Day 50, 51, & 52 - Roller Derby, Brandon's home, & Climbing

Saturday we went to see Titi Dana, AKA FruitSnack, play roller derby. We brought Bruce so he wouldn't have to be home alone, but that didn't last long. There were whistles, people skating, people yelling, and it was all too much for Bruce. Bruce thought the players needed to be saved, so he was extremely anxious. We stayed with him for about 45 minutes, then I brought him home. He's still the goodest boy, but it was all too much. Alanna had a great time watching her aunt kick ass. We learned a lot about the game rules; it was a really awesome time. Dana introduced us to her friends that also homeschool their 11 year old. We talked about how they have weekly meet ups with other homeschool families. Alanna loves that idea so she can meet other people. They also coordinate field trips, which will be awesome. After the bouts we went to the after party. Nothing says after party like tacos, margaritas, and churros! 

Brandon came home Sunday! After we picked him up from the airport we came back home and vegged out a bit. It was very relaxing having him home. Bruce was even more relaxed (picture below).We were invited to a former co-workers house for dinner. I was not expecting them to open their home to us, especially considering I had never met them in person, but it was a really nice time. Alanna was able to hang out with their daughter (11) and son (14). We all had a great time. Nothing better than good people and good food. Separately good people and good food are nice, but combined is much better! 

Monday after work we went climbing. We were verified for our top rope belaying, and auto belay. This time was much better than the first day of bouldering. Alanna didn't skip a beat, looking strong climbing the walls. I started out with a 5.7, did a couple 5.8, and finished strong with a 5.9! Brandon finished strong with a 5.10+. Great day for climbing; I'm sure we will feel it tomorrow. After climbing we went grocery shopping, which cost us both arms and legs. We were home in time to watch the Bills game! The game isn't over yet, so I can't say if we won or not yet. It's looking pretty good though.

What we learned:

• Roller Derby is crazy!
• I hit a new personal best MPG - 20mpg! 20! It's flat going to and from the Denver airport, but still impressive
• There are nice people out there that will have you over for dinner even though you never met in person
• I tried baking banana bread in the oven and it turned out good!
• We can climb still, and we will be back on track with it sooner than later
• We can use the Spectrum app to watch Monday Night Football

Much Love and Happy Times,

The Blackshire's

Day 47, 48 & 49 - Girls Night and Mountains

 It has been very "normal" around here. Our adventure director (Brandon) is still in Florida taking care of business. Wednesday Alanna and I went to Dana's new apartment for dinner. We played cards (I lost every time), laughed until we cried, ate chicken stir-fry, and went for ice cream. Alfred tagged along and made sure to scope out Dana's new pad. He also had a photo shoot; he's a stud. Photo credit to Dana.

I spy Grandmas couch!

Thursday was a very chill day for us. Did we have ambitions to do stuff? Yes. Did we end up vegging around at home and binge-watching Gilmore Girls? Also, yes.

There are days where you cannot see the Mountains due to poor air quality, then there are days where the Mountains are just breathtaking. They can be very distracting while driving, I'm not sure if anyone ever gets used to seeing their beauty. Here are a few pictures of the Mountains at different times. The other day was quite stormy around them, and this morning they were just showing off. 

I touched on the space saving (or lack of) hangers that I tried, but I don't think I mentioned any of the other items we purchased for this adventure. So far, I think our top item is our countertop ice maker. Within about ten minutes we can have ice for our drinks and stock the freezer. We also purchased a variety of 3M hooks. This is a great way to hang pictures and other items without having to put holes in the walls. We have no idea where wires are and putting holes in would be a bit nerve racking. We also upgraded our shower head to one that has more settings and uses oxygen for better pressure. The showerhead isn't as amazing as we hoped, but it is better! We have plenty of decorating/storage ideas that we are going to be working on, it's just a matter of time. We will share those as we go!

Today's agenda is to go to the climbing gym after work, and maybe go check out a furniture store. I have a vision for a residential sleeper sofa in the living room and getting rid of the RV couches. That is on my "someday" list. Tomorrow is a big day, we get to see Dana, AKA Fruit Snack in a double header! 

Things we learned:

• Always have a backup Nutella in the house
• Dana is good at cards - it's genetic
• Alfred is a model. Have your people call my people and we can set up photo shoots.

Much Love and Happy Times,

The Blackshire's

Day 45 & 46 - Shopping & Organizing

We dropped Brandon off yesterday to go take care of dad things in Florida. He will be back Sunday, so it is a week of girl time! On our way back from the Denver airport we scooted through Chik-Fil-A to get Alanna her fix. When we got back home, I continued to work, and Alanna logged on to complete her schoolwork. After we both logged off for the day, we went and did some shopping for Alanna. Some good mother daughter bonding! With Brandon gone Bruce is the man of the house and on high alert. Here is a picture of him guarding us like the protector he is.

 He actually is on high alert. If a cabinet door closes, he thinks someone is knocking and comes to our rescue. Such a good puppers. He then proceeded to sleep in bed with me, something he is only allowed to do when Brandon is not home. He slept diagonal across the bed, so I also slept diagonal across the bed. Needless to say, we cannot wait for Brandon to come home.

Alanna and I watched Elvis, and it was much better than my expectations. Alanna had so many questions, but she really liked the movie too. 

We both worked this afternoon and also organized our rooms. Alanna went through her drawers and eliminated clothes that she grew out of. I find myself looking up different ways to organize and space save. One thing that I kept hearing about were these amazing, life changing hangers. So naturally I purchased them. I don't know if they are really space saving, but I feel like an adult who has my stuff together with all matching hangers. It looks more organized for sure, but I think that's all. 

Alanna and I went to the gym tonight and walked side by side on the treadmill. It was really nice; I just won't tell her it was because she may never do it again if she knew it made me happy. Pre-teens, am I right? 

Things we learned:

• Bruce is a better inner spoon than outer spoon
• Marketing gets the best of us
• I have a new top score for MPG's - I hit 19mpg on the way back from the Denver Airport

Much Love and Happy Times,

The Blackshire's

Day 42, 43, 44 - The weekend

 Friday, we had the pleasure of moving Dana to her new apartment. We were greeted with donuts, and also treated to lunch at The Post! Food, the best way to repay help, although we would have helped without it. 

Yesterday was a rainy day. We ventured out to check out a climbing gym, and it was awesome! This gym is awesome. It has great bouldering, really great top ropes, and a nice fitness center. We signed up and then roamed around the area we were in. We have been roaming for sure, no regard for how far we are getting from where we are staying, but simply looking at what is around the area. We went to a Sierra, a store in the Marshalls/TJ Maxx family, but for outdoor/activewear clothes. After that our afternoon consisted of going to the laundromat and grocery shopping. Super exciting stuff on this adventure.

Sunday funday and we actually climbed. It was a humbling experience to say the least. It has been at least 2 months since any of us climbed, and it was very apparent. We decided to just boulder today. Bouldering is when you climb about 12-foot "boulders" without having ropes. Just you, the wall, and falling if you don't succeed. This gym is different in that you climb all the way up and can walk on top of the bouldering rock to go to a ladder of assists to get down. When we first started climbing, I had a major fear of not being able to climb back down once I got up, or the height in general. That fear went away the more I worked at it, and the better I became. Well, all that fear came back today. I wasn't as "fearless" as I was before and climbing to the top of the bouldering wall and walking on top added to the fear, but I did it. This was a very humbling and great experience. We cannot wait to continue to climb and get our skills back.

Things we learned:

• Not climbing for an extended period of time is like riding a bike. Except the bike is vertical and you are no longer good at it.
• Brandon was the only one that took pictures at climbing
• Alanna is a really good moving helper
• The phrase "Not all those who wander are lost" is becoming more and more relatable every day

Much Love and Happy Times,

The Blackshire's

Day 40 & 41 - Boulder Farmers Market & Successful Hike

 Wednesday, we met Dana in Boulder to go to the Farmer's Market. The Farmer's Market was cute, and we purchased golden beets, bubble gum plums, and kombucha. The market is larger on Sundays, but it was still a nice spread. After the market we walked around downtown Boulder., where Dana and Alanna walked hand in hand continuing to have the time of their lives together. There were shops and restaurants lining the streets and we mostly looked. I purchased a couple of post cards, and then we grabbed dinner where we were full on laughs and food. 

Thursday afternoon I was sitting at the desk working, and Brandon was in the living room when all of a sudden, the wind picked up. He quickly pulled in the awnings (always put your awnings in when you leave your rig in case there are sudden winds), and while doing so we looked at the road and it was a complete dust storm. You couldn't see 10 feet in front of you. It lasted about eight minutes, then stopped. There were a few rain drops, but nothing after that.

Alanna finished her schoolwork in under two hours today. She also completed all of her work for the week, so she does not have to do any work Friday. She can get used to this! 

 After work we went on a short hike at Devils Backbone. The beginning of the trail reminds you that you are in nature and there is a possibility of snakes, mountain lions, and other wildlife that live in that area. We were a bit rattled (yes, it is a snake pun) but we went on! Was it a quiet, peaceful hike in nature? No, we have a 12-year-old who is terrified of silence. Maybe she isn't terrified of silence, maybe she just didn't want to hear my heavy breathing from walking up inclines. She did let me know that I was breathing heavy, too. Brandon and Alanna felt the need to keep telling me to be careful. ME! Every time they told me to be careful, they would slip and lose their footing. It was instant karma for thinking I am incapable and accident prone. That soon became the running joke of the hike. Overall, the hike was really nice. The scenery was amazing, and the pictures don't do it justice. We saw a hawk soaring through the sky, bees that were resting until they moved onto their next spot, and a helicopter. Alanna also saw what she thought was a snakeskin shedding, but it turned out it was a scrunchie. So, the hike was successful!

Things we learned:

• Colorado winds can change quickly, then change again
• White outs aren't just from snow
• Nature is wild
• My husband cannot take a flattering picture of me
• We are all not professional photographers, but I think we did ok

Enjoy the pictures!

Much Love and Happy Times,

The Blackshire's