Back In the Day

Salida, Colorado



Every year my family and I go to a small mountain town in Colorado called Salida. I LOVE this town and if I ever leave my current living place, I will look into moving here. Mountains, trees, super cute houses and plenty of stuff to do. Every year we go to the small local book store called the Book Haven and also to a coffee shop called The Simmering Cup. I always by a book, usually a used one. This year I found a Mary Higgins Clark thriller! We sit in the coffee shop talking and people watching and just enjoy each others company.

This year was different.

I realized that one reason I enjoyed this trip so much was my step mom, Sandy. She, like myself, found joy in the simple pleasures of life and got excited with me about such little things. We sat in the coffee shop for hours and those are some of my favorite memories of her.

She passed away in October. Although I still enjoyed going to Salida and doing all the things we do, it just wasn't the same without her. To add to the void, it was her birthday that weekend. So what should have been a time celebrating and making memories, we were trying not to break down in such a public place.

I am thankful for my sister Molly being there with me. To partake in the annual events and adding a few new things to look forward to next year.

This picture was taken across the street from the coffee shop and used to be the side of the book store, but the book store moved across the street. I have always liked this wall, and have taken pictures of it before, but never have done anything with it. There are several of these walls around downtown.

Even though we were sad and missing Sandy, we had a lot of fun and I look forward to next year.

This is an old picture, taken about three years ago, but this was a time that the whole family was able to go. Ali isn't in this picture, but came the next day.

Who Are You Really?

I figure I should probably introduce myself. (Why does this feel like one of those online dating sites?)

As I sit here wondering where to start, the song I Love, by Tom T. Hall comes to my mind. I could write my own version of the song, listing all the things I love, but maybe I will save that for another post, another time. (Something to look forward to!)

I grew up in a small valley town on the western slope of Colorado. Due to growing up here, I enjoy camping, the mountains, and hiking.



Molly and I hiking Needle Rock

Who is a person without their family?



Anna, Ali, Sandy, Scott, Me, Molly

In 2006 my dad married my step-mom, giving me an amazing model of a mother and two more sisters. Dad often jokes about having to go out into the shop, and putting his hand in a vice grip and hitting it with a hammer. Dealing with all these females can be rough. Thankfully for him, he now has some company. Anna is the proud mother of two very handsome boys, making the rest of us proud aunts!

Trey (7 months) and Marcus (4)

Along with spending time with family, I enjoy doing whatever makes me happy when I can. Being with people makes me happy and will often get lonely before I will get bored.

August through May I am in a fourth grade classroom doing my best to shape the young minds of the future. June and July are spent catching up on books and planning for the upcoming year. Teachers are always thinking and planning.

My hope is that you will get to know more about me through my blog.

Until next time!

And So It Begins....

Ok, so here it goes.
I orginally wasn't sure if I liked the title, but it may work out or at least until I figure out how to change it.

I was told a few weeks back that I should start a blog. I wasn't really sure why this person told me this. I had sent her a card in the mail, and she posted to me on fb a thank you with a p.s that she thought I should start a blog. My first thought, "What in the world about?" I promplty asked her what she thought I should blog about but was answered only by silence.

I guess that thought didn't leave me, because here I am. Still wondering what to blog along with many other thoughts to accompany such a thought. I figure that my blog, when up and running will be rather random like myself. I may talk about movies, the book I am reading, the things I do, or whatever comes and goes in this pointed little head of mine.

So, join the ride, hang on and see where it takes us!