It's been a long...time

Wow. Can't believe November 5th is the last time I blogged... It's been hard to find time since we bought this house. When I go to bed at night I hit the pillow and am OUT, then when the alarm goes off I hit the snooze three times, turn it off, then sleep some more and then mumble about how much I hate to get up, as I get up 30-45 minutes late and jump in the shower to quickly get ready for work.

Saw the movie "Recount" the other nite about the dirty doings that went on in Florida when Gore was running for President (year 2000). Pretty disappointing. Tried to watch it with an open mind, but it was difficult. Seeing my big pic of Obama on the blog reminded me.

I should get off the computer since I'm supposed to meet Sam & Kim at the Draw this a.m. Not feeling so psyched, but I love to climb with those ladies. They are TOP NOTCH!

Here's some pics of Rich and I climbing...fun fun....

WOOOOOOOOO!!! YEAH!!! HAAAA!

I am so emotional about the Obama win, nearing tears all morning, as I listened to the news. I have never been so proud to be an American and from INDIANA - first time they were blue state since 1964!!! The words that come to my mind when I think of our new president and the country that voted for him are pride, integrity, hope, honesty, responsibility. It feels like a new era of positive thinking.

Last night I was listening to NPR talk about the tragic state of the Republicans and the good fortune of the Democrats (due to the economic problems of late). It seems we are continually pinned against each other. This is the first time I have felt we have the chance to be for one cause - AMERICA - not blues or reds.

I also have hope for foreign affairs. In past years I chose to pretend I was Canadian while visiting other countries, not because I did not want to be American, but because we were not liked in the places I went. I learned from those I became close with it was because they could not understand how America could vote for Bush and go along with certain policies, actions and gluttony in the face global warming, starvation, oil shortages.

I have hope. Thank you America (and Indiana) for voting for Obama!

The Great Wall of ..sunnyside?

Big mistake, building a wall out of 30-200 lb sandstone blocks before going climbing. We probably gathered a 2000 lbs of rock today. We dug some of it up, moved some. It was all over the yard. We started the wall that will hold our patio (an extension to what we now have). I saw probably every type of spider in Northern AZ and all sizes of centipedes. Luckily no scorpions.

After doing that for 2-3 hours we went to the climbing gym because it was raining. When I grasped the holds my shoulders felt like my arms were coming out of their sockets and I was moving in slow motion. And, I'm sure I spit on myself a couple times as I was struggling to make it up a 5.10.

Ipo had to go home :( I think we wish to adopt her.

She's Ba-ack!

We're dogsitting Ipo today-Champ is soo Happy!

I wanted to make my come-back on Halloween--thought it would be more appropriate, but couldn't make it. Had to have a mini-date with my Man.

So, we've been homeowners for a month and two days. I got sick the day we closed escrow. I was feeling a little under the weather the couple days before that and then it hit. It's been a long, long trip back to health and I'm not all the way there. Thank goodness Martel, Laura and Margot came over and helped me clean the new place; it was really dirty. And then Stan, Adam and Curt helped us move. I had to go to the dr. twice in a week for antibiotics-a nasty case of bronchitis.

I did a lot of climbing before getting sick and I was in better shape than I'd been in a long time. It felt great! Setbacks. Oh well, really outta my control...

I was thinking about how sick I got after our wedding. It lasted the same amount of time. I suppose high excitement and stress do these things...

Speaking of the wedding...Rich and I celebrated our 2-year anniversary on the 21st. The second year is supposed to be the cotton year - so I should have gotten Rich a shirt or something, but I like wood so I got him a butcher block.


I can't wait until next year, it's the leather year...

We went to the Asylum with Trish and Pete somewhere around there. It was awesome, beautiful! I'm looking forward to getting to climb there this winter (and being in shape again to climb there).

This past week I got to climb at the Draw with Sam & Trish. It was such a gorgeous day and even tho I didn't have the endurance to climb all day, it was fun to be out with the girls.

I grabbed some attention with a pouch of tuna.

There was a rock that you always had to put a pad on at the beginning of this problem.
That's right, we moved it.

Trish climbing under Bad Ass roof.

Looks like Sam's sending...

Today was a work day around the house. It's really starting to come together. It feels so good. I think we may start building the wall around our eventual patio tomorrow or soon. Rich has done so much work outside. I've done more cleaning in the last month than I've done in the last two years. Epic.

We went bouldering at the Western Draw late in the day. I could've taken a nap, but it was so nice to get out. The weather has been incredible lately-70 deg and sunny- and a slight breeze today. Rich found his new proj.

We did it!

We are now officially homeowners. Just got the key a couple hours ago. We went a bought a new frig tonight. Sort of scary, big purchase after big purchase, but I think we'll be happy with it. Now the work really begins. After a trip to home depot for lots of miscellaneous stuff and some bug bombs we went over to the house. We didn't have a light and wouldn't be able to find the switch on the fuse box in the dark, so we shined the car lights in the windows . We sat in the loft for a minute, taking it in, showing Champ his new home. It felt good, comfortable (even without cleaning). Then we set off 5 bug bombs. It should be pretty toxic in there-even for humans. Can't wait to start making it our home and moving in. Hard to believe this really has happened. Oh and on the way out we saw a skunk in the back yard, pacing the fence. It was sooo big that it's tail was almost as tall as the fence. Really pretty, but making me think twice about a dog door.

flr

A Day with da Ladies...

Here's Martel going up the 5.6 that feels a lot harder.

Went out with a bunch of really awesome ladies today to The Overlook basalt cliff: Martel, Margot, Melinda, Mary and Laura. Laura and I did not fit in with the "M" theme, but were still valuable members of the team.

Melinda on another 5.6 that she made look like 5.0.

Laura hadn't been climbing since having her kids, and Martel and Melinda were first-timers. Everyone did a great job and was so supportive of everyone else. Lots of laughing and fun. I told those girls this climbing thing is addictive so we'll see if their faces become commonplace at the crags.


I didn't have time to take any photos, so there are just a few and I don't even know who took these. A fabulous day!

OMG !!!!

My hands are stinging...nothing like climbing dacite overhanging crack without tape...owe! I've had a lot of great climbing days lately, but I'd have to say this was the best. These routes at the area on Elden are pretty much the best routes I've been on since I don't know when. Everything from 5.9 to 5.11 is ultra-classic. Felt like I was getting sick, but once I conquered the hike nothing was stopping me from climbing. This is Rich at the start of his first route. He's digging it already.

Looking up at three of the routes we did. They are even better than they look. Bomber gear.

This pic is for Jamie. Rich is still working on his technique, Jamie. Can you come help him??

Climbed til' I was shakey, hungry and weak. It appeared to be nearing dusk, though it wasn't as late as we thought. So beautiful, pretty quiet -- I didn't mind the howling dogs -- made me laugh and can't think of anything I'd rather be doing besides climbing here with my man! Thanks guys! To bed at 8 ... so le tired.

Up before the crack

of dawn...guess I'm just too excited since I signed all our loan papers yesterday. Seems like we are really going to get a house. Overwhelmed with excitement, I finished signing the last two papers and thought - wow, this part wasn't that hard and we're really getting a home!!! Tuesday is the big day - when we shell out an stack of cash, get the keys and buy a frig. Can't believe we're here. Found out the closing costs were much less than we expected... maybe I forgot to add in the money paid at escrow?? I don't know, but it was a welcome surprise. Packed a stack of boxes last night. I can now see the sunlight peeking through the clouds. Yeah!

The Western Drawl

Hey ya'all...went out to the Western Drawl yesterday. Got on Six-Shooter, Gun Slinger, Lasso and These Boots were Made for Climbing. Cool. It's like what I always wished the Draw was. Mantel practice was especially fun - and hellish.