Catch Up: May 2013

May was another fun month.  We started out the month with a visit from my parents.  This was the first trip my dad had taken to come visit since I’ve met Chris (excluding the wedding, but my dad was only in town for the actual day of the wedding, so that doesn’t count).  So it was great to have both of my parents here and in our element.  I can’t remember how long they were here, but it was pretty rainy during their visit.  The purpose of the trip was a Rockies vs Yankees baseball game.   Which unfortunately was a dud, because there was a 3 hour rain delay and my dad got a sore throat. 

We did have a great dinner at Linger, which I’m so happy my parents enjoyed!  They left the Saturday before Mother’s Day, and that morning we went to Sassafras, which was a great breakfast place before heading to the airport

At the rainy Rockies game

 On Mother’s Day I picked up my friend Andrea for the Mother’s Day 5k at City Park.  This was the 4^th time of done this race, and I truly enjoy it because I know exactly what to expect. This was Andrea’s first competitive race and we both had a great time.  If I recall we had good weather, and the atmosphere of this race is always nice. 

Mother's Day 5k

 We had a fun night out in the middle of the month with one of Chris’ old co-workers Matt and his wife Karen.  We’ve gone out on a handful of double dates, and they are a super fun couple.  We went to eat at the EDGE and then to see Ron White.  Chris actually introduced me to Ron White who’s a comedian when we first started dating.  We had a great seats, and it was super funny show!

Chris & I waiting for Ron White

Denali playing with catnip that my MIL found in our backyard!  The cats love it!!!

 Over Memorial Day weekend Chris’ parents were in town.  Mary my MIL has a super green thumb, so her and Chris went crazy in our backyard.  We got a ton of plants, herbs, and a whole new garden going in our 3 gardening pods on the side of the house.  I myself don’t have a green thumb whatsoever, but I did plant some pretty things in one of our planters in the front of the house.  We had some nice meals, and we took them to the improve comedy show at Impulse Theater which is always fun.

Chris & Mary shopping the plants

This is my contribution

Getting ready to do some major gardening!

girls weekend with Chris

 This weekend was full one. Friday evening Chris' Mom, Mary and Grandma (Gma), Bobbie Jo arrived for a quick Denver visit. 
Yesterday morning we went to the Denver Deaf Nation Expo.  Gma has been deaf since she was little, as is majority of her siblings.  The expo was fun and interesting.  Although, not a lot for me to do.  I do know some ASL (American Sign Language) as when I was in HS a friend of mine dated a guy who was deaf.   I quickly learned the alphabet and some words and instantly became fascinated with it.  Then once in college I decided to take Sign Language, as my dream profession was to became a deaf counselor in the school system for kids.  To this day it's something I find very intriguing and interesting and it's a joy for me to (try and) communicate with my future Gma in-law in this language.
After our visit at the deaf expo we headed to a local nursery.  Chris, Mary, and Bobbie Jo all have a green thumb.  This is something I don't have.  I have had my house for six years and have treated my small backyard with absolutely no TLC.  Thankfully Chris has spent these Springtime months giving some love to the backyard, and a nursery is exactly Mary and Bobbie Jo's idea of quality shopping.  So we spent 2+ hours at this nursery looking at just about everything, and doing lots of shopping. 

 Shopping through the nursery

 It was a true joy for everyone.  Bobbie Jo literally lives in a small small town in Northeastern Kansas on a farm, and nowhere near a local green house.  So, for both Mary and Bobbie Jo going through rows and rows of plants, and flowers, and herbs, they were in heaven!

 More shopping

 After the trip to the nursery.  We headed to a fabric store.  Besides having a talent of growing just about every fruit and vegetable, Bobbie Jo is also a talented seamstress.  Bobbie Jo offered to make our pillow for the ring bearer to carry down the aisle at our wedding!  I'm just so in-love with that idea, and can't wait to see!
After the busy day we headed out to a nice dinner.  Gma had a margarita and a half, and who knows the last time this young 83 year old has had that much to drink!  Needless to say she became the entertainment!  It was such a fun dinner!

Cheers to G-Ma! (isn't she the cutest thing you've ever seen?!)

 This morning was more and more and more backyard clean up.  Chris and Mary spent about 4 or 5 hours in the backyard cleaning and gardening.  At some point Bobbie Jo joined in while I did  domestic chores inside.

 They worked super hard!

 The trip was very productive and short.  It was fun bonding with some of my future In-Laws and I feel so blessed to be extending my family with these wonderful people!

Mary, Marty (future Dad In-Law), and Alice (future Sister In-Law) will be visiting at the end of May over Memorial Day weekend.  We'll have more quality time and I'm definitely looking forward to it.

more cleaning

today i did my bi-annual closet clean out. i gotta say that doing this over the past couple of years is very refreshing. each time i get rid of a ton! because my clothes keep getting too big for me. obviously this is a very good problem to have! i still have to go through the closet in my spare bedroom which holds all of my dresses and skirts. which i think i'm going to have to get rid of majority of what is in there, because i couldn't find anything when i got ready for mother's day brunch last week.
i cleaned out so much that i have five huge garbage bags of too big for me clothes hanging out in my garage right now.
in addition to cleaning out my closet and switching clothes to spring and summer (now only colorado needs to catch-up!) i also cleaned out my linen closet down stairs.
i've easily put off this tast for at least 3 or 4 four years. ...yes, i am a procrastinator. i went through this closet and got rid of a ton of coats, sweaters, jackets, etc... plus, i did some cleaning and organizing. the feeling is just so refreshing! it was amazing to try on some of these items. i had one jacket that was a 3xL, and another that was a 24W. come next fall, i'll need some new stuff!
here is the finished and cleaned outcome of my linen closet.

all of the items going to goodwill.

i have so much space now! in my linen closet, in my closet in my bedroom, in the drawers in my bedroom. it's great!
on friday night i had an old navy coupon and did some more spring shopping. i got a pair of jean shorts, a skirt, and a bathing suit!
i'm officially set for summer!

strike! 60min

spring pics

here are some spring pictures that make me happy.

outside of my building at work

otis catching some rays

a tree in my backyard blossoming

denali helping me blog ;)

treadmill 10min
dance jam 60min

some spring cleaning

who knows what it is about a change in day light and the season, but after living in my house for 4 years i finally decided to clean out my linen closet.
before:


during:
categorized by hair, face, make-up, and toes.
trash

after:


nice and clean, and organized. if i was truly motivated i would had actually gone through and cleaned out all of my clinique make-up bags, and decided what i wanted to keep, what to get rid of, had a bag for eyes, lips, etc...
maybe next year.

STRIKE! 60min