Autumn

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Life has been a little crazy since I last posted. Most of the Northern part of Colorado flooded. We had a little of that here too. On the 15th, we drove to La Junta to pick up Morgan and celebrate birthdays. Her’s was on the 10th, and Dan’s was the 16th. We were a little concerned about the weather as most of Colorado was rather wet. We watched the clouds, and didn’t worry too much, and drove to Pueblo.

We took Morgan to the Texas Roadhouse for a steak dinner. She’d never been there, and her face after she bit  into her steak were great. After lunch, we did a bit of shopping and then went to see the movie Elysium. Interesting movie.

Around 7pm, we started to head back to La Junta. It started to rain. 15 miles from Pueblo, we hit an area that had about 8 inches of water on the road. When we got to Fowler, the rain was coming down so hard, it was difficult to see. The rain let up and almost stopped by the time we got to Rocky Ford. It was a long 60 mile drive.

After we got her some groceries, we headed home. La Junta is 73 miles from Walsenburg. It had started raining just as we headed out. About mile marker 40, we saw a vehicle flashing their lights. We stopped and the driver warned us that there was water on the road. We thanked her and drove a bit slower, looking for the water.

Just about the time I said “The ditch is full of water”, we hit the first ‘puddle’. It threw water up on the windscreen, but it wasn’t too bad. Then we started watching the ditches. Keep in mind this area is farmland and the road usually sits up high from the fields. At least 1-2 ft higher.

We hadn’t gone a mile before I saw the ditch was full, and we hit deep water before I could even finish the sentence. This spot had water flowing across the road. Active flooding. It threw water up and over the cab of the truck. That was scary!

We almost had our breath back, when we hit one more place where the road was flooded. We warned drivers as we headed west. 15 miles from home, we hit a fog bank. It misted away just before we got to town.

Dan checked the truck, and we bent the license plate back with all the water. Otherwise we were safe, but just rattled. We’ve had more rain in a week than we have in 3/4ths of the entire year. 9.5 inches.

From there, our week was hectic. Wwe have been working on getting the house ready for winter, which means lots of little DIY projects and trips to Pueblo for bits and pieces. Especially when I cut the cord that supplied electricity to the Wendy House. sigh… I felt so stupid when I did that. However, I now have good wiring. We converted the back porch to a workshop which has helped as well. The drill press, miter saw and other bits and pieces now have a home.

It was cold last night and we woke to snow on the Spanish Peaks… Not bad for the first day of Autumn.

Last, but not least, we went to the Ludlow Memorial. 100 years ago today, the miners went on strike. As usual, the service was a good mix of memories, Union, politicians and history.

Ludlow Memorial1 Ludlow Memorial2

Milestones and Passages

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It’s been a while since I wrote a post. Sunday afternoon instead of going up in the mountains to pick rosehips, Dan and I spent a very quiet afternoon working on things here. Not that a lot got accomplished, but we just didn’t have the energy to go up in the hills. Around 10pm, it was like someone pulled the plug, and we went to bed early.

Monday morning, I was washing my hair when I realized I could “hear” Carl’s voice in my head. He was asking me where he should go. Like he was lost. I told him go to heaven/ towards the light, etc. He replied that “Oh, you would know the answers!” in that joking tone we’ve come to know so well. Then, as fast as that voice appeared in my head, it was gone. At that point, I wasn’t sure if I was just daydreaming, or if I really did hear that voice. Yeah,…. I know it sounds strange, but it is the truth. I was also pretty sure that Carl had passed over.

I didn’t say anything to anyone, just got ready for work and headed off to the Chamber. The job is getting easier, and I did lots of filing, letter writing and other bits. My mom stopped by as did my dad  and I finished up around 2pm.

It was about 5pm when the phone rang. It was MaryJane. Carl had passed around 10pm last night. Dan was talking to her and made arrangements for us to go over and help her disconnect the computer, cancel the online stuff that Carl had and visit on Thursday. Carl’s memorial service is on the 27th. After Dan got off the phone, he mentioned which church it was going to be at and I said, “oh! Nanny’s church.” After puzzled looks, I had to explain that Nanny, my great grandma use to go to that church, and took me with her when I was little.

Tuesday and Wednesday I worked extra so that I could take Thursday off. Dan fixed the safe so that we can now use it. I talked with Barbara Yule as well, so I know which days I need off next week to be part of the Celtic Festival that we are having next week.

Tuesday was also my Dad’s 72nd birthday. He and Mom left for Las Cruces to visit my Aunt Toni and Uncle Karl. They are celebrating their 30th anniversary as well as my parents birthday. Mom’s 72nd birthday is Friday! (argh! International Talk Like A Pirate Day) While they are gone, we are watching Elway, their cat.

Thursday we went out to MaryJane’s. We could see where she buried Miko. Poor cat died the same day as Carl. We had coffee, visited and then Dan disconnected all of the online stuff and the computer while MaryJane went through pictures. It was a little rough at times, but she was glad we were there. We  were glad to help.

Came home around 5pm, had a snack, and then it was time for Dan to go pick up Morgan at school. She had a volleyball game up in Westcliff. They won again. Oh she was happy.

We watched Premonition with Sandra Bullock as we ate dinner. Oh Gods what a frustrating movie! I spent most of it wanting to scream at the tv to have her do something to change the reality of what she was seeing. Awwwgggghhhhhhh!!!!

Happy endings, birthdays,and background music

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Friday was my last day at the D.A.’s office. Part of me was rather sad that it was my last day. The rest of me was glad I was getting out of that nut house. My replacement… Oh My Gods! She certainly was not hired because of her ability to work. In a week of “training”, she managed to learn maybe 10% of the job, and I am being generous. She spent more time yakking with the HR person who is a friend than learning the Job. On Friday, she wasn’t there 20 minutes when she started to complain about her back. She spent more time on the phone than she did working. She was gone by 10:30am. This left Pattie and I to do all the work. Pattie left for a job interview at 3pm. I was by myself most of the afternoon. The A.D.A. and the HR person asked me what I thought of the job, etc. I didn’t tell them much of anything, except that their file security was rotten. I pick up my paycheck on Tuesday.

Saturday was a lazy day. We slept in! Around 2pm, Dan and I went to Pueblo to do the regular payday shopping. It took forever! Not that there were tons of people or that it was hectic, we were just sloooow. We ate dinner at Chile’s. Yummmmm…. There was also a stop at Barnes & Noble. Yeahhhh!

Sunday was another lazy day. I think that my body did the whole “ok, I’m not working so now I’m going to flake out.” My feet were so sore! You’d think I’d run 90 miles. We spent most of the evening watching Babylon 5. It was also Erin’s 26th birthday.

Monday… Woke up with a headache. Finally got up around 10am. I wrote my articles for the newspaper, ran down to the D.A. Office to see Pattie. I helped her copy her private files and then headed off to Pauline’s. She is trying to move out of her house. I helped her pack about 20 boxes… I came home around 6pm. This headache and I are going to bed early. It is Jimmer’s birthday today.

In the background I’ve got Dan choosing the music… Freebird, Nightwish, Asia, Godsmack. A rather odd mix as he is looking for specific music. Good thing I’m not too picky.