Dreamgirls

Jason and I went to see "Dreamgirls" last night with our neighbors. I thought it was good, but Jason didn't like it. It did have more singing that I realized, but that is to be expected in a Broadway-musical-turned-movie. Have you guys seen it? What did you think?

I found Holly in my mailbox!

and a couple of good books!



Alfred's mom kindly agreed to share some of her books with me, and they came in the mail today. Exciting! I love packages! I cannot wait to read them. Any book with such a cute pug on the front has to be good! Plus, there was a cute cute card with Holly's picture on the front. What a beautiful girl--so adorable!


Thanks, am!

Weird pickles are taking over the world

Recently, LMizzle and Kara have both blogged about their weird pickles. I didn't think too much of it until today, when I read my friend Ann's blog--and she had weird pickles, too! What is this world coming to?!

Thanks you guys!

Thank you all for your encouragement and support! Jason was able to get the window fixed yesterday, so that is taken care of. I did call about my ski pass, and they were able to cancel the old one and tell me how to get a replacement. That made me feel much better--I would have been so upset if I was not able to replace it and all that money just went to waste! I hope the thieves try to use it and get busted!!!

Today is going smoothly (so far!) so I am rejoicing in that! More days of craziness and I might have a melt-down.

You guys are the best!

When it rains......

you know the rest! Whoever said bad things come in threes should now know that we have reached our three!!!

Jason leaves for work each weekday morning around 5:30 am. I usually stay in bed for a few more minutes before I get up and get ready. Well this morning went as usual, but he went out and then came back in a few short minutes later and said "will you take me to work today?" I thought that his car was either stuck in the snow or wouldn't start (which would have made me happier), but no, someone busted out the driver's side window and took our stuff. How rude! I had to park the car a little ways down from our house so it wouldn't get stuck in the snow, and the street light was not working where I parked it. None of the things taken were really important, but it just makes me mad more than anything. They did rip out the radio and take my ski pants and back-up ski jacket, along with my season pass for skiing (which I really hope I can replace, because we have only been up twice and it cost a pretty penny). And I LOVED my ski pants :( . Other than those things, there was nothing important in the car thankfully.

Jason keeps reminding me that it could have been much worse (which it could have), but it still makes me really mad inside. Recently punchy wrote about her son's snowboard being stolen, so now I can somewhat relate to that feeling. I can't believe people are just so rude and inconsiderate to do such mean things.

Oh Subaru, how I love thee....

My Subaru is home--yippee! I didn't realize how much I loved it until I didn't have it. It is such a well-built car and does so well in the snow. I missed you!

Today's Tow Truck Tragedy

Okay, so it wasn't really a tragedy, but I wanted to use some alliteration for a catchy title!

We did have to use a tow truck today, though! Our Subaru has been going downhill for the past few weeks. Jason took it to the dealership last week, and the tension pulley was going out. They wanted to replace it, but the part was back-ordered nation-wide. The guy didn't even want Jason to drive off the lot, because it could freeze up at anytime, but he didn't really have a choice. Jason found another place which could repair the part, so he made an appointment for this Monday to get it repaired.

We were headed out this afternoon to a bowling party and were a few miles from the house when the car died! Yep, the car was done for. Thank goodness for State Farm and roadside assistance! We called and got the names of several towing companies and found someone who was available. The guy who helped us was GREAT! He loaded up our car, took us by our house to pick up the other car, and then drove us all the way to the mechanic Jason has an appointment with Monday. I drove the other car while Jason rode in the tow truck, and he had a great conversation with the driver. We left our car outside the mechanic's shop, and Jason will take care of it on Monday.

All in all, what could have been a bad and frustrating experience turned out to be an encouraging one for both of us. The driver of the tow truck shared his life story with Jason, which was pretty incredible. I am so thankful that God continues to bless our lives with incredible people and situations which all work out in the end. He is so faithful!

American Idol, anyone?

I have noticed, as I am surfing my regular blogs, that some of you out there are watching American Idol. We are too! Our neighbors love it as well, so this last Tuesday night we had an "American Idol Dinner Night" and plan to do so every Tuesday if we are all free. I never planned to start watching American Idol, but it has become somewhat of a family tradition in my family, so now I can't miss it. And it is just plain addicting! I don't so much like these first episodes (the judges can be so mean!), but once the competition really gets started, it is great fun. Who out there is watching it?

When God Paints

I received an email from one of my co-workers titled "When God Paints." The following pictures were attached.

Another Book: "Pug Hill"

Have any of you read this book? It is another one I received for Christmas, and I really liked it (of course, I really like anything that is pug!). It was an easy read and a cute story, light with a happy ending. I would definitely recommend it to you pug lovers out there! Please let me know if you would like to borrow it. Cute one had a great idea--if anyone wants to borrow it, they can do so and write their name inside and then pass it to the next person. That way we can see who all reads it by the time it gets around!

This weekend has been fairly uneventful. Jason is still sick, so we have mostly been hanging around the house. We did get to the mall last night and found some good deals. Yesterday afternoon I finally cleaned bathrooms (yuck!) and picked up our messes that tend to accumulate during the week. I keep threatening to hire a house-cleaner but we'll see. I just hate working all week and then spending all our free time on the weekends cleaning, but I also hate living in dirt. It's my mom's fault, she is a clean freak! What do you guys do as far as house cleaning?

I hope everyone has a great week. Thanks for your words of encouragement regarding the disgruntled patients. You guys are the best!

End of the week........thank goodness!

Well, it is almost 8 pm on Friday night, and my husband is sick and sleeping. What else is a girl to do but sit at her computer and blog? I know, very lame, but it beats the option of going out in the zero degree weather. I had a mug of my new favorite drink (hot chocolate with a little peppermint schnapps) and am now sitting here with a pug on my lap. Doesn't get any better than this!

I am so very thankful this week has come to an end, for it started off rough. You see, I am a dietitian, which is typically an interesting and rewarding job. I started working as a diabetes educator after college and an internship, which I am still doing, but added an additional part-time job several months ago. That job, which is at the same place I work as a diabetes educator, is running a weight loss clinic.

Most of my patients are incredible--very nice, very appreciative of what I am doing and very motivated to change their lives. But apparently there is one who is very unhappy. After they have completed the program, we give the patients evaluations. On Tuesday, I received one in the mail (unsigned with no return address) that was REALLY REALLY mean! Apparently someone feels I am too young to run the program and feels he/she cannot relate to me because I am not overweight. EXCUSE ME?! Those were only a few of the very mean things written in the evaluation. MEAN! I went to my office and cried and then called Jason and could barely talk because I was sobbing.

I just haven't had enough of those experiences yet in the workplace to toughen me up, but I am feeling much better. I have incredible co-workers and bosses who encouraged me and supported me when I was at one of my lowest points. I was so angry and hurt but was so supported by those around me. God has truly blessed me and once again has shown me he will never give me more than I can handle.

On Wednesday, the morning after all of this transpired, I read the following passage in The Message: “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

May my faith continue to grow, and may I see my challenges as a gift!

My Other Blog

Don't forget to visit my other blog. I am planning to add pictures of Daisy and Oscar in addition to the quotes. I discovered today that some of the "quotes" aren't really quotes at all but are interesting dog facts. Enjoy!

Wacky Winter Weather

Well, winter continues to bring all sorts of fun to the beautiful state of Colorado! No more blizzards, thank goodness, but today it is COLD! Not quite as cold as our friends from Canada, but still cold. Downtown Denver is currently 4 degrees, and it is supposed to stay like this all weekend. We planned to ski tomorrow, but with the temperatures the way they are, I think we'll stay inside by the fire, cuddling with the pugs. Hope you guys have a good weekend!

Thanks for delurking!

Thanks you guys for delurking--it has been fun to see who is reading our blog that I didn't know about! I have added several links on our sidebar, so check it out and visit some sites you haven't seen before. Sorry if I forgot anyone--I will do my best to do a better job updating my links and including everyone possible. You guys are awesome! Hope everyone has a warm, safe and wonderful weekend!

"Redeeming Love"

Have any of you read this book? I received a copy as a Christmas gift and finished it last night--it is SO good!

It is Christian fiction and is based on the story of Hosea and his prostitute wife, Gomer. I had a hard time getting into it (it is a bit graphic and disturbing--it says inside that it is rated PG-13), but once I really got into it, I couldn't put it down. I read it when I came home from work until I went to bed, and several days I got up early and read in the morning before getting ready for work! I really loved it and recommend it. I would be happy to share my copy with you, so let me know if you are interested! It is a good reminder of God's never-ending love for us. Good stuff!

National Delurking Week!

Well, it's that time again--National Delurking Week! Which means, if you are "lurking" around this blog (reading and not ever commenting), make yourself known! Thanks so much!!!

Ski Day!

We made it up to the mountains yesterday for some skiing! We went to the Breckenridge ski resort, where it was a nice sunny day with several inches of fresh powder! We were able to ride up on the new gondola for no charge (which will change tomorrow, when they start charging for parking). We only skiied for a few hours but plan to go again soon! My toes were getting numb (unsure if this was from the cold or new, unbroken-in boots) so we cut the day short, but it was nice to get home early in the afternoon and be lazy around the house. One of the guys we rode on the gondola with was from New York, and he says there is no snow there at all. Unbelievable, seeing how much we have been getting! It was a very fun and beautiful day!

The pictures were taken on Jason's phone so are a little blurry, but hopefully they show how beautiful the day was. Next time, we'll take our real camera up for some better pictures!

New blog!

I have added another blog! Visit "A Year of Dog Quotes" to check it out (non-dog lovers, you probably won't be interested). But I hope you dog lovers out there enjoy it!

It's Working!

After weeks of not really being able to blog at home, it is finally working tonight. Yippee! I really have nothing exciting to share--I am just glad I can blog!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your birthdays with me! For the record, mine is February 23, Jason's is October 3, Daisy's is May 22 and Oscar's is May 11.

Hope everyone is having a happy new year!

Oscar is totally mesmerized by the fireplace!

Birthdays!

I am trying to update my calendar for the year and would love to include all of your birthdays! If you don't mind leaving me a comment with your birthday, that would be wonderful. Thanks!

Snow Pictures

Here are a few pictures of our part of the world.

This is picture of our house during the first snowstorm (before Christmas). The drifts were pretty amazing--it was interesting how it piled up on the roof, due to the windy conditions.

The pugs and me in the courtyard during the first storm. Daisy wanted to go outside and play with our neighbor's dog Reg, but she tried to step on the snow and feel in over her head! Needless to say, she was then very cold and just wanted to go in. The pictures are dark because it was so gray and cloudy that day.

The following pictures were taken last Saturday, once the sun had finally come out. The snow is so beautiful with the sun shining on it--it gets all sparkly!

The sidewalks in our courtyard. Thankfully, part of our HOA fee goes to having these sidewalks shoveled!

This is one of the houses across from us. It is hard to tell, but there is actually a little park bench in front of the house. It is almost completely covered in snow. Anyone want to take a seat here?

Our house after some of the snow melted! Now things are starting to get slushy and yucky, but I am thankful it is melting.

Happy New Year!

Can you believe it is 2007?! Another year has come, the Christmas decorations are down, and we are looking forward to what this year holds. Hope everyone is having a wonderful new year! Anyone do anything fun for New Year's Eve?

Daisy helped take the tree down today!

We were invited to a couple of parties but just weren't feeling it, so went out to dinner instead and then came home. I fell asleep (that's what a few good drinks does to me) while Jason watched some TV and then read. He had to get up early and go to work today, so it was just as well that we stayed home. I am glad to read that some of my blog friends stayed home too and went to bed before midnight!

Anyone have any good new year's resolutions? I usually don't make any (they never seem to last long), but I do have some goals I want to work on this year, including:

1) improvements in my spiritual life and relationship with God

2) continued exercise (I can definitely tell it is making a difference and have missed it the last

few weeks due to traveling and blizzards)

3) eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day (this is REALLY hard for me--fruits and

vegetables are just not something I like all that much--I would much rather have chocolate)

4) eating 3 servings of milk products per day

5) not being so affected by others around me

I liked Amanda's resolutions for Meimei and Miko. Daisy's #1 resolution is the same as one of theirs--no more poop eating. And along those lines, Oscar's #1 resolution is to stop pooping in the house.

Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed 2007! Thank you all for your friendship and encouragement over the past year--the blog world is amazing!