You Better Not Pout...

You better not cry, it's ok if you shout, I'm tellin' you why:

Trader Joes is comin'
TO TOWN!!!! 
Yes, this is almost better than Santa Clause, I am so excited! Word is, we may have at least 3 Trader Joes around Denver by April.  Hooray!

I got this news on Monday, so naturally my grateful photo for Monday, Jan 23rd was my Trader Joes Cookbook, Christmas present from my fabulous boss.

On the 24th, I had dinner with my friend Gayle.

Jan 25th - I finished a book recommended to me by my friend, and I am now recommending it to everyone I know! This is such a great book about looking at things - even age-old problems - in a new and solvable way.

Jan 26th, I was already in a crummy mood this morning, but KBCO really cheered me up, with a interview with Goat Rodeo - love the name and the musicians involved (including Yoyo Ma) were very funny, and then the DJ, Brett Saunders, proceeded to play Bob Marley's Every Little Thing's Gonna Be Alright, and Trevor Hall's Brand New Day.  Really helped me get through a long hard day.

Jan 27th - Even after being drugged up for a hospital visit today, I was productive enough to clean my office, and I don't think it has ever looked so clean!!

Jan 28th - Double Whammy today - I had lunch with my friend Jenica today, and if you look in the background, you'll see a moving truck at the house across the street where my crappy neighbors are moving!! Hooray!

January 29th - I went for a hike on the highline today - East at the the trail head at Roxborough and Chatfield.  I found the end of the canal - or the start  The tree is my happy picture for today, but I was able to include a few others along the route as well.

Have a good week!

Banjoes Make Me Happy

I have reinstated an old goal I've played around with making, but never really officially put it down.  This year, I intend to walk or ride the entire Highline Canal in segments.  I started with a 3 mile segment on Monday (6 miles round trip) and fell in love again.  I took my camera along looking for some fun shots and practice.

This week's grateful pictures:

January 16th - Went for my 6 mile walk on the Highline, Quincey and Colorado Blvd to Belleview and back.

January 17th - Hooray Colorado! This was the scene that greeted me on my way to the office Tuesday morning.

Jan 18th - I am reading a very helpful book on writing, lots of great advice and 'activities' to help in the writing process - Chapter by Chapter by Heather Sellers.

January 19th - Dinner with my friend Zolo at the Cheesecake Factory.

January 20th - After babysitting the kids, my brother came home while Serenity went to a work gig, and we got to hang out a bit, philosophizing, chatting and eating late night brownies and milk.

January 21st - I went to a chili supper and bluegrass concert at the Franktown Grange with Mom and Dad.  Cantankerous was the band and they were very good.  I do love a good banjo, and a really good fiddle too.

January 22nd - I spent the morning at Mom and Dad's house, and just being there puts me in a good mood.  Tea, homemade scones, and lots of natural light make me very happy.

In Memoriam

My grandmother, Helen Margaret Clark passed away yesterday morning.

Grammy

I will remember you
with apples
and sanddollars,
with the softest hands
and a penchant for spelling.
With flowers,
the piano,
and an astonishing memory for
the names of my exes.
I will remember you
with sweetness,
and noodles,
and love.

KEH

• Obituaries

 

MUNCIE Indianna - Helen M. Clark, 88, passed away early Saturday morning, January 14, 2012 at Morrison Woods.
She was born January 20, 1923 in Ft. Wayne the daughter of Carrie (Grabner) and Clarence Fry.
Helen worked as a Real Estate Agent for twenty-two years, first with Allardt Reality then retiring with Property House Realty. She and her husband Don, wintered in Venice, FL where she volunteered at the Public Library. Here in Muncie she lived on a pond where she kept Koi fish and loved to garden.
Helen is survived by two daughters, Susan Krause, (husband, Jim), Muncie and Dona Hayes, (husband, Vance), Castle Rock, CO; one son, Mark Clark, (wife, Robin), Santa Fe, NM; five grandchildren, Wendy Howell, Muncie, Ryan Hayes, (wife, Serenity)CO, Kelly Hayes, CO, Mitch Clark, Muncie, and Chelsea Clark, CO; three great grandchildren, Jaykeb Howell, Muncie, Corrine Hayes, CO, and Conner Hayes, CO.
She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-three years, Don Clark.
There will be a private family memorial service at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to ARF Animal Rescue Foundation, 1209 W. Riggin RD. Muncie, IN 47304.
Helen's family would like to give special thanks to Morrison Woods and Embrace Hospice for the love and care shown to Helen.


Pictures for the week:

January 9th - It's amazing the writing I got done Monday night when I turned the TV off.

January 10th -The best banana pudding - or pudding in general - EVER and tea in a fun brewer at Rooster and Moon Cafe. 

January 11th - Due to the crazy snow Wednesday morning, I went home early to work from home, and I am so so grateful this is even an option!

January 12th - Somebody reads my blog and here she is! Hooray to Ryann!

January 13th - Watching Hugo in 3D with my friend Lyndsay.

January 14th - I am grateful that Grammy is no longer suffering.

January 15th - I am so grateful for technology that allows me to talk to my friend Kristy in Australia and see her baby Mia!

It's the Little Things

As much as I'd like to take artsy shots like this one all week:

it's hard in the winter when the daylight is limited and I work in an office all day. This week in particular I've focused on the little things that I'm grateful for or that make me happy.

Jan 2nd - Luckily I was paying attention and caught the error that would have charged me $48.00 for 48 cents of cilantro at the grocery store. 

Jan 3- I had a dream of a friend from high school, that I haven't seen or talked to since college.  I decided it's about time to reach out, and thanks to Facebook, I was able to find her easily and make contact.

January 4th - In December, I started writing every day on my novel again, and I haven't broken my stride.

January 5th - All week I have been battling dehydration and getting back in the habit of drinking 2 - 3 water bottles a day.  After being made aware of the water situation in so many places around the world, I am truly thankful that I have so much clean water - filtered even - and readily available - hot or cold - without any danger on my way to fill up my bottle.  That isn't something little at all.

January 6th - I had the privilege to attend a training for a curriculum developed by a Denver teacher based  off a book written by a former Wall Street banker.  This book discusses the Code of the West, a code which Wall Street should have adopted, and one which the State of Wyoming has. 

Jan 7th - Dad and I babysat the kids tonight, and I am thrilled that they have a grandpa that gets the rhythm of Dr. Seuss and has a great Pirate Pete voice for story time.

January 8th - Yesterday it snowed, and today there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  Perfect light shining through my mom's art installation in my gate. 

Here's To Happy Days Ahead

After a wonderful - if not totally relaxing - week at home, I am ready to start the new year.  Some of my goals include:
Bake my own bread
Learn to make a pie from scratch
Lose weight ( so I won't be eating the pie I make :)
Find an agent for my kids books - This is the year, a fire has been lit under my patoot and I'm ready to go.

Here are my grateful pictures from this last week:

Dec 26th - It's nice to have a camera on a walk through old town Castle Rock.

December 27th - We got to sit in on my niece's ballet class.  5 little 3 year olds = cuteness wrapped in tutus.
I couldn't take just one picture of this.

December 28th - Mom and I were treated to this beautiful start to a stunning sunset on our way home from very productive shopping.

December 29th - Making peanut butter balls with Connor, Mom, and Corinne the "good cooker".

December 30th - Dad is writing a book! And it's good!

December 31 - Ending the year with Pineapple Upside Down pancakes...delicious! (The brown is homemade cinnamon butter.)

January 1st - I'm very grateful that I can spend a week with my parents at their home and, while I'm happy to be going home, I'm a little sad to go, and very very grateful that I can call their home my home too.

Happy new year! I'm looking forward to a year of new pictures and experiences, and I wish the same for you.