There are Angels among us...

I just took a nice hot shower.  And I felt pretty damn lucky.  No, we didn't just get a new water heater, I didn't get locked out in the cold, nothing like that.  See Starman's cousin Makalia is in Haiti.  She left last Thursday on less than 12 hours notice to help in whatever way she can.  She works in the medical field, apologetically I don't know exactly what she does.  I do know that she was allowed to take very few belongings; scrubs, underwear and one pair of shoes.  The 12 person plane she flew there in was packed full of medical supplies so personal belongings had to be kept to a bare minimum to allow the plane to fly safely.

I bet she would LOVE a nice hot shower about now. And probably a blue yummy too.

Thanks Makalia.  Your infectious smile will light up their darkness.

God Bless You. 

Just another Sunday night...

Sunday evening is swiftly approaching... probably one of my favorite times of the week.  I finish up the laundry and we eat a good dinner and look forward to what the week ahead will bring us.  Tonight signals the beginning of award show season with the Golden Globes.  Hey, I watch a lot of football. And I don't mind it that much.  But I love an award show.The glitz, the glamour, the mandatory political rants and buzzed up speeches.  Ooh it's mind numbing and relaxing.  Can't wait.

The basement is getting painted tomorrow.  So excited about that.  We have priced carpet and hope that Uncle Sam gives us enough of our money back that we will have a livable basement by the end of February.  Here's before paint.  I will post an after, well, after.

So yah, we are close to a finished basement and I got an iPhone from my incredible work.  The same week that so many thousands of people have lost their lives and many more struggle to survive in Haiti.  I am spoiled and certainly not worthy.  The images have been sobering and I know have made me shudder with appreciation.  Give until it hurts.  We have to.  It is our job.

Training update:  I have been consistently working out and running.  My goal is to be able to run 2 miles without stopping by Feb 1.  Didn't make my first week of swimming as Rowan got strep throat, AGAIN, so she couldn't go to her first gymnastics class. (I am planning on swimming while she is in class.)  I feel good.  My trepidation has turned into an excited drive to succeed.  I'm sure it will make a reappearance at some point along the way but I'll just turn up the Kanye and run right over it.  :)

Toodles for now... off to watch for the dreaded wardrobe malfunction!

Baby steps...

I ran 1 mile without stopping today.  Cool. 

Holy crap I have a long way to go.

Adios 2009... Hola 2010

It's the last day of the year and part of me feels rather indifferent about the whole thing.  There will be very little that changes between my day today and my day tomorrow although they will be in two distinct years.  Books, babies, fights, time-outs, laughs and hugs are destined to occur.  And for that I am greatful...

It has been a nice and quick holiday season for us... just the way I like 'em.

Tressy's Sideways Glance

Rowan got a hold of the camera and took these... she is quite the picture taker.  Especially of pictures of herself.  Future narcissist?

Uncle Bubba and the cousins minus Mati and Nat... He will be a great babysitter for all of them when the rest of us go out on the town at the reunion in July!  Thanks Larry! :)

I am excited to have Derrick and Crystal and the kids up for NYE tonight.  I was planning on going to bed like I have the last few years.  Definitely a party pooper usually.  But a couple things have happened that have changed this New Year's Eve for me a little.  First, Rowan is kinda into it!  There is nothing like the innocent excitement of a cutie patootie to get you in the mood.  Then there is something my mom reminded me of today.  My Grandma Moody loved New Years!  I totally remember her out there, in the back yard on West Street in Fort Morgan, with her noisemakers and hootin and hollerin.  Even when she had a hard time walking and breathing, she still did it.  She probably figured she may as well... might as well celebrate that you have made it to see another one.  In deference to Beverly, I will have my noismakers going.  Settlers Drive, consider yourself warned.

And finally... drastic means call for drastic measures.  And things have become drastic in my battle to live a healthy lifestyle and promote that lifestyle to my girls--basically I am losing it.  So right here, on this very blog, I am announcing that the time has come...

On June 20, 2010, I will be swimming a half mile in the Boulder Resevoir, biking 17.2 miles through the roads surrounding Boulder and then running 3.1 miles!  My emotions at this point keep waffling between excitement and terror, but I am committed to do one thing... FINISH!

I will be documenting my journey on this blog along with continuing to update on the happenings around the homefront...  Blog on baby!

2010...Watch out for The Starman's!

Buen Ano!

A Real Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there was a girl.  Her mother and father weren't married anymore, not due to a lack of love for her.  One day, on top of a beautiful mesa, the girl's father married a lady.  The lady wore makeup and curled her hair and had a soft voice and pretty hands and the girl thought she was amazing.  The lady had a baby boy and together, her and the girl's father would have another boy and another little girl.  The girl spent many days and many nights with the lady.  She learned to bake cookies, make biscuits, polish silver ware, change a diaper, soothe a baby, make someone feel special.  The lady also taught the girl how to be a dedicated worker and a loving wife. 

And a mom. 

Then the lady got sick.  And she taught the girl how to be strong and tough and mad.  And to believe in heaven.  On a cold winter day the lady died.  And the girl was strong and tough and mad.  And sad.

The girl is a lady now.  She thinks of this lady a lot.  When she bakes cookies and soothes a baby.  When she thinks about heaven.  She still thinks she is amazing.

The Good Life

Five weeks since my last post? Aww schnikees... Auntie Hat has probably given up on me.

Of course a lot has happened.

Let's see... we were able to take our week long trip to Nebraska after all. It was just a couple weeks delayed. It worked out way different and way better than planned.

We headed up to NW NE on Saturday morning. Daddy was saved from a speeding ticket because smart mom (she is a CU grad, you know) dressed the girls in their Husker gear since it was game day. What state trooper can give a ticket to this?  Ok, I guess it depends on what state you are in.

We just love it up there. Scott built his Dad and Bonnie a fence to keep their little dogs safe and the girls and I spent lots of time going on "adventures" around Brookey Bottom.

Lucky checking out the digs without his leash!

The girls checking out the Missouri River

Rowan on the obligatory golf cart ride (well there wasn't just one!)

 

Avery loves it there too!

Grandpa Starman, the girls and Lucky

I love this picture of them.  Rowan is taking it.

Then it was time to say goodbye to the Bottom and we headed to Fremont to meet the Winn's minus Landon (he was in school) for lunch.  It was a quick visit and most of the time was spent pigging out at the best buffet in all the land at Godfather's, hence no pics.

We got to Omaha on Tuesday and I was scheduled to fly back to Denver on Wednesday morning for lots of important work stuff.  Then we started hearing about the snow.  Short story... I didn't go home.  Heeheehee.

So the girls had fun with their cousins, visited Great Grandma with their dad, I went to boot camp with the sisters, we went to Coco Keys (awesome indoor water park right off I-80 if you are ever in the neighborhood), and discovered our future business... a classy bar with virtual golf.

Grandma Carol giving Tress "SQUEEZES"

Rowan lovin her some Aunt Terri

Rowan, Tressin, Riley, Bailee and Austin

I tried uploading some hilarious vids but no luck.  I'll get them on Facebook so check them out.

We were able to head for home on Saturday although I-80 was still closed at North Platte.  Bummer... a night in our fave hotel, pool time and home by noon on Halloween.  Oh yeah, baby.

I know I complain about it sometimes, it is a lot of drving after all, but I really do love our trips to Nebraska.

Such great memories for us and our girls... Looking forward to many more!

Oh Rowy

Conversation between Rowan and I a couple days ago...

"Mommy, do you know what I am going to be when I grow up?"

"No. What?"

"A doctor. Do you know what kind of doctor?"

"No."

"Guess."

"Rowan, I have no idea what kind of doctor you want to be when you grow up."

"A vegetarian. Because I love animals."

oh Rowy...