Productive weekend for Scott too!

I did not forget about how productive Scott was this weekend.  He made my breakfast both days, cleaned all the floors, trimmed the trees and rose bushes and made me a healthy and tasty dinner on Saturday night.

Pan fried catfish with lemon, steamed broccoli and roasted brussel sprouts with garlic.  Scott found this recipe for roasted brussel sprouts that is so good, I can't stop eating them.  (Warning: gas pains may follow)

Roasted Brussel Sprout Recipe:
Coat Brussel sprouts with olive oil (You can put in a bowl add a few tablespoons of olive oil cover and shake)
Add garlic cloves to your liking
Warm oven to 400 degrees
Place brussel sprouts and garlic cloves in a oven safe pan
Cook 30 minutes (take out and shake pan every ten minutes)

Productive weekend for Jen

Another beautiful weekend in Colorado and I had so much to do indoors.  Luckily we have Millie, the sweet and timid Jack Russel/Chihuahua mix who pressures us by pacing around us until we get out the harness and take her for a walk.  A near perfect weekend with big blue skies and 50 degree temperatures.

Boy have I been busy this weekend.  I feel so accomplished!  I started off first thing Saturday morning putting together a care package and shipping it off to Josh and Whitney in Nashville. 

I continued Saturday doing all the laundry, grocery shopping, deep cleaning the bathroom and office, cleaning out two boxes in the storage room and taking the dogs for a walk!  But wait, that is not all; I stayed up late at night to finish our income taxes and even filed them.  And it continued as I completed the FAFSA (Financial aid application) for Scott and Sean who both plan on going to college next fall.  And that was just Saturday.

So far today I have worked on homework all day long and I have so much more to do. I have stopped off and on to talk to Whitney, Chelsea and both of my sisters today as well as take the dogs on another walk.  Now I am back to my computer and distracted again.  Time to work on my resume and professional development plan, I am almost a certified teacher with a Master's degree!  Yippee!!

Is that all?

The storm wrecking havoc as it travels across the the southwest towards the east barely left a dusting of snow.  We have had a beautiful January full of blue sky days and no snow.  I'm not sure if this counts as a snow or not? I know the sun will melt it all away by noon though.  I'm looking forward to another awesome weekend!  I can't believe how so many people think we are buried in snow all winter.  If we do get a snow the sun comes out the next day to warm things up and melt it away. Maybe if we lived in the Rockies?

That is what is so great about living here; the Rockies get pounded with great snow for snowboarding and skiing and by the time it hits us barely nothing.  Then we just have to jump in a car and be in the some of the best skiing conditions in the world in an hour or two.  Not so bad, right?

Plan your vacation to come and see us

We need visitors!  Scott and I are missing family so much and really wish we could have someone come and visit us.  We have so much room in our home for visitors and are great hosts.  When we first moved to Colorado my daughters Whitney and Chelsea visited us at least every three months until last spring.  Last summer Chelsea had a baby and now works and goes to school. Whitney moved across the country to Nashville where she attends school full-time and works as well.  Therefore, neither of my wonderful daughters have been able to come visit for almost one year.  My dad's visit last spring was the last time our guest bedroom had any action and it really needs a purpose.  I think June is the perfect month, but any month is nice. Can't wait to see you!

Made with "Real" sugar

Yum!!!  I stopped purchasing soda a few months ago as part of my effort to eliminate High Fructose Corn syrup from my diet and here comes "Throwback Pepsi" made with real sugar!  How could I resist?  Growing up in the 70's and 80's I loved Pepsi more than Coke and in my adult life I wondered why I liked it so much, now I know.  Pepsi made with "Real" sugar is so good!  Pepsi please change your mind and make Pepsi with real sugar forever, I know it cost more, but I like so many others, I'm sure are willing to pay for the real thing.

Just a few footsteps from the front door

 Our Neighborhood Rec Center

I believe Scott's favorite thing about living in Highlands Ranch is the FREE recreation centers, especially the one about 100 steps from our front door.  Well it is not exactly free, the centers are maintained with our HOA fees (which are cheaper than a single gym membership).  Scott comes home from work, changes and walks down to the rec center without hesitation.  Highlands Ranch has four of these centers in our community that include indoor and outdoor tennis, swimming, racquetball and more.  Fully equipped weight and aerobic rooms.  In the picture you can see the lights for the outdoor tennis and the huge white building houses indoor tennis and racquetball courts.  The two story building on the left houses the weight and aerobic rooms, basketball courts, and more. And how about the beautiful Rocky Mountain blue sky backdrop?

Yes, another one

I could not stop myself from posting another sunrise picture.  To some a beautiful sunrise or sunset may not be something they find special but for me it is absolutely serene.  Every morning I wake to a piece of artwork in the sky with a unique color pallet including azure and amber.

Three years ago as we contemplated leaving the the warm desert of Arizona to head to the cooler desert of Colorado we worried about surviving the cruel winters.  Now I am not saying winter can't be cruel, but the cruel days are few and spaced between numerous beautiful ones (seriously less than 15 cruel days in a winter).  Colorado winter's really aren't so bad after all.   Colorado I Love YOU!

Good Morning!

This morning's sunrise!

When I woke up this morning and stepped outside to take the dogs out, I was greeted with the peace and beauty of the Colorado sunrise.  I stopped to count my blessings.  No matter how many hard times I have experience, I have never had to worry about eating, medical care or having a place to live for my family.  More so, I have never had to deal with a tragedy like Haiti is going through right now.  My life is good and I thank God for that.  God bless those in Haiti and the family and friends of those who have been lost.

17 months later.........

I just completed my last curriculum course in my Master's program and am so happy to say I maintained a 4.0 GPA.  I wish I could allow myself to not obsess over my GPA but I have never been able to let go and accept an A- let alone a B.  I started this program in August 2008 right after loosing my job in pharmaceutical sales with the intentions of completing as much of the program as possible while looking for a job.  Well 17 months later I am still unemployed and done with my classes.  All in need to do now is student teach for FREE and I will be a certified teacher with a MA in Elementary Education! So how does one look for a full time job while student teaching?  And why is it that every new career path I choose ends up cutting jobs?  Education, really?  How can the USA produce the great thinkers and inventors of tomorrow by cutting education?

New Decade Resolutions?

I have never been one to make New Year's resolutions, although when I hear everyone discussing their own I often contemplate what I mine would be.  Most New Year's resolutions involve lifestyle changes such as quitting a bad habit or starting a good one.  Others involve improving one's financial status by eliminating debt, making more money or becoming more educated.

This week I heard the term "New Decade Resolutions" and was forced to ponder this one. Looking forward to the year 2020 seems so distant, however looking back to the drama of Y2K doesn't seem so long ago. Ten years so far and yet so close.  What kind of a resolution does one make for the decade?

With my kids all growing up and moving on with their lives, added to the loss of a job I hated, I have stopped for the first time to seriously analyze my lifestyle and the things I would like to change. For over a year now I have been critically thinking about and putting my new lifestyle plan into action.  I want to say that in 2020 I am still following my plan, enjoying life, grandchildren and making a difference in the lives of my students.

Lifestyle Plan
1. Avoid Illness and Pharmaceuticals:  Stress Management, Healthy Food Choices and Exercise.
2. Stress Management: Eat healthy, exercise and have a hobby
3. Healthy Food Choices: Reduce sugars, fat and meat, eliminate high fructose corn syrup and other "suspicious" ingredients.  Eat more fruits, vegetables and fish.
4. Exercise: Park far away, take the stairs, walk the dogs on the HR trails daily, hike the Rockies often
5. Meaningful Career (money not as important):  I will finish my Master's Degree in Elementary Education in April.
6. That's nice for the Jones, but it's not for me:  I don't care about having the nicest, latest, most trendy things.  I am concerned with comfort, safety and quality.  People matter the most, not things.

Happy New Year!

Scott and I went out for New Year's Eve this year for the first time in the seven years we have been together thanks to my good friend Michelle.  We had a great time at her party and actually stayed out until 12:30 am.  Thanks Brian and Michelle!  Wow two weeks in a row I put on make up, curled my hair and dressed up.

Sean and Yael were on their way out at the same time as Scott and I, so we took pictures of each other.  Sean was not a good sport, Yael did not like this picture but he was tired from working all day with little sleep and did not want to retake.  I promised not to post on Facebook but I did not say anything about my blog ;)