Our story so far

On Memorial Day Weekend, 2007, Paul and I packed up our dogs and started our great adventure. We moved to South Fork, Colorado from Flagstaff, Arizona so Paul could start his new job with the Forest Service.

During our first year, we accomplished several mountain musts. While camping, we were nearly cutoff from civilization by a never ending rainstorm that caused a massive mudslide down out only escape route. Paul hit a deer in my car. Actually, a deer jumped onto my car and very nicely dented my hood and took a mirror with him. Both Paul and deer were fine. Our house froze completely. When we got home in the afternoon from being out of town, it was a balmy 12 degrees in our house. So... no running water for several days. I slide off a road and into a snowbank and had to call my boss to come dig me out. One of our dogs was skunked... in the face... in the dead of winter. It was too cold to leave him outside after we washed him, and he kept sneaking into our bedroom in the middle of the night. Very lovely smell.

Not every experience since coming to the mountains has been such a test of sanity. All of the camping trips, even the rained out one, have been in the most beautiful settings I have ever seen. The grass and trees here are a green that is so vibrant and so indicative of life. The lakes and rivers, though ice cold, are so clear and so fresh. You cannot go anywhere without seeing some sort of wildlife. We have even seen moose and are pretty sure our camp was almost invaded by a bear once. We have met some of the nicest people and made very loyal, selfless friends.

In January, 2008, Paul and I finally tied the knot. Not that we had been together for years, and years, but we were engaged for a nice long year. By January, it was about time. We honeymooned in Belize in the middle of the rain forest. Both of us agree that we would move there in a heartbeat, if we ever had the chance. Everyone moves at a slower, more relaxed pace there. The whole country is beautiful, and no matter how poor someone is, their yard is clean and their house is cared for.

In April, 2008, Paul and I came across an offer we couldn't refuse and bought a house. We have a nice log cabin style home on a huge double lot that backs against National Forest. We have deer, bears and turkey in our neighborhood. We have coyotes as well, but they freak me out. They get into our yard or hide just out of sight and yip throughout the evenings and into the night.

In June, 2008, Paul and I accomplished out most wonderful feat. I got pregnant. Because this blog is so long, I will start a new one at another time telling the beginning of our pregnancy story. All I can say to sum up this part of our story is, I have never been more happy (even while seriously pissed off) as I am with Paul. I want nothing more than I have right now, and I have never been more at peace with myself. My time with Paul has made me a better, more understanding and patient person, and I like to hope I have taught him how to have a sense of humor and live a little more freely. Paul and I are complete opposites. He is quiet and centered, and I am loud and scattered. I like to dance with our dogs and pretend my life is an opera, while Paul likes to sit quietly in the woods or listen to music... as opposed to making it. Since we have been together. Paul has started dancing with the dogs and will occasionally sing along with the radio. I have learned how to be quiet while hiking so that maybe I can see an animal. As you read our stories. Please keep in mind how Paul and I came into this relationship, and you may see the sense of humor in how we have changed over time.