Winter Wonderland

In honor of my sister-in-law's birthday, Matt and Michelle were able to get a great deal on a ski resort in Beaver Creek, CO. They so graciously invited several of us up for a weekend of skiing. The first day was spent skiing in Vail (the neighboring village) and the second day was in Beaver Creek. We had a blast and have the hurting muscles and joints to prove it! I'm slowly gaining ski-confidence and am thankful to Melissa and Matt for their patience! Each day, I inadvertently encountered a "blue" (which from what I hear, is more like a "black" back east.) All I can say is that I made it down without a broken bone! One day, maybe I'll actually go down one voluntarily! Tim also conquered his first "black diamond." In any case, Tim was able to grab a few cool shots from the slopes. Nothing can fully describe how pretty the slopes and villages were, but his pics turned out pretty great! The one pictured above is one of the Aspens (his muse) in fresh snow.

Words to live by...

Lots of people responded favorably to this when I sent it out as an email. I figured I would post it online for anyone who did not get it the first time through. I'm accomplishing some of what's on this list but I guess that's why it's designed for a whole year!

A GREAT RECIPE FOR THE NEW YEAR!
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God (or a friend) about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, Issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this really matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
20. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!
21. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
22. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.
23. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
24. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

Photo Tag

Ok, so if you read Carly's blog, I'm copying this verbatim...but it's a cute idea. Read below:

Here are the rules:

1. Go to your 4th picture folder

2. Use the 4th picture in the folder

3. Tell us about your picture!

4. Pass it on!

This is a picture of the view from mine and Tim's window on our long weekend trip to Chicago. Chicago is a city I highly recommend you visit for fun (and food-earlier blog in September, 08) if you ever get the chance. I am determined to get a Girl's Weekend going! Hello Magnificent Mile!

Out with the old, in with the new...

There comes a time in every young 20-something's life where they must decide to let go of things of the past for better things in the future. My time came today as I traded in my first sign of financial freedom as a single young woman for my first major purchase with my husband. We got a new car! While the Acura has been a wonderful car, there is not room for it (or not enough room in it) for the Brocks. Eventually, there will be more of us and we figured why not get the new car while we're in a good place? Though I was tearful as I drove the Acura for one last time, the moment I sat in my nice new car, I was smitten!

Hallowine and Football Time!

Two weeks ago, I turned 28. Yes...I know, it's hard to believe. I am now officially in my late twenties. 27 was a toss up between mid to late twenties, but now, I'm officially there! How did I spend my birthday weekend? Check below:

With a little monster, good friends and family, and good wine, we celebrated Halloween a little differently, dubbing it HalloWINE instead. We hosted a wine tasting party (cheese and all). This was a great idea and one of the few birthdays I have ever spent where no one was required to dress in costume! Ok...so Carson was still subjected to the costume, but it was his first and isn't he the cutest little monster? That same weekend, my brother-in-law, Matt, had the chance to finish celebrating his birthday with a Miami Dolphins/Denver Broncos game. We were invited to attend as well. This was my first pro football game ever and it was quite exciting! We had great weather and a fun time. The weekend was great!