Doug and Briana's Trip to Colorado

I really wish I could have gone to Colorado too, but with my heel issue, it was a bit too difficult to tag along. Besides, Briana wanted some quality alone time with Aunt Ann and Uncle Wes (my sister-in-law and brother-in-law). And Doug wanted to check in and spend time with his mom.

 

I was kept up to date with calls, texts and pictures.

Doug and Bri headed to the airport on the afternoon of July 11th and had a smooth flight out...

Doug spent the night with Wes and Ann (and Bri) the first night because D and B arrived in Colorado in the evening and it would have been a bit late for him to drive to a hotel. 

 

Wes, Ann and Briana got up early on Friday and had a full day out planned, and Doug worked from their home in the morning and then headed to a hotel located closer to his mom in the afternoon.

 

Briana started with a delicious breakfast before heading to Mount Blue Sky (it was a ham and cheese croissant)...

 

Wes, Ann and Bri then drove to the mountain, arrived at the base and headed upward...

They arrived at the top of the mountain and it was spectacular. Bri said the air was really thin. Doug and I visited Mount Blue Sky in 2005 (it was called Mount Evans then) and I remember how thin the air was.

 

This was me and Doug back in 2001 on the mountain...

 

They were up 14,258 feet...

What an amazing view...

Mountain goats were easy to spot...

After walking around at the very top of the mountain, they headed back down and stopped at Summit Lake for lunch...

Long-horned sheep were at the lake area.

 

It was crazy windy at the lake...

 

The gang headed home and were tired from a long, adventurous day, so they ordered pizza for dinner (Bri was in heaven)...

The next day (Saturday), Bri enjoyed her breakfast out on the back porch and spotted a bunny...

 I think Briana said they all took a walk around the town of Golden that day and did some yarn shopping. Briana and Ann then spent time crocheting together...

Their last day together (Sunday), Bri, Wes and Ann went to Dinosaur Ridge and Red Rocks...

 

The last time we were at Dinosaur Ridge with Briana - it was 2015. The exhibit with the bright colored dinosaurs was not yet there. And we wanted to show Briana inside the stadium at Red Rocks that time, but it was closed so Grace Potter could rehearse for that evening. So, B finally got into the stadium!

 

Then they headed to a cool rock climbing gym...

Bri had not rock climbed in a long time. Uncle Wes was showing her the ropes again. Her arms were feeling it over the next few days! But, she loved it. So much so, she just joined a rock climbing gym when she got back to GA.

While Bri, Wes and Ann were having all sorts of fun, Doug was spending a lot of quality time with his mom at her apartment...

Wes, Ann and Briana then went to meet up with Doug and Grandma Anne at Grandma Anne's apartment and visited for a while.

Grandma Anne was a bit too tired to head out to dinner with everyone, so she stayed back and said her goodbyes. Then the gang headed to a delicious Mexican restaurant that I'm not at all jealous that I didn't get to eat at...

Doug and Bri had a very early flight the next morning, so Doug booked a hotel room at the hotel for he and Bri to stay at right next to the Denver airport.

It was time to say goodbyes and it was difficult. Briana had such a wonderful time. I cannot thank Wes and Ann enough for showing her such a great time.

Briana at the hotel next to the Denver airport...

They got up early in the morning (Monday) and headed home back to me and Mei Mei...

While my best guy and best girl were off in Colorado, I visited with a good friend who bought a new house, visited my parents for a day and spent time cuddling with Mei - who was confused by me being the only human in the house...

So, I think I got the gist of the trip even though I wasn't there. I really wish I had been there! I did enjoy having some quiet, alone time with my furry kid - so it was all good!

17th Briana Day Anniversary

17 years ago today, Doug and I met our beautiful Briana (Jiang Ai Juan) for the first time in Chongqing, China at 4PM in the afternoon (China time) on July 30th, 2007.

It was an emotional, joyous, overwhelming, terrifying day for all of us...

We cannot imagine our lives without our beautiful Briana. She was our miracle and gift on that day - and she still is.

 I cannot believe our almost 18 year old will be starting college in 5 weeks. How did 17 years pass so quickly?

Here is our China travel video once again...

 

 Here's to 17 amazing years.

I Need To Protect My Well-Being

I was going to write about B's trip to Colorado as my next post, but I decided to do this post first. It is important and I need to get this off my chest.

I'm going to get political. So read it if you wish. Don't if you don't want to. You may agree or disagree. This is your warning. Just know that I won't be talking politics again on this blog for a long time.

 

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***** UPDATE July 22, 2024 *****

 

When I wrote the post below, B!den had not yet backed out of the race. It looks like the dems are trying to fight back hard now. B!den is a very good man and I think he has done a fine job. My worry was him being able to continue his momentum for four more years at his age. Finally, some new energy has been tossed into this race. It is scary yet exciting at the same time. I'm obviously still worry about things. We will see how it all plays out.

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I have to say that I used to be one of those people. One of those people who didn't pay attention to politics. Oh - I voted. I always have. But honestly, I didn't pay really close attention a long time ago.

 

I used to be an independent. A swing voter. But in this time and environment, I absolutely cannot be.

 A certain narcissistic, misogynistic, racist, lying grifter - future felon and insurrect!onist - won the election in 2016. And he managed to hijack an entire political party somehow. People who were extremely outspoken about absolutely hating him started kissing the ring - and still do. The hypocrisy makes my jaw drop.

I realized over that pres!dency that I needed to pay more attention. No - I never voted orange. And I have never wasted my vote on a third party candidate (I would consider a third party candidate if an actual true viable person ran and actually had a chance - there still isn't one). But I realized - especially during the pandemic - that I needed to make sure that I kept my eyes open as to what is going on in this country. It isn't easy. It is uncomfortable and draining. But, I refuse to put my head in the sand. No one should.

And then he was voted out. He tried to cheat, lie and criminally bully his way back in. I thought it might be over. But sadly it wasn't over. It isn't over.

 

I do turn on the news and watch all different news stations (no, I will not watch F@x News because it is propaganda and not true news - believe me, I tried and I couldn't stomach it). I read different articles. I know what is going on in Congress. I know what is going on with the super majority of the Supreme Court. I know the rights that have been taken away so far and more that are being threatened to be taken away. And with that knowledge, I know who and who not to vote for.

I have tried to use my voice and my keyboard to try to convey and explain the things I have learned, the things I have heard and the things I have seen over the last number of years. I have done the homework.

But...

I just can't convey it anymore. I cannot change someone's mind who really doesn't understand how things work, who is a creature of habit, who is uninformed or who tries to ignore, rationalize or make excuses for hate. Someone who has dug in their heels. Someone who isn't interested in listening or doesn't want to be bothered. Someone who would rather listen to pathological liars, conspiracy theorists or religious leaders over doctors, scientists and experts in many fields. Someone who is ok with a lack of checks and balances.

 

I am honestly terrified of what will happen if the election goes a certain way. And things don't look super great for my side right now (I hope it can get back on track somehow). I don't want to a person in charge who will never be held accountable for any of the horrible things they have done. I want control over my own body and I want that for my daughter too. I don't want medicare or social security to be taken away - I am at an age where I know that my parents and all of my friends' parents use and need these things right now. I don't want to reject democracy and embrace autocracy. I don't want a leader who wants to dismantle everything into his image and loves/aligns with authoritarian leaders and criminals - and doesn't want to (and now doesn't have to) follow laws or the constitution of our nation.

 

And if you want to complain about the economy, actually read this unbiased comparison...

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/6/28/gdp-inflation-jobs-biden-and-trumps-economic-records-compared

People know where I stand at this point and I honestly cannot bang my head against a solid brick wall anymore. I can't do it anymore because of my anxiety. Because of my fear. Because of my frustration. Because of my anger. Because of my exhaustion. 

So, this is the only time I will speak of this on my blog before the election. I have been quite vocal on FB but not so much on here lately. And I am going to quiet down there. I am backing off not because I have changed any of my beliefs, but because I feel like I have expressed my opinion enough at this point. Hopefully, I have managed to get through to someone. Anyone. It is becoming too much for me to continue following all this politics stuff so closely (which unfortunately I have been as of late).

 

I won't completely tune everything out because I don't feel that is the right thing to do. I will keep informed. But, I do need to back off and not fight the good fight as much anymore. I have done enough fighting. And I have done my fair share of explaining. Either you get it or you don't, and I've already made my choice.

So, what I will say is do your homework. Pay attention. Think about marginalized groups and those who may not have the voice you have. Remember that this is not a Christian nation but a secular one and one that accepts many religious beliefs or lack thereof. Remember that true republic@nism and Trump!sm are not the same. Please vote but please don't waste a vote. Please understand where the nasty and violent rhetoric is really coming from. I know nastiness can obviously come from both sides, but honestly, know where the majority of it is coming from. I mean, we all watched the Capitol building being completely destroyed and people die on the 6th. We know who did it - he told them to do it and he greatly enjoyed watching them do it. That's messed up.

(And the incident last Saturday was committed by a straight, young bullied white male - a registered republic@n with an automatic @ssault rifle.)

I cannot say I haven't done my part because I feel I have over the years. Maybe not on a grand scale, but a scale nonetheless. Now I am passing it on to you. Do your part if you haven't yet already. Let's make this a country one to actually be proud of.

 

I'm going to go protect my well-being now.

The First Half Of July

July so far has been a mix busy and not so busy - which has been nice. I've only gone to one doctor's appointment this month so far - and that was actually for Bri - so it has been a nice break.

I say that now because I have a bunch of doctor and dentist appointments starting tomorrow throughout the rest of the month and into August. Sigh. Even Mei Mei is going to get her teeth cleaned in August. I hate going to doctors. I gotta do what I gotta do though.

Anyway...

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Bri started her July by meeting her bestie Meredith at the mall one day for some retail therapy...

Bri said they had a really fun time.

 While Bri was hanging out with Mere, Doug and I were able to have lunch together. We chose our favorite nearby sushi place. Sushi is just so pretty to look at...

Our favorite sushi place is right next to a Crumbl Cookie. We thought we would surprise Bri and get an assortment of cookies...

She and Doug tried them all. I only tried the strawberry shortcake one. That one was absolutely delish!! Bri thought the others were just pretty good (there was an apple pie cookie, a cornbread cookie and a smore cookie).

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The beginning of July is about all things 4th of July. I decorated my house - of course...

The night before the 4th of July, the neighborhood next to ours always puts on a massive fireworks display. We drive to a nearby shopping area to watch it...

This was me that night (took the pic in Snapchat!)...

We actually didn't do much on the actual 4th, Doug grilled us some steaks and we watched "A Capitol Fourth" that evening...

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Doug, Bri and I met up with some good friends for dinner the Saturday after the 4th. We had not seen the T family since before the pandemic! We don't live very close to one another and we all have been pretty busy the last few years. Briana and Katherine both graduated high school in May, and Ann thought it would be nice for us all to get together again for dinner before the girls head off to college. I concurred! It was so great to see them all again!

The girls are so grown up now...

And we got to see the famous Chef Henry before he retires (which is coming up pretty soon I believe)...

The food was delicious and it was so great to catch up!

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A few days later, we had another fun, delicious dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant with our good friends the C family. It was a belated birthday dinner for me. We seriously have the kindest friends...

 

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 Doug and I went to a nearby hot dog joint for lunch that we had been wanting to try out for years. It was really tasty! The chili was freaking spicy though - and it was considered the mild one! I can't even imagine how hot the "hot" chili is (ha, ha!)...

I also ate at "Cava" for the first time (Doug had eaten there before). It was so yummy! I will definitely be eating there again! This was my Mediterranean-inspired creation...

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Big news!! Briana got her dorm room assignment and roommates' names last week from SCAD. She moves in on September 3rd. It doesn't seem real...

 

 

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On July 11th, Doug and Briana flew out to Colorado for a few days...

 

 Briana spent time with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law in Golden (for some one-on-one niece and aunt/uncle time), and Doug went to Denver to spend time with his mom. It is kind of difficult for me to travel (airport) with my foot, so I (and Mei Mei) held down the fort at home. 

Briana had a WONDERFUL time with Wes and Ann (and I will blog a bit about her adventure in my next post). This is on top of Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans)...

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As I mentioned, I was on my own for a few days. I visited my parents one day and saw my friend's new home another day (which is lovely by the way). But other than that, it was just me and Mei Mei hanging out (she was snuggling with me)...

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So that is what we've been up to so far in July. I have a lot of medical stuff happening over the next few weeks, so things will be kind of crazy. We will also be visiting Bri's new college next week and shopping for dorm stuff. We also have planned a short trip to Florida (driving) in August for the three of us to relax and be together before Bri heads off to school and before I most likely get surgery on my heel. 

That is the scoop for now. Bri's trip to Golden is up next.