I walked by a window that had the blinds slightly cracked...

I walked by a window that had the blinds slightly cracked and the color streaming in was otherworldly. I had to go outside. Here's a completely unedited photo of the sunset.

Skate Update:

Skate Update:

Me and Shaun went back to the same park today. I didn't fall at all. I practiced "bubbles" and using my brakes.

If you don't know what bubbles are it's probably easier for you to see it on YouTube than for me to explain it, but it's basically starting with your heels in a pizza (or "V" shape), rolling forward to a comfortable width and then continuing forward eventually ending up with your toes in a pizza. I tried my hardest yesterday but could not do it. I did them today, though, and even did some backwards! You kind of need to do a squat and squeeze your legs open and closed when you do them and when I tell you that I probably looked like the Hulk tryna take a dook on the ball court I am being so serious. 😂😂😂 I was squeezing with everything I had! I feel like I'm gonna feel those "bubbles" tomorrow. 😂😂😂

Anyway, I also used my toe stop some. First time ever! It was scary because I think I lean forward when skating so dragging a toe propels the rest of me forward and I feel like I'mma fall on my face. Shaun told me to stand up straighter and that made a huge difference. I probably exaggerated that move, too. I'm pretty sure I puffed up like a bird who was about to fight. 😂 I bet I look ridiculous as hell when I'm skating but at least I'm having fun!

We took a different route today and found another park. One with a pool and an observatory, and OH YEAH - A SKATE PARK! 🤯🤯🤯 Like 5 minutes from our house! There were adults and kids out there skating and it looked so fun. Maybe once I'm a little more sure on my feet I'll have the nerve to go there. I definitely don't yet. It's a little small and I'm just not into running anyone's kids over.

Also, I reached out to a local derby team and they were super welcoming. I'm planning on going to skate practice with them on Tuesday. I'm really excited. I'm sure it'll be fun and maybe I'll learn some stuff and even make some friends. I'll let y'all know how that goes. 😊

Chilly morning.

Chilly morning.

Cozy pups.

Yesterday morning Shaun burned a wax melt.

Yesterday morning Shaun burned a wax melt. I noticed when I woke up that the glass holding the wax had been tilted and wax was pouring down the wall.

Yesterday evening I was chilling on the couch with the cats and started to get a headache from too much smell. I checked around to make sure nothing was lit and even went to Shaun's game room to see if he had incense burning or something. Nope.

Was talking to Shadow this morning and he mentioned that Balthazar had something in his chest fur that smelled nice.

Balthazar was the cat cuddling near my face yesterday. Apparently, he's the one who bumped the wax warmer and also gave me a headache.

Mysteries solved. 😂😂😂

Soo... skating went better than expected.

Soo... skating went better than expected. We went to the park near our house. There is what used to be an outdoor basketball court that no longer has hoops that me and Shaun skated on. There were some gravels and some cracks and it wasn't perfectly even, but it was good. I spent some time on YouTube last night watching videos on how to fall and how to handle rocks and cracks and all that since I knew I'd likely not be on a perfect surface. I believe it paid off. 😁

So I only fell once but I took the advice of Indy Jamma Jones and took a knee when I knew I was going down and much to my shock it didn't hurt at all. 🤯 I mean, I was wearing padding (safety first!) but that was pretty cool. Getting back up was more of an ordeal. 😂😂😂 In my defense I lost my balance going over one of the gnarlier cracks so it wasn't like I just went down without cause. What's dumb is that I'd gone over it a few times already, but faster. When I hit it slow it was no good. Now I know.

I tried skating when I got home but my cul-de-sac is on a hill and while I know in my head the moves I need to do to go up a hill I am clearly not there yet. 😂😂😂 Also, the road is nice but wayyy bumpier then where we went earlier and I had trouble even going perpendicular to the hill. So I need more practice.

At the suggestion of a friend I looked to see if there is a derby team in my area and there is. They practice a few times per week so I've sent them a message to see if I can come along. I'm excited and I hope to hear back soon. Maybe they'll get me rolling fancy in short order. 😃

Freshly re-laced with toe caps on.

Freshly re-laced with toe caps on. About to take these beauties to the park (a regular park, not a skate park yet) and see if I can stay upright. 😂😂😂 I have padding and a helmet now so hopefully it'll be fun either way.

Super wishing it wasn't a pandemic and that I felt comfortable going to a skating rink. I never got to go a ton when I was younger but always enjoyed it when I did. Maybe things will be safer next year and I can have my 40th birthday party at a rink. That sounds amazing. 😁😁😁

I hope you all are having a nice Saturday. I'm about to get some exercise and sunshine. ❤️❤️❤️

We went to Sandia Crest today.

We went to Sandia Crest today. It was a beautiful drive up. We even saw a deer.

There's a "Snow Play" area that I imagine will have snow soon. I wonder if that's exactly what it sounds like. 😂 Lots of trails and picnic areas to explore. Shaun is excited. He loves mountains. I'm less athletic but I'm up for the exercise.

Afterwards, we had a little dinner date. Shaun and I needed a getaway. I ate a strawberry crêpe for dessert. It wasn't flaky like I remember from French class in high school, but it was tasty. All in all it was a pretty nice day. 😊