Nothing really new since the last time I wrote. I know it is hard to believe because I haven't been on here forever. My life isn't all that eventful really....(that is good in some ways right?), just out here living the simple life and enjoying every minute God grants me. Landed myself in the hospital in April with 20 lbs of excess fluid on me, they drained that pretty fast with IV Lasix....that is a drug that work almost immediately, YIKES! LOL! Feeling pretty good now, trying to get some more of the weight off, it is always such a process. I am in a weight loss challenge with my sister, roommate, and some of my cousins.....they better watch out, I have a lot to lose.

My summer camp and teambuilding activities/field day went really well in July. I was a little bummed that they wouldn't let me stay up there with everyone....the altitude ya know. I think I have visited every farmer's market in the Denver area this summer. They have such wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables, and for such a good price compared to the produce in most stores. It is something that I take advantage of every summer. Just went today and purchased my first purple potatoes......fun stuff! We will see what I can do with them. Maybe I will fix some purple mashed potatoes. *8^)

Bexley, my dog, is Therapy Dog Trained and has been able to come to my job with me and work with the kids a couple days a week. He worked with the school kiddos this week and loved every minute of it. He also gets to go to an assisted living home right around the corner from work. He enjoys it and they really appreciate it. We will continue these visits throughout the fall and winter. It is great, he is exhausted by the time we get home in the afternoon/evening and just conks out. Less work for me.

I adopted a soldier recently. Her name is Johanna and she is an FOB Warrior, possibly in Kirkuk, Iraq. (Kirkuk Airbase - formerly was a major Iraqi Air Force base with support facilities for at least two fighter squadrons, strategically located near the Kirkuk oil fields and the Kirkuk refinery and petrochemical plant.) Kind of neat to learn about her and what she does. I send letters every week and a care package once or twice a month. It is fun, I have enjoyed it and I hope she has as well. I am also in contact with another "Airman" in, I believe, Afghanistan.....he works in aircraft maintenance. Sounds like a pretty important job to me. I can't imagine how different our worlds are right now but it has been a neat experience.

I am in the process of putting a "going away"/"Hooray! You didn't get fired" party together for my friend and co-worker this Friday at Baker's Street Pub and then on Saturday we are taking a friend's sister who is turning 21 out on the town. (Man, do I feel old when we do that.) The next weekend, an actor friend from the Renaissance Festival, (we used to work together there), is having a "Old School Slumber Party." That will be a blast! And then, the following weekend, Labor Day weekend of course, we have our Steele (mom's side) Reunion, where the extended family goes camping has bonfires, roasts some marshmallows, shoots some skeet, hangs out, and of course draft their fantasy football teams .

I can't believe that summer is almost over here, labor day is right around the corner. It should still be nice and warm for a little bit longer but cold weather isn't far away. I am not sure that I am ready for it, but the Fall out here is beautiful I must say. It is really something to appreciate. I like being somewhere where I get to experience all the seasons. It definately feels like summer is wrapping up but we are always able to come up with fall and winter fun without too many issues - Pumpkin patches, gourd launches, paint ball, Halloween is thrown in there, (I love Halloween, it is one of my favorite Holidays), road trips, sledding (still need to learn to board or ski), and then comes Thanksgiving and Christmas. Wow, I can't believe it is getting to be that time of the year again.

Alrighty, signing out....love you all. I will try to update more often.....right, that has been working out as the plan huh?

Lindsay