Colorado Kimmie

I came across some pictures the other day of fond memories on my trip in 2007 to Hawaii.  My brother, retired Military, was stationed in some pretty locales.  But, Hawaii may have been one of my favorites.  The cool thing about my brother is, he should have been a travel agent/trip advisor.  He can really put together the best experiences when people come to visit.  For my trip in 2007, he typed out an itinerary, and for years I held on to it.  So here's just some cools things to see when you visit Honolulu, HI, compliments of my brother (and I added some of my personal experiences as well): Yes, this is me in my 20's rather proud of my delicate Scotch Irish skin tone!  Believe me, copious amounts of SPF's were involved in the making of this photo. Get Lei'd at the Airport: Once you rest your sea legs into the airport in Oahu, the Hawaiian greeters will welcome you with a fresh flower lei.  This is an exceptional way to arrive to a new...

I watched this movie last night that was actually pretty heavy.  I mean, I went into the journey after reading a short synopsis that didn't being to cover the weight as the story unfolded.  The plot wasn't based off a true story, but it very well could have been.  As I watched it, some non-repressed childhood memories came into mind.  This movie, by the way, is called, "Teacher", and I rented it on Amazon Prime.   It's about a high school English teacher up for tenure who advocates relentlessly against bullying.  The main character, the teacher, endured bullying as a child (shown through a series of flashbacks both at home and at school).  Now as an adult, he sees the bullying unfolding in the hallways and classrooms of his school, which triggers the all the aforementioned flashbacks.  He sets out on a mission to protect the victims which seems highly legit and sensitive and way outside his pay scale.  However, everything quickly tu...

 Last Thursday I headed out with a good friend of mine from Poudre Canyon to Routt National Forest + Cameron Pass and hiked up to the base of Never Summer Range.  Our purpose in this hike was (for me) to learn mindfulness and for my friend (to fight addiction).  I'm not sure about you, but I always like to set out on a mountain journey with some purpose (whether it be to find my mind or lose it).  Honestly, though, the true purpose of this saunter didn't hit me until about mid-hike, when my friend encouraged me to listen to nature.  Prior to that, I just wanted to see a moose at the creek bed or maybe a Rock Marmot (please, stop and YouTube Rock Marmot right this minute...you'll thank me later..). However, being a city girl from the South, I'm not completely aware of my surroundings like you should be in Colorado. And, I'll be the first to admit...I don't know the musky smell of a moose or a mountain lion.  I wouldn't know if I was hunted.  Ki...

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far!  It seems like there has been a dreary cloudy fog for three days last week here in Colorado, which is so weird.  Colorado IS the sunshine state.  All is well though, because I woke up and could see the mountain range again.  All is right with the world again.  These past two days have been gorgeous.  Blessed be the fruit. In my first blog post, I asked if anyone had any requests or suggestions he or she would enjoy me writing about, and well, leave it to my little brother to make the suggestion: "An Eventful Yet Embarrassing Childhood moment".  Crazy how there have been so many.  But, Jon was kind enough to refresh my memories to the FedEx St. Jude Classic of my awkward middle school existence. Growing up, I played softball, my brother played baseball, we went to Braves baseball games at Atlanta Fulton Statdium (back when tumbleweed blew through the stands and well before the Braves won t...

Now, an avid fitness junkie (and foodie), would it surprise you to know that eight years ago, I was a world champion couch potato, smoked a pack a day, ate absolute crap, and felt like poo all the time?  Yes, I was a smoker.  And, "how can this be, Kimmie?"- you may be inclined to ask.  Honestly it all started back in college at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville circa 1997-2002. Pre-Zoom and other cyber conference methods, we used to meet "old skool" in the University library for our study sessions and group projects.  And, they were all smoking rooms!!  It's hard to believe that now while we have "Non-Smoking" sections of public sidewalks!  My mom worked in an Engineering office where all of the ladies smoked right there at their desk!  So, yea, it hasn't been that long ago that our smoking rules/culture have changed in the USA.  Additionally, I grew up in tobacco country, the South! Anyways, I digressed there...oh yea, so it was one night ...

So, my 41st was also Cinco de Mayo AND Taco Tuesday.  It was a trifecta of awesome-salsas, even if we did quarantine a little.  So, my good friend Abby came over to help me celebrate my completed voyage around the sun.  And, I asked her if she would break out her lens, because this hippie chick has some serious candid camera skills.  Thank you so much, Abby Henry @PetCandids #FollowonIG, for capturing this day for me.    So reals quick like, I wanna take this moment to tell you guys how I met Abby.  I was needing some human interaction pretty bad since quarantine.  And, I decided to cross the street and introduce myself to the owner of the liquor store.  Super swell guy.  He has his Doctorate and teaches business at the local community college.  Anyways, I was in my extroverted mode when I looked around and saw two of the cutest dogs walking by in sweaters and bow ties and nearly soiled myself.  Yes...