Ahhhh, Sunday. Slept in until 10! Can’t remember the last time I did that. Another gloomy day, perfect for extra sleep.

Our guardian. Always on the lookout.

Enjoying the coffee Colin made me before he left to get supplies for the sprinkler system. Apparently lots of other people had the same idea as he did. There really weren’t enough parts available at the hardware store to do what he wanted, so he’s going to wait until the specialty shop opens on Monday and order the supplies from them. I’m kinda grateful that it worked out this way. Now I can get some other chores and tasks off my list instead. Things always seem to work out just the way we need them to…even if it wasn’t according to plan.

First thing on the list…make banana bread!  These bananas were just perfect! I’m gluten free. We love the Pamela’s mix for pancakes, banana bread and chocolate chip cookies. I’ve been using coconut oil in my baking a lot recently. It works really well as an alternative to butter. We use butter on some things, but I try to find good substitutes when I can.

While the banana bread is in the oven, I sit down with my reheated coffee to work on the puzzle. It got started weeks ago when some friends were here and I’ve been slowly finishing it ever since. Getting really close!  These puzzles are awesome and difficult. The company, Liberty Puzzles, is in Boulder. My mother-in-law got me one for Christmas a couple years ago and I’m a huge fan. I bought this one for my Aunt this year and she brought it over for me to try after she finished it. They make great gifts!

This picture – love it! Makes me laugh 🙂

mmmmmmmm, banana bread…had to add some chocolate chips to at least one of them!

My friend, Dusti, has been traveling to Colorado a lot for work the last couple months. It’s been awesome because she just stays with us instead of at the hotel. We’ve had a lot of fun just hanging out in the evenings. She’s due to arrive Monday morning, so I got the bed all set up.

Talked to my mom for a while in the afternoon. My little bro is buying his first house so we we are all excited for him! She also had a job interview this week and got to visit with some friends while there, so she filled me in on all that. I worked on cutting out some envelope liners, with beautiful paper I found last week, while we chatted.

Colin was doing more work in the yard, taking an ugly pole down. Looked like a LOT of work. So grateful that he’s such a hard worker and likes to make our home look its best!

Some folks out in back riding their horses.

Colin put this blanket down on the floor today and Izzy claimed it. She loves anything soft.

I worked on making some letterpress cards for a friend. Lots of trial and error again, but got some good ones out of the batch.

Colin making dinner, me putting dishes away.

Dinner in the fireplace room (that’s what we call it – real original!) Colin has some fans.

Colin really does most of the cooking. He’s become really good at it. Tonight it was pork and Caesar salad. It was seriously so good.

What a great day – what a great week really.

Some thoughts on the week and the WITL project:

It was a pretty low-key week for us. We didn’t go a lot of places or have any big plans. Next week is going to be the opposite of that, so I’m really happy to have had some down time.

I’m so glad that I took the time to document most of my days with the photos and words. I think it will help me a lot when I go to make my book.

I took WAY fewer pictures this year and I’m feeling much less stressed about the volume of my project because of it.

I used my phone camera Monday-Saturday and then I got the big DLSR camera out today and pretty much used that exclusively. Although I liked the simplicity of only using one camera each day, I missed my big camera. Next time, I would like to find a better balance of using my phone and using the DLSR.

This project has really helped to put a lot of things in perspective for me this year. There is a lot of stuff going in our lives that I don’t have a ton of control over. I get very frustrated with that. This week, though, I focused on the little stuff, the really good stuff, the stuff that makes me (us) happy, the stuff of NOW. Honestly, I feel proud and happy and thankful tonight as I write this.

This week and this project were amazing gifts to me. Even Colin really got into it!

If you followed along with me and read my stories – thank you! I’m so very glad to share this little bit of life with you.

It’s the weekend!!! We made it!

Saturday started early. I got up, got dressed and even put a little makeup on (I don’t think I wore any all week! ha!) Printed off tickets for Isa and I – we were meeting up at the Scrapbook Expo in Denver! We planned to get there at 9am, right when it opened.

Oh Izzy, I wouldn’t mind snuggling up next to you and sleeping for a little longer!

Penny is already on duty, though. She doesn’t take weekends off.

Breakfast on the go! Don’t want to be late!

Chilly morning – thank heaven for heated seats!

Tons of fun with my scrapping partner in crime!  We were pretty good and didn’t spend toooo much money.

We made our way to Linger for brunch after leaving the expo. Nice view!

Yummy – and they have lots of great gluten free options, including a pork Ramen dish with rice noodles. I get it every darn time!

We also stopped by Little Man for ice cream afterwards – we were powerless to resist.

Came home to find Colin hard at work trenching the yard for the sprinkler addition. This machine was pretty awesome. We have rocky soil and it moved through it like a champ!

I went on a sandwich run for the hard worked. The girls felt like they had been working pretty hard too and needed some sandwich. um, no.

Chores for me – vacuuming, cleaned the kitchen, did some laundry.

I wish I could bottle up the smell of these lilacs to have around all year!  My very favorite smell in the whole world.

My haul from the the expo. Those Mama Elephant emoji stamps are beyond adorable. Isa and I both got a set.

Dinner is served!

Colin working out his sprinkler math. A man with a plan! He explained the whole thing to me and I’d be lying if I said I understood plan, but it made me smile to hear him walk me through it.

Penny and I went for a run on the trails – she’s getting much better at being a running buddy.  We saw lots of bunnies so she was on high alert!

Relaxing evening. We had salads with steak for dinner (Colin’s fantastic cooking!) Then we watched his favorite show, Archer. We laughed a lot 🙂

Putting all my stamp sets into the new Avery Elle envelopes I got today. Wow, these are so much easier to use than the plastic wrapping they come it. Feeling good about this purchase – big thumbs up!

Ending the night with a soak in the hot tub. Colin ordered me this robe and it’s simply perfect for when we use the tub.

Hey Saturday, you were awesome!

Happy Friday the 13th – hope it was a day full of goodness. TGIF!!

Got up extra early this morning – 5:45 – yikes! We all went back to sleep for a couple extra hours, though 🙂 Sure was a beautiful sunrise – glad I got to see the beautiful pink light.

Love the very soft feel of this run on my feet as I brush my teeth.

We’ve become an amateur clinic lately – this time it’s for patching up Izzy’s leg. Still no word on what the problem is. Will hopefully know by early next week.

Fridays are for 1:1s with my manager. He lives in the Bay Area of CA so we do all our corresponding through phone and email. What an age we live in! I see him face-to-face about 2-3 times a year. He’s a great guy. Our calls are always full of laughing. Today he and his wife were both working from home so I got to chat with her for a little bit too. She always has great little stories and likes to pick on her hubby while he’s listening. Like I said, lots of laughing on these calls!

Need to remember to check for this show – my sister is pretty sure I’ll like it. I guess it’s a PBS documentary about the beginning of forensic medicine, back in the day. My interest is peaked. I’m a big sucker for anything to do with really good mysteries. My very favorite mystery guru is Agatha Christie. Anyway, I guess this documentary is on Netflix right now, in case you are also interested.

Haven’t had coffee at all this week – strange! Asked Colin if he’d make me a cup before he left to run some errands this afternoon and he sweetly obliged. It was a perfect mid afternoon treat. We actually only drink decaf these days. I feel like a much more stable person since cutting caffeine from my diet.

First Izzy showed up then Penny came in too. I was washing one of their blankets so they both used the bed with the blanket still on – cute.

Little more work…almost 5 o’clock!!

Colin is back! Time for some fetch! Penny actually caught the disk in the air a couple times! Sometimes she gets nervous. I don’t blame her, that disk is almost double the size of her head.

Afternoon Snack! Got those strawberries I had wanted earlier in the week to go on my Chocolate Hazelnut Butter spread. So delicious!

Family walk to the park. All the neighborhood dogs were out this afternoon so there was a lot of ‘talking’ going on. It was a gorgeous afternoon. Love this time of year – not too hot, not too cold.

I wanted to get some chores done since the rest of the weekend is going to be really busy. My ‘paint the bedroom’ idea got trumped by Colin’s ‘install the sprinkler system’ plans. So I settled for a really clean room instead! Now it smells all fresh in there which helps my attitude immensely.

While I cleaned the bedroom, Colin mowed the lawn. By about 8pm we were done. We had thought of grilling out, but heck, it’s Friday! So Fuzzy’s Tacos and a margarita it is. We split a strawberry marg – just perfect!

Such a great song – I remember my sister and I ‘acting’ this song out when we were little. Something that involved us pretend opening the doors of ‘Microwave Ovens’ and our version of what it would be like to ‘move these refrigerators’ and ‘move these color TVs’ – pure childhood silliness 🙂

When we got home it was already pretty late, so I hopped right into the shower and then into bed. Penny came in wanting some attention, so I ended up going into the other room where they sleep to snuggle with her and Izzy a bit. Lovely way to end the day and the week.

And just like that, it’s Thursday!

I feel like I captured a lot of ‘real’ life today around the house. When I woke up and looked around the room, a heavy weight of ugg-ness fell over me. Our bedroom is by far my least favorite room in our house. It’s so boring, bland, blah – whatever you want to call it. I am feeling this deep need to paint it. If we already have some paint in the garage, I just might tackle that this weekend…if not, I may go buy some next week.

There is actually a reason why we haven’t done much with it since moving in a few years ago. That wall on the left? We want to cut into it and turn it into a second closet. There is already a bathroom closet on the other side, but we don’t need it and it would be so nice for Colin and I to each have our own closet.

And then there is the bathroom – it also needs a remodel, badly. Walls need to torn down and new insulation needs to go in.  That room is so so freezing cold in the winter.

So, I should probably wait to paint…but sometimes just doing little things like painting really helps my attitude!

My sister called while I was brushing my teeth – she is a couple time zones ahead of me and works a lot. So I called her back right away to hopefully take advantage of some of her free time!  We ended up talking for about 45 minutes! So fun! I asked her if she’d help me with some wording for items in my Etsy shop (she said she would!!) because she is a fantastic writer in my opinion. She has a great way of describing things – I may be biased, but I really do think she is so talented.

And because I had my shop on my mind….

I. DID. IT. I put in the new banking info and opened the shop. Only a few things in there, but that’s okay. I have lots more to add in the coming weeks and it’s just fun!

Morning nap with one of her ‘babies.’ Both dogs are really gentle with their toys. We’ve had some of the same ones for years. They carry them around like babies or their buddies. We think it’s super cute.

Another ‘real’ life thing these days. Colin has been working most of the days from our second living room (he’s very animated here as he’s on a conference call). He’s just not into his office right now. I personally think it’s because it doesn’t get much direct sunlight…so dark all the time.  I asked him if he wants to make part of this room his office. He said he’ll think about it 🙂

Colin bought the fish some new plants this week – they’ve been rearranging them. Obviously didn’t care for Colin’s placement.

We have a doggie door, but Izzy has struggled to get back into the house using it since her knee surgery. When we’re home, we just leave this door open for her so she can go in and out. Both dogs have really become accustomed to having this kind of independence. They go in and out all day long. We’re lucky in that we don’t have a lot of bugs here. Otherwise, leaving this door open just wouldn’t be an option.

She often sets up base here so she can watch for squirrels. It’s a good spot to survey the whole back yard from. Very strategic.

Penny is a snuggler. I was working out on the patio again this morning, but no matter where I am, she usually comes to find me late morning from some pets and snuggles. If I’m not paying enough attention, she will nudge my arm with her nose. How can I be expected to say no to that sweet face??

At lunchtime, Colin and I got in the truck and made our way to Boulder.

Boulder! It was my first home in Colorado. Those white tops are the Arapaho Peaks, I believe. Colin and I drive in multiple times a week – there are just so many great reasons. We both lived here for a long time before moving a few years back. So lots of our favorite things and places are still here. We were actually married in Boulder too – little romantic side note!

Today our reason is to see our chiropractor (who we love and is totally worth the 30+ min drive). We usually go on different days, but stuff happened this week (like me completely spacing my appointment yesterday!!) that made going in together the new plan. I was quite happy he drove the big ole’ truck so I could take some photos from up high!

While I was doing my warm-up exercises, I noticed the toys. Memories came to me of when my parents took us to the Chiropractor many many years ago. They had this toy there that was a clear plastic box with many layers inside, all enclosed. There were also three little balls and you had to get the balls through all the layers of puzzles in the box and there was even a little hour glass timer thing on the side. Once you got all the balls to one end, you could turn it upside down and move the balls through the puzzles again to the other end. There were levers and pulls and things that turned. I’m not describing it well, I’m sure, but it was so cool. I’d never seen a toy like it and still haven’t. We’d fight over who got to use it – of course!

We happened to be Cindie’s last appointments before lunch so she came along with us for some food! Oh Boulder. Never a dull moment.

One of our favorite spots – The Rio Grande! We hadn’t been here in a couple months, which is incredibly unusual. It was a gorgeous day and the rooftop patio was open. We had a great meal with lots of fun conversation and maybe a mini margarita (or two!) for me. (I had to order another because our waiter wanted to buy one for us – he said we were his ‘coolest’ table by far all day. Yay us – we’re cool!

Home again! Finished up work around 5 and then we played with the girls in the back yard for a bit. So happy!

This is real life for me – killing plants. I swear I don’t mean to. As far as I can figure, it’s 50% forgetfulness, 30% ignorance and 20% laziness. It makes for a lethal combination, literally. Trying to salvage this basil plant…looks kind of hopeless, though.

Just loving the longer and later daylight hours, and the hammock!

Colin convinced me to go on a bike ride with him. I really REALLY didn’t want to go. Those little margaritas were telling me to lay down on the couch. Colin can be very persistent, however. So glad I went in the end and it makes him so happy when I go along. No clue why he likes it so much that I go, because I’m slooooooow and nervous on a bike. He says biking is his favorite thing and I’m his favorite person – so he loves it when the two are combined….WHOA! Major Cheese! haha!

DINNER!!! They get so excited!

Finally got to play with my new letterpress plates! Got some good ones, more messy ones, though. I knew it was going to be trial and error. You have to get just the right amount of ink on the plates. Too much ink and it all squishes outside the impression. Will try again this weekend – gotta keep practicing!

Doing a little more work before bed – Colin was also working in the other room so I just waited until he was done and then called it a night…

Seriously, still not loving this room! Ha, it’s come full circle today 🙂  Must be a sign that if I didn’t like this morning and still don’t at the end of the day, something must be done about it!!

Wednesday.

Today, I wanted to notice things. Interesting how, some things, I took a picture because I noticed something I wanted to remember and reflect, and other things I noticed after I took the picture…makes me extra grateful for photos!

Colin had a bit of a rough night, so I got up early with the girls to get some work done and just relax next to the fireplace. I don’t know what made me think of it, but I suddenly really wanted to watch TCM and old movies.  I get in these moods sometimes.  Turns out there was a Shirley Temple movie on – FUN! So I had that on in the background while I worked.

I noticed that the dogs often go back to bed once they’ve had their breakfast. It’s like an early morning nap.

I made myself two breakfasts this morning…first some toast, later some yogurt and granola.

I love how Izzy NEVER misses a chance to watch us make something at the counter. She’s very reliable that way.

Noosa Yoghurt is our go-to. It’s made locally here in Colorado…they used to sell it at the Farmers Market in Boulder 🙂  Now it is available all over. They just came out with KEY LIME!!  It is to. die. for. I almost feel guilty eating it for breakfast…almost.

Gosh I love my polka dot bowls. They are such happy little bowls!

Izzy has been on a pills regiment for the last month. She takes them no problem as long as there is some peanut butter involved.  So of course Penny needs some too, minus the pills.

Izzy has had a good week so far. Really no limping. She has a little skip in her step. I want to remember how happy she is, even when she’s not feeling 100%. A reminder that even on my not-so-great days, there are always reasons to be happy.

Yay, Colin is up! Time to play!

Penny’s tail is just the best. It has curled up and over like that since she was a little puppy. When she’s really happy and proud she holds it in almost a perfect circle.

That table is turned on its side because on the other side of it we just put some new soil down to patch the area. Keeps the dogs from trampling over it…and it is probably a good reminder for the humans as well. Grow grass grow!

Izzy has been my buddy this week – she just follows me around. Wherever I’m working, that’s where she wants to be. I don’t mind one little bit.

I noticed that Izzy got up and picked up this elephant from another part of the patio. She brought it over to her spot and then proceeded to use it as a pillow. Creature comforts, I guess!

Trying to come up with a solution for our dandelion outbreak…always problem solving, that guy.

Started to get overcast and chilly, so back to the office to finish up work.

I’m trying this new idea out for getting my tasks accomplished at work. I’m setting a timer for about 20-30 minutes for each task. During that time, that’s all I work on, that one task. After the time is up, I can then decide to switch tasks or keep working on the same one, or take a little break if needed.  I’m hoping it will help me focus better and not jump from thing to thing without finishing them…We’ll see how it goes…seems to be working pretty well for now.

Snack time! Toast with Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter. We literally buy this stuff by the case.

Today, I remembered that I love to put slices of strawberry on top of this spread – need to buy some at the store today!

Time to go to the store! Just have a mental list of things I want: berries, bananas, yoghurt, Windex…

Loved to see all the flowers out in front of the store. Realized, I don’t think I’ve ever planted pansies. I like them a lot – such bright color combinations and their petals are so cute.  Might have to get some of these this year!

In case you were wondering, probiotics were also on the list…is that an over-share?! Sorry 🙂

Haha, I didn’t notice that balloon at all while I was in the store. Photobombed by a balloon!

Just enough time for a short walk before the sun goes down.

I wish could capture in a photo just how excited the girls get when I ask them if they want to go on a walk. There is a lot of bustling  and hustling and leaping in the air and spinning.  Pure happiness.

I think it is so cool that we live across from this park. At the far end there, it is a riding rink for horses. It’s a bit hard to see, but there is a woman riding a horse in this picture. She must just live down the street and she rode her horse down the road to the park. Same as me walking the dogs down the street to visit the park.

At 10 o’clock (usually on the dot, because we get ample, ample reminders from the girls) we give them ‘second dinner’ and then, best of all, they get their Greenies treats. They LOVE those things. Doggie crack, for real.  Once this ritual is over, they both head to bed. Their work here is done.

Hello, Tuesday!

My mornings usually start around 6 or 6:30 with a wake up call from the dogs (specifically Penny…she walks up to my side of the bed and shakes. That’s my alarm.) Today, though, Colin took one for the team and got up with them so I could keep sleeping. I think he could tell I needed a little extra time.

When I did finally get up, I brushed my teeth and then went right over to check email and get a little work done before my calls started.  I was on the phone until about 10:30 and came away with a lovely list of new action items – yay…lol.

My work buddy today.

My handsome neighbor.

Penny has her own work to do in the mornings. She takes post outside and guards our yard from the squirrels. They shudder when they see this ferocious creature running at them.

Need to head into the office now that my calls are done. Suppose I ought to shower…would be the thoughtful thing to do!

Shower is done – little lunch (leftovers) and one last email check before I pack it all up and drive to the office.  It’s only about 20 minutes away – easy drive.

Seriously, Colin?!? I don’t think the truck drivers will appreciate this…goofball! He fixed it, btw 🙂  Please don’t think that we don’t have appreciation for trees. We love trees, a lot. These trees, though, they are kind of more like weeds. They produce seeds every year that float all over and then grow up in the most inconvenient places, often right along fences…so this one had to go.

Home away from home. Definitely feel lucky to have such a nice spot with a gorgeous view.

Busy afternoon – got a lot done! Was also able to meet with a colleague who was visiting from India. I really do love the fact that I get to work with a global team. One of my favorite things is to chat with folks about where they live and what their families are up to. China, Czech Republic, India, the UK…so awesome to learn about their cultures!

Speaking of different cultures…my co-workers from the UK keep me well supplied with this delicious chocolate. The Cadbury over there is so so so much better than the stuff we have in the US. Milk Chocolate isn’t usually my favorite, but it takes amazing willpower not to eat this whole bar in one sitting!

This is just part of my view on the drive home – Eldorado Canyon. I never tire of the beauty of the mountains – even after 10 years. They still take my breath away. I love the dramatic scenes the weather changes create.

So good to be home! Enjoying some sunshine and snuggles on the hammock.

Colin took Izzy to her Vet appointment to get her wound looked at. They said it didn’t look infected, but it could be a reaction to the plate in her knee. If it is a reaction, we need to have the plate removed…ugh, so tired of surgeries.  Fingers crossed the solution is much easier than that!

Had a bit of a headache and thought I better lay down for a little nap before dinner. It made a world of difference. It was so warm and cozy next to the fire…it was hard to make myself get up to eat.

Snuggles after dinner.  Watched a couple of shows, The Blacklist and 12 Monkeys, and I worked on some Project Life.  Second dinner for the doggies and then off to bed around 10pm.

One more day closer to Friday 🙂