baby thataway

Sneak peek.

2008-05-12T19:36:00.004-06:00

For those of you following at home, tomorrow is Emma's big "Night of the Notables" presentation. We're putting together the last-minute touches on her Frida Kahlo costume. Here's the hairpiece.

Now I need to work on the Pablo Picasso earrings. Thank you, Lolo, for the Sculpey!

I prefer Abstract Expressionism but ....

2008-05-08T17:28:00.001-06:00

At least I'm not Thomas Kinkaid. Ugh. Sick.

You Are Impressionism

You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways.

You tend to focus on color and movement in art.

For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail.

You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature.

What Art Movement Are You?

Ski Puppy!

2008-04-13T19:22:00.007-06:00

Ugh. I've finally reached the point (age?) where it's becoming impossible for me to remember all the various passwords I have, even though I do my best to keep some continuity.

I couldn't remember my password for this blog and have been dying to upload some snaps from HSP Family Day last month at Winter Park.

So, at long last, and not in any particular order, here is Emma at Winter Park. The second one is with her beloved instructor, Stephanie. (Just today she said, "I want Stephanie again next year.")

Emma skied the "fun race" course that was set up for the kids at Marmot Flats. Her race name, by the way, is "Ski Puppy" - hence the title of this entry.

That was a wonderful weekend, I must say. That Friday Em and I went to a Nuggets game. And they won. Of course. They always win when Emma goes. She's got a completely skewed perspective on Denver sports teams' win-lose records.

Saturday I rode the bus with her up to the resort and then we met up with Pam and Matt. Actually, they met up with Em. On the mountain. They skied over from Mary Jane to Marmot Flats since that's where Emma always skies. They found a group that looked like HSP, asked if anyone knew Emma and they said, "Oh, Ski Puppy? You just missed her on the race course." But Emma skied the course again so they got to cheer her on. How completely cool.

After the skiing, the four of us loaded up into Hans (Matt's Audi wagon) and drove over to their "farm" near Parshall. Pics of those to be posted later.

OMG, though, their mountain home is incredible. Matt cooked. Emma and Pam got in the outdoor hot tub ... it was 22 degrees outside but they were toasty, of course. We stayed up and talked. Emma got altitude sickness during the night so I stayed up with her, back and forth to the bathroom. In the morning, Matt made breakfast. He went skiing. Pam, Emma and I played Life, and then we headed back down the hill. Emma and Rex, who went up to the farm with Pam on Friday, fell asleep together in the backseat of Greta (Pam's Audi ... his and her Audis ... ha!). Very sweet.

Oh, PS: Yes, I am an idiot for activating the date stamp on my camera but not programming in the correct date. Ack!

Haloween 2007.

2007-11-03T16:37:00.000-06:00

A couple days late getting these posted, but ... we've been busy busy.

Took Emma early this morning to get evaluated and fitted for her ski equipment from HSP. OMG, her little boots and her little skis - and dayglo yellow helmet! - are too cute for words. She's going to have so much fun.

After that we went to Horseland, and then to Flatiron Crossing, where we dropped off several of her old old old coats for Coats for Colorado.

Now we're home. Finally. Whew. Where does the day go?

Anyhow, enjoy the Emma Halloween snaps. I tried to post just the non-blurry ones. :)

One Weekend.

2007-10-21T10:28:00.000-06:00

We've all heard the old saw about Colorado: if you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes? Well, we had to wait overnight to go from 70, sunny and gorgeous on Saturday to cold and snowy today. Emma got so excited a little while ago. I looked outside and said, "Wow," which brought her running. She gasped at the wintry scene and hugged me and said, "I love days like this - the first snowy days and we're staying home!" Awww.

It's been another nice weekend, though, setting aside the weather fun. Emma had a good session at CTRC. Her horse, Missy, was injured so she rode Pretty instead. Seemed to go well. She brought flowers to Shelby, one of her walkers, since her b-day was earlier in the week.

Then we came home and Pam picked us up so we could go to Boulder. I'd gotten an invitation a couple of weeks ago for a Defenders of Wildlife Wolf Awareness Week event at the Unitarian church there. We went and it was a really great, informative session. Emma answered several questions and asked a couple of others. Plus, we met a wolf-hybrid named Samantha, who is about 80 to 90 percent wolf, they estimate. She lives at W.O.L.F. in Larimer County. Beautiful animal. Emma was entranced. Samantha walked in and out of the room a few times (on a long lead) and twice she came over to Emma, who was sitting on the end of the room, and just sniffed and brushed on Emma. That child has definitely got a gift when it comes to animals ... though we joked that maybe Samantha wanted a little of the Slim Jim Emma ate on the way to the program.

After the program we headed back up the turnpike for Pam's birthday dinner. She decided she didn't want lobster this year ... just a big salad. Lo and behold, there was a Dave & Buster's at the Church Ranch Road exit. I love their "stinky" salad, the parmesan-crusted chicken Caesar. Emma was dubious but I told her to just go in the place. If you've ever been to a D&B, you'd know why. If not, just check it out. We played Centipede, a couple of horse-themed games, Emma played a motorbike game and did pretty well, and Emma and Pam tried the Dance, Dance Revolution game.

The motorbike pic is blurry but it's a little glimpse of Emma the Easy Rider. :) The funny thing is, as we were wrapping up dinner, Pam said, "Let's leave by 7:30 p.m." We just wanted to play a few games and get out of there. Ha. It's set up like an actual casino in that you just want to keep playing! LOL I got us one Power Card to share (you load the card w/credits and swipe for the games). Then I kept adding more credits. Then Pam went and got her own card so she and Emma could dance dance!

We left at 8:30 p.m.

Emma.

2007-10-10T22:13:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to post a few more recent pics of Emma, CTRC and Missy, horse of the "energetic and lively trot."

Laura & Denny, y'know what?

2007-09-22T14:56:00.000-06:00

Chicken butt.

Let's go to Horseland!

2007-09-22T14:49:00.000-06:00

If you have a tweener daughter you probably know all about "Horseland." It's must-see TV around here on Saturday mornings, which leaves just enough time for Emma to eat breakfast, watch, and then get ready to leave for her Horseland.

Great session today. Her friend Hannah B. brought her a horse book to read, and then her lead walker, Shelby, gave her a present -- three miniature horses (the cute, plastic kind) and two packs of Bella Sara horse trading cards. Awwwww.

All this for the girl who whined last night that, "No one likes me."

On the way back into town today I reminded her she said that and she said, "Mom! That was last night. I'm over that now, OK?"

Anyway, here are snaps of Emma and her horse this session, Missy; her walkers, Shelby and Lee; and then Emma and Hannah, with Hannah's horse, Poco Dos, a former police horse, by the way.

"Dog Days of Summer."

2007-09-16T00:02:00.000-06:00

Emma, Pam and I attended a preview party at the start of the summer for The Wildlife Experience's "Dog Days of Summer" exhibits. Emma got to meet a wolf-hybrid dog, a stunningly beautiful animal. Anyone who knows Emma knows she was beside herself with joy.

Emma and Pam also took advantage of the photo opp during the water life cycle exhibit. Heh. Who could resist such a thing?

Sidewalk art.

2007-09-16T00:00:00.001-06:00

One afternoon Emma befriended the neighbors -- it was really hot and they were playing in the water so Emma put on her bathing suit, grabbed her bucket of sidewalk chalk and away we went. We all ended up drawing on the sidewalk in front of our house, and then on the sides of the house. It lasted for a few days and then we had a big rain. So glad these images turned up.

Emma & Kyle, finally friends.

2007-09-15T23:52:00.000-06:00

Some pics sure to warm the hearts of Laura and Denny, who were witness to Emma's first impression of her younger cousin, Kyle: punching bag. Now they get along much better. Just the other day Emma admitted that they're friends "kind of," and she does love him - "He is my cousin," she said. Observe them having fun together in the backyard of Casa de Derbs, Katelyn & Kyle back home in Louisiana.

Oh, and just how incredibly green is Louisiana anyway? Every time I go home I'm always surprised at how lush it is. Denver is beautiful, but lush it ain't.

More new old pics.

2007-09-15T23:49:00.000-06:00

From field day last May:

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Thought these were lost.

2007-09-15T23:40:00.001-06:00

I tried to download some photos I took last night at Boondocks and today at Emma's first lesson of the fall session at CTRC, but they don't show up on the computer. Instead, several batches of pics I thought had been accidently deleted appeared.

They include these images from our Louisiana vacation:

The Last Saturday of Summer.

2007-09-06T23:11:00.000-06:00

Emma's Edible Map.

2007-08-26T15:44:00.001-06:00

Emma finished today her first social studies project of the new academic year - an edible map of her bedroom.

At first we were going to hot glue candy to construction paper. Emma sketched out a rough draft of the project last weekend. But then at the orientation the other night one of the teachers mentioned using frosting to "glue" the candy to the map. So then I started thinking, well, they did say "edible map."

I pitched the idea of a truly edible map to Em on Friday and she agreed it was a great idea. So we made a box of chocolate chip cookie dough and spread it in a shallow baking tin and that forms the base of the map. Here she is, happy and proud. (She whined a few times about doing homework on the weekend but while she was working on the map -- and she did this on her own, except for the hot gluing of items on the key -- she said, "I didn't know this was going to be so much fun.")

So, whew! first project of the year done. Many more to go.

Escaping the Heat.

2007-08-12T12:29:00.000-06:00

Emma and I spent Saturday in the mountains, heading up to Estes Park for the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association's horse show. Stanley Lake is across the street from the fairgrounds, so we went there twice. I suspect Emma enjoyed walking in the lake more than watching the jumpers.

It couldn't have been a more beautiful day to be up there. Warm, but not hot. Sunny with enough clouds so that every few minutes you got a break from the heat. Steady breeze. And, of course, the scenery. It was one of those days where I spent a lot of time thinking, "I can't believe I live in such a beautiful place."

Oh, the top pic shows one of the most famous places in Estes Park -- other than Rocky Mountain National Park, of course: The Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King's "The Shining." Beautiful place.

Mount Blanca.

2007-06-23T23:48:00.001-06:00

One of the reasons I love living in Colorado: the views. Here's one from our drive home from Monte Vista in the San Luis Valley.

Vacation 2007.

2007-06-15T18:49:00.000-06:00

A little late, but here are some snaps from the Great Louisiana Vacation, most of which took place in the homes of my parents and little sis (separate homes, but only three blocks a part ... very convenient). I suspect Emma got a great big kick out of the great big backyard where she and her cousins Kyle played every day. A trampoline, swing set and Slip-n-Slide? What's not to love?

Here are the pics:

1. Kyle on the trolley at the Louisiana Boardwalk.
2. Emma on the Slip-N-Slide!
3. Emma and Kyle standing on my brick at La Tech in front of Harper, one of my old dorms. Had a heck of a time finding the spot but, all of a sudden, Katelyn found it. Good eyes!
4. Emma and Kyle by the Champ statue in the Student Center.
5. Kyle, Emma and Katelyn at the Boardwalk.
6. Emma and Katelyn on the trolley.

Emma goes to Horseland!

2007-06-15T18:45:00.000-06:00

Em's summer session at CRTC just started and here's a little hint of just how adorable she is with the horse she's been assigned, Pete:

Fred is also elusive ...

2007-05-12T01:34:00.000-06:00

But then he turned around and ... what a sweet boy, he is. Please, someone, tell him about the wabbits.

Thao does not need or want your love and adoration.

2007-05-12T01:31:00.000-06:00

Thao says, "Go away now."

This is what Emma looks like when she's not talking.

2007-05-12T01:25:00.000-06:00

(Grace had to come see what I was doing in Em's room. This is HER child, you see.)

The Many Moods of Marla.

2007-05-12T01:10:00.000-06:00

Marla feels kittenish.

Marla is El Chupacabra. (Run, Gracie, run!)

Just back in her chair after that visit to the front of the house. Exhausted. Must rest.

Rex Talks Smack.

2007-05-12T01:06:00.000-06:00

No one ever believes me when I tell them that Rex talks back to me all the time. But here is proof ...

Rex Pester, Smack Talkin' Border Collie.

Did I mention he did this in French? Oh, yeah. He's that erudite.

Emma Goes Over to the Dark Side.

2007-05-05T11:47:00.000-06:00

And, judging from the look on her face, loves it.

Snapped this last night at the annual PTA carnival, which was movie themed. Couldn't resist getting her photo with my fave villian of all time. Love that Vader!

The new "Warriors" book!

2007-04-25T23:43:00.000-06:00

Well, Em's on Book 3 of "The New Prophecy," but that didn't stop us from heading to the Boulder Bookstore this evening to see and meet Erin Hunter, author of the "Warriors" series. It was actually Victoria Holmes, the editor and creator. Emma was deeeeeelighted to learn she's British, by the way. I was amused to learn she doesn't have a cat ... or really like them all that much. She likes to create gruesome ways to kill off the cats -- "Tigerstar's death rocked!" she said.

Emma managed to get a seat right on the floor in the front of the area where Vicky was giving her talk. She was totally mesmerized. It was awfully sweet to see her in a sea of kids who all share the same passion for the books, too. Total Tweenerville, y'know.

Anyway, when Emma went to get her book signed, she shared with Erin/Vicky (Ericky?) a photo of her birthday cake. My photo didn't turn out well, but Em's stepmom, Danelle, saved the day by taking plenty of birthday picks that are not just cute, they'r in focus. I did manage to get a snap tonight of Em and Erin/Vicky that wasn't too bad ... considering.

Now I can't wait for Em to get home so I can read "The Lost Warrior" and we can finish "Dawn."

Another Sunday in the park with Emma.

2007-04-02T21:55:00.000-06:00

Emma, her BFF Alexis and I spent a couple of hours on Sunday at the park. This was after a lovely morning during which the girls let me sleep until nearly 10 a.m. I say "nearly" because I got up at 7 a.m., then again at 8 a.m., and some time around 9, all in between bouts of light dozing and visits into my bedroom from the girls, who were desperate to pull one over me for April Fool's Day.

They finally got me, though, while I was up and about, getting dressed and ready for our picnic luncheon. Amidst much giggling and whispering, they called out from Emma's newly (and finally) cleaned bedroom for me to come see what they'd done with the bed.

"We really changed things up, m.om," Emma said.

Oh, boy. Now my "momdar," which usually goes off right before Emma tells me she's spilled something on the rug or sofa or all over her clean clothes, was pinging. I wondered what they could have possibly done to the place. (Please note: I worked on cleaning her room for nearly three hours Friday night and another hour or so on Saturday morning. I still need to finish going through the clothes in the closet and dresser, as well as the toys, books and PC games. Yard sale this summer!)

So, I walk in there, they both yell "ta-dah!" and what do I see?

They made the bed.

Awwwww. Who cares that they had me scared and definitely pulled one over on me (Emma's obviously knows me oh so well)? This was the best April Fool's gag ever.

More, please.

Anyway, these are some of the snaps from the park. After Alexis's grandmother picked her up later that afternoon, Emma and I finished reading Book 6 of Warriors, original series,, before father fetched her to take him to his house. Am pleased to say that Em's stepmom reported that evening she fell asleep on the couch during "The Amazing Race." Wow. I can't remember the last time she was that tired. The sense of accomplishment I felt was almost as overwhelming as my happiness and pride in seeing her made bed. It's the silliest things that make being a mom so swell.

Retroblogging, Part 1: City Park, Tattered Cover, Warrior Cats!

2007-03-31T21:16:00.000-06:00

Emma and I have spent a couple of Saturdays over the last few months browsing the stacks and reading at Tattered Cover, which is now just five minutes away from the house now that it's moved to Colfax. Yay. (No more need to venture near snooty, overpriced Cherry Creek.)

We love this store -- hardly alone in that, of course. The other day we were at the Barnes & Nobles at the Pavilions and she was swooning in awe that it had the entire Warriors collection. But then she said she still preferred TC because "it's just more ... I don't know ... magical." Indeed it is.

Anyway, she's on Book 6 of the original Warriors series. Chapter 19 to be exact. She can't even wait to get home to start reading whenever we get a new one.

The other place we've been hanging out a fair bit is City Park ... makes sense since it's just down the street. We've been so happy now that winter has lifted (except for last week's snow). So we've packed some nibbles from the deli, thrown a blanket and Em's bike in the car and schlepped on over there. It's easy to spend a few hours there. Em's getting better on her bike, though she gets a bit self conscious when she sees other kids whizzing by on theirs. She wonders if they think it's odd she's still using training wheels. Have to remind her it hasn't been a year yet since the surgery ... and then she remembers to be proud of how far she's come.

The first time we went out it was overcast and cool, not too busy. So she practiced riding her bike in the circular roadway surrounding the MLK Jr. memorial. Across the street from it is an interactive exhibit where you can hear more about his life, which fascinates her. So learning about history and the civil rights can be done from atop a purple Huffy bike ... life is good.

Retroblogging, Part 2: Nuggets, 107. Trailblazers, 99.

2007-03-31T20:55:00.000-06:00

'Bout 4 p.m. on March 13, a pair of great tix for that night's Nuggets game landed on my desk thanks to my editorial colleague. Emma was at her dad's house that evening, but he agreed to let me take her -- even though she got home a little after 10 p.m. Well past a school night bedtime. Remember when you were a kid and that seemed so dangerous and exciting?

Anyway, we had a grand time. Emma seriously gets into the Nuggets. Bet it has something to do with their mascot being a mountain lion. ("Go Rocky, go Rocky, go!")

This was our first time seeing Allen Iverson in action. Also, Emma and I have never been to a Nugget (or Rox) game when they lost. Cool, huh? OK, yeah, just don't ask how many games we've been to total. Let's let the impressiveness stand, shall we?

Let's go fly a kite.

2007-03-31T19:31:00.000-06:00

Couldn't have asked for a better day to fly a kite, that's for sure, especially since this was Emma's first experience with a kite. Oh, and she made her own.

I had registered Em and her BFF, Alexis, in the kite making class scheduled today at the aptly named Majestic Nature Center. Nice little class. Didn't take much time. Certainly didn't cost much money - $3 a child.

Afterward, the girls tested their creations, of course, and declared them a success. I would have to agree.

To celebrate, we went to lunch at Taqueria Patzcuaro, which Alexis said ought to be named "Best Nachos in the World." Indeed.

Anyway, it's been ages since I've posted. Such a bad blogger, I know. Ah, well. Just don't have the kind of time I used to have ... and it's easy to get out of practice. But I've taken plenty of pics since the last blizzard (eh ... bad word). Speaking of snow, though, we got dumped on Thursday. The wind created quite the drift on my car. It was piled high. Happily, it didn't last long. Such is springtime in the Rockies. (Well, in front of the Rockies.)

Holiday Blizzard 2007

2006-12-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

If you turned on the news today, you might now it's snowing in the Mile High City. Couldn't have happened at a better time. OK, yes, I know it's awful for the thousands of people stranded at DIA, trying to get somewhere before the holidays hit. I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about those of us whose big issues this week are all the marks we need to hit before the weekend and the holiday.'=

Or thought we had to hit ... because now we can't do anything since Denver and Colorado are basically closed. And today, as I've lounged on my sofa, alternatingly watching the TV, browsing and chatting online and looking out my living room window at the horizontally blowing snow, I realized ... I needed this.

And so, for my own selfish reasons, I am happy to have a snow day or two. Here are some photos, which I just promised Emma via IM that I would post. They're blurry, but what is new?

Thanksgiving.

2006-11-26T23:51:00.000-07:00

Much to be thankful this year, of course ... especially, thankful that Thanksgiving is over. Wow. That was exhausting ... and it was just Emma, Pam and me. Cooking is hard work. (Not as hard prezniting, of course, but still.)

Here's a look at our turkey, our table, Pam and Emma toasting w/sparkling apple cider ... and then a little post-Thanksgiving outing with Emma. She's really into dinosaurs these days thanks to Nigel Marvin, so we spent Friday afternoon at the museum, strolling through Prehistoric Journey. We also had to stop and rest in the atrium to soak in the "best view in Denver!"

Pumpkin Festival No. 1.

2006-10-10T19:12:00.000-06:00

Emma and I had a great time last Saturday at the first pumpkin festival we attended this Halloween season. She rode a pony, Scout, provided by the Westernaires, picked out a pumpkin for our porch (the "sacrifice" pumpkin, she calls it ... since the squirrels are having at it), did the inflatable obstacle courses and bouncy castles, visited with some of the PTs from Children's Northwest and saw some of her classmates. We also got to see a Colorado RUFF flyball demonstration and some Scottish dancers. And there was free breakfast.

From the Inside.

2006-10-01T14:58:00.000-06:00

These are some of my fave places and pieces from the interior of the Hamilton Building. Can't wait to go back and leisurely wander through the building, especially with Laura and Denny.

More exterior shots.

2006-10-01T14:51:00.000-06:00

DAM, I love this place ....

2006-10-01T14:46:00.000-06:00

Had the great fortune to spend the better part of Friday touring the new Hamilton Building at the Denver Art Museum, and ... I'm in love. This place is just incredible. I know some folks are critical of it, claiming the architecture competes with the art, but I disagree. It makes the art inside sing. It's thoroughly engaging. I just can't remember the last time I was excited to be inside an art museum.

(Above) This was my view looking straight up from my breakfast table on an outdoor deck of the North (Ponti) Building on Friday. Could the sky be any more beautiful?

Swing away, whoever you are!

2006-09-10T15:54:00.000-06:00

Well, Emma and I had a fabulous and unexpected evening on Friday. My editor gifted us with two of his Rockies season tix (great seats behind home dugout, too!) since he couldn't use them. Wasn't sure we'd use them at first -- Em blows hot and cold on her desire to go to games and it was raining big time all afternoon. But I figured even if she went and got bored and we decided to leave, no biggie since we live literally five minutes from Coors Field.

But she said yes and the skies parted just long enough for us to stay dry the entire time. (About 15 minutes after we got home, the downpours resumed.) We got there early, parked across Blake from the ballpark and only paid $10 for the priviledge, had plenty of time to put our stuff on our seats and then go on over to the Buckaroos family concession stand (if you go with kids, feed them there ... it's super cheap. Paid just $5.75 for an order of Dinger Nuggets (Em's recommendation), fries and a small soda in a souvenir cup. By comparison, my plain nachos were $5.25. At least you can bring your own snacks, too, so I didn't need to buy a soda ... who would afford that? lol)

Oh, and it was a great game! Very exciting. We actually won, 11-8, against the Washington Nationals (no idea if they're any good but a win is a win). I explained the basics and we followed along nicely. She got a little antsy between the bottom of the fourth and the seventh-inning stretch, but it was nothing that dropping $10 on a mood ring and dragonfly necklace at the Diamond Dry Goods couldn't fix. Oh, and singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." She loves that part!

Best of all for Emma, not 15 minutes after she lamented the fact that she'd not been shown on the Jumbotron ... she was shown on the Jumbotron. Dancin' and cheering for about 10 seconds ... 10 LONG seconds, I thought, since I was right next to her on the screen and ... well, cringe-worthy doesn't quite cut it to descibe how I looked and felt. Ah, well! SHE was thrilled and that's all that mattered. Emma announced on the drive home that she must have chosen her for the Jumbotron because of her amazing Rockies spirit. I would add that she's also just cute as a button, but we all know I'm biased.

It wasn't easy getting her to sleep, but she finally dropped off ... wearing her brand-new No. 8 T-shirt, which is an adult XL so it goes to her ankles and kept getting tangled around her, she said ... but she loves it! By the way, I had no idea who the Rockies' No. 8 guy is other than his last name is Torrealba ... it's on the back of the shirt ... but now I know his first name is Yorvit. And there you have it. Emma and I have had our baseball fix until next season ... we'll let you know in the winter how our annual Nuggets game goes. :)

And that was about it for the weekend. Well, actually, Emma had plans on Saturday. Pam took her shopping for my birthday ... she gave me the cat buddha bookend I saw and admired the other week at the Tattered Cover. I gave $5 and she bought herself a book of really pretty paper dolls. She said she didn't know what paper dolls were and ... I felt like a crappy mom. My sisters and I loved playing with paper dolls when we were young. Ah, well! She knows now. Of course, I spent all evening painstaikingly cutting out the outfits (theme: ballet fairies), a task that lasted much longer than her actual interest. We've all been there, right? lol

Colorado Cowboys of Color.

2006-07-15T18:40:00.000-06:00

(Left) The children in this riding group were just too cute, and poised. Everyone's horses were beautiful ... and so where some of the guys. If Emma had been here, she'd a definitely agreed on the hubba hubba factor ... 'cept she would just said, "Major hottie." 'Cause, apparently that's what the kids are saying these days. :)

Street Soldierz.

2006-07-15T18:38:00.000-06:00

(Left) Members of the Street Soldierz thrilled our little neighborhood by screaming by on their bikes, some poppin' wheelies. Who could get tired of wheelies? lol

The World Went Parading By ....

2006-07-15T18:17:00.000-06:00

(Left) The Over the Hill Drill Team performs at the corner of 22nd Avenue and Humboldt Street

Was vegging on the couch a little while ago when I hear all these pounding, staccato sounds ... yeah, my first thought was, "Neighbors say there hasn't been a shootout in this neighborhood in years." Happy to say today didn't break the spell. What I heard was the Black Arts Festival Boogaloo Parade heading each on 22nd, meaning it went right past our corner. So, of course, I had to go and watch.

There were lots of drill teams, from as far away as Kansas and Nebraska, canvassers for Democratic causes -- I signed the petition supporting the Colorado Domestic Partnership Amendment because, as the placards and T-shirts say, "Commitment is commitment" -- and our Democratic governor candidate, Bill Ritter. (Am supporting him, of course, though people who know me might suspect I don't appreciate his stance on abortion. Oh, well. The alternative is ... a Republican governor and that will not do.) Oh, these guys were there, too. Very cool. Oh, and the parade ended with horses and riders, of course ... a group called the Colorado Cowboys of Colorado.

Very nice little treat. I wish the neighborhood had more stuff like this going on ... it was fun to see everyone come outside and watch. Across the street, the Cone Zone and the new eatery that just opened, Troy's Catfish & Wings, were doing brisk business.

Wish Emma had been here to see it, but she is off in the mountains on her first camping trip. Camp Coles departed this morning for Cherokee Park, up near the Colorado/Wyoming border. Bet it's a beautiful day up there ... and no where near as hot as it is now (97 at the moment).

3rd of July.

2006-07-04T11:00:00.000-06:00

Emma and I spent Monday afternoon at ... the zoo. Big shock, I know. :) Here she is at the Samburu Grille, eating lunch.

She's in the bath now, getting cleaned up since we're going to meet my relatives from Austin for lunch at the 16th Street Mall. After that, we're spending our Fourth of July afternoon swimming at Pam's and Matt's condo in Superior. Looking forward to relaxing away the afternoon.

Not looking forward to returning to work tomorrow ... but who is, right?

A Gala Evening.

2006-06-23T20:04:00.000-06:00

This pic is a week old. Went to an engineering society 50th anniversary gala (I'm on the association's PR committee) a week ago Thursday. After a week of scorching temps ... it was 102 the day before ... the weather broke and the evening was perfect. I had two drink coupons (chose margaritas), walked all over the Denver Botanic Gardens with a coworker, mingled with sources and industry friends, and enjoyed a bit of the chocolate fountain ... then went home.

Seriously. The perfect Denver evening. In case you're wondering.

I hate summer weather.

2006-06-04T15:28:00.000-06:00

I really do. And it no longer comforts me that it's a "dry heat" here in Colorado. I hate it all.

At the moment, the temp could be worse; it's 87, but forecast for 91 tomorrow. But the house isn't catching a breeze from any of the windows, so we've gone into darkened mode. Got the curtains drawn and the window unit in my bedroom cranked, plus fans whirring in Emma's room and the living room. Oh, and had to shut the bathroom door b/c the skylights really heats things.

I am such a whiny baby, I know.

Later, though, I'll probably take Emma for a little stroll around the neighborhood, with a stop at the Cone Zone for an ice cream treat. At the moment, though, she's busy playing Spyro 3: Year of the Dragonfly in her bedroom. She's in the skatepark right now, and there's much woohooing!

The new hobby.

2006-05-28T16:17:00.000-06:00

Laura just taught Emma and mom how to cast off, which is something fundamental to knitting, I believe. The three of them are in the living room, chatting happily about knitting. Shaky picture, but too cute of a scene ... can't resist.

Tulip Jo.

2006-05-28T15:57:00.000-06:00

By the way, Jolanda, if you're reading this, I got locked out of my old Yahoo! e-mail account, so I lost your e-mail addy ... Please e-mail me at dianalmurphy (at) yahoo.com. It's been way too long and I'd love to "chat" again.

Emma's surgery.

2006-05-28T15:52:00.000-06:00

OK, briefly, Emma's surgery last Monday went well. She was in the hospital until Friday, when she came home to my house. (She'll go to dad's on Tuesday evening.) She's handling the pain well and it's getting better every day. We're ironing out the kinks in daily life stuff, but again, it's better each time.

I'm so proud of her.

Here's a hospital snap of Em and the beautiful flowers sent by the Crumps.

Field Day!

2006-05-19T19:20:00.000-06:00

Spent the morning at A-West, where Em's school had its annual field day. A good time was had by all.

I did nearly end up Em's partner for the three-legged race -- she picked me! -- but, at the last minute, some jockeying took place and Tawny was freed up to pair with Emma. They were quite cute together.

Oh, and as you can see, it was a stunning morning for field day. Hard to believe it's now overcast and close. Ugh.

Recreational fun.

2006-05-18T22:27:00.000-06:00

OK, I downloaded the pics from the Detroit trip. This is where we spent nearly four hours on Saturday afternoon - the Livonia Community Recreation Center. Woohoo! If the kids weren't good and tired by the end of the day, at least Derbs and I were.

The center, by the way, was also the site of KK's and Kyle's soccer games, held earlier in the day. In the rain. Those soccer leagues are hard core, let me tell you. Snow, sleet, rain. They still play. Kyle scored a goal, by the way. And KK was a fantastic player, too! It was cool to see them do so well ....

Resisting time.

2006-05-18T22:01:00.000-06:00

Not much to say at the moment. Don't even have a fresh pic to post. Well, I would if I got off my lazy butt and downloaded the snaps I shot while Em and I were in Detroit last weekend.

By the way, fabulous visit with My Typing Sucks and I Don't Care . Oh, how I love that little sis o' mine. And her wonderful family. Seriously. My niece and nephew are so amazing ... and Mr. My Typing Sucks is such a good man. We just didn't want to come back ... except for that part of the back of your brain that reminds you what it's like to sleep in your own bed. That part wanted to get back to Denver on Sunday. :)

We're heading into the final stretch before Surgery Day. Oh, dear. Emma's been anxious and, though I would never admit this to her, I've been a wreck. I'm distracted all the time. I cry for seemingly no reason. I just don't want her to go through all the pain and discomfort ... I hate thinking about the actual procedure.

However, I was cheered after we took the presurgery tour on Tuesday. The family coordinator told Emma that the surgery would go by in a blink to her ... she'd go to sleep and then seem to wake up with no time having elapsed. Now, this won't be the case for those of us (me, Laura, our mom, Emma's stepmother and, possibly, her dad) waiting for her in the family area. But it made me feel better to remember that when you're the one having surgery, time flies.

Small comforts, right?

Anyway, field day is tomorrow and I'll be going. Got my morning deadline sorted this afternoon so that I can go straight to school instead of the office. I'm in good shape to get all my work for next week filed, too, so it's nice I won't have to worry about that stuff. The June issue is put to bed after some frantic last-minute editing. Yay.

The weekend ought to be busy. I'll be on my own tomorrow night, which will be good for a little extra downtime. And then mom will come in on Saturday. Emma will return and we'll have her best friend for a sleepover. Several of us are planning on dinner at the Mexican joint across the street, which I just learned is closing that night. (Ran into the owners at the Safeway this evening.) Laura and Denny will pop by Sunday evening on their way home from the Dem gathering in Greeley.

Don't you hate it when you want so much to slow time ... just for a little bit?

View to a Daughter.

2006-05-11T17:17:00.000-06:00

Emma now reads entire chapter books. As such, this is the view I see of her with increasing frequency.

Last Saturday, we got her a new book, "The Good Dog," which will be her longest book read to date. We popped into the Boulder Bookstore, which was one of the places that sold me on living in Colorado when I would vacation here in the early 1990s.

At the checkout, Emma was chatting with the clerk and I mentioned it was Em's first visit to the shop. So the young woman graciously said that such an occasion called for a discount. On the way out the door, I told Emma how kind it was she gave Emma a discount and Em said, "Oh, yes, that's so sweet. What's a discount?"

She thought it was the little bookshop bookmark tucked inside the pages. All together now: awwwwww.

Wet dog.

2006-05-10T20:39:00.000-06:00

I smell like wet Rex. Ugh.

Just gave Rex Pester a major bath - lots of dog shampoo, lots of lathering and rinsing, lots and lots of brushing.

He really needed it. Late last week he started shedding and just looked so raggedy. Completely nappy dog.

Now he seems much happier, though I'm sure a lot of that was all the concentrated attention. I have to believe he feels better. I got most of his winter coat off ... well, the stuff that was noticeable and whatnot.

Now I need a bath.

Oh, and here's today's fun coincidence: today I spent several hours writing a feature story about the Denver architect who designed Red Rocks Amphitheater ... and in tonight's previews for the finale of "The Amazing Race," it sure looks like the finish line is back where the race began: Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Woohoo!

Polar bears. Awwww.

2006-05-09T17:56:00.000-06:00

Emma and I spent Saturday with an old friend of mine from The (Shreveport, La.) Times. Had a lovely brunch, spent a couple of hours at the zoo and then headed over to Boulder, where we strolled the Pearl Street Mall and had dinner at an Indian restaurant called Himalaya's.

Emma's fave thing at the zoo: the tigers, of course. Joe and I decided the polar bears were the cutest. They were quite entertaining this visit ....

Weather whiplash.

2006-04-24T19:54:00.000-06:00

It was 81 degrees on Sunday.

This is what it looks like right now. That white stuff? Yeah, it's snow. It's springtime in the Rockies, though, and this is all par for the course.

I think my neighborhood looks pretty like this, by the way. And I'm always enthralled when the buildings downtown are partially obscured by low, heavy clouds. Snow makes the city so much sweeter.

Of course, the backyard is a muddy mess thanks to the dogs. I'm so depressed just thinking about it. Very little grass left. sigh

Oh, well. Something to work on, yes? Something new to fixate on ... always in the market for that sorta' thing.

Happy Birthday, Emma!

2006-04-22T18:33:00.000-06:00

Her birthday was actually yesterday, but the celebrations continue ... so far:
Ears pierced (on a special date last week with her father & stepmother).
Cupcakes in class.
Roses.
Chicken tikka masala and naan bread at Little India.
Horse-drawn carriage ride through LoDo.
Sleep-over out our friend Pam's house, with viewing of the latest "Dr. Who" ep on Sci-Fi.
Popcorn during said TV show.
Birthday party with six friends at Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Cake and punch and a carousel ride at the food court in Colorado Mills.
A new laptop from Uncle Denny and Auntie Laura, which now has wireless capability thanks to the networking Denny just set up on my PC.
Gold fish, the card, game with Laura.
Balloons, balloon, balloons courtesy of her step mom.
Another viewing of "The Chronicles of Narnia" ... planned for later this evening.

By the way, I'm really tired. lol

Me Funny.

2006-04-18T00:08:00.000-06:00

the Wit
(76% dark, 34% spontaneous, 10% vulgar)

your humor style:
CLEAN | COMPLEX | DARK

You like things edgy, subtle, and smart. I guess that means you're probably an intellectual, but don't take that to mean pretentious. You realize 'dumb' can be witty--after all isn't that the Simpsons' philosophy?--but rudeness for its own sake, 'gross-out' humor and most other things found in a fraternity leave you totally flat.

I guess you just have a more cerebral approach than most. You have the perfect mindset for a joke writer or staff writer.

Your sense of humor takes the most thought to appreciate, but it's also the best, in my opinion.

You probably loved the Office. If you don't know what I'm
talking about, check it out here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/theoffice/.

PEOPLE LIKE YOU: Jon Stewart - Woody Allen - Ricky Gervais

The 3-Variable Funny Test!

- it rules -

If you're interested, try my best friend's best test:
The Genghis Khan Genetic Fitness Masterpiece

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 97% on darkness
You scored higher than 15% on spontaneity
You scored higher than 1% on vulgarity

Link: The 3 Variable Funny Test written by jason_bateman on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

My Commute Home ...

2006-03-18T00:35:00.000-07:00

... As seen from the 27th floor of the Hyatt. I always get stopped at the light there at the end of the "big bend" underneath the Colorado Convention Center, where I often see kids hugging the paws of the Big Blue Bear.

Sunset Over the Rockies

2006-03-18T00:19:00.001-07:00

This is the view from Peaks after the sunscreen was lifted from the windows once the sun went below the mountains. The photo, of course, doesn't do justice to the view or the moment. Everyone in the bar just stopped talking and there was almost an audible gasp as we all took in the view. Really, I sometimes forget how beautiful it is here in Denver. I will always remember when I moved here, in awe of the mountains, and how Denny told me that some day I would "forget" the mountains are there.

He was right. Twelve years later I sometimes do forget ... but this was a perfect evening! I always dreamed of living in Denver and here I was, having a pleasant get-together with two friends I'd met through work, Courtney, who has her own marketing/PR firm, and Angela, whose firm designed the Hyatt Regency Denver. Of course, meeting at the Peaks was her idea. What was really fun was to share a glass of wine - just one since the house Chardonnay was $9.5o a glass! - with two people who share similar sensibilites ... we toasted the new "Battlestar Galactica" and "Dr. McDreamy." Silly, I know. But such a nice time!

By the way, at the beginning of this season's "The Amazing Race," right before they go to commercial, something about Duracell, they pan over the city and show City Park and ... my neighborhood, City Park West. This is the view of Denver from City Park - it's unparalled. And, as such, I cannot wait for spring (and early summer ... well, everything before the last weeks of July and first week of August, when it's hot) because Em and I spend a lot of time at the zoo ... and we see this all the time. Have I mentioned how much I love having the zoo as a neighbor?

'I See What You Mean'

2006-03-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

This is "I See What You Mean," my favorite public art installation in Denver at the moment. This was shot on my way to meet some friends for a drink at Peaks, the 27th-floor lounge of the new Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.

Mile High Smile.

2006-03-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

OK, I know. It's out of focus. In fact, it appears that Emma's almost wearing two pairs of glasses. Still, just look at her! She's so happy, and so proud of herself. Tonight was the graduation ceremony for her afterschool karate class ... and she got another medal. Woohoo! She totally kicks Bode Miller's ass.

Miles, Slapshot & A Mascot Whose Name I Forgot.

2006-03-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

They just appeared in the section above us! Cooool.

In short, we just had such a fun time.

Thank you, Denny! The tix were among the best Christmas presents Emma's ever gotten. We love you love you love you.

Rocky's Birthday.

2006-03-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

It didn't hurt that it was Rocky the Mountain Lion's 16th birthday and all the mascots from every major Colorado team -- Miles, Dinger from the Rockies, Rapidman, Thunder from the Colorado Mammoth, Slapshot from the Colorado Eagles at DU, plus the CSU Ram and the Cowboy from either U of Wyo or UNC ... and and and ... the mascots from the Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Sonics -- those two, by the way, obviously practice together b/c their slam dunk was phenomenal when it came time for the mascots to show their stuff -- totally adorable Clutch from the Houston Rockets, and others that I can't remember. Oh, yeah, Stuff from the Orlando Magic. Total goof. There were 16 mascots in all.

Emma lapped it up, of course. As we got into the Pepsi Center, she got a free Rocky alarm clock (all kids did, of course) ... and we loved the special celebrations for Rocky's b-day, especially ... Mascot Dodgeball. Oh, good stuff.

She wasn't sure at first.

2006-03-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

Right before the pre-game buildup began ... she just wasn't too certain about all of this. Then the announcer started telling everyone to scream, and the music blared, the Orlando Magic was introduced, then the Nuggets. She got into as soon as I pointed out the Noise Meter on the video display and explained it was the opposite of the old cafeteria noise-o-meter at Marsh.

We Won!

2006-03-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

I think it's safe to say Emma enjoyed the Nuggets game on Saturday. This is Em celebrating the 100-94 win over the Orlando Magic.

Now She's Going to Disney World!

2006-03-01T19:55:00.000-07:00

Science fair was a success.

Emma didn't win in the K-1 division -- because there's just no arguing with dancin' popcorn! -- but not a pout was in sight. You see, all the participants won medals. And Emma? She was in it for a medal the entire time.

The best part, though, was when she declaredthis to her dad, stepmom and me: "I'm so proud of myself!"

'I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees”.'

2006-03-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

Oh, not so fast there, smart boy.

'Video shows Bush got explicit Katrina warning'

Not surprisingly, White House spokesmen and other proxies are suggesting we shouldn't read too much into these tapes.

“I hope people don’t draw conclusions from the president getting a single briefing,” presidential spokesman Trent Duffy said, citing a variety of orders and disaster declarations Bush signed before the storm made landfall.

“There’s nothing new or insightful on these tapes,” [Homeland Security spokesman Russ ] Knocke said."

Okay. Move along, folks. Nothing here to see ... except the president being told the levees will be breeched. Come on, now. We all know Bush is an idiot but now that's supposed to let him off the hook? We supposed to think it takes more than one briefing to grasp the concept that this isn not going to go well? And that maybe you ought to get off your ass and cut short your vacation? Now.

I suppose the White House just figured they'd get away with spinning their own reality ... that they could deny whatever, delete any incriminating e-mails or deny official requests for meeting tapes and transcripts ... it's what they do best.

But I was reminded of something I heard on the radio while driving home today: tapes brought down Nixon.

Dare we hope?

Whew! The project is done, dude!

2006-02-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

Emma finished her science fair project -- without incident -- and it's safely tucked away in the school gymnasium. What a fun undertaking!

Oh, and after returning her to her father's house this evening, I got home in time to make dinner and sit down for the start of The Amazing Race ... which started in Denver. I totally got a kick out of seeing so many familiar places whiz by in the background.

Counting Down Until the Science Fair.

2006-02-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

Just got back from going on the field trip with the class to the Arvada Center to see a show. Good times, good times. Now I've got a little bit of time to print out some final pics for Emma's project -- Emma with the finished toy! -- and then I'll head back to school to pick her up after karate class.

Then we'll finish the project. Get it set up in the school library. Eat some dinner. And I'll drop her off at her father's house. Tomorrow evening is the actual science fair. Can't wait! In the meantime, here's a snap of Emma on the school bus with the plastic toy cat she made.

Oh, Aslan! Stop looking at my daughter that way. They're gonna' feed you at 3.

2006-02-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Just trying to get back into the hang of this thing, so ... here's another pic of my favorite subject: it's Emma with one of our neighbors at the Denver Zoo on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

If you've not yet been to Predator Ridge, how come? It's pretty cool. A more naturalistic exhibit where you can, as you can see, get pretty up close and personal with the animals.

Oh, Emma hasn't seen this yet, but now I can't wait. It's Asali, one of the newest lion cubs. She was rejected by her mom but adopted by another lioness that had recently lost her baby. All together now: Awwwwww.

By the way, the zoo is gearing up to build Asian Tropics, which will basically do for the elephants what they've done for the tigers, hyeanas and African wild dogs. Good for those elephants. Emma has zero interest in them, but I think they're kinda' sweet.

She Blinded Me with Science.

2006-02-27T01:19:00.000-07:00

It's science fair time at Emma's elementary school. We spent a few hours today doing the bulk of Emma's project -- conducting the final experiment (did test runs last weekend ... I know, how organized of us!) and writing the report. The report was the killer. Emma was exhausted by the end of it. About eight sentences total. Took her just a smidge over an hour.

First grade is such fun.

Em did try several times to get out of the project this weekend but finally realized I wasn't letting her off the hook on this one. If she learned anything from this, it's got to be about the importance of following through on a commitment.

Oh, and that you can make a plastic cat toy out of milk, heat and vinegar. It's just gonna' smell while you're making it, and look nothing like anything you'll find in The Littlest Pet Shop.

Maybe. Maybe Not.

2005-10-03T22:48:00.000-06:00

Have been thinking about doing this again if, for no other reason, than I've not been journaling much ... and I'm constantly finding myself wanting to say aloud what I think -- mostly about Preznit I Only Know Seven People in the Whole World. Ugh.

Anyway, we shall see. Doesn't look too good at the moment since I've got oh-about 100 other things at the top of my To Do list at any given moment.

But maybe it'll keep me grounded.

Ugh. See. Tired of thinking about it already.

Carry on.