Let me just say, that one thing I've noticed about myself is that I'm kind of ADD. I don't mean that I have ADD but I do tend to get bored easily. My focus is always changing. I'm really into something for a while and then my focus changes to something else. I can't seem to stay focused on one thing for very long. of course, I always come back to things but I have found that I'm the type of person that really needs to have a few things going on.
Well, right now my focus is primarily on the Denver 3-Day walk that I'm doing in August and on my wedding planning. Come May 4, I'll have to fit school into that too as I'll start my first class to get my Masters in Education on that day.
Anyway, last night I was on http://www.the3day.org and finding out more about the 3-Day. They had a training schedule on there. One was for 24 weeks out and the other one was for 16 weeks out. Well, I counted down on the calendar and learned that I'm about 18 weeks away from the Denver 3-Day. Needless to say, I kind of hit panic mode... just a little. I live at 11,600 vertical feet and because of that, I think that I'll have a little easier time getting prepared for the 3-Day with less time to spare. Still, I realized that I really need to step it up and start my training. I also realized that I need to get a lot of things together that I'll need. I have a pair of running shoes that are pretty well broken in but according to the 3-Day website, I'll need to have an "extra" pair as well. So, that means trying to come up with the money to buy a second pair and then I'll need to break them in as I'm doing my training. New shoes will cost $75-$100 for a good pair that isn't TOO expensive. Oh geez. I hope I can get the money together soon so I can start breaking those in. I also learned (I kind of already knew this since I work in a shop that carries hiking gear) that I'd need to get some new socks and have a few pair to train with. They don't recommend cotton socks so I need to get some synthetic, breathable socks. I can get some through the shop, luckily. I also might want to get some "work-out" clothes that wick moisture rather than use just my standard cotton stuff. I can't believe how the expenses are adding up. I will be staying at the 3-Day "camp" while I'm doing the Denver 3-Day so at least that will save on a hotel room in Denver for me and I won't have to have money for additional food over the weekend. Also, they recommend doing some cross-training as part of your training... i.e. work-out machines, bike riding, swimming, etc. Well, I don't have a bike right now. So, in order to do the cross-training stuff I'll have to get a membership at the rec center. That will allow me to have a wide variety of options regarding my cross-training part of the training. That's $53/mo. There's just really a lot of training and stuff to do and the date is getting closer. Let's see how I manage it all. :-)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
MySpace, Facebook, Twitter... Technology
Okay, so, it seems that just as you're REALLY getting the hang of something... something "newer and better" comes along. It's constantly a game of catch-up.
In my life, there was first a cell phone (after I had graduated from college and not counting the family Apple Mac computer we had when I was 12 that had a black and white monitor and the "internet" didn't exist). Then came designing my own website. Then there were text messages, MySpace, Facebook and now there's Twitter and "Tweet Deck." I'm of "Generation X." Computers in every home, internet and everything else related to that, were JUST becoming a part of life when I was in high school (graduated in 1996). I remember playing the computer game "The Oregon Trail" when it was essentially a DOS program... not Windows and point and click. I really wanted a beeper, to keep in touch with my friends, and never got one. Isn't it just amazing how times have changed?
When I wanted to know what was going on with my favorite singing group, I had to buy a "Teen Beat" magazine or something else like that and hope that the local radio station was interested in playing their music and giving the listener updates. If you wanted to buy concert tickets, you had to wait in line at a Ticketmaster ticket window and hope you got lucky. Meeting the group? That was pretty much completely out of the question unless you, somehow, had an "in" and knew someone who knew someone. Now you just get online when the tickets go on sale and select to buy a VIP package. It's a guarenteed meet and greet! On top of that, I can now "follow" the group members on Twitter and see anything they want to say or what they're up to, first hand. Pretty cool.
Here's the thing... it seems that just as I was getting really comfortable with MySpace and using that to find out what's going on with friends and celebrities I like, people were talking about Facebook and setting up accounts with Facebook. So, I had to set up a Facebook page if I wanted to find out what my friends were up to and reconnect with people. Then I heard about Twitter... ahhh, another "social networking" site to find out the latest about what's going on in the lives of friends and the "rich and famous." Now I'm in a position where I'm updating 3 different sites a day. Talk about time consuming. I mean, afterall, you want to make sure that everyone you know and that knows you, knows what's going on, don't you? :-) It's just all pretty amusing.
I wonder what they'll think of next?
In my life, there was first a cell phone (after I had graduated from college and not counting the family Apple Mac computer we had when I was 12 that had a black and white monitor and the "internet" didn't exist). Then came designing my own website. Then there were text messages, MySpace, Facebook and now there's Twitter and "Tweet Deck." I'm of "Generation X." Computers in every home, internet and everything else related to that, were JUST becoming a part of life when I was in high school (graduated in 1996). I remember playing the computer game "The Oregon Trail" when it was essentially a DOS program... not Windows and point and click. I really wanted a beeper, to keep in touch with my friends, and never got one. Isn't it just amazing how times have changed?
When I wanted to know what was going on with my favorite singing group, I had to buy a "Teen Beat" magazine or something else like that and hope that the local radio station was interested in playing their music and giving the listener updates. If you wanted to buy concert tickets, you had to wait in line at a Ticketmaster ticket window and hope you got lucky. Meeting the group? That was pretty much completely out of the question unless you, somehow, had an "in" and knew someone who knew someone. Now you just get online when the tickets go on sale and select to buy a VIP package. It's a guarenteed meet and greet! On top of that, I can now "follow" the group members on Twitter and see anything they want to say or what they're up to, first hand. Pretty cool.
Here's the thing... it seems that just as I was getting really comfortable with MySpace and using that to find out what's going on with friends and celebrities I like, people were talking about Facebook and setting up accounts with Facebook. So, I had to set up a Facebook page if I wanted to find out what my friends were up to and reconnect with people. Then I heard about Twitter... ahhh, another "social networking" site to find out the latest about what's going on in the lives of friends and the "rich and famous." Now I'm in a position where I'm updating 3 different sites a day. Talk about time consuming. I mean, afterall, you want to make sure that everyone you know and that knows you, knows what's going on, don't you? :-) It's just all pretty amusing.
I wonder what they'll think of next?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Cricut Expression
Okay, so, I had to do a blog about this. This is the Cricut Expression. I've wanted to get one for the last several months and I FINALLY was able to get one. This is such a cool die-cutting machine. Prior to this, I only had the Xyron Personal Cutting System. The main things I disliked about the Xyron are that it will only cut out shapes and letters as big as about 3 1/2" and each time you want to use it, you have to cut out 4"x4" pieces of paper and put them on the cutting mat. You can also only do one letter or shape at a time. Now, with the Cricut Expression... you can print a shape almost as large as 12"x24". You can also do more than one letter or shape at a time (depending on the size you're cutting). With the Expression, you can also position the cutting blade where you'd like it to cut on the paper so that you can use almost an entire piece of paper, very easily and it's much less wasteful. So far, I've only been able to do a little with the Expression as life hasn't been very eventful so there hasn't really been much to scrapbook. I am, however, very excited about all of the projects I can do over the next several years, using the Expression. I'd say that the biggest "problem" with the Expression is just that the cartridges are very expensive ($50-$100 each). However, at least we have eBay. :-) So, you can get the same cartridges for half the price (or better). I also think that owning an Expression can save lots of money in the long run. Some of the main things I spend my scrapbooking money on are stickers and paper embellishments. With the Expression, I don't have to buy as many stickers or paper embellishments because now I can just make everything I'd like to use on a page very easily. It's pretty cool. I'm SO glad that I got this machine and I look forward to many, many years of creative scrapbooking projects with it.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Denver 3-Day- 2009
This year, I'll be participating in a very special event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day.
I'll walk 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of other women and men. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
I've agreed to raise at least $2,300 in donations. I've set my personal goal at $2,300. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of $10 or more? Keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train. You can give online at http://www.the6day.org/ or just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation. You can also call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone.
I'm walking for several people. I'm walking in memory of my Aunt Barb (who lost her battle in 2001), in memory of my Great-Grandma Jo (who was a survivor), in support of my Aunt Robin (a survivor), in support of Zac's grandma who is a survivor, in support of my Grandma Stover (a survivor) and in memory of Betty Wood (one of the New Kid's mom's who lost her battle), as well as all of the other women out there who have survived or lost their battle and the many others who know people or will have to fight this battle at some point in their lives.
According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. That's why I'm walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Hilary
P.S.Ask your employer if they will double your donation through a matching gift program! Click here to visit my personal page. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://www.%20the3day.%20org/site/TR/Walk/DenverEvent?px=3098521&pg=personal&fr_id=1310&et=UpqPMHdOCFDZBQCvH_58Qw..&s_tafId=85236
Click here to view the team page for Rocky Mt.Cover Girls. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://www.%20the3day.%20org/site/TR/Walk/DenverEvent?team_id=71640&pg=team&fr_id=1310&et=2sVwbMOKzRfMUY5i4fr_ww..&s_tafId=85236
For more information about the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, visit http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnRoZTNkYXkub3JnLw== or call 800.996.3DAY.
I'll walk 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of other women and men. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
I've agreed to raise at least $2,300 in donations. I've set my personal goal at $2,300. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of $10 or more? Keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train. You can give online at http://www.the6day.org/ or just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation. You can also call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone.
I'm walking for several people. I'm walking in memory of my Aunt Barb (who lost her battle in 2001), in memory of my Great-Grandma Jo (who was a survivor), in support of my Aunt Robin (a survivor), in support of Zac's grandma who is a survivor, in support of my Grandma Stover (a survivor) and in memory of Betty Wood (one of the New Kid's mom's who lost her battle), as well as all of the other women out there who have survived or lost their battle and the many others who know people or will have to fight this battle at some point in their lives.
According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. That's why I'm walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Hilary
P.S.Ask your employer if they will double your donation through a matching gift program! Click here to visit my personal page. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://www.%20the3day.%20org/site/TR/Walk/DenverEvent?px=3098521&pg=personal&fr_id=1310&et=UpqPMHdOCFDZBQCvH_58Qw..&s_tafId=85236
Click here to view the team page for Rocky Mt.Cover Girls. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://www.%20the3day.%20org/site/TR/Walk/DenverEvent?team_id=71640&pg=team&fr_id=1310&et=2sVwbMOKzRfMUY5i4fr_ww..&s_tafId=85236
For more information about the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, visit http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnRoZTNkYXkub3JnLw== or call 800.996.3DAY.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Scrapbooking
Well, as most of you know... I'm a scrapbooker. I even have an entire room devoted to this hobby. (Maybe one day, when we build a garage, I'll have an even bigger room for it, above the garage.) That would be sweet!!! This hobby is my year-around "outlet." With snowboarding, I can only do it in the winter and then it takes time to get to the area, get my stuff on, and get out on the hill. With scrapbooking, I need only go to my bedroom (which isn't really a bedroom at all) and I could even stay in my pajamas, if I wanted to. It is kind of crazy that this hobby has become such a part of who I am, especially since I only began it in 2003. Given, my life is not currently very exciting so there aren't a lot of "moments" to scrapbook but there's still some stuff going on. Also, nothing says that I have to scrapbook only big events or outings. I can also scrapbook day to day life or do a page about where I'm at in my life at this time. I really enjoy this hobby. I've even used it to show my family story. I have a series of Genealogy scrapbooks that I'm working on. That is definitely an ongoing project, as new information and research comes out. I look forward to scrapbooking "life books" for my children one day, as well. The one bad thing about this hobby.... it can be SUPER expensive. There are always new products coming out that are designed to make your pages more elaborate and easier to put together. It's ongoing. My favorite places to buy products are http://www.scrapbook.com and at Archiver's scrapbook stores. The biggest problem with going into the store is that it seems like I want everything that's there. So, when I do have money to go, I usually have to go with a budget in mind and stick to it. I could easily spend thousands of dollars at that store if I had the money to do it. I also have a scrapbook homepage online. On this page, I usually post some of the pages that I've put together. Check it out http://www.scrapbook.com/places/COscrapper It's really quite rewarding to put together my scrapbooks because it's more than just a bunch of pictures, like in a photo album. Pages usually include journaling and sometimes they even include things like audio clips or ticket stubs or things like that. It's a fun way to be creative, especially since I'm not a very good drawer.
One of the big things happening with it now is I plan on "redesigning" my room to open it up a bit, remove things from the floor, and make it more accommodating to my scrapooking. My room is fairly well organized but it could be better organized. Also, the floor has all kinds of shelves and things on it and I'd like to move stuff from the floor to shelves on the wall. By doing this, I think that I can also get all of my products, paper, embellishments, and various other tools, better organized. Plus, maybe it would open up the floor in the bedroom a little better to accommodate company when they come (not much but maybe a little). I'm hoping that I can start this project in February. I don't expect it to cost a lot of money because all I'm really going to do is buy some wood for shelves (maybe paint the walls too) and a couple of other things. Then, I'll just move the products and stuff I have to the shelves and put the stuff that's on the floor downstairs in the crawl space. This will kind of be a big project but I think that it will be a lot of fun. Also, it's something that Zac and I can do together. Afterall, he does have his construction knowledge and all of the tools needed to make the shelves exactly the way I want. :-) I'll be sure to post pictures when it's all done.
One of the big things happening with it now is I plan on "redesigning" my room to open it up a bit, remove things from the floor, and make it more accommodating to my scrapooking. My room is fairly well organized but it could be better organized. Also, the floor has all kinds of shelves and things on it and I'd like to move stuff from the floor to shelves on the wall. By doing this, I think that I can also get all of my products, paper, embellishments, and various other tools, better organized. Plus, maybe it would open up the floor in the bedroom a little better to accommodate company when they come (not much but maybe a little). I'm hoping that I can start this project in February. I don't expect it to cost a lot of money because all I'm really going to do is buy some wood for shelves (maybe paint the walls too) and a couple of other things. Then, I'll just move the products and stuff I have to the shelves and put the stuff that's on the floor downstairs in the crawl space. This will kind of be a big project but I think that it will be a lot of fun. Also, it's something that Zac and I can do together. Afterall, he does have his construction knowledge and all of the tools needed to make the shelves exactly the way I want. :-) I'll be sure to post pictures when it's all done.
Monday, December 15, 2008
2008 Christmas Picture and Letter
Happy Holidays everyone! I hope that this letter finds all of you in good health and happiness.
2008 has been an interesting year for Zac and I. Right before Christmas last year, when we were driving back from visiting family in Michigan, we hit a deer with the Volvo in Iowa. Somehow the car kept running (thanks to Zac’s amazing ability to keep “junk” running) and we were able to make it back to Colorado safely… it just took a bit more time as we could only drive during daylight. When we got back to Colorado we began a search for a replacement vehicle. We found a 1993 Subaru Legacy on Craig’s List and were a bit hasty in buying it. As a result, we ended up with a car that didn’t have a working “reverse” and needed a new radiator. The girl wouldn’t take the car back and give us our money back. :-( So… I took the major plunge and decided to lease a car since, at least that way, I could be sure that I’d have a vehicle that was 100% reliable. I got a 2008 Subaru Outback. So far, so good. The rest of the winter and spring were pretty uneventful. Zac and I still haven’t taken “the plunge” and gotten married. Hopefully that happens soon. :-)
Zac spent the year working construction near our home in Fairplay. He had the opportunity to build his first log home which he really enjoyed. Now, maybe one day, he can build us one. It turned out really well and he’s very proud of it. I continued to work at Wells Fargo bank in Breckenridge and part-time at Bahnhof Sport until August when the bank was starting to change some things and I didn’t like what they were doing so I gave my notice. I decided to go back to working full time at the Bahnhof in Breckenridge. I am pleased with this decision as it is much less stressful than the bank and more fun. The pay is better too. :-)
In June/July, I had the opportunity to take 2 weeks of paid vacation and visit my family and some of Zac’s family in Michigan. It was nice to have that time off and to enjoy the Great Lakes. I miss the water, living in Colorado. I spent most of the time relaxing and hanging out with my parents at Bay Harbor since Dad is working for Walstrom’s Marina there. It was just really good to see everyone and enjoy some “down” time.
In the spring, the New Kids on the Block announced that they were reuniting and releasing a new album. Yeah!!! They’ve been my favorite singing group since I was 11 years old. Not long after announcing the reunion (by appearing on The Today Show), they announced that they would be doing a tour as well. This announcement took the cake since I didn’t get to see them in concert back in the 80’s and early 90’s. They came to Denver on November 14, 2008 and performed at the Broomfield Event Center. In addition to being able to see them in concert, I also got to meet them through a meet and greet opportunity. I was in heaven!! If you want to read about the entire experience, check out below.
Another major thing that has happened this year is that I have become a CASA volunteer. If you don’t know what CASA is, check out this website: http://www.nationalcasa.org/. Basically, I volunteer about 20 hours a month and my “job” is to get to know a family that is involved in a dependency and neglect case. Then I write a report for the judge for each court hearing that follows. The cool thing is that I get to have an impact on a family and I get to be the kids’ voice to the judge. You spend approximately 1 to 1 ½ years on a single case. When that case is closed, you are released as the CASA and take on another case. It’s cool because, lots of the time, the family and the kids see all kinds of different people in that time and the CASA is the only person that is guaranteed to remain on the case from beginning to end. It’s something that is constant in their changing lives. I love having such an impact on children’s lives.
Well, I think that about covers our year. Not too crazy… just enough. :-)
2008 has been an interesting year for Zac and I. Right before Christmas last year, when we were driving back from visiting family in Michigan, we hit a deer with the Volvo in Iowa. Somehow the car kept running (thanks to Zac’s amazing ability to keep “junk” running) and we were able to make it back to Colorado safely… it just took a bit more time as we could only drive during daylight. When we got back to Colorado we began a search for a replacement vehicle. We found a 1993 Subaru Legacy on Craig’s List and were a bit hasty in buying it. As a result, we ended up with a car that didn’t have a working “reverse” and needed a new radiator. The girl wouldn’t take the car back and give us our money back. :-( So… I took the major plunge and decided to lease a car since, at least that way, I could be sure that I’d have a vehicle that was 100% reliable. I got a 2008 Subaru Outback. So far, so good. The rest of the winter and spring were pretty uneventful. Zac and I still haven’t taken “the plunge” and gotten married. Hopefully that happens soon. :-)
Zac spent the year working construction near our home in Fairplay. He had the opportunity to build his first log home which he really enjoyed. Now, maybe one day, he can build us one. It turned out really well and he’s very proud of it. I continued to work at Wells Fargo bank in Breckenridge and part-time at Bahnhof Sport until August when the bank was starting to change some things and I didn’t like what they were doing so I gave my notice. I decided to go back to working full time at the Bahnhof in Breckenridge. I am pleased with this decision as it is much less stressful than the bank and more fun. The pay is better too. :-)
In June/July, I had the opportunity to take 2 weeks of paid vacation and visit my family and some of Zac’s family in Michigan. It was nice to have that time off and to enjoy the Great Lakes. I miss the water, living in Colorado. I spent most of the time relaxing and hanging out with my parents at Bay Harbor since Dad is working for Walstrom’s Marina there. It was just really good to see everyone and enjoy some “down” time.
In the spring, the New Kids on the Block announced that they were reuniting and releasing a new album. Yeah!!! They’ve been my favorite singing group since I was 11 years old. Not long after announcing the reunion (by appearing on The Today Show), they announced that they would be doing a tour as well. This announcement took the cake since I didn’t get to see them in concert back in the 80’s and early 90’s. They came to Denver on November 14, 2008 and performed at the Broomfield Event Center. In addition to being able to see them in concert, I also got to meet them through a meet and greet opportunity. I was in heaven!! If you want to read about the entire experience, check out below.
Another major thing that has happened this year is that I have become a CASA volunteer. If you don’t know what CASA is, check out this website: http://www.nationalcasa.org/. Basically, I volunteer about 20 hours a month and my “job” is to get to know a family that is involved in a dependency and neglect case. Then I write a report for the judge for each court hearing that follows. The cool thing is that I get to have an impact on a family and I get to be the kids’ voice to the judge. You spend approximately 1 to 1 ½ years on a single case. When that case is closed, you are released as the CASA and take on another case. It’s cool because, lots of the time, the family and the kids see all kinds of different people in that time and the CASA is the only person that is guaranteed to remain on the case from beginning to end. It’s something that is constant in their changing lives. I love having such an impact on children’s lives.
Well, I think that about covers our year. Not too crazy… just enough. :-)
Monday, December 1, 2008
NKOTB in Guadalajara, Mexico
So, this was posted on the New Kids site. Someone put together some of their video clips from the show in Guadalajara, Mexico. It's a nice mix. Enjoy.
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