Slumber Party!

Yes, I know, I'm 28, but I still like slumber parties.

Yesterday afternoon I packed a bag, jumped in the car, and headed to Montrose!  Once in town, after running a few errands, I met up with my two wonderful friends; Joy and Cori.  The three of us worked together this past summer in Redcloud's coffee shop, Hebrews.  It was time for a reunion!

Conveniently, we all still live in Colorado.  I'm still in Lake City.  Joy is in Montrose.  Cori is attending school in Grand Junction at Mesa State, and is from Cedaredge.

So we met up for dinner at a nice restaurant in downtown Montrose called 'Belly.'  Then we went back to the Woerner's house (yes, where Andy & I stayed last winter; and where Joy is staying this winter) to enjoy some quality time.  We made a chocolate fondue in which we dipped strawberries, pineapple, bananas and pretzels.  Yum!

We spent the night, had breakfast this morning then parted ways.  Such a refreshing time of fellowship!

Wishing you joy, love, family, and friendship to you this season!  Merry Christmas and Happy 2011!

Untitled

Well, the latest from LC involves the tragic loss of another life.  With each life lost in the past 3 months, each one seems to hit closer to home.  First a little 12 year old camper.  Then our neighbor, the grandson of our landlord.  And yesterday a young man working on my husbands job site.

Josh Brown was a good man; a son, a friend, a father.  He was a sub-contractor on site doing some excavation work with a backhoe yesterday.  He was working precariously close to the edge of a cliff, but he was the best and knew the limits.  Unfortunately, sometime after all the others had gone to lunch he and the backhoe fell over 300 feet down the slope to the river.

Andy, returning from lunch first, discovered the tracks going over the edge and quickly called the incident in to EMS, Fire/Rescue, and the Sheriffs Office while another employee made the trek down to check for vitals.  A long afternoon of investigation, clean up, body recovery and next-of-kin notifications then ensued.

Please pray.  Pray for Josh's family; he has many family members here in LC and is the father of 2 young boys.  Pray for our Emergency Services personnel as they cope with responding to the death of a friend, coworker, community member.  Pray for Andy & crew, who lost a man on their job.  And pray for the rest of our community as we grieve for our friend and neighbor.  Thank you.

Recovery

I guess it's been awhile, and not because I've been busy....but my whole schedule has changed in the last week or so.  Winter is definitely on it's way....things are slowing down.

Well, this week is my recovery week for Insanity.  The whole week I'll be doing Core Cardio & Balance.  Still working hard but it's lower impact.  So far so good.  Though my hip flexors are going to hurt tomorrow!

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This past weekend was superb!  I spent 8 hours on Saturday in an advanced defensive handgun class taught by our Sheriff and a very handsome deputy...aka my husband.  It was good to get the trigger time and practice.

It was an interesting day.  I started off doing pretty well.  Then, for whatever reason, I couldn't hit a target to save my life.  Things got pretty frustrating.  Then we took a break for dinner and went back for some night shooting....and suddenly I was shooting better than anyone else.  Moral of the story?  Hope someone attacks me at night....so I can actually hit them.  :)

I went home pretty frustrated with my shooting so when Andy & I, along with brother- & sister-in-law, saw opportunity to go back out Sunday afternoon I jumped at it.  Worked on focusing on my sights, trigger control, etc.  Went home feeling much better.

Spent the evening parked on the floor of the living room surrounded by guns, cleaning solvents, tools, and other random items.  Now that we're nearing our 4th anniversary, Andy finally spent some time teaching me how to clean a gun.  So now he won't have to do it all...and for the record I've offered before, he just never taught me.

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Slower week means more time to focus on all the things that have been neglected all year.  Our apartment is getting cleaned and organized one drawer at a time.  I started last week with actually cleaning; bleaching, dusting, vacuuming, etc.  It's wonderful to have a clean bathroom....it's been cleaned maybe 2 time this year.  Ewww.

I've also got time to take advantage of volunteer opportunities.  I'll be helping cook dinner at camp tonight.  Then next week helping with Outdoor Ed and in the camp store.

Oh, time....how I've missed you.

Fit Test 2

It's amazing what a difference not being nauseous can make.  :)

Today was Insanity Fit Test....for the second time.  Definite improvement has been made.

4 more Switch Kicks (from 45 to 49)

14 more Power Jacks (from 40 to 54)

15 more Power Knees (from 70 to 85)

10 more Power Jumps (from 15 to 25)

5 more Globe Jumps (from 4 to 9)

5 more Suicide Jumps (from 7 to 12)

8 more Push-up Jacks (from 12 to 20)

12 more Low Plank Oblique (from 43 to 55)

Just so we're clear: I really hate power jumps and suicide jumps.  Or perhaps I just don't like jumping....though I don't really mind the globe jumps.  Hmmmm.

Also lost 1/2 an inch around the waist, 1/4 inch off my left thigh, and 1/2 inch off my right thigh.  I must use my right leg more.  Now a 1/2 inch from a waist may not seem like much....but seriously, have you seen me?  I can't get much smaller.

Another two weeks until my next try at the Fit Test.  Bring it on!

Ahhhhh Thursday

I was going to take a day off.....well that almost never works.  I was right in the middle of my Cardio Recovery "workout" and the phone rang.  Ended up going out to work for a little while....made a bed, cleaned a bathroom, mopped a floor, folded mucho laundry.  And I'll be heading up to the office for payday and to get my schedule for the rest of the week and into next week.  Maybe I'll get my day off tomorrow....

Nice recovery workout today though.  Yippee for yoga and stretching.  Some of the squats and lunges are hard though....nice and slow, but I have to hold them FOREVER.  Ouch.  I'm considering pulling out my P90X Yoga for next Thursday instead of the Insanity Cardio Recovery.  Might be just what I need.

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Well, as promised, here are some pics of our trip to the south end of Hinsdale County.  It sure is pretty.  The HCSO Command Center camper was really quite nice too.

View driving from Archuletta County back into Hinsdale County.

Another view.  Obvious which county is more spectacular.

The HCSO Command Center

Our home for the weekend.  Not bad!

View out our "bedroom" window.

Pretty huh?



Plyometric Cardio Circuit....Again

Back to the Plyo Cardio Circuit.  It's so nice to see progress.  Able to keep up today.  Sweating like crazy and burning calories!  Sure does make me hungry.....ALL the time.  No nausea today.

I made an effort to do every exercise today.  Worked out well.  I'm pleased.  I tend to move slower and take more breaks than they do....but that doesn't really bother me.  I still keep my heart rate through the roof.  I'm kinda looking forward to Monday and going back to the Fit Test....I'm sure I will have improved.

Insanity is my new best friend.

Pure Cardio

Day 8....technically.

The weekend was lovely.  My portable DVD player is broken.  Didn't have time to work out anyway.  Aaaaand Monday was a complete bust too.  Working from 8:30 until 4 with tons to do at home to clean up from the weekend doesn't lend to having time to work out.  Oh well.

Back into the swing of things today with Pure Cardio.  It was pretty awesome.  Definitely hard....but awesome.  After taking 4 days off I was a little worried that my stomach would revolt against me again, but I made it through feeling fine.

Starting to be able to keep up a little more without taking so many breaks.  Only skipped out on two or three of the moves.  Not too bad.  Enjoying it more now that my stomach has been beaten into submission.

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Our weekend was nice.  Shorter, yet longer, than I expected.  We left LC around 9am Friday morning.  Then it was 3 hours of drive time, grocery shopping, dropping off the ATV at the campsite, driving to the county yard to pick up the camper, fill camper water/gas, move the camper to campsite, set up the camper.  Then Andy had to fix a few things on the camper.  That left us enough time to go back to town (Pagosa Springs) and get dinner....which was yummy, by the way.

Saturday we got up and spent the day patrolling around the south end.  We drove through all the campgrounds and parking areas.  Andy talked to hunters, fishermen, outfitters, campground hosts, forest service rangers (if that's what they're called??), SAR folks from San Juan County, etc.  It's a beautiful area!  I'd love to go back.

Sunday we packed up, took a spin around some of the major parking areas, then headed home.  Part way home we got a call about a neglected mule in a camping area near Rio Grande Reservoir....to which we were closer than other deputies.

So we pulled a U-turn at the top of Slumgullion Pass and back south we went.  Andy did a bit of investigating while I chatted with the neighbors in the campground.  We got back to town in time to catch an early dinner with the Sheriff at his "Meet & Greet" night for his campaign.  Then home to unload all our stuff and sit on the couch for the rest of the evening.

Pictures coming soon from our weekend.  Hopefully.....

Recovery

Insanity Day 4 was wOnderful.

Just like with P90X, I will look forward to Thursdays.  With P90X it was Yoga; Insanity it's Cardio Recovery (or Max Recovery in month 2).  Definitely still a work out, but not nearly like the other days.

Today it was some Yoga stretching, deep lunges, deep squats and some plank work.  Very nice to stretch out some of those seriously sore muscles and work on form and balance.

Tomorrow I come back around to the Plyometric Cardio Circuit.  Hopefully I'll have time!

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Busy day today.  1/2 way through my workout this morning I got a call from my boss.  She's been out of town and we needed to touch base.  Then off to clean 2 condos before heading out to Redcloud to spend some time with a friend.

Ah to have time to just go for a walk with a friend!  It was a nice afternoon with good conversation.  Much needed time with a friend.  Not to mention the wonders walking 5 or 6 miles will work on sore legs.  Feels very good.

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Andy & I are off in the morning.  Heading to the south end.  Looking forward to getting a little bit of a break....and a change of scenery.  Be back Monday!

Day 3

Power Cardio & Resistance today.  It was slightly hard to get motivated and moving this morning.  I'm SORE!  My butt, hamstrings, calves, quads....and maybe my abs just a little.  Oh yeah, my shoulders, triceps and back too.

Today involved jogging, power jumps, globe jumps, moving push ups, V-ups (picture yourself as an upside down V, butt in air, do push up - works the shoulders), belt kicks, etc.  Intense....and all in the comfort of my living room.

My body is feeling better and getting into the rhythm.  Every time I begin a new fitness program it takes a few days before my body submits to the rigors of it.  Even less nausea today with more time exercising.  I only skipped 3 or 4 of the moves today.  Not bad for Day 3.

Looking forward to tomorrow:  Cardio Recovery.  What that means, I haven't the foggiest but maybe it's less intense.  :)

Then a weekend AWAY!  I wonder if there's room in the camper for me to work out?  I guess I'll take my portable DVD player and find out.  I'd hate to miss 2 days in my first week.....

Day 1 & 2

Insanity....is actually insane.  Go figure.

Yesterday was Day 1.  It was a starting point....and something to improve upon.  All that was on the schedule for yesterday was the Fit Test.  It takes about 30 minutes total and includes a warm up, 8 exercises for 1 minute each with 30 seconds to 1 minute between each, and a cool down.

Throughout Insanity I will do the Fit Test five times.  It is a way to track of progress.  And lets just say that it can only get better from here.  I wasn't even sure I was going to make it past the fourth move.  But I pressed on!  Though I wasn't able to really give it my all due to nausea, I was able to finish.....before I went and hugged the toilet for awhile and took a nap.  :)

Day 2 was better....as is to be expected.  Today was the Plyometric Cardio Circuit.  Whew!  I was prepared for it to be quite challenging.  My experience with Plyometrics from my P90X days was helpful.  My butt is going to hurt tomorrow.  Suicide drills, power squats, ski jumps, basketball squats....you get the idea.

Less nausea due to taking things a little slower today.  Definitely going to be more sore though.  I think I've spent more days this year being sore than not.  And I think I'm really going to miss my P90X Yoga.

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As for everyday life:  This weekend Andy & I are going to head down to the south end of the county.  We're going to stay in the S.O.'s camper down there and Andy will do a little patrolling.  It's supposed to be a beautiful, warm weekend so it'll be nice to get away and maybe I'll get some hiking in.

It'll be my first "ride-along."  I'm kind of excited.  I hope to get some quality time with the husband while we're away too....although it's important to keep in mind that he will be working.  I've also never been to the south end of our county.  I hear it's beautiful.  Too bad it takes 3 hours to get there.  Ah, mountains, apparently it's easier to build roads around instead of over.

I'll try to remember to take the camera and maybe I'll have some pictures to share for a change.

Insanity

Have I gone insane?  Well, I guess it depends on who you ask.  It's possible.

Today marks day 1 of my Insanity journey.  In case you're wondering, Insanity is a workout (put to DVD) from beachbody.com....same place I got P90X from.  Don't worry I'm not checking myself into an asylum or anything.

Here's what I'm in for:  LOTS of cardio, LOTS of plyometrics (jump training), LOTS of strength training, LOTS of resistance training. LOTS of sweating and working my butt off....probably literally.  The main difference between Insanity and what I've been doing is the focus on burning calories vs building bulk muscle.

P90X includes lots of weight training, focusing on the "glamour" muscles to make you look good.  It's all about bulking up (though they teach you how to avoid bulk if that's what you prefer).  Lots of push ups, pull ups, curls, shoulder/back flys, lunges, squats, tricep extensions, etc.

They say with Insanity you may notice a loss of muscle size....but not necessarily strength.  No weight training involved.  Instead muscles will be leaner and longer; just as strong but without the bulk.  As a female this seems like a great idea to me.  I don't care about bulk.  They also say Insanity is the hardest workout ever put to DVD.....hence the name.

Why would I subject myself to this, you may ask.  Well, why not.  I'm not getting any younger.  My life/work isn't quite as active as it was a few years ago.  I see great value in being healthy and fit.  Here are just a few of my reasons for working out: (1) it's honoring to God, (2) it's honoring to my husband, (3) it makes me feel better about myself, (4) I enjoy being active, (5) it makes me more durable and less vulnerable to injury in every day life.

I'll keep you updated on my progress.  Here goes nothing!

10 Years

My 10 year high school reunion is this month.  It has been 10 years and 3 months since I graduated high school.  Yep.  Where has the time gone?!  It doesn't seem like 10 years.  I guess 4 years of college + 6 years in Colorado makes for pretty simple math, huh?

I don't plan to attend the reunion...and seeing how today is the final day to RSVP it's pretty much a set-in-stone decision at this point.  I decided not to attend for several reasons; but those reasons are my own.  In some ways it would be interesting to go.  In other ways I just don't really care.  Does that make me a bad person?

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In other news:  It's September 1!  That means our summer is pretty much over.  I'm still working at the Matterhorn here-and-there.  I also picked up another part time cleaning job with Lakeview Property Management.  I'm definitely enjoying it.  It's also kind of funny how things worked out.  My first day with LPM was August 21, the next day the owner packed up her kids and headed out to California for 2 1/2 weeks.

I've had my list of cabins and condos....some of which I've spent a little time driving around trying to find....and I've just been cleaning one or two as my schedule allows.  Most of the cabins have several days between guests this time of year which gives me all kinds of flexibility.  It's been great.

However, I find that this job has also been a little bit dangerous.  Not as in life-or-death risky, but dangerous nonetheless.  LPM manages and rents several condos out by the lake....and I would be lying if I didn't say that I like them.  The dangerous part comes in this:  one of the condos is for sale.

Ah, dare to dream about living somewhere other than our apartment.  Don't get me wrong, our apartment is great and I'm thankful for the home we have.  A bigger place would be nice.  Lets face it: we have a lot of...toys...and not much space to keep those toys.  Our 2nd bedroom is our guest room/gun room/fishing room/storage room/reloading room/exercise room/whatever-else-we-need room.  And that 2nd bedroom is not very big.

Maybe someday.

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On a different note, I feel as thought I've been surrounded by unfortunate events recently.  Our neighbor, Ryan, was killed last night in a car accident.  I didn't know him well, he didn't live here long and wasn't around much, but it is sad just the same.  He was 20-something and always friendly to me.  May the Lord grant him mercy.  May the Lord comfort his family as they grieve.

Small Town Politics

I'm not one to get too involved in politics.  I try to keep informed enough to make an educated vote, but I'm not generally too interested in what politicians have to say.  Of course, politicians don't typically say much of anything.

Living in a small town, however, makes me realize just how much my vote counts and just how much elections have an effect on my life.  For those of you who live in the "big" city, allow me to give you a picture of small town politics:

Close your eyes and imagine you are back in high school.  You are surrounded by different groups of kids; popular kids, band geeks, athletes, choir nerds, unpopular kids,  etc.  Everyone is different, noone really likes each other, lots of gossip, lots of drama, lots of rumors; you get the idea.  Well, that's kind of what it's like in a small town in general....and then you get into politics.

Tonight I attended a forum (aka: debate) for the candidates running for various county positions to be elected this November.  Up for election are County Commissioners, County Assessor, and County Sheriff (other positions are in the election as well, but have only one candidate).  Lets just say it was interesting....and served no purpose what-so-ever except to give people the opportunity to start fights and start more gossip circulating.

I attended this forum for 2 reasons.  First, my mother-in-law is running for County Commissioner.  She is one of two republican candidates which will be voted upon in the primary election on August 10.  Andy & I support her in her campaign and wanted to offer up a bit of moral support.  Secondly, I attended because a very good friend of ours, Ron, is running for his 2nd term as County Sheriff.  Though he is the only name on the ballot he does have some competition from a write-in candidate.

It was pretty ridiculous.  Listening to several candidates dance around questions was interesting.  Why not just answer the question?  Why is that so difficult?  Listening to candidates simply avoid the question and instead enter into why NOT to vote for their opponent was even more ridiculous.  All in all, I feel my MIL was well spoken and honest with her responses.  Ron did very well also in spite of the heat placed on him by his competition.....that's a whole other story which I am not getting into.

Not sure I learned a darn thing.  I went in knowing which way I would vote and left with my decision even more solidified.  I also feel as though I rolled my eyes a lot this evening.  :)  Drama, drama, drama.  Why can't we all just be adults?!

In Loving Memory.....

Many readers may already have heard, many of you may have not.  This past Monday, July 19, tragedy struck Camp Redcloud.  A terrible tragedy no camp counselor, camp nurse, camp director, parent, fellow camper, EMS personnel or law enforcement officer should ever have to face.  An early-afternoon mountain biking activity turned into a memory that will live on in the minds of all these.

A beautiful, 12 year old young lady named Venus lost her life.

Venus suffered life threatening injuries from a mountain bike wreck Monday afternoon.  Though no one witnessed the accident except her Maker, it is assumed that she fell from her bike and landed on the side of her head on a rock.  She suffered head injuries and EMS personnel suspect that, though her body continued to struggle to breathe, she died nearly instantly and suffered very little.

Her counselor and camp medical staff were first on scene followed quickly by EMS and, though it turned out to be unnecessary, a Careflight helicopter from a hospital in Montrose.

A funeral for Venus was held yesterday afternoon in Delta, CO.  This event was attended by several camp staff.  I hope and pray that this gesture of love and grief was not lost on Venus' family.  Though we only knew Venus for a short 24 hours, she was greatly loved by those around her; her counselor, cabin-mates, and other staff.

My own perspective on this is shock, grief, love.  I met Venus, though only for a moment.  She was beautiful.  It was strange continuing on with the week and not seeing her face again.  It was a blessing to spend some time with her cabin group shortly after the news was passed along to them.  Watching them grieve together and even laugh together as they remembered Venus was something special.

Though I didn't really know her, I admire her.  She took a life of hardship and found hope and love and joy.  She loved her Jesus.  And He loves her and has welcomed her home.

In loving memory of Venus Stratton.  A beautiful child of God.

Summer Vacation...What's That?

As usual, our summer has been BUSY!  Although, I'm pretty sure this summer is ranking right up there as one of the busiest....so far.  With Andy & I each working two jobs we haven't had much down time, or much time together.

Andy is keeping busy wrapping up some smaller projects before jumping full-swing into the new house he & the guys will be building.  He's also had a few days on duty as a deputy which has been pretty fun.  Andy got to patrol town all day on the 4th of July, starting with blocking traffic for the parade then just being present around the town park throughout the festivities and patrolling during and after fireworks.

Just last Friday Andy was scheduled to be on patrol all day....that didn't exactly turn out as planned.  Instead he and the undersheriff (also brother-in-law) ended up heading to the top of Cinnamon Pass to recover the body of a missing Gunnison man.  This was not a surprise at all since the missing mans' vehicle was discovered earlier this summer...it was just a matter of waiting for the snow to melt off enough before he was found.

I have been working mornings at the Matterhorn Motel cleaning rooms.  This has been a nice change from serving campers and staff in Hebrews, the camp store at Redcloud....which I am also still doing in the afternoons and evenings.  It's definitely been a whirlwind.  My days look a little like this:  Get up, clean 8:30 until 11:30, home to work out, eat lunch, shower, head to camp around 1 or 1:30, make milkshakes, sell candy, make coffee, sell T-shirts, eat dinner, sell more candy, home around 7:30....crash!  Do it all over again tomorrow!

Good thing our summers are short.

Speaking of short summers; we've actually had SUMMER this year.  Last summer is was cold and rainy throughout June, July and August.  We've had some great weather which is a welcome relief from our cold, long winters.

These next few weeks are looking extra busy from our perspective.  Next weekend we have 2 very good friends getting married in Gunnison.  So throughout next week we'll be getting some time with the bride and groom, as well as many other friends from years past who will be rolling into town.  Dinner Wednesday night with friends, I'm joining the girls at the spa on Friday morning, rehearsal Friday evening, and wedding Saturday!  Andy and I are also priviledged and honored to get to do a scripture reading during the ceremony.  What a blessing for us...and hopefully for the couple!

Then the Hell's Angels roll into the Gunnison, Crested Butte, Lake City area.  Hinsdale County Sheriffs Office will have all hands on deck during the time they're here; July 24-31.  Andy will be on-duty or on-call during that whole week.  To learn more about the Hell's Angels you can do a simple internet search....but crime and drugs tend to follow them wherever they go.  Prayer for the safety of our officers would be much appreciated!

That's our summer so far.  August will bring new adventures, I'm sure.  Thanks for reading!

Search and Rescue....almost

What a day!  And it's only 1pm.

I have just spent most of my morning worrying and preparing for the worst.  5 Redcloud staff were missing overnight.  They were supposed to return to camp around 8 last night, but never showed up.  The scary part was that they were returning to camp over the 4WD mountain passes....lots of long drop-offs, random side roads, snow, and raging rivers .  The cold weather and rain/snow storms we had last night weren't an encouraging factor either.

Hinsdale Search and Rescue has been out since late last night....or should I say early this morning?  Andy and I had our high angle bags packed and ready to go.  We were just waiting for the call.  Just what I need; to recover the bodies of friends for my first SAR call.

Thankfully that won't be the case.  They were located within the past hour with their vehicle.  They had gotten their vehicle stuck near Animas Forks (about 1/2 way between Silverton and Lake City).  So it was simply a matter of hunkering down and waiting for someone to find them...17 hours later.  I'm just glad they were smart enough to stay put!

So, that's my Sunday morning.  How was yours?

Crazy Jade

The latest jewelry.  Andy had a day between jobs yesterday, and so spent it finishing all of these!  Some of these pieces are absolutely amazing.  He did a great job.

Earrings!

Earrings and some pendants

Everything he did yesterday

Close-up view of some pieces

The matching earrings/pendant (farthest left) were given to a family friend, Sandy Pry, last night

Unfinished pendants

Look at all the different colors of jade

See the broken rock Andy "stitched" together?

I'm wearing these earrings right now  :)

Some of these, or should I say ALL of these, turned out beautifully!  Andy is having a ridiculously good time making them too.  It's amazing to see the finished product especially when compared to the stone it's been cut from.

Pictures don't quite do these justice, but I hope you enjoy them anyway!

Moms, sisters, aunts, moms-in-law, sisters-in-law, etc.:  If any of these strike your fancy, please let me know!  Much of this will be given as gifts over the next year or so.  Keep in mind I can't guarantee we'll still have it, but if we do....well, we'll see if we can't get it to you!

Steel vs Jade vs Diamonds

Little known fact about Jade:  It is harder than steel.

No, really!  On the scale by which gems, metals, rocks are rated in hardness (1-10, 10 being the hardest) steel is a 6 while jade is a 7; diamonds are obviously a 10.  Wow!  Now you should be even more impressed with Andys work than you were before.

Each of these pieces caused a bit of trouble through the polishing phase....they broke.  Oops!

The necklace was a bit longer; Andy tried to shape the bottom so it resembled the original, natural shape.  It still looks great!

One of the earrings snapped completely in half.  Andy ended up just cutting a new one....  These are probably my favorite earrings; when held up to the light they are thin enough that you really get to see the grain and color of the stone.  Beautiful!

Jade

Last winter Andy & I went to New Zealand.  We enjoyed a month of vacation, sunshine, and friends.  It was wonderful!  While we were there Andy developed (or perhaps rekindled is a better word) a love for Jade; aka greenstone; aka nephrite.

So while we were there we purchased a beautiful jade rock from a roadside vendor.  She had personally picked it out of a river (and told us which one) and polished it up.  We also visited a beach in Greymouth called Gemstone Beach, where we found many rocks we suspected might be jade.  And we were right!  We picked up semi-precious gems right off the beach.  Cool!

Andys intent was to bring home the rocks and cut, carve and polish them....and then maybe make them into something.  Well, the rocks have been sitting for about a year and a half now; I was wondering if anything was going to happen.  A couple weeks ago the process started!  Andy started cutting and trying out some different things to polish.  The process is ongoing, but I now have a new necklace and a pair of earrings!  Thought you might enjoy the photos of the process and finished product.

Jade we bought...after being cut

Andy shaping some stone

More shaping

Jewelry findings

Almost ready to put together

Jade with an assortment of pearls

Modeling my new necklace

(this is the end cut from the stone above)

Necklace & earrings

More to come!

In process

So there you have it.  Andy is enjoying making these.  He's more creative than I am and this is a great outlet for his creativity.  We've enjoyed sitting out on the deck together in the evenings, now that the weather is warm, while he works on shaping and polishing.  Hope you enjoyed viewing these.  I'm sure there will be more to come!

Summer

It's been awhile and we've been busy!  It's looking like a jam packed summer....and it's finally feeling like summer too!  After about a month of howling wind and cooler temperatures we're finally getting into the 70s and the wind isn't quite so harsh.  I was able to spend much of the day today outside relaxing.

Andy has been getting some time and training in with the Sheriffs Office.  It's been really great!  He's made some traffic stops, done some accident investigating, helped in an arrest and tomorrow he's helping with traffic for the Lake San Cristobal 5k/10k Race.  He'll also be working for an entire week next month right around our busiest time of year: 4th of July.  All have been great opportunities for some on-the-job training.

Good news:  It's looking like Andy will be keeping busy with construction again for about the next 6 months or so building a new house!  With many construction companies closing up and contractors moving out of town, this is a HUGE blessing for us.

More good news:  Andy and I both drew elk tags for hunting this fall!  No deer tags though.  Now we just pray we shoot something and have meat for next year.

On a slightly different note, I have just one more week of p90x.  It's been so great that I'm just going to start all over again.....only this time with p90x classic.  Now I just have to figure out how to fit it into a busy summer schedule.

That's life from our end these days.  :)

Moab

Last week Andy surprised me by telling me he had planned a trip to Moab to celebrate my birthday.  He had 2 days of canyoneering in the La Sals planned and a day or two of climbing tacked on too!  Super cool and totally a surprise; he's better at surprises than I am.  Here's the story and a few pictures to go with it:

After looking at the weather, our plans changed.  It was supposed to be cold and snowy up in the La Sals.  We decided that 2 days of very wet canyons in a snow storm would be a bad idea.  So we changed our plans.  One day of canyoneering near Moab where the weather would be warmer, though still unseasonably cool.

Thursday we headed out from Lake City and, after making a stop at REI to spend our dividends, we set up camp on Wall Street in Moab.  Friday we spent all day canyoneerig.  We explored Pritchett Canyon and Negro Bill Canyon.  Both were very cool trips....we marked them on the map so we can go back another time.

Saturday we woke up finding ourselves to be a little sore.  We went into town to stroll through the park where they were having an antique car show (very cool) and we visited a few shops too.  We went back to Wall Street to hammer out a few climbs.  We ended up hanging around watching the world champion slack liner....he was really good!

Sunday we packed up camp and headed home.  It was so nice to get away for a few days after all those months of school.  Now back to the grind.  Andy is back to work today and will be starting up training with the SO soon, and I'll be back to work next week!

Done . and . Done

Huge sigh of relief.  It's over and done....and we're home!

Andy finished school strong.  He scored an 86% on the academy final exam giving him an overall graduating score of 95.6%!  He also scored a 91% on the Colorado POST.  He did amazing!

Here are some pics from the past two evenings; graduation in Delta & graduation party in Lake City:

Pinning Andys Badge

Deputy Dozier

Sheriff & Two Deputies

Me & My Deputy!

Trevor, Andy, Bob, Ron, Justin

And another one....

So proud and happy.  It's nice to be home.  Now on to the next thing....whatever that is!

T Minus 2 Days

Graduation in 2 days!  Woohoo!

Even the weather seems to be celebrating.  Sunny and 68 today, 74 tomorrow.  Too bad it's looking like rain/snow this weekend.

I've been busy packing and planning.  I dropped off Andys new uniforms at the dry cleaners yesterday....first time I've ever had anything dry cleaned.  Tried to make reservations at a restaurant for Friday night....but the place we're going doesn't take reservations.

Andy got out of school early today!  He was back at about 1pm.  Tomorrow he'll get out early also, after he takes his final exam.  Then Friday he doesn't have to go in until around noon!  He will take the Colorado POST and then heads over to practice for graduation!

Graduation is at 5pm....during which I most likely get to pin Andys new badge on him....followed by a short reception and cake.  Andy has 25 guest attending!  Amazing.  After all of that we're going to go out with the family to dinner.

A weekend full of family and celebration!

2 Weeks to Go

Andy & I were home this weekend.  It was great.  Andy had training to attend for the Sheriffs Office.  He had fun.  It was nice for him to get to see some friends and family.  Pretty sure it fell at just the right time; a nice break before the final 2 weeks of school.  2 weeks full of tests....thankfully they finished with spelling last week, so he can focus on other things.

Andy had a big CSI test today.  Arrest Control tests on Friday.  Then another test Monday and the POST test next Friday.  I'm pretty sure there's another test or 2 in there somewhere.  Almost there.  Almost done.  12 days until we go home.  Please keep praying these last few weeks...in many ways they are the hardest.  I'll keep you posted on how things go.

Good Friday

"Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?  He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.  He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.  He was despised and rejected by men, and man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.  By oppression and judgement he was taken away.  And who can speak of his decendants?  For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.  He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich is his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.  After the suffering of his soul he will see the light of life and be satisfied, by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.  Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.  For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

~Isaiah 53

It's April....

And you know what that means?! We get to go home this month!

....it also means that my birthday is in one week. 28....not sure I'm ready for 28 yet. Can I be 25 again?

I'm still keeping busy. Planning things around graduation, helping plan a party back in Lake City, P90X-ing, a little bit of packing, avoiding the wind, etc.

Ugh! Montrose in the spring. WINDY! I was slightly shocked upon waking up this morning and finding that we hadn't ended up in Kansas....or further. It's been blowing in gusts up to 50mph since sometime Tuesday. One of the doors down the hall was blown open during the night or this morning....I was wondering why it was so drafty! Brrrrr!

P90X is still busting my butt. Definitely sore. Still enjoying it but looking forward to next week when my schedule gets switched up on me. Different is good. I like the variety. So far, so good. 71 days to go!

Well, my final count for Andys graduation is 22. 22 people! That's a lot! Should be fun....except everyone is trying to surprise Andy, which means I have to keep secrets. I'm really terrible at keeping secrets from Andy. 2 more weeks and I can spill the beans....if I make it 'til then.

Graduation party plans are in the works. Stay tuned for details.

Future Endeavors

It would seem that now is a good time to be thinking about what we're going to do when we get back to Lake City.  (Just over 3 weeks!)  Andy is pretty well set, he'll be going back to work with Lake Fork Home Builders, while getting in some training and work as a deputy on the side.  But what am I going back to?

Well, as it happens, I got a phone call the other day about possibly taking an administrative assistant position.  It's pretty much right up my alley.  It would be in a wonderful workplace.  I think I could potentially be a great benefit to the organization.  I would definitely be in my little element of ORGANIZING!  I don't know why I get so excited about it, but I'm ridiculous.

After my Yoga X this morning, I cleaned up and headed out.  I've been enjoying a cozy little local coffee shop and filling out an application.  The irony of the situation is probably lost on you since I'm not sharing too much information yet....but I find these circumstances to be absolutely filled with irony.  So, here I sit thinking about the future and anxious to be moving on to the next thing.

I'm enjoying the atmosphere and the music....and the view of course; a view of home.  I must admit one of the things I will miss from here is the anonymity.  Sitting in a coffee shop where noone knows me, bothers me, and just enjoying.  Yet I look forward to being home, home where everyone knows me.  What can I say?  I like both worlds.  Is that so wrong?

So what's next for me?  I haven't got a clue!  But there are options; there are always options.  This is just the most recent development.  Lots of prayer, thought, and time will be going into any decisions made.  I'm not really in a hurry, after all I still have 3 weeks here in Montrose.  3 more weeks!  3 more weeks!  3 more weeks!

More from the Credit Bureaus

I put in another call to Equifax this afternoon.  Apart from being on hold for an eternity it went quite smoothly.  Wait....what?!  Yes, it went smoothly.  I couldn't believe it.  I stated my case, the person I spoke with was courteous, she put me on hold while she reviewed Andys credit report and the Power of Attorney form, then asked how she could help me.

Simple as that.  I was given a dispute confirmation number...and I was even asked how I would prefer to be notified of dispute results; mail or e-mail.  It's been awhile since anyone in that realm of the world has catered to any of my preferences.  Actually, I'm pretty sure this is the first time.  Now we just wait for 30 days to see what happens.

This is it!  If the results come back accurately then we'll be free and clear with the credit bureaus!  Wouldn't that be nice?!  I just hope we get this solved....and that next year when we get our credit reports we won't have to do this all over again.

*Note to the Reader:  If you are reading this and you have NOT requested your credit report this year...or ever...get it!  You are entitled to one FREE copy of your credit report from EACH of the three major credit bureaus every year.  If you don't know what's on there, find out.  No one should find out the way that we did.  Get your reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.  And I recommend you protect yourself from identity theft and fraud:  LifeLock.  *COUPLES:  Get Power of Attorney forms!  You have very little ability to do anything for your spouse without one.  Don't wait until it happens.  If it can happen to us, it can happen to you.

Dreaming of Firearms, P90X and Lake City

Ahhhh, Monday.  The beginning of P90X week 2.  The beginning of my hunting career (well, sort of).  And 4 weeks until we're back in Lake City!

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I have filled out my applications and will be dropping them in the mail later today; my applications for my first ever hunting licenses!  I applied for a buck license and a cow elk license.  I would have preferred a doe instead of buck or elk, but the DOW isn't allowing hunting for doe within the hunting units around Hinsdale County; I'm guessing this is still the result of the hard winter we had 2 or 3 years ago where many animals died due to lack of food.

We'll see what happens.  Chances are I won't draw for buck, but I might for elk.  Licenses hit the post sometime in June....so I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime I'll be trying to find time to get out shooting.

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I made it through the first week of P90X.  It might just be that I'm overly optimistic, but I'm feeling really good and I think I'm already seeing/feeling results.  Is that possible?  I only missed one workout during the first week and that was on Saturday.  I was in class from 8am until shortly after 5pm and so didn't have time for the Kenpo X (kickboxing) workout.

I did get in the Legs & Back on Friday...though I skipped the Ab Ripper X because my tummy was hurting from dinner the previous evening (tacos)...I did X Stretch on Sunday and it was beautiful.  I'm definitely already increasing in flexibilty and balance.  It's nice to be accomplishing goals so soon, it's helping keep me motivated.

Today was back to Core Synergistics and I made it through!  I didn't feel like I was going to throw up and I completed the workout!  A definite step in the right direction in contrast with Monday last week when I thought I was going to die.  Next week I'll add the "bonus round" to my day....I figured I wouldn't push my luck just yet.

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Just four more weeks of school for Andy!  They're getting back into the classroom this week...though I don't know for sure what the material is.  The work load is likely to increase again...but good news: only one more spelling test after the test today!  That'll be quite the relief for Andy...he'll be able to focus on more important items, like how to be a good officer, instead of wasting so much time on spelling.


Unfortunately, Andy has class this Saturday.  1/2 day of firearms, 1/2 day of review for his post test (that's the final test to determine if he can actually graduate/be a cop).  So it'll be a long week.  Please be praying for him!