Movie Night at the Lyric

The Bike Co-op is proud to announce two Fort Collins screenings of the feature length documentary With My Own Two Wheels. Two Wheels weaves together the stories of five individuals across the globe into a single narrative about the bicycle as a vehicle for change. The documentary was shot on location in Zambia, Ghana, India, Guatemala and California. Each screening will be followed by a question and answer session with the Producer/Co-director of the film Jacob Seigel-Boettner.

Watch trailer here: http://vimeo.com/19734902

The screenings will take place at 7:00pm on December 7th and 8th at The Lyric Cinema Cafe. Tickets for each night can be purchased before the event for $10 at the Bike Co-op, Matter Bookstore, or The Lyric Cinema Cafe. Tickets will also be available at the door for $15. Seating is limited, so buy your ticket early. Each ticket purchase includes a complimentary New Belgium Beer (For those of legal drinking age). Hey, $10 for a movie and a beer! Just try to find a better deal.

All proceeds raised from the two night event will help to support the Fort Collins Bike Co-op and World Bicycle Relief

Sponsored by Poudre Valley Health Systems and New Belgium Brewery.

Snowmen Galore...

I got busy and decorated for the holidays, which in our house means winter snowmen.  I have collected quite a few over the years...  Add them to the occasional penguin and they can stay out all season to keep us cheerful :-)

Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!

After appearing in several test screens earlier that year, Mickey Mouse made his official debut in "Steamboat Willy" on November 28, 1928.  Since then, Mickey has become an icon and the endearing symbol of Walt Disney.

In 1978, Mickey became the first cartoon character to receive a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame :-)

Experiments

Brianne is quite the adventurer as this is my first attempt ever at coloring a whole head of hair.  She has been wanting to have red hair for some time now and, after seeing her cousin's new doo and hearing that my sister did it for her,  she decided to have me give it a try...  Let me tell you:  putting purple goo on someone's beautiful hair is too stressful - I am definitely not ready to give up my day job!

On the upside, she got checked out by 4 seriously-less-than-subtle teenage males yesterday, so she considers it a success.

Black Friday :-P

There was not a single gift I needed to buy badly enough 

to make me even consider braving the Black Friday crowds...  

On the other hand, the grocery store was practically barren :-)

Eating Season

Yesterday started off the 2011 Eating Season which, by my calendar extends through my January 6 birthday (you can't get older without ice cream and cake).  It was a splendid feast as my sister is a wonderful cook and her assistant is marvelous as well :-)

The Eating Season finds many of us, myself included, saying things we usually wouldn't:
Why, yes, I'd love another piece of pie.  Whip cream?  Of course...
A little more eggnog won't hurt and, while we're at it, let's add just a touch more rum...
Let's make cookies for Santa!  Oh, Dear, Santa can't eat all these.  Mommy will have to have one of the extras - better make that three.  We don't want them to go to waste...

January will find me noticing the jeans are just a little snug.  This will, invariably, be followed by the realization that **GASP!!** Spring Break (aka Swimsuit Season) is only two months away.  While I'm getting in extra time at the gym, I will be telling myself that next Eating Season I will be less enthusiastic...  Yea, Right!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am Thankful for my loving family and dear friends - I have truly been blessed!

Today's Sing-A-Long

Over the river, and through the wood,

To Grandfather's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh

through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood—

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes and bites the nose

As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,

To have a first-rate play.

Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding",

Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood

Trot fast, my dapple-gray!

Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound,

For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood—

And straight through the barnyard gate,

We seem to go extremely slow,

It is so hard to wait!

Over the river, and through the wood—

Now Grandmother's cap I spy!

Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?

Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Miniature Bus

This is what happens when you mix a Bus and a Mini...  It's got everything I need:  AWD for tackling Colorado terrain and weather; enough power to keep me from getting stuck behind slow-moving traffic up a mountain pass (because I've got extra patience for that - NOT); plenty of cargo space to handle my new job - apparently, I'm the official package delivery girl for the Bike Co-Op.

I am considering naming her Minnie as in Mini Bus and Minnie Pearl.  I think we'll get along nicely :-)

The Down-Size Plan

This is the Mini I like - zoom, zoom!!  However, this would be like trying to squeeze the contents of my very large bag/purse into a wristlet -  ain't gonna happen.

Step One of the Down-Sizing Plan

 

The wheels on the Bus will be going round and round for someone else...

This is the first vehicle that I have ever owned that I will honestly miss.  The ol' gal has safely taken us to and from many fun and exciting family adventures.

Good reminder...

At the Break of Dawn...

Wonder Mom cheerfully picked up her darling teen and a few friends at 2am last night after the midnight showing of Breaking Dawn.  All were delivered safely home....

In More News:  Wicked Mom of the West was seen flying her broom out of the dungeon door, obviously sleep deprived...  

Holiday Tunes Already?

Almost everywhere I have gone this week, Christmas music is playing. Personally, I think it's a little early - it's not even Thanksgiving yet. However, to avoid coming off as a complete Grinch, I decided if I can't beat them, I'd join them...

Pretty in Pink

A pretty, pink bow may not be a big deal for most people, but, at our house, it means a freshly groomed Daisy - she smells waayyy better to snuggle with now :-)

Critters of Milford Sound :-)

Penguins

I've never seen Penquins in their natural habitat...

Seals

New Zealand Waterfalls

Doug did a lot of hiking in the Routeburn Fall area, which is just blessed with an abundance of spectacular waterfalls.  It is Spring in New Zealand, so the water is just starting to rush down the mountains as the snow begins to melt.  Doug said none of his photos due their beauty justice - the tall, narrow one here is over 100 feet tall...

Glenwoodites Will Understand

This is Rotarua, NZ.  The area has quite a bit of geothermal activity - from mud pots to hot springs. 

During the course of his adventures, one of Doug's conversations with other travelers veered toward Rotarua and a cafe he had found there.  The gentleman asked Doug how he could possibly eat there - doesn't the smell make him sick to his stomach??  Doug laughed, told him "no" and then told him where we had grown up...  :-)

Bathing Beauties

New Zealand Adventurer

During the Fall of 1986, Doug participated in a service program called Operation Raleigh.  Many of the volunteers from his group reconnected on Facebook and planned a reunion.  I'll be posting a few of his pics from his trip... The scenery is stunning!

Fall above Iris Burn Hut

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a time for us to honor our veterans.  They have worked very hard to protect us and to preserve our way of life.  They have put their lives at risk for us and many gave the ultimate sacrifice.  We must always remember and be grateful for their service.  Thank You!

Veterans Day originally began as Armistice Day.  The first Armistice Day was held on November 11, 1921 at 11:11 as US, England and France all buried unknown soldiers of WWI to honor all those who had fought.  That specific day and time were picked because fighting officially ceased at that time and day in 1918.  In 1954, President Eisenhower changed it to Veterans Day to honor those who had served in all wars.  

Traditionally, a moment of silence is observed at 11:11...  Join me.  

Back Yard Buddy

This little guy decided to take his
Afternoon Nut Break
at the same time I was taking my
Afternoon Decaf Coffee Break :-)

Leaves

How silently they tumble down

And come to rest upon the ground

To lay a carpet, rich and rare,

Beneath the trees without a care,

Content to sleep, their work well done,

Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly

Until they nearly reach the sky.

Twisting, turning through the air

Till all the trees stand stark and bare.

Exhausted, drop to earth below

To wait, like children, for the snow.

-   Elsie N. Brady

More from the Photo Shoot

Brianne's assignment is a Poetry Box and her poem is about a young couple...  She used herself and her long-time friend, Straten, as the models, plus got some scenic/story shots.

Last Night's Photo Shoot

Brianne is the photographer.  Straten is the model, but the shoot is about a young couple, so she is using herself in the female role.  I'm the assistant, which is usually pretty fun - I help with props; hold lights, etc.  Last night, she lined up the shot and I checked the timer and watched for cars :-)

Time to "Fall" Back

That's what the spare is for...

On the upside, Ryan made it home safely!  He had this beauty of a blow-out on his way home yesterday and ended up having to change the tire on I-25.  Just the thought scared the bejeezus out of me!  We'll be getting a replacement today...

The Exotic in The Fort

Brianne spotted this as we were on our way home: a license plate from Guam, USA.  This was a new one for me so we did our best to get a photo.  If you look at the left bumper, you can see our reflection - we look like stalkers :-)

Winter Windows

Snow caught in the screen of
my kitchen window.

Yesterday's storm was almost a duplicate to last Wednesday's including the need to rescue the still leafed-out bushes and shovel the driveway.  On the upside, snow is always beautiful to look at and I found these couple of wintery examples in my windows :-)

Ice forming on the outside of my
bedroom window.

Circles Everywhere!

Apparently, November 2nd is Look For Circles Day...  Where do I dig this stuff up, right?!?!  It's a secret ;-)

This is hands-down the most useful circle in my house!  It saves me from unpleasant commentary regarding my bus-parking skills...  Thank you, Wilson!!

And the clean-up begins...

Chainsaws and chippers are what we will be hearing for the next few days/weeks as folks in Fort Collins clean-up after last week's heavy snow. These guys will be keeping busy :-)

The City of Fort Collins is also helping out the residents with a schedule to haul away and recycle the broken branches and debris.  My small pile is already out on the curb.