The economic downturn–who is feeling it?

November 6, 2008 By

Jamie has been consulting at a great company for several months now. There was talk of bringing him on as VP and giving him stock in the company, which they are hoping to sell off in a couple of years. All in all, a great situation.

But then came the economic downturn.

Small businesses seem like they’re the first to get hit and Jamie’s company is no exception. They are in a situation where they are wrapping up with their current clients (who are past due on hundreds of thousands of dollars) and have several pending contracts. Lucrative contracts. It’s just no one is signing until they see what happens with the economy.

Jamie’s boss told him last week until these contracts came through, they can only afford to keep him as a part-time consultant. The frustrating is we have no idea how long this will last.

Bummer.

We’re not too worried yet because at least it’s something. It’s just all the extras like Christmas and our basement that is almost complete. Rumor has it our contractors will want to get paid and our family will want presents.

Bummer.

Jamie and I have already decided to forgo our gifts to each other and I’m sure more sacrifices will need to be made. It just makes me wonder who else is feeling the pinch? Until two weeks ago, we weren’t feeling it at all and it’s amazing how everything can change so quickly. Have you been affected by the economic downturn or has it been business as usual?

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Uncategorized

Why you should NEVER attend an LDS ward talent show

November 5, 2008 By
Some talent shows are better than others. You be the judge of this one. I laughed ’til I cried many big, wet tears. In synchronicity, of course.

P.S. I think Speedos would work better next time around.
P.P.S. If this version has glitches, see it here.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Party’s Over

November 4, 2008 By

I am exceedingly bummed that party season is over but rest assured, our Halloween festivities went out with a bang.

Bode and I attended Haddie’s preschool party where we played with worms, decorated cookies, made bags of popcorn hands and watched Hadley flirt with the cutest boy in class.

I thought I had another 10 years before she started throwing herself at boys.

I blame the kitty/bunny-turned-cat ears/playb*y bunny costume.

That night, the party raged on. We live in a new development with loads of families and we always have a huge parade that is led by a firetruck.

Bode was in his element.

Though I didn’t have the heart to tell him firemen are notorious for their association with Dalmatians, not husky dogs.

(As a side note, Hadley has been obsessed with getting either of those two breeds. In an attempt to dissuade her, we did some online research. I determined that Dalmatians are not snugly and husky dogs are not nice family-friendly dogs. So, guess what Haddie prays for every night? That huskies will become nice and for Dalmatians to be snugly. The good Lord must have a sense of humor.)

The Great Pumpkin miraculously survived until Halloween, though it was oozing great, orange gobs of greasy grimy pumpkin guts. The stench could be smelled a couple of houses away. I secretly hoped some teen-age punks would do us the honor of smashing it for us on Halloween night.

They may be punks but they’re not stupid.

We awoke on Saturday to find our pumpkin unscathed. And so Jamie had the disgusting task of disassembling it and hauling it over to the new pumpkin patch to use as compost.

I stayed as far away as I could and busied myself with taking down the Halloween decorations. I quickly realized I did not have enough bins to accommodate everything. Disgruntled, I went out to Jamie and complained about my situation.

Arm-deep in rotting pumpkin guts, he incredulously looked at me and queried, “You’re going to talk to ME about your problems?”
Evidently not.
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Great Adventure, Right in Your Backyard

November 3, 2008 By

This post was inspired by a curiosity about what you love about where you live. Where are your favorite haunts in your city or town? What do you have on your “to do” list that you have yet to explore? I want to hear about your great adventures, right in your backyard! Do you wish you had more?

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I spent my final semester of college on a study abroad in the Middle East. Our campus was on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and we traveled frequently around the region. We floated in the Dead Sea and slept in cabanas by the Sea of Galilee. We roamed through Petra’s ancient wonders in Jordan and we climbed Mount Sinai to witness the sunrise. We marveled at the Great Pyramids and sailed the Nile at sunset.

Upon the completion of my studies, I stopped over in Europe with a few of my friends. We backpacked five countries in two weeks and had the time of our lives. One of our final destinations was Switzerland. We stayed at a hostel inInterlaken, the country’s outdoor Mecca. After a day of rafting the mighty Lütschine, we talked late into the night with some fellow travelers.

One of them was named Ralph. He was charming, athletic and drop-dead gorgeous. He was a mail carrier from Australia who had saved up his money for a year-long adventure abroad. He was going home the next morning. Feeling remorseful about the end of my own travels, I asked him how he thought he would adjust back to his humdrum life after being given a glimpse of the world.

His answer still resonates today:

“Before this trip, I was always planning my next great adventure. It has taken this trip to help me realize there is so much close to home I have yet to experience. My next great adventures will be in my own backyard for many years to come.”

This has become my mantra in life. Sure, I still love to travel. I always will. But there is so much to explore here and now. And two weeks in a row, I have had The Perfect Day right here in Colorado.

creamery can copyA couple of weeks ago, my son Bode and I went to The Children’s Museum. After a morning at play, we went to buy our favorite cookie from their cafe, only to discover it has been discontinued. This sent us on a wild goose chase to discover the birthplace of The Great Cookie at Jay’s Patio Cafe, which is nestled in a funky shopping district in Highland. We spent the next couple of hours exploring this cool area–from Red Door Swingin’, my favorite new shop to visit with my girlfriends, to Little Man Ice Cream, the ultimate ice cream shop housed in a giant creamery can.

Who knew?

Last Thursday, Bode and I opted out of a hike we regularly do in Evergreen to simply walk around Evergreen Lake. I have skated it in the winter, driven past it to access the back country and yet have never walked around it. We strolled the dirt path, climbed the steps to a lookout over the dam, sauntered down Main Street, discovered the Pioneer Trail, threw rocks in the lake, marveled at a Caterpillar dredging sediment out of the river and then dined on the outdoor patio of the Aspen Grill overlooking it all.

The Perfect Day.

I am amazed what I find when I leave my daily routine. Whether I am searching for The Great Cookie or attempting to rediscover The Familiar, I feel fortunate to find it all here in my backyard.

And just as my Australian friend wisely proclaimed so many years ago: wherever you live is your Great Adventure.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, outdoors, travel
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