The place where my life in the real world collides with my dreams.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The Truth
Monday, June 04, 2012
List Of 99
The things in bold are things I've done/accomplished/experienced.
1. STARTED YOUR OWN BLOG
2. SLEPT UNDER THE STARS
3. PLAYED IN A BAND (does school and count?)
4. VISITED HAWAII
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. BEEN TO DISNEYLAND
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. SANG A SOLO
11. Bungee jumped
12. VISITED PARIS
13. WATCHED A LIGHTNING STORM
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. HAD A PILLOW FIGHT
22. Hitch hiked
23. TAKEN A SICK DAY WHEN YOU'RE NOT ILL
24. BUILT A SNOW FORT
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. WATCHD A SUNRISE OR SUNSET (BOTH)
31. Hit a home run
32. BEEN ON A CRUISE
33. SEEN NIAGARA FALLS IN PERSON
34. VISITED THE BIRTHPLACE OF YOUR ANCESTORS (Ireland)
35. SEEN AN AMISH COMMUNITY
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (working on this)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. SEEN OLD FAITHFUL GEYSER ERUPT
43. BOUGHT A STRANGER A MEAL AT A RESTAURANT
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. BEEN TO THE TOP OF THE EIFFEL TOWER IN PARIS
51. GONE SCUBA DIVING OR SNORKELING (the latter)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. PLAYED IN THE MUD
54. GONE TO A DRIVE-IN THEATER
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. STARTED A BUSINESS
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. SERVED AT A SOUP KITCHEN
61. SOLD GIRL SCOUT COOKIES
62. GONE WHALE WATCHING
63. GOT FLOWERS FOR NO REASON
64. DONATED BLOOD, PLATELETS OR PLASMA
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. BOUNCED A CHECK
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. SAVED A FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TOY
70. VISITED THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. STOOD IN TIMES SQUARE
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. SEEN THE CHANGING OF THE GUARDS IN LONDON
77. BROKEN A BONE
78. BEEN A PASSENGER ON A MOTORCYCLE
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. HAD CHICKENPOX
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. OWNED A CELL PHONE
99. BEEN STUNG BY A BEE
Monday, March 26, 2012
Thursday, February 02, 2012
SUYL-Single Friday
My name is Richann, I am 33 and live in the Denver area. I have lived here my entire life and although I never know where the Lord will lead me next, this will always be home to me.
First and foremost, I am a follower of Christ. While I will never claim to be the "perfect" Christian, I do my best to live the life I believe He wants me to live.
I love kids and can't wait to have kids of my own someday. While I am patiently (okay maybe not so patiently, but I'm trying) waiting for that day, I am surrounded in my life with kids who mean the world to me. First, there's my little cousin, L, she's 5 and I love her to pieces. She can be a little goofy but then, so can I.

Then there are my best friends kids C & J, who call me Aunt Richann (which is great since I am an only child, and don't have nieces and nephews otherwise). It's rough because they live in NE Ohio and I don't get to see them as much as I would like to. But I get out there to see them as much as possible. Last summer when I was out there we took the trek up to Niagara Falls which was great!

The good thing about them living so far away, is that I LOVE to travel, and while NE Ohio isn't very adventurous, it's something different and we always find some fun adventure to go on together. Obviously, since I say I LOVE to travel, you would hope that I have been someplace other than NE Ohio, of course... I have traveled to different places across the US, as well as the Caribbean, Mexico, Ireland, Guam, Hawaii (I know this is the US but it is one of my FAVORITE places to go) and the list of places I want to go, just keeps on growing. I am currently planning my trip to London at the end of May, I am super excited about this trip as a friend has actually decided to join me. I usually do a lot of my traveling alone but it is nice to have someone join you too. Here are a few pics from some of my recent trips.
When I am not traveling or working ot spending time with my cousin, I like to read, spend time with family and I love Football, specifically the Denver Broncos. I spend my Sundays afternoons watching football games and truly enjoy it. Maybe I can even meet a guy who can handle that trait of mine... ;0)
So there you go. A little about myself. If you want to connect or know of someone who may be a good match for me, leave a comment.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
I've Come to Realize... there is a pattern in my life lately.
I've come to realize that my job is... not what I want to do the rest of my life
I've come to realize that I need nothing more in life than... God
I've come to realize that I've lost my mind... and I sometimes wonder if I will ever get it back
I've come to realize that I hate... death and loss
I've come to realize that money is... a crutch, more money will not make me happy.
I've come to realize that certain people... aren't necessary in my life
I've come to realize that I'll always remember... my dad.
I've come to realize that my sibling... doesn't exist.
I've come to realize my mom... is one of my best friends.
I've come to realize my dad... meant more to me than life itself, and I miss him more than words can express
I've come to realize my cell phone... has a picture of my dad that I had forgotten I had.
I've come to realize when I woke up this morning... I wanted to stay in bed.
I've come to realize last night... I missed my dad.
I've come to realize right now I'm thinking about... my dad.
I've come to realize today... is another day that I will miss my dad.
I've come to realize tonight... I am missing my dad.
I've come to realize tomorrow... I will miss my dad...still
I've come to realize I really want to... talk to my dad.
I've come to realize my children... will never know my dad.
I've come to realize this weekend... will be hard, cause my dad isn't here.
I've come to realize the best music to listen to when I'm upset... is music that reminds me that I will see my dad again, on the other side of heaven.
I've come to realize that my friends... will stick by my side through the tough times.
I've come to realize that this year... couldn't possibly get any worse... at least it better now.
I've come to realize my husband... will never know my dad.
I've come to realize maybe I should... take time to spend as much time as possible with those I love, because you never know when they will be gone.
I've come to realize I really don't understand... why tragedy has to happen.
I've come to realize my past... is filled with memories of my dad.
I've come to realize parties... aren't the same without my dad.
I've come to realize my life... is unpredictable
Thursday, January 20, 2011
This is me
I love kids and can't wait to have a family of my own. In the meantime, I spend as much time as I can with my little cousin, I teach the 3 year old Sunday school class with my mom and I spoil my friends kids (who all call me Aunt Richann).
I love to travel, read, watch movies and spend time in the outdoors. I am very fortunate to live near the mountains, and love to be able to just go for a drive and enjoy God's creation. If you know someone you think might be a good fit for me, leave me a comment. Let's see if God has something in store here.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Grandma


On Nov 9, 2010 Lois Fanning Barry Schwartz joined her beloved husband, William Robert Schwartz whom had passed away on Oct. 6, 2007. They are survived by 7 children, Robert Barry, Colleen Johnson (Paul), Linda Gilkey (Gary), Cheryl Lane (Mark), Kurtis Barry (Donna), Mark Schwartz (Susan) Jeanell Delon, 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren & Lois’ brother, Richard.
Lois was born on Dec 27th of 1930 to Richard & Irene Fanning in Denver CO. She grew up in a loving home at Lincoln & Elsworth with her parents, a brother, her paternal Grandmother and a Cousin. She went to Sherman Elementary, Byers Jr. High, and graduated from South High in 1949. She then went to Barnes Business School where she met her first husband, Robert Barry. They were married in Feb. of 1951. In Dec of 1951 they had a son, Robert and she became a stay at home mom. In Feb of 1954 they had a daughter, Colleen and then they added another daughter, Linda in May of 1955. By this time the one bedroom attic apartment was overflowing and they bought a home in a new area of town call Athmar. In 1959 they made a move to Midland TX with Bobs’ company. The family moved back to the house in Athmar in Denver, which they had rented out while in TX, in 1960. In June of 1963 another son, Kurtis, was added to the family. Soon after this Lois & Bob were divorced and her children became her life. She had to go back to work and was working for a Temp Agency when in 1966 she was asked to go to a job at Cahners Publishing.
Even though both Bill & Lois had gone to the same Jr. High and High schools Lois was 7 years older then Bill so they had never met. After Bills’ divorce in 1972 while working at Cahners they would see each other in the halls and started working on different projects together. There was an attraction there but Bill had done nothing about it. So after a while Lois decided in 1978 to take the bull by the horns and ask Bill out. Right away he said yes. Lois asked him later why he had not asked her out and he said that he thought she was married and would never get in a situation like that. In June of 1979 they were married in a home they had purchased in Cherry Creek Vista with 6 of their 7 children present along with 2 grandchildren. Bill & Lois worked, traveled, hiked and loved their home together. They were the best of friends. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a garden party at their home with about 80 of their family & friends in June of 2004. In 2005 the first signs of cancer showed up in Bill. After a long battle he passed away in 2007. Bill was cremated and was waiting for Lois to join him.
In May of 2008 Lois sold the house in Cherry Creek Vista and moved to her new condo at Aspen Terrace in the Windcrest Retirement Community. Her condo was on the top floor with a balcony where she had a view of the beautiful mountains that she loved. The friends that she made there were invaluable to her. She loved to laugh & talk with her new old friends as she called them. They made her life a joy.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
56 Days
Sunday, November 07, 2010
How?
Monday, September 13, 2010
Teal Toes - Raising Ovarian Cancer Awareness

In preparation for my beach vacation, I went and got a pedicure today. I went out of my normal comfort zone and decided to paint my toes teal. I didn't really have any specific reason for it just that I wanted to do something a little different.
Well when I was checking the blogs I regularly read I came across a post about Teal Toes. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer is sometimes called the whispering killer. Too many women with ovarian cancer do not get diagnosed until their cancer has spread. Their survival rate is 45%. Survival rate improves greatly - to 93% - if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage before it has spread. Only 19% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at this local stage. Make sure you know what the symptoms are. There is so much attention placed on Breast Cancer awareness (don't get me wrong that is very important as well) but I thought that I would take the opportunity to help get the word out since I painted my toes teal...
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Where does the time go?
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Slashlight

Libby is a bit quirky. Although what little kid isn't, right? At my grandparents house, she keeps a "slashlight" in a basket on the back of the toilet for when she goes in there. She turns on the light, gets her little seat put on and the stool in place then turns the light off and uses her "slashlight" while she is using the restroom. Why she does this, I have no idea but it's so adorable.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Hooray, hooray, it's Thanksgiving Day!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
You See... I Have This Friend
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Praise You In This Storm
We lost her 2 1/2 months ago. She would have turned 10 months ago yesterday. I think of the things we would be experiencing with her. She would be tasting new foods, standing up, cruising along the furniture, maybe even getting ready to walk. We will never know. I think about her everyday. I don't cry as much as I used to but every now and then I have a bad day and I just have myself a good cry. Casting Crowns (a Christian band) was on K-Love today and they played this song. I think it was appropriate for the way I have been feeling the last couple days.Praise You In This Storm
by:Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen," and it's still raining.
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I life my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
I have come catching up to do...

The weekend after Caitie's funeral, I was able to escape for a few days. I was off to Florida to visit friends and see my 3 week old "nephew" Gabe. Spent some time with all my Florida kids and some time at the beach as well. It was a real fun weekend.




The end of October brought our first big snow storm of the season. We had somewhere between 2 and 3 feet of snow at the house that's what happens when it snow for 50+ hours straight). I love it. The snow is pretty much gone now with the exception of the piles left by plows and the little bits that are in areas that are always shaded. We were setting record highs less than a week after the snow. Typical Colorado...
Friday, August 28, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Vacation Spots
Disney World~ The Happiest Place on Earth.
Meeting Minnie at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Cinderella's Castle lit up at Christmas
Glenwood Springs, CO ~ Been going here my entire life.

Hawaii ~ I took a cruise around the islands and it was wonderful!!!!
Sunrise at Haleakala Crater on Maui
Waves breaking on the Big Island of Hawai'i
Ireland
San Francisco
There are so many more I could show you... Savannah, GA; NYC; Washington, DC; Caribbean islands. I guess you could say my favorite vacation destination is the World!


