Meet Dazzle and Rocky

We adopted kittens from the Black Canyon Animal Sanctuary (Facebook). They were born 10-19-11 and we picked them up from foster care on Christmas Eve about 1/2 mile from our home. The kids are so happy, and Lola while territorial at first is not only tolerating them but playing with them. They are less and less timid with us humans every day but are still quite wild. They get snuggles and attention however and will no doubt be curled around my head while I sleep in no time.

They are siblings and they love each other... (keep scrolling)



mostly... LOL Judo CHOP!

7 Days Winter 2011 Day 7 - Late Shift

At the homeless shelter. Hardest part is staying awake in all that quiet. We had three guests tonight who woke up disgruntled and ungrateful, but how can you blame them when you have to send them out the door at 6am in 12°F.

7 Days Winter 2011 Day 6 - Snackage

7 Days Winter 2011 Day 5 - Vanilla

7 Days Winter 2011 Day 4 - Making Magic

Back story: I attended Septemberfest in Rangly, CO as a vendor and took the family up there and made a weekend of it. It was fun and I sold some stuff. We had free BBQ and the playground still gets talked about. One vendor caught my son's eye and the entire festival he begged me to buy him a tanker truck from this guy. He visited the booth every hour and then came to tell me all about the tanker trucks this man makes out of wood (the area industry is oil and gas). We were barely breaking even on that trip so I had to tell him we couldn't get him a tanker truck but if he'd get me the man's business card we'd put it on his Santa List.

Fast forward to December: I seriously thought I successfully bean dipped this kid. We don't even HAVE Santa Lists! Not only had he been telling everyone who would listen that he was getting a tanker truck for Christmas he visited Santa for the very first time EVER, sat on his lap at the Chamber, and asked very specifically for a wooden tanker truck. I had an Oh Shit moment. BUT! I had saved the card. I called the guy last week. Here was my chance to make magic.

Today: After making an overnight trip northeast to Vernal, UT (Dinosaur Land) on the ruse we were visiting the newly reopened Dinosaur Quarry, leaving the children behind at the motel with their dad to go get breakfast, I met Mr. Rowley and his wife who had bless their hearts driven in from farther west to meet me, and exchanged money and pleasantries for a red, handmade, wooden tanker truck. I cannot wait to see my boy's face tomorrow morning.

7 Days Winter 2011 Day 3 - Go Green

7 Days Winter 2011 Day 2 - White (chocolate) Solstice

Had to head out early to pick up the teen 45 miles away. There was another few inches of snow when we got back and it is still coming down. That's my front yard. I should have had the tree lights on! Does it count I had a mocha at some point during the trip?

7 Days Winter 2011 Day 1 - Friends

She (the Orthadox Christian) and I (the Atheist). Not unlikely friends as it turns out. Christi is one of my newest friends but I hold her dear as if she were one of my oldest.

Still Decorating... wait for it...

Christmas Tree

You know, for $8 you can still get a permit from the BLM office and go out and cut your own Christmas tree which is precisely what we did this morning. It snowed a little but wasn't too chilly. The kids were excited and took it on like an adventure. Our forests are full of fantastic trees; some perfect, some not. We chose one that by our estimates is over 8 feet tall. I can't wait to see it all set up in the front yard, as is our new tradition.

Our little Bohemian.



Willon helping Daddy.



Just look at that view!



What do you think it's going to look like all decorated?

T-Day 2011

I have been pretty slack with the taking pictures thing but I managed to remember to take a shot of the spread before we devoured it all.

Hey, wanna play Spot the Pyrex? I count 3. Although, this is only half of the spread. 4 more Pyrex could be spotted on the counter top had I remembered to photograph them as well.

Meh. Smiling faces, that's what counts.

Daddy/Daughter Dance 2011

Cookies and Cider

It was snack time this morning and I offered Willon the remainder of my mulled apple cider.

He thanked me happily then asked for an oatmeal cookie. I said sure! then I went off to another room of the house.

*thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump* (Real children do not pitter-patter, just FYI.) Willon runs through the house and finds me.

"Momma?"

"Yes?"

"There's enough apple cider left for another cookie."

"OK" I smile.

*thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump* Off he runs to the pantry.

*thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump* He runs back.

"Momma?"

"Yes?"

"My finger person very wants another cookie, too."

I think. "OK. You may have two more."

*thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump* Off he runs to the pantry.

*thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump* He runs back.

"Momma?"

"What?"

"Did you say my finger person could have two more cookies?"

I laugh. "No honey. You may have two more combined."

"OK!" with much happiness and vigor.

*thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump* Off he runs to the pantry.

*thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump* He runs back. (No, I'm not kidding.)

"Momma?"

"Yes?"

"What does combined mean?"

That is NOT a Smile

LOL

Ouray County Museum

Spent an awesome day last weekend at the Ouray County Museum (3 stories and 27 rooms, including a mine downstairs). None of us had ever been. It was more than impressive. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves antiques, history, collections, mystery, minerals, scavenger hunts, or just awesome artistic displays. I've decided, since I love pretty much every single thing I just mentioned, I am going to have to spend more time there in the future. Here is but a fraction of what we saw.

The museum stands beneath the beautiful geological folds of the Miocene Formation.



Some of the exhibits are outside.





Trust the boys to get sidetracked by deer grazing in someone's backyard.



The volunteer gave us a list of "I Spy" items we had to look for in each room along with a description of each item. The teen took charge of that, taking it very seriously as they were promised a prize for finding everything on the list. We started off on the Mercantile.



An Edison gramophone.



The surgery and some pharmaceuticals.







In this room we had to spy a bullet hole. We found it but I'm not giving it away!





Surgeon's office.



Dentist's office.



Lawyer's office.



Toys!







Native American exhibit.



Here then are some of my favorites... the sewing and the kitchen.













Uh... I am so glad I didn't go to public school in those days!



Gems and minerals.



Office for the mine.



Finally, the Mercy Mine - a virtual tour.



Everyone had a fantastic time and just to be fair everyone got a prize (their pick of rocks from an area mine)



Bye!

Cat Spider

Ever hear of a Cat Faced Spider? Me neither! But I found one on my back patio. No, I didn't kill it. I don't kill spiders that aren't dangerous or threatening. Here it is hanging out on the 2x6 rafter, so that makes it about 2" long. 2 inches long! You can't tell by the mess of old webbing around it but it also had a brand new 12" (or so) orb web constructed for that night's supper.



Here is the image flipped so you can better see the Hello Kitty abdomen. Cool huh?