Official Announcement...

While most of you have probably already heard, it's always better when it comes directly from the source. After six years, Ben and I are splitting up. I've encountered many questions when telling my loved ones about this and can only do my best to answer those few, hard questions. Nothing bad happened. It was cumulative. We didn't "fall out of love" like some people say. We just stopped communicating, showing our love and being kind. With that said, we still want to be friends as much as we can. The splitting of the things has been much easier than expected, though I'm having a hard time leaving Riley behind. As I write this, he is sitting on my lap, with his head on the keyboard...which, by the way, makes this post that much harder to write! I move one week from today into an apartment and Ben will keep the house. Most of my readers are from his side of the family so I say this to you: I love you like you are my own family and as hard as this is to separate from Ben, I feel like I'm separating from you too. I only hope that we will still stay in touch and not lose contact completely. We both love you all and hope that you understand our wish to start the new year in a new direction. It wasn't a decision that was made lightly or without careful consideration. It also isn't one that is easy for either of us so your support is needed. This is a time when the family bond is tested and at the end of the day, your love and support will help heal our wounds.

Our love,

Ben, Rachel, Corky and Riley

Holidays

Christmas Day

Christmas, this year, came and went so fast! Before I knew it, it was New Years Eve! On Christmas day we spent the morning with Ben's family and the afternoon with mine. It was a good day. On New Years Eve, Ben was DJing for an anime convention so I just stayed home. The following night, however, my friend Becky and I went downtown with some friends and had a really good time. I go back to work tomorrow and am kind of ready but am also reluctant. I like having time off to spend with family and friends...but don't we all. I look forward to all that 2010 has to offer...out with anything toxic and in with everything healthy.


New Years Day

'Tis the Season...

I know it's been about three months since I've posted anything. I guess I got out of the habit and got busy with other things. Ben has been doing DJ jobs on the side for weddings and corporate parties. I have been working a lot. My new job keeps me very busy. This past week we had a confirmed case of H1N1 with a client. It was interesting to see people walking around with masks and gloves on. The holidays are also keeping us on our toes. I have been doing a lot of Christmas shopping and preparing. My friend and I are in charge of Secret Santa at work so that's been fun. I never really like the Christmas season but this year my view on the holiday has changed. I'm actually enjoying it. Ben and I are going to put up our tree this weekend hopefully so pictures of it will soon follow. My brother gets done with his deployment in Afghanistan next month and is coming to see us in February. I'm very excited about both. Corky and Riley are still as sweet and naughty as ever. Riley has a habit of sitting down wherever he wants, regardless of what he may sit on. Corky's face gets sat on often but he's such a good dog, he always just moves out of Riley's way. Corky ate holes in three pairs of pants this past weekend and I'm sure Riley just watched him do it. They both have their own personalities and mesh well together. Corky was limping pretty badly so we took him to the vet and they originally gave him medicine for arthritis. When that didn't work, we took him back. They ran x-rays and then told us to bring him back to see the orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon said he couldn't find anything wrong with Corky and that he needed to go get acupuncture. We have yet to send him there but he seems to be having more good days. All in all, that's what has been going on in our neck of the woods.

Bullock updates.

Corky is getting so old. He hobbles around, muscles tired and sore while Riley flies off the bed and runs laps from one end of the upstairs to the other. In some ways these two are so similar but their age difference is evident most of the time.

We had a little bit of snow here last week, on the last day of summer. I believe "what the crap?!" was my exact expression when I rolled into work wearing a wool sweater to stay warm. I love fall too much for it to be skipped over and run straight into winter.

Ben's been busy lately with his anime convention. He had a blast and did really well at the dance he DJs for. I wasn't there personally this year, but I hear it was great. He met some really great people there and has been spending time showing off his Rock Band skills for them.

My health has been really good lately (knock on wood) and I haven't been sick in a while. H1N1 has appeared in community corrections, along with some other illnesses but we haven't seen any in our facility yet. We really push good hygiene and I think that helps. One of my co-workers got a new dog (min pin) and she brings hers to work now...so we currently have an English Bulldog and a min pin running around regularly and sometimes a German Shepherd when our supervisor brings her dog to work. I haven't taken either dog to work yet, though I have thought about taking Riley...Ben, however, doesn't want me to because then he will "start liking me more". I think it's too cute that he loves Riley so much.

Hope all is well in each of your worlds!

XOXO

Take me out to the ball game...

...And that's exactly what my friend Liz did yesterday. She took me to my very first Rockies game! I had soooo much fun and got a little sun :) I guess a little farmer's tan never hurt anyone. Our seats were really good. We were right behind first base, 19 rows from the green. It was great!

Remembering Rosie

Remember Rosie the rabbit? She was Riley's favorite toy ever. He would cry if he couldn't find her..take her everywhere with him.












Well all that's left of her now is her ear..

Simple Pleasures

My sister decided not to get married after all, which I can't say that I'm upset about. I'm happy that she's not moving to Washington and she will be near me still. I don't know how some families do it. I could never be that far away from my mom or Elizabeth. Work is going well. I'm still learning and probably will be for a long time...but I like it. It keeps me busy. So busy in fact, that I had to resign from Excelsior altogether. That was kind of sad but also kind of time. I mentally let go of that place a while ago and now it was just time to make it official. The boys are doing well..still spoiled and naughty. Ben has his annual anime conference coming up and is looking forward to that. I'm looking forward to the fall...not that summer has been horrible but I love the fall when all the leaves change and it gets chilly outside at night. It's perfect! Ahhhh...the simple pleasures in life :)