Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Life In Denver - 2 months in
Well I've lived here a little over two months now and I'm proud to say the altitude hasn't killed me. Yet.
Here are some observations now that the dust is settling:
1. I'm breathing easier. But it's still hard. I have mastered walking, but the stairs really throw me for a loop, even just a couple of flights. My legs are like, hey, what's the holdup? And my lungs are exploding. At a dr. appointment a few weeks ago, as part of their standard procedure, the nurse put my finger in one of those oxygenation (sp?) sensors. Apparently it makes sure oxygen is being transported as it should to the various parts of your body. She said mine was superb. I was like, of course it is! My body doesn't get enough oxygen as it is, so when I inhale, my cells rush forward to take what's rightfully theirs. They are out for #1, man.
2. I'm establishing a pseudo routine. Of course when things get busy, I'm thrown off course, but in general it is working for me to walk to work and back about four days a week. After the past couple of weeks of driving, I have decided to drive in one day per week to give myself a taste of convenience. Type A, anyone? 85% of the time, I want to have the discipline to walk because it is a natural way to workout daily, because it gets me out into the fresh air, and because the slight exercise factor of it is a good stress reliever. But driving in one day per week will let me truly enjoy what a 10-minute commute feels like. This has been in the works for decades, people. Well maybe not that long, but close!
3. Lotion is my bff. Hands down, the new love of my life besides Chipotle and Sonic. I have naturally oily skin, so I really don't know how people with dry skin survive in this climate. I put lotion on twice at night before I go to bed (it's like the first layer just absorbs into my very being and disappears), then first thing when I get out of bed in the morning. A couple of hours later before I walk to work, I put on a layer of lotion mixed with sunscreen. Then I usually end up putting on at least one layer sometime during the work day. This is in addition to drinking several gallons of water a day. Ok, liters. Seriously, though!
4. My hair frizzes all the time. Because of the ever-present static electricity. Do you know of any products I could use that would help control this?
5. I get shocked about 400,000 times a day. Blue sparks and everything. This is very annoying and painful. Ask G - he will totally confirm this, as I have come close to divorcing him for it. We high five each other several times a day when he's here so we don't accidentally fry each other. I hate it and should probably buy a humidifier.
6. I do laundry every day. If I'm slacking, I do it every other day. This is where I remind you that I live alone. No husband. No kids. No bun buns. My washing machine will only hold like two items of clothing at a time! And remember, it sounds like a jet airliner! I'm going to completely freak out when G moves out here and we have his clothes to contend with, too. I already dread it.
7. I still enjoy apartment living. I'm sure that it will eventually get old, but I am still very much appreciating having just a few rooms, and just a handful of items, to clean. The bad news is that the place gets messy very quickly. The good news is that it can be cleaned up just as quickly.
8. Most importantly, I have found a hairdresser. You know how important this is, don't lie. She is every bit as eccentric as my former hairdresser and I foresee a long and productive relationship ahead of us. In addition to doing hair, she teaches several spin classes a week and - I'm not kidding - is a Burlesque dancer. Not to mention she is a single mom to a handicapped child. I sat in the chair, gawking at her in the mirror (over my foiled head), simultaneously energized and exhausted by stories of her life. Then I went home and laid on the couch for like an hour. The introverts can't take it.
9. And most, most importantly, I may be able to drink wine again soon. After living in fear (and hydration) for weeks, I had a sangria the other night. Drank the whole thing. No headaches! This leads me to believe that I should start introducing a few sips of straight-up vino every few days. Maybe I'll begin tonight since my loves will be on TV. Hello, Vampire Diaries!
10. As much as I am dying from the dryness, I do not miss humidity. In this dry climate, the hot air feels moderate, and the freezing air feels simply cold. The air doesn't feel wet and once my sinuses adjust (please, Lord) I think I will truly enjoy it.
Here are some observations now that the dust is settling:
1. I'm breathing easier. But it's still hard. I have mastered walking, but the stairs really throw me for a loop, even just a couple of flights. My legs are like, hey, what's the holdup? And my lungs are exploding. At a dr. appointment a few weeks ago, as part of their standard procedure, the nurse put my finger in one of those oxygenation (sp?) sensors. Apparently it makes sure oxygen is being transported as it should to the various parts of your body. She said mine was superb. I was like, of course it is! My body doesn't get enough oxygen as it is, so when I inhale, my cells rush forward to take what's rightfully theirs. They are out for #1, man.
2. I'm establishing a pseudo routine. Of course when things get busy, I'm thrown off course, but in general it is working for me to walk to work and back about four days a week. After the past couple of weeks of driving, I have decided to drive in one day per week to give myself a taste of convenience. Type A, anyone? 85% of the time, I want to have the discipline to walk because it is a natural way to workout daily, because it gets me out into the fresh air, and because the slight exercise factor of it is a good stress reliever. But driving in one day per week will let me truly enjoy what a 10-minute commute feels like. This has been in the works for decades, people. Well maybe not that long, but close!
3. Lotion is my bff. Hands down, the new love of my life besides Chipotle and Sonic. I have naturally oily skin, so I really don't know how people with dry skin survive in this climate. I put lotion on twice at night before I go to bed (it's like the first layer just absorbs into my very being and disappears), then first thing when I get out of bed in the morning. A couple of hours later before I walk to work, I put on a layer of lotion mixed with sunscreen. Then I usually end up putting on at least one layer sometime during the work day. This is in addition to drinking several gallons of water a day. Ok, liters. Seriously, though!
4. My hair frizzes all the time. Because of the ever-present static electricity. Do you know of any products I could use that would help control this?
5. I get shocked about 400,000 times a day. Blue sparks and everything. This is very annoying and painful. Ask G - he will totally confirm this, as I have come close to divorcing him for it. We high five each other several times a day when he's here so we don't accidentally fry each other. I hate it and should probably buy a humidifier.
6. I do laundry every day. If I'm slacking, I do it every other day. This is where I remind you that I live alone. No husband. No kids. No bun buns. My washing machine will only hold like two items of clothing at a time! And remember, it sounds like a jet airliner! I'm going to completely freak out when G moves out here and we have his clothes to contend with, too. I already dread it.
7. I still enjoy apartment living. I'm sure that it will eventually get old, but I am still very much appreciating having just a few rooms, and just a handful of items, to clean. The bad news is that the place gets messy very quickly. The good news is that it can be cleaned up just as quickly.
8. Most importantly, I have found a hairdresser. You know how important this is, don't lie. She is every bit as eccentric as my former hairdresser and I foresee a long and productive relationship ahead of us. In addition to doing hair, she teaches several spin classes a week and - I'm not kidding - is a Burlesque dancer. Not to mention she is a single mom to a handicapped child. I sat in the chair, gawking at her in the mirror (over my foiled head), simultaneously energized and exhausted by stories of her life. Then I went home and laid on the couch for like an hour. The introverts can't take it.
9. And most, most importantly, I may be able to drink wine again soon. After living in fear (and hydration) for weeks, I had a sangria the other night. Drank the whole thing. No headaches! This leads me to believe that I should start introducing a few sips of straight-up vino every few days. Maybe I'll begin tonight since my loves will be on TV. Hello, Vampire Diaries!
10. As much as I am dying from the dryness, I do not miss humidity. In this dry climate, the hot air feels moderate, and the freezing air feels simply cold. The air doesn't feel wet and once my sinuses adjust (please, Lord) I think I will truly enjoy it.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
I've Got Mail!
For the past almost-two-weeks, I have not received any mail. Like, at all. No driver's license, no voter registration, no junk fliers, no bills. This confounds me because all of my mail has been forwarded here and all of my peeps & bill peeps know my new address. Not to mention that I was receiving mail here for a few weeks until it all stopped.
G and I spent lots of time on the phone this weekend with the national customer help desk of the USPS and, although they are not 100% sure about what happened, they suspect that somehow my mail got into a continuous loop: CO --> VA --> CO --> VA. I was like, um, could you stop that loop please? Thanks.
And yesterday I got mail! I have never been so happy to see a few pieces of paper crammed into my little metal mail box! Now I'm crossing my fingers that my license will arrive so that I can cross it off my never-ending to-do list...
Also I have become obsessed with these pillows. This is just my latest batch (flock?), purchased in Boulder. I have about 7 total; they are made from recycled jeans and I <3 them immensely. G got out here and was like, what's your deal with owls? I was like, I don't knoooooooooow. I love themmmmmmm.
After a two-week break brought on by general chaos, I'm starting back up on my daily walking commute today. Oh stairs, be kind to me.
G and I spent lots of time on the phone this weekend with the national customer help desk of the USPS and, although they are not 100% sure about what happened, they suspect that somehow my mail got into a continuous loop: CO --> VA --> CO --> VA. I was like, um, could you stop that loop please? Thanks.
And yesterday I got mail! I have never been so happy to see a few pieces of paper crammed into my little metal mail box! Now I'm crossing my fingers that my license will arrive so that I can cross it off my never-ending to-do list...
Also I have become obsessed with these pillows. This is just my latest batch (flock?), purchased in Boulder. I have about 7 total; they are made from recycled jeans and I <3 them immensely. G got out here and was like, what's your deal with owls? I was like, I don't knoooooooooow. I love themmmmmmm.
After a two-week break brought on by general chaos, I'm starting back up on my daily walking commute today. Oh stairs, be kind to me.
Monday, November 26, 2012
A Week of Thanksgiving - Red Rocks
The past few months have been so filled with the logistics of moving out here, and then getting everything settled, that I think we lost sight of why we wanted to be out here in the first place. This is what happens when two Type A firstborns get fixated on a goal. So we decided that we would take the Thanksgiving break to explore the area - really only scratching the surface - instead of filling the time with more chores and errands.
A few minutes outside of Denver, there is a natural amphitheater created by three large stone structures, known as Red Rocks. We have heard that it is an amazing place to see musicians, and also that it is open daily for people who want to visit. So of course we hopped in the car, made a pit stop in the town of Morrison for some Tex Mex fuel, and went exploring.
I can see that this blog is quickly going to get redundant if I keep describing everything as beautiful all the time. But how else would you describe this?
As G put it, this is probably the only concert venue in America where one has to be physically fit to actually get in. Check out this incline:
This is how I feel daily when I climb the stairs at work:
Here is the view of the theater looking up from the stage. We must see a concert here immediately. Several people, who are apparently insane, were running the stairs, stopping to do jumping jacks or whatever. Crazy people.
The view of the stage from the top, with the Denver skyline in the distance.
Look! A celebrity sighting!
Afterwards, we drove all around creation, going through Evergreen, Jefferson and then miles and miles of high altitude valleys before ending up in Colorado Springs. Where we shoved in some dinner and then drove home.
It has been a spectacular TG break and I am thankful. Real life starts up again this morning, in just a few minutes actually, with me going to work and G taking my car in to fix the redneck window. He heads back this afternoon and then we begin the countdown to his next trip out here.
And the countdown to Christmas! The decorations are up, the tree is lit, and my annual holiday books are laying on the table just waiting to be read!
How about you? Are you getting ready for the holidays?
A few minutes outside of Denver, there is a natural amphitheater created by three large stone structures, known as Red Rocks. We have heard that it is an amazing place to see musicians, and also that it is open daily for people who want to visit. So of course we hopped in the car, made a pit stop in the town of Morrison for some Tex Mex fuel, and went exploring.
I can see that this blog is quickly going to get redundant if I keep describing everything as beautiful all the time. But how else would you describe this?
As G put it, this is probably the only concert venue in America where one has to be physically fit to actually get in. Check out this incline:
This is how I feel daily when I climb the stairs at work:
Here is the view of the theater looking up from the stage. We must see a concert here immediately. Several people, who are apparently insane, were running the stairs, stopping to do jumping jacks or whatever. Crazy people.
The view of the stage from the top, with the Denver skyline in the distance.
Look! A celebrity sighting!
Afterwards, we drove all around creation, going through Evergreen, Jefferson and then miles and miles of high altitude valleys before ending up in Colorado Springs. Where we shoved in some dinner and then drove home.
It has been a spectacular TG break and I am thankful. Real life starts up again this morning, in just a few minutes actually, with me going to work and G taking my car in to fix the redneck window. He heads back this afternoon and then we begin the countdown to his next trip out here.
And the countdown to Christmas! The decorations are up, the tree is lit, and my annual holiday books are laying on the table just waiting to be read!
How about you? Are you getting ready for the holidays?
Sunday, November 25, 2012
A Week of Thanksgiving - We're Golden
Have I mentioned how much I love living here? Just out for a Saturday drive...in the mountains.
The day started with G's firm dedication to supporting Small Business Saturday. At a nerd store, of course. After much deliberation (while I sat in the car like an old lady) he bought the Dystopian Legions FSA Starter set and also a small pack of French air ships. Whatever that means.
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| G with his treasure. |
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| People, there is a dragon on the window. A dragon. |
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| His nerdy spoils. |
After doing our capitalism due diligence, we drove to Golden, a Western-style mining town, also the home of the Coors beer plant. It is nestled in between the foothills. We had lunch, walked around the shops, bought some serious coffee and then headed out for our old folks Saturday drive.
The other day my passenger-side window just fell down. Randomly. While we were going 60 mph on the highway. We got an appointment to take it in to the shop tomorrow, but in the meantime, we are driving around with it duct taped shut. Cue the Beverly Hillbillies music now.
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| Note the large strips of ugly duct tape holding the window shut. |
Some crappy cell phone pics of the beautiful drive:
We got home just in time to put up the Christmas tree and then dash back out to get some pics of the sunset over Denver:
I'm telling you, I could get used to this. But tomorrow work starts up again and will totally get in the way of my social life and personal hobbies. Can someone please do something about that?! In the meantime, we have one more day of exploring left!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
A Week of Thanksgiving - Exploration
Yesterday we got out and about in Boulder and Estes Park. Look what we saw right off the side of the road:
Aren't they incredible? We were driving along and saw a bunch of people on the side of the road with cameras. In true American fashion, we screeched to a stop and ran to join them. The elk were about 10 feet away from us and didn't bat an eye at their audience. In fact, they looked rather used to their paparazzi following. They were a bit too cool for school. We left when a family showed up and let their kids play video games at full volume. Classy.
We started the day in Boulder. The weather was beautiful, as usual, and I wanted to show G the touristy wonder that is Pearl Street.
We had lunch in my new favorite Boulder spot:
G got to enjoy an actual meal. Quite a change from his sub par TG ham and cheese sandwich. I had my ol' standby: Southwest Eggs Benedict sent straight from Heaven.
After some milling about, we hit the road for Estes. The drive was gorgeous and we were those annoying people driving about 20 mph and pulling off every few miles to let cars pass.
These are crappy phone pics, but you can see the mountains in the distance.
On the agenda for today: explore the town of Golden and do more driving around in nature. Pretty soon we'll work our way up to, you know, walking around in nature. :)
Aren't they incredible? We were driving along and saw a bunch of people on the side of the road with cameras. In true American fashion, we screeched to a stop and ran to join them. The elk were about 10 feet away from us and didn't bat an eye at their audience. In fact, they looked rather used to their paparazzi following. They were a bit too cool for school. We left when a family showed up and let their kids play video games at full volume. Classy.
We started the day in Boulder. The weather was beautiful, as usual, and I wanted to show G the touristy wonder that is Pearl Street.
We had lunch in my new favorite Boulder spot:
G got to enjoy an actual meal. Quite a change from his sub par TG ham and cheese sandwich. I had my ol' standby: Southwest Eggs Benedict sent straight from Heaven.
After some milling about, we hit the road for Estes. The drive was gorgeous and we were those annoying people driving about 20 mph and pulling off every few miles to let cars pass.
These are crappy phone pics, but you can see the mountains in the distance.
On the agenda for today: explore the town of Golden and do more driving around in nature. Pretty soon we'll work our way up to, you know, walking around in nature. :)
Friday, November 23, 2012
A Week of Thanksgiving - Black Friday
Hope your Thanksgiving was festive and relaxing!
G and I enjoyed the day introvert style. I didn't get out of my pj's at all.
Although I spend most of our marriage wailing and gnashing my teeth that G is not a foodie, I am nothing but thankful for that today. If he were as into food as I am, I would weigh 450 pounds no matter how much I exercised. And if he were as into food as I am, he would not have enjoyed Thanksgiving. As you will see in just a minute.
Since it was just the two of us yesterday, and since G does not like the traditional TG spread, my plan was to cook some traditional stuff for me, and some meatloaf & mashed potatoes for him. That way, we each get what we like, and we can eat the leftovers for the next few days. I am a genius.
The day started with some hashbrown casserole:
Then we layed around and relaxed, only getting up to grab an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.
Then after a nap, it was time for me to get crackin in the kitchen. I had already made the dressing, and a pie. So I got busy breading chicken and prepping green bean casserole. Then I discovered that the meat I was going to use for G's meatloaf was completely frozen. It was a brick. I had forgotten to defrost it.
Here is where I am going to mention one more time how thankful I am that he is not a foodie. Because here is his Thanksgiving meal:
A ham and cheese sandwich, people. Which he enjoyed as much as I enjoyed mine:
Here is my question for you: do you take advantage of Black Friday? Have you noticed that each year, the stores open earlier and earlier? I can remember (because I'm 85 years old) when stores used to open at 4 a.m. on Friday morning. Then they backed it up to 2 a.m. Then midnight. Here, they opened some stores at 8:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night! Don't you think that's a little ridiculous? Or do you think it's a fun way to shop and get a good deal?
On the agenda for today: Boulder again! This time with G!
Enjoy your Black Friday, peeps! Whatever is on your agenda!
G and I enjoyed the day introvert style. I didn't get out of my pj's at all.
Although I spend most of our marriage wailing and gnashing my teeth that G is not a foodie, I am nothing but thankful for that today. If he were as into food as I am, I would weigh 450 pounds no matter how much I exercised. And if he were as into food as I am, he would not have enjoyed Thanksgiving. As you will see in just a minute.
Since it was just the two of us yesterday, and since G does not like the traditional TG spread, my plan was to cook some traditional stuff for me, and some meatloaf & mashed potatoes for him. That way, we each get what we like, and we can eat the leftovers for the next few days. I am a genius.
The day started with some hashbrown casserole:
Then we layed around and relaxed, only getting up to grab an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.
Then after a nap, it was time for me to get crackin in the kitchen. I had already made the dressing, and a pie. So I got busy breading chicken and prepping green bean casserole. Then I discovered that the meat I was going to use for G's meatloaf was completely frozen. It was a brick. I had forgotten to defrost it.
Here is where I am going to mention one more time how thankful I am that he is not a foodie. Because here is his Thanksgiving meal:
A ham and cheese sandwich, people. Which he enjoyed as much as I enjoyed mine:
Here is my question for you: do you take advantage of Black Friday? Have you noticed that each year, the stores open earlier and earlier? I can remember (because I'm 85 years old) when stores used to open at 4 a.m. on Friday morning. Then they backed it up to 2 a.m. Then midnight. Here, they opened some stores at 8:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night! Don't you think that's a little ridiculous? Or do you think it's a fun way to shop and get a good deal?
On the agenda for today: Boulder again! This time with G!
Enjoy your Black Friday, peeps! Whatever is on your agenda!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thanksgiving as a discipline - Day 3
After I wrote yesterday's post, I hopped in the car and took C to the airport. It was one of those mornings - nothing specific, but I was just over it already and the day hadn't really even begun. I walked into a bunch of chaos in the office and after a few hours had to dart out for a dentist appointment. As I laid in the chair, I thought about how I had purposefully started the day in a spirit of gratitude, and how quickly it went downhill after I shut the laptop.
Thanksgiving (gratitude, appreciation) is a discipline. I once heard someone say that one of the best ways we can love God back is to thank him for what he has given us. So even though I had spent hours mentally grumbling and grousing, I laid back and thanked him for things, whatever came to mind.
Here are a few things that come to mind right now:
*This one gets out here tonight!
He won't have the bun bun, but that's ok.
*The weather in CO is fantastic. It is beautiful here, like, all the time.
*For as much dental work as I have had (which is to say a boatload), I have been blessed with some of the best dentists ever. I went in for an initial appointment a few weeks ago and the hygienist and I were talking. She was looking over my files, and after a while she snapped the folder shut, looked up at me, and goes, "Well! I see you're no stranger to dental work!" That's putting it lightly, sister.
*I am thankful that today is my Friday!
What are you thankful for today?
Have a very safe and happy Thanksgiving, peeps!
Thanksgiving (gratitude, appreciation) is a discipline. I once heard someone say that one of the best ways we can love God back is to thank him for what he has given us. So even though I had spent hours mentally grumbling and grousing, I laid back and thanked him for things, whatever came to mind.
Here are a few things that come to mind right now:
*This one gets out here tonight!
He won't have the bun bun, but that's ok.
*The weather in CO is fantastic. It is beautiful here, like, all the time.
*For as much dental work as I have had (which is to say a boatload), I have been blessed with some of the best dentists ever. I went in for an initial appointment a few weeks ago and the hygienist and I were talking. She was looking over my files, and after a while she snapped the folder shut, looked up at me, and goes, "Well! I see you're no stranger to dental work!" That's putting it lightly, sister.
*I am thankful that today is my Friday!
What are you thankful for today?
Have a very safe and happy Thanksgiving, peeps!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
A Week of Thanksgiving - Day 2
To be completely honest, there are times when I think that the Thanksgiving holiday is nothing but a precursor to Christmas. It's a couple of much-needed days off work, and as the turkey and dressing come out of the oven, I smile to myself because now we can unpack the Christmas tree and throw in the holiday DVD's.
I have forgotten a lot about history, but I believe the pilgrims originally had this feast to celebrate the fact that they were still alive in the new land. Despite a world of new hardships, they had food on the table and God in their hearts. Any holiday celebrating food is a holiday for me. The pilgrims and I have that in common.
I am in a new land, too. Not nearly as full of hardships as the old land, though.
*I am thankful - and I think the pilgrims would appreciate this - for a fridge fully stocked with ingredients for Thanksgiving. Tonight after work, I'm baking oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and a black forest pecan pie. Tomorrow night will be the rest of the prep - with G here!
*I am thankful that this year, it will just be G and me on Thanksgiving. Being with family is great, but it has been years and years since we celebrated a holiday in a low-key way, and we are going to enjoy it.
*It is a blessing to get random fall decorations in the mail from a friend who knows exactly how much I will appreciate them. :)
*I am thankful that we have good jobs working for good people. Work is not the focus of this blog - time off is! - but it deserves recognition that G and I are both incredibly blessed to work on teams of solid, intelligent and kind-hearted people. Considering that work is where we spend the majority of our lives, and it is what quite literally puts food on our table, I thank God that it is pretty enjoyable.
*Lastly, I am thankful for a Sonic right down the road. Is it sad that living close to one automatically makes it feel like home for me? Whatevs. I love it.
I have forgotten a lot about history, but I believe the pilgrims originally had this feast to celebrate the fact that they were still alive in the new land. Despite a world of new hardships, they had food on the table and God in their hearts. Any holiday celebrating food is a holiday for me. The pilgrims and I have that in common.
I am in a new land, too. Not nearly as full of hardships as the old land, though.
 |
| Orca and I fully appreciate celebratory feasts. |
*I am thankful - and I think the pilgrims would appreciate this - for a fridge fully stocked with ingredients for Thanksgiving. Tonight after work, I'm baking oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and a black forest pecan pie. Tomorrow night will be the rest of the prep - with G here!
*I am thankful that this year, it will just be G and me on Thanksgiving. Being with family is great, but it has been years and years since we celebrated a holiday in a low-key way, and we are going to enjoy it.
*It is a blessing to get random fall decorations in the mail from a friend who knows exactly how much I will appreciate them. :)
*I am thankful that we have good jobs working for good people. Work is not the focus of this blog - time off is! - but it deserves recognition that G and I are both incredibly blessed to work on teams of solid, intelligent and kind-hearted people. Considering that work is where we spend the majority of our lives, and it is what quite literally puts food on our table, I thank God that it is pretty enjoyable.
*Lastly, I am thankful for a Sonic right down the road. Is it sad that living close to one automatically makes it feel like home for me? Whatevs. I love it.
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