New Year's Eve Reflections

I went for a walk with a friend last week and she asked if I make New Year's resolutions. I used to...I will lose 10 lbs, start a yoga class, etc...but I never actually attained the resolutions I made. I have actually resolved to some basics...I hope 2009 is better than 2008, bringing me more satisfaction and contentment; I hope to travel in 2009; I wish for good health, not only for me but for Mike, my family and my friends. These are pretty basic, and hopefully not too much to wish for.

2008 has been a great year, although it is ending pretty badly. We went on numerous trips...San Diego, San Francisco, and Paris. I had a pretty nice summer in the garden, joining a garden club and meeting some very garden savvy people. We threw a few get togethers with friends and family which is always meaningful. A president of hope has been elected to hopefully improve this ailing country. I reached a few goals with regards to teaching at Regis and in the community. Mike's cancer continues to be at rest. The end, though, I could do without. Two hospitalizations in a month of my beloved Mike and still questions on the reasons. I hope 2009 will bring answers to these questions.

To my friends and family...I wish for you a happy New Year's celebration and a healthy 2009. Mike and I both send our love.

Christmas came and went

Christmas came and went, and New Year's will come and go. Quite frankly, I am glad. No offense to family and friends who love this time of year, getting together and having a good time...with Mike's sickness and all I just wanted "the most wonderful time of the year" to be gone. The problem with Christmas is that you can't escape it when you want. It isn't like a bad movie, where you can just walk out; a fight with a loved one where you can go to a room and close the door; a diet where you have to slam the fridge shut to get away from the foods calling out to be eaten. Nope...when you want to shut Christmas out you just can't. You have to grin and bear it. I know, this sounds so Bah Humbug and I really do enjoy aspects of the season. Of course, being with friends and family is special regardless of the holiday. Certain traditions are meaningful; I love Christmas decorations and holiday inspired houses. I guess the Bah Humbug comes from Mike's sickness and knowing that he couldn't enjoy all these things with me. We couldn't do our annual Christmas Eve candlelight mass, we never did drive by the city and county building, and we had to cut time with family and friends short. These sacrifices made the most wonderful time of the year a little harder.

Hopefully Mike is on the mend. He still didn't feel well this weekend, but my hypothesis is that he is expelling toxins now and so everything is coming to the surface. Hey, I am not a doctor but I play one on television!

As for me...I am starting 2 of the teaching gigs I wrote about so long ago. The first is the adult conflict and anger management class at The Conflict Center...that starts on Jan 5th-I will be co-teaching with an awesome woman named Vickie. Starting Jan 15th I will be working on an internship with a great teacher named Ronnie so I can finally teach at Regis. These are exciting endeavors and I will look forward to doing something other than than puzzles, laundry and watching television.

Keep your good thoughts and prayers out there for Mike...may his misery subside and he can feel normal again.

Merry Christmas...

...to all and to all a good night!
Love, Mike, Melanie, Chester and Stan

Silent Night

Yesterday my colleague Teresa and I volunteered at the 27th annual Father Woody Christmas Party at the Sheraton downtown. Father Woody was a priest who co-founded the Samaritan House, and he was also an alumnus of Regis College. Over 2,000 individuals and families were expected to come to the party for a warm meal and Christmas presents. I think there were two volunteers to every family volunteering yesterday!

Teresa and I spent time in the greeting area as people were waiting to be escorted into the ballroom. We even braved it and joined the volunteers singing carols. A compelling moment was when we were singing (very off key I am sure) and the guests were listening to us and clapping. The most compelling was when we sang Silent Night and I watched the faces of two homeless men in particular, staring intently at us and singing quietly along. I was inspired by this...that these men (and others in the group) may have nothing to their name but they do have their faith, which no one can take away. The moment brought tears to my eyes.

Update on Mike-He is doing better than this time last week for sure. He is still swollen in his ankles and feet and we are in the process of figuring this mystery out. We have been putting a puzzle together which has been really fun. I am sure he is looking forward to Christmas where he can get out of the and house and be in the love of family for a few hours.

He's Home!

Mike is home! He is so glad to be...one day in the hospital is one day too long, let along two or three.

Two weeks too long

It has been some time since I wrote. Mike has been very sick and I don't have the energy to blog. Tonight I do, as I have been doing follow up emails since the trip to the hospital.

Yes...the hospital. Mike was admitted to the ER on Monday with many strange symptoms...an increased heart rate, swelling, fever, chills, low oxygen, you name it. They diagnosed him with pneumonia and he is hospitalized, at this point for an indefinite amount of time.

His illness has made me reflect on the meaning of Christmas. I (we) have given up many obligatory and not obligatory but desired Christmas activities. This Christmas, honestly, I don't want to even think or deal with these activities. I just want him home. Home with a house that is lit up by a Christmas tree. Home where I can give him those damned sheep skin slippers and they actually fit his feet (I gave him an early present only to find at this time they don't fit). I want to cozy up at my parent's place with a glass of wine and yummy food on the mind. I honestly don't care about gifts...I just want my family and my Mike. My friends...well...I am planning to throw a well deserved birthday party so I will see you all then (except for a select few where I will talk to you before February!).

The small things give me joy. Driving home from the hospital, Washington street homes are all lit up. I revel in the kindness of the nurses and doctors at PSL. The calls and emails from family and friends letting us know Mike is in their thoughts and prayers. A good glass of wine after a long day and a good night's sleep with Ches and Stan by my side...literally. I just want Mike home, though, regardless of the season or holiday. I miss him.

Who knows when that will be. No definitive answers are given, just more tests, blood work, pillows for the feet, antibiotics. Soon, he will be restless. For now, though, I am glad he is there and not here...nothing helped him here. Except for the love of a wife, a dog named Chester and a dog named Stan.

Cool stuff

I think it might fun to list some things I think of as "cool stuff". I don't know, I have been out of blog topics lately, okay!
1. Anything bought at 10,000 Villages in Cherry Creek North-It is a Fair Trade shop and there is so much cool stuff!

2. Any book by Augusten Burroughs. I have become somewhat obsessed with his life (warning...it is pretty disturbing stuff!)
http://www.augusten.com/html/index.php/Augusten-Books/Sellevision.html
3. This sweater I bought at Anthropologie. I would wear it everyday if I could!

4. My Colorado Public Radio coffee mug

5. Pandora Radio Station-You can create all these different "stations" where they play similar music by different artists...all for free!
http://www.pandora.com

Light

I have been giving thought to why this time of year is so special. I think one aspect that makes it so is the lights that people hang. I have been deliberately driving down side streets to look at the lights on my way home from work. The metaphor for this time of year is that in darkness there is light. Somehow, somplace there is light. You may not know it at the time, but the light is there. I wish we kept white lights glowing all winter, not just for Christmas decorations. Wouldn't that be pretty? If everyone had white lights hanging from houses or trees during the deepest, darkest months of the year.

Turkey day came and went...

We had a very successful Thanksgiving! Thanks to everyone who contributed. Wednesday night we put the turkey in the brine overnight, washed and peeled potatoes, washed green beans, made the cranberry relish and blue cheese spread, and set the table. Thursday we put the Turkey in and everyone came over. We had music playing and a slideshow of Paris pics on the TV. Everyone had a lot of conversation, and then we sat down to eat. The menu?
-Blue cheese spread with pear on crostini as an appetizer
-Wine, Crantini's and beer for drinks (thanks Robert!)
-A delicious, moist and perfectly browned turkey
-Creamy and fattening mashed potatoes
-Green beans and carmelized onions
-Sweet potatoes (Thanks Mom!)
-Stuffing (Thanks Mom!)
-Pumpkin and Apple Pie (Thanks Nancy!)
We had so much fun and it went off without a hitch. Here are just a few pictures of everyone having fun...me in the kitchen, Tom with "the Tom", eating at the table, and Tom and Mike. We wish you all a wonderful, warm and cozy kick off to the holiday season. May it be filled with love, laughter, friendship and all things to be grateful for.

Questions borrowed

So I borrowed this (ok, stole it) from Meg's blog but they are my answers!
Where is your mobile phone? My what? Oh, cell phone. I think in my purse (if you have called there recently I apologize for not getting back to you…)
Where is your significant other? At work
Your hair colour? I think blond but more brown this time of year
Your mother? Has been letting me embark about hosting Thanksgiving for the first time with hardly any intervention! Thanks for the trust, mom!
Your father? Someone who loves unconditionally and fully his family
Your favourite thing? A great outfit
Your dream last night? Can’t recall
Your dream goal? To live in Cordova, AK in the summer and San Diego in the winter
The room you're in? My office at work
Your hobby? Reading, walking, watching movies
Your fear? Small spaces and no way out
Where do you want to be in 6 years? 38 and content
Where were you last night? Watching an episode of The Wire
What you're not? Negative too often…try to keep on the sunny side
One of your wish-list items? A second bathroom
Where you grew up? About 10 blocks from where I live now!
What are you wearing? Jeans, boots, a sweater and a necklace that just got a compliment
Your TV? The Sarah Silverman Show, The Soup, The Wire, The Jon Stewart Show, How I met your Mother
Your pets? Labrador Retrievers Chester and Stanley who can’t stay out the kitchen
Your computer? Slow
Your mood? Excited to have a four day weekend ahead of me
Your car? Something with no car payments and I like that!
Something you're not wearing? Nail polish
Favourite shop? The Tended Thicket on Gaylord St.
Your summer? Went by too fast
Love someone? My husband
Your favourite colour? Aqua and red
When is the last time you laughed? This morning
When is the last time you cried? In Paris overwhelmed by the vastness of the city (and sleep deprived)

It all comes around so fast

I can't believe Thanksgiving is a few days away. Not because I am not ready...I am. I guess every year I forget how much fun this time of year is. I was talking to Jen tonight and we discussed the upcoming four day weekend. I got really excited! The house will be clean for turkey day so I won't have to do that...I don't have any homework anymore...I don't want to go shopping...so I have 3 days of utter, complete bliss!! Jen and I discussed the various movies I could watch...holiday themed movies? The Star Wars series? Some chick flick? Maybe I will go to to a movie alone...or sit at a coffee shope with a good book. This will be delightful!

I remember what Thanksgiving felt like as as college student. I would work the day before and then have Thursday off. After eating dinner with my family, I would go out with friends to the lone bar or restaurant that was still open. I am sure this weekend will be full of leisure and some fun. I just can't wait!

Spine tingling

This morning on Colorado Public Radio I heard a recorded interview with Tom Hooyman who was a healthcare ethics teacher at Regis' healthcare school. He had been named chairman of the Centers for Disease Control Ethics Committee recently. I felt a connection hearing him speak-I have heard him give talks at Regis before-so it was great to hear that he was going to do this very important work.

I was on the Regis Intranet after lunch today and this was posted:
Dr. Tom Hooyman, associate professor of Health Care Ethics in the Rueckert Hartman College for Health Professions, passed away Nov. 20following surgery for injuries he suffered in a motor vehicle accident the day before.

On Colorado Public Radio's website, they have this notice:
Regis University's Tom Hooyman was named chairman of the Centers for Disease Control Ethics Committee recently. He spoke with Ryan Warner. Professor Hooyman died shortly after this interview.

I reflected after reading this on how people touch our lives. Meg recently blogged about the death of one of Mia's teachers. She says, "I really didn't know Mia's teacher all that well, and I cried when I heard the news." It is amazing that people can move each other in this way. You and I may not know whose lives we have touched...that is the most spine tingling of all.

This post is dedicated to all those people who, when thought of, make us feel good, warm, uplifted, cared about, or inspired.

I probably should write something

I realized it has been over a week since I last wrote. Time just goes by so fast and then a week is over! Mike had a Pet Scan on Friday and we met with Dr. Fisher yesterday. Things look great! I expected to hear that though. He did one this month because Dr. Fisher thought he might go to Antarctica but since Mike isn't going it was good to hear some great news anyway. The staff at Dr. Fisher's are so incredible. Many of them remember us and treat us like they are seeing family! Mike was so lucky to be connected to this doctor.

I thought I would post a recent picture of the boys. I took a few before our trip so when we started to miss them we could look at them on the camera. Note Stan's attempt at a smile.



Countdown to Turkey Day. To our guests...you are in for a delicious feast!

What's new...

It took me a while to readjust to life after Paris. When we got back I was in a whirlwind...first trying to catch up at work, then preparing for my assessment to teach, and also getting the house together and back to normal. My good news...I PASSED ASSESSMENT! It really wasn't as bad as I imagined. Next Thursday I go to orientation, and then hopefully I can do the internship in the spring. I am so happy! Right now I am assessing to teach online. It is a week long assessment where there is a discussion forum and such. Want to hear the funniest thing? The person assessing me is my high school English teacher. Yep, he works in Distance Education at Regis. I see him every once in a while...he seems to forget that I am no longer 16 so I am hoping that he sees my writing has improved since then.

Over the weekend Mike and I primed the basement floor...we are finally finishing that project. We forgot to put the baby gate up and upon waking from a lovely, long and luxerious nap we found painted paw prints all over the house. Yikes! You guessed it...our sweet and innocent Stan went down the basement, directly to his food bin (it was obvious the path he took) and upon discovering it was locked he came upstairs. Lovely. Lucky for us the paint came right up, especially off the hardwoods AND newly laid kitchen tile. Stan...gotta love him.

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year. With Mike's and my family we will have 7 people. It is our first real bird (the one mom brought over and put in the oven 7 years ago doesn't count) so you can imagine we are a bit nervous. We went to Williams Sonoma and bought a beautiful roast pan, too beautiful to use! We are also buying other things...a gravy separator, a gravy boat, an internal and external thermometer...we have also divided up the tasks and so everyone is bringing something. We think it should be fun, and are planning in advance some stress management!!

A taste of Paris Pictures

So I can't fill the entire Blog with Paris pictures so here are just a few. I will send along an email to all with more pictures so you can really see what it is like. This first is a picture of Mike and I in front of Musee D'Orsay; the second is me at Versailles (look at that garden behind me!); the third is of Mike and I at a fountain in a park in the Marais neighborhood; the fourth is in the Notre Dame tower of a gargoyle overlooking part of the city (just a part, this city is huge!); the final picture is one of my favorites-in front of the Hotel Invalides (the location of Napolean's tomb) is the Eiffel Tower fading into the fog. I see these pictures now and I really cannot believe we were there!

Back in the US

We came home Tuesday night in time to hear Barack Obama's historic acceptance speech for the presidency. I know not all blog followers of mine supported Barack, but I hope you can at least appreciate the eloquence of our new president, the beauty of the First Family, and the inspiration he brings to not only America but around the world. In Paris, the general consensus was support for Barack; I think the world is ready for his ability to collaborate and not isolate.

We spent yesterday recovering. I got tired at 10:30am as I sat in front of the computer in preparation for Regis' assessment tonight. (Wish me luck). I got a second wind and was able to put stuff away, do laundry, go to the store, and just get caught up. Our trip was so wonderful. I can't believe we were even there! We stayed at a great hotel, a real home away from home. We walked miles and miles (and that is just at the Louvre!). We saw where history happens; we quietly appreciated religious beauty; we travelled with the locals; we ate more bread and cheese than we imagined; we drank wine from the Rhone and Bordeaux valleys; we saw where kings and queens lived; and yes, we listened to Mickey Mouse speak French.

I don't have pictures to post yet-we want to crop some and make them all nice and pretty for the public to view. Look for pictures and some more details in the next week. And excuse me if I accidentally say Bonjour or Merci! Those are two words hard to get out of my system.

Au Revoir

Tomorrow Mike and I leave for Paris! I am so excited...kinda nervous...but excited. Our travel day will be about 24 hours, with the day long layover in Dallas. It will be well worth it.

Mike was promoted to Manager of Science Planning. He has been going non stop for months now, and he shut his computer off today and said, "that's it! I am not checking email until November 5th!"

I wish I could post pictures along the way but that means we would bring the laptop and then Mike might work. So, you will have to eagerly wait until we get back...look for pictures after 11/05!

See you soon. Thanks to all of you for your well wishes. Thanks to Robert for staying with the dogs, to mom for coming over to let them out at noon, and to dad for the ride to the airport. It is a team effort for sure!

Love, Mel

Countdown begins!

I feel like I can officially start counting down to Paris! We leave this Sunday and get in Monday morning. I am dreaming of what it will be like. I heard from a student who is in the military overseas that the weather has been good (in Germany at least) and so hopefully Paris will hold out for us. Here is my checklist of things to do...
1. Get new walking shoes-a pair that does not scream tourist!
2. Get something to read...The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is the book club pick and so I think I may read that, but it needs to be good to capture my attention
3. I need to get my sunglasses adjusted-they are falling off my face!
4. I need a new watch even though I am tempted to not wear one and truly let this be a freeing experience
5. I need to make my IPOD Paris mix
6. Listen diligently to my French language CD that Susan made for me
(Bonjour, Merci are all I know...)
There is a ton more to do but these are my most urgent 6. I did have a funny hotel reservation situation. When I reserved our hotel (Hotel Muguet: http://www.hotelparismuguet.com/)via email the woman said she did not have a room for the first night we were there. I asked for any recommendations and she wrote back "we will get you a room." Well, I wasn't too trusting in that, and I couldn't call her for more explanation, so I reserved another hotel for that first night. I emailed to confirm to both hotels and she wrote back, "We have a room for you the first night, too." So, I scrambled around to make sure I could cancel the other, which I can, but it just reminded me that in Paris I will be out of my neat and tidy comfort zone. I can't wait though! This trip is much needed for both of us.

Mia, The Farm and Congratulations!

Meg and V's Mia turned 2 and we celebrated yesterday at Berry Patch Farms, a pick your own produce farm off US 85 and 136th. If you ever have a chance to go...do! This place was awesome. Yesterday was a harvest festival, so there was all sorts of stuff for kids and families to do. There was music, a hay ride, and a chance to pick raspberries, carrots, among other things. I spent time in the market which had fresh everything...they had these bags with recipes attached for salsas or other vegetable courses and in the bags were all the ingredients. It was definitely a room for the senses. We had homemade cupcakes as we sang to Mia and just had a fun time all around. Isn't she a doll?

A shout out to Meg and V for their news of another Pellegrino on the way. They sure do well in this arena, don't they? We love you and wish you the best now through the beginning of May-the expected arrival date!

Max

Saturday afternoon Mike and I took Max S. to Wings Over the Rockies museum. I had these images in my head that we would be wandering around, looking at the planes, with Mike pointing out all these very important things. Well, turns out I forgot how imaginative and hands on 5 year olds are. Max wanted to climb on the planes and play imaginary games. He could care less about what the planes were used for or even how big and cool they were. We ended up finding the kids play room close to closing time and Max had a ball playing in there. Oh well! We had so much fun being with him. When we got in the car he asked if he was good. He was so good! We met Jason for pizza where Max demanded for his pizza every time the waitress came by. What a fun day with an adorable little dude!

Fall at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C.

A garden club member sent these photos-when Mike and I were in Victoria we didn't go to Butchart Gardens because it was rainy. These pictures are amazing and get me into the fall mood for sure!

Advice for the day

So...I decided I was getting bored with the other blog format and decided to make the new one more "fall-like". I hope it is easy to read.

Tonight are the second set of Obama/McCain debates. I am excited to watch how the town hall format will be different than the last debate. Hopefully the candidates actually answer the questions (I am alluding to the VP debate here..."let me talk about energy because that is all I know about").

Did you all get the election blue book in the mail? Goodness. I usually try to keep any sort of prescriptive advice to a minimum but today I urge you-mail in your ballot, vote early, or take the day off to vote! This seems like the longest ballot ever! And I urge to read about the measures ahead of time. If you wait until voting day you will be in that little booth for a long, long time.

Me? I am going on October 20th to vote early since we get back late on the 4th. If you are a Denver voter and would like to join me, I will be going to the booths at the rec center on 46th and Sheridan that day.

The weekend seemed long

I find that the weekend seems a lot longer when I do a lot of different things. This weekend was packed full of fun stuff. Friday night I took Mike out to sushi and then to see a performance at Swallow Hill. He got to meet (and vice versa) my good friend Karen who read some poetry (which was beautiful). I was sandwiched in between these two wonderful people-hubby and Karen-for part of the night and couldn't have been happier. Saturday, Mike and I ran errands and then had a delicious brunch at University Park Cafe. I met my teacher Kristi to discuss our AAACE presentation in November. I capped the evening off with a blissful "ladies night" at my friend Debbie's house. A group of young women from Regis get together once a month for friendship and professional support and I look forward to this dinner every time. In Italian Debbie style, we had pasta putanesca and roasted chicken-it was delicious. Sunday, Liz and I walked the 7am Race for the Cure. It was different than the 8:30 walk and I liked it a lot-all women and not as crowded. Liz and I got to have undivided time together to catch up-I am so lucky to have her as a friend. I went to brunch with my brother and Kendra at the Hornet, and then Mike and I hung out the rest of the afternoon. I love it when the weekend feels longer than the actual 2days really are.

5 questions (the easy way to blog)

I haven't been too creative lately for the blog. I need to save blogging about Paris until later in October so I don't burn you all out. So, here are my blog cheating ways...
1. What excites you about Fall?
The clothes. I love Fall clothes...in fact, I need to plan a shopping trip soon. Hmm...I love Sunday afternoon walks, where it is the warmest part of the day and looking up there is a pallete of browns, greens and yellows on the trees.
2. What are you reading these days?
I have been into some meditation books lately. I have been a little on edge with all the activities and stuff going on and I realized I have forgotten how to breathe and be in the moment. I need to re-learn this to enjoy the moments in life and not just the big picture.
3. What's going on this weekend?
Friday night is a fundraiser at Swallow Hill my friend Karen invited us to. Saturday I am meeting with Kristi to discuss our November presentation. I also have "girls night" with some awesome ladies that work at Regis. Sunday, Liz and I are doing the Race for the Cure and I have brunch plans after.
4. What excites you about your trip to Paris (ok, couldn't pass that one up)?
I love anything visually stimulating and I think the city of Paris and the French countryside will do this for me! I think I am most excited about seeing history-in buildings, in art, in the people. Oh, and gastronomic delights!
5. Give a shout out to...
Mike for making Paris a reality; Mom and Dad for being such loving and wonderful parents; Robbie for being a good friend; Meg for being a role model; Liz for doing the Race with me; and everyone else who know I love and care for them!

Computer literacy

I taught my first Morey Rec Center computer class last night for the term. I was so proud of myself-I was all organized, created a questionnaire, a syllabus, and even outlined the topics for discussion. The class is adorable! Of course, all adults, and most know nothing about computers. If you want to feel successful in teaching something, this is the class to teach! The demographic varies...some are older, some are younger...two don't own a computer...It felt great to have these people looking at me, waiting to hear the next thing I had to say. Now I hope I can actually teach them something.

Teaching is an amazing vocation. Teachers hold so much power...the power to influence, to educate, to change one's perception of things. As I do this more and more, I become conscious of what I am saying, doing, how is it helping students, not helping, am I engaging them enough...this process has a lot of synergy. I am so far feeling pretty good about it all!

Paris

After weeks of deciding where to vacation this fall, Mike and I have settled on Paris! We are leaving Ocotober 27th and will be home on November 4th (don't worry, we will go to the early voting locations). Here are a list of reasons why this was our choice...

1. We have plenty of miles so we can get two tickets for a small fee
2. We enjoy museums more than snorkeling (why Hawaii didn't win)
3. Shall I say...EuroDisney??
4. We love big cities, walking around, looking at buildings and people watching
5. French wine and French food...who could ask for more?
6. We are due for a trip to Europe
7. There are plenty of places to visit if we just hop on a train!

There are other reasons of course...to visit a city so entrenched in history, to be a part of the bohemian writer/artist/musician culture, to sit at cafes and people watch, to test our comfort zones,to enjoy the lights and romance of Paris...

Weekend at the Conflict Center

"Conflict is inevitable; violence is not."

Karen asked me why it is called The Conflict Center and not the Conflict Resolution Center. It was clarified to me after spending the whole weekend at the Center that the motto above is why it is called The Conflict Center. So, Karen, I hope that answers your question.

I spent the weekend with 11 women who are all interested in teaching conflict management to kids or adults. It was a great weekend, very cathartic for me. We did some "personal" work, discussing our own history of conflict and anger management. We learned about teaching the subject and had to do our own presentation. My friend Rusan and I presented "I messages". This is a strategy to not place blame on the other person for how you might feel...Instead of saying "You never listen to me" you can say "I am hurt when my ideas are ignored because I think I have something important to say." This is a way to de-escalate conflict. The presentation went okay-I have work to do for sure-but I am just so excited to start teaching this course to adults.

Life is full

I had lunch with one of my favorite people-Karen-who I met at SCFD a few years ago. Karen is a kind, loving, creative soul and every moment spent talking with her is a breath of fresh air. You know how I always say how busy I am? Sometimes that has a negative connotation, like...I am too busy to spend time with the people I love, or I am so busy life is passing me by, or I am so busy I can't relax. Karen and I decided to say that "Life is Full." Her life is full, my life is full, but it is full of wonderful things. Thanks, Karen, for your unique perspective which is always an inspiration!

The past...but friendship lives on

I met the "girls" from the laser eye center where I worked a lifetime ago (really, it feels like a lifetime!) after work for a beer tonight. As much as I don't want to get stuck in the past, it is fun to hear the juicy gossip about what is going on now at the center. Even more fun, though, is getting caught up on personal lives...Chris just celebrated her one year wedding anniversary, the other Chris got a new job with the state of Colorado, seeing Liz always makes my week, and seeing Di and Jane always conjures up a story or two. Hopefully, as time goes on and we continue our get togethers, we can talk less and less about TLC and more about what makes us such fabulous women!

Evidence of the end of summer

Obviously I am feeling a little nostalgic for summer as we make our way through the last week of it. Last night Mike and I went to our final Guys Night Out baseball game of the season. We ate our last pre-game slice of pizza at Two Fisted Marios. We bought our last $1 bottles of waters from our favorite street vendor outside the park. It was such a pleasant evening, the jackets we brought went unused, happily. The last Guys Night Out game is always a little more relaxed...Mike was tapped on his shoulder and when he turned around four free beer coupons were thrust into his hands, gathered by people who weren't using theirs. We took one and passed the rest down the row. I high-fived the guy sitting in the seat next to me when we got a home run. We sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame at the top of our lungs for the last time, and gave the song "Hey Baby" one last good dance. The Rockies won, it was a great game, and Spillbourghs finally played, which I guess if I am to keep up the crush facade I was ecstactic. So long to summer baseball for this year, but I was reassured by Mike that we will still get the tickets for next year!

That fall feelin'

The chill in the morning air is definitely different than a July morning that happens to be a rainy or cold day. The chill in the air is definitely a sign of fall. The chill is bordering on permanent, or at least to be around for the next half a year. Fall makes me want to do different things-buy fake flowers that are rich in reds, yellows and oranges, buy candles scented of apple cinnamon, or decorate the front porch with corn cobbs and pumpkins. Entering fall and summer both bring memories-in the fall, it is the purchase of school supplies, halloween costume contests and dad raking the leaves only so I could run and jump into them. In the summer, it is the last final taken and putting the closed toe shoes away to slide into flip flops. I do love fall, and can tolerate the transition into Christmas. It is that black hole of January, February, and March where I cringe. Oh well, I guess I should enjoy fall while it is here...

Durango

It was good to get away, even though much of the time was spent on our butts! The drive to Durango took us about 6 hours and the same coming home; the train was a round trip of 7 hours. I guess we take enough trips where we walk all over (hello San Francisco) that one spent sitting is well deserved. We had a fun time. We got in Saturday and scoped out the train and depot. We had dinner at a Brewery and called it a night early. Sunday we took the 8:15 train to Silverton...it was a gorgeous ride and a lot of fun. We spent some time in Silverton, longer than we wanted...our train engine was having problems so we had to connect all the train cars from the 8:15 and 9am trains. It took a while to make it back to Durango, but once there we had dinner at a darling French restaurant. On Monday, Mike took me on a tour of Fort Lewis College, where he spent some time his Freshman year. We diverted through Crestone on the way home, hoping it was more of a spiritual community than it actually ended up being. It was good to get home, but boy we both enjoyed being away!

Slacker

It is unbelievable how fast time goes and then I realize I haven't posted in days! Mike and I are off to Durango today and will be back Monday. As usual, I will post our pictures when we get back. Both of us are looking forward to getting a way, enjoying the beautiful scenery and hopefully seeing the colors changing on the way.

Enjoy your weekend!

Updates

So, there are a few things I should update everyone one. I got accepted into the Ignatian Faculty Scholars Program here at Regis and I am excited. We meet one Friday a month all day and learn about Jesuit education in depth for the first year; the second year we apply it to the classroom. I hope I will have a classroom next year...I was invited to the November assessment to teach a class. So this is what my fall looks like...
-One Friday a month-Scholars meeting
-Train the Trainer at the Conflict Center Sept 12, 13 and 14
-Nov 6th assessment
-Nov 10-14 AAACE conference and presentation
-Morey Rec computer classes
And...I am facilitating an online Democracy Lab through the Institute on the Common Good starting Sept 15th for 9 weeks.
Yikes! What about my day job? I have learned that to really enjoy being at Regis I need to get involved outside of my department. I have met so many cool people and I can stay on the surface, not getting bogged down into any one drama. It will be a great fall and I will gain so much experience. A shout out to my friend Beth who connected me with The Conflict Center and the Institute. You rock, girlfriend.

Retreat

I had a chance yesterday and today to stay at Camp St. Malo in Allenspark for the new faculty retreat with Regis. We read the book The Courage To Teach by Parker Palmer which led most of our conversations. Yesterday we had small group discussions and then quiet time throughout the afternoon. After dinner, Fr. Mike came up and discussed the nature of Jesuit education-to be open to all people, to use discernment, and to always think critically and not be dogmatic. We capped off the evening with wine and snacks at an evening social. Hey, it's the Jesuits! This morning we met with the Deans of our respective colleges (Regis U has 3 colleges and this was a cross-college retreat). Having one on one time with my dean was awesome and I am so glad to have gotten to know him better. There was about an hour and a half today where I got to hike around-I walked, I journaled, and I just spent some much needed quiet time before returning to work and the needs of my students. All in all, it was a great weekend and I hope to do another in the next year.

Leroy

I want to dedicate this blog to Leroy Sievers.

Leroy...you inspired both Mike and I by your NPR commentaries on your battle with cancer. We saw you on Nightline and got to see what you looked like. Sitting in your chemo chair, Mike was able to really relate to you and your struggle with cancer.

Your My Cancer blog on NPR.com inspired both of us. For Mike, it gave him the permission to be angry, contemplative, sad, hopeful, and humorous. For me, it gave me insight into what Mike (and other people) are going through.

I cried when I heard you died.

Thanks for being an inspiration and thanks for giving a voice to the cancer battle.

Giving busy a new name

Whew! When I haven't blogged in almost two weeks I know things have gotten too busy! Likewise, I know when I haven't talked to Meg in almost a week that things are way out of control. I don't know what is happening but my weeks, days and evenings are just flying by. It is the fall start at Regis and so I am just slammed with student calls, appointments and the like. I am one of the few ready and willing of my group and so I am also training our newest advisor this week and next. I am trying to finish part of my presentation for the November conference, and I have a book to read for a retreat I am going on this weekend. Yikes!

Mike, too, has been busy. You know when you are burned out by Tuesday that you are in it for the long haul. Good news for me is that I do get to go on a retreat Sunday and Monday in Allenspark for new faculty. I want the mountains, crisp air, and a balcony-all I will find at the St. Malo's retreat center. Sept 6, 7 and 8 Mike will also get to have a reprieve-we are going to Durango to ride the Durango-Silverton train, check out a Melodrama, and hang out in this funky little mountain town for a few days. Give me a mountain town!

So, please excuse us if we are M-I-A lately...fall just is a busy time in both our work worlds. Good thing we both like the work we do or else we would be miserable to boot.

Birthday Pics

Dad's birthday was Saturday and these are pictures from our celebration on Sunday. We hope you had a great weekend, Dad, one that you deserve!

Growth and reflection

I am feeling a deep affinity for this picture today. There I am, looking at a mountain...This is where I was maybe 6 months ago, looking at the mountain of teaching, trying to wrap my arms around what class to teach, the assessment process, when will I feel ready, etc. I wish I had a picture walking up the mountain, because that is how I am feeling today. I met with Fran, the lead faculty for the class I want to teach, and she invited me to assessment this fall. This was a huge step for me. I have also reflected on the other opportunities that have come up to teach:
--The PC classes at Morey Rec Center
--Conflict Management at the Conflict Center
--Most recently, a Post Secondary prep class at Kennedy High School through Goodwill

I am also applying to be an Ignatian Faculty Scholar, a two year scholarly experience with the goal of continuing the mission of Jesuit education into the future by learning in depth about Jesuit education and how it applies to the classroom. I just feel so blessed and am excited that things are finally taking off in the direction I want. My only hope is that I can find the time to fit it all in! (I know I will).

Thanks to Liz and Lance

I wanted to shout out a Thanks to our good friends Liz and Lance. They hosted a beautiful evening for Mike and I, as well as some old friends Chris and Paul. Not only do they have a lovely home and great balcony view, I think they put on my version of the perfect summer party. We had chips, salsa and dip; beer and sangria; chicken enchiladas; and ice cream for dessert. It was a wonderful night and we are truly blessed to have them as friends.

The rest of the weekend was great. Mike painted the basement-our goal is to get this room finished so that we can store kitchen appliances downstairs that won't fit in our kitchen. Sunday we had Jason and Jessica over for brunch. Mike and I bought a "griddler" last weekend and so he made french toast and scrambled eggs. We drank mimosas and talked about their recent trip to Germany. After they left, Mike and I took a well deserved nap and then ran some errands. It was a great weekend!

Baby steps

I am taking baby steps toward my goal of teaching. I have been procrastinating because of the assessment process. I have to be assessed by my peers and I have been so freaked out that I have been digging in my heels. Thanks to Kristi, though, I have taken the first steps to going this direction! I have put in my resume to Fran who is the lead faculty for this class, and I am interviewing with her on Tuesday. So, wish me luck! Things are coming together. There was a leadership shift in our department which was somewhat controversial, but I think that it will be in my favor for career development. I just need to not let other people influence me in my work. I think the future looks bright!

A unique thing to do

Saturday night we participated in a neighborhood "progressive" night. No, it wasn't a political event, but a social one. About 6 houses participated, so around 12 people were lurking the streets, going from one house to the other, progressively getting fuller and fuller by good food and tipsier and tipsier by plenty of wine and beer. We started at Aaron and Tiffany's house-they are new on our block and have the most adorable 2 year old named Ava. They served wine and appetizers and we wandered around their house, looking at everything. We then went to Karen and TJ's for drinks and pizza-we enjoyed their garden. We went across to Diane's house, which all around is lovely, and ate a yummy green bean and potato salad. Our house was next, where we got to show off the kitchen and our smoked salmon from Alaska. Ron and Pat were after, and so we started on dessert over there while loving their garden. Finally, we finished at Tonda's house with more dessert, a final glass of wine, and enjoyed all her recent remodeling. At first I was nervous about the get together...I was the one who suggested doing it, so I was afraid it would end up a dud of a night. But it didn't! It was so much fun. Everyone who participated were awesome, there was lots to see, and the next morning when we took our Sunday stroll we saw many neigbors who commented on what a great night they had. That was the highlight of the weekend...knowing that we have such great neighbors makes life all that more enjoyable!

The moment we have been waiting for

Sunday we finally got out for a wonderful hike! It was a gorgeous day and so refreshing to be where the weather was at least 15 degrees cooler. We hiked our favorite trail-the trail to Lost Lake which is near Nederland. It is an off leash trail and so the boys romped and played and covered so much ground they were exhausted on the way down. The lake is beautiful and the boys both swam. Afterward, we sat at Chipeta Park in Nederland with a small picnic lunch and came home to nap. It was a great day and one we have been waiting to do this summer!