Fall and Frost

Have I written enough about where I live, the drive to my house, the fact that finding my house can be challenging because getting there feels like forever when it is only 10 minutes from town?

Let me first say I LOVE where I live. It has taken me a bit of time to say that, not that my place isn't nice but I have been reconciling the whole "work in Delta live in Montrose" thing. But I have finally accepted I don't want to live in Delta. In Delta, I don't get this view. In Delta, I don't get the same amenities. In Delta, I am too close to patients and co-workers. In Montrose, however, I get to be on my own terms; I don't have to worry about seeing a hospice colleague at Safeway or Walmart...Both s/he and I wanting anonymity but we can't escape. In Montrose I have my little routine-walk to the mailbox, walk the boys in the morning, go to City Market or Target. It is a simple life but it is MY simple life. I lay in bed, watch movies from Netflix, make dinners from my previously neglected cookbooks. The boys feel loved and safe. I feel loved and safe.

Fall in my neck of the woods is beautiful. I drive by a sign everyday: "Pumpkins at the covered bridge". Where is this covered bridge? What are these pumpkins? Maybe tomorrow I will drive by.

Here are some pictures from my porch,  including that of our recent frost. I have been giving so much thought lately to my life out here. Shouldn't I have a boatload of friends, going to this event or that? Being just so busy? I didn't move out here to be busy, though. I moved out here to be quiet. To get to know the horses, cows, sheep that live in the area. To read more. To rest more. To not feel the obligations. And all of those expectations are coming true, to my delight.

M&D

I had my first visitors stay with me this weekend! Mom and Dad came to see me in Montrose. They visited me in Grand Junction back at the end of July at the "hospice house" which was delightful but they didn't stay with me. This time, I have my own "rental" place with a guest room and bath. So staying with me is no problem...I am prepared, clean sheets, food stocked, towels, and all.

They came on Saturday afternoon. Poor folks, they got lost, which is easy to do when you come visit me. You have to be very specific when you visit me...Mapquest, call me to double check, call me when you hit the Montrose sign...just call me. It is so funny...I complain about seeing my patients in Paonia or Crawford...trying to find them...but trying to find ME is a challenge! They finally did around 2:30. We had tea, snacks, and then Dad wanted a tour of his old stomping ground (years ago he used to visit banks in the area) which we did. Mom and Dad went to church; I made dinner. We talked, played games on the kindle, went to bed early. On Sunday we had a nice morning. The Cedaredge Applefest was happening and we went. If you live on the Western Slope you must go to Applefest at least once, so we fulfilled that obligation. It was the best festival I have ever been to! A good balance of food, crafts, music. We were there early enough that the crowd was manageable. We ate, Mom and Dad bought some art for their mantel, we found the apples. It was so much fun. We came back to the house and Dad prepared apple strudel he purchased along with ice cream and coffee. After a food revival we drove to Ridgeway, still my most favorite town in the area. The day ended with dinner at The Red Barn, jammies in front of a jimmied TV so we could watch a channel or two, and a visit from the neighbors who finally came by to bring baked goods.

Monday morning I had to be off for work and they had to be off home. I must admit, the thought of slashing tires was more than just fleeting : )

Just Breathe

It has been over a week since I have written. I went to Denver over the weekend after a stressful work week. Jessica had a baby shower for her third child, a GIRL finally!, and I wanted to have an opportunity to see friends and spend time with family. The drive to Denver was stressful Friday night when I hit Vail Pass and all the ice that blanketed it. The night was dark and I couldn't see...I had a panic attack and decided to stay at the Frisco Best Western. I was all revved up and frustrated, but in the morning it was clear and beautiful. The weather was sunny and I was able to see the colors changing. It was a reminder to just breathe and everything will be okay.

I forgot my camera, of course. I got to Mom and Dad's around 11 and had an extended lunch. Mom and I went to the shower and it was sooooo good to be around such great people. Jessica is always a beautiful pregnant lady, and her family/friends are so kind and loving. The evening was busy...I had dinner with Jen and met my friend Kristin and her husband Greg at a local brewpub. She did take a picture which I will share...

Sunday morning I met Meg and Susan for coffee. We talked about work/life balance and stress...Susan said, "I think the key is to find the silver lining in everything." Words of wisdom, something I know but need to be reminded of now and again. I drove home and took the Grand Mesa exit. The colors on top of the Mesa were spectacular...and though I am kicking myself for not having my camera I at least have the experience and pictures in my head.

Being with friends and family reminds me to just breathe...and everything will seem a little more enjoyable!

Stuff

I am eating my words, frustrations, and claim of "minimalism" today because yesterday I finally got all my stuff delivered from storage and it feels so good! All those books I cursed while packing are back in my possession. All the kitchen items that I wondered what to do with are now snugly living in my cabinets. My framed art is hung on the walls, and my art supplies are where they should be...by my desk. I feel so much more connected now to my life change, to my new place, to this town. I finally even came to the library today, got my card, and am using the Internet here instead of Starbucks. I think I will be settling in even more so now that I am feeling like "me". Funny how when I was packing I just wanted to light a match to it all...and today I felt like it was Christmas opening up boxes and pulling out my favorite things.

Work has been crazy-busy. I am now officially on my own and am enjoying the autonomy. The only thing is I get lost trying to find people's houses, and the GPS doesn't always work, nor are Map quest directions that great. But, once I get to know my patients better that challenge will not be so prominent.

 This weekend I am going to Denver for Jess' baby shower. I am looking forward to seeing the family and a few friends. Mom and Dad come the follow weekend-I now have my guestroom set up just waiting for them! I found a gal who pet sits so I am going to give her a try this weekend. She seems really sweet and enjoyed meeting Chester and Stanley at the kennel where she works part time. She gave me her card and I think we are going to like this better than going to the kennel.

All in all, things are going well! I look forward to knowing how things are going with you!

XO Mel

A weekend with some favorite peeps

This weekend I went to Glenwood Springs and met Meg, V, and the kids. As much as I live in a relaxing area with lovely views, I love getting away to do something a little different. The boys stayed at a new kennel-one that I know is taking really good care of them-so I was very relaxed this weekend and not worried about their well-being. We all met up at the pool around noon yesterday and dipped in the hot, therapeutic waters. We stayed for a bit, and then went to the hotel and everyone went their ways to shower and rest. We had a funny Seinfeld-like experience trying to find this park where the kids could ride their bikes. We drove the loop around town twice, ended up parking a ways away, and finally found the park. For dinner we ate at The Italian Underground which was delicious, and the kids did so great sitting for dinner a while. We went back to the hotel, the kids swam and Meg and I drank wine by the pool. This morning I woke up, drank some coffee, and then did a nice workout in the fitness center. The hotel had a yummy hot breakfast, and then we all met up for the gondola. Meg and I stayed behind, thanks to my phobia of being high up in a gondola, and we wandered the Hotel Colorado and Main Street. It was so nice to spend some quality time with Meg. We went our separate ways, The Pellegrino's East Bound and I went over McClure Pass to get home. Now I am at Starbucks, and I need to grocery shop and do some cleaning. Tomorrow I pick up the boys around 5. I don't have any pictures-My batteries ran out-but Meg is going to send me a few and I can post them later. All in all, it was a great weekend and I am ready to face the week once again!

Ridgeway and a double rainbow

I am behind on writing for my blog because of the Internet thing. So, check back the beginning of every week because Starbucks will become my weekend best friend!

I like Montrose a lot! But there is a town going toward Ouray and Telluride called Ridgeway that I just love. If I didn't have to work, or could work in a small retail shop and pay the bills, I would park myself in that little town. It has so many amenities-the Ridgeway State Park is beautiful, the town park is the centerpiece of town, and they have a lot of live music because they aren't far from Telluride. The town has feelings of Carbondale where the cool aspect is there without the crowds. I thought I would show a few pictures from my visits to Ridgeway. I went there over Labor Day weekend, and then I went there today just to explore a little more.

Last night in Montrose I went to see a play by the Magic Circle Theater, the community theater company. It was a 1930's murder mystery and totally darling. It wasn't as "professional" as the DTC, but I would rank it high along with the Arvada Center. Who would think that Montrose had the talent? But we do! I am thinking about a season subscription. They are doing "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" in the spring and that will be a great show!

A few nights ago there was a double rainbow which I could see outside my front porch! I am hoping that is a good sign.

The only thing about living in a small town that bugs me is that life happens Monday-Friday, 8-5, including my work schedule. I made a special hair appointment for today, Sunday, because this gal doesn't do weekend hours. I showed up, waited 15 minutes and she never showed. She does other things in the community, so her hair business isn't her only mode of revenue. But geez, I wish she actually showed up to my appointment. I am now considering Great Clips of all places. At least they are open.

I did get a new car!! As I was driving to work the other day the clutch on the Jetta went out. Luckily it was by the Conoco so I was able to hang out there. I got it towed to the Subaru dealership and bought a 2014 Subaru Forester. It is a light green color and All Wheel Drive. I LOVE it, though saying goodbye to the Jetta was more emotional than I anticipated. The boys, though, are getting used to jumping in to the back. Chester has been doing it okay, but Stan I basically have to lift up into the back. After 2 days my car is of course filled with dog hair. But they love laying down in the back and Chester doesn't cry like he used to during our drives. I think I will be visiting Petco for a doggie ramp.

Finally, I met a new neighbor! Her name is Katie and she lives "down the road, in the trees" with her husband and dog. They just moved in two weeks ago. They are young, have lived in Montrose for 6 months and just bought this house. We met as I was walking the boys to get the mail and she was driving home. It was a quick chat but I hope to get to know her over the next few months.

Have a great week, everyone! Next weekend I will be in Glenwood with the Pellegrino's. I can't wait to spend some quality time with my bestie, hit the pool and relax. Pictures to come.

XO Mel

City Mouse, Country Mouse

I made my move last weekend to Montrose. I love it here! My house is a lovely little place on 3 acres. The boys are getting used to having so much space, and I am getting used to not checking on them every 3 minutes to make sure they haven't wandered where they shouldn't! Montrose is a super cute town. I went to the farmer's market yesterday and then wandered around the downtown area. Today I drove to Ridgeway and did some shopping. Ridgeway is a darling little community-great shops, a beautiful town park, and the Ridgeway State Park is close by, complete with a beautiful reservoir. The people are very friendly and gave me lots of ideas as to what things I need to check out in the area-the hot springs, especially, both in Ridgeway and Ouray. I didn't go as far as Ouray because I got a late start-I will save it for another adventure day. I am now at Starbucks to check Internet and then I will go home and take the boys for a nice walk. Tom and Nancy come through town tomorrow on their way to Redstone, and we are going to have lunch. It is always good to see familiar faces in a new place!

Here are pictures of the house, the land, our views, and a happy me on the front porch!

There are some amazing sunrises around here and I have a front row view!

Our farmer's market and downtown are small but cute!

This has been a welcome change for me. Of course I miss the big city and friends and family...but I am enjoying having a new little life in a town I really do love. So far this city mouse isn't complaining about moving to the country!