Sunday Hike

This hike kicked my butt, I'm not going to lie.  We walked a few yards, then I would have to stop and catch my breath, go a few more, then stop again.  It was frustrating to say the least, but I decided to "take a lot of photos", a great excuse for me to stop and enjoy the scenery (and breathe!). The trail was dog friendly, so we saw a lot of pups, which Zia enjoyed.  And the fresh stream running alongside made for a great drinking spot.

Hopefully next time I can get myself up the trail with more ease! 

Life in Colorado, so far

Left to right: Little Man Ice Cream night, a kitty in the window, my Penny cat, new Ikea rug, many days spent at Starbucks, view of Breckenridge, local artist in LoDo, the mess of unpacking, and the first view of Denver on moving day.

Anyone else Instagram? 
Let's be friends: my_simple_story <-- that's me.

Thursday night in Denver

Denver Museum of Nature and Science -- Science Lounge part 2

The last Science Lounge we attended was all about outer space; this time we went on a scavenger hunt, Indiana Jones style. We had to solve puzzles at different stations within the museum, each time you answered correctly, you received a clue to find the ultimate treasure.  We were not quite as gung-ho as the other adventurers - I'm talking running through the museum - but we did eventually solve the puzzles, in a walking fashion, and felt pretty accomplished.  And yes, one of the challenges was digging a clue from a box of meal worms.  Sick.  Out.

adult beverages + a night at the museum + friends = a really great Thursday night in Denver. 

I don't have a choice, but I still choose you

It's a Civil Wars kind of day.
And since I can't go back to their concert, I am left listening to the album from Itunes, on repeat.

This song is really beautiful, in a haunting kind of way, if that makes any sense.  It just sticks with you.
And the video is really no exception.

Enjoy



PS - Can you believe they are married? Oh, and not to each other?! 

One word: IKEA!

 

We wanted to take a trip to Ikea while my parents and their trailer were still with us in Colorado, so the day after moving in, we made it to the GIGANTIC home store. 

I’ve had the Expedit bookshelf on my mind for a really long time (I blame the lusting mostly to Pinterest which makes it oh, so easy) and since online shopping isn’t available, we drove to the new Denver location.  New location = crazy town, though we pressed on.

We bought the bookshelf plus a few other things for the new apartment.  Look at the excitement on my face!  It was a hugely successful trip.

Once we got home my dad and Ryan got to work on the bookshelf…

I’m in love.

We made it

view from our patio

You all, we made it to Colorado!  Yeah!  Still no Internet, which explains my absence, but I'm finding coffee shops this week to catch up on E-mails and look for jobs (and watch the TV shows I missed, let's be honest).  First stop today was Starbucks because there is one within walking distance, but I'm hoping to find some local shops around town too.

I'll have more posts coming this week about decorating our new apartment, Ikea shopping(!), and our Sunday hike with the pup.

We are LOVING our new city and I can't wait to share more of it.

Here's a glance back at moving day...
It went a little something like this:

Moving Day Extravaganza from Kendra Grimm on Vimeo.

Saying, "see ya later"

We don't do goodbyes.

Only see ya later's!

 

Packing unveils treasures

While we were de-cluttering, boxing, and packing our things for the big move, I came across a note that I received back in 9th grade biology class.

I remember the teacher and I really didn't get along too well.  One day he was teaching about something that I couldn't understand - no idea what it was now though - and I asked if he could go over the subject once more.  I was denied the request, I got upset, cried a bit (emotional teenager? absolutely), and then was shuffled out into the hall to have a "talk".  What a jerk.

While I was in the hall with the teacher, a very quiet spoken, some called "troubled" boy named Daniel was writing me the kindest note.  I found it on my desk when I returned.

I write you a letter of encouragement.  I understand your frustration with school, the tremendous pressure to do well.  I myself failed for awhile and I gave up hope, but now even though there is little hope for me, I still try my hardest.  Always try your hardest to strive for your goals.  You are an inspiration to everyone like me.  Cordially, David

I'm not one to keep many things, but this was something that made me feel so grateful and loved and overwhelmed that humanity could be good.  Was good.  That I kept it all this time.  I guess you never really know who is waiting, just around the corner, to give encouragement.  And one who could leave a mark on your heart forever.  I still think about him and hope he didn't give up either.

We're Moving!

 We're moving to Denver, CO!

Ryan accepted a perfect-for-him job, so we will be saying goodbye to Oklahoma and helllooooo to Colorado next week!  Can't wait to share with you all the new sights and sounds and smells, our neighborhood, new favorite places to eat and explore, the list goes on and on.  Eeeeeeee!

(image via we heart it)

Get your Etsy On!

         
Today my dear friend Valerie opens her new Etsy shop, Dottie Adele!!

(You will remember her from our Skype sewing dates where we made scarves, a laptop cozy, groovy hostess aprons, and bloomers, among many other posts of our travels together.)  She has a beautiful collection of skirts, dresses, and tops in an array of colors.  I can't tell you how much thought and hard work went into each piece of clothing, it's a dream coming to life.  Val is an incredibly talented lady and I'm so excited for this opportunity for her to share her sewing talent and unique designs with each of you. 

-- Enter her giveaway she's hosting in celebration of the new shop --

Rainy Saturday

Oklahoma was graced by a thunderstorm this afternoon. 

I knew it was coming solely from the smell in the air.  Do you know what I'm talking about?  It "smells like rain", as people say.  It's one of my favorite smells in the world.

Nothing made for a better Saturday evening than the sound of rainfall on the windows and The Princess Diaries on TV.  Not ashamed to say that I've always loved that movie.  Even own it on VHS!  You know, the bulky plastic tapes housed in even bigger puffy plastic cases.  Ah, the good ol' days. 

Currently...

(sonya via Design Crush)

attempting to // not melt away on the walk from my workplace to the car.  It's quite a feat, I'm telling you.

excited about // a lunch out today - maybe Red Cup or Big Truck Tacos?  Two of my OKC favorites.

listening to // Lissie - I really can't get enough of this girl. Specifically the song, "Record Collector" because it makes me want to dance every time I hear it.

loving // Harry Potter.. still...

hating // the little gray bugs that killed our zucchini plans, arrrg. 

looking forward to // my mom visiting next week! 

reading // a really engaging book titled Sarah's Key, which I just saw a movie preview for too.  Not that I'm complaining, but what is with all the books made into movies these days?? 

stumbled upon // paint chip art.  cheap? interesting? crafty?  yes, please.

watching // too much reality TV + the Kennedy's miniseries on Netflix. 

spending time // in the pool as much as possible!

*Currently... in June.

Love is

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

A Musical Catchup

Last Tuesday night I met up with my friend Josh, whom I've known since high school.

We hadn't seen each other in a year (I believe?), which is way to long!  Though when we finally met up, it seemed as if only days had passed since we saw each other last.

Don't you love friendships that never miss a beat?

He works with The Academy, a band that's part of Drum Corp International (DCI), and basically tours the country competing in shows, living on buses, and spending nights in random gymnasiums.  It's quite the life. Thankfully for me, the tour made it's way to the OKC area. 

The Academy had a really great show that night.  And I made sure to look for all the extra visuals too - that's josh's job.

Despite the high temperatures as of late, it was a really beautiful night.  I had a great time reminiscing about our high school marching band days and catching up on life with my good friend.