LINK TO US. Click on that and that will give you the coding you need to add it to your page.

A favor to ask, it only takes a minute....Please tell ten friends to tell ten today!

The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota (45,000 clicks) of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on 'donating a mammogram' for free (pink window).

This doesn't cost you a thing and you don't have to give any information. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate mammograms in exchange for advertising.

Here's the web site! Pass it along to people you know.
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

AGAIN , PLEASE TELL 10 FRIENDS TO TELL 10 FRIENDS!

Twintle Twintle Wittle Star...

With a little bit of a cold and a segue to ABC...

I love this kid...

So... TMan is learning the ABC song... Sis sent these videos yesterday. As she said... cutest little ABC song you've ever heard (x2). (Sorry they're a little dark)

I love you TMan... you're just too cute.

I love Colorado...

Two weeks ago, we made a quick trip to Alamosa for my cousin Janel's wedding reception. Saturday, on the drive back to Denver, we detoured from our usual route and went over the "Old La Veta Pass." What a beautiful drive. Here are the pictures I took and wanted to share with all of you... enjoy the beauty of a part of Colorado...

SARAH PALIN - An insider's view

There is a blog that I read on a regular basis. It is written by a woman in Alaska named Michelle. This is only one woman's opinion, but I thought you might like to read what an Alaskan has to say about Sarah Palin.

SCRIBBIT - MOTHERHOOD IN ALASKA

I'm impressed, but feeling old

I watched Sarah Palin's speech last night @ the RNC. I was impressed and like what I heard. However, after looking her up on Wikipedia, I'm feeling old. The President AND the Vice President are supposed to be older than I am!!! Sarah Palin is exactly 2 years (give or take a few days!) younger than I am. That just isn't right...

Anyway, as I said, I am impressed. She wasn't shy at all, but she wasn't overbearing either. She's got a good sense of humor and I like what she's already done for Alaska. We'll see how things are over the next 2 months.

I will say though, watch out for Piper (Palin's youngest daughter, 7 years old). She has quite a personality. I enjoyed watching her last night. She wasn't obnoxious, but she's going to be a character to watch.

Taking Pre-School by Storm

TMan started pre-school last week. Day one it was "Bye Mom!" Day two it was "Have fun Mom!" He's growing up too fast and becoming more and more independent!!!

Amazing

Don't think that just because you're in the stands that you're safe.

I saw this on Animal Planet this morning. Seven people were hospitalized with injuries. Sadly the bull had to be killed because they couldn't get him out of the stands and didn't want to risk having him injure more people.

The second video shows more of the trampling around in the crowd.


Pajarito, The Flying Bull - Amazing videos are here

DNC in Denver

Although I'm not affiliated with this party, I stumbled across a photo opportunity with some of the local delegates this evening. There were a few notables there as well. I just thought I would share these with you.

disclaimer... DNC = DUCK NATIONAL CONVENTION ... YES... I do know the difference between a male mallard and a female mallard...but I had to go with what I had...

IT'S TIME....

As the new TV season approaches, one show, that at one time was a favorite of mine, is heading into it's last season, and I do have to say... IT'S TIME...

Reunion Fun - Day 2 - Part 2

We all look forward to this Welbourne Reunion which is held BI-ANNUALLY in Buena Vista Colorado @ Jim & Kathy's home.

As I said in the Part 1 piece, we didn't think Grandpa would be joining us. He surprised all of us and made the trip. We are so glad.

Our Aunt Marie and her daughters, Kim, Denise, & Traci, along with Traci's girls, Meghan & Kaitlyn (the Littles) came out to visit us this year. Kim had not been able to attend for about 24 years, due to babies and a battle with colon cancer. She now has two beautiful daughters that we met 4 years ago when they came out with Marie.

Our cousin Rick (RICKY!) had not attended a reunion in 13 years. He surprised us and came this year. SO GOOD TO SEE HIM!!!!

Aunt Alice was present. She is the last surviving child of the Horace & Gwen Welbourne.

Reunion Fun - Day 2 - Part 1

Day 2 started out with saying "Goodbye" to Grandpa. He wasn't going to join us on the trek to Buena Vista for the "big" reunion. Goodbye's are always hard, but this one seemed more difficult than usual.

Reunion Fun - Day 1 - Part 3

As night came down, the kids played on the tire swing and the fireworks started in the yard. As noted in one of the slides from Part 1, Ben had a project that he had been working on all day. He spent all day cutting up pop cans to make reflectors out of them. The goal was to set them up as flashes and take a picture in the dark. The second picture in this bunch is the whole gang outside @ the Dunns' garage getting ready for the picture. It's blurry, but I had to use it. The video below will show you how much fun this was.

Reunion Fun - Day 1 - Part 2

TMan LOVES trains... especially the ones from Thomas the Tank Engine. While we were driving to the mountains he spotted "MAVIS" in the CUMBRES & TOLTEC trainyard. So, on the way back to the Dunns' place we stopped and took pictures with Mavis and Donald.

Reunion Fun - Day 1 - Part 1

Ok... as requested here are some photos from the weekend with the family. Day One consisted of a parade, hanging out in the shade, and a picnic in the mountains.

More photos on future posts...SOON.