"Shopaholic Takes Manhattan"

Book Review
Shopaholic takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella

I got wrapped up in this series, when I read the first book Confessions of a Shopaholic. The first book was really good, and made me curious about the whole series, and got me to read the second book. The second book as ok. The book is about Rebecca Bloomwood a true fashionista with a crazy shopping habit who gets the opportunity to go to New York City with her boyfriend Luke Brandon. The details and descriptions of Rebecca's shopping and building debt essentially got old as the book went on. ...you can truly only do so much shopping, and create so much debt. I will say that the "villain" of the book was a surprise, and the outcome of how she gets herself above water was fun to read. During the majority of this book I was done, but by the time I got to the ending, I am finding myself curious about the rest of the series.
I haven't yet decided if I will continue with the series, and I am curious about the movie, but I have heard from multiple people it isn't that great of a movie. So who knows if I'll check it out or not. If you are thinking about this book, I would definitely recommend the first book, but the series is not a must.

WickedCool!

Another season of the Bachelorette is over and done. I called 2 out of 3....which ain't bad, if I do say so myself. Right before Kiptyn got out of the limo, I kept saying "she chose Kiptyn, she chose Kiptyn..." once Kiptyn got out, and gave way that Ed was the last one standing, I got SO excited! Over the past few weeks I've realized that Ed was the perfect package of all her last few selections. He even has a tiny bit of edge like what she liked in Wes, which is just enough for her.

I have obviously never been in a situation like Jill, but she is one special girl to get 3 proposal's in one night!, from 3 different guys. Granted Kiptyn didn't propose but he almost did. Did you see him check on the ring while they were walking back? She is one lucky girl.

I'm a little bit nervous for tomorrow's "After the Final Rose" because last season seemed to have ended with a happy ending, and then everything went up in the air at the "After the Final Rose" when Jason changed his mind. So I am truly hoping that Jillian and Ed are still together. I would love to see them last.

Tuesday Night get Togethers & an update

Patty & I

One of the funnest memories I have while living in Colorado is while I was in training at Qwest, which was almost 6 years ago. The training was 4 months long, so you end up creating friendships with those people who are in your class. Well, in my class I created a friendship with 3 other people. Coincidentally us 4 are the only ones left still working for Qwest. Before long the 4 of us became very close, and hanging out "after hours". We created a tradition of what we called "tuesday night get togethers". We would always hang out and party on Tuesday nights. It was so much fun, and has created life long fun memories. (plus it was at one of these tuesday nights that I met my ex.) Well as the years have gone on, so have our individual lives. Well one of my co-workers moved to Iowa 4 years ago. Patty was in town this weekend for her nieces wedding, and I got to spend some time with her and her family today. Patty is one of those people that you can easily talk to, and be completely honest with. That is mainly because she creates that atmosphere around herself. She is honest and open with you too. It was great to see her, and I truly miss her friendship. It was great to reconnect with an old friend.

In other news, not too sure what is going on with P and I. We had a fabulous night Friday night. Then things took a wrong turn during a long conversation we had Saturday. When I went to go see him on Saturday night, you could tell their was a weirdness in the air. Saturday night things didn't end so well when I left his place after he fell asleep. This morning he called me while I was still sleeping, I called him back right before I went to the gym, then again when I got back from the gym. He has yet to call. me. back. I feel like he is playing games, and that he wants me to call him again to "beg" him to talk to me. Because he feels that I did something wrong. And it is fine that he feels that way, but I don't feel like I did something wrong. I've called him twice, left him two voice mails, and this is the first time he has taken this long to call me back. I feel sad, because things were going so great on Friday, and now here I am.

weirdness

I realize that I'm blogging less and less, but I still do eventually get caught up so that my posts match my workouts. I don't necessarily get a post done on the day I workout(example, this post is for yesterdays workout), but I do get them done.

What's weird is right now I have more of a life than I have had in a really really long time, and I am blogging less, but I'm finding that when I do blog I don't have anything to write about. I'm still very much guarded about what I want to share about my experience with P, and as much as I would love to just write all about him, I'm not quite their yet.

So find myself thinking "what in the world did I blog about Pre-P?" Obviously I can go back and look, but it is just a weird feeling.

I do have some posts brewing, but the other factor is time. I don't have as much blogging time as I used to. But I'm trying.

have you done this today?

I truly enjoy my Soul Grooves class at the gym. The instructor is different. And by different, I mean different good. She creates a class where it is easy to open up and move as if nobody is watching. During her class she always does different moves, and says things to get you to move differently. She'll ask "have you moved your body this way, yet today?" which forces you to enjoy today for today. for this exact moment. It is the perfect excuse to move your body in a way that you have never moved it, let alone for that day. So it makes you appreciate everything for the day and for the moment.

"The Other Woman"

Book Review
The Other Woman by Jane Green

This book wasn't my favorite Jane Green book. I think part of it was the fact that this book took me a long time to finish, because of my new dating life, so the last quarter of this book really dragged on for me.
"The other woman" is the main characters Mother-in-Law. Although their was never really a big fall out between the two character's which I thought was weird because of the title and because of the build up throughout the whole book. Their was a big turning point in the book, but it didn't lead to the daughter and mother-in-law actually talking about their differencing etc...which is something that needed to happen, but never did.
This book is an easy read, but if you want classic Jane Green I would recommend Jemima J or The Beach House.

Summer Days

I had a great day.
It started with sleeping in, then having a fun lunch with my friend Ginny and her gorgeous daughter Alycia. Then I spent sometime at the library, which is always enjoyable.
This afternoon I had a good workout at the gym, followed by some time swimming and hanging out at the pool.
I absolutely love swimming, it instantly brings me back to my childhood. I hung out in the water then laid out and read some of my book.
It was the perfect summer day.
What's even better, I have a similar day planned for tomorrow!

~something I love~

Coupons.
I try seriously hard to not pay full price for anything. Even better I love coupons for when I go out to eat. Better than that, is having someone to share those coupons with. I've mentioned before that I love to go out to eat. Well coupons for food out are not meant for 1 person. Those coupons are usually "buy one get one free". Well, what if I don't want to buy one get one free?! ...what if it is only me, which majority of the time it is. While dating P we've used coupons on 2 of our dates. I love it! And I predict more coupon using in our future!

It's Ok

Long time no blog. Sorry for the absence. But I haven't been to the gym since Sunday, and I've spend quite a bit of time with P. We saw each other Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night. Things seem to be going at lighting speed. In all honestly I don't know how I fully feel about it. A good word is overwhelmed. Excited. Curious. Happy. So many emotions. Each time we see each other things get better and better. We have an incredible comfort with each other, and the ability to be perfectly honest with one another. We are creating the foundation of what could be a great relationship. We've been dating for 2 weeks now, and I've lost count of our number of dates. This whole experience is amazing.
Right now I'm trying to tell myself that it's ok if I don't go to the gym 6 days a week. It's ok for me to have a social life, and to explore this new chapter of my life. So if I'm not blogging as frequently, it's ok. :)

Lucky Star

Last night Cheryl and I went dancing. It was a lot of fun to go out in downtown Denver. We went to Suite 200.

One of the funnest trips of my life was the Summer of 2001 when my friend Sarah and I had an impromptu trip to Denver. On this trip we went dancing to a place called Lucky Star. Now as you may or may not know, but clubs usually have the life span of only 3 or 4 years, before they become old news. Lucky Star was a super fun dance club, and essentially closed down somewhere between 2004 and 2008. Where Lucky Star used to be is now, Suite 200. So it's kinda like I've gone full circle.

The music was good, the atmosphere chic, the drinks expensive, the cover free, and the company fierce!

Cheryl is my gorgeous 22 year old cousin, who is about to graduate from NMSU(New Mexico State University, in Las Cruces, NM). When I was 21/22 I worked full time, and I seriously don't remember working. I had some of the best times in my life during those 2 years. And I'm pretty sure Cheryl is having a blast in her life right now, too!

It was a lot of fun to be out and enjoying downtown Denver and showing Cheryl all of the sights!

We did lots of shopping, including the Cherry Creek Mall, the 16th Street Mall, the Orchard Towne Center, Pearl Street, and Highlands Square. We road 2 rides at Elitch Garden's...more and more I realize that Elitch's is not a fun amusement park. A lot of the rides were not running, and the rides that were had a hour long wait. We had a nice lazy afternoon followed by a great dinner in Boulder at the Cheesecake Factory. It had been a long time since I had walked around Pearl Street in Boulder, and it is probably one of the most entertaining places you could go in Colorado. We saw a couple of pretty good street performers. One called the Zip Code Man. He was very impressive. He seriously picked out 20+ people from the audience who told them their zip code, placed them in the state the zip code was from, then when he placed everyone in their state, he recalled their zip code and told him the town they lived in. It was seriously amazing to watch. For a Sunday night Pearl Street was pretty busy.

It was great to spend some quality time with my cousin!

Chery & and I @ the D-Note

Cheryl & I @ Suite 200

Zip Code Man

Boulder, CO

emotional high

Things with P and I are developing. I saw him last night, and time just literally flies when we spend time together. I've always been curious about what it would be like to be in a situation like this. I've never been in a "relationship" like this, where we both feel like it is moving so fast. We both agree that although we've only been on a handful of dates that it feels like it has been many more. It's crazy that we've officially only been dating for 1 week. I feel very happy and overall smitten, more and more.

In other news, my cousin Cheryl is on her way to see me this weekend! I'm super excited to see her and showing her Denver!

someone

Their are many things I like about P. One of them was something I thought about today while on my bus ride home from work. I appreciate having someone to talk to. Even better, I appreciate having someone to talk to in person. That to me, in itself is amazing.
This afternoon while on the bus, I was reading my book when this man who has to stand on the bus, stands next to my seat. I've had to stand before on the bus, and their is that little area where you can stand without being in the way of the people who are sitting, so that my butt isn't in their face. Well this guy didn't see for some reason that he was in my space. He even hit me in the head twice with his elbow while his hand was above me on the hand rail. And while I was sitting there reading my book, I kept thinking how it is so nice that I'm going to get to see P tonight, and that I get to tell him about my day and my story about the weird guy on the bus. How cool is that, that I have someone to tell about my day.
Not that I mind telling you my blogger friends about my life, because I do appreciate it - but I have to admit that I much prefer and like having the person actually there, and being able to have a conversation.
All in all, every is going good.

"the story"

So I'm having trouble balancing everything right now. I had my second date with P yesterday, and it was great, although I'm already starting to find somethings that I don't like, however I can't quite put my finger on what it is I don't like. I'm still not too sure what to share about this experience on here in the blogging world, but I have a couple of ideas in mind.

...you may have noticed I blogged twice Saturday, because I didn't have a chance to blog on Friday, because of my first date with P. And that I have blogged twice today, because of my second date with P, which was yesterday. Trying to keep up with working out, blogging when I work out, and this new dating experience/social life is not the easiest thing! But I'm trying. :) ...thankfully as you may have noticed it hasn't stopped my work out schedule!

This whole experience is so surprisingly unexpected. Let me tell you the story and some of my feelings about what is going on.

I met P last Friday June 26th when I went out with some coworkers. We went to a bar where P has a second job as a bouncer. I know now that he "noticed" me right away. I was oblivious. After listening to the live band for a few songs we decided to leave. P was outside, after the introductions and him asking if I was single, I still didn't think anything of it. Then at one point in time he comes behind me and touches my shoulder. It was at that point in time, where I said to myself "oh yeah, he likes me." Immediately I was flattered. It had been SO long since a guy had flirted with me. After that encounter we (myself and my co-workers) decided to walk around the rest of Olde Town Arvada and check out the other bars. We did eventually come back to see P, where he asked me to come and sit with him. The one thing that freaked me out right away, is P is very touchy feely. During our conversation he had his arm around me and was rubbing my side. I didn't get quite used to it. When we left he asked for my number, and I gave it to him.

He called me on Tuesday. I returned his call on Friday. We had an amazing phone conversation on Friday, which led to us meeting for a late dinner. We communicate the same and are very honest. I've grown more comfortable with his touch, so I have gotten more comfortable touching him, and being affectionate with him.

It's crazy to think that 2 weeks ago this guy wasn't in my life, and all of a sudden he is. I don't know what tomorrow will bring or what will happen, but I do know that I want to remember these feelings. He compliments like no other guy has ever done before, and usually compliments will make me uncomfortable, but with him I feel they are sincere and I like them. Right now, I know if anything this will be a great experience for me to learn and grow from.

7 years

Yesterday was a special anniversary for me. July 5th is the day I moved to Denver, 7 years ago. I remember the 4 weeks leading up to this move in great detail. At the time this move was perfect for me, everything feel into place so fast that I didn't have to time to question it. It is weird to think that I moved here as a young 20-something, and that I am now almost 30. I've had countless memories here in Denver over the pat 7 years. Majority of the great ones are the times I spent with my friends and family while visiting me. I've had 3 jobs since living here, I've lived in a total of 3 apartments and 1 house. What's weird is that I don't really feel like I have a place to call "home". On some level New Mexico will always be my home, because I was born there, and lived there for 22 years, but having been in Colorado for 7 years I feel like that is a significant amount of time. But I definitely don't feel like Colorado is home either. Who knows what the future holds, but I am looking forward to the journey.

Fireworks for a Birthday!

Nikki & I ~ Austin, TX March 2009

Today is my cousin Nikki's birthday! I've learned through many conversations with friends who recently traveled with family or to see family that not all family member's are easy. And that "you can chose your friends, but you can't chose your family". Well I am very lucky to have chosen Nikki as my friend, who just happens to also be my cousin. Nikki is easy. Which makes our friendship easy. We value our time together ...even if it is a days worth of conversation via email, but we will take what we can get! I love her to death, and if I'm ever feeling down she has this instant way of making you feel better, and that everything will be ok. She has this simple kindness about her that makes her amazing and I'm lucky to have her in my life.

I love you and miss you much Nikki!

Happy Birthday!!!

Movies Rundown

YesterDAY, I had a good day. I had the day off from work(since the 4th is on a weekend day), and got a lot done. It started early at the gym, then headed down to Olde Town Arvada, to Into the Fire to pick up my pieces of pottery that I painted last Friday. I would post what I painted but all 3 items are gifts for people who read my ramblings on this here blog. ...but I do have to admit that I am artsy and that the pieces came out fabulous! After the pick up and I shipped something off at the post office, I then returned back to Olde Town Arvada to have a super yummy lunch at Bliss. It was very nice. After my lunch, I called P* since I was in his neighborhood (this was the area where we met), he didn't answer, so I left him a message.
Then I headed to go the movie theather to see "My Sister's Keeper". I got super excited during the previews, because I saw the trailer for "The Time Traveler's Wife". ...Can't wait to see that movie, it is out next month! I might just have to read the book again.
Anyways, "My Sister's Keeper" was a good movie. It had a little bit of a slow start. But I liked how the story came fun circle. The movie is definitely a tear jerker, and I don't think Cameron Diaz is quite the motherly type, yet. But the movie is worth while, check it out.
After the movie headed to Blockbuster to get some movies to entertain myself for the long weekend. Once I was back home I heard from P - and for now I'll just say it was a long, good night. ....details to come. :)
Late this morning I watched "Revolutionary Road". My main attraction to this movie was of course Leo and Kate. It was nominated for some big time awards, so I thought with that combination the movie would be worth while. Not. So. Much. I did not like this movie. You don't really get any introductions of their life's (Leo & Kate), you just see them meet, and then all of a sudden they are married have 2 kids and are fighting. The ending was horrible, and made no sense with the rest of the story. I don't recommend this.
Tonight I settled down to watch "He's Just not That Into You". Classic chick flick. Good movie, great cast. This movie has a great turn of events, and does a good job to keep you watching a classic subject. Who knows if we'll ever get the true dynamics of men and women. I suppose that is what keeps things interesting.
*since I don't know what is going to happen with the guy I saw last night, I will just be referring to him as P, until I feel more comfortable sharing more. :)

Hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July!

Dooce - pronounced "deuce"

Book Review.
Title: "It Sucked and then I Cried"
Author: Heather B. Armstrong creator of Dooce.com

I first saw this book when I was at Book People in Austin. Immediately I was drawn to the title. I mean, c'mon - it sucked and then i cried, genius. I had no idea it was a blogger book, until I actually picked it up at the library a few weeks ago. I like to think I'm pretty involved with the blogging world, and was surprised I had never heard of this blog before. From what I have read of her blog, I think her blog is better than her book. She is very repetitive in her book. Saying the same things. The books talks in detail about her pregnancy up to her daughter being 10 months old. Of course I can't empathize with her because I've never been pregnant and I've never had a baby, but I did love her honesty and needing help. She goes through what I call the "New Mom Blues". She gets postpartum depression. And she recognizes it and gets help for it.
I think too often in America we look at getting help or asking for help as a sign of weakness. Now I understand that Americans are extremely spoiled, but living in this country we live in, I feel like if we find something wrong and we want to fix it, we should be able to do what is necessary to fix it without feeling shameful. Her honesty was very candid and I can definitely appreciate that. She creates a good spin of humor on most things, which makes the book fun to read. I would definitely recommend this book to any Mom out their, because she takes you on a different road of Motherhood and honesty.
P.S. If you go to her blog and you're wondering what is "Daily Chuck", Chuck is their dog.

all about Katherine

I may be biased but I think my God Daughter is gorgeous. She's 2 and 1/2 and non-stop. She will randomly sing her ABC's, tell me she loves me, and doesn't quite have the skill of listening. But she is a great big sister, she knows I live in Denver, and has such an amazing spirit.
I miss her so much.

I love this pic, I took it with my camera phone (yup that's right I figured out how to get them from my phone to the computer!)

Jumping on her big girl bed

Kisses!

Helping pick up her mess

Playing outside at the Beach house

Playing at gymnastics

Her silly face