A little something to make your mouth water for Spring

Gotta love New Mexico and Arizona this time of year!

Scottsdale Horses

I am wrapping up my week in Scottsdale. Robert and I came down together at the beginning of the week. Mom and Dad were here for the month of March so we thought we would join them at the end for a little baseball and that old town charm. It is always good to get into the bright sun and be with all the flowers and people wandering around after a dreary winter. I noticed this time how Scottsdale has a bunch of public art around horses. I thought I would share a few because I do admire this animal so much!

42

Today is Mike's 42nd birthday. I found this picture, actually from my Brother's 35th birthday celebration. Every year we would celebrate birthdays with the family. We would go to Mom and Dad's and have a special meal and dessert. We still do this, of course, or we go out to eat. But we celebrate one less birthday in the family now.

Yesterday I went to the cemetery and put a small little spring bouquet in front of Mike's stone. I bought a new wind chime for his tree-now there are four. It is a beautiful sound when the wind blows lightly to hear all the different tones from each wind chime. Other trees in the area have been decorated in memory of loved ones. I enjoy walking around and looking at them to see what their special trees look like.

The only thing planned today is a massage at 2pm-hot stone. I go to the Wellness Center at the Whole Foods on Colorado. There is a therapist there named Courtney who I really like. She doesn't talk, either, while she massages away. She just let's me sink into the blissful in between consciousness and sleep that a massage can give. I may do a hike or big walk this morning, or take a drive. I have never been to Rocky Mtn Arsenal and it is close by to me on the East end of the world. So, once I have breakfast and finish my coffee I will see what the day will bring.

I bought a lot of groceries so I may come back to the condo and make dinner. I bought some fish and some collard greens, having seen a "healthy" soul food recipe for greens I want to try. However, I have been itching for a meal at Max Gill and Grill-it reminds me of Mike and me so much there, as well as authentically good times with friends. We used to eat there when it was Hemingway's too. But, I will see how I feel after the massage.

Happy birthday, Mikey!

What's going on?

Hi out there!

I haven't written in a few weeks so I thought I would spend a few minutes this morning. I changed my blog post colors and fonts…I hope you like it! It is fun to change it up every so often.

I am finally getting all settled into my new routine. I really, really like my job at Sacred Heart House of Denver! I finally found a good job fit! I manage over 100 volunteers-they provide dinners each night, manage the house in the evenings, provide child care when the ladies have their life skills classes two nights a week, and organize donation drives. I also support women in "the follow up program" who have moved out of the shelter, but still need support. So, I get a little bit of social work, a little bit of development experience, and a lot of volunteer management. The 25 hour work week is good, sometimes I wish I could work a few more hours to get everything done, but I am not complaining! My morning routine has been all over the place-sometimes I walk, sometimes meet a friend for lunch, volunteer at the hospice, or sleep a little later than normal. So, I am looking forward to getting a stronger routine down for the mornings so I can make the most of this schedule.

My grief support group at the hospice is going well with 5 members who joined. I volunteered to run the group along with one of the Interns and we had a great discussion last night. This goes for the next few weeks, and then I may offer it once a quarter for newly bereaved folks. I also want to do an expressive arts grief group-maybe offer it one time on a Saturday for a few hours.

I told Meg on the phone today that I am finally feeling good about how I am giving back to the world. I am not stressed like I was as a hospice social worker, which made me feel guilty that I was so stressed out trying to help our patients and families. This way, I have a hand in all the things I really love, which feels like a great balance!

I am still waiting on my Greyhound love. I know it takes a while, and I will be in Arizona at the end of March anyway, but I am still getting anxious about meeting my new companion. You will be the first to know when it all shakes out!

The condo is treating me well. It feels super comfortable and is a wonderful place to come home to. There are a bunch of restaurants near me I am looking forward to checking out this spring and summer. I am itching for the weather to get warmer, which I think it will this weekend.

XO Mel