Christmas 2005

Here is a goofy picture of me on Christmas morning with my Boo Boo taking the shot. John and I had a very nice Christmas. I got a monkey(look above), chocolate, a long tiger, a bigger lens for my camera, Madagascar dvd, Toy Story dvd, ornaments, and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time DS game. I loved all my presents very much! Christmas is John and I's favorite time of year, because we love just being together to celebrate. Next year we would like to add an addition to our family...I wish it was in our control, but obviously it is not.

My sweet Boo Boo got this teddy bear for Christmas. He also received some books(mainly political), Mario & Luigi gameboy advanced game, Slipknot cd, Monty Python and the Holy Grail dvd, Learning Italian book, lots and lots of chocolate....oh, and a sweet Christmas card.

Merry Christmas Eve

Christmas is almost here! The kitties are excited too. Not really....they could probably care less, especially when we dress them up like this for our family Christmas picture. Can you tell we need a Baby Boo in our life, so they can grace the family picture with a cute Christmas outfit?! I hope 2006 brings us a new family member to love. Tomorrow I will write all about our Christmas with each other, and our family.

Get Over Yourself Already

The monkey of the free world is making excuses again for his horrible decisions and actions. Does this man have no soul? Why does he even bother to speak? I wish he would just shut up already!!!!!!
Here is a great site to go to for some monkey humor!
http://www.jibjab.com/Home.aspx

A Long December

A long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leaving
Oh the days go by so fast

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think that I could be forgiven
I wish you would
(Na na na, etc. yeah)

The smell of hospitals in winter
And the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls
All at once you look across a crowded room
To see the way that light attaches to a girl

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think you might come to California
I think you should
(Na na na, etc. yeah)

Drove up to Hillside Manor sometime after 2 a.m.
And talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower
Makes you talk a little lower about the things you could not show her

And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass

And it's one more day up in the canyon
And it's one more night in Hollywood
It's been so long since I've seen the ocean
I guess I should
(Na na na, etc. yeah)
By: Counting Crows

Strawberry Fields Forever

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...

Imagine there's no countries,
It isnt hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...

Imagine no possesions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say Im a dreamer,
but Im not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.

One of the greatest songwriter/musician of all time died 25 years ago today. A demented man took the life of John Lennon, while he was living in New York City. What a great lost we have all suffered! Imagine if he was still alive today. The impact he would have on the world would be astronomical!

Animal Crossing: Wild World

Animal Crossing came out today on the Nintendo DS. I'm so excited to play!!!! Great game, and it will be fun to play on an individual system. My town is called Brooklyn, and my character's name is Yogi. :)

The Al Franken Show

John and I went to the Al Franken Show in Boulder today. Normally, Al's show broadcasts from the Air America building in New York City. It was very cool meeting him, and we received a sign copy of his book The Truth. Al Franken was also a writer and an actor on Saturday Night Live many years ago. He use to do a character named Stuart Smalley.

Outside the Boulder Theatre where the Al Franken Show took place.

John and I having fun while waiting for the show to start.

Some of the Jefferson County Young Democrats. From left to right: James, Vincen, John, and I.

Denver Chaotic

Today John and I went downtown to go to the Holiday Food & Gift Festival at the Colorado Convention Center. Let me just say the entire trip was a comedy of errors! For starters, we went to our usual parking area at 17th and Lincoln, and there was no place to park. We ended up driving around to find a parking space and got caught up in parade traffic. Who knew there would be a parade downtown today? Aughhh, it was painful trying to get out of the traffic jam. We finally escaped and decided to park in the parking garage at the convention center. We found a space and had to wait in line to pay for our parking. The parking machine was broken, and a guy had to do it manually.

Finally, we make it to the elevators to go into the convention center, but we took an elevator that brings us to the wrong place. We, and a few other people on board, stopped at the level of the festival, but we were on the wrong side of it. A guy who worked there told us to walk through and go through the doors ahead, so we did. Anyway to make a long story short, we ended up getting in for free, because we went in the wrong way and nobody stopped us. The convention center is a fairly, new building. They just redid it a few years ago, and it is extremely confusing. Nothing is marked well! Plus, why would you have an elevator that you can get on from the parking garage and have it go to some off the wall places. I don't get it!!! It was crazy, I tell ya!!!!

To finish it all out---it had overpriced food and the festival just wasn't that good. I guess we won't be going to that overcrowded, overchaotic, and overpriced place again.

Nintendo DS Bundles

John and I finally bought the Nintendo DS. We got the Nintendogs teal and pearl pink bundles. John bought his last Friday, October 28th, and I bought mine Sunday, October 30th. Mine, the pearl pink bundle, was a lot harder to find. Only Toys R' Us had it! John and I had to go to Aurora to get mine, since the Toys R' Us near us was already sold out.

We love playing with our DS! I have two dogs: Chocolate Lab named Hershey, and a German Shepard named BooBoo. John's dogs are: Dachshund named Plummer, and a Beagle named Lelie. Geez, I wonder why he named his dogs those names? Anyway, we can't wait until Mario Kart and Animal Crossing come out in late November and early December. It will be so exciting!

Melody, Sweet Melody

My sweet Melody went to the other side on November 1, 2001. She wasn't even four years old yet, and she went away. Here is a picture of Melody with her sister Harmony. Goodbye my sweet baby.

Golden Slumbers by The Beatles
Once there was a way to get back homeward.
Once there was a way to get back home.
Sleep pretty darling do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.
Golden Slumbers fill your eyes,
Smiles awake you when you rise.
Sleep pretty darling do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.

East Coast Friend comes to Town

Chris, John, and I had a week of adventure! Chris took a vacation out to Colorado to visit with John and I for a week. We did lots of fun things! Tuesday: Fort Collins(minus me) and Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs. Wednesday: Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs and Trail Dust Steakhouse. Thursday: Invesco Field Tour, Halloween costume shopping, Dave and Busters, and a quick tour of Downtown Denver on 16th street mall. Friday: Estes Park and Cinzetti's Saturday: Halloween Party with the Adventure Club and Haunted Houses. Sunday: Last minutes with Chris and dropping him off at the airport.

Old Friends

Old friends, old friends,
Sat on their parkbench like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
of the high shoes of the old friends
Old friends, winter companions, the old men
Lost in their overcoats, waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city sifting through trees
Settles like dust on the shoulders of the old friends
Can you imagine us years from today,
Sharing a parkbench quietly
How terribly strange to be seventy
Old friends, memory brushes the same years,
Silently sharing the same fears
Lyrics by Simon and Garfunkel

Christopher Calabro arrived from New York on Monday, October 24th around 10:30pm. John is holding the sign I made for Chris. Let the fun begin!!!!

Here is Chris and I eating at Beau Jo's on Tuesday, October 25th. I worked during the day, but John and Chris went to Fort Collins to visit Colorado State University. The school that John went to. They went to a vintage record store and ate lunch at the student center. They were trying to blend in with the other college kids, and Chris was checking out the college girls. ;)

John, Chris, and I rode the Cog Railroad up Pikes Peak to the top. We were over 14,000 feet! Here is a picture of us at the top, and we went on Wednesday, October 26th. Afterwards, we went to Trail Dust Steakhouse for dinner.

Go Broncos!!!! Chris, John, and I went to Invesco Field for a tour. We went on Thursday, October 27th. We spent the early part of the afternoon looking at where the Broncos play. Afterwards, we went to a store called Wizard's Chest in Cherry Creek to get our Halloween hats for the party. After that, we went to Dave and Busters.

Boo Boo and I pretended to play this game, but we just wanted the action picture shot. This was at Dave and Busters on Thursday, October 27th.

Dueling Hats

Trick or Treat!!! The attack of the purple nessie. Halloween party at Adriana's house on Saturday, October 29th. After the pot-luck Italian dinner, we went to two haunted houses: Spider Mansion at Heritage Square and Field of Corpses in Arvada.

Boo Boo and I smiling for the camera.

Saying Goodbye

Here is Chris at the ticket counter checking in to go back to New York.

A Lot of Oysters, but No Pearls...

Just Relaxing

Boo Boo, Harmony, Cimbi, and I are just sitting around and doing nothing today. John and I are playing Animal Crossing again! We created a new town called Wantagh, and we are having fun meeting new people and finding new items. It helps pass the time, while we wait for the new teal and pink Nintendo DSs to come out. They come out October 24th---the same day as our friend Chris Calabro comes to Denver to visit us for a week. Guess what John and I will be playing, while we wait for the plane to land?! The DS Animal Crossing comes out the first week in December, so we have to wait on that.

The End of a Chapter

Mike Piazza of the NY Mets played his last game as a Met yesterday. I'm not sure if he is retiring from baseball or just the Mets. I'm not the fan like John is, but I like it when the Mets win. When I think of Mike Piazza, I think of the NY Mets. It's sad to see him go. So long Mikey!

Here We Go Again....

Poor New Orleans has gotten hit again, this time from Hurrican Rita. Here is a picture of a very sad dog on the only bit of dry land left. The storm surged, and the levees broke. New Orleans was still pumping out water when this new storm dumped more water on top of them to deal with. The storm is heading for Texas, and the hurricane season of destruction continues for another month. Sadly, there is a price for beauty!

What I Did Last Weekend

On Friday, September 9, 2005, John and I went to Estes Park with my parents to attend the Estes Park Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival. Here is the sweet Nessie wading in the water. Occasionally, canons are fired at her---Bastards!!!! Thankfully, she was safe! Long live Nessie!!!!

Me in the cabin my parents rented while John and I were in Estes Park. John and I stayed the night in this dreadful cabin. It had a nice view, but we slept on a sleeper sofa...yuck! My parents said it looked better in the pictures. John and I also went to see "The 40-Year-Old Virgin". Very funny movie, but I don't recommend seeing it with your parents.

Stessed out sheep trying to recuperate between border collie demonstrations.

A Scottish band, I think they were from Scotland. Not all the performers were from Scotland. Some were Americans, Canadians, Irish, and of course Scottish. I wonder if they really are bare under those kilts? I wonder?!? ;)

On Saturday, September 10, 2005, John and I attended baby James's 2nd birthday party. Has it really been 2 years? Geez they grow so fast! James had a Spiderman themed birthday. As you can see, there was Spiderman carnage everywhere. "Don't worry my spidey friends I can get out of this mess!"

That's Brisk baby!!!! John enjoying a cold one!!

James having fun in the sun at his birthday party!

On Sunday, September 11, 2005, I went to the first Adventure Club of the 2005-2006 season. John stayed home to watch the Broncos, but he joined us later at Beau Jo's for some pizza and good times with friends. We went to Mount Evans first and than on to Breckenridge. This is a picture of me with Annie and Kimmie on a rock at the summit of Mount Evans. We were at 12,000 feet. Mount Evans is over 14,000 feet, but they close down the road to the top after Labor Day. Oh, well! Can you see the thinner air?

In Breckenridge, some of us went to listen to music, but Kimmie, Ramon, Adrianna, Aaron, and I walked around and shopped. It was fun, but I really missed my Boo Boo. I was happy he met up with us at the restaurant. On the way through the Eisenhower, we saw a rain/snow mix coming down. Winter is just around the corner!!! Overall, it was a good day!

Four Years Ago Today....

Now I know, "Spanish Harlem" are not just pretty words to say.
I thought I knew, but now I know the rose trees never grow, in New York City.
Until you've seen this trash can dream come true,
You stand at the edge, while people run you through.
And I thank the Lord, there's people out there like you.
I thank the Lord there's people out there like you.

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters,
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers,
Turn around and say, "Good Morning" to the night.
For unless they see the sky, but they can't and that is why.
They know not if it's dark outside or light.

This Broadway's got, its got a lot of songs to sing,
If I knew the tune I might join in.
I go my way alone, grow my own.
My own seeds shall be sown, in New York City.
Subways no way for a good man to go down,
Rich man can ride, and the hobo he can drown.

And I thank the Lord for the people I have found,
I thank the Lord for the people I have found.

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters,
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers,
Turn around and say "Good Morning" to the night.
For unless they see the sky, but they can't and that is why,
They know not if it's dark outside or light.
By: Elton John

Four years ago, today, tragedy occured. The man responsible still roams free, because our stupid ass president can't get his head out of his ass. Fighting a useless war in Iraq when the man responsible lives in Afghanistan. How sad?! Perhaps, he was never meant to be caught! :(

What Went Wrong?

I have been going to the chiropractor for a little over five months to help me with getting pregnant. I found out three months back that my chiropractor's wife, who handles all the paperwork at the office, was pregnant. I went in today for an adjustment and found out that they lost the baby. She was seven months pregnant! I don't know all the details, because Jason(chiropractor) had a substitute filling in for him. All I know is Vicki(chiropractor's wife) hadn't felt the baby move for a while. She went to the doctor, and they couldn't find a heartbeat. Apparently, the baby died in utero, and I don't know why. I hate things like this! I don't understand how a seemingly healthy fetus just stops living. It makes no sense to me!

I'm posting some lyrics to a song by the Eagles. It isn't the entire song just the part that fits with my post. The song is called the "Sad Cafe".

The clouds rolled in and hid that shore
Now that glory train, it don’t stop here no more
Now I look at the years gone by,
And wonder at the powers that be.
I don’t know why fortune smiles on some
And let’s the rest go free

Maybe the time has drawn the faces I recall
But things in this life change very slowly,
If they ever change at all
There’s no use in asking why,
It just turned out that way
So meet me at midnight baby
Inside the sad cafe.
Why don’t you meet me at midnight baby,
Inside the sad cafe.

The Timeline

This is the timeline, as it unfolded, for Hurricane Katrina.

Friday, Aug. 26: Gov. Kathleen Blanco declares a state of emergency in Louisiana and requests troop assistance.

Saturday, Aug. 27: Gov. Blanco asks for federal state of emergency. A federal emergency is declared giving federal officials the authority to get involved.

Sunday, Aug. 28: Mayor Ray Nagin orders mandatory evacuation of New Orleans. President Bush warned of Levee failure by National Hurricane Center. National Weather Service predicts area will be "uninhabitable" after Hurricane arrives. First reports of water toppling over the levee appear in local paper.

Monday, Aug. 29: Levee breaches and New Orleans begins to fill with water, Bush travels to Arizona and California to discuss Medicare. FEMA chief finally responds to federal emergency, dispatching employees but giving them two days to arrive on site.

Tuesday, Aug. 30: Mass looting reported, security shortage cited in New Orleans. Pentagon says that local authorities have adequate National Guard units to handle hurricane needs despite governor's earlier request. Bush returns to Crawford for final day of vacation. TV coverage is around-the-clock Hurricane news.

Wednesday, Aug. 31: Tens of thousands trapped in New Orleans including at Convention Center and Superdome in "medieval" conditions. President Bush finally returns to Washington to establish a task force to coordinate federal response. Local authorities run out of food and water supplies.

Thursday, Sept. 1: New Orleans descends into anarchy. New Orleans Mayor issues a "Desperate SOS" to federal government. Bush claims nobody predicted the breach of the levees despite multiple warnings and his earlier briefing.

Friday, Sept. 2: Karl Rove begins Bush administration campaign to blame state and local officials—despite their repeated requests for help. Bush stages a photo-op—diverting Coast Guard helicopters and crew to act as backdrop for cameras. Levee repair work orchestrated for president's visit and White House press corps.
Saturday, Sept. 3: Bush blames state and local officials. Senior administration official (possibly Rove) caught in a lie claiming Gov. Blanco had not declared a state of emergency or asked for help.

Monday, Sept. 5: New Orleans officials begin to collect their dead.

Worst President Ever!!!!!

I'm using a picture of cute prairie dogs to show the turmoil that is going on in our world today. I didn't want to use actual pictures, because I find them way too sad. Anyways, here is a list of the tragedies that are occuring as I write:

#1---Hurricane Katrina has bombarded New Orleans, Louisiana & many locations in Mississippi. These places suffered severe damage and loss of life. New Orleans is still flooded! People have been stranded everywhere and without food and water for FIVE DAYS!!!!!! Where the hell is our presdient to help these people....oh, he was busy playing golf. He finally went to those places yesterday, in a helicopter of course. It took him five days to get help to these people. Pregnant women, babies, elderly, and anybody else have been without food and water suffering. Most of these people are black---coincidence, sadly I think not. I thought racism was slowly becoming a part of the past but unfortunately it is alive and well. This is not acceptable for people to be treated this way! I can't believe this man has the title of president by his name!

#2---Cindy Sheenan has been camping out in Crawford, Texas where Bush has been on vacation. She is waiting for our president to grow some balls and speak to her about why her son had to die in Iraq. Cindy is now following Bush back to the White House to camp out there to get him to speak to her. Why are we there fighting this war? What have we accomplished by being there? How many more soldiers and innocent people have to die?

#3---Speaking of Iraq, we are still there fighting this bullshit of a war. Why are we still there? Why are you allowing this to turn into another Vietnam? Bush, why don't you have a conscience and a soul? What the hell is wrong with you!?

All I have to say is I can't believe this man! It is so sad that he is in charge, because he is sending us all to hell!

I'm going to post the lyrics to a song from the Byrds, a classic! It was a song that came out during Vietnam, and it still fits for our world today.

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to build up,a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

A Year has Come and Gone

Well, it has finally been a year and nothing. It is really hard to keep your head up when you just don't understand what is wrong. I'm a good person---John is a good person, and we would make good parents. I just don't get it! John always says my blogs are depressing, but I do try to write happy things, too. Maybe someone will read my blog and know what I'm going through and offer up some advice. Then again, probably not because I don't think anyone reads my blog, except for John and maybe Chris Calabro and Jeanette (John's mom). Anyway, I don't know what else to say, so I'll use a song to speak for me.

Smile, though your heart is aching.
Smile, even though it's breaking.
Though there are clouds in the sky,
you get by...
If you smile through your fears and sorrows.
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through.
If you just light up your face with gladness,
Hide every trace of sadness.
Although a tear may be ever, ever so near.
That's the time you must keep on trying.
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find life is worthwhile
If you'll just smile, come on and smile.
If you just smile.
Song by: Lyle Lovett (Hope Floats Soundtrack)

AM 760's Birthday Bash

Here is a picture of John with his favorite Liberal---Randi Rhodes!

John and I went to the Boulder Broker Inn on Friday, August 26th for AM 760's Birthday Bash. It is a progressive talk radio station. I don't listen as often as John, but we both enjoy listening to Randi Rhodes. Randi belongs to a radio show called Air America, which is based out of New York. Now all we need is to meet Al Franken and Jeanne Garofalo---two other liberals and well-known actors.

John and I had a lot of fun, but I thought I was going to pass out from lack of food. They had appetizers and cake, but it was not very filling. I refused to eat the cake, because people were getting the cake out with their bare hands. YUCK!!! Thankfully, after we saw and briefly met Randi, we went to Old Chicago with our friend, Damon. We had fun walking down Pearl Street Mall in Boulder observing the college newbies. We also ran into my brother, Michael after leaving the restaurant. :)

John and I celebrating and having fun!

Me surrounded by tons of people!

Rabbit

The rabbit is still okay! *sigh*

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

Yesterday was my 33rd birthday! It was my second birthday as Mrs. Blanco, and I'm loving every minute of it. My Boo Boo got me great presents: Sim Mania, The Sims Makin' Magic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book, and a cute bunny. If the bunny looks familiar, it's made from the same company that made Manhattan the skunk. :) I love my presents, and I love my Boo Boo. Yesterday was a lot of fun!

Here is me being embarassed by my family! We went to Traildust Steakhouse for dinner, and they came out to sing Happy Birthday to me afterwards. It wasn't too bad, and I got to make a wish on my birthday. :)

Earlier in the day, John and I went to the DCPA to listen live to a progressive radio talk show host from North Dakota. His name is Ed Schultz, and he was entertaining to listen to. We went with four other friends, and we had fun being around other proud Democrats. We will make this state blue! :)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Here is a picture of me at the Tattered Cover in Cherry Creek. I'm waiting (along with John, Kevin, and Annie) for the release of the new Harry Potter book. Quite the cast of characters! We saw a lot of obsessed people dressing up like all sorts of characters from the book. My favorite is the guy who looked like Hagrid. It worked cause he had the body type and the height.

We ended up staying at a bed and breakfast called The German House in Greeley. Interested choice! The place was nice and it had a pool, but the breakfast wasn't too exciting. Usually, B&B's have these elaborate breakfasts with lots to choose from. This one was very light almost like a continential breakfast you would get at a standard hotel. Otherwise, I pretty much liked everything else---give or take a few things! I was hoping we would have been staying in the mountains where it would have been a lot cooler and a lot less smelly. Greeley is where I went to college for my Bachelor's. It's a nice little town, but it is surrounding by farm land and Monfort Slaughterhouse is close by. I like to refer to Greeley as Cowtown USA for obvious reasons. Moo! :)

This leads me to the book! The book was great, but it had a very sad ending. A character I liked was killed at the end. I guess he had to die for important events to come, but it was still sad. John and I didn't read as fast as Annie and Kevin but part of that was due to the fact we kept falling asleep. Kevin finished the book around 8:30pm, Annie around 10:00pm, and John and I finished 3:30am: Sunday morning. Needless to say, we are very tired but at least we finished the book. Now we will have to wait another couple of years to find out how it all ends! ;)

Me, Kevin, Annie, and John

Harry Potter Weekend

John and I will be off soon to the Humble House to pick-up Kevin and Annie to go to an undisclosed Bed and Breakfast. Kevin is mum to where we are going, but we know it is about an hour to an hour and a half out of Denver. We will travel to our secret destination, play around for a while, eat some dinner, play some more, than travel back to Denver to the Tattered Cover to join in the mayhem of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince opening release. I'm very excited about this endeavor! We will then travel back to the B&B, and rest for a spell. When we wake up, we will be reading the book all day. It will be great fun! :)