My first painting

During the February First Friday Artwalk I met a Wyoming artist and after seeing his painting style I decided I wanted him to create a painting for my dining room. Since I got the new set my wall has been bare, and I have had the urge to hang something really nice, not just something I would buy from Target or Bed, Bath and Beyond. I also wanted something meaningful, so I chose a photo from Paris that I took one day while wandering around on my own.

A few weeks later my painting is finished and I couldn't be more thrilled. I will end up going to Wyoming to pick it up and I can't wait to hang it on my wall.

I don't imagine I will ever tire of staring at this painting. It is from the Rue Cler district where Mike and I stayed, down Rue Cler street. You can see the tip of a red awning toward the edge. That is where Mike and I sat our first night in Paris, drinking a glass of Bordeaux and eating cheese and baguette. When I look down this street I am reminded of the magic that trip holds, because this trip was the last one we would take. Thanks to artist Kevin O'Brien for bringing it to life.

Lazy, snowy day

My obsession for spring to arrive has to be put on hold. It has been cold and snowy-not even the pretty kind of snow but the annoying, icy, cold, crunchy snow. I took Chester and Stan for a walk today and felt like I was on an ice skating rink. I am planning on staying close to home tonight and have dinner with the neighbors. I have been snuggled in bed all afternoon napping and playing on the computer. It has been a good day to relax and refresh myself after a super busy week.

Last night I had a lot of fun. It is true that a birthday can become a birthmonth. I went to a happy hour with some work friends, and then met Teresa and Mary for dinner at Panzano downtown. Talk about Yum! A little tiramisu birthday cake topped off a dinner of tapas-risotto, potatoes, calamari and this yummy spinach dish. I then met Amy, Meg and Susan at DBar, the dessert bar on 17th. It was packed and the wait long, so we went to Parallel 17 and had dessert and a glass of wine. We had some stimulating conversation as well. We talked a lot about public figures and when they do something controversial whether it is or isn't the public's business (guess who we were talking about...major golfer...). All of us had differing opinions and it was refreshing to feel like we all could be heard and argue jut a bit.

Tomorrow I am volunteering again with Lorrie at the shelter-I took last week off and missed the art activities and the ladies, so I know this is a commitment I will stick with. My friend Ruben plays in a band called The Stolen Instruments an he is playing at Cervantes tomorrow night. It will be good to hear some live music with friends.

All in all, a good weekend to follow a busy week and previous weekend. I found myself recently starting to lose myself in being with other people and making other things a priority before my own well being. I haven't been sleeping well nor have I consistently been exercising. It is time to get myself back on track and figure out that whole balance thing that can get off kilter very easily.

Today, I had...

...two realizations.

1. I haven't blogged in a week.
2. I saw my first spring bud.

Let me address the former and then the latter.

I haven't been blogging because I haven't been typing. My Mac is driving me crazy. Maybe it is my wireless connection. Typing takes a long time and there is a delay. It isn't that I am impatient...I need to take the Mac in to be assessed.

Now the latter...



I have really been struggling with the whole workout thing. The whole motivation thing. The winter days have me down. The cold has me laying in bed. But today on my walk I saw a tree. And on that tree was some greeen. And that green indicated...budding of leaves. It was a soft green that jeweled this tree. And I knew life would explode from it.

Welcome happiness. Welcome a fresh start. Welcome spring.

34

I remember I used to make a huge deal of my birthday. When I worked at TLC, Chris and I had the same birthday. I remember our patients came one follow up on our birthday. These brothers who had Lasik brought us flowers and cards. The girls used to tease me about how much I loved my birthday. I will always claim my favorite part of the day was waking up to a card and small gift from from Mike. Hands down, that made me happy.

This year, it is much different. It is another event related to my grief with Mike's death. I celebrated my birthday this week with friends last night and tonight. Tomorrow I teach and so the class will get cupcakes. Friday I am off to wander around, get my nails done and eat dinner with mom, dad and Robert. It is and will be good, but I notice an element-that card in the morning-is not here. I did get a card from a new friend in the mail, juxtaposed with a card from Grandma Dunn, Mikes' grandma. What a poignant, symbolic situation. The future and the past. Both are rich and beautiful. I hope year 34 will be, too.

Susie Q

I am so blessed to have such good friends, and I am really embracing how to appreciate these amazing women. I treated Susan to a delightful brunch with her closest friends today and it felt so good to give back all the love and support she gives me. I am just really lucky to call such amazing people like Susan (and Meg...and Jiji...and Jen...and Liz...and all my Amy's...and Mary...etc) my besties.