Fall

Fall

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

Take a minute to enjoy this video by Nemo...

Sunday, November 16, 2014

A New Routine

I started my new job on Tuesday. It is for a senior care company, which I love being a part of supporting older adults. It will be a busy job...I am a client care coordinator, so I talk to all inquiring potential clients about our services. I also maintain the thoroughness of each client's chart and keep all the paperwork and packets completed and up to date. All of this is in theory, as my week of training has been shadowing people and some classroom training. I will probably start taking calls and learning all the processes from A to Z later this week. I like my co-workers and really like the owners of the company. It is a company with integrity and high quality of service, which I believe in as a social worker. So far so good!

I have to say, working again an 8-5 schedule will take a little getting used to. It is the kind of job where, unless I have planned otherwise with co-workers, I have to be at the office until the clock hits 5:01. Sometimes I stay later if I am on the phone or finishing a task, or come in earlier if need be. A good rule of thumb I suppose to be considered a "good employee" is come 5 minutes early and stay 5 minutes late. It is a good rule that I intend to stick to. I do get an hour lunch which is a total treat. I have been driving around the area to see what is near the office and how long it takes to get from point A to B. I can probably go home, even, if I just needed a change of scenery. Bible Park isn't far away; Cook Park is close by. I can walk at lunch and grab a Starbucks. Fairmount Cemetery is close by so I can visit Mikey and the boys whenever I feel like it. I have been really trying to work out as often during the week as possible, so I could possibly get in a trip to the YMCA for a quick treadmill visit if I put my mind to it.

Speaking of Fairmount Cemetery and The Boys...they are now snugly one with the earth around Mike's grave so I can visit all my boys in one place. Last Sunday our good friend Pam met me at the cemetery. We did the spreading around Mike's grave and read a short story given to me by a friend when the boys died called "The Rainbow Bridge." It brought a tear to my eye-Pam and I felt good that the boys and Mike have reunited, but also chuckled that he will forever be tied to Stanley, who often frustrated Mike more so than Chester did!



There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Crafty

Mom and I went to a really great holiday craft market today-Paris Holiday Market at the Denver Public Library main branch. If you can make it this weekend it runs until 4pm both Saturday and Sunday. Mom and I meander craft shows every holiday, mostly at the rec centers, churches, and the senior center. People have wonderful crafts to sell, but sometimes it seems a lot of the items are the same type of thing. Well, the Paris Holiday Market has a large variety of artisans, and really super creative things. It is like shopping on Etsy in one space. Whole Foods provided coffee, cider, croissants, cheeses, and other little snacks. Light Christmas music filled the air. One lady makes wreaths and other interesting items out of old books; I bought a little soy candle in an antique glass; there were a few women who made bags out of recycled materials. All in all, I was very impressed with the level of craftiness at this show!

Friday, November 7, 2014

A short time gone...things have changed

Funny. I Googled "Short Time Gone" because I was sure that saying was a song,  and what came up was my all time favorite Grateful Dead song "Box of Rain".



So interesting that, no matter the years that pass by, my connection to the Grateful Dead is still there. I will always have a secret desire to be reborn in Haight Ashbury in the 1960's.

Something I find interesting about moving back to Denver is how little, but also how much, has changed in the past year. And how interesting it is to plop myself into the middle of everything during various time periods and to notice what is different and the same.

Take First Friday on Santa Fe Drive. I used to go a lot after Mike died. First Friday events are the one event I could always attend solo and never feel out of place. But three, four, or five years ago they were different...just different. Tonight I went with Dad and we had a great time! But I noticed a few small changes, noticeable enough for me to be caught off guard because I have only been gone a year.

First, there are food trucks. And more food trucks. When I started going to First Fridays, you might hope to see the art and then attempt to eat at El Noa Noa at 8pm if there wasn't a line. Now, you just have to hit up a food truck at any given point in the evening-One will be there. Second, sometimes you could get a head start on First Friday. Start checking out the galleries after getting really good parking around 5 or 5:30. Now, it seems people are parked and ready to peruse way earlier than the 5pm mark. Third...the galleries! It seems they have multiplied, as has the talent. My favorite addition this year is the gallery space with the showing by local Veterans. The one thing I really took to heart after working on the Western Slope is the commitment of those who serve the country. I got to be the social worker for World War 2 and Korean Vets, for goodness sake. Tonight at this gallery, these young men who served in Iraq and Afghanistan were proudly showing their art. I shook hands and thanked them for their service. Truly. No matter how much a pacifist I am and a hater of war, I revere our service folks for what they do for their country and for the likes of people like me. This gallery was an addition I would like to see more of in the future.

A short time gone, things have changed, and I am okay with it all.




Tuesday, November 4, 2014

A Little Night Away

Over the past 5 years, since Mike has been gone, I have taken a liking to overnights elsewhere. There is something about staying in a hotel, eating out at a really great restaurant, window shopping, and reading in the hotel room that just says, "Soothe the soul." Life has treated me to many opportunities to stay overnight elsewhere, and moving back to Denver is no exception. I am starting my new job on Tuesday, so if I want to indulge a little now is the time. That, and I am sure Mom and Dad wouldn't mind a little time to themselves without their new "roommate" hovering about.

I first considered going to Hotel St. Julien in Boulder, my all time favorite hotel getaway. The price for a room, however, was not in the budget of a new job starter, so I opted again for the Table Mountain Inn in Golden, which does not disappoint. The only thing it needs is a pool or hot tub and it would be, ahem, "Golden". Otherwise, it is a wonderful little Southwest style hotel with a restaurant to match. I stayed here in 2012 around Christmas when I was on break from my MSW program and fell in love with the Southwest decor, friendly staff, and to-die-for menu. There is a fitness center on the 5th floor which allows me to work off whatever dinner or breakfast delicacies there are. And, a number of cute shops within walking distance, where I am headed after writing this blog post.

I started my Golden getaway with a trip to Golden Gate Canyon State Park. I bought a state parks pass when I was in Montrose because I went to Ridgway a lot. Golden Gate is a little different because it is in the canyon and there are many a trail with quick inclines. I drove around and found a few trails where I hiked for a little while, but not too far, though I had my handy walking stick to ward off any mountain lions or coyotes (I read about too many mountain lion-human interactions on the Western Slope, thus the walking stick). It was a beautiful day and really no one around. There was some snow on the higher inclines. I then discovered a few Jeffco open space parks I need to revisit. It was a lot of fun to get to know my own backyard once again, and a relief to realize I don't have to drive 5 hours to find beauty and solitude.

I am getting ready to wander a few shops, and then plan to eat at theTable Mountain Inn restaurant. I have a book club book to finish for Thursday (I can't return to bookclub without having read the book!) and so a relaxing night is indeed in store for me, just as I am finishing a relaxing day.


One of the lakes driving through the park

"Mule Deer Trail"

View from "Panorama Point"

Centennial Cone Park, a Jeffco open space park

Aack! Snow!

View from the inn's balcony

Me, ready for a little hotel R-N-R

Monday, November 3, 2014

All Things Celebratory

I got a job!

I start November 11th as a Client Care Coordinator for a caregiving agency for seniors. It is the best of all worlds for me...some social work, some sales, and some training of staff. I had interviewed with them for an internship for my second year of social work school, but my advisor wanted me to have a more clinical internship so I chose hospice, which indeed was a good choice. Upon moving back, I began thinking of what I wanted to do for work and this job came to mind. I really like the owners and have a good feeling about the staff there, so I called them to see if they had a position open. After 3 interviews, it all came together and I am really excited to work there. The best thing is that the office is  in the Metro area. No more long commutes for me, that is for sure!

We celebrated my move back to Denver on Saturday night at Susan's house. She and Meg threw the party which was done in a lovely way. All said and done there were 20 people there, which was the perfect amount for me to chat with and also for the guests to meet and greet each other. Meg and Susan have been there for me in so many different situations; I love them both very much and count myself one lucky girl to be in their circle.

I feel like I have dove back into life since I moved back. I joined the YMCA-I got a killer deal on a membership while I live at 1260 because my folks belong; that will give me momentum to keep the membership up when I move and have to pay a little more. I have taken some yoga classes and am walking everyday, something that was difficult to do in Montrose along HWY 90; I have been all over the place, it seems, soaking up life. It feels good!

Cheers to being close to having my feet planted firmly under me once again! House hunting will be fun, as the house selling part of things was very stressful. I promised my real estate agent I will be nicer to him this time : )

Cheers to good friends, the love of family, and really being home.