How're You Doing?

Watching :: Hannah & Maggie chase each other through the yard

Reading :: Respiratory Diseases text book

Making :: 'A's my classes (so far)

Eating :: mini cupcake

Feeling :: worn out

Thinking :: about the paper I should be writing

Hoping :: I get into the Asthma Allies volunteer program

Wondering :: why I didn't start this RT program sooner

Hearing :: the dogs playing in the yard

Liking :: naps

Wanting :: a long vacation on a beach with a fruity drink

Playing :: at keeping the house clean

Wishing :: my Mom was happier

Enjoying :: my life in general

Coveting :: a new digital camera

Thanks Suddenly SAHM for this idea...

Nothing to say

Stop laughing... occasionally I DO run out of things to say... like now...  I could ramble but what would be the point?  But I feel like I should change my post, say something witty, be creative, something but today, I just don't have it in me.

I'll mention the weather instead, talk about inane things, give you guys a break.

We did get quite a bit of rain yesterday, last night & this morning.  However, our rain gauge only read a little more than a half inch.  I think because it was mostly going sideways yesterday.

Planning a great Thanksgiving with at my parents with two of my nephews and their wives & kids... should be a lot of fun!!

Better Late Than Never, I Suppose

Bryan got a call today from the Colorado State Police and they have (they believe) located our old truck. They have not recovered the truck yet, but know where it is - they were hoping we could provide the keys so that they could "just drive the truck off".

We sent them the insurance information since we turned all of the keys over to State Farm when they gave us the pay-out in August.

I guess its good to know it has been found, and obviously in drivable condition but in a way it also sucks. I wish we could recover what was in the cab - tools, CD's, talkabouts, boots, coats, etc... oh well. Someone else's problem now.

It was a good truck. :-)

Sat, Oct 10 - Balloon Fiesta - Part I

This morning we headed out to Balloon Fiesta park for our first-ever Mass Ascension. We awoke at 4 AM and was on the road by 4:30 in the hopes to beat the traffic (which we did). We made it to the park by 5 AM and spent a while looking through the vendor's tents. Freezing our butts off... note for next year: more layers!!!

I guess the "thing" to do is have a breakfast burrito and coffee while you wait. Bryan's was pretty good, I did not like the green chile's on mine (which is unusual for me). Anywhooo we were there in time for the Dawn Patrol - several balloons go up just before the crack of dawn and sort of test the winds. It was so amazing to watch them set up and then as they fired up the... gas jets I guess... and the balloons glowed in the dark. Magnificent!!!! Next year I need to take a tripod so I can get better photos, but I still don't think they would do it justice. you just have to be there.

After Dawn Patrol, we had about an hour before Mass Ascension. The greatest thing about being at the park is that you are able to walk around all the balloons as the are inflated and as they lift off.

Be sure to look at Part II to see some of the special shapes balloons.

Basket of one of the Dawn Patrol balloons

One of the Dawn Patrol balloons

Starting to inflate (using fans to inflate)

Firing up the jets

The Intel Balloon at Dawn Patrol

Row of Dawn Patrols firing up

Just before mass ascension

Looking across the Park before mass ascension

Starting to fill up

Sat, Oct 10 - Balloon Fiesta - Part II

OK - Guess I reached my limit on adding photos to the Blog. Here's part II of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2009.

Below are photos of the mass ascension, rows of balloons and some special shapes such as Nemo, Darth Vader and the Bumblebees.

Nemo

Looking down a row of balloons

Beer Stein

Lady Bug

When Pigs Fly (a flying pig)

Balloons before lift off

Love this grin

The two bumble bees before lift off

The Creamland Cow - this gal is HUGE!

The dots in the background are balloons

Mass Ascension

PePe Le'Pew and an Angel

Happy Plane and Pepe

A crowd favorite - Bumblebees Aloft

Another crowd favorite - Darth Vader

Darth and the Fighting Hornet

Bumblebees 'dancing'

Leaving Balloon Fiesta Park

A Chicken

The chicken and a scarecrow

Fri, Oct 9 - Balloon Fiesta 2009, Speical Shapes

I had to go to school this morning but Bryan had the day off to study for his PE (Professional Engineer) exam. Every morning this week I have passed, & witnessed, the very early balloon launchings... this morning was the Special Shapes. I called Bryan to let him know they may be flying over the house and sure enough, a few did. Not as many as we had last year but he did manage to get some good photos.

Balloons Launching from

Balloon Fiesta Park

Not sure what character this is...

Pepe Le'Pew (I think)

Some kind of bird... a parrot maybe

Panda Bear

Fishie

Darth Vader

Darth squaring off with a Beaver

Bumblebee landing near the house

The Beaver's butt

Airplane