INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

Hi ladies- just want you to know I am back in NM and had a great trip up to CO, land of Chevy. The drive over on 285 from Denver down into the Arkansas Valley and into the San Luis Valley was spectacular. I have not ever been to that part of CO before and was oohing and ahhing every time I cam over a pass into yet another beautiful vista. I did not have any weather issues on that trip, only a portion of 285 that was closed due to some flooding of the Arkansas River for a few miles that resulted in a detour. I was glad I checked out the CO Roads web site before I left so I was not surprised when I got out there. I will have some great photos to share with you soon.

I had a wonderful visit with my old friend over in Crestone. She drove in from Grand Junction and we arrived within minutes of each other. We went sat afternoon to soak at the Joyful Journey hot springs, which is just what my old body needed after all the driving. She needed it too, and learned her husband does not like to do water things, so I think she had been wanting to check this place out for awhile. We soaked our bodies for a couple hours and then went on to dinner in Crestone with the hippies. I liked that too.

Yesterday, we went to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Wow, is that place cool! Another thing on my bucket list done! Been wanting to go there forever. We only spent a few hours there, including having a picnic lunch next to the river. Can't remember the last time I had a picnic lunch anywhere. The goodness of life. We both left to head north and south to our respective locations.

We had a great visit over the weekend, and I told her about my bc a few years ago. She lost a sister to ovarian cancer 8 years ago, and knew it was really hard on her. We have remained in contact through the years, but I did not tell a lot of people about my bc for professional reasons. Also harder to deal with the long distance folks with that kind of news. Anyways, I decided to see how the visit went and would tell her if it felt okay to do. She was naturally shocked to hear what had been going on, but told me she could be present with it and was glad I was doing well now. She went through the death of my brother with me, so I know she does the hard stuff. I was glad I waited to tell her in person. I have told a handful of additional people since everything happened. The ones I know who care, but also those whose lives have been touched by cancer too.

ABQ to Denver, Denver to Crestone, Crestone to Sand Dunes, to ABQ all in five days! A total of 1100 miles. Whew, what a road trip, but I did it! I needed to do this trip for so many reasons that I cannot even begin to explain....

Jazzy-whew makes me tired just reading about your adventures! I live vicariously through this site.. ha ha! I get to see and hear and visit things I wouldn't otherwise get to hear or know about! And you all thought it was all just BC stuff! Ha not.

Chevy- you are right! I am only 56 and I was never plugged into electronics like this generation. It sickens me to see folks out at a resturant all plugged into their phones not even communicating- worse if it's a child and parents. Put the friggin phone down and talk to your kid! We used to play nightly dodge ball games in our neighborhood. We would whoof our dinner and play until dark. No one was fat. When it snowed, no biggy we played until our hands and mittens were frozen, went in dried off- threw stuff in the dryer and went out again! I lived on my bike..rode every where. We climbed trees and built forts and played with dolls and made stuff out of cardboard. I also read like a fiend- Nancy Drew, adventure stories anything! It was a pretty good childhood- kites, setting off rockets my brothers made, wandering through fields and streams. We did't worry about locking the door and any "Mom" would do in a pinch or hurt! There wasn't a Mom out there not ready with bandaids and anticeptic spray and a hug for bike crash and scrapped knee - you need not be "her kid." It was nice and I feel sorry for this generation growing up without the freedom and outdoors we enjoyed. My Mom just let us out for the day and we would check in for lunch and be gone! Same with my DH's childhood. None of these micromanage hover craft Moms who never let their kid out of sight.

Love the aligator and the raccoon!. Thank you for your comiseration with the death of my brothers cat. He just loved Sabrina and it was the only living thing he had. Stuff is just stuff and doesn't bump your hand, purr and seek attention. A living pet is sometimes the thing that keeps folks going. I have dearly loved cats and dogs and know the loss, but I always had back up family. My brother is alone. I have the kids making pictures to send to their uncle. I am off to PCP, the one bug bite is infected and burst out gobs of pus - gross. It's about the size of a half dollar. ugh.. oh well. Nice I got a appointment on such short notice. Amazing. Be well.

Omg! Jazzy ! That looks like such a fun time. Great pictures

. Look at those mountains!

Beautiful photos!

great pics zazzy, didn't know that there were sand dunes in Colorado. Land lock and all.

Oh? And what's that Spookie? My CROCS? Have you ever even tried them? Hah?

Now THESE are cute! I could wear them, but it's my TOES! My toe-nails are not pretty!

Actually I've tried 2 styles of crocs. Worst things I ever put on my feet. Can't do flip flops either.

Chemo was canceled for today so back in my flip flops. Bleh.

Uh huh, last time you blamed the dogs. You were racing DBF out to the pool. Can't fool us!!!!

Birks were originally designed in Germany to be a walking shoe. And they do it well. Nobody will ever accuse them of being high fashion!! Love my Birks!!

Talk about over priced!!!!! I got these, they are cute. Wore them twice, gave me such foot pain, took 3 months to clear up. I took the shoes back.

I have a pair of Nike flip flops that actually have some arch support. I wish Danskos weren't so expensive. Some of their sandals are cute. I can't wear Birkenstocks or anything using that last. My middle toe is the longest and my toes are more square. DH wears crocks all the time inside. Fleece lined in the winter.