4 Legged Friday: Cooper

 This Friday's post is dedicated to Cooper, 

soon to be 3 year old Great Dane.

When I was back at my parents last week I was fortunate enough to get to spend some quality time with Coop.
Cooper youst to live with me but he & Bruiser decided they no longer liked each other. Sooo, my mom always wanted a Dane... He ended up back out at the farm in Boulder county.

This turned out to be great! He is one of the best farm dogs Spring Tree has ever had. He sticks around, even if you go into the barn, there he is waiting for you when you return. 

Cooper also made other four legged friends, Dodger & the piglets.  Dodger is my sisters' 12 year old, blue merle doxin. Looks like a mini Cooper! At first Dodger hated him, but now they are inseparable. He attempts to keep up, but usually ends up riding in the Polaris with mom. I say piglets, but they're actually around 80 pounders. It's amazing & hilarious watching him with the pigs. A couple females have taken to Coop. They will actually 'talk' to & try & play with him. He'll play bow & bark & they'll chase each other. We've tried to get it on film, but he gets distracted by the camera & lays there watching you instead.

Cooper also loves walks. Spring Tree Farms (the parents' official place name) is luckily enough to be located down the road from a llama/alpaca farm. Ah yes! Well, Coop has made some playmates there too... only through the fence & he's the only one 'playing'

The engagement party rolled around, along with the decorating! Cooper loves balloons too: chasing them, pawing at them, & eventually popping them. Well, dad had a helium tank so we of coarse we had to do what anyone would do... attach one to his collar. Ah, the entertainment!

I love that big dope SO much! He's an excellent dog &

I miss him but the farm life was truly meant for him.

Niwot Tavern

New Restaurant #4:

Niwot Tavern

7960 Niwot Rd.

Niwot, CO

Sunday, May 6th, Paul & I headed into the little town I grew up by for lunch. We wanted something different & hadn't tried yet. The Tavern has been in this shopping area for a while, I had been drivin by it all this time.

Tuesday night my brother was raving about their pickles.... and, well, that was it. I'm sold on fried pickles.

Paul & I started the meal with the fried pickles, which were spears. They were AMAZING!!! Almost as good as So Long Saloon's in Manhattan, KS. Paul also had me try them with peanut butter. Something he had tried a few years back & every time he wants me to try 'em nobody has PB until now. It was alright, but I LOVE ranch!

Maine course I ordered an Adult Grill Cheese: American, Swiss, Bacon, Tomato. It was amazing! The fries were also really good, crispy just like I like them. Paul ordered the Sunday special all-you-can-eat fish & chips with a side of cole slaw. I had to taste the fish, agreement on the taste, fabulous! He also enjoyed the fries. However, the slaw was not creamy enough for him or me.

I enjoyed the atmosphere. A lot of oak furniture, booths, & bar with mirrors. The service was prompt & very nice.

Prices were average. Pickles were $6.50ish & sandwiches were a little more. I also noticed they have happy hour daily from 4-6. Not only on drinks but with appetizers, pickles at $4.50.

They have a room for hosting parties or meetings. Holidays they offer certain specials, for instance on Mother's Day they're having complimentary flowers & food specials of Brioche French Toast with Bacon & Fresh Fruit for $8.50 and Apricot Glazed Chicken with Pommes Annna & Tender Asparagus for $12.95.

If you're ever in the little, loaded town of Niwot, Colorado, stop by cottonwood square for a drink & snack at Niwot Tavern. If you're not into bar food there's also a really good Chinese place, among other restaurants.

~ Cheers ~

Reporting From Colorado

Currently, I'm sitting in Johnson & Wales' business hall in Denver, CO. Thought I'd get a blog in while waiting for my sister to finish her cost class, then we're off to go shopping!

This week I am living it up in Colorado at my parents place. This picture was taken Saturday evening after my sister picked me up from the airport on our way to my brothers Demo Cross (blog later). I figured since I am unable to work still I might as well spend the time in Colorado with my family. I am even continuing my therapy here... who knows maybe the altitude will cure me :)

Paul will be joining me tomorrow evening (he's driving out), then Friday night my parents are throwing us an engagement party. Which they aren't telling me any of the details besides there's karaoke, cupcakes, & Christmas lights. From the sounds of things this should be one of the best Gettel Shindigs we've ever produced!
Saturday evening, is the real reason Cinco De Mayo was the weekend we were Colorado bound. One of my high school best friends is tying the knot. It should be a grand ole time & seeing people that I haven't seen in years.
I'm sure I'll have more to say about this trip in later posts. Until then happy day late May Day!!!

Surprise!

(sorry about the last entry, not sure why only half of it showed up)



Justin Moore



Randy Rogers Band

Last week was my mom's birthday and well I had an extra vacation day to burn & thought, "well, heck I haven't been home for mom's birthday in forever..." For her birthday, my parents always host a camp out, nutfry, hayride, & I have missed it EVERY year since they started it.



Miranda Lambert



Pistol Annies

SO.... Around the first I turned in my vacation for Friday, October 7th... which worked out awesome since the Miranda Lambert concert was the Thursday before. Paul was able to get off too!

Thursday, the 6th, Paul & I headed to the expocenter to see one of my favorite singers & bands of all time! Miranda Lambert & The Pistol Annies!!!! Opening for them was The Randy Rogers Band & Justin Moore! Both also equally awesome. Needless to say it was a great show!



Friday I forgot to turn off my work alarm so there it was rubbing in my throbbing head at 6:30 am... which turned out to work for the better. Paul & I were on the road by 8:30! Props out to us, I rarely leave early for long drives.



Three hours in we receive a text from my dad saying the hayride party was cancelled. We were both bummed but I knew the schedule would change when they knew we were there, haha! Called mom around 'getting out of work time' to find out where she was & what they were up to. No clue. Stopped in Boulder to pick up some balloons & flowers to go to mom's work & embarrass her, only when we were pulling into the parking lot there she was climbing into her truck. Paul non shlantly drives up, "Excuse me, mam?'" She turns around getting ready to respond snotty then realized it was us & nearly peed her pants in laughter. Haha! It was great! Definitely in the top 3 mom surprises! Of coarse not 10 minutes later she called everyone saying the party was back on. Mom & dad also took heat for not making up their minds, which was also kinda funny.



Captain Rod (Dad!)



Causing traffic in Niwot



Saturday, we woke up to cold rain. Colorado was trying to throw some snow at us, but nothing would spoil a Gettel birthday! Around 2pm the campers started arriving & 4 pm we carharted/cubbied up, topped off our hot chocolate & schnapps, & loaded on the trailer. It had stopped raining just for us it seemed. We headed down the dirt road, onto HWY 119 (awesome!), into Niwot (a little rich, yuppy town), & to the liquor store for some refills. I thought some champagne was appropriate. :) Headed back with a shorter highway route... I could only imagine the what people were thinking seeing all of us. Classy! Back at the shop we enjoyed fried pickles, french fries, & Rocky Mountain Oysters! YUM! Then continued into the evening with good ole Gettel fun! Not to mention K-State won against Mizzou bringing them up to 17th!!!!

Sunday, everyone stuck around for a big ole farm breakfast. Afterwards, Paul & I headed out for that 8 hour trip eastward. This time we had to take shifts, mine first. Note: I am an awful long distance driver, I drank 2 Rockstars, 1 Dr. Pepper, ate licorice, Bugals, & chewed 4 pieces of Bubbalicious. 'Hello calories!' Goodland, Paul was up for his shift!

Overall it was a short but excellent trip. Saw a lot of cousins & friends that I hadn't seen in a long time.

~ Happy Birthday Mom! I love you! ~ 

Project 365 catch up

 PHOTO #2/365 my mardi gras/st. patty's day cookies

 PHOTO #3/365 My skates finally got to come home with me! :)

 PHOTO #4/365 The look of being left out all day in their newly built fence

 PHOTO #5/365 My very first engagement pictures... thank you Misty & Brad

 PHOTO #6/365 An awesome bruise/skate scrape... the picture doesn't do it justice

 PHOTO #7/365 Paul picking me up from the airport

 PHOTO #8/365 Cooper & I hanging with the piggies at my parents

 PHOTO #9/365 Up in Steamboat chillin at Taphouse with Brewskies & fake mustachies

 PHOTO #10/365 A little bit of green on our hike to some waterfalls

 PHOTO #11/365 After an awesome day of boarding, at one of my favorite places, representin my ladies... Go CrusHERS!

 PHOTO #12/365 We all showed up seperate, yet you can't tell what we all love... ;)

 PHOTO #13/365 Strawberry park hot springs!

 PHOTO #14/354 Hangin with Cooper before we have to leave :(

 PHOTO #15/365 At my 1st CrusHER Bout & Paul at his first Bout ever!

 PHOTO #16/365 Just love this photo so I had to squeeze it in... one from the slopes

 PHOTO #17/365 Also another photo I had to squeeze in!

PHOTO #18/365 Paul's first day at his new job!

PHOTO #19 This is all I have been able to get down today... thank you acid reflux!

Some Time...

I am currently home in Colorado for the holidays! The past 4 days have been great, although I do wish that there was some Colorado snow on the ground. Christmas was a whopping 53 degrees! The family is good, just trying to stay busy. Today everybody else is either at work or judging practice (Tess received a chance to go to the Arizona Stock Show for a livestock judging contest:) so I have a few minutes to update you all on how everything has been going.
I moved to Topeka at the end of September, which brought my 125 mile round trip daily commute down to a huge 3 mile round trip jaunt! My ole jetta is loving me now. It has also improved some of my friendships with my Topekan friends.... it's nice being able to just drive over for dinner if someones having a bad day or just has extra food. Work is going good.
My personal life.... well, it was hitting a bumpy road for a while but I think I am figuring everything out. It's the first time I have lived alone since living in the dorms...even then I had a roomie. Now, I just have my crazy mutts keeping me busy! Oh, and I do have a new fellow in my life!!! I met him back in Colorado a while back, he works with my brother at a diesel shop. After my break-up, Paul and I began talking on Facebook (of course ;) then once a week turned into three times a week, turned into every day, then twice a day. We finally decided to call it what it was.... A Relationship!!! a long distance one at that! We met up in Colby, KS one weekend and he flew me out to Colorado another weekend, and now he's staying with me at my parents house for the time that I'm here. He's a great guy and could see something more out of this.... hmmm today is our 2 month anniversary!!! ;)
Enough gushy. Another big activity that I have started in.... yes, can't you tell I like to start random activities/projects/etc .... is Roller Derby!!! One day I was window shopping at wolf's camera & they had out some example products. Most were advertising some club or person. One just happened to be the Capital City Crushers! I checked out their web page, emailed their go-to person, went to the rink & checked out a practice. I enjoyed watching these girls skate around, hitting one another, & learning the aspects of the game. I came back the following Tuesday, strapped on some skates, & got myself out onto the rink. Whew! It has been at least 14 years since I had been on 8 wheels! I started picking it up better than I thought I would. So, I signed the paperwork and joined the team! Now, comes the fun part... practicing, making friends, working hard, and testing myself (watching those tendons of mine). Once you join the team you can go to any open skate night for free and get some practice. I went Saturday and skated for about 3 hours. Still need to relax & work on my balance. That next Tuesday, I got out there with the girls, warmed up, stretched and attempted the 25 in 5 drill. See you have to meet your MSTs to play in a bout (game). These MSTs would include, skating 25 laps in 5 minutes, different stops, slides, hits, jumps, and skating styles. I attempted my first 25-5, when doing so everyone has to try and stay together as a pack & help each other. One girl really helped me out, pushing me, giving me confidence and I finished my 25 laps in a time of 5min 54sec, which was apparently pretty good for a first time. My leg was burning!!! The rest of the practice some of the other players & refs worked with me on some of the other MSTs. I fell, missed turns, did things wrong, but you know I am determined and will eventually get it! Ha! as I was doing some weaving through cones I lost my balance & wham! ooo it was a good fall, it took me a little longer to get up from that one! I love it though and can't wait to learn more and improve my skills!
Other than that.... life is getting back to normal. I better get going.... since I am home I have chores to do!
I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday and wish you all the best new year!!!

WOW! .... it's been a while

Soo..... Haven't done much writing. Did I mention I don't have internet at my house so the only time I have with the world wide web is either after work, a friends house, or in a library. (yippee!).

Anywho... a little update on what's been going on since the end of Feburary:

- March:

• Went home to Colorado! only upon arriving the Ole Jetta broke down once again! At first we thought it was just the replaced $320 radiator fan. Meanwhile, I barrowed my dad's bald tired ford to go up to meet some fellow Kansans in Breck to get in a little snowboarding. Boarding was fun. Our last night we all went out on the town, a little basement bar for some pool'n beer, we ran into some fellow KSU alumni. Then we strolled up to an Absinthe bar for some $9 swiss absinthe shots. Oh, the drive home was just as eventful. Bald tires + slush + incline = spin out = on shoulder, with traffic, attempiting to put on chains (the 1st time ever). Succeeded after an hour or so of freezing my hands off. 50 yards later threw a chain! So repeat. Finally, on and rolling.... SLOWLY. I just stuck behind a semi, & left them on all the way down the mountain. Once out, stopped took off chains an& had breakfast at a truckstop diner. I was pretty shaken up. Eventually, made it home. After checking in with dad, he informed me that now my car wouldn't start. We took it to the foreign guy in Niwot. When we went to pick it up the technition informed us that it would be $5500 to fix.... I walked out in tears & had to calm down. Turns out VWs, Audi's, & beamers' books all say to change your oil at 10,000-15,000 miles. So, I broke my own 3,000mile rule & did what the book said. What a bunch of Crap!! The tech said to ignore that, no matter what you should be changing at the latest 6,500miles! So, my car could've ranged from just skipping time to busting rods. Well, the ole jetta was staying in CO. Rental Kansas bound, sporting a classy pearl PT Cruiser :p

• In KS, I have some great friends... One that lent me her car for the time being.
• Oh, I'm working a 2nd job!!! A liquor store.... it was an easy catch, because I have "prior experience!" It was a have too. I'm out of a Powell trip AND have a car to fix. Oh well, at least I get a discount :).... I'm dabbling in more microbrews, recently I suggest the Saranac's Summer brew - De-lish!

- April

• Mainly work!
• A little CatFishing!!

• Found out my car had the worse case scenario. F'd up all the rods! So, dropping the dough for a new motor was in call for. I compared just buying a new vehicle but I just don't have the resources. Dad's motor guy found a new-ish motor. So, I will be driving the ole jetta into the ground!

-May

• First weekend, Greyhounded it home to CO. Whew! there are some different folks who ride the bus. Left round 10am, got into Denver round 8pm. The whole family was at the bus stop waiting! They had fun people watching. Then we all loaded into my brothers "redneck" truck and drove around downtown denver trying to find a place to eat. Mexican it was, with Margaritas!! So, the drive out was even better with a drunk backseat driver mom!:) Next day I was back in KS with the ole jetta.
• End of the month back in CO!! For little sis' graduation!! The drive home kinda sucked, AC is busted in the Jetta.... ugh!
• Anywho, that friday back I took Tess to get her first tat! haha with out telling mom! I made her go first (b/c we got matching ones). It was HILARIOUS!! quote, "it feels like I'm having a baby out of my foot!" like she knows what that feels like ;). When we got home I asked mom how her mood was... she responds by asking me if I was pregnant, then if Tess is pregnant, then if I got another tattoo... ha I responded "you should ask your other daughter" She flipped! Then thought it was cool. I drew up our last name in our old trucking font & added a paw & hoof, because that's what Tess & I are all about... cats/dogs & livestock!!!
  
  That night Cory, Dad & I put on the hog... a 266lb gilt!! yeah, mom took in a 300 some lb pig!! That female barely fit in the roaster or truck bed for that matter. She needed 15hours of cooking. I ended up falling asleep in the shop.
• Next day was a burner of a graduation, I swear they're getting longer & longer! than the Par-Tay! A lot of old family friends showed up which was nice.

• Rest of the time home, went fishing & 4-wheeling (my fav!!!) & hit up Estes park like a bunch of tourists. Had to stop at my favorite place.... THE TAFFY SHOP!

-June

• So far not much. Just lots of rain!!! I floated my car a couple times. I need to remember the rule... something about can't see don't attempt you'll drown (It's some rhyme that I can't think of).

Happy New Year!

Our New Years Crew!! (yes, and thank you jorge for the hand)

Once again, I have procrastinated on blogging. I will get in the hang of it. I'm sure I would do it more if I actually had internet at my house... Yes, I know we are behind in the times (it's not my choice)

Anyways, to start off the new year I have made some new lists ( as you can see to the right) .... I'm a total lists person. I make them just to have something to cross off! So, check it out.

I will be trying a few new things this year and letting yall know about it. Movies, books, and food are some of my top things. Plus, I'll throw in some photos, drawings (hopefully if I pull my head out of you know where), and crazy dog stories.

Enjoy!