Almost Labor Day Weekend

And boy - will I be laboring! I have had some work done today to my abode, things that have needed to get done for weeks. My new countertop, sink and garbage disposal went in today, which was the BIG event. Now I can finish getting my kitchen done! Also getting some other things done like a few outlets and switches replaced, light fixtures replaced, and some minor plumbing done. Saturday morning I'm painting and moving stuff out of the living and dining room so carpets can get cleaned and I can move furniture in - FINALLY!! Getting tired of eating dinner either while sitting on living room floor, at desk or in bedroom on tray in my chair.

Boots and I are going to the "Taste of Colorado" tomorrow night. We learned last year that Friday night is the time to go to see all of the booths and such - its not nearly as crowded and everyone is in a good mood. By mid-day Saturday, workers are hot, tired and grumpy! It'll be fun, then we might go again later in the weekend to see a couple of bands we'd like to listen to. I have a BBQ to go to Saturday evening, then Sunday and Monday will be spent organizing and going through more containers/boxes.

Pics will be forth coming soon - I promise! So stay tuned. . .

The DNC - Why, Oh Why?

You know, I have to admit that having the DNC here isn't a bad thing, no matter how much I don't believe completely in the Democratic Party's belief system. It is actually quite fascinating to see all of the people, the celebrities and mostly how folks think of our Mile High City.

Last night, I hung out with Boots and Sharon to watch the "going's on" of the 16th Street Mall. We sat at the Capital Grill at the Sheraton (formerly Adams Mark) hotel, which was just southeast of all the action. The only celeb site-ing I had was of Carlos Mencia - and I only recognized him as he was wearing that blue and black tunic length soccor jersey he always wears. He was across the street and my camera phone wasn't working, so couldn't get a picture of him. Anyway, I sat and listened to stories that Boots was telling and their Friend Paula (who used to work for the Denver Business Journal, but moved away around 3 years ago) were sharing - Paula was here for another media outlet she works for in another city, I think she said in Wisconsin. It was very interesting to hear first hand from journalists what they saw and experienced - and the things they REALLY saw that haven't been portrayed quite truthfully by the News/Post.

While we were sitting there, we saw several protestors just walking the mall; even protestors that protested protestors. Now THAT was funny. . . after an hour and a half, we decided to mosey on down the mall, getting blockaded by a bunch of SWAT members in full gear. They were apparently expecting a nasty mess with some protestors, but everything actually came off peacefully. I tell you, these guys were ready for anything! While we were waiting for Boots (she was trying to take pictures with a dead battery in her camera), Sharon and I met this guy from WDC. He was looking for change to put in the meter. Told us that Denver is by far the nicest city he has been in; said he attends some huge security conferences, and the facilities here are far superior to most he's been to. That was a nice thing to say - for a democrat. . . just kidding :)

Let me again say that although I'm not a Democrat, you can't help but kind of get caught up in the pageantry of this event. Those that are smart will truly emerse themselves in knowledge and learning why they believe what they believe - whether Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green Party, etc. Having a vast knowledge of all areas can only enhance your current belief system that much more. I've actually thought about attending Ralph Nader's Rally tomorrow night just to say I went. Although I'm a Sean Penn fan in the sense of his acting, I'm not a fan of him on a personal level. It seems as though he thinks he can affect current foreign dignitaries - even though they have openly laughed behind his back. Anywhoo, he will be there with Val Kilmer - haven't heard him try to speak - it would be interesting to hear their reasons for supporting Nader.

Near the end of the evening, Boots, Sharon and I walked to the MSNBC makeshift studio where Michelle Obama's speech was being televised. The sound was WAY off of the video, but in a different way -you heard the words BEFORE she said them. Kind of weird. It's just ironic that she "is proud of America" when she apparently only became that way a mere few months ago. Sorry, but no matter WHO has been President of our country - I've always been proud of America. We are still the power center of the world, even though we have things that we need to work on. So "blah, blah, blah. . . " and that's all I have to say about that (in a Forest Gump voice).

I'm hoping that Boots will have some pictures that I can post on here (since, again, my camera wasn't working right) to show you some of the things we saw that YOU won't see in the news. Again, have to say that decorations were cool - Denver really did a great job in showing off our city. Just hope that doesn't equate to more permanent guests - although I can live with the occasional part-time resident. In the meantime, check out http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/ to see some different pics, stories and blogs. I'm going to get ready to watch The Daily Show - his first taping was today (wish I could have been there).

A Dreary Day

I took the day off from work to go to WaterWorld with Kirsten - of all days, when we've had 90+ temps, it was around 65 and rainy. . . BIG bummer. Was really looking forward to using my "Hyland Hills" card, which gives me a large discount on going there since I live so close (4 blocks). So instead, went and got my new driver's license then we went to see the movie Momma Mia! It was really a cute movie, but I'm sure even Pierce Brosnan has decided this is the last time he's ever singing publicly like that. Not only does it not fit his persona, but it just didn't sound right. Doesn't make me like him any less, he's still one sexy hunka man! Just don't sing :) I'm really a Colin Firth fan as well - most of the characters he has played have been pretty humble, un-assuming types. Don't know why I like that about him, but he's a cutie as well. It's that dreaming thing that gets in the way I guess.

After the movie, went to the Scandanavian Furniture store - they sent me a postcard to get a free pillow, I was in the area, so what the heck? Moving into a new home and new neighborhood gets you lots of coupons and the once-in-a-while freebie, so who am I to not take advantage of their kindness? I'll use it for the spare bedroom. I also went to the Homegoods Store (part of TJ Maxx) - it's my new favorite home store! They had an original picture that just screamed "put me on your wall!!!" So that's what I did - bought it, and I'll hopefully get it on a wall soon. It has the perfect color combination to compliment my bedroom, so it'll be my first piece of art I put up. They had tons of great looking mirrors and other pics that were very reasonable - even some lamps that I liked (missing light in this place - gotta fix that soon!).

I've been looking for a plum-colored bedspread, but it's just not in any store's color selection this year. Bought a comforter set last weekend, but I haven't taken it out of the bag yet - not convinced that I like it yet. Waiting for Shannon to come over and let me know if it will work out with the whole color scheme. In reality, if I'm not thrilled about it, really need to just take it back. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow after I get my books for school.

Y'all have been asking about seeing pictures of the place, so I do promise to take some more and get them posted very soon. I expect to get some done tomorrow. Again, still a lot to get done, but at least you'll see some progress.

Its a Sllllooooowwww process. . .

Here I am, 3 weeks into being in my new place, and it still looks like a disaster area. My first concern is getting my kitchen as done as possible so I can put EVERYTHING away. I still need to do more painting; clean up the hinges so I can paint them to somewhat match the brushed nickel knobs and such, then put the cupboard doors back up; get the counter tops and new sink in. In the meantime, I need to do take down a few more things in my master bathroom so I can paint, change out a fan/light, install the new medicine cabinet and find a vanity that will work in there. There was a suggestion to just put the pedastal sink I bought in there, but there is too much plumbing work that would have to be done to make it work, so I'm just going to get a smaller vanity.

I seriously need some simple plumbing help. Think I know of someone that can help me, just need to conjure up the guts to ask them. Desperately need help with simple electric, too, so might ask a friend of they can help me for steak and beer. Don't know if it will work, but I'll give it a try!

Realizing I haven't updated y'all for awhile, thought I'd at least let y'all know that I'm alive and frustrated! :)