What beer means to me...

Many years ago, I went through a dark time. A time when my husband went to grad school in a different state for two miserable years. I grew a lot during that time. I learned that I am a strong person. At times, it would be difficult for me to get out and socialize.

I was living in Denver and on the weekends my only conversations were with the cats. This was because all my friends moved away around the same time as well. After I graduated my grad program, I needed to find something to occupy my social time. If I didn't, I found myself wallowing in depression. Cats are sweet but that wasn't enough.

I went to meetup.com and found Pedals and Pints. I'd go biking with them regularly. I started to go to beer dinners at a couple of the chain breweries. I went on beer brewery tours. I made friends and did my best to have fun. 

This blog was originally started during this time. The blog was a great source of therapy then too. I didn't have any followers and I didn't participate in blog hops. None of that mattered because I was able to express my feeling and emotions. 

So beer has a special place in my heart. Now I drink beer for the enjoyment and craft. I look forward to my first batch of craft beer. I am also thankful for all the seasoned Brewers in Red Earth Brewers in Oklahoma City. They've been a great support in getting me prepared.

Serious Sunday: Vent Edition

 

Welcome to Serious Sunday: Vent Edition. Please excuse me and my theraputic ramblings. Writing is a form of therapy, after all.   Hands down, the worst decision I have ever made is to buy a condo in Denver. This is something that I actually regret and I don't usually regret my stupidity. I just learn from it. I bought it when the housing market was hot and the price was high, too high. (Stupid #1) I couldn't stay in it since the geologist got a job in Oklahoma City but I also couldn't sell it because the bubble burst. (Stupid #2) I found a management company to rent the place for me. They can't seem to keep a decent tenant in there. (Stupid #3) The management company is complaining about the HOA not fixing the stairwell landing and keeping caution tape up around the unit. (Stupid # 4) The current tenant is breaking the lease and causing us to pay court fees. (Stupid #5) I'd go live there again but I just accepted a new job in Oklahoma City that hasn't started yet and the geologist would need to find a job too. (Stupid #6) Originally, this was purchased to be our home. Now that we can't live there, I don't want it but can't afford to sell it. (Stupid #7) Short sale is not an option either since we have a good credit score and don't want anything to taint our hard work. (Stupid #8) I loathe every single detail about this debacle. Having to deal with three organizations and tenants that can't keep it together is more than I wanted. Doing all of this from a distance is a major hurdle.

  Dear Lord, Please help me deal with this headache. I need your patience, wisdom, strenth, mercy, grace, and everything else that you have to offer. This test on our finances and patience is wearing us thin and stressing us out. Please help us get through this trying time. Amen   Dear Sweet bloggy friends, Do you need a place to rent in Denver that is a one bedroom/one bath and has a panoramic view of the Rockies? Please call Echo Summit and help a hapless blogger out. Thanks for all your encouragement and support!  

I need a beer. Please stay tuned for Make a Difference Monday.

Serious Sunday - a bit about me.

Welcome to Serious Sunday. Since I have new readers, I thought it would be great to introduce myself. I like to write, take photos, play piano, read, and stay generally active/healthy. My hubby and I have been married for 13 years (basically since we were kids). We don't have kids but we do take care of kitty cats: Chomps (gray kitty) and Kirby (brown kitty). We love to travel and you can check out where we've been on my Travels page. We have lived in Denver Colorado twice, Hawaii twice, Anchorage Alaska, and now we live in Oklahoma City. Originally, I am from Portland Oregon and that's where all my family lives. I miss the liquid sunshine, the ocean within a short drive, and my family. I plan on staying 29 for as long as possible and maybe longer than I can get away with it. It sounds like a good age to me. Final little random tid bit: I am allergic to chocolate and I don't care. (Its a quick sneeze and back to indulging in chocolate goodness.) If you have any questions or comments please post them below and I'll cheerfully email you back. Please stay tuned for Make a Difference Monday.  

Busy weekend

I have been so busy this weekend. I have moved two minivan loads into the new storage unit. I volunteered at a race. I have packed more boxes. I even made a batch of cookies.

It's been a fun weekend too. I invited my girlfriends to come over for girls night. We had fun chatting and watching a movie. I can't wait to move and have another girls night.

I am still praying for a miracle. My condo in Denver needs someone to live in it. God will provide.

Is it just me, or do weekends seem busier than the workweek?

I felt like posting this

Sweet coffee cake

Do I need to say anything else?

Mmmmmmmmmm.

On a separate note, today had a rough start but I snapped out of it and ended on a high note. If you are in Denver or interested in moving to Denver, please check out my condo. You can get the details from Echo Summit.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that today is Thursday and the day is almost over. I have been working so hard at work and at home. I am tired. My nutrition has been ok not counting the chips that I ate today.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life? That's been my problem this week. There's jobs, a condo in Denver, and my home in Oklahoma to worry about. Decisions will need to be made. Research needs to be completed. All at the same time, I am working so hard to get a decent commission at my job.

Dear Lord, Please help me deal with all of life's challenges. Amen.