A Fabulous Life

Update

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:04:58 GMT

I have been really bad about updating my blog in the past months. It seems like there’s been so much going on in our world that I haven’t had a minute to sit down and do it.

Life is great! We added a new addition to our family in January – Baron (for a gazillion pictures see our Flickr account here http://flickr.com/photos/tikibar). Baron has been nothing short of a pure pleasure, delight and a wonderful surprise. I think for the first week, we were both having a lot of the “what the hell did we just do” moments. But shortly thereafter that changed. Bear is the smartest dog I have ever owned. He learns so quickly, is so incredibly sweet (which is SO nice for a Rottie), and is a very laid-back loyal dog. He’s a love and a pure joy to be around. We find ourselves making excuses to go home early just to be with him. He and Bubba are getting along much better now, and that will continue to get better over time. He’s still showing a little hesitancy towards strangers, primarily men, but we’ve really been working with him, and it’s getting better and better. We want to do therapy work with him, so we’re determined to make him the best dog on the planet. We started puppy classes with him last night and that went great. His sister Sadie is in the class with us (she’s the other rottie in all the pictures where there are two of them) and they had a ball. It’s so much fun to watch them grow up together. We’ve been getting them together for play dates and they just go and go and go for hours before they poop out. It’s pretty impressive!!

We’re very excited for spring to be right around the corner. We have a lot of things planned that we want to do to the house, and are really looking forward to getting them done. We’ve been in our house for almost 7 months now (!!???) and it’s time for us to start putting our personal touch on the place. We’re planning on putting up security doors, painting, putting in our home audio system, backsplash tiling, and planting over the next few months. Most of it we’ll do, but will hire out where necessary. None of its anything we have to do, but it’s all things that we’d really like to do that will help the value of the house, and will be something’s we’ll really enjoy. I am so incredibly excited to sit outside and enjoy the spring and summer. Our last house was prohibitive of that due to its proximity to a very busy street – so I’m sure you can imagine how ready I am to take advantage of this now. I’ve always wanted a back yard that I can enjoy, and now we have it!!

Work’s been pretty good for me. I’ve been General Manager now since August, and I’m finally starting to settle into the role. My boss said to me about 3 months ago, “Ami, I think this GM thing is going to take off a lot faster than you think it will and before you know it, you’re not going to know what to do first”. I laughed at him at the time, but I look back at that now and realize just how right he was. I’m still trying to find someone to back-fill some of my other responsibilities with our continuing education division as Director, which will come hopefully sooner rather than later. I’ve been trying very hard to balance my personal and professional lives. I’ve been doing much better than I have in the past – but I still have some work to do on that. It’s just so hard when you are someone who is a perfectionist in everything she does to turn off that work switch when you get home. I’m working on it though, and it’s not something that happens over night. Overall I’m very happy with my job and with what I do. To work for people who believe in me and have the faith and confidence in me is the most rewarding thing that can happen to a professional. I have been through a lot in my relatively short career and to come as far as I have makes me proud of myself. I have had a lot of people doubt me in the past, and nothing makes me feel better than to look back at that and smile. I always knew I had it in me – It just feels so damn good to prove it.

Jason’s doing well too. He’s moving onwards and upwards in his career as well. He’s in a leadership role and had his first big release that he was in charge of go live a couple of weeks ago. He’s grown so much in the past few years. Jason has always been a natural leader, but he’s really done a great job of honing his skills and becoming quite the motivator as well. People count on him because they know he’ll get the job done right, on-time, correctly and without any issues the first time. That’s a tough thing to find, and I think the people he works with know it. I am so proud of him and how far he’s come. It’s hard to believe that just 8 or 9 years ago, he was jockeying a fork-lift for a lumber company trying to convince them he didn’t want to move to New Mexico or Utah. Best decision he ever made was to get his training in software!!!

So, all in all, live is good. I’ve written a book here, but that’s what I get for not writing much in a long while. We’ve had a number of great Disney trips in the past few months, had a great holiday season with our best friends and family, and have some fun short trips planned throughout the summer. We’re not doing anything big, but that’s okay – we don’t want to leave the Bear for too long at once until he’s a little older. Cozumel’s next on the list, then hopefully Del Rio and Phoenix? We’ll play it by ear and see how the year goes, but hopefully we’ll get some short trips in and some of you will come see us! Our door is always open and we love to have people come for a visit!! Denver’s the best in the spring and summer, but we’d love to see any of you any time.

I hope everyone who reads this is doing well. Drop a line to say hello and let us know how things are going! I’ll do my best to keep the blog updated more frequently – but no promises. You may have to deal with these small dissertations every once in a while.

Cheers!!

Baron, The Bear

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:10:48 GMT

I can honestly say, it's been a long time since I've been this happy. Don't get me wrong, we've had some really amazing things happen and come our way, and had a ton of fun in the past couple of years, but this is different. This is a feeling I haven't had since the day we lost Harley.

This past Friday, the 4th of January, Jason and I expanded our family by one. I'd like you to meet our new boy Baron (Bear for short). Baron is a 9 week old Rottweiler puppy, born by Spirit Mountain. He's the son of Brooklyn and Romeo and is the 2nd handsomest man I know. Needless to say, we're SO in love!!

We have been talking to breeders for over 8 months now, and we finally ended up talking to Laura Wright-Smith, who was having a litter born in November. We knew we were moving, and that the timing wouldn't work unless the puppy would be available after the first of the year. We didn't want to bring a puppy home right smack dab in the middle of the crazy holiday season - especially with all we had planned.

Baron was born on November 3rd at 7:40 am, and was #10 0f 12. The first time we met him was at his temperament test on December 22nd. The test was to do exactly what it sounds like. I knew the minute I laid eyes on him - he was the one... but we wouldn't know for sure until the following Saturday after the conformation test was performed to see if he would be considered show or pet. We wanted a pet dog with the ability to gain working titles on him (i.e. - Herding, Agility, Rally, Therapy, Carting, etc...).

On the 29th, we were lucky enough to have my mom and our great friends Tiff and Trev with us when we were told that "Mint Boy" would be ours if we would have him. I jumped up and down like a crazy person and smothered our soon to be pooch. The hardest part of that day was watching everyone take home their new puppies, while we left him with Laura. He was in the best hands possible, but there was a part of me that wanted to take him home right then. Although - I'm glad we didn't, because we had a stinkin' riot with Tiff and Trevor, and having a puppy here would have made that tough...

Jase and I took off last Friday, rented a Ford Escape (POS BTW), and drove up to Newcastle (just outside of Glenwood Springs) to pick up our new boy. We threw around names for months, but decided on the 3 hour drive up that we wanted his official name to be "Spirit Mountain's New York State of Mind" and his common name would be Baron, Bear for short. It fits him perfectly. He's our new little Bear.

We got him home after a 5 hour stop and go trip home (why is it we don't ski again???) and he was pooped. He did great that night - only had one potty inside, and it was more my fault than anything. We're having so much fun - it's worth every single minute of work and no sleep!!

Bubba's decided that he hates Baron. But it's not enough to hate him - he has to swack him over the head every time he sees him. Nice. Baron's terrified - and I just keep telling Bubba to make nice, cause it will be two weeks and Baron will tower over Bubba and he's not gonna wanna smack him around anymore.... We'll see what happens - but I'm optimistic. I know they'll be best friends soon.

Barron is perfect in every way. He's sweet, cuddly, funny, brave, shy, strong, clumsy, but all around perfect in my book. He's really smart. He's learned Sit, Stand, Paw and Down already, and in his temperament test, showed a tendency to therapy work!! I'm thrilled about that - since that's one of the things I really want to do with him. We will start puppy kindergarten in a couple of months, once his immune system is stronger (Rotties are really susceptible to Parvo). But until then, we're just keeping him busy with his plethora of toys here :) - (Jason's put the kabash on me spending anymore of our life savings on toys - hehe!).

Here's a link to our Flickr account, where we have tons of Baron pictures. As well, Jason, the proud papa that he is, posted this on youtube.com today.

Baron - welcome to the Marsell family. You are a long wanted and welcome new addition to our family and we're so happy to have you here and we love you SOOO much!! We can't wait to raise you into a wonderful companion and friend. Harley would have like you, very much!

SOLD!

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:28:57 GMT

Well, okay, we're not technically homeless, but we are now, as of 11:00 AM today, we are no longer home owners!!!

It has been one hell of a summer. As I mentioned in my previous blog posting, we put our house on the market on May 20th with all the hopes in the world. I don't think we had any idea what an emotional roller coaster we were in for this summer. I won't bore you with all the details, but let's just say living in a house that has to stay 100% cleaned and look totally un-lived in - sucks.

Fast forward to three weeks ago... after two offers, a weekend of getting paint bids, roofer certifications, no receipt on contract signatures, putting the house back on the market for 24 hours, hearing that funds wouldn't be delivered on time, closing would be pushed out until after our realtors had left for Italy, an amazing effort by our more than amazing realtors, finally receiving the contract, fights between the mortgage company and title company, we closed on the house today.

All together now "SIGH". I think 10,000 pounds are gone from my shoulders. We have leased back the house from the new owner through the 26th of this month, then we are working on moving into a month to month rental town house literally across the street from my work on 27th and Blake. We are going to move everything we own into a Pod, and spend the next few months looking for the house of our dreams.

We're so excited - we're finally in a place where we can pick, without being forced to buy a house that we really don't absolutely love. The only down side is that our little man Bubba is still staying with my mom, and we miss him like crazy. He's in the best hands though, so that makes me happy. We're also eying some puppies, so that may have to wait too, but still - all is good cause in a shit market - WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!!!! <Ami doing a happy dance>!!!!

Stay tuned for more updates on the house search. Hopefully we'll have good news soon!! And a HUGE thank you to Andrew and Bill, our unbelievably amazing realtors. They have delivered far above our expectations and we've also found two people who we hope to be friends with long into the future. Thanks guys!!! You're the best!!!

Here We Go!

Tue, 08 May 2007 02:38:42 GMT

As if we didn't have enough going on lately... I'm traveling like a mad man, we're leaving for Europe in two weeks from tomorrow, we both are crazy busy at work - and we've decided to sell our house!!

Not that selling our house should be news to anyone - if you spend more than 10 minutes with either Jason or myself, you'll get an ear-full about how much we want to move. We've been talking about moving for a long time.

Two years ago - we came 'this' close, but at the last minute, decided it wasn't the right time. The time is right now!

Our house will be on the market before we leave for Europe!! We were originally planning on putting the house up after we got back, but after a couple of weekends of busting arse (well, one for me because Jase was here by him self two weekends ago while I was visiting my sister in Wichita), we're pretty close and feel that we can have everything ready before we leave.

We've got someone coming out this week to help us 'stage' our house. Jason and I admittedly do not have the 'eye' for decoration. She comes with our realtor broker fees and we're stoked!! She works with what you have to make everything a little more appealing to a potential buyer. Once she comes we have carpet cleaning and hardwood buffing to do, then we'll be all set.

So at a time when the real estate market is not at it's best, wish us luck!! I'll keep you posted as we move forward!!

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:32:19 GMT

Call me what you will - I've been busier than ever before, so blogging has fallen off my radar for now. Anyhoo, I'm not too busy to let the world know that it's Jason's birthday today! I can't believe it's already that time of year again.

Jason's birthday is special to me for a number of reasons:

1. First, and the quite obviously best reason - Jason was born 33 years ago today!!! Thank you Judy and Marty!!. You changed my life forever, and for that I am more grateful than you will ever know!

2. Celebrating another fantastic year of life with Jason is reason to celebrate in and of it's self.

3. We get to go have a great dinner this weekend - Melting Pot here we come to eat our hearts out!!! Watch Out - the Marsell's are coming to dinner!!

4. I get to try to figure out what the hell to get Jason for his birthday. This is a challenge for me not only during birthdays, but at Christmas too - lots of reasons why - bottom line, I'm just not that good at it. This year though, I'm pretty sure I nailed it!

5. Jason and I went on our first date 9 years ago today. Kinda crazy - wow. 9 years babe!!!! Goodfriends, and you were so sick with Bronchitis and getting ready to go to Vegas. I'll never forget it!

6. We get to celebrate for a couple of weeks with all the Family we have here wanting to spend time with him on his birthday. We get lots of great food and get to see everyone - which is always great!

7. Last year was a rough year for us. This year is the opposite and we have so much to be grateful for - what better time to be grateful than when you're celebrating your birthday!

8. Jason is quite possible my most favorite human on the planet. That bout sums it up.

So, honey, there you have it - Happy Happy Happy Birthday!!! I hope you have a great day today, and here's to many many more!!

I love you!!!!!

You're Approved!!

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 04:55:06 GMT

For every single credit card on the face of the planet! Congratulations!!

If you're anything like us, you receive anywhere between 5 & 10 of these obnoxious credit card offers in any given week. When I was in college - I was their perfect and more than willing target. I got my self into serious trouble and debt (for which I am not proud) with these fantastic offers. So much so that it wasn't until about 5 years ago that we were able to completely pay of the damage left behind. You wouldn't know it now by my credit rating - but it took a looooooonnnng time to get it where it is and cost me a lot more than what I initially spent.

I was getting ready this morning for work and the Today Show had a special on about protecting your identity. Usually I ignore these media programs - as I think they tend to induce mass hysteria rather than do much good- but in this case, I listened. I seem to know quite a few people who have suffered from identity theft over the past couple of years - so needless to say, my interest was peaked. The woman they were interviewing mentioned a phone number - 888-5-optout - that anyone can call to have their names removed from the list that's provided to credit card companies and insurance agencies from the four big credit reporting agencies. - HMMM.....

Ever the skeptic, I didn't think this was anything but another ploy to get my info. Then when I got home and checked our mail, I found our mortgage lender had sent us a letter outlining this exact same service with the afore mentioned phone number and a link to the following website:

https://www.optoutprescreen.com

I did some more research and I got on tonight and filled out my application to permanently be removed from the list that is sold to credit card companies everywhere for the rest of time. I'll contact the credit card company if I want a new card - until then... Leave me alone thank you very much. And I'll take my own chances with someone else stealing my identity. I certainly don't need the help of some credit card company.

Throw Your Nalgene Bottle in the Garbage!

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 23:18:20 GMT

Thank you to Jason who brought this to my attention - I'm very grateful that you did!

I do my best, while still being an avid (yet often guilt consumed) carnivore, to live with what I feel is a revered respect and deep love for all living kind. Sure, I have my share of mouse traps in the house, don't hesitate to mush a mosquito when it's chowin' down on my arm, and don't particularly care much for shitting pigeons. But overall, I do firmly and deeply believe that animals deserve all the respect we can give them, and stand firmly in my convictions that animal testing is just plain wrong - regardless of the reason.

Call me what you will - I'm sure I've heard it before, but in this day and age, you pick your battles, and this is one for which I will stand firmly upon my laurels.

So naturally, I felt that I should bring this up. No, this isn't your normal story of J&J testing shaving cream on rabbits. While that is an ongoing issue, this one is a little more subtle and much less talked about.

Everyone has them, shit, I ~~have~~ had two of them until today (they're now the property of the local dump). Those kinda tacky, but really handy and the perfect size and durable Nalgene bottles. They're a favorite of the Colorado Crowd - all us hikers and camper types (how the hell did I end up with one??) love these things to tote around our 32 oz (apx 1/2 of the daily recommended intake) of water everywhere. They come in all different colors, sizes, hold plenty of ice cubes and are dishwasher safe! They don't smell funky after a bunch of usage and I swear, you could run a truck over them and they'd survive. They're fantastic!! And they're also responsible for this:

**UPDATE: I removed the image I had here because I got tired of looking at it when I opened my space because spaces is lame and won't let me put a picture in my blog and not display it in my photos or even move it from the top of the list. So, if you want to see it, you can look at it here: http://www.rmad.org/nalgene.html

This lovely little device is used to, in one way or another - I'm choosing not to elaborate here and let your imaginations do the work - to test various products on animals. Nalge (the parent company) has removed this particular product from their website, but they have plenty others out there, along with a statement:

"Nalge Nunc International realizes that animal research is essential to medical research. There is no laboratory procedure or computer simulation that can reproduce the complex systems of a living organism. There is nothing short of controlled animal research that can prove the safety and efficacy of a drug or surgical procedure. Without animal research, there would be no polio vaccine, no heart by-pass surgery, no chemotherapy and no insulin. Without animal research, we will never be able to cure AIDS, multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's."

I do not intend to use my blog to debate the position of animal welfare and what everyone thinks is right or wrong. I'm using this as a vehicle to bring something that I feel very passionately about to your attention. You can chose to do with it what you'd like. I can only hope that you take a minute to think about your stance on these types of things, and maybe, when you go to reach for that sip of water and you look down to see the Nalgene bottle - it just makes you think.

For more information on this issue, and many other animal welfare issues, I strongly recommend these sites:

RMAD Nalgene Info
RMAD
Best Friends
IDA

**Note, the picture above was taken from the RMAD website: http://www.rmad.org/nalgene.html

If It's Too Loud...

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 21:34:19 GMT

Our Friday nights are often spent meandering the mall shopping and just relaxing. This weekend, we actually hit the mall a few times, cause we were both shopping for particular fall/winter items.

Now, suffice it to say, that we both still relish our younger years and tend to frequent the stores that are marketed to the 20 something's of the world. Not a big issue from my perspective - I have pledged that there are certain locales that I will just not resign my self to shopping in - no matter what my age. I'm not going to mention them here, but Jason and Tiff & Trev, you know to what I am referring. I actually tried on two pairs of slacks at Macy's on Saturday from the Woman's department, and almost puked - I looked like a box. It's no wonder to me why there are so many poorly dressed women in this world. Take mom jeans and multiply x10 and add Khaki... But I digress.

So, that having been said, why on earth do these stores feel the need to blast music so loud that you can't even hear your self think? Don't get me wrong, I turn up my stereo in my car so loud it's numbing - but that's the music that I've chosen to listen to, and it's my car. When I'm trying something on, and showing Jason, and he literally has to scream at me to tell me what he thinks, something's just not right. And it seems like each subsequent time we go in, they just get louder and louder. How do they hear the callers on the phones, not to mention the ringing phone? It's painful! And do me a favor, if you're going to do this, at least pick a band that's worth playing loud. Not some emo fluffy BS band that thinks the hardest thing in life they've had to endure is the stress of not having an '07 325 to drive around.

Back in the day, I used to work at Restoration Hardware (granted, geared to a totally different clientele) and our stereo system was fixed, by the company to a certain level and it was never to go above that level if the store was open. Shame on me, but I guess I assumed everyone else worked that way too. I was wrong.

As a side note, but along the same lines, is it just me, or is every teenager in America a moron? They all walk around with these dumb looks on their faces, and god forbid you ask them for help in a store. They give you a grunt, and walk away. Maybe that's cause they can't hear you. I guess I'm just too OLD!

No More James Patterson

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 03:36:31 GMT

It's amazing to me, how over time, all our tastes can change so drastically. I read a lot as a little kid. I loved all the Judy Blume books, Nancy Drew, Fudge and the How to Eat Fried Worms were among some of my favorites. Then for some reason, I just stopped reading. I actually loathed reading - probably cause I was too busy trying to be cool - but that's a story for another time.

My freshman year in college, my roommate was reading a book called Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, which as you may or may not know, was the prequel to Silence of the Lambs (Chianti and Fava Beans anyone?). In time I later read the whole series - they are all great books. Red Dragon though, was the first of two books that really turned me back on to being a very avid reader, which in turn, brought my mom back into it as well.

The next book I read was the first of what is now seems like a gazillion book series (and whored out one at that) by James Patterson. The first book was Along Came a Spider and stared a young Detective Alex Cross (Played by Morgan Freeman in the movie - bad choice, should have been Denzel. Alex wasn't old). I was immediately enthralled, and the minute his next book dropped in the series - about one a year at first - I bought it and tore through it.

Over the past 4 or 5 years, Jason and I have really branched out our book reading and pick up titles that have made me a bit more picky about what I read. James Patterson during that time, has become a book writing machine, and his quality is increasingly crappier. I swore him off a couple of years ago. I don't want to read a book that's been dummied down for the masses - I find it insulting. I read to be taken to another place, time, thought, something. Not to go "what the hell is this guy talking about"?

Anyway, I was in the airport not too long ago, and ran across James Patterson's Maximum Ride. I read the back of the book and was so excited because it was what seemed to be a take on one of my very favorite books of his, When the Wind Blows. Yeah, not so much. This book was, for lack of better words, dumb. That's it. Just dumb. A complete waste of my time. But here's the kicker. I was just looking it up on Amazon, so I could reference it in the post, and it says "For Grades 6-10". OMG - I'm such an idiot! Well, okay, not really - it didn't say that ANYWHERE on the book it's self. It was right out front, with all the other non kiddie books at the store. Shame on me for assuming...

That having been said, I will say this, some of my most favorite books on the planet are the Harry Potter series of books and the LOTR series. Both originally written for children. Yet, I feel challenged when reading them, I'm taken to a place that I could never go to own my own. They make me dream and imagine and think. Maximum Ride did nothing of the sort. It made me mad, and made me feel stupid. So, sorry James. I credit you with getting me back into reading - a very difficult thing to do, and for that I am grateful. However, I will not ever buy another one of your mass produced pieces of garbage. If you can actually go more than 15 minutes without writing another 'novel', then I'll think about it. But for now, no mas.

...Fluke here I come!!

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang = Fun Fun!!

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 01:33:20 GMT

As is normal in our house, Jason does the majority of our movie rentals. He's the movie guru as most of you know, and if he knows that I want to see something, he'll make sure it's in the Netflix queue for me. I haven't requested much that's out as of late, so he's just been adding stuff that he thinks we'd both like. What's so awesome about that is every once in a while you find these jems (Millions) that weren't mega gazillion dollar hits (maybe they should have been, but then again, that probably wouldld ruin them). This was one of them.

Last night, he started up a movie that I had never heard of called Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. He said it did really well on Rotten Tomatoes, so he figured we'd give it a shot.

I cannot tell you how fun this movie is!! It stars Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer, and was directed by the guy who did the Lethal Weapon (!!) series (any one who knows me knows I'm a LW junkie), Shane Black.

The story is about a small time crook who, while being chased after a robbery by the police, ends up running into a movie audition, lands a screen test, and is whisked off to LA before he knows what's happened. Shortly after arriving, he's quickly re-introduced to his childhood love, and the fun is just beginning. Val Kilmer plays a gay PI (they call him Gay Parry - a play on Gay Paris, which we didn't get till after the movie), who consults to movie stars during the day, and does PI work at night. He teams up w/ Harry (RDJ), to help him learn the role. Between Parry (Val), Harry (RDJ) and Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), they are chased, trying to solve muliple murders, and dealing w/ romance at the same time.

The chemistry of Val and Robert Downey Jr. is nothing short of fantastic in this movie. I found my self laughing out loud numerous times - so much so that Jason even commented on it. Robert Downey Jr. is an amazing actor. He's witty, fun, has fantastic timing and plays a very lovable character in this movie.

If you're looking for something fun, entertaining, a little off the beaten path, then Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is one you absolutely must try!

Making the Old New Again

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 04:24:32 GMT

Today I reconnected with someone who is very special to me. Actually, this is the first time, in what I’m thinking is 6ish years, that I’ve seen her, and in about as many that we’ve talked. Stacey and I were attached at the hip growing up. She and I met in preschool, when we were just 2 (yes, that’s TWO) years old!! We were best buddies from the first day we met forward. If you see a picture of me growing up, Stacey’s in it, and I’m willing to bet, hers are the same with me in them. We were just that way. You didn’t know just Ami or Stacey, you knew Ami AND Stacey. Our moms were really close, and we were inseparable for a long, long time, at least all through high school, and still very very close through my college years and the first year or so after graduation.

Time separated us, and I’m not sure there’s a real reason we stopped talking, other than different paths took us in different directions. I wish it hadn’t turned out that way, but it did.

About 8 weeks ago, I was out on ancientangels.com, my high school alumni website, and ran across Stacey’s sister, Jennifer’s entry, and decided to shoot her an email to say hello to Stace for me. Stacey had sent me a card at Christmas time, and in the hustle and bustle of everything over the holidays I lost her return address. I was stoked to be able to send her sister an email.

I sent that email at about 5:00ish and by the time I got home around 6:30, there was a message on my machine from Stacey. Once we finally stopped playing phone tag, we spent almost 3 hours on the phone, and decided we’d get together after her vacation to Texas.

Our original date was cancelled due to a bit of a minor fire at her house, and the second date was cancelled due to Harley’s passing happening the morning of. So finally, after a few misses, today I met her and Nina (her mom) at Zaidy’s for a fantastic lunch.

I’m so thrilled!! Stace and Nina look absolutely fantastic. Stacey has always been a blonde, so to see her with black hair was awesome and man, she looks completely beautiful, as she always did!!! Her big grin just lit up the room when she walked in, it was like we hadn’t missed a beat. Nina just had open heart surgery in February, and you’d never know it. A beautiful spit-fire as always!!!

Its amazing how two best friends can not talk for so many years, and get back together and still have no loss for words. I could have stayed there all day to talk. There’s so much to tell, so much to hear!!

Stace, you have been through more in a few years, than most will in a lifetime. To see you now and the grace with which you handle yourself is inspiring. I wish that I would have been there for you during the worst of it, but the past is gone and the future is what lies ahead. I look so forward to what the future holds and I am so happy to be reconnected with you and your family! You all were so important to me for such a long time it means so much to be back in touch. LOVE YOU!!!

Thank You

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 22:52:36 GMT

I just wanted to extend a heart felt and big THANK YOU to everyone who's sent their love and support our way over the past week. This has without a doubt, been the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with, and one of the hardest Jason's ever had to deal with. However, I cannot imagine how much harder it would be without all the emails, cards, flowers, blog postings, calls, messages, and everything else you all have sent our way.

Jason and I are healing slowly and will continue to heal more and more every day.

Thank you again so much to everyone for everything - you are all amazing!!

Good Bye My Sweet Love

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 22:21:06 GMT

In early May, 1994, a litter of 13 Rottweiler puppies was born to a breeder in Commerce City, CO. On June 6^th, a mere 5 weeks later, I got into a huge fight with my dad, and ended up going for a drive with my mom to get my mind off of the fight. We knew the only thing that would work would be to look at puppies – so off we went to a breeder in Commerce City.

As soon as we arrived, I knew we had made the right decision – it was an immediate cheer up. Honestly, we had no intentions of buying a puppy just then, but Mom had also made it clear to me that if I was to live on my own in college, a big protective dog was to be part of the equation.

After walking into the yard where the puppies were, and being literally assaulted by licks and love, I saw her. She was the one looking so regal and curiously at me, with her legs crossed like a lady across the pen. She was the only one with rust markings instead of tan and the only one who sat with her legs crossed. She was perfect. I picked her up and didn’t put her down until we left that afternoon to get the house prepared, and for the breeder to make his background checks on us.

A day later, a perfect rottie puppy was on her way home with the Lipschuetz girls. Jenny held her the whole way home. She was so tiny. Looking back at it now, too tiny, but I didn’t know any better at the time (she was only 5 weeks old). She looked like a little bear. She had no tail and floppy ears and big brown eyes – she was absolutely perfect.

She fit in perfectly with the family, even our old dog Murphy liked her OK. We tried and tried all different names, but because of her profuse (and very common in rotties) rumble (also known as talking), she became My Harley Girl. Goofy, cheesy, whatever, she was my little Harley girl, and would remain so till the very end.

Harley spent her first summer living large with me, mom and Jen all loving her and spoiling her rotten. She quickly became the ruler of our roost. Murphy, our other little Lhasa hated her. He’d pick fights with her all the time – and Harley, always let him win. She’d trot around the house and let everyone know who was boss – it was always her.

Harley and I moved away to college that fall where she quickly adapted to college life. During our 2 years at CSU, she became very protective of me, and actually dived head first through 5, yes 5, full window panes from about 10 feet off the ground. Thank god, she was never hurt. However, I knew I had to do something cause this was not looking good.

We enrolled in formal protection dog training and Harley became a star – she won blue ribbons at every class!! She immediately picked up on all the commands for attacking, but more importantly, for being called off and understanding that there was only one time when attack was okay – when I said so. She rocked at it – and loved it. More importantly though, she had faith in her ability to protect her mommy now, and that’s exactly what she did, since she never left my side.

Jason entered our lives not shortly after that, and that was the best thing that could have ever happened for either of us. Initially, Harley gave Jason huge gashes in his belly when she told him the first time they met to stay away, but that changed quickly. Harley was in love in no time (as much as I was I think). Jason knew how to put her in her place, and be firm with her, but still love her unconditionally. I firmly believe Harley became the amazing animal she did because of Jason’s dedication and discipline with her. She knew with me she could get away with whatever she wanted, but she knew Jason wasn’t as free with her. She also felt safe with Jason, and knew that Jason was there to protect us, so she didn’t have to work as hard at it any more.

We brought new buddies into Harley’s world, and after the tragic loss of Toby, Bubba Pickles (the kitty) was soon to follow (it was at this time when we decided none of our animals would ever have anything but white trash names). Bubba fell in love with Harley, so much so, that our 14 pound cat is quite certain that he is in fact an 100 pound rottie who wags his tail, fetches and wrestles with the best of them.

Since then our perfect little family unit has been just that, perfect. We have so many wonderful stories and laughs. Like the time when Harley was chasing her invisible tail in circles on the bed going a thousand miles a minute until she realized she had literally spun her self right off the bed. It was like something from a cartoon – the look, the cock of the head, then the ‘THUNK’ on to the floor. I thought we were going to die laughing. Or the time we taught Harley to sing with us, all at the top of our lungs (she became a pro quickly), or the time she ate the popsicle whole only to have a poopsicle come out the other end two days later – heart attack from us was not included. Or the time in college when our heat went out in our shitty little apartment, and Harley and I bundled up in 5 pairs of sweats a piece and lay under the covers and watched TV for 2 days straight. I could sit here and reminisce for pages and pages. Her rolling on the carpet every morning with her loud groaning cause it felt so good, her spooning with Jason on the floor for what seemed like forever, the way she'd sit on my foot and throw her whole body into my leg, or lay her head in my lap for ear rubs, her pounces to initiate playing with bubba (any normal person would be certain she was going to kill Bubba, but we all knew it was all as gentle as could possibly be), the toots with every step up the stairs, only to look back at her ass, then at us like ‘what was that shit?’, her whistling nose out the car window, gobbling up foot longs from sonic drive through, carrying her ringer toy over her nose cause she tripped over it as a puppy. Putting the ringer in the wrong place at the wrong time, her intense love of bonies – specifically peanut butter filled bonies, the Harley squeaky toy that became her security blanket from Tiff and Trev – she wouldn’t walk up the stairs or go anywhere with out it, her Flannel Jacket she loved after bathies. The egg - god that was funny. Pink painted toe nails, being carried for the first six months of her life cause we were so afraid she'd get parvo if she touched the ground. Her warm kisses. Her incessant licking of her feet. Her love she had for her daddy. God, there are so many amazing memories, seriously, I could go on for pages and pages, and these aren’t even some of the best, just what are popping into my head… Losing her in my mom’s impatiens where she could stay cool… OY so many!!

One of my most favorite things about Harley was her rumble. I'd grab her by the muzzle and say, I love you, and she'd growl I love you, right back. I'd ask her who my girl was, and she'd say, ME mommie ME. That rumble filled me with so much joy every single day. I miss it more than words can possibly express.

At this point, I’ll bring in the reason for my ramblings – At 10:30 am on Monday, July 31^st, 2006, My Sweet Harley Girl left us forever. Jason and I started our mornings as we always do as of late, by opening up the basement (which is fully finished and referred to as the babies castle apartment) for the babies to leisurely stroll their way upstairs. Harley has been staying down there lately cause she was roaming at night and sliding on the hardwoods and up and down the stairs. Bubba usually tears up the stairs and knocks you over on the way to his food dish, and Har, depending on how creaky she is that day, comes right up, or can take a few to get moving. So when they don’t both come running immediately, it’s not always cause for concern – Monday was different. 20 minutes or so went by, and no sign of either of them – so I started calling them both…nothing. Then sweet Bubba pushed his head around the landing looked straight at me and let out one Meow that scared me to death. I yelled to Jason, who came running downstairs to see what the matter was, knowing I was frozen in the fear that I have been dreading for a long time, but especially a lot as of late. I couldn’t go down the stairs, I knew what was waiting for me – so I asked him to go.

He told me to come down right away, and the moment I saw her, I knew. Harley was barely sitting, ears back and sheer terror in her eyes. We got her to lie down and try to calm down while I got the vet on the phone to let them know we were on our way in and to call our regular vet whom we’ve been with for 12 years to let her know we needed her. I do not recall a time where I was more scared, shaking worse, or feeling so much helplessness other than that time. Jason, bless his heart, was doing everything he could to keep me and Harley as calm as possible – and he did a great job. He was even able to lift Har and carry her into the truck for the trip to the vet.

Once we got to the vet, we had already received a phone call from Monica (our amazing vet) who filled us in on what she thought was coming. The vet who worked with us until Monica arrived, Dr. Ethridge, was fantastic as well. She ordered x-rays so she could see what was going on since they expected something going on in her belly. When they opened the door to the x-ray room, the pictures were on the screen, and the vet stopped, took a breath and said “oh god guys, I’m so sorry”. That’s when we knew. She pointed out to us that the hundreds of white spots on her lungs were cancer. She later confirmed their original suspicion, which was a malignant tumor in Harley’s spleen that had ruptured and was bleeding out into her body. That alone could possibly have been treatable with a spleen-ectomy, but with the severity of the cancer and due to her current condition, there was no option with the diagnosis. There was nothing left for us to do for her. She was going to die.

It was at that time, when (keep in mind, I hadn’t stopped my hysteria since the moment this began earlier in the morning) that I truly lost it. It was then I knew I was losing my little girl, and that was the one thing that I wasn’t ready to accept.

We took Harley back into the private room we had for her, and waited for our vet, Monica to get to us from her dentist appointment on her day off – again, she’s completely amazing. We made a decision a long time ago, that when we ever had to put another animal down, Monica was going to need to be there. She knew Har so well. I brought her to Monica the first day I go Har. She knew her temperament, her personality, her nuances, but most importantly, she knew what Harley meant to Me and to Jason. What she didn’t know, is what she meant to us, and what having her there meant to us.

During the waiting time, we laid with Har on the floor and petted her and cried with her and just kept telling her how much we loved her and how it was okay to go, and how much she meant to us and how she was the best thing in the world. Harley was my first true love, I told her that too. I thanked her for being my best friend and for being with me through so much, so many bullshit boy friends, through finding the one (and helping me pick him), through everything, thick and thing. She’s been there, always, every minute of every day for 12 years – how do you express that? I guess by giving kisses and hugs and love. Finally, I told her I’d be okay, and she could move on.

Monica gave Harley some medicine to relax her and to slow her breathing, and then gave her the injection to stop her heart. We talked to her the whole time, mostly telling her how much we loved her and that we’d see her soon and to have fun with all our grandparents and puppies and kitties we’ve lost before her. And then she was gone.

My sweet sweet sweet love Harley is gone. I have never known or felt such loss and pain and emptiness. I miss her so much. I can’t move without thinking of her. I blink and I think I see her or I hear her. I breathe and I smell her. I am having the hardest time not doing the normal things – filling her dinner bowl, taking her out to potty, night time rubs… all of it. I’m crushed and vacant – I want her back so badly I can taste it.

I thank god for Jason. He is my rock. He cries with me, he understands what I’m feeling cause he’s feeling it too. She was just as much his puppy as she was mine, and that means more to me than he will ever know. I know we’ll heal, I know we’ll get better and every day will be a little bit easier, I have no doubt. But I will never stop loving her and I will never stop missing her. I just want to give her one last hug and kiss. I want to tell her one more time what a difference she made in my life and how she made me whole. How much I adore, admire and love her. I just want one more smell, one more lick, just one more…. GOD I just want her back!!

I heard this once, and it’s a bit cliché, but it’s so incredibly true and it fits – forgive me for being cheesy, but if you haven’t already gotten it, she meant more to me than anyone can possibly know – she was my little girl, she was my child. She was a huge part of my heart.

I miss you so much Harley, I Love you so much, you were such a huge part of my world for 12 years – thank you so much, thank you for being there and for loving me unconditionally and for just being you. I LOVE YOU

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I’d walk straight up to heaven and bring you home again.

I LOVE YOU PUPPY!!!

Good bye sweetness!

Dorks On Demand

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 15:47:21 GMT

So this weekend, we discovered the coolest thing ever. You may, after reading this, think that we, the Marsells, are freaks. I say NAY NAY – be assured.

We were flippin’ through the channels on Friday night, trying to find something to watch. Jason went to the trusty stand-by, on demand and starting cruising through. Now, I was busy playing sudoku, cause I’m a sudoku whore so I wasn’t paying attention. The next thing I know, I look up, and he’s got Karaoke on demand up. HAHA!!! A star is born ladies and gentlemen.

We spent a good portion of the night (or perhaps I should say, I spent a good portion of the night) singing my little heart out to everything from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, 311, Poison, Guns & Roses to Linda Ronstat , James Ingram and Jimmy Buffet. Jason spent the night laughing his ass off at me.

We had so much fun. I cannot even tell you what a couple of losers we are. I loved it. I personally have never been privy to Karaoke. I always thought it was pretty lameo. Now I know it is, and I recognize what a sweet ass bunch of fun it is!! I don’t know that I could get up in front of a group of people and do it. But on my couch – oh yes.

So, when you see the commercials for Karaoke on demand and laugh at the guy singing in the shower who can’t get the words right, now you can think of us. Dorks on Demand!

Everybody Head for the Hills

Thu, 18 May 2006 03:57:36 GMT

This guy’s such a friggin douche bag I can’t even stand it. I was just perusing the news, as I do nightly, and found Mr. Robertson's lovely predictions and felt propelled to make a point. Seriously, really, I mean come ON. Is it not enough that this ass-wipe encourages people to live in constant fear of going to hell because they live in sin, or that he makes threats on other country's leaders encouraging ASSANATION or that he’s just a royal douche bag? No, now he’s proselytizing in a Nostradamus fashion to scare the shit out of peole like certain family memebers who actually believe him.

We’re worried about the terrorists and the immigrants?? Maybe we should switch our focus to be worried about asses like this filling people’s heads with this kind of garbage all the time, while he's making millions in the process. Radicals are dangerous in all shapes and sizes, it's just important to recognize them.

I feel better…

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/9235304/detail.html

Maui Wowie

Fri, 12 May 2006 05:00:15 GMT

Well, I haven’t blogged in eons, so what a way to come back!! Jase and spent May 2^nd through 10^th in Maui on our annual big vacation – and what a vacation it was. We had a BLAST!!! Maui is amazing. Truly a paradise. Instead of boring you with the Marsell family vacation details, I thought I’d do a pro and cons of Maui.

The first two days we were there, I was ready to come back home – I didn’t like Maui at all. We’re so accustom to our big vacations being in Mexico. In Mexico, everything is relatively cheap, and being off the beaten path is really just around the corner. Not in Maui. However, we did research after we got there and found the path, and had an amazing time from that point forward. By the time we were supposed to, I didn’t want to come home.
This one may have been our best one yet.

I’m gonna to cons first just to get them out of the way…

CONS

· Maui is Friggen expensive. Gas is $3.80 for the cheap stuff per gallon, and a burger at anything not Mickey D’s will run you upwards of $12 with no sides. - There are always alternatives - look for them!!

· There are a lot of old people/tourists in Maui. I don’t have any idea why – maybe because it’s so beautiful, and everyone speaks English??? Or, maybe because it's expensive, people have to save their whole lives to get there. This can also be considered a plus depending on how you look at it (see bleow). In the cons, it sucks because there’s not much of a night life, and not a lot of people to chit-chat with that you have anything in common with. See below on why this is also a pro .

· Maui locals – I put this on the cons list cause we just were not impressed by the locals. I had always heard what wonderful people Hawaiians are. We couldn’t find them. Don’t get me wrong here, the women at our hotel and the ladies we worked with at the car rental place were all fantastic. VERY sweet and accommodating. However, the rest of the people – mmm, not so much. I don’t know what a good word is to explain it – I’d say ambivalent, but that’s not quite it. Locals just don’t like mainlanders and they’re not really afraid to let you know it – they just don’t speak – they grunt at you. We heard that the way of life is very slow in Maui. True, but I think it’s because Mauiians have no interest in helping mainlanders, so they take their time. But, that’s not true on the road. They drive like maniacs!!! (Oh, and Jason made a discovery, in order to officially be a local, you have to drive a Toyota truck and have it on a lift kit – that’s the rule).

· Lack of really great seafood – We looked and looked and never found a great seafood restaurant – that was a bummer.

· Traditional Hawaiian food is nasty. We found the traditional food to be bland and very boring. Lau Lau tasted like boiled pork wrapped in a tobacco leaf, and I won't even discuss the coconut custard – ewww.

· Two lane highways. Now, part of the mystique of Maui is that it’s small, and I wouldn’t want that to change. However, we got stuck in traffic for an hour and a half on the only highway (no side streets, no detours around…) for no reason. None. Zip. If you have to get anywhere at a certain time, plan lots of time around it for this reason.

· Lots of birds that like to get up really really early. And they sing loudly. Take ear plugs.

· Theft – I think I drove Jason crazy worrying about the car getting broken into. I heard so many people talking about cars getting broken into that I was paranoid to a fault. We did lock everything in our safe in the hotel of any value, and kept the camera and wallets on our person – to do otherwise would literally be requesting theft. That was probably my most unfavorite part.

· The ocean water was a little chillier than I would have loved it to be.

· Rain. We had 3 full days of rain, and a couple of days of uncertainty. That’s a little frustrating. It can be unbelievably beautiful one minute, then the next, it’s pouring down rain – hard. The forecast never really changes, so it’s kinda like rolling the dice. It’s also very very windy in parts. Kaanapali is very very windy. All the time. Rain or sun. It also rains even when it’s fully sunny and 86. The rain comes down off the mountains on the wind. Strange phenomenon.

· Tourists abound, and so do the traps. Apparently it’s gotten worse over the past 5 years, which is sad. I hope they don’t totally sell out to the PJ McPickleShitters all over the island.

· Long flights - really, though, that could be worse.

Now, for the reasons we will go back to Maui, and hopefully the rest of Hawaii:
PROS

· Maui’s unbelievably beautiful. There are so many different landscapes on such a small island. From tropical rain forest, to arid volcanoes, to prairies to of course outstanding beaches. There is so much to explore and see! Reminds me a lot of Colorado if we had water and humidity. Every view is breathtaking – no matter what way you’re facing.

· Snorkeling – WOW!!! Jason and I just recently started diving because we wanted to expand what we were able to see from what is seen with snorkeling. We didn’t dive on this trip, we just snorkeled and we didn’t miss a bit. We saw so much snorkeling – it was amazing! Sea turtles, two different kinds of eels (WOW) and every kind of fish imaginable. The best part about it is that we walked out of our hotel room, 10 feet and had this at our door. Didn’t have to go anywhere!

· The way Maui smells – the Plumeria are something else and you always are getting a wiff of them. It smells wonderful in Maui.

· There are so many things to do. I feel like we only scratched the surface – and we did so much. If you are willing to do some searching, there is and endless numbers of things to do that don’t cost a fortune and don’t include every tourist on the universe.

· There are lots of old people in Maui – So, you already know why this was a con, here’s why this is a plus. They go to bed early, so they don’t keep you up partying in the room next door, in the pool, or at the clubs. It’s also nice to be the youngest one with the nicest tush in the hotel for once . I didn’t once find my self looking at a group of twenty-something’s going “those bitches, just wait till they hit 25”.

· If you look, you won’t spend your life savings on food and groceries. While groceries were expensive, they were not too bad. Safeway honors Safeway cards and you are able to get reasonable prices on most stuff, and if you eat local foods, you’re not going to pay out the yahoo.

· Poke (no, not like poke your finger, Poke like poke your finger + kay). This is about the only specifically Hawaiian food I loved. It’s very very much like ceviche. Its raw tuna or some other fish/crab/octopus (cooked or otherwise) marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil served with onions and spicy red peppers. YUMMIE!!! OMG!

· Relaxing – besides getting a little stressed with driving, Maui is a very relaxing place to be. It’s just so nice. Quiet and calm and soothing.

· The Asian food is outstanding!! I am sure because there is such a large Asian influence in Maui, that’s why there is such great Asian food – but wow, it rocks.

· Hawaii mixed plate – again, another Hawaii food/combination I really enjoyed. Two scoops of rice and one of macaroni salad and a big ol meat serving. Chicken, teriyaki beef, ribs, mmmm good.

· Transplant locals are a pleasure. We met quite a few transplants who were all fantastic. Each of them had something great to offer us in the way of suggestions and conversation. It’s really amazing. People who move there from the main land have to work twice as hard (if they’re not independently wealthy) to sustain their living standard, but they all seem to be at peace. Kinda cool that a place can do that to you.

· I didn’t think about work but once, and it was only cause I had my phone and got a call. Otherwise, there is so much to do on Maui that will keep you occupied.

· Everyone speaks English!!! Other languages are fine, but they get old when you don’t speak it too.

· American currency – so nice not to have to do conversions at the counter.

· Waterfalls are just plain cool. We were unable to swim in the ones we saw because of the recent rain. That was a bummer, but they were so cool to see, hear and smell!!!!!

· Not too many bugs – at least that we encountered. I did get a couple of bites, and we had a few fruit flies in the condo, but I really thought it was going to be a problem and it never really was.

· Pineapple!!! My very favorite fruit – everywhere. And fresh and sweet!

· Flowers – I love love love flowers. And they are everywhere!

· Beautiful beaches. I love the golden beaches with the calm water. The sand is warm and the waves cool.

· Get a convertible. The island is so amazing, the only way to see it is in a convertible.

· The rarely talked about north/west side of the island is beautiful. We enjoyed it as much as the road to Hana.

There is so so so much more, but I'm writing a novella, and basically, just want to say thank you to Jason for an amazing trip!! I think this was one of the best yet babe. Maui was a FANTASTIC choice. You are the best travel compainion a girl can wish for. Thank you for being the driver and letting me navigate us through this wonderful journey! I love you!! Can we go back tomorrow?

MAHALO!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Heart of Mine

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 18:02:40 GMT

I must start first by apologizing for not getting this up yesterday. Yesterday was my sweet Jason’s BIRTHDAY!!! I have to say, before I continue, I am quite possibly the worlds worst birthday person rememberer and do stuff forer, ever. I try, I really do, but I just can’t ever seem to get the surprise to work, or the right gift on time, or anything for that matter. So what did we do this year – something I didn’t screw up or forget??? Well, we spent a fantastic weekend with our amazing friends from the AZ. Thanks to them for making this a very fantastic birthday weekend for Jase.

Tiff & Trev flew in on Friday and our fun-filled weekend began. We headed straight for Coors for the brewery tour. Jase used to be a tour guide there in College, and I think it was a great trip down memory lane for him going through the whole thing. I was really cool for me to get to go through it and be a part of something that was such a big part of his life as a kid. And we got free berz at the end! Friday commenced with a trip to Carmines, where we celebrated Jason’s Birthday, our one year anniversary of knowing the Hunts, and learned that Jason and Tiff are sneaky – Trevor and I were surprised with a trip to Vegas to see Dane Cook in April!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!! Great surprise guys! That is going to be AMAZING!

The weekend continued with a fantastic tour of the Invesco Stadium at Mile High, great burgers, Disney memorabilia mania and another eat fest at Melting Pot. That place was a riot! Sunday was a great lazy day, and Monday we said good bye to our friends. We’re soooo thrilled you guys came out to visit us – THANK YOU. We had such a fantastic time, and cannot wait for the next time! We’re stoked you got to play in the snow, and just hang out and relax. Thank you for an amazing time T&T!! And thank you so much for making Jason’s birthday a really memorable one.

And Jase, I hope you had a great birthday. Here’s to many many more, and to putting up with me through them all. You are my everything, and I can’t wait to spend forever with you! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Campaign 2008

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 05:41:23 GMT

Most of you know, I’m not exactly an opinionated person, and pretty much try to lay low and keep things to my self (HAHA!!) – so I figured that I’d start campaigning early for the 2008 presidential election, and let my voice be heard!!

My vote is going to Cheney/Voldemort. I’ve even found a site (or maybe I should say Jason found me a site) to buy all my campaign gear!! This site rocks! http://www.cafepress.com/beatbushgear/1103079. For all you Bush lovers, don’t go to this site, or if you do, keep your comments to your self. For all you Bush lickers, buy your tees and hop on the band wagon and Cheney/Voldemort here we come!!!

KA Concert

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 04:36:37 GMT

Well, as I mentioned in my last post, I got tickets to Coldplay for Valentines Day from Jase. We went to the concert last night, and WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!! What an amazing show these guys put on. I cannot even begin to tell you how great it was.

They played just about every single song from X & Y, and a few of their others from the past, inlcluding from the Garden State soundtrack.

Their lead singer - Chris Martin - is unbelieveable. That guy moves throughout the entire concert, and doesn't get tired. It's outstanding. And he can sing like a mo fo.

So besides the fact that they played all my favorite songs, and ended with Fix You - my very favorite, Jason came and had a great time. I think that's the best part. It was so great to be able to go to see my favorite band, and have hiim come a long and acutally enjoy it! Honey, you are truly a trooper.

So, next time Coldplay comes to your town - Go. Cause we're going the next time they come back.

Thank you honey so much for a fantastic Valentimes day present. It was awesome and I had SUCH a great time with you!!!! I love you!!!

My Valentines Day Present

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:46:16 GMT

Jase and I don’t exactly ‘live’ for Valentines Day. As a matter of fact – I’m one of those people who think that it’s Hallmark’s attempt to make money and make people feel guilted into buying stupid teddy bears for their spouses. FYI – I don’t need a teddy bear, thanks. I also don’t need some company to tell me that I need to take a day to celebrate my love for my husband. I’d much rather have roses given to me, as they were two weeks ago, at a completely random time, just because. It means SO much more. We get to go out to nice dinners whenever we want, and we celebrate our love every day (all of you can roll your eyes now – but I’ll say this to you who are – I can only wish this type of love an happiness for each of you). Valentines Day is just another day to me.

So, needless to say, we didn’t do anything last night. However – don’t let this fool you – We’re still going to do something. Jason got us tickets to Coldplay!!!! Now, let me tell you, it takes a real man to volunteer himself up to take his wife to see Coldplay. Especially when he thinks they’re a bit of a chick band and doesn’t really like them anyway. That’s love my friends. I happen to LOVE Coldplay, and am STOKED to go see them. The concert’s this Sunday night.

I’ll have a full recap of the concert for you on Monday. Thank you honey for the fantastic non-Valentines gift!! It couldn’t be more perfect!