Ahh, The Great Outdoors!

Okay, so I know it's been close to a month since I made my last post. I just really haven't had anything to comment on lately. Yes I've been busy, but I didn't think you guys would want to hear about all the golf Jim and I have been doing. In fact we've been golfing almost every weekend for several weekends now...it's been great!

Before I get started I wanted to take a minute to thank Tom. I'm not sure if any of you pay attention to my cluster map or not but Tom recently made a visit to Hawaii. While in Hawaii Tom logged into my site, so that little red dot in the middle of the ocean that you see is actually Hawaii. Thanks for the mark Tom!!!!

Anyway, this weekend I didn't go golfing. Instead I accompanied some friends up to their cabin on the border of New Mexico and Colorado. Their cabin is actually located in an abandon ski resort, Ski Rio. I'm told that during it's prime Ski Rio was the second largest ski resort in New Mexico (Taos is number one). Due to poor management Ski Rio was closed and the buildings and lift structures were left to rot away.

The cabin is located at the base of the ski basin and has some spectacular views of the surrounding areas. Our weekend consisted of relaxing, enjoying the wildlife, playing a few games, and spending some time on ATV's. Let me step back to the enjoying wildlife...there were lots of cows, a few elk, and oh one bear. Yep, Pam and the kids saw a brown bear not far from the cabin just as they were to set off for a nice hike. Unfortunately Paul and I were off in the mountains enjoying some ATVing so we both missed out on this event. Pam did manage to get a picture of the bear...from a distance, and I was bummed that I missed out on it. Oh well, maybe next trip. All in all it was a very beautiful place and I had a wonderful time. Unfortunately Jim was unable to join us...he was stuck working. I hope to make another trip up there during a time that Jim could us, I really think he would have a good time.

I took several photos while on top of mountains and I thought I would share them with you. I forgot to take pictures of the cabin though...

Believe it or not, there are elk in this picture. They are in the meadow at the bottom of the picture. I promise they are there, but it's really hard to see them and I don't think blogger will allow you to zoom in.

The following pictures are just of some of the views that Paul and I saw while on the ATV's.

Golf Outing

What would Memorial weekend be without a movie, some time in the sun, and a BBQ? Well, so far this weekend we have accomplished all of those (and it's only Saturday). On Friday we went to the movies and watched Pirates of The Caribbean...it was very good. I bought tickets early to avoid any long lines or risk showing up and the movie had sold out...I think I bought tickets at 11:30 for the 7pm showing. Friday was Jimmy's last day of school and I thought it would be fun to go out and do something to celebrate with him. He had a friend spend the night so the four of us had an awesome time!


Today was also a fun day...the three of us spent the day golfing! For those of you that didn't know, Jim bought me golf clubs for Christmas this year so I've taken up golfing. I've really enjoyed the time on the course and even though I still pretty much suck at the moment, I'm really enjoying it.


Jim and I have played a few times this year but we keep getting rained out. So, today was the first time we were able to play all 18 holes. We got sprinkled on some but at least we didn't get rained out. Jimmy and I enjoyed making fun of each other since we're both at the same playing level, and as a result Jim got pretty cranky. Oh well, we had anyway...


Here are a few photos from the day...

Okay, so when I was downloading these photos apparently there were a few pictures of the animals that I never shared. And of course I can't post a blog and without including the animals. Anyhow, I actually only have two pictures of Sasha to share with you. Corki isn't very photogenic and I managed to go a week without taking any pictures of Nanook. So, here's Sasha...




I'm not sure what she's doing on top of the wood stove, but I can bet you she's about to get into some mischief...either that or she was just saying hi to Jim's Dad....who is directly above her head by the way.











Apparently Sasha thinks she needs a bath...

The Dream

I'm sitting at work and I'm feeling physically and emotionally drained at the moment and I'm really not in the mood to be here. I probably shouldn't be composing this blog at work but I have a few things on my mind that I had to get out.

The last couple of weeks have been really hard on me for some reason and the reality of everything is starting to hit me. I'm sure this is why I feel drained at the moment. Anyway, my mother made the comment over the weekend that we went to two funerals in one week...certainly not a happy time.

We finally completed the service for Jim's dad on Saturday May 5th then on Monday May 7th we received word that my mother's aunt had pass away and my mother and I made an emergency trip back home. Aunt Susie was a wonderful woman and she will be missed by all of us. Oh, did I mention this all happened in the middle of finials? I successfully made it through finials, although I'm still waiting for my grade from my business law class.

Our trip back home wasn't all bad though. Mother and I did have one day to ourselves to get in some sightseeing. We walked around the National Zoo, where we really enjoyed watching the pandas and we walked through The Bodies...an exhibit that's traveling all over the U.S. about the human body. This trip I didn't take my camera with me so I borrowed my sister's camera where I did take some photos at the zoo. However, I'm still waiting for my sister to send these pictures to me, and once she does I'll post them here (yes, Stef this is a hint).

Jim was unable to make this trip with us since he doesn't have a lot of leave time. So, he stayed home and took care of all of the animals. I'm sure he felt like he was herding cattle at times since he had our three animals plus my mother's three animals. Jim was such a trooper about it and both mom and I really appreciate him taking care of everyone.

I had the oddest dream last night that has been popping into my head all morning and it's really starting to wear on me. I guess I shouldn't call this a dream...more of a nightmare. I'm not sure why, but I've been having very vivid dreams the last few weeks. For instance last week I had a dream (well, more of nightmare) about my former sister-in-law. I can still clearly remember this dream and I wish I knew why she popped into my head...we never really got along while my ex-husband and I were married. She was a back-stabber and I can't stand back-stabbers....

Anyhow, my dream last night was that I was raped. Yes, you read that correctly...raped. Certainly not the most pleasant of dreams to have. So, I'm sitting at my desk thinking about this dream trying to analyze it, then it dawns on me....I feel raped...at work that is. There have been a few things going on here that have been eating at me and I feel very ostracized these days. That old saying..."it's lonely at the top", fits perfectly for me. Anyhow, I just thought I would throw that out here....

Here's something else that dawned on me yesterday...it's now cheaper to buy a pack of cigarettes then it is for a gallon of gas...just something to ponder.

The Champagne Bottle

Earlier this week I was cleaning out the refrigerator and found our last bottle of champagne sitting on the bottom shelf. I quickly realized that Jim and I had been saving that bottle for our impending pregnancy and were going to use it to celebrate. We received the bottle as a gift when we moved into this house and now the bottle sits lonely on the bottom shelf...aging, with no pregnancy to celebrate. Every time I open the fridge I'm reminded of that bottle and its significance.

Mother's Day is around the corner and every year I dread that day. I thought this year would be the first year that I could actually celebrate Mother's Day and have something to be thankful for. Now, I have no desire to celebrate that day. So maybe I can convince Jim to go out of town that weekend...

April Showers?

I've never really understood the weather of New Mexico, one minute it's sunny and warm and the next minute it feels like December. Yesterday we woke up to a few inches of snow and blizzard like conditions. This morning I was standing outside staring at my tulips with the sun beating down upon me and it was comforting to feel the warm heat. There's also no evidence outside that we received a flake of snow yesterday.

When the snow hit my tulips were in full bloom and I didn't know how or if they could survive. When I was staring at them this morning they actually looked rather depressed....very droopy (sp?). Anyhow, I took two pictures to share with all of you and maybe you can give me your opinion as to whether or not they'll survive a few more weeks.

Keep in mind I won't be upset if they don't make it, I'm actually wanting to get rid of them and replace them with rose bushes. The tulips reside in the garden in the front of the house. Last summer I was in the middle of tearing out that garden before I had my appendix removed and once I fully healed from that surgery I never went back to the garden. So, once the tulips go away I plan on ripping them out and completing my work. Anyway, here are those photos:

Little Maggie Mae

What a busy and interesting day it was. It's just after 9pm here and I've pretty much just now sat down for the first time today. Our day started with church at 8am and then Jim and I came home and I started cooking dinner. I decided to cook Easter dinner this year and it turn out very yummy. It was just the four of us for dinner and as usual I cooked to much food...it was all very good though.

Mom got a kitten about two weeks ago and she decided to bring little Maggie Mae over to the house for a "play date" so to speak. Although, I'm not sure who the play date was really for....little Maggie, our cats, or us. Maggie seemed to have had a good time with Nanook and Corki but Sasha on the other hand wasn't so happy to see her new friend. I think all of us got more of a kick out of Sasha then we did Maggie. None of us could come near Sasha without her making some really funny noises. And for those of you that don't know Sasha well, she's not normally a vocal cat and she's usually pretty quiet. Anyway, here are a few pictures and Maggie taken today:

Here's two pictures of Maggie sniffing around the laundry room (Sasha would let her leave).

Here's a picture of Corki and Sasha sleeping together on Nanook's bed. Notice I still have those ugly Motel 6 curtains in the family room.

Softball Season Is Here

Today was our first softball practice for the season and the weather was awesome! I was actually kicking myself for not wearing shorts. After much debate I decided to play this year...I originally wasn't going to play and then Friday night I decided to play. Since Jim and I have had so much going on the last two months I really wasn't interested in playing, then I decided I needed the exercise. The IVF meds took a toll on my body and I gain at least 15 pounds. So I'm pretty much playing just so I can try and lose the extra weight. I don't plan on doing as many tounaments this year and I'm even thinking about just doing to local tournaments.

As I was getting ready this afternoon I couldn't help but think I shouldn't be playing. I never intended to play this year as I was hoping to be fat and pregnant. Unfortuantely, life never works the way you want it. After ten years my physical body has been run down as a result of all of the meds. I've had two breast tumors removed thus far and I've increased my risk overian cancer considerably. Oh well, it's not like I can turn back the biological clock.

Jim spent the majority of the weekend working in his shop. He was hoping to finish today but ended up with a lazy streak and didn't get everything completed. Since he didn't complete everything I don't have any pictures to share with everyone. Maybe in a few days he'll get it completed and I can shot some photos.