Colorado.

Although I grew up in Texas, went to school in Maine, and now live in Virginia, there is something about Colorado that will always feel like home. I do not know if it is the serenity I gain from the mountains, the animals all around or the people that make it such a special place for me. It is probably a combination of all of these things in addition to the fond childhood memories I have vacationing there. I have lived in various parts of the state for the past seven years and never thought I would leave. As I have mentioned before here and here, I have been having a blast on this new adventure but I would be lying through my teeth if I said I did not miss my western paradise.

It has been almost nine months and finally I am returning this weekend. I can not wait to visit all of my friends and my family!! My sister and brother are still there. Sometimes I feel as though they are a limb that was amputated when I moved, they are both so special to me as are so many other friends in Colorado.

I am beyond excited for a long weekend filled with laughter, happiness, adventure, and whiskey. There will probably be whiskey. 

What are you up to this weekend?

Gotta Get Outta This Town.

Hey Y'alL!! Im going on vacation!!! This Thursday, Tyler and I are headed to Nashville and I can not even express how pumped I am!!!!! We are meeting up with one of our best couple friends, Taylor and John to go see my favorite men, Widespread Panic play on Friday and Saturday night!! They are playing at an amazing venue, The Woods at Fontanel. I could not be more excited, it been over a year and this will the tour closer, AKA a guaranteed good time!!

So after our rowdy weekend with friends, Tyler and I have decided to stay for a few more days to explore the town. Nashville is just one of those places that I have never been to but for some reason I know I will fall in love with! Knowing myself, I'll probably be like "lets move here" after a few hours!!

I can't wait to go honky tonkin', wear my cowboy boots, eats some down home food, and get away from it all for a little bit!!! I will say, I was hoping to finally get to wear some of my summer clothes but the forecast is calling for rain the whole time we are there, bummer! Im sure we will make the best of it anyway!!!

Also, since none of us have ever been to Nashville before, I'm enlisting all of blogger buddies to help me find the most amazing places to go!! Have you been to Nashville before?? Whats not to miss!! Thanks for your help!!!! And whoo hoo for vacation!!! Where are you going?

4 @ 4.

Alas, another ski season has drawn to an end here in Vail. And what a glorious season it twas. Like every year on closing day, we celebrated with a mountain top soiree. When chair four closes at four 'o' clock, we PARTY!!!
The festivities this year were as crazy as ever, I saw some great costumes, hung out with amazing friends, and perhaps drank a bit too much champagne!! I thought you all might enjoy a few of the pictures. So here is a wee little taste:

Until next year my friends . . . 

Sister.

I am the proud product of a blended family. Like many people this day and age, my parents divorced when I was very young. However, my story is not a sad one. Through divorce and remarriage, I have gained the best family in the world. I feel so lucky and fortunate. I am very close with my stepmom and my stepdad as well as all five of my step siblings. But this post is not about all of those bananas.

It is about one banana in particular, my step sister, Jourdan.

Jourdan is my best friend, my sister, my everything. Although technically we are "step" sisters, there is actually no "step" about it. We fight like sisters, we play like sisters, and we love like sisters. I met Jourdan when I was eight, she was seven. We shared a room that we painted purple and green, with cherries on the door. I have so many fond memories of that room and the time we spent playing with her overhead projector (yea, that's right, be jealous ), choreographing dances to Lou Bega's Mambo No. 5, and arguing so intensely so that she would be in our room on AIM and I would be in the kitchen. Oh the glorious days of AIM!

Since the time of our adolescent misadventures, Jourdan and I have been through so much together. We are as close as they come. When I think about the best times of my life, she is a part of almost every one. We have road-tripped across the country (multiple times). We have had some of the best dance parties in the world. We have laughed and cried for hours and then some. We have been to NOLA, Vegas, and moved to Vail together. Pretty much think of any cliche "best friends" activities and we've been there,done that, trust me!

Long story short, I can not express to you just how much Jourdan and mys relationship truly means to me. She is such a beautiful soul and I am blessed to have her in my life.She has the heart of Mother Teresa, the mind of Andy Warhol, and the looks of Scarlett Johansen. 

Here is a glimpse at just some of the fun times we have had together!

1. Graduation Day 2. Franti Kisses 3. I just love you, Man! 4. Salt 'n' Pepa 5. That's whats up! 6. Mardi Gras boobies!! 7. Big Bird & Oscar the Grouch 8. Cant get enough 9. Closing day festivities

Also, as I mentioned before, Jourdan and I are kind of Dance Party Queens. I mean we once were called Abba. And we partied with Britney Spears!! So if you don't get the picture already, just know that we are pretty widely known as "fun machines"!! Here are some of our go to songs when we want to get the party started!!

Salt N Pepa - "Aint None of Your Business

Sophie Ellis Bextor - "Murder on the Dancefloor"

Willow Smith - "Whip my Hair"

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "Home"

Elizabeth Cook - "El Camino"

Kanye - "The New Workout Plan"

Nicki Minaj - "Super Bass"

Grace Potter - "Paris"

Scarlett Johanssen & Pete Yorn - "Relator"

Cupid - "Cupid Shuffle"

Grits - "Ooh Aah"

Florence and the Machine - "Dog Days are Over"

I hope all of you have a relationship in your life that is as special to me as mine and Jourdan's is! 

I love you Jourdie!

phun.

{just a random fun photo strip for your saturday pleasure}

All Dogs Go To Heaven.

So I have known since starting this blog that in order to let my readers get to know me a bit more, I am going to have to do a post about my late dog, Koda. I have not known however, when the appropriate time would come. Well this morning, I received some sad news that led me to believe today is the day.

Let me digress, my next door neighbor's dog's name is Mr. Briggsy. Mr. Briggsy was the sweetest, most well behaved gentle sole. He went everywhere with Greg. I loved having the opportunity to dog sit him and walk him as often as possible while mourning the loss of my dear friend Koda Bear. He really helped me through that difficult time. This morning I ran into my neighbor and he gave me some heart wrenching news. Last week, out of the blue, Mr. Briggsy got cancer and passed away. I instantly started crying. (I am one of those people that almost gets more sad when animals die than people) I know from recent experience, just how difficult it is to lose your four legged best friend!! Here is a picture of Mr. Briggsy cuddling with my kitten, Moglie.



{Briggsy & Moglie}



{Koda Bear}

Okay, so without further ado, Koda.
Almost nine years ago, I was driving down the street in Denver and happen to see this nappy wolf looking thing wandering on the side of the road. I pulled over and approached him and I noticed he had a collar on. I called the number on the tag only to find a disconnected line. He seemed so scared and sweet and helpless. He hopped in my car without any hesitation and we drove straight to the nearest vet. They found that he had been microchipped and tried to contact Koda's registered owners. He was about three years old. They told me that if I wanted to keep him I could and if they could still not contact his "owners" after three weeks, I could officially adopt Koda and register my information to the microchip.
I guess I just had a gut feeling that this poor soul had been abandoned. It seemed as though he had been on his own for quite some time. I took him to the groomer, who shaved him in order to rectify the disgusting situation which was his dreddy, matted fur. And then we went to the pet store and stocked up on supplies. I spent what seemed like a small fortune on him. My roommate and friends thought I must be out of my gourd to do all this for a dog, I didn't even know if I could keep. But I knew. I just somehow knew that Koda would be my mine forever.
The first few months with Koda were difficult. I had never known a dog like him. He was terrified, unaffectionate, and distant. Not at all like the silly labs I had always grown up with. He spent most of the time hiding in my closet. There was a part of me that feared we would never be connected but still I knew I could never abandon him like his previous owners.
Slowly, with persistent love and care, Koda started to come around. Within a year, we were inseparable. Koda came everywhere with me. He was my sidekick. He became the mascot for the store I was working in at the time. He always rode shotgun as we ran errands. We spent countless hours playing at the dog park. No matter what we were doing, he was always by my side.
Despite his size and intimidating looks, Koda couldn't have hurt a fly. He would let children and small dogs alike tug on his fur and play with his bushy tail until their hearts content. He was without a doubt the most mellow dog I have ever met.
Over the past year or so, he had really started to slow down. He wasn't bolting through the trees quite as quickly on our hikes or diving into the rivers with the same bounce. I took him to the vet as a precautionary measure, they said he was in good shape and overall physical health for his age. About a month later, I went out of town for a friends wedding. The day after I returned, June 7, 2012, was one of the worst days of my life. I had gone to bed around 10pm and Tyler stayed up. He was outside talking to the neighbor when Koda stumbled outside. Tyler came rushing in and woke me up telling me "there is something wrong with Koda" At first I thought he was joking, and as he persisted, I realized that i should probably get out of bed. When I did, Koda was still laying outside, he couldn't move and his eyes were black. I had never seen anything like it and I knew something was really wrong. We carried him inside where he just laid in my arms, gave me a kiss and then stopped breathing. It all happened so fast. I was hysterical. I had never experienced a loss quite like this.
I still mourn Koda's death every day. I miss him so much, more than anyone will ever truly know. He meant the world to me and always will. Looking back, I am grateful for how it happened. I am grateful for not having to put him down, but for the fact the died in my arms, and peacefully. I take comfort in knowing that he is now frolicking in doggie heaven alongside Mr. Briggsy, Buster, Samy, Artie, and all of our other dear pets that have passed. I am confident that he is smiling, and running, and chasing squirrels until his hearts content.
Koda Bear, I love you and I miss You.

 Tell me about all of your pets, past and present! I love love love to hear about what four legged friends mean the most to you!!



A Day with Tay.

I know a lot of Taylors. Like more than the average girl should know. One of my favorite Taylors came up from Denver for a play date this weekend! We had a blast hanging out with our pups in the snow, drinking bloody mary's, and talking about life.

BONUS: I am still working on figuring out my new camera and it was a great opportunity to take some shots!! Here is what I came up with:



{What a Beauty}

 

{Cash & Aiko, Best Buds}



{So much space to cover, So little time}

{A Train along the Colorado River}



{You cant Run from my Kisses}

 

{Cash pondering life}



{Taylor}


She is one of those epic friends who I dont see all the time (we live in different cities) but when I do, it is as if no time has passed. I was so appreciative of the great talks we had and the laughs we shared this weekend!



 I cant wait until next time!!

Who are some of the Taylors (or just great friends) that you have?