Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Following Their Dreams, Every Year!



I had the most delightful find today while having breakfast at Denny's Restaurant in Wheat Ridge, CO.
An exuberant group of people in bright yellow T-shirts caught my eye. The sight of them persuaded me to leave the safety of my booth and go find out what they were up to. I'm so glad I approached them with a request to take their picture. They were as happy to tell of their adventure as I was to hear about it.

The Lopez family is on their 5th annual trip. This year it was Alicia's turn to pick their family dream trip. She lives in Texas and has wanted to visit Colorado. So their bright yellow T-shirt boasts: Following Our Dreams to Colorado 2011.



This group of travelers plans for their yearly trips by fundraising throughout the year to help cover costs. Here in Colorado they have a 15 passenger van to travel the area in. The Lopez family travels from their hometowns to the chosen area each year. They come in from Michigan, Texas and other areas. Last year, New York was their destination and next year, it's looking like New Orleans will be the choice. Las Vegas is also on the agenda for the future.

Twelve names are listed on the back of the T-shirts. These are the travelers. These are the dreamers. Thank you, Lopez family for sharing your fun times with me today!



Saturday, June 25, 2011

How? Tmi-

One can't help but be scandalized by New York's legislature. As I wrote to a well known web author.
Maybe it's TMI to be answered, but how can such a "marriage" be consummated?

Saturday, June 18, 2011

En garde

Will and Abbi make a great team...


You were warned!

Photos by Rita

Boulder clouds

Looking north from 29th Street Mall...

Hwy 7

One spectacular view...

Colorado Highway 7 east of Lafayette looking west, beyond Boulder. 
Photo by Rita.

Happiest Person Award


Oh the irony of it all! About two weeks ago I was tickled pink to receive a certificate proclaiming I was selected to receive the Secret Society of Happy People's 2011 Happiest Person Award. Along with my lovely certificate I received a large medallion on a white ribbon, and a ribbon wrapped cellophane bag filled with Secret Society of Happy People "pass it on cards", post cards, a button with the SoHP logo and a pin. My DH had nominated me and the Society also included his very sweet write up that won me this honor. I was just amazed at what he wrote about me. I do try to be upbeat and happy so to receive this award was affirmation of the way I choose to live my life. At work, I have an elderly couple that call me "Sparkles". The gentleman has often asked me why I'm always so happy. I've told him I choose to be, no matter what is going on in my life. My beloved Dad used to quote Abraham Lincoln when I was growing up " We are about as happy as we make up our minds to be."

So, the irony I referred to above involves this elbow length pastel blue cast on my left arm. Six days ago I was futzing around on my patio and tiki hut. I was attempting to move some things around when I tripped on a rolled up rug that had been put on the patio after the garage clean-up session the day before. As I fell, I grabbed my wooden tiki serving bench and fell oh so gracefully onto the rug pulling the bench down with me. Even though it was a soft landing, I felt the pop in my wrist as I fell. I think my scream of alarm and the crash of the bench interrupted my husband's concentration and he called out asking if I was okay. My DH was in the middle of a timed test on the computer so I yelled "I'm okay, keep going!". He was doing a two hour employment test and I was just trying to keep quiet by staying out of the house. After I sat and cried for a few minutes, I dragged myself up off the ground and proceeded to evaluate the damage I had just done to my wrist. A bump by the bone was starting to swell, and it was hurting. "I was not happy"! Today I received a phone call, my 3rd confirmation, that my bone is really broken. It was a recorded message "the radiologist has looked at your X-rays and he has reported it is broken and that you need to follow up with the orthopedic doctor." No kidding.

I have found that people are either curious or being polite. I would say between work yesterday and being out and about today, less than five people I have been around have failed to ask me what happened. Some even suggested I fell off bar stool or hit my husband or successfully guessing I fell. This cast is inconvenient, bulky, itchy, hard and just plain unpleasant. I find I tell people " I am not Happy" (about having to wear this cast). I wonder if I should start wearing my Happiest Person Medallion to remind myself I really am a Happy Person, even if I have a pretty blue cast on my arm! Attitude is everything! :-)

Also posted at www.travelingtealady.blogspot.com

Monday, May 9, 2011

Peppermint Patty Pedi


I had today off from work and watching granddaughters so I made the most of my day. I went to the fitness center and got in good exercise. Then I called a spa I've been wanting to go to and made an appt for my "Mother's Day" gift from my DH. I got the Peppermint Patty Pedicure. It was heavenly. A few times I almost relaxed enough to fall asleep. To my surprise, a cup of hot chocolate came with my package. I didn't bother drinking much of it but I sure had fun enjoying the whipped cream. lol I had another little gift as I was leaving. It was a cellophane bag with a chocolate footprint embossed with the spa's name and a peppermint. I felt so pampered.