During a post-breakfast discussion about future home renovations…..Madeleine interjected the following into the conversation:
Madeleine: “What about the robots?’.
Our response:”What about the robots?”
Madeleine: “They are going to break our house.”
Our response: Laughter
It is always good to know what your children loose sleep over at night. Those darn scary robots.
I am proud to say that on a regular basis I contribute to the lesser good. I have now donated three bikes, a ladder, fencing, various tools and several car windows. Not to mention a palette for the local artists to paint on (my husbands car). Prior to moving to New Jersey the theft in our neighborhood seemed pretty high or they just really liked our house. My car was broken into three times, all via broken window. Our shed was broken into with the local lesser good taking a new extension ladder, two bikes and some various tools. The fencing was removed from inside my backyard one early morning by the nice people who drive up and down the alleys everyday looking for treasure.
The ladder was replaced this spring. Then last month Morgan and I finally resolved to replace the bikes. Something we have put off because, at least for me, it meant acknowledging the loss. Morgan found a used bike on Craigslist. I was looking a used one when Patti offered me her old one. It was in decent working order and would get me by for awhile. I needed to buy a new tire so it was staged on the porch awaiting repair. While cleaning the porch this morning I discovered it was gone.
Really - give me a break. Stay off my property and go buy your own crap! Get a job that does not include stealing from those of us who work for our money and belonging. OK - done ranting an raving. Just needed to vent! Next month another bike that will not leave the basement unless I am riding it!
Today I bought a new toy. It is somewhat in celebration of my new job. Obviously the new toy takes precedent to the job, since it gets its own blog post. It is a Toddy Cold Brew Coffee Maker. I have been looking at them for awhile and decided to break down and buy one today. Soon I will be up bright and early and actually have to be coherent. No more lazy mornings in my pj’s hanging with the kids. I am sure it will pay for itself in this heat….hopefully I will reduce the number of iced coffees from the coffee shop.
My broom is officially dead. It is old and the bristles are curled up all over the place. This is partially due to the recent use of it on the cement out back. In place of the old blue broom I decided to try and use the straw broom that we bought to use outside. It is brand new and never been used because for some reason we keep using the blue broom (thus the damage). Perhaps this all could have been avoided. Who knows! Regardless the straw broom is not cutting it and the blue broom is dead. Today I will venture out to buy a new broom. I have decided it is time to go all out. No more brooms that are on sale or the cheapest broom on the rack. I want the deluxe model. I don’t know what that is but I hope it all works out. Wish me luck.
This weekend we escaped to the mountains for a quick break from the city. We went up the Poudre Canyon and stayed at a place called the Sportman’s Lodge (aka the little brown cabin). It is a rust place about 50 miles outside Fort Collins. A wood stove and cold running water (no bathroom). One room with two beds and a table. It was cute. Sort of half-camping.
When I was a little girl we used to go there every summer. I used to think that we stayed in the same “little brown cabin” every time we went and that the chipmunk that I used to feed peanuts to was the same one year after year. I was wrong….there are multiple cabins and we stayed in several of them and I kind of doubt it was the same chipmunk over the course of 10 years. I caught my first fish on the little pond there. We walked over to it but it’s not so impressive anymore. It is interesting how your memories of your childhood are different from reality. Being at the cabin and up the Poudre is what I think of when I think of being in the mountains and fishing. I have a lot of great memories there and wanted my kids to share them with me. Perhaps it will become a family tradition. Next time for more than one night, it was too short.
We arrived Saturday afternoon after a picnic on the lower Poudre. Checked into the cabin and after a small meltdown by all (dogs included) we grilled some dinner and enjoyed the mountain air. Saturday night we had a campfire and enjoyed roasted marsh mellows and smores. It was a little chilly so it did not last long. Woke up early Sunday due to the freezing cold so we snugged together for some body heat, puppy included. We went hiking on Sunday on the Dadd Gulch trail. A great trail for kids! Splashed in a creek, saw some beautiful butterflies and columbines. I could have hiked all day but the kids were tired. Had a picnic on the Poudre and headed home. All and all a great time was had by all - especially the dogs. They are meant to be in the mountains. I am thankful to live in Colorado. We need to get out and enjoy where we live more!
So I am crazy (see mosaic block number 11)…..Today we adopted a new puppy. I dropped the car off to get an oil change and walked over to Target. On the way we passed a Petsmart and the kids asked to go in to look at the animals. The sucker that I am I said yes. We looked at the kitties for adoption and did not see any dogs, so we moved along to the guinea pigs, lizards and fish. One the way out of the store we saw the puppies for adoption. We of course had to stop. With no intention of getting one we played with them for awhile. Morgan was in Cherry Creek for a dentist appointment and was going to join us at Target for our shopping. I called him and told him to swing by and see the puppies….honestly no intention of getting on at this point. While he was on his way I made the mistake of picking one up and holding it. That was it. He was mine. So I am crazy and now I am going to be super busy with my new baby. He is a lab pointer mix. We settled on a Diabolito for his name. It is a pirate name. We will call him Diablo for short. Dante seems exited to have a new friend and Diablo seems right at home. Here is one picture of him. There are more on Morgans blog.
Because I can be a follower….Here is my mosaic that I created on Flickr. I first read about it on my friends blog and then my husband followed her…..so I guess here I go.
The questions:
1. What is your first name? Amy
2. What is your favorite food? right now? Thai
3. What high school did you attend? Rocky Mountain
4. What is your favorite color? Green
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Johnny Depp
6. Favorite drink? Mojito
7. Dream vacation? Thailand on the beach
8. Favorite dessert? Tiramisu
9. What you want to be when you grow up? Party Planner
10. What do you love most in life? Giggling
11. One Word to describe you. Crazy (not the good kind)
12. Your flickr name. amyjmason (there were not hits for this, so I went with the word blank)
Today we went to the Gay Pride Parade. I have always loved going to parades! It is one of the reasons why I love living in the city. Two weeks ago we had attended the Juneteenth Parade in our own backyard. Parades are tons of fun for all ages. Nothing like marching bands, crazy people in costumes (in and out of the parade) and pumping your kids full of candy from strangers!
I have decided that the Gay Pride Parade is my FAVORITE parade. There is great music from the 70’s, dancing, fabulous costumes and very happy colorful people everywhere! Not to mention tons of democrats! This was the most lucrative parade for the kids as well. By the end of the parade we were turning away candy. Additionally the kids each received flower leis, 7 necklaces, water bottles, two balls, tattoos, frisbees and some other random toys I am sure I forgot to mention. We did not bring the camera so there are not any bright colorful photos to share…maybe next year.
Somehow the parades seem to provide an opportunity to teach the kiddos important lessons as well! At the Juneteenth parade we learned about slavery and today about gay rights. Never to early to learn about diversity and the importance of it!
First of all…Happy Father’s Day to my husband. Your kids are very luck to have you in their life! I know that times can be stressful but I would not want to go through this adventure with anyone but you by my side!
We had a busy, but fun Father’s Day this year. Started the morning with Grandma Lois (she stayed the night to watch the kids for a wedding). Then off to Fort Collins for some time with my dad. We went to the Taste of Fort Collins for some music and food. Ending of course with some Walrus Ice Cream, the best ice cream in the world (if you ask Morgan). After taking Grandpa home we headed to the Eastern Plains of Colorado for some lions, tigers and bears. No we did not go to the zoo….we went to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, CO. The sanctuary is a rescue for Lions, tigers and bears that have been rescued from abuse situations. You can get some amazing views of the tigers. There was one tiger enjoying a splash in the pool with a giant ball -the highlight of my trip! The lions and bears are kept a little further out. It was tons a fun and considering that Madeleine did not sleep….the kids were great. They did get bored before Morgan and I. I would love to go back again without the kids and sit on the deck they have and watch the animals for hours.
