Connie in Ouray

 There are so many December holidays that I hope I haven't missed one our neighbors celebrate.  Our holiday gift today was four and a half inches of snow, all during the day when we could enjoy it.  

 Although we're at 37 inches of snow for the season, we have had really warm temperatures and no snow since December 10th.  There are chances of snow in the upcoming days, best chance on Christmas, but I'm in a I'll believe it when I see it mode.   While Dustin and Alex (15) went on a ski holiday to Summit County, we got to cat-sit Beans, their brown tabby.  He was so much fun!  Unfortunately, Alex came home sick, but she said until that point, they were having a great trip. to be this relaxed... We got to meet our new neighbor, Ryan, who is renting Jason's tiny house for the next year.  He is so delightful.  He is working at the ice park and is a great addition to the neighborhood. Mike and I went to Colorado Springs on Wednesday, back yesterday...too many cars, too many people, too, too, too much.

 Rainee first started out with ballet, liked the outfits, but there wasn't enough movement.  Rainee is an active child.  Marchelle signed her up for hip-hop, and the result was great.  I had the privilege of seeing Rainee's performance in The Nutcracker yesterday, a musical with so many different types of dance, ballet, of course, tap, hip-hop, and some I couldn't identify.  The performers were age three to high school.  My mouth hurt from smiling, and I'm still smiling today.

 gorgeous!  We have six inches of new, light, fluffy snow, because it's so cold, and the neighborhood looks so beautiful.  I love it when the storm clears, and the new snow against a bright blue sky is so impactful.   We got this card from Marchelle, Aaron, and Rainee after Mirabella died, and the inside that Rainee drew is enough to make anyone cry.  It is unbearably sweet. That is Mirabella on the right side And for those of you who might be worried when you see Dempsey outside in the snow, we are not ignoring him.  He is in his happy place and comes in when he feels the need to.  

 It was a lovely cold night in downtown Ouray when the town tree was lit, the Jeep winner was announced - not me! - and the parade came down the street.  It's fun to see the children get so excited with the lights and sounds, and I'm always glad we go. Our very own Dexter! We have a snowstorm expected tomorrow, forecast for five to eight inches of snow in the town, which usually means more for us at a higher elevation.  I'll believe it when I see it. Marchelle, Alex, Rainee, and I had a girls lunch downtown yesterday, and we were surprised by the Grinch and his friend.  Rainee was so excited!

 We moved onto Mineral Farms Lane December 1, 2020.   There was snow.  The three guys from Two Men and a Truck (I know, false advertising!) showed up in shorts and were incredibly cheerful and helpful.   Rainee was only 20 months old, and she would go up and down the road wanting to say "hi" to everyone.  Watching her grow up - now in kindergarten - has been a highlight of living here. Snow is in the forecast for Monday, but it keeps changing from 1-3 inches to one inch to whatever.  I've learned in these four years to rejoice when it comes.  Mike and I snowshoed up the trail a few days ago.  Dempsey, for the first time since Mirabella has been gone, left the area of the house without having to be put on a leash.  Alex and Dustin have made an excellent trail, and there was good snow to be on.  We stopped at bear meadow because I'm still getting back into shape after surgery, etc., but the trail keeps going.   I'm anxi...

 The rain that came before the snow froze, and under every inch of snow at our house, there is ice, nasty, treacherous ice.  Mike and I have been working since Saturday to get rid of it, but it's thick and stubborn.  Fortunately, the temps will be in the 40s all week to help melt it.  Unfortunately, the temps will be in the 40s all week with no chances for precipitation of any kind for the foreseeable future.   All three of us, Mike, Dempsey, and me, are missing Mirabella terribly, so it was good to get away for a few days.  Dempsey loves Iron will Dog Lodge in Montrose, and he had such a great time, if the pictures they sent are any indication.  And any time I can get together with my sisters, it's going to be healing. Just a few pictures from a completely different environment: Me and sisters Claudia and Jan Ethel M's cactus garden decorated for Christmas. It is huge!