Saturday, March 28, 2009

Best Friends/Good Food

I am lucky to have a good friend like Debbie. She use to work at Walgreen's with me. We have stayed in touch, gone out for lunch and suppers together. She is two weeks older than I am, so a lot of our thinking, values and tastes are the same. Well, she called the other night and was telling me about her raise and that we need to get together and get caught up on each others lives. She told me to pick a time and place for supper and she would pay. So, I was online looking at restaurant menus in this area and made my decision. I haven't been to a lot of the places in Durango, and found out just how expensive they are, so I called Deb and said, "Let's just go to Swing and have our chef Chris fix us up with something special." So, she agreed that going to a familiar place where we get great waitstaff and great food and decent portions/prices was the thing to do. Then we wouldn't be disappointed.
After I stopped at home to let the Manley out, I drove out to Swing. Deb actually beat me there. I think that's the first time ever!!
We had a great server, Chris. (Not the chef). Chris, the chef, came out and gave us both a big hug and chatted alittle. Then he told Chris, the server, to come back to the kitchen after getting our drink order and he'd let him know about some specials. So, we got a Lobster Dip appetizer from the chef. It is artichoke and lobster pieces in a cream sauce that you put on sliced and toasted bagettes. It was wonderful. Then we had an awesome salad wrapped in fine carrot strips, and then I ordered the Sweet Chile and Honey Tiger Prawn Shrimp with garlic potatoes. Yum Yum!! It had a Bernaise type sauce dribbled on the shrimp, which were stacked on top of the potatoes. I should have taken a picture, because the presentation was just awesome. Deb had the cod Fish and Chips. It was perfectly done! (We always give the other person a taste of ours.) Then for dessert we split a Raspberry Caramel Bread Pudding.
Chris, the server, was just wonderful. He was very debonair and stopped at the table at the right times... He just started there 3 days ago, and loves it so far. He is a professional bartender by trade but he also likes serving. His family, in Seattle, opened a restaurant when he was young and learned everything about the business that he could. Like me, he did dishes, salads, cooked and served. He is 50 years old and very funny. He invited us to come out when he was bartending tonight and Wednesday night. He also golfs and wants to go the big golf competition up in Seattle in 2010. He hopes to improve his game from a 7 handicap to a 2. I'm not too familiar with golf terms but wished him luck. I offered to go with him and drive him around in the golf cart. :) He came from Denver, where he worked in one of the larger supper clubs there. He actually worked for a guy that Chris, the chef, knew. Small world, isn't it?
There was a new server there that hadn't tasted much on the menu, so we shared out Lobster Dip and bread pudding with her. Don't tell Chris the chef though! Plus, we were all alone in the big dining room, while every one else was in the bar area. It was nice. We sat there for 2 & 1/2 hours just gabbing and eating and drinking. Deb paid the bill and I left the 20% tip. Then got hugs from both Chris's and got home by 9:00.
Today I am working at the EconoLodge then have to go get cat food and stop at the library. It is sunny out and suppose to get up in the 60's today.
My sister Joyce's flight to Wisconsin got canceled due to Mount Redoubt erupting and spewing ashes. She will hopefully leave late tonight.
Next Saturday I will be getting my hair cut. It will be layered and shorter than I have it now. More like I had it about a year ago. Less muss, less fuss.
Manley is still limping around with a cracked pad (another one) and I am applying Musher's Secret daily. I'm thinking he licks on them a lot. Maybe an e-collar would do the trick. Probably drive him even more nuts that he is now! It's hard to take him hiking when he is limping.
Did you all know that I have a guard cat??? I was in bed last night and one of the guys went through the laundry room, right outside my bedroom door, and Kalista growled. She sat there for a while waiting to see if anything was going to happen, then settled down. She is pretty serious!! Hence me always calling her 'the serious girl'.
No snow around town, but up in the mountains at 8,000 + feet there is still some. It will all be gone by May. We really need the rain though. It's alittle dry out there and the irrigation water has not opened the gates yet. I think that starts in April.
Hope every one has a great day and stays safe. Love you all!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Cold Wednesday

Durango is cold and damp and gray. Much like Wisconsin, if I recall correctly!
I forgot to mention on Monday that it was my 2 year anniversary for when I got hired at Walgreen's. I am receiving a 3% raise this year. Kyle did my review today and he was very appreciative of all the things I do. He wants me to be "a senior tech that others look up to". Ahhhhh!! He also told me that I am very good with the customers and know how to prioritize my duties. We also framed and hung up the certificate that I received from the District Manager for my great customer service and being named in the survey.
I am very lucky. I found a job I like, people I like working with and a place where I am appreciated. I work hard for the money, am tired when I get done, but I get up the next day and do it all again. You never know what to expect day to day and you are grateful for the mild, even flowing days.
My friend Deb is going to take me out for supper sometime this next week. She knows it's my 2 year anniversary and she also got a raise at her job! She told me to pick the place and the time and she'll foot the bill. We haven't really talked a lot the last 3 weeks and have a lot of catching up to do. She has a sick mom and a son getting married.
I am looking for pictures of a hair cut that I want. If anybody finds one they like, feel free to send it to me. I am looking for more of a layered, short but not too short look.
Time to go watch American Idol and relax. You all have a good night and a good day tomorrow.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Busy Sunday

Yesterday was a busy day. I got up early, went to let Jeff's dogs out and took Manley with. So, I left Manley in the van until I fed Mattie and Jazzie and let them out to go potty. So, then I hooked Mattie up to the flexi-lead, Jazzie to 2 leashes attached end to end, then went to get Manley. Well, Mattie LOVES Manley and was in his face saying hi and all that, Jazzie was in his face saying hi cause she had never met him, and I am trying not to get wound up in the 3 lines. I bet I looked comical out there trying to get 3 dogs to move straight ahead. So, after a block or two every one calmed down and we had a pretty good walk. I think Manley was wondering WHY ME???
Well, I was tired when we got back to Jeff's. When I left, I noticed there was about an hour before I should go home, as the house was being shown. So, I went to the store and picked up a couple of items, then had a bright idea. I took Manley down to the Animas River and sat there for awhile. Seeing as how Manley (age 7 & 1/2) has never been swimming, I wasn't sure how he would take to the water. Well, he wanted to go in farther but I only had him on a short leash. Plus, the river is running fast from all of the melt off from the mountains. So, next time I will have a longer leash and more time. But, it was nice just sitting along the river and relaxing in the sun. I actually have a couple of pictures on my phone of Manley in the water watching a duck.
When I got home I did laundry and cleaned, sat out in the hot tub for a short while and went in to start cooking my chicken for the next couple of days.
THEN it got WINDY!! A big gray mass moved in from the north and I thought we were all going to blow away! Kalista tried to sneak out the door and chase leaves while I was letting Manley out, but luckily she hesitated and I caught her in time. I watched the Nascar race, did dishes, ate supper and watched some tv. About 9 pm it started snowing and this morning there was an inch of snow on the ground.
Today was a good day. Not too busy at work and got a lot of little extras done. I then stopped at the store and bought some items to make brownies. OH!! I got my studs taken off and my other tires put on Saturday, and Sammy did not charge me a dime. I tried sneaking money in his shirt, but he was having no part of that. So, tomorrow I will be dropping off brownies for him and his crew and I gave the 4 guys in the front of the house some for their dessert tonight.
I decided this weekend that I am going to get my hair cut short again. I am tired of trying to decide how to style it every morning. Some of you will see it Memorial Day weekend.
Now it is time to get ready for bed. Hope you all had a great day and have a good day tomorrow.
Love, Julie

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Spring Is In the Air

Why do I wake up at 5:30 every morning?? Most mornings I can roll over and go back to sleep, but luckily this morning I woke up when my alarm SHOULD have gone off. About 20 years ago I woke up at that ridiculous hour because of some one else's schedule. I guess my body got use to it and am I glad it did today! I am dog sitting for Jeff's two Swiss Mountain Dogs and had to go up the hill and feed and water and potty them. I also dropped my vehicle off at Peerless Tyres to get the studs taken off and the all-seasons put on. (It is right next door to EconoLodge).
But, I got to work with about 3 minutes to spare.

Yesterday, I worked until 5:15, then drove up the hill to let Jeff's dogs out, ran home to let Manley out and changed clothes, then drove to meet Catherine and her 2 girls. We went to Home Slice for pizza (awesome!) and then got to the movie theatre and got decent seats.
'Duplicity' is a funny, detailed movie. I really liked the character that Julia Roberts played. Clive Owen is quite the hunk too. Just don't go to the restroom, cuz you will miss something!! It twists and turns and is very interesting!!
After the movie I had to go up and let the dogs out again, then return home to poor Manley. He wasn't sure who that whirlwind was that went through about 5:30. And Kisa let me know that she wasn't really happy with me either. Kalista just goes with the flow. I did finally get to bed and to sleep about 11:00.

After work it is-- off to let dogs out and go for a walk, sit in the hot tub and then finish a book or watch a movie.
Then Sunday is cleaning and laundry day while letting Jeff's dogs out and taking them for a long walk, watching the Nascar Race and relaxing. (Manley is included in the dog walking part.)
Hopefully my pet sitting notice will have some results.
Everyone have a great day and I'll blog later!
Julie

Thursday, March 19, 2009

I Made My Mom Cry Today

I called my mom today and informed her that I would not be flying up to Wisconsin after Memorial Day. I have looked over my finances and I just can not afford to visit at the end of May. I will try to get up there over Labor Day weekend.
I am disappointed that I will not see my family and friends in another 2 months, but in another 5 months or so I hope to be there. Going on vacation and not worrying excessively about how much money I spend on airfare, restaurants, gas, dog and cat care, and any trinkets I might buy would be nice and I hope to do that in September.
I am still going to Tyler's graduation in Los Alamos, NM and where 1/2 of my family will be over Memorial Day weekend. I will only be using a couple days of vacation and then use the rest in September.
I will be going to the movie 'Duplicity' (with Julie Roberts and Clive Owen) tomorrow night. My friend Catherine and her girls invited me to go with them. I haven't been in a theatre for at least a year and look forward to it.
Today I made up a poster for pet sitting and dog walking. Kyle will hang it up on the bulletin board in the mailbox station at their developement, Edgemont Ranch. I am 2 miles from there and dog sit for Jeff, who lives only 2 doors down from Kyle. I am hoping to pick up a couple more jobs and boost my finances upward before the recession really takes hold in this area. I just wish I could do some dog grooming, like I did in Madison, but I don't have the area to do it in. I have the equipment, but not the tub and hot water.
The 4 guys that live in the front of the house here don't think they need me to clean their place over the weekend while they go up to Denver. It would have been nice just to have a 2 hour job once a week for decent money. Oh well!! Their loss. We'll see how many jobs I get for pet sitting/dog walking.
The weather has been warm and sunny and in the 70's this week and I am loving it! I am only able to enjoy it after work but at least I can look out the drive-through window during the day. People are already in shorts, sandals and t-shirts. And tomorrow is the first day of Spring.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Sunday Cooking

I have been up since 5:30 this a.m. and have dusted, vacuumed, did dishes, cleaned litter box, cleaned bathroom, picked up the yard after Manley, clipped Manley's nails, cleaned his ears and combed him, took out the garbage, put new litter in the box, striped my bed and am now doing my laundry.
For lunch I made Round Steak Parmesan. You brown the breaded steak, then add tomato sauce, spices, and bake it for an hour. Then you top it with Parmesan cheese and let all of the flavors meld together. I also made some red potatoe wedges with garlic, onion and a small bit of jalepeno pepper. I also topped it with Parmesan cheese. It was delicious and my place smells SOOOO good! I will have enough leftovers for lunch on Monday and Tuesday.
While I am finishing my laundry I will be reading 'Scarpetta' and sitting out in the hot tub in awhile. Then all I have to do is make my bed. No Nascar race today.
Bryce told me this morning that the other 2 guys I have not met yet will be in sometime tonight. I will have to see what my other 'boy toys' (just kidding) look like.
Joe, the landlord, called yesterday and informed us all that there will be a house showing Monday morning between 8:30 and 9:30. That is the 3rd or 4th time the house has been shown. I wonder if that is good or bad, as I don't want to move, so hopefully whoever buys the house wants me as a renter.
Work yesterday was kind of busy at the EconoLodge. I was kept busy with resupplying the continental breakfast and checking people out, and after 2:00 I checked in 3 more people. Businesses are finally slowing down some in Durango and are starting to really be affected by the recession.
I watched "Burn after Reading" with Brad Pitt and George Clooney last night. It was kind of senseless and I stopped it in the middle and went to bed. I had thought it got good ratings. Evidentally it is not my type of comedy.
Well, time to change laundry around. Hope you all are having a good weekend and enjoying warm weather. I think it's suppose to get up to 50 degrees today, then warming up the next few days.
Take care. Julie

Friday, March 13, 2009

FRIDAY the 13th

I always thought that Friday the 13th was suppose to be a bad day. Well, I have changed my mind. I had an awesome day at work. Everything went smoothly, I got 3 compliments on my necklace and earrings (2 by men) and I also got my name entered into a contest at Walgreens. People call the number on their receipt and take a short survey about the store and service. I was mentioned by name!! I had waited on a lady last week and she said that she is going to go online and tell them how great I was. So, in her words "Julie is THE BEST". Jeff, the pharmacist said he is going to frame that for me! It was really nice to hear that I am appreciated.

I made an error in my last blog. I mentioned that Brad owned the Lab. It is Bryce who owns the Lab. And Bryce will be around this weekend studying for his JourneyMan's license test.

It started raining this afternoon and turned to snow just a couple of hours later. We have a good inch already and it is suppose to snow for another 12 hours. I still have my studs on so it shouldn't be a problem if it starts accumulating on the roads overnight.

Manley's cracked pad is much better. I am going to start applying that Musher's Secret every few days to help keep his pads moist.

Tonight it is Flashpoint and Numbers on tv. And off to work tomorrow!!
You all have a great weekend and stay warm and dry.
Love to you all. Julie

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Sick Day

I hope all is well with everyone. I had left work early yesterday and stayed home today trying to get rid of a migraine. I finally did get over it, thanks to the hot tub and imitrex and sleep. I will be back to work tomorrow. It had snowed a trace and got really windy last night. Strong enough winds to knock off part of a pine tree down by my mailbox.
Yesterday I met 2 of the guys that are living in the front of the house. Brad and Byron are in their 30's and are from Denver. They come to Durango and the surrounding areas to put up power lines and work 4 ten hour days and then go back to Denver (6 hours away) on the weekends. Brad has a 3 year old yellow lab who's name is Flex. He and Manley met. Flex is an outside dog and is well-trained.
Manley has a dry, cracked pad and is limping around today. I have to call my vet tomorrow and see what she has to say. Probably some lotion or oil and put a sock over it so he doesn't lick it off. Colorado is so dry! Unlike Wisconsin.
Well, time to get the coffee ready for tomorrow and go to bed.
Take care and have a great day tomorrow.
Love,
Julie

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Up and Running

I am now up and running on my laptop. I was having problems getting a signal, so Qwest came out this Sunday morning and fixed it. They had assigned me to the second phone line up here.
So, now I am very happy.
I cleaned, changed my bed, did dishes this a.m. and have started my laundry. I will be watching the Nascar race (Kobalt 500---so there will be more of the Jimmy Johnson/Chad Knaus commercials) soon and then sitting in the hot tub afterward.
I did not have an opportunity to sit in the hot tub yesterday, as we got a good inch of snow when I got home.
I am now reading the James Patterson/Michael Ledwidge book "Run for you Life". So far it is quite good. My library here is finally getting new books WHEN they come out, not 6 months later.
Well, you all have a great day and I will enjoy the sun and my hottub later!!
Love you all.
Julie

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Julie Has A Computer!!

My computer arrived Thursday night and I have been setting it up with help from Brainstorm, the company I am getting my dsl from. I am now having phone line problems, as my standalone unit plugs into any unused phone line jack. I am not in view of the towers so I can not get wireless where I live. So, the QWest people will be out Sunday morning to see what is going on. Meantime I have the work computer to use. Can't wait for mine to be up and running!!!

This morning is busy at the EconoLodge, and a nice change. There is a volleyball tournament going on in town, hence the NO VACANCY sign in our window.

The snow is almost melted in my yard. Last Sunday Manley helped my landlords daughter collect the big pine cones falling from the tree. He was quite funny, until he realized we weren't going to give them back to him. Poor dog, but he had fun. And I found out that there will be 3 guys, ages 30-35 renting out the front of where I live. And Joe put the house on the market. If you go HERE you will see where I live. It's the last house listed under the heading of 'residential listings', the one for $725,000. Last Saturday night Manley got fed lots of treats, as I was babysitting for Alaina and Logan. They were having him sit, down, and stand. They both took turns having him up in the recliner with them and lots of petting Manley's head going on. Logan said the most profound thing I've ever heard out of a 7 year olds mouth: "Now I understand why dog is man's best friend". I teared up and everything!

After work today I will be sitting in my hot tub and relaxing. Tomorrow is laundry and cleaning day, plus waiting for the phone people to get there. I will also be cooking a shrimp pasta dish. My mac and cheese that I made from scratch was a big hit at work last Monday at Walgreen's.

I will be talking with my travel agent this next week about my Wisconsin trip. The fare don't look like they will be going down, so might as well get the ticket! I will let you all know when and where I'll be---as soon as I know!

Everyone take care and will talk soon!
Love, Julie