speechless... sort of

I have been considering writing something about Heather Ledger, but I haven't really known what to say that would be worth writing about. It's cheezy, but have been in a sort of shock since I found out he died. I don't know why. This story is practically a Hollywood cliche. I think its because when I saw him in the Patriot I was at a age of being easily swept away by the fanatasy of him. He was sexy. Oh, so very sexy in that movie. We were the same age and I longed for a man as dreamy as him ( I was single at the time ).

My friend Jen and I would tease each other about who he would pick between us and state our cases as to why it really would be me (or her). We were not at all serious about that, but it was fun to dream I guess.

It is also so hard for me to accept death and make sense of what happens. A two year old daughter left behind, now without her father. The idea that somebody can be so full of life, spirit and energy and just an hour, 12 hours, a day, etc., later is comepletely lifeless. Dead. Gone. Zero potential. It truly blows my mind and creaps me out if I think to hard about it. My feelings are no different towards strangers, such as Heath.

So knowing and truly believing in individuals and their gooodness, Heath being one of them, at least to his friends, family, and co-workers, it disturbed me to read this this morning. What lengths these hateful people will go to to spread their animosity, anger, judgement and disapproval of genuinely kind, love deserving people, and to wish ill on them. And to do it in the worst of places.

seriously.

I NEED A CAMERA!!!!

Does anybody have any suggestions for a digital camera??? What do you readers out there use? I want something that takes good indoor and outdoor pictures. Video is not a must but would be great to have, I think. Different color modes. The ability to focus up close and produce high resolution pics is kind of necessary. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great. I feel naked without my camera!

R.I.P. Escort

Many of Ladd's friends and coworkers will be excited to hear that the 1989 Escort he bought in High School has made its final trip. Yes, its sad. That car, affectionally dubbed "the G-ride", finally broke down over Thanksgiving and the cost to repair it wasn't worth it to us anymore. That car did Ladd good for so many years. That car drove us to our first date together back in 2000. But, we must move forward. Its for the best, anyway. Ladd really needed a care that had windshield wipers and wiper fluid sprayers that worked, given how much snow we get out here.


So, we car shopped for quite ahwile. Ladd's boss generously let Ladd borrow his car for a couple weeks until I finished school, so we could go car shopping together. We were looking for 4-wheel drive and considered very seriously buying a kia sportage. They have more room than we currently have in our vehicles, so we could easily pack up for camping or trips back to kansas, etc. But... we found something else. Something much sportier and NOT AT ALL what we thought we were going to buy. Nonetheless, I like it, and more importantly Ladd likes it and its a good solid car with plenty of engine power - which is a delight for a boy and for climbing the mountains out here. We bought a Dodge Stratus. 2 door. Maroon. Quite sexy, actually. But, Ladd couldn't help but remember this SNL skit. He referenced it for the first couple weeks of owning the car. :)

Here is the link to the video from SNL, but you have to copy and paste it into IE or else it won't work for some reason. Good stuff! :)

http://video.aol.com/partner/hulu/saturday-night-live-family-dinner/3M4eVQa7zoa_2rPsg68-Rf9D2IvXsUpi

winter wonderland

Oh. my. God.
Its snowing like crazy here in Glenwood Springs! Its so beautful. The flakes are huge and falling so quietly and delecately. I am so disappointed to not have a digital camera right now to capture this moment and send it to you all through the blog. Bailey is in HEAVEN!!! I've taken a couple pics from my frickin' sweet disposable camera, just so I have something to help me remember this morning. We've had so much so here. I don't remember a Kansas winter when we've EVER had this much. I think we've been getting around 2-3 inches every day its snowed in the past week alone. Lecompton would have canceled school so many times by now, but here things keep going on. School, work, church, etc. Its definitely different winters out here.

Well, I start school again on Monday. I have Microbiology and lab, Anatomy and Physiology and lab, and good ol' yoga! Only 9 hours this semester. Last semester was 15. That means this semester will still be hard, but it will be much more manageable, I think. I have a break between classes every day this semester, which will allow for a lunch and time to study and make my study cards for exams. I am hoping to be much less stressed this semester, but time will tell!

Ahhh, cats.

hanging lake photos (phase three)

There were HUGE old trees that had fallen over into the lake. They were so tall and strong. They almost felt like they were made of another substance... maybe because of their age. I walked out to the center of the lake on one... very cool.

hanging lake photos (phase two)

The clear waters of the Hanging Lake.Hanging Lake

hanging lake photos (phase one)

We were up pretty high at this point. The valley is large and deep!

Just some of the steep, freaky steps we had to take to go back down. That hike was grueling and long, but the end treasure was worth it. Thank God I had a camera.

Check out all that moss. There were tons of micro-climates along the hike. This was just one of many waterfalls/streams.

random pics

A preview of our hanging lake photos

Some friends of ours and some strangers we met this summer. The strangers thought it was neat that they were meeting some true Mennonite raised people. :)

Ben, Garrett and Ladd.
Silly boys.

A hiking trip from this summer up near Aspen.

Miss me???

Ahh. Christmas has come and gone and now I have only a week before school starts up again. I am not ready. I knew the last two weeks of December would fly by due to traveling, seeing family, shopping, etc. I could really use another week on top of this one to prepare my mind and soul for another semester of intense science courses. Thankfully (I think) I will be taking a Yoga class as well. Maybe that will help keep me centered.

Overall, my break has been good. We got to see family and go back to the farm, which was a big hope for me. I am thankful. Unfortunately, I also broke my digital camera this vacation. Bummer. Now I am spending time wondering what to do. How much do I want to spend? What do I really want out of my next camera? So, don't expect any recent pictures any time soon. I may dig through my old ones that I never put online and share those with you, however. You will enjoy them... especially the ones from our Hanging Lake hike.

2008. This year, one of my hopes and plans is to achieve my hair length goal - I have only a couple more inches to go!!! - and then if I am feeling confident enough, I will get my hair chopped off!! I will be sure to get pics of the before and after. I am also hoping this will be a year when good new friends will be made out here in Colorado. Real friends. Close friends. We have plenty back home in Kansas, but not any real good friends out here yet. Thankfully, Ladd and I are very good friends and enjoy each other's company!

Hope you all have a wonderful 2008.