Signs of spring

Spring is right around the corner in Colorado and I'm really excited about the warm weather and things being green again. It also means that it is almost time for weddings and this year we will be attending 3 of them. Spring is one of my favorite seasons because everything is new and exciting. Its like seeing the world with new eyes every year and it is full of so much hope and potential. After 3 months of cold, dead, and uneventful days, the warm weather means no more being indoors. Its time to open up the windows, go hiking, biking, running, lounge outside with a good book, plant flowers, BBQ, wash the car...its time to start doing all the things I love again!

On that note, these are the things I'm appreciative of this week:

• Baseball - Yes I am a baseball dork. I spent many years loathing my family's love for baseball and then September 2007 came (and the World Series) and I fell in love with the Colorado Rockies and have been a diehard fan ever since. I took the day off to watch the first Rockies game of the season (as did the Husband), yes just to watch it on my TV, not go to the game. Baseball is one of the few things that I can truly relax and enjoy and the smells of Coors Field are something I look forward to all fall and winter. Baseball has also been a great way to meet people. While we were vacationing in Mexico, we were lucky enough to watch the World Series with a pitcher for the Houston Astros and his wife (who is now a Rockies) and we had a great time handing out with them every night while we were in Mexico. For Alan and I, that was huge. We NEVER talk to people and somehow we ended up talking baseball and made some great new friends.
• OtterBox employees - As most of you know, Alan works for a local company called OtterBox. He has been there for almost 8 years and over that period of time, there have been ups and downs. One thing that hasn't changed with the company is their endless support for the community and the employees. In the last few weeks, thanks to the generous donations of Otter employees, I have been able to raise over $400 dollars for the Japanese Red Cross by baking cupcakes and asking for donations. The best part of all is that Otter is going to match that donation 100%. While that money might not be a lot in the grand scheme of things, its an easy and delicious way to try to help make a difference.
• Patience - Whether its my patience for others or others people's patience with me, its something that is invaluable. Patience is a virtue so many people don't make time for and it really shouldn't be that way. Mostly this week though, I'm grateful that the Husband can be patient with me and deal with all the crazy freak outs I can have. Its a gift to know how to handle me 99% of the time.
• Strawberries - I can't go a week without being grateful about some sort of food. I LOVE strawberries. I could eat them until I'm sick but I don't. I've loved strawberries since I was a kid and they bring back fond memories of when my dad worked in the food service department at Bally's in Vegas. I always looked forward to when he would come home from work so I could see what fruit he would bring me home in his coat pockets. My dad always spoiled me and his pockets were usually stuffed with strawberries that were bigger than my hands. I love that my dad stole fruit for me. :)
• My cats - It's impossible to have a bad day when you come home to 3 adorable cats. They do the cutest things sometimes and you just can't help smiling. Sometimes I think they understand peoples emotions better than people do.

So that's it for this week. I'm looking forward to the weekend and being able to relax. We are going to the Denver Auto show this weekend with some of the Otter folks and then going to drive go karts. This is also the only weekend that I don't have to run on Saturday so I'm going to sleep it. This is going to be the weekend to enjoy the simple things in life.