First snow

Just when fall was really kicking, we had a big wind storm that ended with a fresh layer of snow this morning. Not much, but I still had to scrape Libby's windows!

Fall colors by Harley

Here's an update of our backyard cottonwood tree. Isn't it pretty?!?

I wanted to go on a Sunday afternoon drive to see the fall colors. No better way to see them than on the back of the Harley! Here's a few shots I got while flying by.

Fall 2009

We are being blessed with a beautiful fall this year in northern Nevada. That cold snap we had really started all the trees turning colors. Of course, as I've mentioned before, there is naturally a lot of yellow trees--although there are a few orange and red around.

Here are a few shots I've snapped over the last week.

October Updates

Just a few things that have happened in the last week or so........

1) It rained last Monday nonstop. It never rains for more than 10 minutes around here...I felt like I was back home! The rain gage outside our office recorded 1.19 inches in 24 hours. That's saying something when we only get 8 inches per year (mostly as snow), on average.

2) I figured out Halloween costumes for Justin and I. It's going to require a little sewing on my part, which is scary, but it's gonna be sweet.

3) After hiking Mt. Rose last Sunday I attended a strength training class at the gym on Monday. The instructor had the number 100 stuck in her brain. 100 walking lunges, 100 squats, 100 push-ups, 100 calf raises, 100 shoulder raises, etc. By Wednesday morning my calves were so tight I could not stand up straight for a day and a half. Holy cow.

4) I've purchased my 1st two Christmas gifts

5) Justin got a new job and put his 30-day notice in at the State last week.

Grace

Today was my cousin Lacey's daughter's baptism--Grace. She is just adorable!

Grace with her Mom and Grandparents--Uncle Ted and Aunt Janet.

And all the other family witnesses.

My Mom has more pictures of Grace's day here.

J-dub

Justin coined the post title for us...

We had a full weekend of anniversary activities including dinner on Friday night, some time up at Tahoe on Saturday followed by a full 18-holes of mini golf, and hiking to the top of Mt. Rose (10,775 ft) on Sunday and a nice Italian dinner.

One Year.

I had a speech ready to give to all my close family and friends at our wedding rehearsal dinner last year. I had thought a lot about it. I was full of gratitude and love for the family that has been right next to me my whole life. Somehow I was attempting to express that in words. I even went into the bathroom of the barn and rehearsed it in the mirror.

I was nervous, yet excited.


The timing just wasn't right though.

It was cold that night so we had large heating units blowing causing a lot of background noise.

People were tired, I was tired...and sick.

And that was about then that the nervousness of the next day started to set in.

I never did give the speech.

It's been a year. Can you believe it? I've been married for a whole year! Best year ever.

I'm going to try and piece together the speech I had prepared. Better late than never, eh?

I can't thank you all enough for being here tonight in support of Justin and I. I know I haven't been able to bring him around as much as I'd like, but you're gonna love him!

Ever since I was a kid I remember Mom and Dad telling me and Rob that we can do whatever we want to with our lives. They told us to go to school, learn and figure out what you want to do. The sky is the limit! I remember thinking about what I wanted to do, my eyes would glaze over and I would feel overwhelmed. Everything I knew was right here in Butler, everyone I loved was here in Butler (or close by).

Leaving for Wisconsin was one of the hardest things I had done to that date...but I grew, learned and actually figured out what I wanted to do with my life. Hydrology. Really? Yup, that's was it. Let's give it a try. Leaving for Reno, NV was not like leaving for Wisconsin. Undergrad was still safe, under Mom and Dad's umbrella. This time I was cut off and if I couldn't make it work, it meant I failed. I felt like I was completely alone. There's a country song I love that really hits home this point.


So I "bought a one-way ticket on a west-bound train, just to see how far I can go. Because I'm gonna go out dancing in the pouring rain, talk to someone I don't know"...(Leann Rimes)

I was scared as hell, but I still felt like I was "standing on the corner, looking out into the great unknown, I can feel my heart beating fast as I step out on my own. There's a new horizon and a promise of a favorable wind" (Leann Rimes)

The fact that I persevered, got my 2nd degree, got a sweet job and met this man that stands next to me tonight is more than I could have ever imagined or dreamed of. I am so thankful for what I have and what I have been able to accomplish. And I owe that all the the parents and family that raised me. You all play a part in my success and I can't thank you enough for all my blessings. Family is everything, and I am so very grateful for all of you.

Happy Anniversary, Justin!

Street Vibrations

The annual celebration of Street Vibrations was recently here in northern Nevada. Definition=a billion motorcycles from all over the country cruising all around. All shapes, sizes and varieties of people on motorcycles. In years past, this was the weekend I'd plan to be out of town--but since we are Harley riders now, we participated.

Justin and I rode up to Reno Friday night and walked around all the exhibits and elbowed are way through the crowds gathered on Virginia St.



Saturday Justin and some friends rode around seeing the sights, including the mob of bikes in Virginia City. Then watched this guy set a world record of jumping 300+ ft on a dirt bike.

Am I really this old?

No, I just really get great joy out of being organized...especially when it helps me to remember to take my vitamins.

Gotta love the multi-vitamin dinosaurs!

My piano

My piano has moved on from me.

I remember the Christmas Mom and Dad gave me my baby grand piano..........wow, I thought, is this really happening, is this huge piano really MINE? Yup. It was. And still is for that matter.

I started lessons with Mrs. Lucas when I was 10 years old and it was hard on the ears at first, but I made progress. Mom and I struck a deal not long after that if I practiced my piano directly after dinner, I didn't have to help do the dishes. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me....although I don't know what Rob's excuse was for getting out of dishes. I'll have to follow up on that one...

I did a recital every year, but my big glamor moment was when I played the piano for the talent portion of the Butler County Junior Miss competition in 1999. The stage curtain opened to reveal me in a sparkly blue formal gown standing next to a shiny black piano. Applause erupted in the auditorium....and that was the high moment because............ I totally biffed the Mozart song I played. I ran off the stage in tears. Anyway, although it was not my piano up on stage, all the practice was sure at home.

I didn't get an scholarships from the Junior Miss program, but I sure logged a lot of time sitting at my piano and a ton of flowers to boot!

Two things always acted as calming activities to me. Things that would take my mind off whatever I was worried about.

1) Dancing
2) Playing my piano.

It's like I leave this world and am in a safe happy zone.

Since I left for college I only got to see/play my piano when home for a visit. Mom and Dad moved it into their new house and have been keeping her safe for me. Justin and I's house is not big enough to take my piano, and I'm quite worried that it would not hold up well moving from a relatively humid climate to a pretty darn dry one. So Rob and his friend Scotty came and transported my piano to Texas so that Luke and Melissa could take lessons. They are going to keep it until the point when I am ready to bring her with me.

Safe in TX. Thanks for the careful transport of my baby!

Deep Thoughts

Steeler pride

I proudly hung my Steelers garden flag in the front flower bed. It didn't take but a few days before several neighbors stopped by to make a comment. Here we go, Steelers!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Sharon for the Steelers CD, it makes me smile