Oh the weather outside....

Well it it still snowing as it has been for most of the day. I love having snow on the ground. Shawn and Tara never get snow down in sunny San Diego. I am also exstatic that I had the day off and got payed for it, along with Monday. 2006 is on its way out the door and soon will be just a memory. I hope that it was good to you. For the most part I can't complain. Thanks for stopping in.

Snowy Skies
That's a cup of coffee!!I sure enjoyed it!!

I enjoyed them.....

I just finished Shadow Divers and I was thoroughly pleased. You should take a look at it, you won't be be dissapointed!

I continued on with the book below. It is a "local" book of sorts. Yet the little that I have read so far has totally got me hook, lined and sinkered.

On another note....The white stuff came and visited us again this evening and as always I have a huge grin on my face. I sure do love how the sky appears at night when it is snowing. Enjoy!

Wrap up or Unwrap...

Christmas went well for me. I hope it was for you as well. It was filled with the traditional practices of eating in abundance, spending time with family and friends, and of course giving gifts. I managed to give gifts to all of my immediate family even though I really had to stretch a few dollars.

Yesterday was filled with atrip up to Durango and the surrounding areas. There is a fair amount of snow north of Durango. I love the snow and it sure was a welcome site!! I am hoping that I can go and play in it soon.

I also went and saw the movie, "Night at the Museum", I enjoyed it and definitely recommend it. Also a trip to Durango is not complete without a trip to Steamworks for some excellent food and brew.

I hope all of you are enjoying your week so far. My work week just started today and it is over tomorrow. Drop me a comment and let me know how things are going for all of you.

San Juan Mountains
Hannah Bear opening a present
Big Jake getting busy!

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone is having a wonderful one with your family and friends. I send you warm wishes wherever you may be. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

Hmm, I hope I pass....

Today I received a small package from a friend. It was wrapped in heavy brown paper. Upon removing the paper I was surprised to see the box that lay before me. I have not opened it yet,, mainly because I need to contact my friend the sender and ask if it is okay to open early. I will also have to ask what nature of specimen they want provided!


What would you think if you received a box like this?

Round and Round

That's the feeling that I am constantly having.

Well it is done. I am no longer at the joyous job I have had since early February upon returning from Seattle. I am starting at a new place on Tuesday. I am anxious as to how this turns out. Time will tell.

Well we are on the downward spiral into Christmas. I have a few more things to pick up tomorrow on my day off. I am dreading to see how bad town is going to be. However before we know it, this holiday season will be just another memory. I wish you all a joyous weekend and wonderful time with your families.

I have to send out a special Merry Christmas greeting to Matt who is over in Iraq somewhere. I wish all the personnel there the same. Matt is the only one I know personally though. I hope that Diana, Jack and Nick are doing okay and have a happy one, even without their soldier at home with them. I also hope that Matt completes his miles goal on his bike before his deployment ends.
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How could I forget! My cousin Damian is also in the middle east somewhere this holiday season. He is on deployment aboard the USS Eisenhower aka "Ike". I hope all is going well for him as well.

To You

Happy Birthday Maigh!!! I hope that she had a wonderful one and that she is enjoying her sabbattical.

Well it snowed for most of the day but none of it has stuck. I am pretty sure though that with the temps dropping this evening that we will have a decent amount on the ground come morning time.

I am really hoping that we have a white Christmas here! It is quickly approaching and I couldn't be happier. I still have a few presents to pick up. I plan on settling that issue tomorrow. I hope that all of you are in the holiday spirit and that you have gotten your shopping done.

If you are traveling, becareful out there on the roads and I pray that you arrive safely. I also pray that you will not forget about the men and women of the military and the sacrifices they have endured for our freedom.

Whew!

I thought that I had really messed Christmas up! Yesterday I went out on a reconnaissance mission to locate potential Christmas presents. I came across some great ideas and some requested items that I had compiled onto a list. Well somewhere along the way yesterday I moved the list from my back pocket to the front. As I emptied my belongings, I then proceeded to throw the jeans into the washer.

Just as the washer stopped spinning from the final spin cycle, I thought to myself that I had left the list in the back pocket and it was gone. I was stressing about having to ask people again as to what they had asked for or mentioned.

Needless to say, as I was placing the cash and other items back into my pants this morning, there was the list. I am not sure as to how I missed it last night but what's important is that it is intact. I am also pleased that I did not get little pieces of waterlogged paper all over my clothes. For those of you that have made that mistake, you know my pain.

Lame but...

Somehow I caught a glimpse of it as I was driving back to work after lunch and then it was gone, never to return. There was no time to take a picture or I would have one for you.

Anyways I saw my odometer at 60,000.0. How I managed to look at it, at that exact moment while driving is beyond me. Go ahead and say it is lame just as I did. You won't hurt my feelings none.

However I am happy that some small meaningless things can still bring a smile to my face even if they are short lived.

Picture Share

Just a few photos of various family and a deer I took this past week.

Talk about being two faced!
The coolest girl I know!!
The coolest guy I know!!
Last but not least, my photo is not as good as theirs is but I did see him up close. Check it out here.
He ran towards the crowd as we were burying my grandfather. He came within 20 feet of us and then turned and ran away. I went and took his picture after the ceremony.

It snowed here this evening also. It was like a blizzard for five minutes and then it was gone. Tomorrow morning sure is going to be icy!!

What is it?

Happy Birthday...

...to me! I wasn't sure if I would find anything to write about today other than it's my birthday.

Well I took a chance and much to my surprise I made it onto the spread of VeloNews' photo contest for the second week in a row. See the photo here. Of all day's for them to post the contest, They give me a gift on my special day. Thank you VeloNews!

Well that's that, Thanks to those who sent emails, called or whatever I apprciate it!!!

Luminaria Show

Last night San Juan College hosted their annual Luminaria display. The college is right up the road from the house, so the J and I took a walk up there. The road leading to the college was lined with luminaria's but they unfortunately were not lit.

Upon arrival to the college, we were welcomed with the inviting views that brightened the campus. Here they are, just so you have an idea.

Yesterday was also filled with a trip to Durango. The J and I walked downtown as always. It was a nice day with blue skies and traces of snow from this past week's storms that passed through. The J also got me my Bday present 2 days early. I had been looking at them and was anticipating for Santa to bring them but having them early is nice. They have been very comfy walking around in them today.
Not sure if I will be here tomorrow, I might be too busy turning one year older...

What do you say when it's over?

Well today at about 3:45 pm my grandfather passed away. I won't go into details of how it all came to be. My previous post only scratches the surface of the events that followed.

I am just happy that he has no more suffering or pain to endure. Thank you to all those that contacted me. I truly appreciate it.

Good bye, Grandpa. I will alway's love you and already miss you.

I found myself...

...at the hospital again this evening. I wish that it would have been for the same reason that prompted my visit last night but it wasn't.

Today my grandfather who is 87, took a tumble at his nursing home and broke his hip and leg in a few places. His body is slowly failing him but his mind is sharp as can be. He is scheduled for surgery at 8:30 tomorrow morning. They are going to put some pins and screws in his bones and then just go on from there. I really hate to see this. Last Thursday I was fortunate enough to be at the same table sharing a Thanksgiving dinner with him. Up until today he could walk, even though it may have been wobbly and required the assistance of a cane.

I hate to look towards his future and how it will be considering the circumstances. I just have to hope for the best and be thankful that I have had the opportunity to know him. I was not so fortunate with his wife. My grandmother passed away 2 days after my 5th birthday. I have vague memories of her but they are cherished ones.

I pray that his spirit not be lost with this injury. I also am very worried at how this is affecting my father. He is showing strength but I know inside he is very emotionally affected with these events. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

I was wrong

It actually did end up snowing last night. Just enough to cover things and was gone fairly early today. I did manage to capture some photo's last night of the white stuff before I headed off to dreamland.
My truck
The J's car
Front yard
At noon today

Close but.....

Well today it got close to snowing but the high winds came and blew the clouds away. There are a few broken clouds hanging out but I am doubtful that we will receive the inch on snow that they are predicting for overnight.

On another note, my friend and riding partner Al, may have had a heart attack this morning at work. He is in the hospital for an overnight stay. With his active lifestyle and symptoms, the doctor is skeptical that it was a heart attack. So they have more tests scheduled for the morning and will make a decision on what they want to do then. I visited him for a short while and he is in good spirits but wants to make sure all is well. I hope so also, so that we can start hitting the road and get some riding in.

It was another blessed day at work. Luckily Diana is gone for the rest of the week, so I will have more of an opportunity to go drop off resumes and fill out applications. Thank's to Linz and Trish for keeping me occupied with emails about various things. Also to Mary for talking to me while she could when the Admiral was not taking up her time.

Here are some of the clouds that got my hopes up and then smashed them as they departed without leaving any snow.

Back to it.

Well it's Monday again and I am at the job. It sure has been slow as of lately. So I can't really call it work. I almost wish that I had something to do, rather than sit here browsing web sites for the latest news on whatever catches my eye.

I didn't win this week but in a way I did. I entered VeloNews' photo contest and I at least got my photo in the spread. I am happy with that! I have a few other's that I am going to send in.

At least I have my book with me and hopefully I can finish it today. It's almost lunch time, hopefully things remain on the down low when I return. The weather here has been pretty decent. Sunny skies and temps into the 70's. I enjoy it but again I don't. The reason for that is because it is mid November for crying out loud!! The mountains have gotten some decent snow from what I hear. However "Purg" didn't open on Thanksgiving but is slated for this coming Sunday.

I hope that you guy's are enjoying the return back to your daily lives and are welcoming the holiday season. Have a good week and thanks for stopping by!

This weekend

With it being Thanksgiving weekend and having four day's off of work, I occupied my time like most of the country did. Eating in abundance, watching football, and of course shopping.

I have had a great time being away from the job and definitley am not looking forward to returning. Especially if they are slow as they have been in days past. Such is life, I suppose.

Today was a wonderful one. Nice temps and blue skies. Went out shooting with my dad and enjoyed time together, as we seldom have these days.

I hope that each of you had a wonderful holiday weekend and your joy continues to grow as Christmas nears.
This guy was sure happy with his treat from Petco.

Cereal

Wow! I came across this and I had to share. Hopefully after reading, you sit back and think about the important and simple things in life and how we often take them for granted. I sure did!

fluxvapor.blogspot.com/2006/11/death-day.html

personal.psu.edu/sfj102/cereal.html

Finally

Well I have finally got off of my tail and started the hunt. The job hunt that is.With some help from my friend Lorita, the english major who has made her home on the east coast. She was great and helped edit and give tips on the resume. I cannot say how much I appreciate her help!!!

Today I got out 3 applications/resumes. More to follow tomorrow. The time I did spend at work was a battle the whole way to stay awake and enjoy my book as I got paid for it. I am hoping to hear something by the end of the year. There are alot of company's here that are getting into a hiring frenzy. Hopefully that works to my advantage.

I also finally got my watch into the jeweler today. It is a Citizen Eco-Drive, so it has to be sent back to Citizen to have the battery replaced due to the special seal that makes it water proof and keeps the warranty in check. I am hoping that it returns sooner rather than later.

I will catch you guys again very soon. (Before Thursday) Thanks for stopping by!!

I have not met her.....

Yet, I want to wish her a happy birthday just the same. That is Ms. Maya in San Diego. The child of my friends Shawn and Tara. She is already 2, and she is a busy one. I always hear her yappin' away when I talk to Shawn on the phone. I hope that she enjoys her bike!

Wednesday

Happy Birthday to my sister Amanda! I hope she has a great one and many more to follow. I cannot believe that she is 25!!! It's amazing how time flies!

I also have to wish Tom a happy birthday as well. He turns 51 today. Talked to him earlier and just as always it was good to catch up with an old friend. He is the same happy guy.

Thanks for stopping by.

Shriver Cross/Colorado State Championships

Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching a great cyclocross race in Durango at the Ft. Lewis campus.

The womens race did not have many contestants but was action packed. A girl named Sara wrecked at the beginning of the 45 minute battle. She lost serious time with the wreck and pitting. She never gave up though, and managed to finish 3rd.

The men's race had some heavy hitters who call Durango home. National Champ Todd Wells along with his brother U23 National Champ Troy Wells. Former Collegiate National Champ Matt Shriver. The Real Joey Thompson and Ned Overend just to name a few. The Wells brothers along with Shriver and Thompson took off from the start and never looked back. Although Grant Berry and Ned Overend were not far behind.

Shriver and Todd Wells gapped the other 2 and rode away. Wells had trouble and had to switch bikes, dropping him to 4th. He managed to chase back to 2nd but the damage had been done and Shriver soloed in for the win. It was an exciting race and the crowd showed great support.
Here are some photo's, enjoy.

Sara chasing back

The men fixing to start.

Ned Overend before the start
Random Pic's throughout the race.

And your winner....Matt Shriver
Last but not least, Nacho was on hand to pump up the crowd.