Happy St. Patrick's Day

"There are only two kinds of people in the world, the Irish and those who wish they were."

St. Patty's Day is a favorite of mine. It's the one day of the year where when you and all of your co-workers match, most everyone is in a good mood, and green beer abounds.

My St. Patty's day was a nice, low-key one. Stephanie, Aaron and I enjoyed a couple of green beers at Old Chicago's with our favorite meal in the world - The Sampler Platter.

After stuffing ourselves, getting some people watching in, and listening to a bag piper who wandered through the restaurant, we headed out... as the crowds headed in!

I hope everyone had a fun St. Patty's!

P.S. Here's a look back to St. Patty's 2010 with my dear friend Jessica. Look how short my hair was!

A Visit From the West!

When I moved to California, I made it an adventure. I'd go exploring by myself much of the time, and other times with great friends. In the two years I lived in the Bay, I saw and experienced more than many of my friends who have lived in the Bay their entire lives.

When I made the decision to move back, I distinctly remember telling my dear friend Jessica the things I was going to do differently this time around in Colorado. One of which was making it an adventure. There is so much of Western Colorado I have never seen: Aspen (2.5 hours away), Ouray (2 hours away), Durango, Ridgeway, Telluride (3 hours away...have only been there once). This really is quite embarrassing to admit.

Before I left California, Meggs booked a trip out to visit as that was the only way either of us could cope with the thought of being away from each other. So she came out for a long weekend in February. We went wine tasting, had dinner with one of my best friends and her husband, then went on an adventure to Ouray, CO, which was probably one of my favorite days ever.

Here are a few pictures from Megan's venture East... I forgot just how beautiful Colorado is winter, spring, summer and fall.

World renown ice climbing in Ouray, CO

Literally the first order of business upon Meggs' arrival... visit Mike the Headless Chicken!

Ice climbers in action

Meggs and I having a FABULOUS day in Ouray, CO

Brrrrr!

It has been COLD the last few weeks... getting down to -16 for the overnight low. And that's not bad compared to other parts of Colorado. Needless to say I'm glad Puxatony Phil saw his shadow -- here's hoping for an early spring!

Work has been super busy but I love to be busy and I love my job. The house is coming along, SLOWLY but surely. The painting's all done, except for a door frame or two and the kitchen. My wonderful Uncle Duane is going to clean my carpets this coming week. Once that's done, I'll be moving in! Will still go to my parents frequently for a free meal. ;)

Cliff and I were in the East Bay last weekend for a celebration of life service for a WONDERFUL man, Mark Antes. Cliff's brother is married to Mark's daughter, Natalie. It was a busy weekend and was nice to spend time with the family. There wasn't time to see most of our friends, so another trip will happen - I promise!

My nephew Noah turned 2 last Sunday and Aslyn will be 4 next month. I can't believe they're so old already! My parents went out to SoCal to celebrate Noah's birthday with them. I'm looking forward to a trip out there hopefully very soon. Especially when Aslyn asks me on Skype "LuLu, will you please come to our house again?" I miss my kiddos.

Once I'm in the house and have my computer set up I will be much better at keeping this up-to-date...with pictures!

I hope everyone's having a great 2011 so far and remember, spring is right around the corner!

C.O.L.O.R.A.D.O.

A month sure does go by so fast... yet it feels like so long since I've seen all of my friends and family in California.

Here's a synopsis of the past month:

• Had a week without work to get my great-aunts house cleaned and painted...did NOT complete that task. I still have plenty of painting, sorting, packing, carpet cleaning and unpacking to day. I have a feeling I'll be at my parents a bit longer than anticipated.

• As of two days ago half of the house was painted...painting over already painted wood paneling is harder than you'd think!
• Started work 2.5 weeks ago - love it.
• Have caught up with many friends, particularly two of my very best friends here in GJ (Steph and Carina)
• Began a 13 week financial course through Canyon View Vineyard Church, Financial Peace University - Dave Ramsey.
• Cliff came for a wonderful 4 day visit. We went skiing (Cliff boarded) and we had the BEST day ever; it really was just amazing. He gave me a beautiful diamond necklace & earring set (which I wear every day).

• A dear family member/friend, Mark Antes, passed away, so Cliff and I will be going to CA in 10 days for his service.

The last month has been full of changes, heartache and many many blessings but I absolutely know God's hand is leading it 100%.

Bear with me...

The last two weeks have been just so busy trying to clean and paint the new place I'll be living in, among life just happening. It doesn't look like I'll be able to move in for another week, maybe two. Once I'm in the new place I will have my OWN computer set up, will share pictures with you and will keep up on the blog... I promise!

Happy New Year!

The last couple of weeks have been quite busy... and somewhat of a blur. My dad and brother left Colorado on Christmas morning and drove to California to move me back. We arrived Tuesday night and I woke up to snow and cold Wednesday morning. The temperature has been the hardest thing to get used to (got to -10 degrees last night).

I dearly miss everyone in CA but am also glad to be home, beginning this next chapter in my life. I'll write more after I get unpacked, settled in and start work a week from tomorrow.

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year... here's to 2011!

Goodbyes have begun...

Seeing as I'm leaving California in 8 days, the goodbyes have certainly begun. They are never easy, but as someone once told me, "just because I'm leaving California, doesn't mean my friendships end." Thankfully these words are so true. I have made amazing friends and memories in California over the past two years. The Lord has placed each person in my life for a reason and I'm confident they will all remain in my life, no matter my location.

Friday night my dear friend and co-worker, Yvonne Botta, took me out for a nice dinner. She has become my big sister and I'm going to miss her so much.

Yvonne (aka Latte)

Last night my friends/boss who brought me out to California, The Cummings, and my friends the Botta's took me out for a nice dinner. Each one of these friends have touched my life and I'm so thankful for each and every one of them.

Brent, Yvonne, Keagan, Danielle & Toby

Ezra's 1st Birthday

Meggs and I are lucky enough to be aunts to this adorable 1 year old, Ezra David Swenson. It has been so fun watching him grow and change this past year. He is so adorable and full of personality. His lovely parents, William and Jessica, threw a family birthday party for him last week.

Ezra is so lucky to have these two beautiful ladies in his life (Auntie Meggs and his mommy Jessica).

Jessica made yummy cupcakes that Ezra just loved!
What would a 1 year old birthday party be without cupcake in the hair?!

This is Ezra and his #1 pose (notice the cupcake covered hand).
Happy birthday Ezra!

I'm Seeing Spots!

Prior to moving to the Bay Area, I had only heard about my mom's "California Cousin" Vicky Failing. I first met the Failing's when I moved out here two years ago, and have been so blessed to get to know this part of my family, to have them close and to spend time with them.

The newest addition to the family... and always the life of the party is their beautiful Dalmatian, Keira. She is quite possibly the cutest puppy I've ever seen.

We had a family dinner this past Saturday at their home in San Jose. Their daughter, Lindsay (same spelling and we recently found out we were named after the same person... bear in mind our parents had not seen one another in 30 years until I moved here) and her husband Ian, came from San Francisco... with delicious persimmon cookies (a new fav)!

We always have such a great time together. I'm certainly going to miss them all!

(I love this picture of Lindsay and Keira)

Holidays in the City

Edie, Jessica, Ezra and I made our annual trip into San Francisco to do some shopping and look at all of the San Francisco holiday glamor and glory.

We braved Macy's at Union Square (on a Saturday in December mind you). I thought we were crazy but found some great deals so it was well worth it.We ventured into the St. Frances to see what all of the "Holiday Sugar Castle" fuss was about. This Castle was built in 2005. Along with many other ingredients, over 300 pounds of sugar was used to make this.

We found some good deals... and some not so great ones, but enjoyed the day and each other's company. I must note that the almost 1 year old Ezra was a trooper the whole day!

A Texas Thanksgiving

I've begun this blog just in time to capture the holidays - my favorite time of year.

2010 marks the first Thanksgiving I have not spent in Colorado. Instead I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Cliff and his family in Boerne, TX.

I arrived late Wednesday night after a long day of traveling. Thanksgiving morning I was awoken by Cliff, telling me Bev (one of the cows on the ranch) had a calf. We hurried out to see this adorable calf... whom they decided to name: Lindsay.

She is quite adorable so I'm ok with this... for now. Once she grows to the size of her mama, we'll need to re-negotiate.

The day was spent doing chores on the ranch (feeding the goats, cooing over "Lindsay", etc.), preparing our Thanksgiving feast, speding time with Cliff's family, playing Phase 10 and taking pictures by the fireplace.

It was a nice day, with many delicious turkey leftovers to be consumed the days to come.

The Beginning

As I close one chapter in life and begin to open a new one, I had the thought, thanks to Jessica and Edie, to begin a blog. My hope for this is to recap the two AMAZING years I've had in the Bay Area, while keeping my wonderful friends and family in California and Colorado up-to-date on the new adventures that will come my way.

Bear with me as I figure this whole blog thing out...