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!

Giddy up

Tomorrow I make the move to Montrose. I have truly enjoyed my time in Grand Junction, and having the free house to stay in transitionally has been awesome. But now it is time to start paying my own rent, water, and electricity once again. I didn't anticipate that it would be so hard to find a place to rent in the Montrose/Delta area until I had to find something in a matter of a week. It stressed me out at first (Thanks Mom, Dad, Meg and Liz for listening to my rants and raves) because the choices were limited and I felt a bit unsure of what to do. Then I was introduced to one property and fell in love. I am not sure what it is about it that I love so much, because it totally and completely different than what I am used to. But let's just say it stole my heart. It is a little house off Highway 90 in what is called the Spring Creek Mesa area. It is about 10 mins from Main Street in Montrose but the drive seems a lot longer because of the landscape. Horse farms, cattle farms, even a sheep farm are strewn on each side of the highway. The Cimarron Mountains can be viewed easily as can just plain pasture. The house is about 1400 square feet down a gravel driveway. It is on 3 acres fenced by barbed wire. The house itself is in good condition and has a rustic feel, but not run-down at all. It is clean and contemporary, spacious enough for me and the boys and guests of course! There is a garage, a work shed, and the views are amazing-the Cimarron Peaks, pastoral landscape with horses and cows, and I know the night sky will be fantastic. And, I think...I wasn't fully sure...but I think that a bluebird was sitting on the fence the day I looked at the house. And bluebirds to me are a good sign if you don't already know! I sadly forgot my camera today when I went to sign the lease and the Internet pictures are not coming up very well. So just close your eyes and imagine.

There are a few downsides. As of right now I don't get Internet through my provider, but I will be shopping around. So...by blog may not be updated very often. My cell phone doesn't work so I will have a landline come Monday...I will let you know the new number. The driveway to the house may be challenging in winter, and the drive to work that is now 30 minutes may be a lot longer with winter weather. But...these challenges aside, I am really looking forward to my new life, in my new house, with a new perspective on things. The boys can't wait for 3 acres of exploration. And I can't wait to look up at that starry night sky, as I do every so often, and remember that we are all blanketed under it together.

XO Mel

A little exploring

This weekend has been about exploration! Yesterday, I went to Montrose to look for a rental property. I found out Friday that I will be in  Grand Junction for another week, and then will start working in the Delta Montrose area. I found two hopeful properties that are totally different-one is small, a bit run down, and in the downtown area. The other is really nice by one of the golf courses, landscaped beautifully and pretty big-lots of room for guests! So, tomorrow I will make some calls and see which is available and when I can move in.

Today I drove to the Grand Mesa in the morning. It was a beautiful day to go, and the drive was very relaxing. The wildflowers were still pretty, though I can tell wildflower season is just about over.

In the afternoon I took the boys to the Monument. I love it there! I didn't realize just how beautiful it is. I paid for a week pass because there are few hiking trails I may try to get to at night this week. 

It felt good to get out and explore the area. I haven't had a weekend with nothing planned for a while, so it was nice to see some parts of this area I haven't explored. I think, too, I needed a little touch of nature. There is a lot of nature to be had in this part of the state, and I always need a little nature to clear my head.

Rain is a good sign

I went to Denver for the weekend to attend my friend Amanda's wedding. She had been married once before, so this wedding was more about the vows and being with family and friends than it was pomp and circumstance. Amanda is very creative and so the wedding felt like it came out of an Anthropologie catalog! Food was catered by a local food truck. Here is a picture of the table settings:

Amanda and Andy make a very attractive couple...

The officiator was a friend of Andy's and their altar was made up of two vintage doors with pom poms hanging down the middle. Unfortunately, though, about a quarter of a way through the ceremony it poured rain. I mean...POURED. We all had to move under the tarp but the show went on and they were married. I truly believe that if you can make it through a rainy wedding with a smile and grace then you can get through anything!

I stayed with Mom and Dad, got my hair cut, took a nap, and just relaxed over the weekend. I finished my time in Denver with my kindred bestie, Meg, with coffee at Starbucks. When I was driving home, I decided to take the long way and went over McClure Pass into Paonia, a darling little town...

I started getting fatigued on my way home, and took a nap before picking up Chester and Stan from their new kennel experience. I had been very concerned about how they would fit into their new boarding place, but it seemed as though they had a good time as evidenced by their sleepiness the next day!