Ugg, My Birthday Party...

I had my birthday party in Central City this year.  And it was, well...it was something.  After lengthy debate with Allison K Peterson, I have decided that instead of blogging a you'll-be-so-mad-you-missed-it version of the night, I will tell how things actually turned out.  Which I believe might potentially be more entertaining for you.  And me.  

Central City is an old historic town in the Colorado mountains, originally founded as a gold mining town.  Growing up, my family would visit Central City to go to the opera there.  In the 90's the city added casinos - turning Central City and neighboring Black Hawk into weekend hot spots for Denverites.

What better place to party than a casino town, right?  So, on Saturday night my friends and I headed to the casinos.

  

Well, we soon realized that none of us are big gamblers.  However, given that Central City and Black Hawk attract sold out crowds this time of year, I assumed that the towns would also have great bars and fun dance floors.  

Nope.  Turns out the average age of those sold out crowds is about 75.  So, we roamed from casino to casino.  Not gambling.  Lying about gambling to get free drinks.  A mildly entertaining activity. 

Finally we landed upon the Easy Street Casino.  Which did not have a dance floor, but it did have a jukebox.  And a phone booth.  And no customers.  Things started to pick up for us!

  

The end of any night is traditionally when things fall apart, and this night was no different.  Some fights might have broken out on the walk home.  Maybe. 

And I know it was stupid, but I booked all of us to sleep in one hotel room to save money.  8 adults.  2 beds.  1 bathroom.  That happened. 

And yes, one member of our party wanted to smoke weed in the hotel room.  And when I told him to stop, he held it up to the smoke detector until all the smoke detectors on the entire floor went off.  That happened. 

And when I looked out the key hole, I saw the entire hotel management staff standing outside our door trying to decide what to do with us.  That happened. 

And once all our lights were out, yes, the fire department did bang on our door.  And firemen did walk around the 4 people sleeping on air mattresses to check the smoke detector with flashlights.  That happened. 

And of course none of us slept at all due to several incredibly talented snorers.  That happened. 

Eye roll. 

I would really like to thank my phenomenal friends who drove all the way up to an old folks home for my birthday party and had a great time with me.  And for forgiving me for yelling at them to just go to sleep.  It didn't quite turn out how I had envisioned it, but this birthday party will not soon be forgotten.  I loved it. 

(I mean, it even says No Smoking on the door...)

P.S. If you can find something in common from these pictures, I'll give you a [gluten free] cookie:

Give Thanks

Last night I was joined by my middle school best friend at my birthday dinner.  Tonight I am meeting up with another group of my middle school friends. 

Which got me thinking: how lucky are we, that we get to keep some friends for life?

So, while I normally try to avoid trendy Facebook lists, I feel compelled to honor the things that I am truly thankful for in 2012. 

1.  My first period class.  If I told you the makeup of this class, you would be appalled.  However, these students have gelled together to push each others as learners, while also making time to quiz me/advise me on my love life daily.  

2. Gramma Kinghorn.  She is always up to hang out.  Plus, her stories become more exaggerated each year. "I'm telling you, baby doll, your grandfather hit a MOOSE!  Maybe it was a deer.  No, no, definitely a moose!"

3. Crystal Light Peach Mango Green Tea.  Because I'm not really into the taste of water.  And this stuff is addictive.  But at least I'm hydrated, right?

4. The Mill Levy of Aurora was approved by the voters.  My school district can now use this money to give me a raise for the first time in 3 years.  Thank God!

5. Over 300 days of sun a year!  I am not a winter girl.  I hate, hate, hate being cold.  I am so grateful that even during the winter, the sun shines and everyone goes outside to play!

6. Sunday morning FaceTime conversations with Alyssa.  Thank you Apple for inventing a way for me to re-cap/over-analyze the previous night's gossip with my best friend without having to leave my bed.  

7. Bear Broyles. My heart. 

8. The freedom to say, believe and act as I see fit.  There are so many people of the world without the freedom or opportunity to be who they dream to be.  I am so thankful for my freedom. 

9. Second chances.  I am thankful of the opportunities to start anew and rediscover myself.  This year, I will reintroduce myself to Saint John's Cathedral.  It's time to make you a weekly home. 

10. The BroylesDaigleKinghorn family.  Always there.  Always willing to listen and entertain.  My foundation. 

The Bear Necessities

I have found no greater joy and no greater challenge than being a single parent to Bear Broyles.  (And I teach 17 year old boys all day...)

Some days I find it nearly impossible to not scream at him.  

Whether it is his ongoing fear of babies, or the fact that he prefers to pee in the middle of the sidewalk (his highness hates getting his feet wet on the grass) - every day I am pushed to the limits of my patience. 

And yes, one might think that the chewing would subside after the first year.  However, I am getting the impression that we are just getting started. 

A good friend of mine lost her dog this week in a freak accident.  The terrifying story has haunted me for days.  I have been reminded that tomorrow is not promised to us, not even a tomorrow with our beloved canines. 

So, yes, Bear I think I can fit in the dog park after work today after all. 

And you're right.  You do deserve one of the fancy treats. 

I know.  It's my fault for leaving your new coat out where you could grab it.  Ha!  I can almost imagine how your tail must have wagged as you shredded out that lining. 

I love that you chewed up the coffee table.  It gives me incentive to save for a new one. 

And thank you for carefully ripping out the insoles of my new Toms, while leaving the rest of the shoe untouched.  I love the comfy new insoles I bought better than the originals anyway. 

Because at the end of the day, the bare necessity of life is loving every creature for what they are (although I might need to call in his trainer again...).  Bear's not perfect.  But, honestly, neither am I - and he still loves me more than I can understand. 

So, I thank God for the opportunity to spend another day with my wimpy, squirrel-obsessed, allergic-to-everything, drop-dead-gorgeous puppy dog.  Amen.