Today was a busy day getting all sorts of things done. One of them was to put more music on my ipod. I can listen at work and just wanted to hear more music that I love.

Today is the perfect autumn day!! I decided to go to Walton Park to take a picture of the first snow fall in the mountains. On the way I passed an apartment that had soft jazz music playing and I realized what a different slice of life I am experiencing here in Longmont. The walk to the park was wonderful, kicking through the leaves, feeling the gentle breeze on my face and feeling the 79 degree weather. I couldn't ask for more:)

Today is Stephanie's birthday!! I just have to say how much I love her and am SO blessed to have her in my life. Steph is an absolute sweetheart! She doesn't have a mean bone in her body, she is a fantastic mom and is raising two wonderful children with her great husband, Shawn. Steph is such a hard worker. She is getting her bachelors degree in nursing and working so hard. I think back at my life with Steph and think of dance lessons, eye surgery, chicken pox, taking care of little brothers and sister, wrestling around with Chris, her giggly friends, boyfriends, mud falling from under the suburban, gun shots, prom, trip to Hawaii were she thought her mom was going to die, broken ankle, dance team, group study in the addition, graduation, Shawn, Fort Bridger, swimming, Weber State, Marriage, UVSC, BYU, Oregon, Chloe, Austin, Utah, Colorado...... She has accomplished so much but the best of all is the beautiful woman she is. I am grateful!

Today is sticker shock day. I had to get gas in my truck. At least with my King Soupers card I get 20 cents off per gallon.

Oct 12th, Fri: No pictures today.... I woke up with a crease in my face from my pillow. Its really sad to go to work with a crease in your face but even worse that you are so old that the crease doesn't go away for half of the day!!!

Oct 11, Thurs: These are my visiting teachers, Val and Gay. They are the sweetest ladies. Today they took me to lunch at a little cafe that specializes in fresh salads, soups and sandwiches. We had such a nice time and I am so grateful to know them.

Here is a picture of the names and addresses of places I need to go to. Just another reminder that I'm new to all of this but it's all good!! I also had a job interview today for the pricing coordinator. I think I did well but I'm afraid that they want to keep me where I am.....

I just got back from what used to be called Homemaking Meeting but is now a Relief Society Activity. I saw all sorts of different things to do with decorating pumpkins and decorating with pumpkins. Felt the love some good ladies in the ward. Did my heart good but had to come home to go to bed. 4 is so early.....

I had to find a new doctor to get my prescriptions filled. Rebecca recommended Ammie Christiansen at Rocky Mountain Family Practise. She seems really nice. She wanted me to get some blood work done so here I am. The gal that took the blood was so good. I didn't even hardly feel anything. I have to go back in a month for a well check. Yippee!!

Oct 7th: first day of frost that I have had to scrap my windshield. Pretty chilly!!

There are train tracks that go through the middle of town and I didn't know if I would like the trains or not. You know, I live far enough away where the whistle isn't very loud but I can hear it sometimes and I like it. I like to see the trains but not when the traffic is stopped and I have to wait 10 minutes for the train to move through an intersection. The place the I am stopped the most is where Nelson Rd splits off of Ken Pratt Blvd. Oh well, it is still new and different and that is good. This picture is looking over Walton Pond at the train.

Say it isn't so... I am just not ready for cold weather and snow but it comes whether I want it or not. This is a picture taken out of my bedroom window at the dusting of snow we received.

I thought I would treat myself today and since I haven't found any Kentucky Fried I got Chicken at Popeyes. It's really very good. Fun to have so many choices for places to eat here.

I am just wondering if today will be the last 80 degree day for the rest of the year. I am NOT ready for cold weather. I have just enjoyed summer, especially where my apartment stays cool. Oh well, cold will come no matter what and it will all be good, right??

Today is my birthday. I can't believe I am this old... Anyway, I am off work today so I took a long walk along the St. Vrain Greenway. Gorgeous day. Went from Roger's Grove past Waltons Pond and further until I figured I better turn around before I went so far it would take me forever to get back. The Canadian Geese were great and doing a lot of honking. Kathy Thompkinson took me to lunch at Little Saigon and I had a shrimp noodle bowl. Really good. And then she gave me this bouquet of flowers and she and her husband are going to take me to cold stone for ice cream tonight. She is so fun! I had my kids call and text me today which was so nice.

Today I want to just write about how much I love Brie. Today is her birthday and I am just so overwhelmed with feelings of love and gratefulness for her being in my life!! Brie is an amazing young woman. I don't think she has one mean bone in her body. She is always kind and has a good heart. I remember when she was younger how much she loved animals and felt so bad during hunting season. Her dad and I used to joke that she might make up placards and march on the neighbors sidewalks when they came back from hunting and had killed elk or deer. This is a picture of when she and I went to Hawaii. We had a blast with snorkeling, swimming, sightseeing but there was one bad thing. She got badly burned on our last day there and on the flight home had to sit leaning forward because her back hurt too bad and was terribly blistered. I just have so many good memories of being blessed to be her mom and thinking of her right now brings tears to my eyes just from gratitude. I hope she knows how much I love her and how proud I am of her!!!

When I got to work today I looked at the moon over the mountains and thought it was so pretty. So............. here is a picture from the parking lot at Lowes.

Today is the day I have to pay my rent. It seems very strange to me to be making a payment on a place I'm not buying. Renting is very foreign to me. I always thought with my house payment that my money was eventually going to get me something that would last, my home. Renting seems like my money is just going out there and not giving me anything permanent. I just have to realize how much better off I am right now and this isn't a permanent situation.

Fri, Sept 28th: Sadness. Today I had to turn on my heat during the day as it was pretty cool in my apartment. I'm just not ready for cold weather. I've enjoyed the summer weather too much.

Thurs, Sept 27: This tree outside of my apartment has been changing, not due to cold but dry. It is really pretty for a half and half tree.

OK. This is going to sound really strange, but sometimes I am strange:) Anyway, when I am getting ready in my bathroom and I notice that the floor needs a little sweep and I don't have time to get the broom out and sweep, I just grab my lint roller. Roll the floor and then toss the sheet. Too strange, I know, but effective!!

Today I went to get my hair re highlighted. I really needed it. I looked in the mirror at work yesterday and could see the roots with little white hairs mixed in. Ugh.... Anyway, the gal that did my hair before just had her baby yesterday and so I had Vanessa do my hair. Love it and she is a great person. Lot's of fun. It makes me feel so much better to have a good place to get my hair done. Hair is very important to a woman, right??

Yesterday my computer conked out before I got my post done so here it is a day late. I set up my mantle with my fall decorations. It is still 80 degrees outside but I really do like the beautiful colors of fall. My birth season and that of my girls.

Today really was a great day. All my kids came and we took a picnic to a little park about 2 blocks from my apartment. The little ones had a blast on the playground equipment and the adults just enjoyed talking to each other. My kids really are hysterical when they get together. Just makes me laugh and that felt really good. I love my kids and grandkids so much. They are all great people!!

To sleep, purchance to dream.... One of those days..... It would be great if I could snap my fingers and have a great new life. Today I've been thinking about why I have made such rotten choices in my life. Love. It has to do with just wanting to be loved, wanted and needed. Couldn't say no, try to be everything I think they want. Then sprinkle in tragic happenings and it makes for a crazy, messed up me. I have been through so much and keep trying to put one foot in front of the other. I'm tired, hopeless. I thought moving here in the middle of my kids would be fantastic but I see my kids less now than I did in Lyman. Right now I am left with no one. Trying to keep i together for Tony's sake. The reason I am writing like this is I don't believe anyone reads my post except one person. She will understand. How do I get over not searching for love, friendships and family? Now that is the question.

Woot, Woot... Hobby Lobby. Do I need to say more?? but I will....This Hobby Lobby is about 3 blocks from my apartment. I could spend so much money here if I let myself. But tolday I bought a little fall decoration, some thread and button. They have the cutest stuff.

Here is a nice little shot of my mail box. My box is 302 even though that isn't my apartment number. We have a different numbered box so if people are watching to see what apartment you live in, they can't tell by the box you get your mail in.

Yummy! Panera for lunch. Broccoli and cheddar soup in a bread bowl with a halloween cookie. Couldn't resist!!!

I think this is pretty amazing! I am still using the hot rollers I had in High School. How old are these things and they still work!! Pretty good Miss Clairol:)

I had to post a picture about my Nook. I love my Nook. I can't believe all the books I have downloaded and don't realize it until by credit card bill comes! Not only do I read all the time but I have some pretty fun games (Bubble Birds) on it too. I can also access the internet and check facebook, by blog and any other interesting things out there. Wow, what would I do without my Nook???

Today is a much better day, thank heavens! I got up, changed the sheets on my bed and then decided to go to Rocky Mountain National Park. It was beautiful. I only saw one herd of elk but there were too many cars around them so I kept going hoping that I would see more wildlife. Sadly I only saw a magpie. Oh, well. The leaves were changing, the air was clear and just warm enough. It was such a nice ride. On the way home I stopped at a little shop and bought chokecherry jelly and a wild blueberry pie. So much for the diet:)

Maybe you noticed that there was no blog for yesterday. I guess I have to admit that all my days are not sunshine and roses. Yesterday was one of those days that I thought it was better to knock myself out and sleep for most of the day rather than think very depressive thoughts and actions. Hopefully those days will become fewer as I progress on the road of recovery.

I did something today that I haven't done in a long time. I actually cooked something!! I remembered a great quiche that Marlys had made so I found a recipe that was kinda close and made it. Turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.

Can you imagine it? I now have to contend with traffic lights every day! Ken Pratt Blvd is one of the main streets in Longmont. I am just leaving work.

I am a member of the Left Hand Creek Ward. These are some of the nicest people! I take an extra long lunch and can make it to at least one meeting.

This is what Lowes looks like when I have to go to work. 4:00 comes awfully early!!

This is what happens when your plans don't work out :) I ended up going to the Scottish Festival in Estes Park and I found the Cummings Clan. Who knew??? I found the Mother Land! I saw the Air Force Rifle Drill Team, the Marine Corp Band played with the Bagpipers. I have to admit that they had tears streaming down my face. They played Amazing Grace and I just kept thinking of how much Gerry would love them! Then I shopped till I dropped. So fun!!!

I bought a bike... now what? I guess I could call this "The good, the bad and the ugly". The good thing is I got up on the bike first try. I haven't ridden a bike since Jr. High. A LONG time ago so i was very afraid that I would wobble around and then fall over. But I didn't!! Yea!! The bad---I only made it 3 blocks and I thought my upper thighs were going to cramp up and I had to stop and rest. How humiliating!! The ugly-- by the time I got home I thought I would throw up. Man, I am SO out of shape. Who knew???