Transport me to another place

Liz and I had no idea that when we planned our trip to San Antonio we would be leaving dreary April weather for sunny, warm and humid bliss. We went over the weekend and had a great time. I chose some pictures that captures not only the funky aspects of the city but also what the gorgeous weather has produced.

I gave my notice on Thursday of last week and I feel on top of the world! I thought I would eat my words or something; suddenly regretting that I gave notice the minute it came out of my mouth. Not so. I have been so very happy, dreaming of all the things I am going to do this summer. I don't think I will regret this decision at all. My last day will be May 28th to give them plenty of time to find a new advisor and train that person.

One thing I am looking forward to this summer is traveling. I am not going anyplace too far or too long so I can fit in a few little trips here and there. The one I am looking most forward to is to Oregon. I am going to stay in Portland and see Stacy and TJ, and then rent a car to go to McMinnville and see F & MM-two of my most favorite people. From there, I am going to drive the Oregon coast and stay in little B&Bs along the way. I just can't wait. It is the perfect combo of traveling alone, which I enjoy, and seeing people, which I also enjoy. It is going to definitely be a summer that will bring that much needed balance to my life.

Togie

I just had the most splendid weekend. I was in the mood for some quiet, R & R and self-pampering. I had enjoyed the hot springs lodge and spa in Saratoga and after determining it was going to be a good weekend weather wise made reservations. "Togie" as the locals call it takes a bit to get to in the winter season-after Memorial weekend the scenic highway opens up which shaves about an hour off the drive. The dogs and I needed a break from one another, so I happily, and they excitedly, entered the kennel where I know they have gotten much love and needed exercise. Yesterday I got in around 3pm, took a soak in the hot springs and then had an herbal body wrap. I was wrapped in a cocoon of sheets and towels soaked in herbs for detoxification for about 45 minutes. A heater was on in the room, so I laid peacefully and sweat out toxins and just breathed in the relaxation. I didn't fall asleep but rather into a meditative state, which was lovely. After the wrap, I took a shower and took a walk. This is the north Platte river and pictures of a sad attempt at a self portrait. I ate dinner at the lodge-a delightful meal of mushroom chorizo and a sweet potato soup. I soaked again in the hot springs and read...and read...and read...and finally went to sleep.

Today I got up, took a nice jog around the river and the town, soaked in the springs again, ate breakfast, and took a scenic drive up as far as I could on Hwy 130 (This is the highway closed at a certain point until Memorial weekend). Locals talked about the wild horses along that road, and I found them! They are so beautiful with long manes and tails. I then hit the highway home, stopping in Fort Collins for a late lunch with an old friend. The dogs are at the kennel until tomorrow, so the plan is to curl up in bed, read some more, and go to bed early, reveling in waking up without the stomp of Chester's paws demanding breakfast.

Take me out to the ballgame and other stuff

Last Friday Liz and I went to our second annual Rockies home opener game. This is a tradition I really like! We had good seats-they were on the 3rd level facing the outfield behind home base, so we could see everything. Some of Liz' co-workers were there, too, and we just sat, drank beer, ate peanuts and chatted. It was a beautiful day and the Rockies won!

These next few weekends will be some time to get away. This weekend, I am returning to those hotsprings in Saratoga, WY. Out of the hotsprings I have been to in Colorado, I like this one in WY quite a bit. The lodge is nice, and the price includes the pool and hotsprings. It isn't a public hotsprings so the only pool patrons are the lodge guests. This time of year, it is still chilly in WY and there is nothing better than sitting in hotsprings when it is cool outside. I have lots of reading to do as well, and perhaps take a jog around the path of the lodge's golfcourse. Chester and Stan are going to stay at a kennel. We are all tripping over each other lately, and slightly annoyed at each other, so I think it will be good that I don't have to wake up at 5am with them for a few days!

The following weekend, Liz and I are going to go to San Antonio. I have never been but she has, and we are staying at the Hyatt on the Riverwalk. I was in the mood for a close destination, but one out of state, and Liz suggested we go there together. We will shop, sit by the pool, take the water taxi and visit the Alamo. I am really looking forward to it!

Then it is time to focus on the house. Paint the porch. Clean the windows. Do yardwork. I am getting my backyard re-landscaped and the patio pavers fixed all due to the septic pipe issue. I am going to add more gardens in the yard, with bushes and perennials. It should be a nice oasis in the city!

Some favorite things

I have been enjoying lately some of my favorite things...
1. First Friday artwalks...whether alone or with a friend, I always have a good time. I have run into an old friend, Dan, the past few times I have gone because he is an artist and has some gallery space. It is such a vibrant activity, where galleries and restaurants are taken over by swarms of people.
2. Tile Mosaic Girl...I took a mosaic class from her and she is a good teacher and has some nice designs. Here's one of hers I like quite a bit.


3. Watching Chester and Stanley run and play at Chatfield, all the while getting my own good workout in...the boys are so good. They may lag behind or run ahead, but they always come back to me. I love it when I am out of their range of sight and watching them look for me frantically. That is love!
4. Breakfast...my favorite meal of the day. I love going out for breakfast, and always order some sort of egg/bacon/potatoes meal.
5. The novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak...this is a book club book and is actually designated under teen literature, but I can't even tell the difference. It is an engaging story and I can't wait to read on...
6. HGTV...Propery Virgins, House Hunter's International, and The Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie.
7. The fact that this morning smelled like the damp softness of spring...priceless!

All's quiet on the 1063 front

I realized today that I haven't been blogging as regularly as I used to. I used to blog about things Mike and I were doing to update friends and family on our goings on, but since he has been gone it has been a lot harder to make such documentation. Part of this reason is because much of what I experience emotionally from the loss isn't something I want the world to know. Another part is that my life is pretty mundane-get up, go to work, come home, maybe go out, have dinner here and there. I don't have significant events to report. So, I guess I will write about what I view as my next steps in this thing called life.

I decided a month ago that I need a break. I need a break from the Monday thru Friday job, the exhaustion at the end of the week, the running lists of all I need to get done in my two day weekend. I also had a realization that I don't have to have the job I have now; that I can pursue other things; that maybe I have just settled into this lifestyle and have lost the sense of the world around me. Some might say I am coming into my own. I would say that I am exhibiting that relentless personality defect of mine called INDIVIDUALISM. I always detested the status quo, but found myself in it because I was able to live a life I enjoyed with a man I loved. Now, though, it is just me and two dogs (once I start writing about ten cats please call the asylum). Now, it is just me, and I can move this bus (preferable a VW) in whatever direction I would like to take it. So, I have decided to quit my job, take the summer off, garden, travel, and reassess my role in this place called The World and how I vision something called My Life in relation to This World.

One non-negotiable in deciding not to work is my need for health insurance. No...I am not chronically sick or anything...but nothing will bring a person closer to bankruptcy than uninsured health problems. I come from the ideological camp that anything can happen at anytime so it is important to be ready and prepared. So, I applied for individual health care coverage through Kaiser, who I have now through my employer. Guess what...I was denied coverage. Why?? An bunion. I had a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon about a bunion which, by the way, doesn't even hurt and he suggested NO surgery. That appointment is the reason Kaiser won't cover me as an individual, even though I have been a patient of Kaiser since 2004. And, it was a Kaiser doctor who didn't recommend surgery. So, I was ready to give up, but a friend of a friend told me about Cover Colorado, an insurance plan through the State of Colorado that covers people denied private insurance. I feel like I am back in the game and can take this much needed time off, knowing this plan is hopefully going to work out (I still need to apply).

This situation has made me really think of the people that live in this country and how so many...SO MANY...don't have insurance because of pre-existing conditions, or the lack of affordability of healthcare. I volunteer every Sunday with women who are trying...TRYING...to get their lives on track but can't because our system doesn't let them. It is a downward spiral. One woman I see each week is a victim of the healthcare system. Her husband was injured on a construction job. Their insurance didn't cover everything he needed done; he is on disability; they lost their house; etc. Now, both of them live separate. Him at one shelter and her at another. She sat crying on Sunday about how she just wants her life back. And our system won't let her. As a society, we seem to think that people who can't make it themselves financially have some sort of defect, when in reality the defect is our system.

I am extremely lucky. Mike left me financially stable to make the types of decisions I am making. I am healthy. I am educated. I can go back to school for a new career and pay the tuition that will be expected of me. I am lucky, but many others are not. I believe it is the responsibilitiy of government to make sure they are overseeing a productive, healthy, and satisfied population.I am hoping this new health plan our government has set forth will do that and provide a safe place for people in their most vulnerable moments. There is nothing sexy about going to the doctor. It is a need all people have, and is the responsibilty of our government to support, one way or another. Take it from someone who can see through first hand experience.

So much for not having much to say...

Sick on the weekend

Well...Friday night I started having a sore throat and it got worse as I tried to sleep. Saturday I had a combination of sore throat, stuffy nose, fatigue (but not loss of appetite!) and today I have a head cold and sore throat. There truly is nothing worse than being sick on a weekend. I looked so forward to getting so much done and being outside on such a beautiful day, but I find myself laying in bed with my trusty friend and confidante MacBook. I did, however, go through all three of my Netflix movies-Love Happens (must download soundtrack), Sunshine Cleaning, and The Proposal. I may stay home tomorrow (there! Sick Day at work...take that!) just to make sure I am getting over this.

The boys will deserve a long romp at the dog park one of these days or nights. They have put up with one measly walk all weekend, and going to bed at 8pm last night. They are so patient when I am sick, and I need to reward that and let them know how much I appreciate it!

This was a week where it seems lots has happened! I threw Jen her baby shower last Saturday and it was a total hit. A lot of great women converged together, ate, laughed, and were so generous giving Jen so many wonderful gifts. It was a great time and a wonderful celebration in honor of my friend and her first baby.

Mike's birthday was Monday and I did feel emotional the days surrounding his birthday. Sunday, I went to the cemetary along with Mom, Dad, Jason Jessica and Max. We brought new flowers and Max wandered around looking at the headstones. On Monday I went to Pearl Street Grill along with Mom, Dad, the Schultz' family, Mike's dad, brother and my brother. We toasted to Mike and shared a meal in his honor. Being with friends and family made me feel so good and I know Mike was happy knowing all of us were together. On Wednesday a new life was brought into the Schultz family-little Julian Michael Schultz. Max is going to be a great big brother and I can't wait to meet this newest member of the family.

Today I took the day off. I did a few paperwork type things I needed to get done, and had tea with mom. It was a perfect day to stay home because of the snow, but I wish it were a nicer day so I could have gotten some things done outside. Oh well...plenty of time for that I guess. All in all, another busy week, but there was time for reflection as well which is what I needed.