The Life of a Nomad: Experience the Unexpected

This weekend Justin and I had the privilege of driving to Leadville, CO and heading about another half and hour south to a cabin in the mountains with a group of our friends. John a friend of Christin’s is the proud owner of the cabin. John incase you ever read this, thank you. Our memories that we have made and the joy we have been able to share has been a direct result of your spirit of generosity.
The individuals that were a part of this magical mountain cabin experience include: Christin, Justin, myself, Paul, Hannah, Phil, Sarah, Tyler, Michelle, Jonathan and Kandace. We had an absolute blast! Driving up late Friday evening, in the dark, it was truly magical to wake up Saturday morning and to look outside and see the spectacular view of the mountains. I went outside and used my Minolta (non-digital) camera with a roll of black and white film. I hope to have these photo’s developed soon, and I will most likely scan in a few favorites to post on the website.
It was really neat to observe various individuals partaking in a quite a lot of different activities. Some of the activities individuals pursued over the weekend include reading, journaling, playing chess, playing other board games, cooking, taking photos (I was not the only photographer in the group), knitting, crocheting, drawing, cuddling by the fire, hiking, snow shoeing, ice fishing, and probably a few other activities I forgot to include.
Oh, right! That’s one I forgot! Chopping wood. Justin and Phil used an ax to chop wood for the fire. Thanks guys!
I had a marvelous weekend and will treasure our time in the mountain cabin. Thank you Christin for allowing such a wonderful time to occur. And thank you again John for allowing us to enjoy your cabin and all of God’s beauty surrounding the cabin.

So far working at Starbucks is great! I love the people (coworkers and customers), the atmosphere (our location actually has a drive through with almost the highest traffic volume ever), we also have a really neat hang out multiple couch/lamp/cozy area, a bar to sit at (no alcohol served, only drugs, well caffeine), and it’s just a lot better than I ever could have imagined. We have all of our new Pumpkin Spice and Apple stuff for the fall already. It just came out on Tuesday. So, in addition to everything being new. All the pumpkin stuff is new to me also.

It’s much more complex and detailed than I ever could have imagined. So, when I don’t understand someone’s order, I kindly ask, “Could you please repeat that? I’m sure I missed something.”

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRUE STORY, SOMEONE ORDERED THIS DRINK TODAY:

They said, “I’d like a Iced Quad Venti Carmel Macchiato, with 4 pumps sugar free carmel, soy, no foam, 3 Splenda’s, no whip and extra carmel on top. Oh, with light ice and can you double cup that. My hand always gets too cold.”

And I say, “Yeah! Your Carmel Macchiato…lets just find a Sharpie and I can mark this cup here and….oh good a Sharpie. So, you want 2 cups. But only one drink. (every one smiles and chuckles). Now, you want what?”

This is when they choose to repeat it three times as quickly as the first time they stated their drink order, and I want to look at them and say ‘I drink it black, like my momma. What’s your problem.’ However I resist the temptation. And mark the cup to the best of my ability. CM for Carmel Macchiato, S (=soy), 4 Sgfr C, 3 spl, 4 (in the Shots box), lite ice, and I’m still marking their stupid cup. And grabing their second cup so their hand doesn’t freeze. WC with a line through it for no whip cream, and oh, yes, X C (Extra carmel on top). I’m not even sure if I marked the cup properly today.

My real problem is, that I am someday expected to be able to pick a cup that has been marked in the manner up and actually create the drink on the Expresso Bar. Overall, I am picking it up quicker than I thought I would. Who knows maybe someday Justin and I will own our own Coffee Shop. But for now, I’ve got to get it together and figure out how to make all of the fun, highly caffeinated, highly over priced drinks.

In addition, I am still loving the Farmer’s Market. Another plethora of fruit and vegetables. Again only $8. Wow!

In case you were wondering the zip-lock bag has fire roasted chile peppers. Sometimes they give these out for FREE. So, FREE chilies and 7 zucchini’s. Cantaloupe, Honey dew, a few squash, some beets, some red skin potatoes, and more, oh life is great!

And in case you were wondering. Justin and I went Rock Climbing this past Sunday with Mike, Virginia and our other new climbing buddies. I love climbing. And I’m a pretty good climber. (I’m humble too). It was my first time on rock mass that God naturally formed and not just a human manufactured wall with holds. Although the climbing technique, figure-8 follow through (a fancy knot), putting on a harness, and other technical basics are the same.

We also went to an awesome Baptism Party. Everyone brought food. This is our new friend Paul cooking

Carmalized Apple Chicken Pesto

in our kitchen. Well he made a separate dish of

Carmalized Apple Portabella Pesto

for us. I love the whole cooking in board shorts and flip flops concept! Paul is great and he works with me at Starbucks. But we originally met him through Blue Sky Church.

Needless to say, we have been loving Loveland. God has given us so many incredible surprises and so much excitement during our first month living here. And in a few weeks we have our first visitors, my mom and dad are flying out!