Happy 3rd Anniversary to Us!

Matt and I celebrated our third anniversary in a cute cabin in the woods in Estes Park, the town in which we were married. It was perfectly charming with wild life all around, a cozy fire place inside and a community hot tub, which we were happy to patronize. We went cross-country skiing for the first time since pre-Guatemala and it was wonderful!! I love it so much!!

This is a small lake near Sprague Lake in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park. It was the perfect trail for gliding and getting into the rythm.

We stopped at the Warming House about a mile in for hot chocolate and mountain conversation with the host, a member of the Colorado Mtn. Society, which I think Matt and I should join so we could stay in one of these remote cabins for the weekend and host snow-shoers and skiers.

Here is an action shot of me cross-country skiing.
I'm amazed I'm not a blur, I was going so fast!

Here is the original Estes-Elk-butt-honeymoon-picture

And here we are three years later we are still attracted to a: each other and b: winter cabins in Estes with snowy landscapes sprinkled with wildlife and wonders.

Our three day third anniversary cabin, ahhh.

A "Just Right" Book

When teaching kids about literacy and reading, we often teach them about "just right" books. A "just right" book is one that is first of all interesting and secondly it must be at the correct level (which of course is a complex issue), but I usually tell kids, "If there are less than five words that you don't understand on the first page (the "sticky fingers" test), then it is probably 'just right' for you."

The Happiness Project has been just right for me coming into a new year full of possibilities for positive change. I have been reading this book the past few weeks and it has been just what I was wanting. This book is not necessarily brilliant and I think the author and I don't have a lot in common personality-wise, but she offers an inspiring story and measurable, practical advice for mood-boosting. I highly recommend this book if you're trying to get out of a "slump" or looking for ways to challenge yourself in positive ways (I love the self-help section of a bookstore!)

La Playa !

I have been curious about the Yucatan and the Mayan Riviera for several years and it has never worked out until two weeks ago. When our plane landed in Cozumel, we still hadn't decided where we wanted to stay: Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. We decided on Playa because it was well, beautiful and right there. There were loads of affordable places to stay and a real mix of European/American/Mexican tourists and locals. We got to speak a lot of Spanish naturally, which is so rewarding now that we have both "just-about-arrived" in fluency.

This is the main stretch of beach in the center of town, lined with cafes and restaurants, which are so charming (and almost empty) at night, with lanterns, soft music and a warm ocean breeze.

Matt made a chair in the sand to support his lower back.

These are some Mayan ruins right on the beach outside of the town of Tulum.

the public beach within the National Mayan site

One of my goals for the week was to go to a "swing bar" where you can let loose the child and adult in you while swinging barefoot in the sand and sipping a corona, ahh.

? Tuscany or Texas ?

Matt and I got to spend 5 days hanging out at my brother's house in the Texas Hill Country, West of Austin. We were delighted to discover 3 lovely wineries within twenty minutes of his house!

~~~
???Which is Texas, which is Tuscany???
???

The answer::: the top is Tuscany (Nov. '09), the bottom is Texas (Dec. '10). I was blown away by the old world Italian charm of this particular vineyard, the Duchman Family Winery. I mean the facilities, the landscape and the vineyard were stunning.



Not that I like drinking in the middle of the day, but there's something about everything Italian, in particular, everything to do with wine, with vineyards and grapes and rolling hills, with subtle flavors and smoky, white cheese and earthy, bright colors that makes me go weak in the knees. I think I'd like to live in Italy someday...

Paradise Lost

These past four months have been the least happy in my life.
For so long each phase was getting better and better.
:::
I remember thinking after the Summer of 2000 when I volunteered at the International Christian Pavilion at the Worlds Fair (EXPO 2000) in Hanover, Germany, that I would probably never top that. I thought that this was probably the pinnacle of my life. Haha. But I have had a blast topping that Summer ever since. I have always been amazed by meeting new people and enjoying good friends, deep thoughts, beautiful sites and scenery, good books, new experiences, challenges and adventures, all very positive and completely enjoyable. And then I turned 29, started working as a paraprofessional in Denver Public Schools and taking grad classes two nights a week without a clearly defined community or church body... and all was lost.

This is really my first life slump and I'm hating it. But thank God for this two week Christmas vacation to think, breath and dream again. With the help of God, some inspiring self-help books about happiness and creativity and beautiful afternoons on a pristine Mexican beach I want to turn things around.
:::
I have to make some changes and I have to write.
I need to find beauty and be thankful.
I need friends and I need to pray.
Thank you God for a second chance.