29 Nicholson Ct.

I don't have my own photos of the new digs, but I wanted to post what I do have from the web. This is obviously the outside and as you can see it's not an end unit like I had in Utah, but it has a basement!!!! Can't tell you how excited I am about that. Anyway, I'm also including a link so that you can see the seller's photos. It's not my furniture and not my color of paint, but I think you'll get a good idea of my new place. Once I'm in I'll take some new pics and post them here.

Remiss in my blogging duties

I don't really have an excuse - just plain lazy I guess. I have had plenty of things happening here in Ohio. No, I didn't die (thank goodness!). But this is just a sample of what has been keeping me extra busy...

• school
• playing with niecer
• having a birthday date with niecer
• my spring break trip to utah
• suzi's visit to ohio
  
• buying a new travel trailer!!!!
• travel trailer maiden voyage
  
• buying a new condo!!!!!

Yep, I've been keeping busy, but I haven't been letting you all in on it! So please forgive me and enjoy the next few blog updates of my life this spring.

Maiden Voyage May 09

"The maiden voyage of a ship, aircraft or other craft," (such as a travel trailer), "is the first journey made by the craft after shakedown. Shakedown is a period of testing or a trial journey undergone by a ship, aircraft or other craft and its crew before being declared operational. A number of traditions and superstitions are associated with a maiden voyage."

I decided to stop there with quoting Wikipedia's definition of maiden voyage. They continued to talk about notable ones that ended in disaster and I didn't think that we needed to go there.

I dont' know what our traditions will be with Frita, but it certainly has been fun. Enjoy the pics!

Our first trip was to Hocking Hills outside of Athens, OH. Athens is Colleen's old stomping ground and she was planning a trip to Athens for a 'visit' (I'll get back to that later) and we decided to drop in. What a perfect excuse to go camping and try out the new trailer! Trish, my friend from school, and her dog Bailey ventured out with me on this maiden voyage. Denise joined us on Saturday and stayed through Sunday with us. We had a blast!

Colleen and her friend 'Matt' joined us on Saturday too!


Dinner at camp. We had tacos!


Colleen gave dinner a thumbs up!


Hey - how did I get stuck doing dishes???


Okay - here's the real reason Colleen went to Athens. She received a Distinguished Alumni award that weekend!!! Every five years, the College of Health and Human Services honors a select group of its alumni whose success in their fields and service to the College has set them apart. Colleen was one of those honored - but she kind of failed to tell her sisters. As she said, it was no big deal. I think it is Peazy - you rock!!!

Frita the Fun Finder May 09

I introduce you all to the newest member of the Cobey family, Frita!!! I must give credit where credit is due. I did not come up with the name, Colleen did. We were sitting at our first campground (that blog post is next) and I told Colleen that we didn't have a name yet. Frita spewed out of her mouth and I said "don't say that - it'll stick!" And sure enough, it did. No offense to our Frita-named friends, but it just wasn't something that I really would have picked. But it kind of grows on you after a while and she definitely looks like a Frita! I had a similar experience with my cute little civic named Beluga - remember Vicki?!! Vicki said because of it's grey color, it looked like a beluga whale. That one stuck too and now Beluga has been handed down to Denise.

Doesn't she look good with Buddy, my Rav4?! I'll say she does!!!

Suzi Q in the 'Nati May 09

For those of you not familiar with the Ohio way of talking, the 'Nati is Cincinnati! My sweet friend Suzi, the sky goddess, flew to the 'Nati with a little bit of a lay-over! We got to spend a few hours together and so I showed her around Newport and we walked on the purple people bridge that goes from Cincinnati over the Ohio river to Newport, KY. We had a great time. I so look forward to her little visits here and there. This was the second time she was able to come and I certainly hope it's not the last!

Spring Break in Southern Utah 3/28 - 4/2

I love the fact that I get a full week of school of for spring break in Ohio! I never had that in Utah in my 15 years of teaching. And what better way to spend my break than with my friends down in Utah's Dixie! Suzi, Kelly, and Tammy were going to be in St. George during my spring break so I decided to hop on a plane and venture to my second home, Utah. We had a great time catching up and of course, doing a little playing.

Oh my gosh - southern Utah is soooooo beautiful! I sure have missed those beautiful mountains and my wonderful friends. Here is just a sampling of what happened that glorious week in Utah....

• Golf was at the top of our list and Kelly made sure we had a tee time practically the second I stepped on Utah soil! I actually parred three holes!


• It was my birthday before arriving in Utah and Tammy's mom made the best birthday cake I think I have ever had!
• Ping pong tournament - I forget who won. I just know it wasn't me!

• Of course what kind of Utahn would I be if I didn't get in a little hiking in the beautiful red rocks of Southern Utah! Way fun!


• I got to see one of my mission friends Cecilie

• I was also very blessed to see my good friend Debbie Cook - we had a blast!

The only bummer about my trip is that I didn't get to see all of my wonderful Utah friends. I hope to see you all at some time. Love you all, mean it!

You say it's your birthday... 3/24/09

...it's my birthday too!

I don't know how long it has been since Denise and I spent our birthday together. Let's just say that we were probably wearing the same thing that day too and mom brought cupcakes to school to share! Seriously though, I think it was in the 90's when Denise flew out to Utah to surprise me for our birthday. I took the day off to go to the dentist (isn't that what everyone does on their birthday) and Denise showed up at the dentist's office and surprised me! It was hilarious....but I think this birthday topped them all!

I think that Denise has been taking our birthday off for quite a while now. Denise and Colleen have done it for years! Anyway, we were talking about our birthday and I asked Denise what she was going to do and she said "I'm taking the day off, of course - you?!" Needless to say I took the hint and checked out my school schedule and applied for a personal day as soon as I could.

We had a sleep over Monday night -

We are the party girls!!!

We decided to hang out together at Dave and Busters, an arcade with restaurant - it was totally awesome! We found a bowling game that was way cool...


did a little target shooting...


played air hockey (and I got my butt kicked!)...


and a little ski ball too.


It was way cool and we can't wait to go back! You're never too old for arcade games I've decided! The bowling was my favorite!

You know, sometimes you've got it....and sometimes you don't!

Top 'o the mornin' to ya! 3/17/09

It was St. Patty's day and it's a big day for my twin Denise. She is serious about this holiday and takes the 17th and 18th off every year for the big celebration. Hmmm, I wonder why she needs the 18th off too? Oh well. Anyway, I stopped by to see her in Dayton and got a few pics with my twin. It was fun seeing her!

Cac Comes Home Jan 09

We had a great treat in the Cobey Family when my cousin Catherine came back to Ohio for a short visit. She is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio and was asked to participate in the Miami University Department of Art 2009 Bicentennial Exhibition in January!!! She flew back and I was able to attend the exhibition along with Dad and Flo. It was awesome! We are so proud of her and her wonderful accomplishments. We got together for a little din din while she was here.

Pictured from L to R: Denise, Michelle, Catherine, Diane, Dad, Flo

Snow Day Beauty

What else am I going to do on my second day off of school due to snow? That's right, update my blog. It has been a relaxing two days - can't really do a whole lot. There are what they call level 2 and level 3 snow emergencies which basically means don't drive unless absolutely necessary. If it is a level 3, you can be arrested if you are in your car on the streets. There isn't the snow that Utah gets, but it's the 4 inches of snow, then the 1/2 inch of ice, then more snow. The driving is treacherous! So I have been taking it easy and playing a lot of Wii. But my other favorite activity is watching the cardinals outside the window. I just love seeing the stark red color with the beautiful white background. Enjoy and let me know what you think! Love and miss you all sooooooo much! xoxoxoxo

Happy New Car to Me!

January 2, 2009

I have not had a new car in over 14 years, so I thought I why not!!! I love my new Toyota Rav4 and it has been just a blast! I splurged on myself and got a Limited with heated leather seats. My buns have never been warmer or happier :-)