Looking forward

I am in total spring fever mode. It is really hard to sit and do homework when I want to be outside, at the park, on a hike, working in the yard...you get the picture.

One thing I am really looking forward to this summer is a trip to stay in a cabin at the YMCA camp in Estes Park with my family. The four of us haven't been on a trip together in a long time, and I anticipate it being a very relaxing time. Chester and Stanley are even coming, too! We will bring games, lots of food, books, and plan on some time to connect amidst our busyness.

Here are some pictures from the past when Mom and I went two years ago...

I can smell the pine trees already! Come on June!

You, Me and Mon Petit

***I have a dream to write a children's book inspired by my friend's dog, Mon Petit, AKA Monty. Here is my rough draft. She had to put him down the other day and my heart is broken as if she had to watch a human family member die. I have my vision of how this book would go, but in Aimee's honor here it is as a blog post.***

Mon Petit was known to everyone as Monty.
Monty had a lot of things he loved. He loved his beaver, his frisbee, his hedgey...all in all, Monty loved his "littles"...little toys that he would mouth but rarely destroy.
Monty also loved his friends. He had people friends...Melanie, Karen and TJ, Patrice, Stephanie, Pam, Mary, Barbara, and Emily.
He also had his non-people friends...Figg, Kodi, Ozzie, All the park dogs, Chester and Stanley.
Monty loved his walks. He lived in a nice, neighbor friendly community by a park. He and his mom would spend lots of time at the park. Mom often brought along people to take these walks, thus, it was sometimes you, me, and Mon Petit.

Monty taught all his friends about how to enjoy "the good life."
He loved BIG
He played HARD
He ate WELL
He STOPPED TO SMELL THE ROSES (and to pee on trees and the grass...)
He SLEPT SOUNDLY (except during thunderstorms and fireworks, but mama was always there for comfort)
Monty had a BIG LIFE.
If he could, he would walk on two legs. In fact, he would often sing, "Happy Birthday" when prompted, and dance when mama got the dance bug.

Monty is no longer with us, and this has made his mama, his toys, and his friends very sad.
But, Monty taught all his friends many life lessons:
HOW TO LOVE
HOW TO BE HAPPY
HOW TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT
HOW TO PLAY, EVEN IN TOUGH TIMES
HOW TO FIND BLISS
HOW TO HAVE FREEDOM
HOW TO BE A FRIEND AND COMPANION
HOW TO TRUST, EVEN DURING THE MOST VULNERABLE TIMES
Monty touched so many lives. Thank you for letting it be...you, me and Mon Petit. XOXOXOXO Mel

Home

Spring break did not end up quite as planned. I was supposed to go to Scottsdale with Liz and Lance for a few days. They had never been there before, and I was going to show them all the hot spots I love. We were going to a baseball game, and hopefully play some golf. Well, the day I was supposed to leave I was sick, too sick to get on the plane, so I had to cancel. I spent the day watching movies-The Descendents and Young Adult-and eating the comforting soup mom and dad brought over. It was less than ideal, however, considering Liz and Lance were drinking beers at Salty's in downtown Scottsdale and I was sipping broth.

Yesterday, I was feeling pretty good so I decided to work around the house. I also decided that if I can't go to find R&R I would bring it to me. First, I ran to Target and bought a few things to lighten up my bedroom. It feels a little more breezier than it did before:

I changed out the curtains, lamps, and bought a few accessories to make it feel more spring-like:

I also puttered around the yard and did some much needed clean up. Needless to say, while I wish I had gone on vacation, it feels good to sometimes just stay home.

Chester, Mikey, and Spring Break

Sometimes I wish that things happen easy, naturally. But, I guess as they happen they do, despite how I view things. My spring break is this week and next, and of course during this time of much needed self-care I choose to have a growth removed from Chester's arm. I forgot what it would be like, him coming off the anesthesia, the fact that his arm is wrapped up like a mummy's, the fact that I can't take him for walks for 14 days, and all the other rules around his healing. Of course, I have broken every rule. Our walks last longer than just him going out to potty; he jumps up on the bed to sleep with me; I don't always employ the e-collar. But, all in all, he is healing just fine, and I realized that if I were to do this during school then I would be stressed out X2. Stanley and I had a nice time together when Ches was in surgery. Stan and I rarely spend one-on-one time together; Chester has taken to sleeping with me, so we get that time, but Stan and I are always a part of a pack. So, Monday I came home from class, took Stan for a walk, gave him a chew, and then walked him to Whole Foods where he waited outside for me, like a big boy. He was all Mr. Independent on Monday and had a new found sense of confidence when we were out and about. Of course he became a blubbering mess when Chester came home, but I will always remember those few hours that Stan could really just be himself.

Despite the stressful week, I had a lovely day today, celebrating Mikey's 39th birthday. I hit some golf balls with Liz, and then went to Target. I bought a few items and some lunch stuff-a sandwich from the deli, some chips and a cookie-and I headed to the cemetery. I hadn't been there since Christmas so I laid out a towel and had a picnic by Mike's grave. I came home, watered the lawn, and walked to Bonnie Brae Pizza for a birthday remembrance including Mike's dad and my family. It was laid back, relaxing, and the pizza was better than I remembered it. I am now laying in bed, early so I can read, and tomorrow I am walking with a friend, playing a Par 3 with dad, and having a sushi dinner.

I think I was in a funk at the beginning of my spring break, but I am realizing just how important it is to revel in these moments. Despite the stress that can occur, it is important to revel in every moment.

The Food Movement

Wednesday night I went to the Paramount Theater with my neighbors to see Michael Pollan speak about the "food movement". I had been excited to hear what he had to say, as well as be with other foodies who are a part of this movement. The conversation was great and the two hours flew by quickly. He talked about processed foods, supporting organic versus local farmers, eating meat versus vegetarianism, etc. All in all, it was an interesting conversation. However, I did look around the theater and noticed that the majority of the house were white people, early to mid-thirties on average, and I didn't see a lot of people of color. Which got me thinking...is the food movement a middle class white person's movement?

He did touch on the importance of making wholesome food available to the poor, but that was about the extent of how he addressed this issue. I started realizing that it isn't just about whether someone can afford fresh food versus processed food or that their food stamps are enough to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. It is about living in a neighborhood where there is a grocery store that carries fresh food, not just a 7-11. It is about having time to cook fresh food after the end of a long day when you are a single parent. It is about culture and the kinds of food historically and culturally one might cook.

So, perhaps the food movement has yet to uncover how to become culturally applicable and acceptable to all, which doesn't mean that is a bad thing...the movement is still in its infancy. Asking these questions shows that there are bigger questions on the table about how to support health and well-being in a complex and multicultural world.

Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Ches and Stan

Snow Day

I admit it. I am a skeptic. After years spent in higher education, it seems like no amount of snow ever closes a college campus in Colorado. Upon news of the pending storm, my DU Facebook friends (mostly from out of state) posted things like, "I hope there is no school tomorrow!" I read these with a smirk. First, Colorado meteorologists don't always get their snow predictions correct. Second, I had the insight scoop that the universities begrudgingly give us a day to feel like kids again. But I didn't burst anyone's bubble. I just waited until Friday morning when I checked my email and behold! DU was closed. The weather was snowy, cold, and dangerous on the roads. So, I put my pride aside-yes, the weather peeps were right and yes, universities were going to let its students run rampant all over Colorado skiing, sledding, finding open restaurants to inhabit, or stay home under covers. Oh, and finish those last minute papers. I got a late start, finished an assignment due that day, and walked to Whole Foods for my rations. The boys got some off leash time in the front yard while I shoveled and talked with neighbors. I walked to Aimee's house and beat her at two games of cribbage over some wine, and an array of cheese, crackers, shrimp and hummus. It was a well deserved snow day.

Here is Stan finding something buried in the snow:

Ches took just a minute to look up as I told him to smile for the camera:

Aimee and I took Monty the Wonder Dog to the park for some winter photos and playtime: