Life is a Parade or an Anti-Depressant- You Make the Call

Or something like that...

Papa and Rowan

My dad and his wife, Veronica aka Vee, just moved back to Alamosa, Colorado after a 6 year hiatus in Minnesota. (I know she is technically my step-mom and I love her more than anything, but I honestly can't say "stepmom" without laughing since she is only 7 years older than me- sorry Vee.) A month or so ago they had this truly brilliant idea (although not unique we quickly learned) to meet in Denver, get hotel rooms downtown and take the girls to the Parade of Lights; Denver's fairly decent display of bands and floats decorated in... uh, well, lights. We thankfully agreed and Friday evening my nice boss, Peggy, dropped me at 17th and Champa after we attended the three Granby HOA's annual meetings up at Granby Ranch (it went very well, thanks for asking). Shortly thereafter, the girls arrived with their Dad, and it was great to all be together. It's been a long time. Dad and Vee are the best Nana and Papa... they love just hanging out with the girls and it was cool to see the girls warm up to them so quickly.

Nana and Tressin (the sign did say "Only 7 and under"- maybe Vee assumed it was feet?)

Two Pretty Cool Dudes


Mama and her little Bugeater

Scott and I were super spoiled- we got to go out a little (okay maybe a little more than a little), sleep in BOTH mornings and have the best dinner ever at Panzano's in the Oxford Hotel- we highly recommend it and Christian the waiter. We are so lucky and hope they know how grateful we are...

We also managed to get a tree on Sunday afternoon. It's all set up. Nothing says Christmas like a fire hazard that constantly drops pine needles everywhere. It does smell good.

I have a million things to do in the next couple weeks in xmas prep. Megan, Ryan and Mathisen get here on the 23rd. And on the 26th, we are all piling in a rented Yukon and heading to the Valley to see the rents again.

But I just try and take it one day at a time. The other morning we were headed to school and Rowan says, quite seriously, something I can't really make out. I had her repeat it a few times and then I got it--- "Mom, when depression hurts, there's Cymbalta, right?" I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I just decided to cut back on the TV. What can you do?

Top Ten and a Half Things Learned on the Trip to Nebraska (for nine days)

1. Tressin can scream for about an hour strait (starting in Fort Morgan, mind you).

2. When cows are sleeping with their legs pointing up in the air, they are not sleeping. The deadwagon just hasn't been by yet.

3. Sage brush can look just like a deer to a city girl.

Tressin, Grandpa Starman and Rowan

4. Taco pizza from Godfathers is quite possibly the world's most perfect food.



5. Catching your 4 year old daughter kissing your best friend's 4 year old son is a little freaky and very funny.

Landon and Rowan

6. Cute little old ladies playing bingo take it very seriously.

Great Grandma Lordemann and Rowan

"Bingo" says Tressin

7. My idea of a small piece of pie and Grandma's idea of a small peice of pie are quite different. "It'll do."

Aunt Julie, Rowan and Bailee

8. Canasta takes forever to play. But I already knew that. I did learn that Aunt Rita can sleep between turns.

Tressin and Bailee

9. Nebraska football games are like nothing else in this world but losing your diamond earring can ruin even the best day.

Sea of Red

10. Starman has a freaking huge family- but again, I knew that already.

Starman and maybe 1/2 of his cousins

Maybe a 1/4 of the great grandkids- Tress was sleeping

10 1/2. Life is good when Sister Agnes is almost done with her chocolate martini.