sunburns and sand in our shoes

So last week I was dying to hike--but there was wind, and I don't do wind.  At all.  Hermit. 

So I called Sarah, one of my best friends, and asked her to plan to come with me next time--so we made a plan.  Really, the plan consisted of a short hike, just to get outside, and then lunch.  Perfect.  We decided to go to Castlewood Canyon--an awesome state park about 10 miles from my house. 

And so we set out...no plan at all, just walking. Borderline wandering.  Which doesn't seem possible based on the fact I took a picture OF THE TRAIL MAP, but no, we didn't stop to look at it for a second longer than it took to take the picture. 

So we start the hike on Creek Bottom Trail--which winds along the bottom of the canyon.  It's awesome 

There's waterfalls down there--well, and actual water (which I know we don't see a lot of in these parts)...:)

And one of many stops to take the sand out of our shoes.  Really we wanted to play in the water, but in an effort to "excercise" we decided to keep walking. Excercise Smexercise.

So we get clear to the other end of the canyon, and realize we have to go all the way back. (don't comment here)  I guess catching up on life and changing the world can distract you--let's be honest, I'm ALWAYS distracted.  So we consult the trail map, yes the same one we walked right past at the beginning of the journey (by now it's a journey, not a hike--oh, and blazing hot), and determine a route back.  A completely different route.  Rim Rock.

Photo Op...Excuse Me

And so the trek back begins--there's some dam ruins in this canyon.  Pretty sure that's WHY it's a canyon--the dam broke years ago. 

"Please stay on the dam trail"....courtesy of Vegas Vacation.  Chevy Chase.  Need I say more?

I've now picked the restaurant we'll be eating at, ordered the food in my mind, and can taste the sweet iced tea.  This is not good.  Also, the Rim Rock trail--well, just follows the rim--so it's not the most direct path to the car. It's okay, we're changing the world, here, so we're in no hurry. And it's fun. And we both have the day off.  And it's gorgeous outside.  So quit complainin', Annie (please note, we were not complaining at this point, but a small measure of panic regarding the time of our next meal was in both of our minds I can assure you).  And let's just say on the top of the rim, there's no real path, so the wandering continues.  "Here rattlesnake, rattlesnake, rattlesnake..."

But we made it. Yes, this picture is from the beginning of the hike.  Our smiles were not that big at the end.  I'm not very nice when I need food.

But, GREAT day, and I love this girl.  And I'd do it again (with sunscreen, a snack, and taller socks).

live like no one else, so you can live like no one else...

Consider it done.  Certificate of completion in hand. My first million made and saved.  Wait, no, that actually hasn't happened....yet.  BUT, I just finished up Financial Peace University--a 13-week course by Dave Ramsey about how to manage your money. While the general public undoubtedly won't hold this diploma

in as high esteem as the 4-year degree which I carefully placed in the bottom of some drawer (I'm fairly sure that's where I elected to place it), I consider this course far more imperative than any college course offered today.  I'm not kidding--I drank the kool-aid.  I loved every single class and I only wish I would have learned this stuff back in college...or high school...or junior high...

In fact, if they did offer it in high school, you'd be calling me Ms. Duncan in the fall. 

So it's week after week of many different topics including budgeting, debt repayment, insurance, emergency funds, investing, mutual funds, mortgages, and giving. You read this book...

and fill out this workbook during your meetings.  Yes, meetings.  Kinda like the "I'm Annie, and I know nothing about how to handle money" meetings.

It's tough--nobody likes talking about finances (particularly me--I really, really don't like numbers in general, whatsoever).  So, after creating a good ol' budget for myself and living off an "envelope system" for a couple of months, I've retrained myself in this spending area and have some serious goals. Pretty sure the most effective part of this so-called "envelope system" for me was not wanting to whip out 9 wadded up envelopes with "gas money" or "food" written across the front at the store, so I just opt to not purchase anything.  He didn't teach that but I can make just about anything happen. 

No, I haven't become a tightwad, I still drive my car and put gas in it weekly (although that budget item increased recently), and believe it or not, am happy to eat out should you ask.  Let's just say I'm at least aware of what's going out now--the beauty of a budget.  Yuck.  Nope, by no means do I love it; actually, borderline hate it, but it's good for me, it's a challenge, and now I know how to get where I want to go and know I can do it. (please don't ask about that "where I want to go" part--still to be determined, and changes daily)

And so his motto, "Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else."  I don't have that one mastered yet...to be continued...

yee-haw

Absolutely one of my favorite days of the year.  Quite possibly my favorite day of the year.

Branding Day.  Oh yeah. 

Not for any particular reason, but I've decided that it's just because of all of the memories it brings back each and every year.  I literally leave the farm planning how I can get back to a life out there. I'd do just about anything to get my entire family together, and even though it's barely that, there's enough to make it count. 

So we meet at Grandpa's farm in Rush, CO--where my Grandpa was born and where he and Grandma homesteaded some 60-some years ago.  I grew up out here, but took it for granted.  Now, I treasure every minute I get with Grandpa and every minute I get on the farm. 

It's changed a lot over the years--it used to be all the "Dad's" out there with Grandpa as the ringleader, but now, Uncle Murt runs the show--and we still do as we're told.  Grandpa is still right in the middle of it, but he takes a few minutes to catch up with us...

Now we bring our friends...

And there's a few more girls in the family now....(and I love that!)

And I love any girl who loves this boy--Jordan.  Jordan and I spent a summer together on wheat harvest.  Some of the best days of my life.  I'd do it all again in a heartbeat...



And it just wouldn't be "Sams" like if those boys didn't goof off just a little...first the rope, then the quad,  then the guns, then...well...I won't go on...

And the next generation is getting to see it all...

Well done, Grandpa, well done.  I love you, Grandpa. 





my own march madness

This weekend I had the pleasure, honor, whatever you want to call it, to play some full-court, co-ed, use-the-boys-ball basketball.  Let's rename that:  death wish.  It's been 5 years since I've played an organized game, and while I missed it, I haven't for a second missed that feeling of death creeping upon you as you pray you'll hear the whistle.  Lungs burning.  I've determined I just miss the competition.  Nowhere else in life do I get to throw elbows or run full-speed right at someone else. I'll stick to my bike riding or my "light jogging", but this sprinting up and down the court is borderline ridiculous.  I do play a mean game of horse (right Jeremy?) but that's because I'm using a girls ball and I'm totally used to standing half on concrete/half on grass/hovering over a small tree/with sprinklers on--I mean that's basically how we all grew up playing, right?

Um also, there are no photos.  The last thing anyone needs to see is the shade of red my face was the entire day or the mess atop my head we'll call a "pony tail".  So, just imagine this one comes with pictures. It's a much prettier sight.

It was SO much fun though--and all my old friends made it a blast!  We had a great time, and after regrouping at Southside, we decide to put Coy in charge and let him draw up some plays for next year. So, to Brian, Jenny, Coy, Mike, Tye, Nick, Eric, Jesse, Katie, Ashley, and Rachel--let's start getting ready for next year. Mike--thanks for setting it all up and working like a dog to convince us crazies that we should, indeed, play this game.  I loved it.

PS, no we did not win.  We didn't get last place, but we did not come in first.  

a ride around the resevoir

I had heard you could ride around the Aurora Resevoir and that it was a nice ride, so today I tried it.  I haven't been out on my bike (outside) yet this year, so I got out my mountain bike.  Well, actually, the beast is my brohan's, but since he's, you know, diving in Maui, I figure someone should ride it.  He may or may not know that I'm keeping it in good condition by riding it--gosh, he basically owes me :) 

So, the resevoir is about 2 blocks from where I'm staying, so I head out.  It has an awesome paved trail all the way around.  They've turned it into a really family-friendly place, too.  There's a beach and like 100 grills for summer barbeques--I'll be back. This is the marina--which for whatever reason, I have a hard time associating with Colorado--I hear marina and think east coast, with more water than a small pool, but we'll take whatever we can get.

Hello rocky mountains.  Have I ever told you I love, love, love Colorado? 

It's 8 miles around the resevoir--so not too far, not too short, and yes, 8 bathrooms along the way.  Any bathroom is a friend of mine.

Becuase there were hurricane-force winds at the exact moment I chose to ride, the windsurfers were at least able to enjoy themselves.

Yeah, that picture did not turn out so hot.  Back there, there really is a windsurfer, and no, he's not 12 miles away.  Camera phone.  Just roll with it.  Oh and here's some more water. 

Out to the east--looks like summer right?  Summer, please hurry...

Great day, great ride.  I'll have to go back.  

birds of a feather....wait, what?

It's not like this was the most eventful part of the day.  Okay, it probably was, but someone else had to know.  Got to work pretty early this morning, so it's very quiet.  I'm in my office just doin' my thing, and I swear I keep hearing a chirping, but completely ignore it.  What could it possibly be?? Right, nothing.  I'm hearing things.  It's 7am and I'm hearing things.  Awesome.  Clearly I need more jet fuel, I mean coffee. 

I keep hearing it, so I decide to start wandering. It's coming from a consult room down the hall.  Walk in and a bird, yep a bird, is just going crazy.  Chirping and flying and running into the window and chirping and flying...you get the idea.

Without skipping a beat, I grab a pair of gloves (safety and cleanliness, first, folks), and swoop in and grab it.  First try, kinda proud.  I mean, really, the bird is probably 9 days old, according to my calculations.  Then, I'll admit, I'm kinda freaking out, so my proud walk becomes a pretty fast walk, then a darn near sprint in my new high heels, until I reach the front door and free it.  (do you hear the freeing music here?) 

Again, like I said "not the highlight of my day", but worthy of telling the entire planet, right? 

George & Reba

I can't honestly say that George Strait and Reba were on my bucket list...I mean, of course they were, but when it came down to shelling out the cash, I held on tight.  But then, all day Friday, my bestie and I are hating our lives because we decided to not purchase. 

The call came at 4pm.  Kickoff to concert season, and I was game.

It's my friend who manages at Pepsi Center and works on the conversion crew.  Apparently after they've set up venues as the tour managers have planned, they can add seats if there's room.  And there was room. 

I called in and gave the Pepsi Center my credit card number, and asked about our seats.  I always like when you know somebody. I never know anybody.  He said "well you're a friend of Jeremy, we'll get you in the front row." Better than I imagined.  We missed Leann Womack (oh darn) and arrived for half of Reba.  We got to see her stand-up comedy routine, which she should take out of the setlist.  She really was great, though. 

Then came King George in all his glory.  He was much shorter than I imagined, but that seems to be the case for all country artists I've seen, except for Chuck Wicks and Blake Shelton. And I'd take either of them.  Or just Chuck, because I'd never mess with Miranda.   

So, he rocked the stage for who knows how long, sang some ballads and I checked another sumpin' sumpin' off that old bucket list.  And I'll be able to tell my grandkids I saw George...and they had better care.  I basically did this for them.  

Summer Concert Series 2011....and GO!