A weekend away

Tomorrow Mom and I will whisk ourselves away to Estes Park, where we will spend the weekend in honor of Mother's Day as well as to spend some time together. I can't recall the last time I was on a trip with Mom. I am excited about our girls weekend. When I go to plan it out, moment by moment, I am reminded that this is actually time for us to relax. So, we will play it by ear. A little shopping, dining and maybe a hike or something. Whatever. It will be fun to hang out and be in the mountains-my first trip up there of the year! I will post pictures upon our return.

Last night was a very stimulating book club. Katie hosted and in honor of Cinco de Mayo we had a delicious Mexican feast. The book choice-Song Yet Sung-got some attention but despite its status as a fantastic read we instead focused on politics. Some of us are dems, others republicans so we discussed our choices for president. We debated immigration and other social policies. The great thing about this group is we are all open, and while the debate may get a little heated, we laughed at the end as to how politics get people so revved up. I am so lucky to be in this book club, full of smart, energetic and passionate women. Here's to a lifetime of book club Thursdays!

Belated wishes

I meant to write this on Sunday but found myself too busy to sit down in front of the computer...

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Meg!!

Now it is Happy Belated Birthday...

Ode to my good friend: I have known you since we competed in speech-remember I told you "good job" (little did I know on that day I would have a friend for life). We have both grown and matured (well, I would hope so since high school) and where some friends may grow apart, I think we have grown closer. I don't have a sister, but when I think of having one, I think that you come pretty darn close. I can tell you anything without fear of judgement-I can cry and you understand-I can laugh for hours because of something you said. I am glad you had a special celebration because your celebration needs to match just how special you are.

Another list

Sometimes these are quick ways to keep updated...
1. What books are you currently reading?
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and Song Yet Sung by James McBride. I never read the first one when it came out, and am loving it! The second one is my book club book. I put off reading it for a while but just got really engrossed in it per Meg's recommendation.
2. What movies are in the Netflix queue?
Honestly, it probably hasn't been updated. Mike and I just started watching Into the Wild the other night, but we still have to finish it. I loved the book and the movie is proving its worth. I think we are going to drop our Netflix down to the 1 movie per month. With school, baseball and the weather getting nicer movies just aren't in the forecast.
3. What are you doing professionally?
I am finishing my graduate certificate in adult learning this summer. My teacher Kristi insists that now I have to work on my teaching portfolio. A last minute opportunity to teach computer skills to adults opened up for the next three weeks at Morey Learning Center, and I am going to teach conflict management at The Conflict Center this fall. Hopefully, this will build my portfolio so I can start teaching at Regis!
4. Where have you dined lately?
Mike and I have our favorite Sushi restaurant called Osaka Sushi on Colorado Blvd and Exposition. We love it there. I also ate at Racines last week for a lunch with friends.
5. What are you doing this summer?
Going to our Tuesday baseball games (if the Rockies can last that long), taking classes, hiking, gardening, working, and hopefully having a few overnights in the mountains. I want to throw the perfect summer party...

The way things are

I have found myself inconsistently blogging these past few weeks. I think it has to do with how very busy both Mike and I have been. I feel like I am inundated at work, at school and at home with stuff to do. It is graduation time, so students are coming out of the woodwork to find out if they have done everything they need to do to graduate. I am finishing up a class as well and have never procrastinated as much as I did this term, which is coming back to haunt me this week with my final project. We are still trying to finish up house improvements, which neither of us are motivated to do. I feel like every minute of the day is full of some sort of a "must do" and I wish I had a maid, ghost writer, and personal construction worker to do these things for me. It is getting way to beautiful outside to not enjoy it!

I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. Class ends this week, and I will be gardening over memorial weekend. Mom and I have a get away planned to Estes Park over mother's day weekend, and we are seeing real progress on our house chores. So, hopefully over the next few weeks things will be looking up!

Happy 35th Robert!!

Tomorrow my brother turns 35! Whoa! Old man Robby. Here are some pictures from the celebratory weekend. We partied on Friday night at Cap City and then yesterday had a lovely dinner of spaghetti, meatballs and homemade cake with the family. Tomorrow Robert will come to the baseball game with me! Wow. Who ever knew that turning 35 would lead to so much celebration? Seriously, you are a great brother and friend-I am so glad we are related!

If you like movies, check it out!

Mike found out about this neat little find in South Denver. There is a new development going up at I-25 and Belleview, a lot like Bel Mar and other places. There is a Landmark movie theater there that plays more independent films than other mainstream theaters. Here are three top cool things about it:
1. The $12 admission includes all you can eat popcorn and all you can drink soda
2. If you really need to feel like you are at home, you can order alcoholic beverages-there is a bar in the lobby. A man came into the movie theater carrying a half drunk bottle of wine.
3. If you don't want the popcorn, they have yummy other concessions-Abos pizza, empanadas, quiche to name a few.
So, check it out! http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/Denver/Denver_Frameset.htm
We saw Leatherheads which I would recommend to football fans and non-fans alike. They are also playing The Other Bolyn Girl, Smart People, and Run Fat Boy Run.

Bye bye wisdom teeth

I got the news yesterday at the dentist that I have to have all four of my wisdom teeth extracted. I have been successfully putting this off for years, until the pain in my bottom left wisdom tooth grew to almost unbearable. The doc told me that they are very tight in there, and so that is where the pain is coming from. So, out they come. I made a consultation at the oral surgeon for April 29th and my surgery is scheduled for May 28th at 9am. When I called, the receptionist asked, "Will you need IV sedation?" Please. 2X as much if at all possible. Mike has promised to be my caregiver and mom promised to make me chicken and rice soup. I am taking three days off even though everyone I ever spoke to is fine almost the next day. I am milking my sick time because I am such a baby about pain.