SALLY'S WORLD

A Great Group!

2009-07-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

There was Mom and Grandma, Nancy and Kim,Janice, Gina, Pam, Stanage, Angie, Peggy, Pat, Tonya

and me! Oh... and Pagli, Rio and Hazel.

More Big Ass Birthday Pics

2009-07-05T20:19:00.001-07:00

The house was wonderful... roomy and cool... and just a block from the ocean... but with a pool and ocean views from every deck, it was hard to leave!

My Big Birthday Bash

2009-07-05T20:14:00.001-07:00

Pictures speak louder than words... suffice to say, A good time was had by all!

It was a great week at Isle of Palms with all my buds!

Camping and Canoeing in Escalante Canyon...

2009-05-31T07:10:00.000-07:00

So, you asked... How did I survive the camping trip experience???
OK!!!! Big hat and lots and lots of wet wipes!!!
Canoeing was a blast after we got the hang of it on a very fast river last week. I ended up at the stern position and kept us pretty much in the middle of the river. We stayed in the canoe, which was a real win!! No spills into the cold river!!
Our campsite was beautiful. Nestled in the cottonwood trees in a awesome red rock canyon.
It rained on my little blue tent the first night... and while I didn't sleep too much, I sure enjoyed the experience!
We hiked into the canyon and saw lots of wildflowers and petroglyphs on the rock faces.
Great company, good food, lots of fun!
Will I do it again... if someone asks, for sure!

May 31.... Summer is here!

2009-05-31T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!
I've been busy as a one-armed paper hanger since market! Am I selling much???? No....
Am I trying to take care of my customers in a big way... Yes!! It'll come back... sometime...
So... I was home at market and took this pic with Me, Mom and Grandma. Mom has lost over 40 pounds and wanted documentation. Grandma just turned 94 and is still a peach!! I'm just hanging out with some good genes!!

Happy Easter Everyone!

2009-04-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

It's cold and dreary here in Colorado this morning, but our spirits are full of cheer!

My Shoe Shopping Experience

2009-04-09T21:07:00.001-07:00

Saw a pair of Dansko sandals I loved at Nordstrom. Waited a few weeks and when I went back they had sold out of the style... Came home and got on the internet. Not on Zappos, my favorite shoe-shopping site... but with Google I found them on a site called "6pm.com" The price was right... I've got other Danskos and thought I knew the exact size, so I ordered them up!
Got here in just a few days with shipping I paid for.... Guess what? The shoes didn't fit... I go to exhange them and another guess what? 6pm doesn't do exchanges. I'm stuck. I have to pay shipping to return the shoes and then if I want to order another size... I pay the shipping for the new pair!! LESSON LEARNED!! Stick with ZAPPOS!! I wrote 6pm to tell them I wouldn't be shopping on their site again and that I would advise my friends about their poor customer service... so "buyer beware". I'd stick with Zappos for sure! P.S. I am still looking for a pair of Dansko Dellas Black in a size 41!! Probably need to cruise The Rack.

Charleston Pics

2009-04-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

The whole gang at Joseph's for breakfast on Sunday morning.Our digs on the beach at Isle of Palms

Racers at the Piggly Wiggley before sunrise!

Fun on the beach after the race and after a liquid lunch!!

Cooper River Bridge Run 10K Charleston

2009-04-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

We're all home and recovering from our weekend in Charleston!! What a blast!! We always have such a good time and this year was no exception! A perfect house on the beach at Isle of Palms, perfect weather after Thursday's downpour cleared up, a great day for a run on Saturday and tons of laughter, food, fun and drink....
Oh my!!! Angie and I beat our last 10K time by 6 minutes!! Whoo hoo!! Pam, Gina, Joyce, Ron & Jerry all had good race times and Stanage walked the course in record time as well. Debbie, Fred, David and Dick held down the fort while we ran and were ready to party when we got home!
A good time was had by all!!

Bonnie is in Colorado and we've been having fun!

2009-03-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

We haven't stopped since she got here on Wednesday...
Playing with Pagli...Shopping... Hiking... Skiing with Angie in Vail... Movies...Bands in Louisville... Brunch and the ballet in Denver today... I love having her here as always. Tonight I taught her to make risotto... Yummo!!! She's a quick study!

March comes into Colorado like a lamb...

2009-03-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

What a nice Sunday... my sweet puppy was licking my face at 6:30 am! I was planning on sleeping in a bit... but no such luck... after a walk around the park, the coffee pot was on and my day in full swing... Met Angie at 9am for a nice long walk at Bobolink. We got in between 6 and 7 miles, so we're more than ready for Cooper River... Then our usual Starbucks stop for a well-deserved latte!
Yummo! It was cool and cloudy this morning, but the day turned sunny and warm. I shopped with Peggy for carpet for her re-do then came home and bathed Pagli. Gotta get him all handsome for Bonnie's arrival on Wednesday. Now if I can just keep him clean until then... Since it's been so dry out here, it's also very dusty and his white fur just absorbs the dirt like a sponge! Then a little time wasted on Facebook and the day is done... whew!!!
Where did the weekend go??? Back to the grind tomorrow!

Results are in!

2009-02-21T18:36:00.000-08:00

As of this morning, I was down 6 pounds... not the 10 I had hoped for... but ya gotta love 6 pounds in 3 days! We'll see if it stays off! Today I ate pretty normally and felt like a glutton!!

Gunnison River 3 Day Canoe Trip... Check this out!

2009-02-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

I'll be doing this with my buds Peggy & Gary and Kathleen and Jeff....

Date: May 23-25, 2009
Trip: Memorial Day Weekend
GUNNISON RIVER PROFILE

This leisurely 31-mile trip through the Escalante and Dominguez Canyons is a summer delight, leaving time for hiking and photography. The Gunnison is ideal for beginning and intermediate canoeists, providing lots of fun with
various Class 1+ rapids along its course. You will paddle beside high walls of beautiful red sandstone and shale, deposited during the age of the dinosaurs. Interesting side trips into deep box canyons will leave you awed by the immensity of geologic time and the silence of the wilderness. Massive cottonwood trees stand on the river bends supporting huge nests of blue
herons, hawks and eagles. Hiking will include the spectacular Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Study Area complete with a 40-foot waterfall, secluded swimming holes and numerous ancient Indian petroglyphs.

Should be loads of fun... except for the pooping out doors and the sleeping in a tent and the no shower thing.... hum... maybe it will just be fun.... :-)

Day 2 of the Diet in the bag!!

2009-02-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

OK, OK!! I could eat the sink right now... but I'm almost through day 2 of this crazy diet!
Today was the lowest calorie count...but I did get in a good hour walk this morning before all my energy stores were depleted! I'm planning on walking tomorrow too.... so stay turned for the big results on Saturday!!!
Tomorrow I'm going to choose stones for my big 50 birthday ring! I took all of the old gold and diamonds laying around in my jewelry box to convert them into one new ring!!!
Hey... this turning 50 ain't so bad!!
Since no one is coming out this year for Bolder Boulder and Angie will be in Europe (again!), I have decided to take Peggy and Kathleen up on an invite for a canoe and hiking trip down the Yampa river in Colorado. I'll post the link to the website... My first outdoor camping trip since Girl Scouts when I was about 14 years old... Should be interesting!!!

Lose 10 Pounds In 3 Days!!! Or your $$$ back...

2009-02-19T12:50:00.000-08:00

OK, OK!!! No $$$ are changing hands on this deal... but you can bet your bottom dollar, or maybe just your bottom... that if this darned things works, you'll be willing to pay me the big bucks!!!

This diet is just choke full of wholesome, nutritious and yummy foods!!! Have at it!
And send $$ my way if it works!! All donations will be accepted... not greedy... just needy!!!
(I saw that on a sign yesterday... not my own work!) This is not commerce... this is charity!!!

Day1 (1036 calories) (GO!!)

Breakfast
1/2 grapefruit
1 slice dry toast
2 tablespoons peanut butter

Lunch
1/2 cup tuna
1 slice dry toast
coffee or tea

Dinner
3 oz. any type meat
1 cup beets
1 cup green beans
1 small apple
1 cup vanilla ice cream (I know!?!?!?)

Day2 (758 calories) (Walk very slowly today...)

Breakfast
1 egg
1 slice dry toast
1/2 banana

Lunch
1 cup cottage cheese
5 saltine crackers

Dinner
2 hotdogs (YUCK... I know?!?!?)
1 cup broccoli
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 banana
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream (WOW again!!!)

Day3 (909 calories) If you're still alive and kickin'

Breakfast
1 egg
1 slice dry toast

Lunch
5 saltine crackers
1 oz. cheddar cheese
1 small apple

Dinner
1 cup tuna
1 cup beets
1 cup cauliflower
1/2 cantaloupe
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream (who knew....)

OK... that's it... no substitutions... no excuses.... no questions... just do it!!!
This is all based on scientific research and blind faith! You must believe for it to work!!
If you don't loose 10 pounds, it's because you don't have enough faith!!
Don't ask me, I'm just the messenger!!!

The Amazing 3 Day Miracle Diet!!!

2009-02-18T17:49:00.000-08:00

OK, OK!!!
I've just completed (well... almost... I still get 1 cup of Vanilla Ice Cream tonight) day 1 of the amazing 3 day diet where 10 pounds will miraculously disappear!! My friend Mike Pegler swears by it!! So... after a week in the fast lane in Las Vegas, slurping up martinis and eating way too much, I've committed to it!
I'll keep ya posted... but won't weigh again until Saturday morning with the official results!!
The diet includes wild things like ice cream and beets... the worst of it is 2 hotdogs... and since I don't eat that junk.... ugh.... I purchased Turkey hotdogs today... beware... the next time you're invited to dinner at my house... you may get turkey dogs in some mystery meal!!!
I can do most anything for three days... and the easy part is that it's a no-brainer!! You eat exactly what's listed... nothing more, nothing less...
I believe there is going to be a major "purge" associated with these three days!!!
I know, I know... TMI!!!!!

Facebook

2009-02-15T11:14:00.001-08:00

Hey! Just to let you know... I'm on Facebook now! So check out my daily routine there as well.

We saw Donnie & Marie at the Flamingo!

2009-02-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

The Flamingo Hilton is still one of those old iconic places in Las Vegas. Tonya was so excited to see Donnie! The fun part was that as LUCK would have it, she had one of the best seats in the house!! Donnie not only winked at her when he came onto the stage, he walked on her table, took her hand and talked to her!! Much to his surprise, she was very agile and before he knew it, she was up on the table with him... sorta like that Cortney Cox/Bruce Springstein moment!!!
Donnie was a bit surprised and Tonya was just thrilled out of her mind!! Wish I had pictures of that moment, but they weren't allowed and we were all just enjoying the moment!

Cocktails in Vegas!! Well... of course!!

2009-02-15T10:01:00.000-08:00

Well of course... you start out in Vegas with cocktails... in glow-in-the-dark glasses!
Angie and I worked hard last week! She worked in the Guildmaster Showroom while I held down the fort at Hekman. Traffic was good and order writing was better than expected...
Of course you can feel the effects of the economy... but my customers were shopping for good deals.

Eat, Pray, Love, Etc!!

2009-02-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

I've connected with a new group of women in Denver... through Peggy and then her zany friend,
Kathleen... Kathleen decided to start a new group, "Eat, Pray, Love, Etc.!" and asked me to join.
How fun!?!?! About 9 women came to the first meeting at Kathleen's spectacular home at Sloan's Lake in Denver. Kathleen provided a yummo meal of soup and salad and of course, the wine was flowing, including an inaugural champagne toast to our new group! I am so looking forward to the connection, support and friendship the group will provide... not to mention a great dose of laughter!
All of us are working professionals... most with our on businesses... We want to talk and learn and grow and stretch and laugh our way through life... my kinda people!!!

One More Exciting Tidbit...

2009-02-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

My sweet buddy Tonya will be in Las Vegas next week while we're there. She got tickets to see her very favorite performer of all time and begged me to get tickets as well... So I did!!
We're going to see none other than.... the fabulous, the talented, the toothsome, the preserved....
Donnie and Marie!!! Now talk about Woo Hoo!!! Hey... while in Vegas....

Mr. Shurte always took me to at least one show... We saw lots of shows including...

Sigfreid and Roy (The Absolute Best!)
Cirque du Soleil (O, Mystere, Ka, La Reve) (Loved "O" best!)
Celine Dion
Barry Manilow (Comped!)
Reba McIntyre (Comped!)
Mama Mia
Earth Wind and Fire
Blue Man Group (???)

I've also seen "Love" and Craig Ferguson... so the tradition continues...

Hey!! Best Part of the week!

2009-02-01T19:37:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot... a really great thing happened... I got an e-mail from some wonderful friends I'd lost touch with, Mary Anne and Mark Hewett! My Christmas card was forwarded all the way to Hanover, Germany!! We haven't talked in almost 10 years! They traveled to Germany for Mark's career and will be there through 2010. Guess where my next travel plans will be taking me???
Mary Anne and I went to West Charlotte High School together many, many moons ago! We were in homeroom together in the gym... ugh... both with last names that began with the letter "K"...
Our group of girls started "POPs" or "Pig Out Parties"... man, that was a long time ago...
Remembering Ed's Dairy Bar with much fondness...
Can't wait for us to catch up!

Sunday Evening...

2009-02-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

Just turned off Superbowl XXXXIII... WOW!!! What a game, huh? Of course my heart wasn't really in it since neither the Broncos or Panthers made it to the big show!! But what a game!!!
Pagli and I made a whirl-wind trip to Utah last week... left on Tuesday... back on Friday night...
so I spent the weekend catching back up... laundry, groceries, paying bills... all the fun stuff...
but I did get in two nice long walks... yesterday with Peggy from the house... and then this morning with Angie at Coal Creek. Pagli went along this morning and walked almost all of the four miles... He's growing and getting stronger each day. The best part was sitting outside in the February sunshine with our coffee after the walk. Ya gotta love a mid-winter day in Colorado when you can enjoy sitting outside!

This week will be busy getting ready for Las Vegas market. I leave on Sunday morning for a week in the desert!! I hope to reinvigorate sales and maybe even win a little!!! I've saved just a tiny bit for the craps tables... Woo Hoo!!! Angie will be traveling with me to market and holding down the Guildmaster Showroom.

Sally's Big "5-0"

2009-01-25T09:44:00.002-08:00

Hey Guys!!

Just a reminder of the beach party celebration in June... to help get us through these weary months of winter... Isle of Palms... blocks from the beach... private pool... sun, sand, surf...
Wine... laughter... tomato sandwiches... Cheerwine... laughter... Wine... laughter...
Maybe turning 50 won't be such a bad gig after all...

Colorado Winter

2009-01-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

Hey!!! It's 2009 and I need to update this site!

2009-01-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!
It's 2009... What a year it's going to be!! I am...

Hopeful with Barack Obama in the White House...
Excited about turning 50 in June and celebrating with my best girlfriends...
Concerned about the continuing recession and how much furniture I can sell this year...
Confident that I'll make it cause I always have...
Grateful for my wonderful friends & family, both near and far, two and four legged...
Happy that I'm healthy and reasonably fit... the knee's getting better and the scale is being kind...

This year I plan to...

Read more and watch TV less
Exercise regularly, eat right, take vitamins, floss
Get to my goal weight by June 14th
Work harder and smarter and keep my customers and manufacturers happy
Play more and get more involved... make some new friends and reconnect with old ones
Get involved with a local charity with more than just a donation
Lower my carbon footprint and eat locally as often as possible
Plan an exciting trip for 2010
Say "thank you" more and "f..k" less
Stay connected to everyone I love

Keep me honest!! Ask me how I'm doing on my goals when we talk!

Pagli's First Snow!!

2008-11-29T20:11:00.000-08:00

We woke this morning to find a nice blanket of snow on the ground! I dressed Pagli in his new sweater and out we went! He didn't hesitate and like the puppy he is, dug right in!! He played in the snow just like it was a new toy! So much for clean floors.... puppy paw prints are the new design on my floors!
I worked around the house today... even got out a few Christmas decorations. Hung my Moravian Star on the porch and now it feels like Christmas.
Don't know about a tree... think it would be just way too much temptation for Pagli and lots of stress for me... We'll see...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-27T19:49:00.000-08:00

Pagli and I had a very nice Thanksgiving. Denver was supposed to get hit with a winter storm today... but we dodged the bullet and woke to a cloudy, cool day, but dry and relatively nice.
We took a nice long walk and came back home to watch the National Dog Show. When they didn't give Best in Class to the Bichon, we knew the judges had been paid off, so we turned off the TV and took our bathes. We had planned to spend a quiet day at home but got a better invitation.
The Burchfields invited us to Thanksgiving Dinner at their house and wouldn't take "no" for an answer, so we cleaned up, baked the traditional Sweet Potato Casserole, packed a bottle of wine and headed to Centennial.
Notice Pagli's new Tarten Plaid holiday sweater. Our hostess Nancy makes these cute things and Pagli's pic is going on her website!
Pagli was the life of the party and had two other doggies to follow around! Two labs who didn't really think of Pagli as a dog... more of a toy! He was friendly and very well behaved and was absolutely pooped by the time we packed up the car!
We've got lots to be thankful for... and lots to look forward to!

OK Already!!!! I'm still alive...

2008-11-15T18:10:00.000-08:00

LEAD STORY.... HOW CUTE IS THIS PUPPY????? HE'S JUST A DOLL ALRIGHT!!!!

OK, OK, OK!!!
I admit it!!!
I have been a slacker when it comes to my blog...

It's not like my life is so chock full of stellar events.... but when I start to think about what's been happening in the past month or so, it's been pretty busy! * Neighbor Peggy and I have been walking EVERY morning... between 5 and 6am... WOW! * Since we were bitchin about our weight, we decided on Weight Watchers.... UGH.... What a bunch of loosers!?!?!?!?!? We fit right in! I'm actually loosing weight... and have a goal in mind for my upcoming BIG ASS BIRTHDAY!! Maybe it will be a "small-ass" B-Day!! * Went to High Point for the Furniture Market. Better than expected. Got a great new line... Guildmaster accessories... check it out at www.decorize.com * Mom came back to CO with me for a few weeks. We got my sales tools all updated, filing done, etc., etc., etc. and had a little fun inbetween. ** Saw "The Life of Bees" at the matinee... great movie... Love Queen Latifa! ** Went to a show at the DCPA "Noises Off" A British Farce... and we laughed our butts off! ** Finally visited the Butterfly Pavilion only a few miles from my house and it was wonderful ** Got all dressed up and had High Tea at the Historic Brown Palace in Denver after touring the Molly Brown house and museum ** Shopped and shopped ** Trick-or-Treated with Pagli! He was a trooper! ** Celebrated OBAMA'S amazing victory in Lyons at Oscar Blues listening to bluegrass! * Sent Mom packing and got back to work... * Leaving in the morning for Utah for the week!

Learning to "Fetch"

2008-09-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty proud of Pagli and me!! He's learned to play fetch like a pro! He looks so cute running through the grass with the ball in his mouth... He'll bring it right back because he knows the treats are good! I found an all-meat treat made with Venison and Lamb that he absolutely loves. Learning is a breeze when those treats are being offered!

"Plays Well With Others"

2008-09-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

Last week Angie brought Cody over for a play date! They played like long lost best buddies!
Angie and I stayed busy untangling the leashes while the two of them ran circles around us!
While Cody towers over Pagli they were pretty evenly matched in the energy department!

Just a few more pics of Pagli!

2008-09-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

Gosh! I just looked at the last picture I posted and he has grown so much since then! Pagli went to the groomer this morning. I just couldn't let her cut too much... Like baby's first hair cut... I want him to look like a puppy and not a dog... weird, huh??

G

New About Who Else... Pagli!!!

2008-09-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist posting this pic of my sweet puppy, Pagli. He got a nice bath this morning and was just do darned cute and fluffy!!! It's time for the groomers for his first real cut, but I love him all wild and fluffy! I'm not sure I'm ready to let him grow up!! We've had a fun weekend... walking and learning to play "fetch" and all that puppy stuff.
A cool breeze is blowing in tonight. I've got the windows open and can hear the crickets outside.
We're off to Steamboat Springs tomorrow to sell some furniture! Just me and Pagli...

OBAMA!!!

2008-08-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight I'm PROUD to be a Democrat and support Barack Obama!!!
I'm watching the convention from my living room here in Denver.
Was wait-listed for a ticket to hear Obama at Invesco... still and all... so proud of folks who want to make our country a better place for ALL PEOPLE!!!!
I'm a believer!!!

Pagli and Me

2008-08-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

We took off on our first official road trip last week to Wyoming. Pagli is the official "good will ambassador" of furniture sales. He captured the hearts of customers and strangers alike!
He was the first doggie rub of Wesley, the seven month old son of a designer at Fish Creek Interiors and then he became best buddies with Christopher, the six year old son of customer and friend, Carol at Earth & Vine.

2008-08-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

Pagli had his first visit with Dr. Judy on Monday and was a very good boy! He weighed in at 4.5 lbs. and is in perfect health! He's sleeping "almost" through the night... and is doing great on his "potty" training. Tonight we're going to our first "Puppy Recess" at the Boulder Humane Society and start obedience training on Sunday. We're getting ready for our first road trip next week to Wyoming. Wish us luck!

"Pagli"

2008-08-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

Pagliaccio in Italian means clown...

I think I've finally hit upon the perfect name for my new buddy and I'll call him "Pagli" for short! We've had a fun weekend... a trip to Petco... meeting Angie and Brad and neighbors Darlene and Rick... His first instinct is to bark a little, but he warms up quickly... He loves running in the deep grass out back and looks more like a bunny than a puppy... His has one ear that flips and one that flops... and is just too cute for words!

Please welcome the newest member of my family!

2008-08-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

I left on Thursday morning for Hayti, South Dakota... just beside myself with the anticipation of finally meeting Annie. I had her crate all ready... pink baby blanket, pink stuffed giraffe... and all the trimmings.. Late in the afternoon I got a call from Lisa, the breeder. She was so upset. She had taken Annie to the vet to get her health certificate... traveling papers... when they made a discovery. Lisa had noticed that Annie's tongue seemed to be hanging out of her little mouth more than normal for a puppy. She mentioned it to the vet on Thursday. After examination the vet showed Lisa that Annie has a condition call "wry" jaw. This is when one side of the jaw grows faster than the other leaving the bit out of alignment. It is hard to correct and can get worse as they grow and cause more orthodontic problems...
So I spent a stressful afternoon trying to figure out what to do. Thursday night I got on line and read about the deformity... sounded pretty severe... I left Mitchell, SD early Friday morning headed to Hayti without having made a decision. I arrived to a beautiful farm way out a dirt road... Tall trees, green grass, a nice breeze... that part of SD is beautiful right now... lakes and fields and big hay bales... I walked into Lisa's house and out tumbled the four Bichon puppies... each cuter than the other... At first I considered still taking Annie... she was so adorable and I have a soft spot for imperfection in animals... I even put the little pink collar I'd brought on her... but then she sat there with her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth... and I realized that I would be taking a huge risk with her health.... so then I needed to make another choice... It took forever... first I thought I would take the other girl, Mia... but she didn't really tug at my heart... When I had walked in the house, the puppy I had paid the least attention to was the one who was trying hardest to get me to love him... He came directly to me and wouldn't leave me alone...
Mozart was my second choice... He was definitely the "George Clooney" of the bunch... a perfect specimen... I went back and forth... looks or personality??? and of course, personality won out!
I came home with Morgan! We feel in love while covering the 700+ miles from SD to CO!! He got car sick and was just so pitiful for the first part of the trip... but he was a trooper... We'd stop for a while and he'd be waggin his tail trying hard to be happy... We have definitely bonded. He's laying at my feet right now and I can feel the magic working! He has already stood up to Lulu. He has barked and even growled a bit like a big dog to show her he's in charge... if he only knew... but I'm proud that he's not letting her push him around. This afternoon she was sleeping (with one eye open) on one sofa and he was on the other... Looks promising...
Will post a few pictures now and be sure that more will come!

In the hotel room last night... "I see a friend!"

BELLA BELLA BELLA!!!

2008-08-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

What do ya know??? Just when I had given up on those Italians... they came through.
I got home from Vegas to find my front door papered with UPS delivery slips... it looked like my Italian Vase had finally made its way across the big pond... I heard the UPS truck today and ran out to the curb. He was making a delivery to the neighbors and didn't have my vase.... where was it?? Called to track... they had made their final attempt last week, so now the package was in UPS purgatory in Commerce City. I jumped in the car and found the huge warehouse in the meanest industrial part of Denver. Not to worry... they called to arrange for the package to be brought up front... "Mame, the package is huge!" I uncartoned it right in the office just to make sure it was OK. This time it was packaged right... bubble wrapped and wedged into a box FULL of styrofoam chunks!!! Brought it home and sat in on the mantle just where I was thinking it should go... now if the cat's don't break it, we'll be OK!

OH MY GOSH!!!

2008-08-03T16:42:00.000-07:00

My nightly date, Craig Ferguson!!

I forgot to tell you about the hi-lite of my trip to Vegas last week!!! I was laying in bed spending quality time with my VERY FAVORITE late night personality Craig Ferguson the week before Vegas... and what do you know? He told me that he'd be in Vegas while I was there... it didn't take 24 hours for me to seal the deal... one little ticket purchase and I was sitting about 20 feet from this cutie pie! He was performing at the Hollywood Theater at MGM. I wasn't disappointed... He made me laugh for 1 solid hour... and he is just as cute as he can be.... And although it wasn't our destiny to meet... I'm sure he was intimidated by my beauty.... I did enjoy our time together! Rod Stewart and Craig... all and all, a pretty fine week, even if I didn't win at the tables!

I'll have my puppy this time next week!!!

2008-08-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is Annie's latest pic!! Isn't she a cutie?
I talk to everyone who has a dog... those who own male dogs say they're the very best... and those who own female dogs, insist that girls make the best pets... well... I'm torn between Annie and her brother... I'll make the final decision on Friday when I arrive in South Dakota to adopt my puppy. This is the latest pic of Miss Annie and she's just a doll... I'm pretty sure she'll come home with me... The breeder e-mailed a 5 page "puppy care" document and a list of "puppy essentials". Now I just have to make my final shopping run and "puppy proof" the kitchen and I'll be all ready to bring my little girl home!! It's going to take some real adjusting... but I think we'll be best buddies and traveling partners in two shakes of that cute white tail! She's got a step-sister just down the block and two other Bichons in the hood... so she'll have playmates galore... and I'll finally get out and meet some more of my neighbors... The Boulder Humane Society hosts Puppy Happy Hour on Friday evenings and Puppy Recess on Wednesdays... We'll have a full social calendar, I'm sure!

I got home from Vegas on Friday evening about 7:30pm. I was beat, as usual... so I've slept in the past two mornings knowing that this is my final weekend of freedom! I hiked for about two hours at Chautauqua today... again... the last long jaunt I'll have away for a while... my time away will be limited to 2 hour intervals for the next month... Angie says you can leave them 1 hour for each month in age they are... Life as I know it is just about to change for good!
Don't know how the kitties are going to react... Will keep you posted! In the mean time, I've got tons to do to follow up from a pretty fair market...

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!

2008-08-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

World Market Center C Building opened with a bang last week! It's a beautiful new venue that brings the complex to over 5 million square feet of showroom space... and believe me... my feet felt like they had walked the entire 5 million by the time the show was over!!!
Opening events included lots to drink along with a fantastic concert by the one and only, Rod Stewart!
He put on a great concert... over 1.5 hours of singing and moves... Rod still has a voice and a tush!! No leopard tights... but that's OK... he sang "Maggie May"one of my all time favorites!!

Lisa, Eldon and I before the concert in the afternoon heat and sun!

2008-07-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Alex and I headed off to Rocky Mountain National Park yesterday. We hiked at the Glacier Gorge tailhead. We got past the beautiful waterfall when the storm clouds moved in. By the time we got back to the car, the rain was coming down in buckets!! We stayed in the park and drove along trailridge road. It's beautiful no matter what the weather is like. It was down to 54 degrees at the top! We had a late lunch in town and shopped on the main street a while before heading back down to Broomfield where it was 99 degrees and not a drop of rain! Watched a moved and chilled last night. Going to Denver today to hit some of the cool museums and maybe the US Mint if we can get in!

Vegas Here I come!

2008-07-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

My summer of music, work and fun continues next week with my semi-annual visit to the wild town of Las Vegas for the summer furniture market. No matter what the economy brings, I have Rod Stewart to look forward to!! He's opening the new building C with a concert on Monday night! He's always been one of my very favorites and now I'll finally get to see him!

2008-07-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

Alex and I enjoyed an evening of Shakespeare under the stars last night in Boulder. We saw the tragedy, MacBeth. The actors were all superb and even though our old english was a bit rusty, we followed the plot quite well. Lady MacBeth had a scream that would curdle your blood, the 3 witches were witchy in all ways, and the murderous action scenes left us flinching!
Last time I attended was with David and Kim a few summers ago when we saw the comedy, 12th Night.
This morning Alex is sleeping and I'm catching up on a few e-mails, but we're off to Rocky Mountain National Park today for some high altitude fun!

Fun with Alex in Colorado

2008-07-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

Alex arrived on time yesterday and we hit the ground running. It's so good to see him and spend some time together before he gets so busy with school. I enjoy hearing about all of his patients at the nursing home and sharing music. We ate dinner at a favorite spot in Boulder, Juanita's... had the fish tacos that we great as always and then headed to Chautauqua to catch the Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks show. We were able to sit outside and listen for free which is one of the best deals around. There was a fantastic Boulder sunset and the evening cooled off nicely. After the show we purchased a few CDs and a signed concert poster.
Today we strolled Pearl Street Mall and have tickets for tonight's performance of MacBeth at the Shakespeare festival. It hit 100 degrees today, but hopefully it will cool off again tonight.
I'm getting ready to put some salmon on the grill and fix some of the fresh veges I picked up at the Farmer's Market yesterday morning.

Betsy and I in Santa Fe over July 4th

2008-07-18T19:27:00.000-07:00

Betsy met me in Santa Fe over 4th of July weekend. We stayed at the El Rey and enjoyed all that the city had to offer. We had drinks on the rooftop at Coyote Cafe and watched pink lightening in the evening sky. We had dinner at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and listened to the jingly tunes of The Santa Fe All Stars. We drank local wine at the Santa Fe Wine Festival and enjoyed Falstaff at The Santa Fe Opera. We shopped the Portola for authentic Native American Jewelry and met a lovely artist from Ahoskie, North Carolina. We shopped and found fabulous boots we couldn't afford. It was a great weekend spent with my sis.

Travels this week

2008-07-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

Just got in from 5 days on the road.... Drove to Salt Lake via I-80 through Wyoming
We live in a great big country and it's full of beautiful vistas... Wyoming is vast... and fast... I can make the trip in about 7.5 hours... It's just a bit over 500 miles to SLC from my door.
Glad to be home.... Lulu is upstairs... Rocky is downstairs playing in the office and the washer is going. Alex arrives from North Carolina tomorrow. There will be plenty to keep us busy... music, hiking, exploring more of Colorado... and then it's off to VEGAS the following week for Furniture Market. No rest for the wicked!
Don't have new pics of Annie yet, but I'm sure she's growing and thriving.
Angie and I are running in the morning early and then off to Pilates all before I pick up Alex at the airport tomorrow afternoon. Goina be a busy couple of weeks... heck... it's a busy life!

Meet Annie!!!

2008-07-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

Annie was born on May 28 and is growing quickly. She weighed in at her first vet visit at a whopping 2.3 lbs!!! I'll travel to South Dakota to pick her up sometime in early August and we'll start our life on the road. She'll be riding "shot gun" with me on my travels... thus her name... after another famous western gal, Annie Oakley... I'm getting more excited by the day. Angie took me on my first "doggie" spending spree last Sunday. The big purchase was a pink polka-dot set including collar, harness and leash. She'll be a princess for sure!