Mark and I took a nice drive today up to the Red Feather Lakes area in Larimer County. We checked out the Dowdy Lake campground and it's one we'd like to camp at for a couple of days. Lots of pine trees, a beautiful lake and the camping spaces don't seem like they are on top of each other.
We took Hwy 14 up along the Poudre River which is always a gorgeous drive and today was no exception. The river is exceptionally high and fast right now due to mountain snow melting. There were a lot of rafting groups on the river and unfortunately for one group, it turned out deadly.
As we were driving up the highway, I saw a guy giving CPR to a man on the ground. Apparently according to the news tonight, one of the rafts overturned and one individual received a broken leg while another was swept downstream. Someone on the bank saw the body come down and got it out of the water, but it was too late. He couldn't revive him.
The two pictures on the right show how rough the Poudre River is right now. This particular raft was about a mile upstream from where the other capsized. Definitely not a good day for rafting!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
It's Official!
I made it official today...I now have my own photography business! It's called "Best Life Photography". Mark has been working on the Web site today and I hope to have it ready by next week. I will probably create a blog for the business, too.
I'm meeting with the golf pro at our club tomorrow and hope to do some golf tournament shoots in the future. I'm planning on photographing Matt's band, Musketeer Gripweed on Saturday at the Fort Collins Brewers Festival while they perform. I'll be scheduling a couple of children photoshoots within the next couple of weeks, too.
I've always enjoyed photography so thought it was a natural progression to have my own business. I'll have more details to share soon!
I'm meeting with the golf pro at our club tomorrow and hope to do some golf tournament shoots in the future. I'm planning on photographing Matt's band, Musketeer Gripweed on Saturday at the Fort Collins Brewers Festival while they perform. I'll be scheduling a couple of children photoshoots within the next couple of weeks, too.
I've always enjoyed photography so thought it was a natural progression to have my own business. I'll have more details to share soon!
Monday, June 20, 2011
An Empty House Again
Things were a little busy over the past few days as my in-laws were visiting hence my absence of blog entries. Anna Mae, Sue, and Carol arrived on Friday and left this morning. We all spent time with Sara, Zach, and Sophia over the weekend (twice at their house and once up here in Fort Collins)! Also brought them to the French Nest Market on Saturday and then to the Club for dinner where we met up with our friends, Karen and Bob. Had a fun time and fun visit!
Now that things are quite quiet here, I'll focus on finishing getting our business set up legally this week. I'm working on the portfolio and I need to figure out which Web site provider I want to use and then start building that, too!
Lots to do! And, let's not forget, I have daily drum practice to do, too!
The new picture on the right is Sophia just over 1 month old now! Click on her photo and you'll see more pictures from our Father's Day get-together with Zach's family at Sara and Zach's house.
Now that things are quite quiet here, I'll focus on finishing getting our business set up legally this week. I'm working on the portfolio and I need to figure out which Web site provider I want to use and then start building that, too!
Lots to do! And, let's not forget, I have daily drum practice to do, too!
The new picture on the right is Sophia just over 1 month old now! Click on her photo and you'll see more pictures from our Father's Day get-together with Zach's family at Sara and Zach's house.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Working on the New Business
I am amazed at how many regulations and references I need to review in order to set up a home business. It's all quite confusing as there are local association, county, and state requirements to sort out. Lots of research and very time consuming. I wish I could find one place to go to that would cover all the bases for me all at once.
Not only am I working on getting it set up legally, I'm trying to build a Web site, portfolio, and make arrangements on the retail side for customer orders. Whew! I'll fill everybody in as soon as I get the legal aspects squared away.
Not only am I working on getting it set up legally, I'm trying to build a Web site, portfolio, and make arrangements on the retail side for customer orders. Whew! I'll fill everybody in as soon as I get the legal aspects squared away.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Not Today
We took Buster to the vet today and I fully expected to not see him come home with us. He has a cancer on his head but other than that, he is about the same as he has been this past year. I could barely talk to the vet between my tears.
He gave us an option to try a steroid shot which should reduce the swelling of the cancer but doesn't make it go away. We are to check back with him at the end of the week to see how he is doing. I've already decided that if Buster gets worse, Mark will need to bring him to the vet because it's just too hard on me. I'm just a basket case there.
He gave us an option to try a steroid shot which should reduce the swelling of the cancer but doesn't make it go away. We are to check back with him at the end of the week to see how he is doing. I've already decided that if Buster gets worse, Mark will need to bring him to the vet because it's just too hard on me. I'm just a basket case there.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
The Executioner
The Executioner...that's what I feel like and I hate it! I have two reasons for feeling this way...Sandy and Buster.
First, Sandy. Two days ago, my neighbor, Jack and his daughter, Joey, were looking for their cat, Sandy because she was going to be put down yesterday (Friday) due to cancer. Sandy is 16 years old and apparently has cancer in her mouth which created a hole in the roof of her mouth making it very difficult for her to eat. It was obvious she was getting weaker.
They searched into the evening hours on Thursday but no Sandy. Yesterday morning when I came downstairs, there was Sandy sitting by the koi pond relaxing, a recent favorite past time of hers. I called Jack to let him know where Sandy was and Joey came over and got her. I felt like I was the Executioner for telling them where she was.
I talked to Jack this morning and Sandy met her fate yesterday. Very sad. She had a good life with Jack and Joey ever since they rescued her years ago as a stray when some college students left her on her own!
Now, our own cat, Buster. Buster has been with us since Sara was a 5th grader--18 1/2 years old! Buster is deaf (has been for almost 2 years) and has lost a lot of weight. His arthritis is really bad yet he still seems to walk around okay; he has difficulty when he goes to sit. He has been throwing up much more frequently these days and I noticed recently a growth on the top of his head over one eye. Upon coming downstairs this morning, I was shocked at how quickly it grew since yesterday! And, there is no fur on the growth. I would bet this is his cancer.
I tried getting him into the vet today to confirm our fears but they are closed right now. I left a message to get him in on Monday to see Dr. Arun.
I left a Skype note for Holly and Sara to let them know that I think Buster's days are numbered. I have a feeling on Monday he'll be going to kitty heaven, too. I'll try calling them later.
Even though I know this is probably the humane thing to do at this point in Buster's old life, it just stinks when a decision like this has to be made! We'll see what the vet says on Monday. He has definitely been a good cat all these years and I will miss him if it's his time to go!
First, Sandy. Two days ago, my neighbor, Jack and his daughter, Joey, were looking for their cat, Sandy because she was going to be put down yesterday (Friday) due to cancer. Sandy is 16 years old and apparently has cancer in her mouth which created a hole in the roof of her mouth making it very difficult for her to eat. It was obvious she was getting weaker.
They searched into the evening hours on Thursday but no Sandy. Yesterday morning when I came downstairs, there was Sandy sitting by the koi pond relaxing, a recent favorite past time of hers. I called Jack to let him know where Sandy was and Joey came over and got her. I felt like I was the Executioner for telling them where she was.
I talked to Jack this morning and Sandy met her fate yesterday. Very sad. She had a good life with Jack and Joey ever since they rescued her years ago as a stray when some college students left her on her own!
Now, our own cat, Buster. Buster has been with us since Sara was a 5th grader--18 1/2 years old! Buster is deaf (has been for almost 2 years) and has lost a lot of weight. His arthritis is really bad yet he still seems to walk around okay; he has difficulty when he goes to sit. He has been throwing up much more frequently these days and I noticed recently a growth on the top of his head over one eye. Upon coming downstairs this morning, I was shocked at how quickly it grew since yesterday! And, there is no fur on the growth. I would bet this is his cancer.
I tried getting him into the vet today to confirm our fears but they are closed right now. I left a message to get him in on Monday to see Dr. Arun.
I left a Skype note for Holly and Sara to let them know that I think Buster's days are numbered. I have a feeling on Monday he'll be going to kitty heaven, too. I'll try calling them later.
Even though I know this is probably the humane thing to do at this point in Buster's old life, it just stinks when a decision like this has to be made! We'll see what the vet says on Monday. He has definitely been a good cat all these years and I will miss him if it's his time to go!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
So Much Activity, Not Enough Time
When I was younger and worked a full time job and our girls were still in school, playing music and sports, I seemed to be a master at organizing our daily/weekly schedules. I thought once I'd retired things would slow down a bit but my days are just as busy as the early days of my family life. And, that's not a bad thing! There is no way I'm ever going to be bored!
I have so many different things I want to do, the trick is trying to figure out how to fit everything into my schedule. I need to resurrect my organizational skills again so that I can do more (activities) with less (hours in the day).
My drum lessons and drum practice are a priority and so is fitting in exercise at least 30 minutes a day (although I know that is no where near enough for weight loss) but it is better than nothing.
The weekly big clean of the house and weeding the garden is the next priority. I also go down to see Sara and Sophia a couple of times a week which is something I definitely look forward to! I want to devote time to writing and photography several times a week (ideally daily) and I would really like to finish just one of the hundreds of books I've started over the past few years! Leisurely reading has definitely taken a back seat to the other activities.
I try to pick up my guitar at least a couple of times a week to reinforce the picking and strum patterns I've recently learned. And, I need to plan a couple of camping trips and hikes into the Rocky Mountain National Park this summer. Then there is a lot of work to do for the New Horizons Concert Band which kicks off a new season in September. I will need to put some time in with the Fort Collins Symphony Guild (not sure when that is going to happen) and I want to learn to swim "laps".
Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with having so many interests! I'm just trying to figure out how to fit everything in.
I have so many different things I want to do, the trick is trying to figure out how to fit everything into my schedule. I need to resurrect my organizational skills again so that I can do more (activities) with less (hours in the day).
My drum lessons and drum practice are a priority and so is fitting in exercise at least 30 minutes a day (although I know that is no where near enough for weight loss) but it is better than nothing.
The weekly big clean of the house and weeding the garden is the next priority. I also go down to see Sara and Sophia a couple of times a week which is something I definitely look forward to! I want to devote time to writing and photography several times a week (ideally daily) and I would really like to finish just one of the hundreds of books I've started over the past few years! Leisurely reading has definitely taken a back seat to the other activities.
I try to pick up my guitar at least a couple of times a week to reinforce the picking and strum patterns I've recently learned. And, I need to plan a couple of camping trips and hikes into the Rocky Mountain National Park this summer. Then there is a lot of work to do for the New Horizons Concert Band which kicks off a new season in September. I will need to put some time in with the Fort Collins Symphony Guild (not sure when that is going to happen) and I want to learn to swim "laps".
Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with having so many interests! I'm just trying to figure out how to fit everything in.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)