September-October Recap

 RIGHT NOW

I'm listening to the nagging voice in my head that says "update the blog".   If I'm being honest- I'm not really feeling it.    I'd rather pour myself another cup of coffee and just chill out.   But then I come back to  recalling the original reason for why I started this blog.   The blog is where I can pause and reflect on the stories and events that make up our family life.   If I don't hit pause-or in this case- pull myself out of my fog of laziness and just do it- the days become a blur and the joy I get from our family stories gets lost.   

 So- in the words of the family cat- Owen--

Put your phone away and let's get this update started!  

I'm loving FALL

I've never been very good at the "name your favorite" game.   I like red and white wine (although not at the same time).  I like coffee and tea.   I can do dine in or take out.  And now that I'm retired-I can admit to being either an early bird or a night owl-depending on what's caught my attention for that particular moment in time.

But ask me what is my favorite season?    I have a clear winner!   Hands down- I am Team Autumn!  

From the crisp morning starts...

to the crackle of the evening fire...

Fall leaves me filled with joy!

And these past two months- there's been plenty to be joyful about..

We camped with friends not just once...

but twice...

I enjoyed a day trip with Thing 1...

where we checked out a kitty cafe in Colorado Springs..

and took the kid to the candy store..

Where believe it or not- he left without buying a thing!

There was tea time in Elizabeth

with more food than we could take in..

And day drinking in Telluride..

With views that took our breath away..

Ok- maybe that was the altitude?

Nah- Mother Nature put on quite the show for us..

with even a few hearty late bloomers adding to the chorus

of fall colors!

I made a new friend in Silverton...

learned a new card game in Montrose

and yes...

we did reach a point of Fall foliage saturation..

But nothing that a night cap of whiskey 

or a  lazy day at camp won't fix..

With the leaves reaching "post peak" and the night time temps dropping beyond our preferred range, it was time for me to head back home and call it a wrap on the camping adventures ("for now")

I did squeeze in one more Front Range day trip adventure with Thing 1

where we spent the day poking around Boulder..

I'm feeling happy to be back home.

Where I was happy to see more whimsical decorations going up in the neighborhood

(because hello-isn't an election year scary enough?)

and my favorite wreath reminds me of the calming peace I find in the 

cozy comfort of home!

Until next time...

Take it one sip at a time..

by golly- I think it's time to hit publish!  

August Recap

 RIGHT NOW-

I'm listening to the buzz of the washer and dryer.   I just got home from a quick adventure to the Midwest and hope to turn around tomorrow and join Hubby for some camping.   I figured in between the loads- I'd pause and reflect on the month that seemed to just fly by in the blink of an eye!

I'm loving that the tension in the House of Chang is significantly less than it was when we started

Thank heavens for Owen- the calmer of nerves...

The plan was for Thing 2 to have some elective surgery towards the end of the month.   It's worth noting- that none of us are great at just waiting- oh no, we wait and worry, we wait and get anxious, we wait and get irritable. 

Suffice to say- it was a tense start to the month!

Naps- are indeed self care!

As we were driving to the hospital at  0500 in the morning- we received word that the hospital was canceling all planned procedures and surgeries due to a mechanical issue that was system wide.   UH OH- given the high emotions running through us both- I thought for sure we'd have a major meltdown right there on Colfax Blvd (me-not her!).

When to my great surprise- she was calm and at peace- going on to say that she really wasn't sure she wanted to reschedule- the risks and worries were outweighing the benefits.  

And just like that- there was peace in the House of Chang once again!

So-besides worry- what else happened this month?

There was bonding over some maintenance issues- 

as Hubby and Thing 2 put the topper back on the truck...

after nearly 4 years of her being "topless"- it is odd to see the truck now with a cover!

I found another rusty burro...

This fella was guarding the public outhouse in Leadville..

when MB, SG and I took a little day drive up to visit with a friend

visiting from Texas...

We found ourselves asking "Where's the Beef?"

After the internist explained that some dietary changes were in order for Hubby

It's a good thing I had already started to put some changes 

into place!

There was a week-day road trip with my fav retiree...

Mt. Blue Sky will be closed for repairs- projected to last

nearly 18 months- so we decided to head for the hills..

Where this majestic fella reminded me...

when life gets rocky...hang on..

photo courtesy of Dom

And as the month came to a close...

I headed home...

for a 4 day binge of all things Midwest..

selfies at River Falls

Spotted Cow on tap

Friday Night Fish Fry at the supper club..

Happy Hour at the Legion...

gawked at the Amish neighbors

who were putting a lid on their silo 

(where's a drone when you need one?!)

 we chatted with the locals

and sampled the treats of our Norwegian ancestors.

We celebrated the blushing bride of 65 years..

*not sure why we didn't get a photo of the couple together..

But he was there too..

I found a lake with my name on it..

We made sure that our Laura

got to visit "the other Laura's" museum in Pepin, WI

and we even foolishly tried to  visit "the Mall"..

where it was more than clear- at least here- Brick and Mortar is alive and well!

I'm feeling grateful

that despite a bumpy start to the month...

In the end, we found plenty of things to bring a smile to our face...

Until next time...

Say Yes

to a chance to make new memories..

with the one that's known you the longest!