Almost Gypsy Soul

1. Meet a yearly savings goal 2. Have a spa day/weekend at a legit spa ( with a robe ) My sisters and I got together in SLC and had a sister weekend for our Christmas present to each other. We crashed the Woolgrowers Convention, hit the spa for some TLC (and a robe), movies, dinner, shopping and general relaxing! 3. Palisade, CO vineyards pedal bike tour 4. Get to/maintain goal weight 5. "Pay for" season snowboarding pass 6. Finish the Dirty 30 list 6A. Hike a 14'er We made the 12 mile hike is about 9 hours. Click here to read all about it! 6B. Lose 30 lbs (7/30) (5/30) (14/30) (22/30) (32/30) (33/30) 6C. Finish TurboFire Chalean Extreme 6D. Brice Canyon 6E. Zion National Park 6F. Territorial Prison Museum 6G. Finish my will 6H. Have outdoor Christmas lights 6I. Go night snowboarding Ultimate fail, a second snowboarding season has passed and I didn't get this done. Maybe night snowboarding just isn't for me.

Christmas is the second most wonderful time of the year....sorry, July 4th is my absolute favorite holiday. What does Christmas look like around here this year? 1. I like to buy Christmas stuff right after Christmas because its so cheap....and this year when I opened my decorations box, I had some surprises that I had forgotten about. BAM, brand new tree decorations this year! 2. If you are on the angel tree and you ask for cowboy boots, you pretty much get everything that is on your wish list. I'm a sucker for kids that don't want video games or iphones. 3. I finally have outdoor Christmas lights....complements of the after Christmas sales! 4. My nativity set.....only took me two years and bribing my friends and family to help me finish it, but I have a nativity set....that I painted and its awesome! 5. Don't forget the seniors. I love the Angel Tree and picking out gifts for the younger generation that needs a little extra boost around the holidays, th

Jealousy is something that I never want to feel of others. I mean sure its there, the small things like I wish I had that snowboard or I wish I could wear those super cute tights and make them look good, but I honestly never, ever want to be so jealous of someone that it makes me miserable. So miserable that I can't see the world really turning outside my head and what I think I know. We know that if we are that miserable with ourselves and our feelings of jealousy....we are bound to be making those around us miserable too. We've all been there at one time or another....the jelouslee and the jealousor and neither one is a fun role to play. Jealously can feel like a lot of different things...it can look like a lot of different things. It looks ridiculous, it looks like low self esteem, if feels like inadequacy, it looks like anger, it feels like humiliation, it feels like high school.  and its a vicious cycle that is tough to break. And when someone is jealous of you? How

Holy crap! I do not know how I ever missed this episode, but it will be bookmarked next to "Ed Being Naughty" for when I have bad days and just need to laugh!

I hope everyone found enough turkey and fixings to over eat for Thanksgiving. Now it’s time to spend lots of money, spread lots of cheer and be merry. And, of course, it’s time to hit the slopes (or, for me, fall down the mountain). So, here is my gift to you, a bitchin’ playlist (it’s not Christmas music, but hey). HO, HO, HO… Merry Christmas!!! Great Divide, Let’s Get Out of Here Tonight Reckless Kelly, Snowfall Chris Ledoux, The Ol’ Double Diamond Josh Abbott Band, Touch Turnpike Troubadours, Whole Damn Town  Enjoy! And for the record, its not Bryan's fault that this is so late getting posted. I take the full blame!

Black Friday shopping sounds horrible, even in my medium sized town.....avoid at all costs. Plus it like starts at ungodly hours....count me out, I'm still in a turkey coma. Its as bad as I imagine.....right?

because if you don't, you will get volunteered to host the next area rally. And no one will want to come to your town because you live in Rock Springs. And everyone wants to go to Jackson and you adamantly are opposed to hosting a multi-state meeting in Jackson because there is so much more to Wyoming than Jackson, damnit! So the biggest thing I've ever organized (and I'm not really that organized) in my life was a bridal shower, 4 hours tops....so tell me how did I get roped into hosting a 3 day event with food and meeting rooms and hotel contracts and group rate entertainment and transportation and sponsorships and meetings and the possibility of 70ish people.......crap. I used to be a big planner, but I'd get so upset when my plans didn't go according to plan so I tried to change and guess what!? I LIKED IT! Now I get the plane ticket and I get to the airport on time, but that is pretty much the extent of my planning. Sure, I surf the web to see what I might

Last Saturday we went to Wingers for some dinner and a cocktail or two. I was insistant on not sitting at the bar "because we were eating dinner too"...which I was overruled and we moved to the bar. Our bartender was a neat young lady with a terrible limp. Come to find out she had fallen on the ice, but was unable to catch herself because she had been carrying her baby. The baby was fine, but her knee was a different story. We had a great dinner and friendly service. The next day I cleaned out my closet and listed some clothes for sale on Facebook and got a buyer right away, when she came to my house to pick up the clothes I recognized her face, but couldn't put it with a time and place. We chatted briefly and I learned that she had recently lost quite a bit of weight, but was still trying to lose more so she didn't like to buy new clothes for herself until she got to her goal....completely understand that one! I also learned that she was a single mom so most of her

Well, we made it through another month. And this month brings us the first holiday of the holiday season, Thanksgiving. So, load up on turkey and all the fixings, enjoy the company of friends and family and, of course, watch some football! Here is your November playlist; I decided to go all out with the red dirt this month. Enjoy! No Doubt, Casey Donahew Band Bottom of Glass, Jason Savory Broken, Jackson Taylor Band Hot Water, Josh Abbott Band Holding on to Letting Go, RRB

The annual all day golf trip to Fossil Island in Kemmerer, Wyoming. We decided to go earlier this year because the last 2 years we have golfed in cold weather.....all day. Fossil Island has an amazing fall golf special, all you can golf with a cart for only $25! The bad news is Pizza Hut in Kemmerer doesn't deliver to Hole 7. We played 33 holes and had a great time! I can't hardly wait until next year's annual trip. And this time we will be armed with our team t-shirts that are in the works as we speak!

Its no secret that I loved my time in Oklahoma and it remains that its one of my favorite places to go back to and visit, after all its the happiest place on earth. This year, our employee's association was hosted by the great state of Oklahoma and I was excited! I of course turned it into a slightly longer vacation and squeezed in some extra days to visit some of my favorite Okies! I started out in Tulsa with one of my good friends from OSU and his wife. Although I'd only met her once before at their wedding we were/are instant friends. I went to a baby shower, we got a pedicure....some quality girl time. I didn't completely ditch my friend though, we got in some good Mexican food and some beers too! Tulsa isn't one of my usual stops, but I'm sure glad I drove the few extra miles to visit them.....to see them and because I was one of the first few to find out they are expecting their first little one in March! They will be awesome parents! From Tulsa,

Some days come and some days go But someday never gets here. Someday is just a dream away. Someday is always next year. Someday we’ll all go fishing. I’m taking my family with me. Heading to that lunker lake Where that trophy is bound to be. Someday we’ll all raft the river Or maybe paddle by canoe. We’ll soak up fun and challenge. There’s nothing we won’t do. Someday I’m heading up north Or maybe I’ll head west. Take my son on that dream hunt Where hunting is the best. We’ll go by boat. We’ll go by plane Or maybe mule or horse. Somewhere where big game is big, In the wilderness of course. Someday I’ll win big in the lotto. And when my ship comes in, I’ll find the time. I’ll find the money. I’ll be gone with the wind. But, something says there’s work to do And bills that must be paid. That time and money can’t be found. They both must be made. So, the time had come for action. Someday would soon be here. I’d go for broke. I’d make my move.

Military Friend, Colorado Transplant Friend, Little Sister and I signed up for the Color Run in Logan, Utah this summer. We made a weekend out of it and had a blast! Only 5Ks from here on out for this girl. That distance suits me.

So as I am about to embark on my second (yeah who in the hell ever thought there would be a first let alone a second....I'm a pushover) half marathon, I came across this post titled Only HALF Crazy on Facebook, so naturally I clicked. You should too, hers is funnier than mine. So what crossed my mind in the 2 hours and 50 some odd minutes while I was cruising around San Jose, California? 1. Why did we get here so early 2. I hope I make the train crossings in time....or do I? 3. There sure are alot of port-a-potties 4. Jeez....where are all the port-a-potties? 5. My hips hurt 6. My knees hurt 7. Which hurt worse? my hips or my knees? 8. I wonder what that guy's time is going to be? 9. Where is that guy's shoes? Who runs barefoot? 10. Which wine should I drink first? 11. How many people signed up for this nonsense? 12. I hope they don't run out of medals before I finish 13. I should have taken one of those donuts at mile 8....damnit. 14. O happy day! the

When I ordered some stuff the other day on one of my way to frequent online shopping binges I got a coupin (yes I know its coupon, but I like to call them coupins) for a free Graze box. If you know me, you know I do free! I signed up for the calorie counter box. You know, trying to be good. But all the yummy sounding snacks...well those weren't available in the calorie counter box so I immediately switched to the nibble box before ordering! I was super excited to tear into this box when it arrived, so excited in fact that it served as dinner. yummy snacks and no cooking.....what could be better? So what was in my free Graze box? Peach Cobbler peach fruit strings, honey almond slivers, amaretti drops, and yogurt covered sunflower seeds. I rate it "like" Summer Berry Flapjack rustic rolled oat flapjack with berry infused cranberries. I rate it "love" Bonnie wee Oatbakes red onion marmalade with cheese and chive oatbakes Super Berry Detox blueberries

I took the plunge and I bought my very own mountain bike. After lots of deliberation and riding about 10 different bikes, I made a decision and whipped out the ole' Visa (which is currently residing in a block of ice because I'm irresponsible). I haven't gotten to ride it much this summer and I'm already looking forward to next summer. There will be no running next year, all biking and hiking! Little Sister and I did get in a quick ride one weekend, it was her first ride and she did great! Little Sister's first mountain bike ride My new beaut! Logan River Trail Great day for a ride!

 Fourth of July is my favorite holiday in the whole wide world. I just love, love it! Its all good things, all in one weekend! Good friends, good reason for celebrating, good booze, good food, good activities.   The trip started off a bit shaky after a storm rolled in, bringing with it the infamous Wyoming wind which of course ripped my tent right off the stakes, leaving behind shreds of tent staked to the ground while the rest of it took flight. My trashcan is now overflowing with tent remains....but the weekend wasn't ruined. Thanks to Mike and his over zealous packing, we had a roof over everyone's head. We have made an annual trip to the Flaming Gorge Reservoir our July 4th plans. Music Man brings his boat, my family comes from Colorado, Utah and Texas. And we camp on the lake, we fish, we boat, we build campfires, we play cornhole. Its exhausting having that much fun! I have decided that I can maybe get this wakeboarding thing down, but slalom skiing

Do you ever find yourself saying, “Oh, yeah, I can do that”, or “I’m all over that”? I do and I did. I took Jen’s “Couch to 10k” challenge. Ok, maybe there was no challenge. But... That’s what I did and I will just tell you this, it’s not a good idea. I didn’t leave said couch the rest of the day after said 10k, I was wrecked. It did, however, give me some time to think about the next song list for this awesome blog, or at least songs, they maybe random and scattered, but my head is still in a fog. It Ain’t the Whiskey, Gary Allan The Boys of Fall, Kenny Chesney Until I Met You, Sundy Best Broken Window Serenade, Whiskey Myers Forever, Aaron Lewis  Enjoy!

 Well the day has finally arrived, I'm clipped in.....as in my shoes are attached to my pedals....as in I have way more power and way more incidents of falling over. which really happens by the way......TIMBER! Every Tuesday is a group ride. They are really nice and let me ride with them even though I'm way slower than they are, but I'm getting better. There is usually always good food, good conversation and a few adult beverages after the ride. Definitely the best night of the week! Doin' the Joler pose And the serious pose.....well most of us

 Yup, that really happened, that is how I was introduced at my cousin's wedding. I'm that girl. the single one. in a super awesome dress (I added that last part, it wasn't part of the introduction). So anyway, back to my cousin's wedding. It was held at a beautiful botanical gardens in Berthoud and there were lots of my favorite family people there. The weather held and the ceremony was gorgeous. They had a wonderful reception right there with music and dancing, food and fun. Missing the other sister Hands down best thing at the wedding.....a photo booth! Which we managed to drag both Mike AND the Big E into. against their will I might add, but the end product was some pictures that I'll cherish forever! Congratulations Landon and Kristen!

Preface: I have actually considered having my own kid for the sole perk of Elf on A Shelf....then my wits came back to me and decided that maybe I should just borrow one for a few weeks of the year, might fit my current life stage better. As in better for me and WAY better for said kid. Current: I got the following letter from Jacob in Tennessee.   Dear Jennifer, In school we read a book about a boy who got flattened by a bulletin board. His name was Stanley, now is Flat Stanley. He wanted to go on a trip, so his family folded him up and mailed him to California. I am mailing my Flat Stanley to you. Please take him somewhere and write me back telling me about his adventures. if you have pictures, postcards or brochures, please send them back with him.  I will share his adventures with my classmates and this will help my classmates and I learn more about other places in the world. Thanks for helping me with this project. I wish I could fold myself up and visit you. Love, Jaco

 Rock Springs is the host of the National High School Finals Rodeo for the past 2 years and 3 more. I am lucky enough to have some cool friends that work for Resistol, Cactus, NRS etc....and they descend upon Rock Springs each year for the trade show at the NHSFR. Now you all know that I have a raging social life so I'm really excited to have some folks to go out to dinner with, drink an more than one adult beverages with, sit in the shade of a really fancy NRS horse trailer,  go golfing and the annual grill party at my house! Plus they gather attention everywhere because they drink Coors Light and wear cowboy hats.....its like being famous in this town I think. Its always good to see them and catch up. I think they look forward to it as much as I do!