Jumbled thoughts

It’s been quite a week. Filled with learning about a new perspective on missions, work chaos and other junk…I can’t really put words around it right now, but it does feel good to just sit and try not to worry about the things out of my control.

In other news, I ran by the Yellow House last night. Boulder people, you know what I’m talking about. The past three years, September to May, the house has been home to great friends and host to great gatherings – with one or seemingly one-hundred visitors. It was always such a comfortable place.

After my run, I went down to Denver to meet a friend from Journalism School. We survived the Missourian and understand that Shakespeare’s Pizza is not a place – it’s an institution. There’s something comfortable about a friend to whom you say, “remember when…” and “how is so-and-so?” They know from where you came and are excited for where you are now. (Thanks, CommonBriGuy.)

I’m not sure what the weekend holds? There’ll be no driving to resort towns. I might sit by the pool. Perhaps I’ll read the book I’ve been putting off for so long. I could run some errands. Tubing might actually happen. Or I could just rest. We’ll see. But thinking about it gives me a headache – my brain’s had enough to process the past few days. I’m done.

Beautiful Colorado

Italian food, the hot springs, laughter and all-around good times. Location: Glenwood Springs. Talk about a great Friday night start to the weekend - last weekend.


Saturday morning, we woke up and headed to Aspen. Why Aspen? Why not Aspen?

We hiked in one of the most amazingly gorgeous areas of the state. The grandiose size of the mountains was common to Colorado, but the green, lush trees almost seemed foreign. We hiked the “Difficult” Trail.


OK, so it wasn’t that difficult. But it made for a good time. Anna took these pictures, by the way.




We went to Boogies on a local’s recommendation for lunch and wandered around an art festival before heading back up to Glenwood Springs. I love my friends.



The rest of the girls started back to Denver/Boulder, but I stopped in Summit County to visit with some camp friends and their adorable children. We went to an outdoor concert right on Lake Dillon, caught up on laughed and enjoyed a beautiful Colorado sunset over the mountains.


It is a beautiful state.

This made me laugh

Sent to me by Laura.

Diet Coke and Mentos

A HIGHLY recommended experiment.

The Yampa Valley Curse

It’s not my fault.

It’s the Yampa Valley Curse. Locals say that if you visit Steamboat Springs and leave, you will forever want to return and will not find happiness in any other place. It only took me 24-hours to get hooked.

24-hours in paradise

I arrived about noon on Saturday, just in time to tube – twice – down the Yampa River. It was bright and sunny at 9,000-something feet, and the water wasn’t too cold. It was there that I met Phill’s friends for the first time. After four hours of baking in the sun, we BBQ’d for a birthday party, crashed the last 20-minutes of a rodeo and sat outside laughing late into the night. I had never been to a rodeo before, and we made it just in time for the bull riding – the best part, so I’m told. Waking up – later than usual – to the sounds of sheep, horses and other ranch animals was a wonderful surprise. I had never spent the night on a ranch before, either.

It was fabulous.

I’ll be back…someday.

10 Days of Summer...Days 7-10

My 10 Days of Summer, apparently, have come to an end. I'd like to report that days 7-9 were filled with adventures of the Colorado variety, but rain and some other unexpected twists on situations seemed to put a damper on my grandiose – or not so grandiose – plans.

Nonetheless, if summer is meant to not only be a time for adventure but also meant to be a time for rest and relaxation, it seems as if I was right on track. For the first time in longer than I can remember, I did nothing for the majority of the weekend. Tea with a friend and gathering with a few others for a short while on Saturday and then church on Sunday – the only reasons to venture out of my apartment from the time I left work on Friday until the time I returned to the office Monday morning. It was a much needed and much appreciated change of pace. I'd forgotten just how much this closet introvert loves to be alone – and needs that time. Besides, it's amazing how great it feels to finally get around to all those things that one has been "meaning to do."

As for Day 10...it did end up being one of a memory-making experience and included an adventure the Colorado variety. Friends gathered at Chautauqua Park at the base of the flatirons – the doorstep to the Rocky Mountains – to eavesdrop on the Indigo Girls concert. It wasn't exactly how it was planned, but aren't the best things in life always sweeter than we could imagine?

10 Days of Summer: Day 6

Life music at Flatirons, sitting outside, sharing life updates with a friend, funny – yet disturbing – movie, phone call from someone who helps put life back into perspective when needed...not bad for a Thursday evening.

10 Days of Summer: Day 5

Another day, another thing to do on a list to check off – this time, one my Colorado goals: A concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows ROCKED! The evening was as close to perfect as it could be. All predictions were wrong, and it didn’t rain. The place is so gorgeous, it practically looks fake. But no – that’s just how wonderful of a place it is...

(Of course, this morning, I'm so tired, I want to cry!)

10 Days of Summer: Day 4

One of experiences on my list of things to do in life (yes, I actually have one), is to climb a 14er. And because of today, I can cross that off the list. We conquered Grays.

10 Days of Summer: Day 3

Today was not nearly as exciting as the past two...but that's probably a good thing. A very quiet day at work, sleep, laundry, opening mail...other "life" stuff...all good and necessary.

10 Days of Summer...through Day 2 (Sunday, July 2)

The Eve of Day 1 – The porch of Rock Bottom Brewery on 16th Street with Amy. Live band next door. People watching. Capoeira demonstration.

Day 1 – Carpooled and caravanned to Buena Vista to stay at Heather Williams’ Parents’ house and had the most amazing meal I’ve eaten in ages. Walked down to the BV Street Dance. Perfect summer night in the mountains.

Day 2 – White-water rafted Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas River out of BV. Drove back just in time to make it to the Pearl Jam/Tom Petty Concert, which was amazing!

Days 3-10 - Yet to come, but they will be filled with many more Colorado Adventures!

RIDICULOUSLY ANNOYING!!

I have a problem.

Every Friday and Saturday night, I fear it. I dread it. I know there’s nothing I can do to stop it. No matter what, the next morning, I’m going to face it. It haunts me. I make adjustments. I flip the pillow. I change the temperature. I get a drink of water. I roll over. It still seems hopeless.

I can’t sleep in.

Even after the longest most exhausting weeks and being up until after midnight, I inevitably wake up before 7 a.m. on weekends – the only two days of the week that my alarm does not go off before the sun rises.

And it’s ridiculously annoying.