Colorado Clips

Okay, so i've been home for over two weeks now and haven't posted anything. I know that's a bad thing... but what do you do when the poetic and bloggist muse has abandoned me in favour of warmer climates in the southern hemisphere of the world? I believe you might find her lounging on a beach chair with her mythical feet dangling in the azure blue waters of an obscure Caribbean island whilst the gentle zephyrs play with her golden locks and her treasonous eyes peruse the tranquil scene around her, the peace, the warmth, the knowledge that she doesn't have to work at all at the moment because those who normally would request her help are sadly unaware of her whereabouts.
Leaving our little muse in her beach chair, i shall proceed to speak of locales that have slightly different climates. Colorado, for instance. I made my sleepy way there on the 28th of December all by my lonesome. I managed somehow to remain awake enough to board the flight to Colorado and not to Barbados or other destinations (although it would have been significantly warmer, i just didn't pack for such an occasion!) I was met at the Denver Airport by Brenda and by Nancy's dad, Mr. Koning. They doggedly drove through weather that would give gray hairs even to a polar bear but finally managed to deposit us safely at Josh's Mom's doorstep. We were welcomed with open arms by the entire Koning clan and it was nice to see that they made it all in safely as well.

Friday morning saw a flurry of activity take place as we started working on the flowers and the dresses got last minute alterations and several other tasks were completed. Then we trooped off to the church to see what sort of decorating and food-serving opportunities there were. With lots of elbow grease, an occasional laugh and a large army of volunteers, the church was outfitted for the upcoming nuptuals. Then came the rehearsal during which we all practiced walking down the aisle to make sure we could do it without errors. We learn fast apparently cause then we were off to the dinner. Yummy shrimps made their last home in my stomach and then I was off on my own little adventure to pick my friend Joyce up at the Colorado Springs airport at 11 pm. Unfortunately due to the fact that Colorado Springs apparently has one of the worst snow removal crews, a normally 20 minute drive took me nearly an hour! Crazy even for a snow-hardy Canadian. But i found my aussie friend and was glad to see she arrived in one piece with her last minute plans. Friday night was spent at a hotel with Nancy, Brenda, Laurie, Joyce and myself all attempting to catch a few hours of shut-eye before the big day.

Getting ready for the big day!

Saturday morning - the big day was finally here! Nancy and her girls headed off to the hairdresser's to get fancied up and we sorta took over the place, snapping pictures and drinking tea and trying on the veil! Fun times! When we were all ready to go, the weather had finally cleared up enough for us to see some of those wonderful Colorado mountains (i'd post pics but apparently the computer's having indigestion at the moment and won't co-operate!). I kept teasing all the Coloradans that i didn't believe that they actually had mountains for the first day and a half that i was there since it was foggy/snowy and the peaks were hidden. But they emerged with all their proud towering majesty just in time! I love mountains. The last time i saw them was in the Alps in Switzerland and Austria. So awesome!!
Then we were off to the chapel to get married - or at least one of us was.... We got ourselves hoisted into our bridesmaids dresses and then a co-operative effort got Nancy all outfitted with wedding dress, running shoes and jewelry. She looked beautiful. Then pictures - smile, smile and smile some more! But it was all in good fun and we were happy to be a part of it all! The ceremony was at 2 pm and the bride wasn't late or early, just precisely on time! Nancy's nephews and nieces did a wonderful job as r0se-bearers and we didn't trip or fall or lose our bouquets or anything along the way. The ceremony seemed quick and then all of a sudden, Nancy was married!!! Oops, i should say Nance and Josh were married! Congratulations to you both!

Will it fit??Nancy looking radiant
The reception and dinner was lots of fun too... family provided a lot of special skits and entertainment and we were both amused by power-point presentations from both sides of the family. Extra entertainment was provided by the chocolate fountain!!! Fun times! Though i kept losing my bananas in the pool of brown delight! Oh well. By around 8 pm we had cleaned up and we were cleaned up. We were so ready to kick off our shoes and relax. We had a nice glass of champagne and lounged around at the hotel in a well-deserved break whilst Nancy and Josh headed off on their honeymoon to Hawaii!!

Sunday was church at 11:30 and then we did a little sight-seeing at the Garden of the Gods - a beautiful red rock formation. Made us feel like aspiring Ansel Adams' proteges! Lots of pics to be sure! And then New Year's Eve. We spent it at the hotel trying desparately to stay up to midnight but wondering outloud whether we shouldn't just celebrate Ontario's New Year so we could retire two hours earlier. Hmm.. we weren't too wise but stayed up to ring in the new year and then promptly went to bed only to get up around 3 am to head for the airport for our early morning flights. I said goodbye to the other girlies and climbed aboard a shuttle bus which drove me two hours north to Denver from where my flight was departing. And so ended another adventure - albeit a quick, whirlwind one, it was fun and made lots of memories. Hopefully i'll get the chance to come back and enjoy some skiing in good old Colorado.

Beautiful red rocks in the Garden of the Gods