to grandmother's house we go...

have you ever had sore arm pits? yowzers. i never knew i flexed my pit muscles so much until they got sore.

right before exams were over, i deeply desired some sort of retreat from the hustle and bustle that often comes with being a student, working, and life really. however, how do you go on a retreat and not spend a lot of money... go to grandmothers house!!

raleigh and i went to gramma shellenburgers for a couple nights. she fed us, did puzzles with us, cranked up the christmas tunes, made christmas treats, and we allstill found many ways to rest up next to her fireplace.

however, to explain the "not so happy" arm pits, there are two explanations:

1. making a "little bo peep" snowlady with a sheep



2. playing frisbee (an ice cream lid) with two amazing rules...you have to dive everytime the frisbee is thrown to you and you have to throw the frisbee within 3 seconds of catching it

i had no choice but to be a kid in the snow; having to shed wet clothes at the door and jet to the fireplace to warm. what a blast.

we did 5 puzzles. to celebrate, a senior picture pose beside the finished peices.

the price of stay was time spent making peppermint bark, chocolate covered pretzels, and cookies to share. that is the best deal for a free stay i can think of.

Above: the suger cookies we made (bikini momma snow woman in honor of tropical weather in NC) And Below: the fireplace, where you could find Raleigh and i beside most of the time. We often try to save money by not raising the thermostat to much. Having a fireplace to sit beside = wonderful.

Yum....i hope

Some things in life just make me happy:

dancing, melting snow, morning cups of coffee, listening to people tell stories (not lies, stories), laughing, sleeping in a warm bed, holding babies, jogging, singing...in the shower, watching little kids love Jesus, and cooking...

...cooking has been this new form of therapy in my life and way to express my inner creative self. at least that is what i learned in my creativity class. recent cooking has been sweet potato casserole, cranberry salad (gramma mable version), espresso crinkles, and this morning, Cinnamon rolls:

A couple hours of preparation, some just letting the dough rise, made for a wonderful looking treats at least. Any imperfection i'm hoping cinnamon butter will fix. Haha. Hoping to make some treats at home.

Thanks Mrs. Tillman for the recipe.

Jassee really blossoms in the snow:

i think that he is dreaming of a white Christmas...and i am too!

snow and school

Mornings bring me joy. It makes me glad to wake up early be before the sun, start a pot of coffee and guess as to what the early morning light will bring. It's been chilly the past couple of days. In the teens and single digits at time. I couldn't be more thankful for a warm house and homemade chili. Or a car that is still able to trek through snow covered roads. Or mittens, i'm so thankful for mittens!

I'll be honest though. There has been a sense of frustration within me the past couple of weeks. I have been in a whirlwind of school finals preparations and assignment deadlines. Countless times I have wondered what it would be like to actually dedicate myself to this thing called school, learn the taught material, and let myself be inconvenienced by group meetings at the convenience of others. So finally in my college career (87.5% through it) I decided to be the student that I have known for years that I should be. As a result: another thing to be thankful for.

The other day I was talking to mom and telling her that these past two weeks have been the hardest of my college days. It's true. But I feel like more than the knowledge that I have gained and encouragement i've received, is how blessed i am from the friendships that have formed in Group Study room 212.

So I just ask that you would please pray:

• for me as I try to let God use me be a student to teach me obedience and discipline
• for joy and encouragement (as i often want to SCREAM, but refrain due to library etiquette and other understood reasons)
• and for the friendships that have began to really remind me that the mundane of school has purpose bigger than i know. they are a lot of fun.

The sun is out now. There are more colors than it seems from the hundred shades of grey from the picture above.

3 day Thanksgiving...make that 4

Though Thanksgiving Day was last thursday, i'd argue the celebration started on tuesday as Raleigh and I, with her sister Reade headed to Grandma Shellenburgers mountain-side cabin in the ounce of a town, Wetmore. Last year was my first time going, making the instant wave of heat from the fireplace all the more welcoming.

Dinner and a movie, August Rush, tuesday night was a wonderful start. Reade had surgery on Monday morning which meant much needed sleep for her recovery. After the parents cooked breakfast and while miss reade slept in the early morn, Raleigh and I decided to bolder up a mountain. Wonderful hike, quiet, yet filled with laughter as we had to slide down the mountain in out "thanksgiving wear." Later we picked out the 314 tree!

reade, getting ready the best way that she knows how


from the top

here's the cabin!!

this year's tree...predecorated

So then we went home later that day in order to re coupe, make some sweet potato casserole, can get mentally prepared for the PIT tournament that was going to go down Thanksgiving day.

However, Thanksgiving morning I found myself laughing and talking turkey with family and friends from NC. I am found so thankful that even though we are not together in person, we are able to share similar moments and look forward to the times that we do spend together. I do look forward to being home soon.

As we made it to Simla to spend time with the other side of Raleigh's fam the snow had begun to flurry and the eatin' and PIT bracket makin' began. End result: full tummy's and a hoot of a trophy to carry home! (I'll have to post a picture of it soon.)

Friday was one of my favorite days of thanksgiving: morning brunch with the Tillman fam, then Raleigh and I headed to Denver to see our friends Rachel and Megan(from the road trip to arkansas)...had some bangin' hot wings sided with lots of laughs. And lastly, Mrs. Becky taught me how to make an Advent wreath from the trimmings we collected in the mountains that seems to go well with the rest of the decorations!

THANKS FOR COMING MOM!!

Mom in Colorado = Amazing

Mom befriending foxes = suspicious

Mom and I sitting in red wood bar stools = fancy

Mom sipping on hot chocolate in the snow = yummy

Mom getting to meet the kids I nannied for last year = priceless

Mom trekin' the Rocky mountains with Riccara, Chandler, and I = Acclimating

On the way up Mt. Cutler, Mom was determined not to slow any Coloradians down. So juggling an uphill hike, a conversation, and breathing Mom strolled up the mountain. About half way up I decided to keep mom ahead of me "just to make sure", 'cause she said she was fine. I shortly called the hike to a screeching halt once she started swaying left to right. We laugh now, but I'm not sure if she would have stopped. Haha.

sunset the night mom left = beautiful sight to reminisce about the weekend

Kajsa Joy

A couple weekend ago I was able to go and watch some soccer and see my friend Rudy and her little girl Kajsa (meaning Pure) Joy. I couldn't help but share a picture of this beautiful little girl. Rudy and I were able to catch up a little, while Kajsa just kicked her feet and talked away. Wow, what a sweet girl.

Rachel G or BUST!!

Oh man. You ever sit down in a pink velvet rocking chair, kick the feet up and grab hold of a good classic novel? You won't believe this, but I did that tonight. Wierd. Granite, I highly recommend it.

This past weekend will go down in the books as a time I'll always cherish. Raleigh and I drove 11 hours to Siloam Springs, Arkansas last Thursday. Home of the Golden Eagles and our dear friend Rachel Gerdin:

While in Arkansas we went to a bangin' concert, ate at an amazing cafe 3 (yes, 3) times called "Cafe on Broadway," watched Rachel play her last game, ate Brawny's ice cream, got to hang out with some of her friends (who are hilarious), played Rock Band, saw U of A, and were able to be with Rachel...which I would say was the main goal!

Here is a pic from the soccer game. It was cold and windy. They are such troopers. I'm glad for sports like basketball and blankets. Thank God for blankets.

Being on the road for 22 hours gives need for a good co-tripper. Raleigh and I live together well, get along and such, and eat the occasional meal together. But never in a million years would I have thought to be so blessed by my time with Raleigh. I haven't laughed as hard as I did in those 3 days in a long, long time.

I'm so glad to have spent time with good friends. And these things'll such make a road tripper smile:

Sweet Rainbow. $1.89 gas.

as the strum of a guitar
vibrates my soul i
watch as the fall unravels

one leaf at a time.

though each plays its
own melody
together they've become

a glorious song.

and as the sun reflects
the fallen yellows and reds
wonder arises

what will this season bring?

my Love.
my Love.

The ROCKY MOUNTAIN kind...

know what these are????

That's RIGHT!!!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS!

This was such a treat. My friends Justin, Zak, Holly, Jason and I all piled in a little Honda and drove out to the big, no light town of Calhan, CO. Here we found us some Rocky Mountain Oysters, deep friend and highly breaded with some good dippin' cocktail sauce.

SO, how do I descibe this here appetizer...

moo.

totally tagged...now you!

Blog Tagging: the act of "tagging" through name mentioning by a previously tagged blogger to an untagged blogger; requiring the tagged blogger to state 6 random things about themselves to the blog world and then blog tag to continue providing laughs and knowledge to all who read!

why 6 facts?...

1. In the 2nd grade I was an old greyhound in our class play which spoke a single, moaning line, "Oh, please, please, don't step on me. I'm just too old. I'm 53. I cannot hunt. I cannot run. My master says that I'm not much fun."
2. Cafeteria food is incredible. I'm talking, real cafeteria food, not the "fast-food line." Tuesday's salad bar, Wednesday's Taco Bar (yum), Thursday's potato bar is fair game to shake up the monthly menu. And even though friday is always Pizza Day, I'd favor the left overs from the day (or two) before. Favorite all-time lunch meal: "rib" sandwich, side salad, and cinnamon apples and sweet tea.
3. Speaking of food. Oreo's and milk aren't really my thing. Take a whole oreo, put it in your mouth--DON'T CHOMP YET, drink a little water and let the oreo melt in your mouth. Personal vote for the best way to eat an oreo.
4. Mom and Dad used to call me "Calli DeNicole." Mom's middle name was Denise, and mine Nicole. Since Mom wouldn't let me be Calli Denise, we compromised.
5. I own every Celine Dion album...french and english both. That is not so random for those that know me, but top 5 albums...1. Beauty and the Beast 2. Colour of my Love 3. Falling Into you 4. Best Hits/New Day Has Come 5. Unison. I don't know why, really. That isn't what is important though. It's more important to know talent when you hear it.
6. I rub my feet together to go to sleep. Also when I'm just sitting on the couch lounging. I found out sometime around 10 yrs old, that Mom does the same thing. Could it be genetic???

Tag: Merilee, Mel, Mom, Dad, Margie, Aunt Donna!!

Yaw are it!

TYE in TOWN!

Evidently, there is a phenomenon happening in the blog world: BLOG TAGGING. I've been tagged. But before that post can occur, there is something pretty exciting to share...TYELISA, one of my good friends from high school, came to CO and we got to hang out!!

She was staying at the beautiful Keystone Resort, so I begged (really she put up a fight!) her not to get a rental car and let me come get her. Some shots on the way in:

There is something super breath taking in simply the view of mountains. Add a cool, cloudy day and changing leaves and you have a loss of words. Then...

...you see your friend, freak out, hug and remember you can speak again and say, "Tye, I can't believe you're here" a hundred times.

We decided it was cold and we should stop for coffee. Ended up in Georgetown, CO finding ourselves not only getting coffee, but celebrating the Aspen Festival with lots of Aspen lovers.

Tye was hilarious. She is in rare form if she is not found posing for a picture.

We found this park ont the way out of town that was pretty old, like late 1800's. They had just renovated parts of it, including the fence. After we left there, we decided to run onto the town median (note, there was only one) and take a picture with the sign---then darted to Denver and returned back in time for corn-hole, dinner at Jack Quinn's Irish pub, and an arcade game before Momma Mia:

not until this post did i realize how much we did in 29 hours, but there is no way to express how good it was to see Tye.

Funny story, we beat boxed for the kids because we didn't have a cd for the game at church. Haha. We got a kick out of it, but talk about some perplexed 5 year olds!

Oh what Fall may bring...

It was a day never to forget as the Troublesome Three headed to the town some like to call...Penrose. There, amongst the shrub edged roads and the school children cornered by rattlesnakes, found us we did an ORCHARD, Happy Apple Farm that is!

Though upon arrival a startling post upon the door stating "Late Frost: No Apple's from these here trees." Hampered not by such startling news, onward we marched to find us our awaited treasures: the squash fruit of all fall squash fruit; PUMPKINS.

The Rock Star (Reade), the Gramma (as herself), and the one "Tired of pictures in the wind" (Raleigh) each had their share of pickin's. Funny we found, some green.

Some pictures to prove of our fabulous finds.

Though happy the farm, the apple lovers tear.

Yet Gramma revived the mood at lunch by surprising us girls with gummy body parts to munch. A lemon-lime tongue, an fruit punch eye, and a banana finger to all surprise!

Pictures say enough at times. These are all from this past weekend in Indiana. Lovely weather and beautiful wedding (Lana and Kyle.) Best of all: wonderful friends, whom i tend to call my family. And I got to see Dad and Mom! Sweet, refreshing, hilarious, incredible weekend.

Seen above (Left to Right): Maddie, Katie; Calli, Lana, Kyle; Little Eva, Brian; Bridesmaids (Emily Anne, Emily Jane, Lana, Leslie, Calli; Calli, Gramma & Granpa Gottschalk; Mom, Emily Jane, Evan.)