Shoveling then shoveling some more!!!

Normally, this wouldn't be any big deal. We only got an inch of snow! Yesterday, before my whole hair fiasco, I shoveled that beautiful dry snow off the sidewalks and the driveway and enjoyed it. The snow was a nice change from the ugly dry cold weather we have been having BUT then came the sleet and rain and then it snowed a little more. I woke up to a half inch of solid ice on my driveway and sidewalks. I took Chica outside and realized that my beautiful snow was frozen solid and we were sliding all over so I decided that I had better get back out there and shovel some more! My back and shoulders already ache from yesterday......great exercise! I managed to get half the driveway cleared and all the sidewalks (don't want anyone falling on my property....ouch!) I ache all over and now would like a good massage. It never fails, when Cliff is gone, the snow and ice comes!!! We are suppose to get more rain this afternoon and then it will freeze again tonight.....tomorrow I may have to pay someone to clear it for me!!

The Hair Dilema

Last week I had an appointment to get my hair done but got so busy at work (yea!!!) that I had to cancel it. No worry, I can get another appointment for next week... right!!! Well, as my life goes, I have decided at the last minute to go to SLC on Thursday and called to get that appointment. The receptionist set it for today (so I thought).....the weather was bad so I called to confirm and they said to come in. I go in and they tell me my appointment is for tomorrow......I can't go tomorrow because I have meetings all day. So I ask, what is a girl to do? I remember some of my friends telling me to try their hairdresser so I call to try to get an appointment and that shop is closing early because of the weather.....hmmmmm. I stop by Ulta hoping they will take a walk in but they let all their people go home early. I decide to go to good ole JC Penneys Hair Salon in the mall because they have to stay open until the mall closes (rain, shine, snow, sleet).....brave huh!!! There was one hairdresser left in the salon and she said she would be glad to do my hair. I was getting a little nervous after sitting in the chair and we were having a hard time communicating but I let her go ahead. A lesson learned........I saved myself $50 and I really like both the color and the cut. I guess I have found a new hairdresser!!!!

Cardinals to the Superbowl!!!

It was an exciting evening to watch football. We were really hoping that the Cardinals would be playing the Ravens at the Superbowl. It would have made for an interesting game! We are very glad that the Cardinals are finally going and we won't even have to decide who we want to win, it's the CARDINALS all the way.

When I was in economic development in Phoenix, I got to work with the group that brought the Cardinals to Phoenix and then was one of the volunteer leaders to help with the first Superbowl in Phoenix. It was very exciting to be part of all that and now we get to see them actually play in the Superbowl!!!! GO CARDINALS!

We were watching the Ravens game with great anticipation....also hoping that they would pull it off and we would have two teams going. Oh well, you can't have it all!

President-Elect Obama in Baltimore!!

Being part of history!!!! Saturday President-Elect Obama took a train from Philadelphia to Washington DC with stops in Delaware (to pick up Vice President-Elect Biden) and Baltimore. It was one of the coldest days we have had since we have lived here and there were huge crowds all along the train route. Great up close and personal pictures.....don't you think!!! And to think that I was able to stay warm, watch all the great events and take these wonderful pictures all from the warmth of my own home!

She's showing!!!!

Shauna and Roxy

Shauna and JD are expecting their first child in June!! You couldn't tell she was pregnant when she was here at Christmas but the proof is here......they are hoping to find out the sex on Monday. That will make 3 grandchildren in Phoenix and us clear back here in Maryland!!

Ryan On Special Assignment!!

Ryan is on special assignment to the Grand Canyon. His company is removing an iron ore mine from the side of the canyon and he is one of the guys that repels down to remove it. This is the type of thing that makes parents go gray before their time!!! Apparently, there is sacred Indian ground below, where this mine is, and they can't let anything (including screws, nuts etc.) fall on this sacred ground. There is snow on the ground and is very cold......it's dangerous work but we hear that Ryan is really enjoying it.

We are looking forward to hearing from him and all about his adventure!

Brrrrrrrr!!

WINTERS IN PAGOSA SPRINGS!!!


Now this is what winter should look like!!!!! There is nothing worse than having bitter cold weather and have NO snow. At least if there is snow on the ground, it looks nice and for some reason, I feel warmer. We enjoy going outside and playing in the snow or driving around and seeing how beautiful the trees and ground look with the snow glistening. As it is now, I'm cold and don't want to go outside for any reason. Oh to be back in Pagosa Springs right now!!!! These pictures are taken from previous winters in Pagosa...we sure miss it.


To top off the cold weather, we had a power outage in our neighborhood today. I came home from having a nice lunch with Karen all ready to settle in to a nice warm house, drink hot chocolate (sugar free, of course) and get some work done but walk in to a cold house and no electricity to fix hot chocolate! I cleaned for a while and then felt sorry for Chica so decided we would go for a ride to get warm. The power was out for about 4 hours and the temp in the house got down to 45! It's all good now though, Chica and I are doing well and settling in for nice warm evening!!

As I was talking to Cliff this morning, he informed me that he woke up to NO hot water in his hotel. He had meetings to get to and had to have a COLD shower.....that'll get you going in the morning!


I'm sure tomorrow will be a better day for both of us even though the weather says it is only going to be in the single digits...BRRRRRRRR. Hopefully all you in the warmer climate enjoy your warmth and those of you in the snow are appreciating its beauty. I'll be thinking of you! :)

Cruise Director Again!!!

We have certainly been blessed to have some wonderful opportunities, we get to go on another river cruise (thanks to my sister-in-law, Gayle, THANK YOU!). This time it is the "Tulip Time" cruise and will go from Amsterdam to Arnhem-Dordrect. Antwerp, Belgium. Ghent. Middelburg, Hollard-Veere-Delta Works. Rotterdam. and back to Amsterdam-Volendam and Edam.

I have been very busy getting everyone lined up to go, so far we have 10 rooms booked....I think I missed my calling, I should have been a cruise director because I sure enjoy planning and making sure everyone has fun! Something to look forward to when it is so cold and dreary outside!

This will mark one more thing off my bucket list.....before long I will have to add more to it!

JD's a Star!

Three of our kids and two granchildren (Ryan, JD, Julie, Ariana and Alexa) live in Phoenix so we don't get to see them as often as we would like. It is always a treat when we can see even a glimpse of them!

JD was at the Suns vs. Mavericks game last night and right behind the Suns bench there he was, all decked out in his Orange and Purple!!! The game was on so late on the east coast that I fell asleep during it, but I caught quite a few glimpses of JD during the game. It is alot more fun to watch a game when you know someone there...:):) JD would be proud that I did look up the score and the Suns won 128 to 100. GO SUNS and GO JD!!!! (Couldn't find a picture with a Suns shirt)

Sleepover with Trey!

We love our grandkids, the only problem is only one of them live close enough to see often. Thank goodness for Trey!!!! Chris and Ameerah went to see the play "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on Thursday (Ameerah's friend is a dancer in it) and went out afterwards with Ameerah's friend so Cliff and I got to have Trey all night.

He is 13 months and such a happy boy. He is always smiling and exploring even when he isn't feeling very good. Since I already had dinner plans, Cliff got to spend the first 1 1/2 hours alone with him. Trey loves his Pops, they are always teasing each other. Cliff has a way with his grandkids.....he is always teasing them and they like to tease him back. When I got home Cliff was fixing him a bottle so I didn't get to play much with him. He got up a couple times during the night (I think mainly because of his stuffy nose) and I got to hold and comfort him. Nothing better than having a baby in your arms and getting those big kisses!!!

Walking the Mall!

Maryland has so many beautiful parks to walk, run and bike around and I love to get out and enjoy the great outdoors but sometimes the weather just doesn't cooperate!! Many of you know that Ninon and I have been walking and training for a half marathon in Myrtle Beach. (Don't get excited, we are walking it!) Well, she has been in Utah (her daughter is having a baby)and that has left me without a walking partner. I don't like walking around the park by myself but decided that I better continue our training or I will be sorry come marathon time. So, today (mainly because it has been raining and cold) I decided to walk the mall...there is always alot of people around and plenty of things to see so I don't get bored. It reminded me of when I lived in Phoenix and my girlfriend, Larett, and I use to go and then afterwards would treat ourselves to a diet root beer at A&W. Things I have learned from walking the mall.....NEVER TAKE MONEY WITH YOU!!!!! There seems to be alot of things that I would like to buy and the Cinnabons smell soooooo good!! I was sure glad that I didn't bring money with me this morning :) :)

Ninon, Debra and Lisa, I sure hope you are training, it is coming up on us fast and I am really looking forward to it! It sounds like my parents are going to come cheer us on (or just to see if we can really do it?)

Off to a Good Start!!!

JD and Shauna left to go home before the new year. It was sure fun having them here and we are excited about our new grandbaby that is due in June! While they were here we saw Marley and Me. It was a great movie but we all bawled like babies. After they left, I got the 24 hour flu and spent all Monday in bed sicker than a dog! So far it is just myself, Trey and Chris that has got it from Maryland. Then it was back to reality....we had to take down all the decorations and clean out the garage, and do laundry and clean the house. Of course we fit in our usual movies and games with friends and babysitting Trey!

Cliff and I decided to take a road trip to Lancaster, PA to exchange some presents and put the GPS on direct route (gotta love those GPS's)......it took us through the back country and it was beautiful. We got to see the Amish out working on their farms with horse drawn plows and spreading fertilizer. It seems like such a comforting life...I always think it would be fun to live like that and not have the hustle and bustle that we put ourselves through!

I started taking a geneology class at church and am excited to find out more about Cliff's family. I can see how this gets to be addicting. I have found info back to his great grandparents so far and looking forward to continuing.

We're trying to get organized so that this year will be a more productive and prosperous year for us... We are looking forward to a better year!!

REFLECTIONS.....OUR YEARLY NEWSLETTER

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! This past year just flew by....of course, it seems the older you get the faster time goes by! We were blessed with so many wonderful things this past year and were very busy.

Cliff is always busy at work, he is a workaholic and is always traveling up and down the east coast with a couple side trips to corporate offices in Scottsdale (an added benefit because he can see the kids and old friends.) He loves his job but is always glad to be home. His weekends are always taken up with working in the yard and doing the things that need to get done around the house. I still love doing real estate...the first of the year I was busy and like most other businesses things slowed down a bit toward the end, because of the economy, so I took up a part time sales job selling Miche handbags and really enjoy that too! I am very active in church as the Enrichment Counselor for Relief Society. We both enjoy the many dinners, movies and game nights with our friends, sightseeing (yes, still), taking drives to see the beautiful scenery, golfing when we can and going to Orioles and National games! Chica (our Chihuahua) scared us by getting bronchitis and then found out she has a heart murmur but is doing much better now. Ryan is still living in Avondale, AZ. JD married Shauna in the San Diego Temple this year and they live in Phoenix, AZ. Andy married Chelsea in Monterey, CA and that is where they are currently living. Jennifer lived with us for the first part of the year and then moved to Monterey to live with her mother. Julie lives in Chandler, AZ. Chris and his family, Ameerah and Trey, live in Columbia, MD. We get to see them often and babysit every once in a while. It is so much fun being grandparents….. Besides Trey, Chris has a daughter, Alexa that lives in Phoenix; Julie has a daughter, Ariana and JD and Shauna are expecting their first child in June 2009. We are growing!!!!!

We really enjoy it when family and friends come to visit. My sister, Lisa and her family, live close by and visit often or we visit them. Some of our other visitors included: Julie and Ariana, my Mom and Dad, JD and Shauna, my sister Jacqui with her family and their exchange student, Hannah, Stan (Cliff's brother), Teri Taggart (my brother-in-law's sister) with daughter and friend, Alexa, Andy and Chelsea, and Jennifer and Ariana. We love to tour everyone around our area. We live in such a wonderful spot to see all the historical places. We are so close to DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, NY...it is GREAT!!!

Every year I say that I am going to stay home more but opportunities come up and I get to go visit all my family and friends. I still love to travel, last year I went to Dallas to visit my parents and sisters, Jacqui and Leslie and their families; Malad, ID for our annual Bowen Family Reunion, which our family was in charge of this year; McCall, ID to visit some very good friends…it is a beautiful area and had a lot of fun; San Diego for JD and Shauna's wedding…beautiful day for a wedding and they were on top of the world. The San Diego Temple is beautiful and I went with Shauna’s family to Sea World, it was a great weekend; Branson,MO for a vacation with my parents, brother (Jeff), sister (Leslie) and their families; and Eden, UT for my annual Nieces Weekend which I always look forward to seeing all my aunts and cousins. Cliff and I both went to Costa Rica with Cliff's company for a conference (beautiful place and alot of fun). Cliff worked most of the time and I got to play and enjoy the area. Pebble Tec always does an excellent job with their conferences and makes sure we all enjoy the area. We joined my parents, Jacqui’s family, Lisa’s family and Chris’ family in Orlando, FL to go to Disney World. I decided at this stage in my life, I like Epcot Center better than Disney World but sure had a great time at both places. Then, in October, we went on a European river cruise from Paris to Prague with a group of friends… way too much fun was had there!!! Great friends, beautiful scenery and you can’t beat the accommodations! We both love Europe and can’t wait to go back.

Cliff's brother, Glenn, passed away, which was a big loss. He was such a jokester and always so thoughtful and loving. Cliff and his brothers got together every year to play golf and have fun but Glenn hasn’t been well for the last few years so he wasn’t able to play with Cliff and Stan. We will all miss Glenn deeply. Stan came to Maryland for their weekend of fun and golf and got me to start playing again. Cliff and Stan sure have a good time when they are together!!!

Holidays are when we really like to spend time with our family. We spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in Maryland. My parents, Chris and his family, and Lisa and her family were here for Thanksgiving. I love when we all get together, no matter how old I am, I always learn something new from my parents and grateful for every minute we spend together. Mom, Dad and I went to Williamsburg while they were here and really enjoyed that area, can’t wait to go back when it is warmer! Mom, Lisa and I managed to still do our traditional Black Friday shopping. Christmas was suppose to be with all of Laurie's immediate family but it just didn't work out this year so Lisa's family, JD's family, and Chris' family all got together and was very grateful for our friends for allowing us to use their farmhouse to celebrate. It was a beautiful setting and gave us plenty of room to move around!! We all missed not being around the rest of the family but we had a wonderful Christmas. Christmas Eve we invited 8 other families to join us and had a wonderful time. New Years Eve we spent dining with friends and then playing games until the we celebrated the New Year!!!