Birthday Weekend

My birthday is Dec. 27th but I got to celebrate a little later with my best friend when we went to Flagstaff for the weekend to ski. She surprised me with a little impromptu "cake" with candles and everything. It was one of the best birthdays ever!

She got it right too...29!

We explored a little of downtown Flagstaff and had dinner at a Pizza Place. The snow and the Christmas lights still twinkling made me feel as if the whole town was celebrating with me.

The next morning...hitting the slopes.

As I was heading up the lift to run a couple of black diamonds (yes ladies and gents...this Swiss girl can ski) the weather got progressively worse. Suddenly I was in a complete white-out. I could barely see 10 feet in front of me. It got a little scary as snowboarders and skiers all tried to navigate blindly down the slopes. But the adrenaline rush made it an incredible trip down the mountain. Kasie was waiting at the bottom for me with the camera in hand. Don't I look good! lol just kidding.

cold, cold, cold...

It was 24 degrees at the base and I was feeling it on my face. I must say my new jacket and ski pants (thanks mom for the birthday gift) were nice and warm but I didn't think to bring a full face mask...you know the kind that bank robbers wear?

Kasie and I having some lunch at the lodge. By this time she had hurt her knee and didn't mind sitting for a while. I, on the other hand, wanted to get on the hill.

I love this picture. I took it while we were riding on the lift.

Our view from the top of the bunny hill.

Christmas in NM

I drove to Abq on Christmas Eve day. I was trying to beat the weather so I wouldn't get caught in a storm. As I passed Payson and drove north past the rim I got so excited to see the snow. I finally felt like it was Christmas.



I had to get a picture of this. How great...this is how you get exactly what you want from Santa.


Mom, Olivia and Christine


Mom and Olivia


After-math of Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas

Christmas in Albuquerque is always so much fun. This year felt a little different for me. Christine is a senior and I found myself wondering where we all will be next Christmas.

Christine and I

Daddy-O - I missed it because I arrived too late but I believe he must have played a Sheppard in the Christmas Story. Great Costume!

Katherine (Simone's friend), Simone, Warrick (Christine's boyfriend) and Christine.

Battery anyone?

Friday night I went to a concert with my friend Ashley. It was great and I think we all had a wonderful time. It was at Cricket Pavilion(which is outdoor) and as the night went on it started to get really cold. We rapped up in a blanket and danced around to try and keep warm. When the concert was over and Ashley and I trekked our way back to my car we discovered a dead vehicle. It wouldn't turn over at all. After a few minutes of freaking out we found a nice young man to give us a jump start. All seemed well and we thanked him and were on our way. We made it a block and the car died again. I managed to get it parked in a safe spot and a friend picked us up. Well the next day Kasie and I went back and jumped it and again it died just a few feet later. I called the tow truck and this Big guy with braids on his head and two gold "ladies" earrings in each ear showed up. Now usually when i have called for a tow they pull up and hitch it up and get on their way because, lets face it, time equals money for these guys. Well not him, he wanted details. Now listen to this ladies...apparently there is water inside a battery. Now you may already know this but I had never heard such a thing in my life. He explained that the battery had no water in the cells at all. He filled it up, jumped us and we were able to drive all the way to Sears for a new battery. Incredible! Now not all batteries require you to fill the water. Mine was a NON-self sustaining battery and therefore it required the water. I'll post a picture so you can see what I'm talking about.

Can't sleep

It's just after mid-night and I can't sleep. I'm beginning to think that having the lap top in bed with me is a bad idea. But I'll try to weene myself off starting tomorrow.

I often can't find a way to shut off my brain and tonight is no exception. Even though I know that 5am will hurt like hell. Because you see I can't sleep now but I would have no problem slumbering my way into the early afternoon hours. Especially on a work day. Anyway, tonight seems worse than usual. I think that's the worste part about a failed relationship, lost friendship or broken heart. It's not the pain itself, but the self inflicted torture.

I've been thinking a lot about applying for a job in Switzerland. Could be my last opportunity to go back before marriage and kids (a girl can dream). That's what I'm telling myself but deep down I think I'm just wanting to run away from the memories and the ghosts that haunt me here in town.

Maybe this idea is something to discuss with my therapist.

Why now

I have been journaling for years. Ever since I saw my Uncle Lowell do so faithfully when I was maybe 9 years old. He bought me my very first beautiful leather bound journal. It had gold lettering on the front and I loved it.
In the years since I have filled page after page of beautiful notebooks and journals. Some I have finished, others I never did before moving on to the next one. I'm not sure if I'll continue to keep a paper journal, but for now it seems I have time to do both.
I have been blogging for a while now for Chris's family. I think this will be a great way to keep in touch with my family who is settled all over the world.