Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!

Well, the first worthwhile storm for the "winter" has come to Denver. After more than 24 hours, it is still snowing!

Where I live, we got about 18" of the fluffy white stuff. And let me tell you I am feeling every inch after shoveling my driveway so that my tire tracks wouldn't turn into ice tracks. Then, I had to make some space for my dog Harry on the patio. I think that I will make a snowman for a workout tonight...or take Harry on a walk so that I high-step the entire time.

I love this weather and I love that the roads have been pretty well maintained. As with any storm, secondary and neighborhoods are not as nicely groomed as main thorough fairs, but my little Camry didn't have a problem getting me to work and home again. If there was a stronger wind and less visibility, I would have a tough time enjoying the weather until I was safe at home.

I am so excited for this to stick around, but it will make for a slushy Halloween with the weather predicted to be in the 50's on All Hallow's Eve....

Where do I go?

Traditions

So, a couple of weeks ago (oy. I should have updated long ago.) I went to College Station, TX for the weekend. While there, I got to experience something I never have: a Texas A&M football game.

Now, I L-O-V-E love football. I went to tons of high school games, college games, and Bronco games, but nothing - I mean NOTHING - compares to an A&M game.

Instead of cheerleaders, A&M has Yell Leaders. I know there's a reason for it and probably dates back to when A&M was all-male, but whatever. Anyway, they send a signal through the crowd and EVERYONE bends forward (hump) so that the opposing team can hear us yell. Oh, and this whole time? We're standing. Since A&M is home of the 12th Man, it makes sense. Granted, we stood at CSU games, but we sat as soon as the whistle blew for half-time. Well, that's when the Corp of Cadets take the field. Let me tell you that this marching is INSANE. So mesmerizing. Another tradition that I love is that when the Aggies score, you kiss your date...Field goal? Kiss. Touchdown? Kiss. Extra point? Another kiss. Wish we had that at CSU...

The tailgating is, of course epic as with any southern school, but like I said, INSANE. Kyle Field by the way, seats just as much as Invesco does for the Broncos...I wasn't even at a sold out game and there were 76,000 people there.

Everyone also knows the fight song (without needing it printed on a t-shirt in front of them) and the stadium sways in opposing directions. CRAZY.

All of the pomp and circumstance made me realize that all of these traditions are what make A&M fans a super power. While Colorado State has some aspects, over time it hasn't been consistent over the years. Granted, I know that the more things change, the more they stay the same, but I really don't feel the same about CSU's traditions as I do at being merely a visitor at A&M.

I think that I need to start making some traditions with my family and friends so that there's always special things to look forward towards.

Here are some pictures of the awesomeness of A&M:

These are the alumni stands...Same as the student side...but the students stand...and are jam-packed

The Aggies taking on the OSU Cowboys

The painted overalls are another tradition....they were all over the place.

The Corps of Cadets in the T

The only time we sat down I could get a pic of the 12th Man

Little Things in Life

Finding the small things in your day that make you realize that you've got it pretty good really can make your frown turn upside down. (Corny, I know. But I've never said I wasn't just a little corny.)

Here are some of the many little things that make me happy. (And not necessarily in this order, it's just how my brain works.)

1. The Indian summer of Colorado where, last weekend it was the first snow, this weekend it's 80 degrees.
2. Candy corn. I don't like it any other time than the fall. (Stale, perhaps?) And after October, it's Indian corn.
3. Dogs. My dog, Harry, is the cutest thing ever. It's like how parents never stop fawning over their children, that's the way I am about my furry child...he gives me unconditional love...even though he never gets scraps from me.
4. Frosting. It's my weakness and is normally attached to something like cake which is attached to a special occasion which is attached to a party which is attached to time with family and friends. Frosting: It's the glue of fun.
5. Family. They drive you nuts, but make you who you are. No matter what, they have to like you...well, your parents anyway.
6. Friends. They are the family you chose and I love everyone of them. They pick me up when I am down and make me laugh to the point of oxygen deprivation.
7. Contact. While I am sitting by myself on the couch and have had very little contact with the outside world today, I normally like to touch base with those important people in my life on a regular basis.
8. Straws. They help me drink tons of water and they turn into a replacement to gum in a pinch.

Appreciation for what you have and not resting in the disappoint for the lack of your "wants" will make for a happier life and deeper satisfaction. Those little things in life make all the difference and are the most important.

Truck Drivers - err...Drivers of Trucks

As of late, it seems that my commute into work is being pestered with trucks drivers...not the semi kind, but those of the Ford, Dodge, Chevy variety...and more specifically, the Ford F-150.

They are the ones that cut me off and then proceed to go 15 mph slower than what we were originally traveling in the lane. Or, they will slow down and speed up as I signal a lane change. (Note: I ALWAYS use my blinker. After getting pulled over when I was 16 for not using my blinker, I have been scared straight.)

This morning, I was driving in the far right lane (which is like the secret fast lane on this stretch of I-70) and an F-150 came over three lanes without signaling going much faster than the speed limit (so I know that he wasn't trying to be courteous to other drivers and get in the slow lane.) And proceeded to brake. THEN, as I signal to change lanes, he does the same, without signaling and again, brakes. Mind you, this whole time the closest car in front of him at this point is about 150 ft.

Ugh. I don't like rush hour for this reason. People need to realize that the road is the same as the day before and that your car can make the turns going faster than 45 mph.

Oh, and drivers of trucks, don't drive immediately in front of the Camry. I might ram you one of these days.

Ok. Road rage vent over. Looking forward to the drive home tonight. ;-)

It's October and the Official Halloween Season!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween, haunted houses, jack-o-lanterns, costumes, witches, ghosts, and even the fake cobwebs!

It might have something to do with my mom's birthday being on Halloween, but it's one of my favorite holidays. It might also be that Colorado gets the first snow of the winter season around this time of year. Or it could be that it's the first holiday in a string of Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year that heralds family time, decadent treats, and holiday cheer. But I don't care what the reason is, I just love it!

For those that enjoy haunted houses, Haunted Denver hosts a website with a listing and reviews of the haunted houses around Denver...I'm not talking an episode of Ghost Hunters haunted, but the kind with Leatherface chasing you with a chainless chainsaw.

I also like to carve pumpkins. Although, I live in an "Old People" neighborhood, so the whole effort seems wasted. I would love to have the artistic ability for something like this:


But would settle for the patience to complete this:


And on the backside to whatever is my first attempt is typically this:
I may have to pull out some of the decorations at home to get into the spirit...

Speaking of, I am trying to come up with costume ideas...do you have any? Last year, we thought it would be brilliant to get a big group together and dress up as the Duggars with all the girls in long dresses and the guys in polos and khakis with name tags of all the kids names that start with J. We could even have one of our pregnant friends go as the Mom who's pregnant with her 19th (!!!) child.

Happy Halloween (Month)!!