Steamboat Springs

My dog can rock climb apparently.

We had a busy weekend, at the lake on Friday afternoon, where we swam with Scott's coworkers and then BBQ'd.  Z impressed us all by climbing a nearly vertical rock slab by herself.  Scott didn't drown, and I managed to not fall off a cliff.

Saturday brought us three on a drive to Steamboat, after a detour from Larimer Sheriff's to Wyoming (thanks guys).  "I think we're too far north..."
Scott:"What makes you say that?"
Me: "We just hit Wyoming.  Don't think Colorado 14 will be here."
Scott: "Good thing I like driving..."

We hiked up to Fish Creek Falls, and then walked around downtown, where we stopped for dinner at a Mexican joint called Tequila's.  They had AMAZING food; I stayed simple with an enchilada, Ziva had water, and Scott got a pork burrito with chili verde.  Great staff, and a fun birthday song for the table next to us.  Ziva made friends with a little girl, with Shirley Temple curls.  I am so very lucky I have a dog who loves kids.  Her tail was wagging the entire time, and she gave the shy little girl a kiss to boot.

The drive through North Park was beautiful.  I had never taken this route before, and since Scott is originally from Wisconsin, neither had he.  We had fun finding radio stations in the hills while we followed the Poudre to its headwaters.  The mountains are still so snowy, and SO WET.  The ground is literally just dripping water off of every edge and culvert possible.  In many places along the hiking trail, there was just a trickle of water.

The falls were still so full:

A few from our trip.  He likes Ziva, and didn't mind her being in his car.  She behaved very well except for pulling me down the mountain at a fast run!

Our favorite picture of her:

OH HIIIIIII!!!

Sunday, we joined Melissa and Brandon again at Real Faith for a BBQ, sermon, and sports afterward.  Scott was wonderful for going with me, and Brandon gave an amazing speech about selfishness and pride and how we avoid conflict with other, or cause it too, based on this.  Real Faith is a wonderfully inclusive community based on a love for God and hope to be close to Him, not so much on duties to the church.  It's a group brought together by a shared desire, rather than a need to convert or pressure or preach.  Just to love totally, which I enjoy.

It's been an amazing time this last month.

Arizona in less than two weeks :) School in about 4 weeks; I already have my school supplies and backpack set up; just waiting on a textbook list.  This summer has flown by! 

More music

Eli Young Band, "Crazy Girl": interesting video, but I love this song.  Can I get a stand-up man who means what he says when he says he'll be there for me? http://youtu.be/J3HwFtdVTfM

Kellie Pickler, "Tough" because let's face it, that's what I am.  What all the women in my family are. http://youtu.be/cHG0jnX17kU

Rough day of thoughts, but I'm at my folks' place doing laundry, getting my books, and importing every country album they own onto my computer.  I'm going out with Varinia later, whom I haven't seen since December.

BBQ dinner with Matt last night.  I am so blessed to have him as my best friend; he's been with me for so many years now, and we get each other through so very much.  He's the guy who locks himself inside of cars, does stupid shenanigans that worry me, but I love because of that.  For all of what he is, and who he is, and for the fact that he loves me.

Payday and airplane ticket tomorrow!! 

Summertime and the music's on the way

With the installation of my car stereo in May, I've been able to listen to all the new summer releases on our local country stations, and I'm pretty impressed with a lot of the songs.

Darius Rucker's new one, "I've got nothing," is one of my favorites right now.  Who would've thought the frontman for Hootie and The Blowfish would've had so much success as a country singer?  He does, though, and he is probably one of the best transition artists I've heard in a long time (Kid Rock, take note).

As a lover of all things Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, their new duet tickles me pink.  "Remind Me" captures the beginning of a relationship, that passion that we forget when we get so comfortable around someone, or maybe that passion that you used to have with that one who got away.  Actually, Brad has a couple singles playing right now, including "Old Alabama", a duet with Alabama that really showcases his writing and musical arrangement talents.  Brad Paisley has always been so unique in his writing and guitar work, it's nice when a song of his brings that to the forefront when so many other artists are losing their signatures.

George Strait, "Here for a Good Time," album release set for the end of the year...need I say more? It's George Strait.  It's me. I actually refuse to dance with anyone at the bar when a George Strait song comes on, and tell my boyfriends that George is off limits unless they mean it (only one has EVER played me George Strait.  Ever.) I don't mess around with my King George over here. (OK, maybe I'm a little type-A about this)

"Honey Bee" by Blake Shelton and Ronnie Dunn's new singles round out the big names so far this season.  I love Blake, but something about Ronnie Dunn has always rubbed me wrong, even as a part of Brooks and Dunn.  His new singles are great for a fan though, and he definitely has the talent to have a successful solo career.

Some of the recent talent such as Jason Aldean, Jake Owen, and The Band Perry have some new singles out.  Jason Aldean's has a weird hick-rap segment in it that ruins an otherwise great song for me, Owen's "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" is being SO overplayed up here that it's getting old, and the Band Perry delivers greatly with "The Way You Lie."  Maybe it's just the fact that their first single was an extended reference to one of my favorite poems, The Lady of Shallot by Tennyson, that made me fall in love with them, but I love the lead (Kimberly) vocals: in a world dominated by high sopranos, a husky southern voice is amazingly refreshing.

And of course, with the Greeley Stampede and Cheyenne Frontier Days in progress and on the horizon, a lot of old favorites are coming back on the radio.  A lot of Kenny Chesney (including a wonderful new duet with Grace Potter), Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Merle, and Shania have made it a good season for country music radio so far...

Oh, and Luke Bryan's new one, "Country Girl"...country meets club like in HonkyTonk Badonkadonk (voted my anthem by my friends?) makes you want to get up on the truck and shake what you've got.  Or have an overabundance of.  http://youtu.be/7HX4SfnVlP4

And of course, the song that makes me tear up every time I hear it, Scotty McCreery, proving once again that America's Idol is a country star: http://youtu.be/IzlkfTHvBow

So maybe I haven't totally given up on love since I'm crying to this song, and to Darius Rucker's and the Paisley/Underwood duet, cursing Currington's "Love Done Gone", and sniffling to Lady A's "A Kiss Goodnight".  Yet, for the first time in my life, I can look forward 10 years and I don't see myself married.  I didn't see myself having a boyfriend.  I see me coming home to my Ziva, throwing off my office clothes and slipping into my running shoes and shorts.  I see a career and weekends given over to the Reserve.  I was never the little girl to plan out my wedding, but it's still weird not seeing that endpoint when I look at my future...and I'm strangely OK with that.

DD'ing for my over 21's for Tea's birthday at the Sundance tomorrow, and Friday night again.  Ziva and I used my George Foreman grill to have hotdogs between my work shifts today for the fourth, and ran during all the fireworks (LOVED running to that!).  Miss Ziva was such a good girl in the crowds and didn't flinch once with the explosions.  Or people whistling/yelling at the runner...or barking at Ziva, courtesy a very drunk lady.  Bite me, it's 95 out and I'm a shiftworker so I don't get to run at normal hours bucko's.

Denver-bound for Wednesday and Thursday, heading down right after I pick up Z after the Sundance so I can get her to Mom and Dad's and get me across town to my Dr. by 10am.

Quasi-ready for school to start already.  My mind needs deadlines.

Hello July

Where did June go?

Short answer: lots of work, a few days in Denver, runs and walks with Miss Ziva, and a failed relationship.

Everything reaffirms my belief that communication and honesty are some of the most important, yet rarest, things in a relationship.  Being there for someone, even when it means stepping back and expressing YOUR needs is important.  And anything you want should be worth fighting until your last breath for.

 I don't think I'll find anyone who thinks I'm worth the effort for a long time.  I'm stubborn and I know what I want, and I won't settle for less or to be treated like I'm not a good person.

I'm still having some problems sleeping and eating and keeping a regular schedule, but it's summer...there is no such thing as a normal schedule!  Some nights I'm in before dark and cuddling with Ziva, but others I'm watching movies or chatting with friends until 3am.  We've been going to the Sundance Saloon weekly for the last month and it is absolutely a blast.  I finally get to dance!

Miss Ziva is currently sleeping after our 6 mile run/walk.  On days like today where I work 12 hours unexpectedly, I like to take her out for a really long trip to relax us both.  Me from work, her from being in her kennel all day. 

We end up going through the Old Town area, mostly because there are always a lot of people and police officers no matter what the hour or weather is.  For a single gal and pup running, this is definitely a HUGE relief.  Ziva has a light on her leash for our night runs, and I always carry a phone and have a check in time arranged with someone.

We had a fox run with us the other evening, for over a mile, just a few feet behind.  He was very friendly, and very bold to be so close, but Ziva thinks everyone is her friend and wasn't aggressive or nervous at all.  We let him follow us until the main road, when I shooed our new friend back to the grass.

July is going to be full of work, runs with Ziva, dancing, and a few birthday events for a few friends...all to save up for my trip to see Brian in Arizona in August!  I'm so excited!