I have been remiss...

2 weeks have come and gone so gotta start writing...
So 2 weeks ago I finished my weekend with a hike with a friend and then volleyball at another friends house.  Then work with after work meetings, call and on-season pace of non-stop from 7am til 7pm ish at work.  Actually, now I remember why I didn't write 2 weeks ago.  IT WAS AN EXHAUSTING WEEK.  Then got some rest on Sat and could think again.  During the insanity I almost bought a house but decided it wasn't the right thing to do since I was being pressured due to time constraints.  Tis sad cuz it was a cool house but if it had been meant to be it would have happened.  Anyway, Sat night after a day of recovery I went out to a Saving the Wilderness fundraiser in the back country of this area... it was very nice although rained most of the time (since we need the rain SO badly that is ok).
This past week was more intense work, a great lecture on lung cancer screening, watching Avenue Q (SO MUCH FUN... a Sesame St kind of play for adults that was superb) AND then camping this weekend with an old renter of mine I had originally met in the ICU (he is a critical care nurse who moved away).  We went to Lost Lake in Gunnison and it was FANTASTIC... found a great site right next to the lake, hiked a ton, kept dry despite the hail, torrential downpours etc, had great food and just enjoyed being in nature.  I got back this afternoon, unpacked, slept for a little and then went to a friends house for a volley ball party/bbq.  It was very fun even when the torrential downpour started.
Now I have to get ready for the week but am just thankful for a great weekend before another intense on-season week starts!
OH yeah... also made an interesting discovery and hopefully will change my attitude about it (recognition is the first step).... no more victim mentality for me... on to a much more positive attitude and move forward vibe :))))))

July 4th 2012

Another fun week in paradise... this week we have had MUCH NEEDED RAIN and this was the cool view from my bedroom this am... 

So work was work... actually really busy and my staff is kicking butt in this hard on-season so I am proud and happy.

Since there were no fireworks this July 4 due to the fire risk and due to my non-desire to go to the parade I entertained Shinta here and fed her for a change... she was really appreciative.  Then Fri night went to dinner after work with friends, Sat worked, had lunch with Dan (the guy who lives in my old car who was in town for a few days, went to a BBQ at a friend's house, was supposed to go to another BBQ at another friend's house but got invited by our new neighbors to Zocolito (Mom's favorite restaurant that she has never been to) and had a FANTASTIC/AWESOME time there... Had 2 people call me that night saying they had talked to the owner of the place I want in Aspen and she wanted to talk to me... Then Sun went hiking with a friend, talked to the owner who is willing to work with me and then went to volleyball at another friend's house (she has an outdoor beech volleyball court in her front yard... then came home to get ready for the week.

Another wonderful week in paradise... 

Love and hope for wonderful things for you all from Aspen...

Shinta's Baby Shower...

Ok so the pictures are from a hike today (flowers), a bonus picture from a lightning storm in Aspen this week... we needed the rain but worried about the lightning starting a fire... luckily it didn't :)   AND the rest are of Shinta's baby shower... it has been a busy week and weekend (again :))... There were meetings and work during the week while also doing some house hunting.  I found a place I would buy in the West End if I could sell my house but not getting any bites on the house so that is unlikely... ahhh well... Then the weekend... Yesterday was spent hiking, having lunch with the man who sold us our house who would buy it back in a second if he could afford it, and then setting up for and enjoying Shinta's baby shower... it was an AWESOME event with about 30+ people (and many kids) with great food and just a lot of fun.  Then today I hiked for a long time (got a little lost), went to the block party in town for the Idea's Fest which was very fun and then a re-dedication of the John Denver Sanctuary which has been upgraded and is FANTASTIC and then to a friend's house for a party including beach volleyball and a bbq with tons of other nice folks and dogs and food and and... then home and getting ready for the week!  Fun filled and very filled weekend... I need a day of rest before starting the week but that isn't happening :)...

Jazz Aspen 2012... solo-ish ;)

Another busy week at work... been hitting it hard but Fri after work took off and went to my secret spot with Clifford and camped by a river.  Got there late (after work, then coming home to get stuff ready etc) but pitched tent in the light, took a nice little walk in the dark and then sleep by 10.  Got up for an early hike in the Collegets and enjoyed that immensely for about an hour and a half then headed to my friend's Ken and Holly's house in Summit County.  Did a 3 hour hike with the boys (Clifford and Dizzy- Ken and Holly's dog) up to some beautiful waterfalls.  Then back to Ken and Holly's for a nap.  Had already set up my tent in their back yard (LOVE MY TENT) and spent the evening with Ken, Holly, Holly's parents, Holly's niece, Ken's mom and 3 sisters and their 2 children.  Twas very enjoyable and I love that adopted family.  This morning got up and hiked with a few of them then got on the road, came home, got ready for the week and am about to get changed into hippie gear to go out to dinner with a friend and to watch kd lang at Jazz Aspen.  Will be exhausted starting my exhausting week but all of this was well worth it!  Twas AWESOME getting away as I have been working non-stop for the last 3 weeks including weekends and this mini-vacation was so needed.

Love and hope you had a good weekend too!  Me

Food and Wine... hangin in Salida (pix added)

What a great week and weekend so far!  Work is work and busy but love my colleagues and so that makes it nice... then did ACLS on Thurs (got 100 on the test after a grueling day) and drove to Salida to see Nikki, her new dog, Ken, Holly, Satori and Bodhi... A FRIGGEN LONG DAY but what a blast... came home to get a few hours of sleep before work the next day then on call this weekend.  Likely I will jinx myself but some busy-ness this am and so far so good since.  AND what a great weekend of Food and Wine.  Fri during work got a pass for 1/2 hour for a Grand Tasting and zoomed through picking up food for my office staff... then today TWO Grand Tastings!! Awesome.  Also Fri a patient brought me a gift of a dress and head piece his girlfriend made for me for an upcoming Gatsby party.  It looks fantastic on me and I can't wait... Really made me feel great!!!  AND the weather remains spectacular.  Life is good... hope it is for all of you!!!

Love and Peace and Happiness!!!

The Indigo Girls and another week of...

So... more pix of Claire and Niall's visit.   What a great time and memory... survived my week after gum surgery... first discovery was talking at work on Monday hurt and I did a lot of talking, second discovery is when the packing came out (with the stitches) my exposed teeth were very sensitive.  But the bleeding has stopped and all is improving overall.  The week was busy with work and meetings galore... too many... then call Thurs night, work Fri, The Indigo Girls Fri night and then work Sat... some interesting and hard cases so life is not boring.  In fact I am TIRED (since hiked up Aspen with Clifford this am)... NAP TIME... Good night, :)

survived the gum surgery...

Claire and Niall left... Brad brought me to Grand Junction and back and I survived my gum/dental surgery... only gagged on the surgeon once.  The ice packs and I have become quite intimate together.  Brad has had guests for the weekend for an Aikido seminar and I found out that we were having a bbq here when they all arrived.  Had 3 people stay over and the seminar went well.  Got bills done today, some walking in and then went to Owl Farm (Hunter S Thompson's place) for a party.  I stayed much longer than I expected and really enjoyed myself.  Brad was playing with a band for a friends birthday and it was very relaxed and cool.  Talked to Anita (Hunter's widow) about some work she is planning to do to start schools in Nepal and counter human trafficking.  And hung out with her dogs, chickens and peacocks.
Now rest to get ready for the week.
Hope everyone is well... lots o love