Columbine Memorial - Part II

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post Part II from the Columbine Memorial but not only am I on vacation, but I haven't felt like blogging at all. It's just one of those blogging ruts that we all go through.

As I mentioned earlier, in addition to the middle circular area where each of the 13 victims (heroes as I like to call them) were memorialized, they developed a back wall with sayings from students/parents regarding that horrific day...


Here are some amazing examples of what people said and remember about the Columbine tragedy...









You cannot leave this memorial site without feeling overwhelmed, asking yourself how something like this could have happened. We drive past this school daily and each time I imagine the horror of the day. Truthfully, it's a bit unnerving.

I'm so happy that enough money was raised to errect such a beautiful memorial in honor of those killed. The victims, their families, the school, the students, the teachers, the community...they deserve to be honored, and remembered!

Columbine Memorial - Part I

My parents live only a few miles from Columbine High School, the high school where 2 students shot and killed 12 other students and one teacher, and injured many many more on April 20, 1999. A memorial was set up on the school grounds a few years ago and each time we come to Littleton we say we want to see the memorial but never do. Today that changed, and my heart will forever be changed from seeing it.

Tucked away in the back of the school, beyond the baseball fields, and uphill a bit, is one of the most beautiful, touching, and well done memorials you will ever see.




I know the 2nd picture is difficult to read as unfortunately many of them are. Hopefully you will be able to double click on the photos to enlarge them. The picture above is of the soothing water feature that is off to your left just as you enter the memorial site.

In the center of the memorial, forming a circle, are the names of each of the 12 students and teacher that were killed that day. A marble memorial for each, with something written about them by their family, engraved in stone. A lasting tribute to each one of these heroes. Again, I'm sorry that you may not be able to read these very well but at least you will be able to see their names clearly.















As you can see in some of the photos, in addition to the individual memorials, there is a large stone back wall with markings on it. Please come back tomorrow and I'll share Part II with you.

Greetings From Colorado!

We haven't even been in Colorado for 24 hours yet we've been to Urgent Care twice already. Once for me and once for my mom.

I was sick the whole drive to Colorado and spotted an Urgent Care only a few miles away from my parent's house when we arrived. Once we dropped off Jake I headed out to see a doctor. I really enjoy the drive from CA to CO but I was so miserable I didn't enjoy any of it. We spent Sunday night in a small city in Utah and we stopped at the local medical center on the way out of town. I walked in asking for treatment and they said they couldn't fit me in. I was so upset I cried all the way back to the car. They held my ability to feel better in their hands and they turned me away. I was crushed. I knew I just needed a z-pak (Zithromycin) for an upper respiratory infection and thankfully, I got the prescription for it at the urgent Care in Colorado and already feel much improved.

We wanted to go out to lunch today and as we were headed out to the car, I watched as my mom took a spill in her driveway so off again we went to Urgent Care. As it turns out, she broke her foot and is now in the big black boot and using crutches. It brings back all too familiar and recent memories for me!

On a happy note, I had my daughter pick a number today for my 500th post giveaway. She picked #22 since today is the 22nd (and my 30th wedding anniversary by the way!), so congratulations to my fellow nurse Tauna! I'll get the monogrammed plate sent out to you Tauna as soon as we return home.

Thank you all for joining in on the giveaway fun!

Good Friends, Good Times!

We had such a great time at the Christmas party last night. There really is nothing better than good friends. I didn't take alot of pictures but did manage to take a few. This of course is a picture of the guys. Every single one of these men are treasures. If an emergency were ever to happen, we could call anyone of them and they'd be here for us in a minute, and vice versa. In this day and age, that says alot about their character.

And the same goes for these beautiful women. They are all such warm hearted, giving ladies and I count it a blessing to call them friends. It's obvious that we are all different ages, but we just click. I just noticed that in the picture, each of has our hand touching or our arm around one another showing affection. That truly sums up how we feel about each other.


I'm always a little sad when we leave them because I feel torn. As I've mentioned before, we are planning to move to Colorado next year and while I want to move out of California in the worst way, it will break my heart to leave these dear friends. Good friends don't happen overnight and neither did these relationships. They've taken time to develop and cultivate and the thought of not seeing them regularly is a hard pill to swallow. The thread in the silver lining is that we do own a motorhome, and they are our camping club friends, so it's not like we won't be seeing them anymore. I'm sure we'll be able to meet up with them at least a few times a year for some camping fun.

We got home around 11:30pm and Courtney was in our bed watching TV. Lights were on, shutters were closed tight, and the house was locked up like Fort Knox. She gets a little scared here alone, but luckily she had Jake to keep her company. This is how I found him when we got home...all comfy cozy with his nose buried in between the pillow and blanket. Even little doggies get cold too huh!


If you haven't done so already, don't forget to leave a comment on my 400th post giveaway below. You still have time. We'll pick winners on Wednesday.

Take care and have a great day!

Back To The Grind

We had a fun time in Colorado but now it's back to the grind. We got home Wednesday night and it was back to work for me on Friday and Saturday. I went to a birthday party today and then it's work tomorrow and Tuesday. I seem to squish my work days together which is hard but the upside to that is it gives me more days off in a row to play.

The reason for going to Colorado was to celebrate my Mom's 70th birthday. It was nice for her to have her 3 daughters and 2 son-in-laws there for this special birthday (at least I hope it was nice for her!) We had asked her to pick a restaurant for dinner but she couldn't decide so we had to help her out a bit. She had never been to P.F. Changs, so P.F. Changs it was, and oh my was it good. We also had the best waiter who joked around with us alot and it just made the whole evening that much more fun.

Here are a few pictures from the evening...

My Mom and her 3 daughters


My sister Debbie, myself, and our cute waiter Chad


Sisters Kim, Debbie, and myself


Howard and I


The family, including Kim's longtime friend Robert (in the blue shirt)


My Mom and Step-dad Jim


With the exception of one rainy day, the weather was great. The trees were stunning with their yellow, orange, and reddish colored leaves and there was a crispness in the air that made it truly feel like Fall. Colorado in October is beautiful!

The four-letter word that Howard really really dislikes...S*N*O*W...made an appearance the day after we left and then again this weekend! Wow, that's cutting it close. If Howard ever finds out that snow season starts as early as October, I may never get him to move there!

What Does the Future Hold?

Our recent trip to Colorado reaffirmed for me the fact that I am eager to move out of California. I'm a California girl born and raised but recently I have been wanting to experience life somewhere else, other than California, but there's only one problem...

Hubby and I don't have a clue as to where to move and alot of the times, we disagree!

This is what I do know (my wish list):

~ I would love to live in either Oregon, Washington, or Colorado
~ I want a view
~ Hopefully that view will be of a river or lake
~ There needs to be a Target relatively close by
~ And it will have to be a place that has mild winters (remember we're CA people...basically, we're wimps!)

You may remember we travelled to Oregon and Washington to look at a few businesses that were for sale. While we were there, I fell in love with the Columbia River Gorge. To be able to look at that view everyday would be heaven on earth for me! Hubby on the other hand says "it's too cold there!" He could easily live in Arizona!

Will we ever agree? Will we ever move out of California? At this point only God knows the answer to these questions! I did see a glimmer of hope during our trip to Colorado. He loved it there and so do I.

So my friends out there in blogland...any suggestions on where Lindanjake and family should move to in the next year or two? I'm open minded...but just remember, I'm a Target lovin' kinda girl! And if that Target has a view of the Columbia River Gorge...even better!

It's Time to Say Good-Bye

All good things must come to an end and so it is that we've had to say good-bye and head back home to reality. We've had a wonderful time in Colorado and my parents have been such welcoming and gracious hosts...thank you both for your warm hospitality! I miss you both already!

We are now at the Denver Airport waiting for our flight which leaves in 2 hours. The airport offers free WI-FI so I've parked myself next to an electrical outlet and I'm good to go. This will give me plenty of time to catch up with all of my blogging buddies!

I can't wait to plant hugh kisses and hugs on handsome son, beautiful little sister, and my adorable Jakester! I've missed them so much and it won't be long now!

(We'll be home just in time...tomorrow is handsome son's 23rd birthday! Where did the time go!?!)

Greetings from Colorado

We arrived in beautiful Colorado on Thursday and have been on the go ever since...and hitting every buffet along the way! Our first night here, we were welcomed with this...


Yep, that's hail alright!

Friday we went to a gorgeous Park and Amphitheatre called Red Rocks. In 1927, the City and County of Denver purchased this 640-acre park for $54,000. The amphitheatre was completed in 1941 and today it is used for Easter sunrise services, high school graduations, and nighttime concerts during the summer months. Everyone from the Beatles to Sheryl Crow to John Mellencamp has played at Red Rocks. This is a picture looking down at the stage from the top of the amphitheatre. From this viewpoint, I had the perfect view of downtown Denver which was about 45 miles away.



Today we took a drive out to Colorado Springs to tour the United States Air Force Academy. You talk about a gorgeous setting. The Academy is nestled up against the mountains and it's just breathtaking. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the Academy.





I felt it was an honor to be able to walk the grounds of the Air Force Academy...the only one of its kind in the United States, and one with so much history behind it. My heart swelled with pride and I truly felt blessed, and proud, to be an American. If you ever go to Colorado Springs, make an effort to visit the Air Force Academy. Guaranteed, it will be the highlight of your trip.