Day 158: The Earth & Fun Parents

I've never had much of a green thumb - in fact, I'd wager to say I have a bit of a brown thumb. Even so, I've lived with a variety of individuals with green thumbs aplenty - and today one of my current roommates asked me to help her with planting some of her garden.

I dug around in the dirt, looked at bugs, moved worms (with a rake since ...I am not touching those), planted green things, watered, accidentally got sprayed with the hose, and it was really just a nice time. Digging in the dirt was peaceful, and the bugs were somewhat fascinating. I don't even like bugs but it was interesting anyway.

I hope the garden doesn't die due to the presence of my brown thumb, but it was a really nice time to just be.

And for a funny thing... I sometimes can't wait to be a parent just so I can do funny things to my kids and this article hits a bunch of parents who have capitalized on the silliness.
Geeky Parents Who Think Outside of the Box

Day 157: Jamming with Great Musicians

Lately I've been jamming with a lot of different musicians and tonight I met with some folks who have been singin and playin together for a year and I absolutely adore their sound.  They were also pretty excited about me so it was a great jam all around.  Top off the music with being outside watching the sunset... and tonight was just fantastic.

Also excited to be caught up with my blog!  Hooray!

Day 156: Aesthetic Beauty

Okay... So this is actually about Game of Thrones.  I read the books last year - those that have been published, at least - and just recently was able to start watching the TV series. While the show itself has its share of elements I don't love (I hate blood, kids... so why do I watch? I don't know.) but the intro is just soooo aesthetically pleasing that I watch it everytime I watch the show - and I have watched at least an episode a day. Take a look for yourself.  It's well created and includes enough details that I find myself watching for new details every time.

Also aesthetically pleasing lately has been Colorado... the storms have cleared out leaving a brand new, freshly washed growth with scattered clouds over the mountains and sun pouring down over the valley.  It's gorgeous.  The sounds of birds singing outside is always nice as well.

Day 155: Learning

Life happens. We make mistakes. We learn from those mistakes. We move forward... That is life - happening.

I spent Day 155 mostly in reflection on recent mistakes. Self evaluation and consideration are always at hand.  Self respect, self worth, self value, passion, strengths, weaknesses, joys, sorrows, pleasures, pains; Who am I? What am I doing? Why am I here?

One thing I continue to embrace is that we are always learning. And although not every choice or movement is ideal, we learn from each of those choices and movements. I am happy I love myself to acknowledge that one failure does not mean the failure of my life.  In fact... it's just something more from which I might learn.

They say, "live and learn," and that's truly what life is all about. Living life and learning from it.

Day 154: Thunderstorms

Denver has had a spell of tornado warnings recently - so there has been no shortage of storms.

Rain.. although I do not enjoy walking in rain on regular basis, I love the sound of rain.  The roar of thunder - the flash of lightning - and the sounds of nature in powerful display is something I love.

I went on a date with myself - independence, folks - and then went to meet up with friends later.  As I got onto the train I heard about some tornado warnings, and as I was riding on the train watched as the sky put on a demonstration of indescribable potency.  It was magnificent.

I love the rage we see in the universe at times.  It is awe-inspiring and fear-striking all at once. There is just nothing else quite like it.

Day 153: Contemplative Walks

On Friday, I woke up and decided to walk to a thrift store while thinking about my place in life.  It goes along with my current independent streak - walking somewhere alone and just kind of experiencing life that way.  It was nice.  No noise from the outside world that I didn't welcome into it... and good for my heart.  I love walking - it's interesting how much something so simple can be forgotten when unable to do it for a longer period of time.  But I'm glad to have refound it, as I've been taking many walks on my own since then - and each of them is delightful.

Day 152: New Places

Man... Day 152 actually had a lot of things I enjoy: an airport run, meetings with friends, gifts, and... I went to a new place.  A new coffee shop in a suburb of Denver I haven't spent much time in, and I don't know what it was, but I was in love with the place.

Maybe it was that I was going somewhere new and experiencing new things, but I just felt an overwhelming amount of peace in this outskirt.

My meetings were great and contemplative - lasting several hours - and later in the evening I was able to jam with a friend.

Still the highlight of the day was that tiny suburb.  What a delight, you are, Arvada.  I don't know why, but I like you.

Day 151: Mail

Who doesn't like getting mail??? Well, I mean, aside from bills. I adore it.

I received a package on Day 151 - one that I had requested so nothing special... and a few days later I received another expected package with some extra unexpected items include (new license plates!) but both were well received.

I would like to take time to send more mail... if you are an individual whom I know and enjoys receiving mail... you let me know, and we can get that going.

Day 150: Affirming, Encouraging Individuals

When my birthday rolled around there some people who were unable to come to the brunch I'd planned for the day - several of them actually said they wanted to take me out for dinner or lunch or coffee.  On day 150, I was privileged enough to go out with one of them for a delicious lunch.

Not only did we eat great food in a little place that caters to vegan people (which... I'm not.. however, my cheese allergy sometimes appreciates the thinking style of vegans), but we also had some great conversation.

I noted that it was good to see this individual affirmed in her passions, because we share some passion and I was not always met with affirmation - and I'll be honest, I thought it was because I am a woman.  I would still wager to say it is that way, but she speculated that perhaps she was better received than me, or other wonderful friends of mine, because she is older than the rest of us. Perhaps she is right, but I was still happy to see her being given the space and freedom to exercise her passions.

As we were talking she noted that people just aren't really affirming enough - so when I commented on how kind I thought the folks were who'd offered me meals she quickly said that they offered such things because I'm awesome and deserving of such care. Although she may not have said life-changing words, she said something that all people need to hear.

Instead we spend time criticizing and antagonizing those around us, when in reality, we're all going through life together.  We all have flaws, we all have weaknesses, and we all are in need and worthy of affirmation and encouragement.  Instead of looking at others as enemies or competition, we should spend time building one another up.

It was truly a delightful day with her - complete with ice cream, which I also love.

I'm a lucky girl.  And I hope you find people in your life to affirm you as well.

Day 149: Naps

I really have never been a good nap-taker but there are days when I'm sleep deprived and ridiculously exhausted during which a nap is one of the most delightful things.  Beyond myself taking naps, I was nannying on day 149 and the kids napped quite a bit throughout the day because they were also sleep deprived.

It was kind of nice to just kick back and chill with them while we all rested.

I also had a score at the grocery store and was able to make a pretty price-friendly meal for my housemates, which I also count a win in the world of happiness.

Yes, these are small things.. but they all count.

Day 148: Independence

I love doing things alone.  Sometimes I just need to separate myself from the pack and be alone for a bit - even if we experience the same thing... It can be refreshing and lovely.

I'm behind on posts again.  But it's okay.

Day 147: Doing Nothing

Following a week of non-stop action and fun, I slept in and stayed in the house simply doing nothing.

Sometimes that's just the best thing I can do for myself... take a break.

Day 146: The Zoo, Baseball Games

I think I've posted about my love of the zoo before, but I went to the zoo on Friday and it was amazing - save that it was field trip day and there SO many children running all over the place.  Anyway, we got to witness an elephant walking across a bridge over all of us.  He stopped and stuck his trunk out at us and looked at everyone - and then would continue to walk.  Elephants, in general are just amazing.

We also had one monkey that came over near us as soon as we arrived and hung on the cage just 3 feet away staring at us.  It was a curious day for the animals.

Another funny thing to happen was when I saw that this orangoutang was the same age as my brother.  I sent him a text saying "This guy is the same age as you!"  To which my brother responded "Our descriptions are even similar! We are both tall!" ...which I verbally said "He is not tall," referring to my brother.  My dad proceeded to say that he WAS tall - his feet touch the ground.  Oh...dad jokes... I love that man. And the humor of my family.

I'd been playing hostess all week and it was wearing on me, so luckily my dad called Coors Field and got some tickets for us to go see a Rockies game.  I love baseball games - I don't know why, but they are fun.  Perhaps it's because I grew up watching the mariners when they were great, but the atmosphere of the game is just exciting.

Day 145: Mountain Towns

Growing up in a small town in the middle of a valley has given me quite the heart and love of mountain towns. I enjoy that Denver is just a hop and a skip into the mountains - and a short drive from many of the quaint mountain towns in the area: Breckenridge, Vail, Silverthorne, Estes, Evergreen, etcetera.  

We made a trip out to Breckenridge on day 145 and went to the distillery that produces one of my favorite, if not my favorite, whiskey. So... let's count it a full on win, I went to a mountain town and got to tour a great distillery and drink whiskey.

....bonus points to the wild game from Montana my dad grilled up later in the evening - delicious.

Day 144: Pedicures

Something fantastic about having someone else pamper your feet... and coming out with relatively cute toes is always a plus.


It was a good day with my mom and one of my roommates - much of the girl talk.  Man, I love my mom. People can't be reminded enough how much they are loved, and I really feel like I owe my mom a lot more thanks. She paid for my pedicure too... She's a lovely, lovely woman. 


Sorry to ramble about her for so long.  Perhaps it was "Mother's Week" rather than just a day.

Day 143: Folk Concerts

I've been a big fan of folkier type music for quite some time.  I know I posted about Nickel Creek a while back... and I suppose this post will go back to that.

Concerts aren't generally my scene: I don't like crowded spaces and I find it hard to enjoy the music with a million people screaming around me. Folk concerts are usually a bit more into the music and a little quieter in terms of audience. I'm not sure if it's because the fans of folk music all have the same type of sentiment that I have, but I appreciate it immensely.

I loved the Nickel Creek concert in Montana because it was a small venue and people sat in their chairs - with the exception of the few who danced around in the aisles.  As a musician, I find it extremely special when an audience is captivated by music rather than treating it as a background for whatever else they are doing.  So when Nickel Creek performed and everybody sat in awe and listened, ...well shoot, what a special time.

I was able to see Nickel Creek again - reunited - and they are just as incredible as they were before. And even in a much larger venue, had a captivated and appreciative audience.  I actually might even say I liked it even more this go around. As they went their separate ways as musicians, they all worked on their own crafts and I really feel like they came back with a new spark that I may not have seen before. 

I was impressed and excited to have the opportunity to see such quality musicians in concert again - and of course they put on a great encore when the audience continued to clap and scream for a decent amount of time.

Oh folk concerts, I love you. 

Day 142: Gifts Fulfilling Needs

So... I'm not much of a gift receiver. I mean, gifts are cool but I often enjoy giving them more than receiving.  They say that as you get older in life you start asking more for things to fulfill needs rather than simply because they are desired - and I can definitely see this being true. My mom's gift lists are usually "new baking pan" or "tennis shoes" ... the books and hobby-related items, as well... My dad's list took it to a whole new level: deodorant, shampoo, and then books and fishing lures (we all ask for books, it seems).

This year I had on my list a new comforter - because the one I had was down and torn and spitting its down feathers everywhere each night I slept. So... we went on a hunt. And my parents got me a new comforter, a duvet cover, and then we went on the longest quest of my life covering many stores to find new pillows and pillowcases/sheets to go with everything.

So very thankful for this gift - I think it's my first new comforter since high school and these new colors are so much more who I am now.  Mega thanks to my parents.

Day 141: Mothers

Day 141 was Mother's Day and... I am thankful for mothers  - and people who take on the role of mothering.

For this mother's day I was fortunate enough to have my mother in town!  We went to brunch (one of my favorite things), we went shopping (which I don't love, but we held puppies and that was pretty fun), we went to Cirque du Soleil, ate greek food and had a pretty great day together.

My mom has always been supportive and unconditional in her love for me and anybody who takes on these caring roles is to be admired. I know that I can be a brat and I can say terrible things and be ungrateful in moments, yet unconditionally she loves me.  She welcomes my friends into her home, she ask questions about the well-being of others, and very rarely is she selfish in her actions.  She is kind of goofy at times and loves to laugh - as does my whole family.

So... for having my mother in town; for those who show motherly love to children; for Mother's Day ...Joy.

Day 140: Twenty-Seven

Day 140 was my birthday. I had a brunch with friends in the late morning/afternoon and then my parents came to town and we went out for wine and appetizers in the evening.  Both were delightful and enjoyable, but I think the fact I turned 27 actually means something to me.

As I said it to a friend, it is the first age at which I truly feel like a woman.  Like I've crossed out of the weird period of being fresh out of college.  Surely I'm still a "young adult" but I guess this is the first time of being comfortable with being a woman instead of a girl.

I would say all girls are women - young women in college and so on - but there is something different about acknowledging that and feeling comfortable to embrace saying, "I am a woman."  I wonder if it is the same for men  - with terms like "guy" being so applicable at so many ages, at what point does a male look and confidently and comfortably say "I am a man?" (Aside from when he's making some macho point/sarcastic remark.)

I've learned that as life goes on, our exposure to pain is increased, we learn more, and I, personally, find myself "dealing" with life more. Simultaneously, I love myself more and know more of who I am and what I want in life.  I want to be someone that is seen to be caring and generous towards others - and help others in their happiness. I do not want to be a part of the underlying current that goes beneath so many of us in judgment and disrespect. I want to see the good in people rather than vent about the bad (definitely hard sometimes, but something I want, to be sure).

I felt more pain in my 26th year than ever in my life - but it reawakened a creative side that enabled me to write music, and it helped me to really reflect on what I'm doing with myself - what is important -and how to really seek out living the way I want to live.  

All this to say, I'm quite excited about the year to come.  Something about 27 just has that nice ring to it.... so I'll take it.

Day 139: Fitness Programs

On the day on which I was supposed to post day 139 I started a new workout program with a friend. I guess I've gotten sick of my ankle being out of commission - and honestly, even my therapists said that it would continue to hurt for up to a year.  So, I came to the conclusion that I could no longer hold me back from doing things I love: being active.

So we joined this fitness program through BeachBody - Focus T25.  It's 25 minutes a day for 5 days a week with a progression each month to harder material. The first day is cardio - so on day 139 I started the cardio.  I had to modify some for my ankle (pivoting was hard!) but it felt good to be starting something.  Of course each day is something different (Cardio, Speed, Full Body, Abs, Lower body, and Stretching) so some of the days were harder than others, but I was pleasantly surprised when it came back to Cardio yesterday and I was able to do a bit more.

The first part of this program is preparation for the next - so it's focusing on form and making sure everything that should be used is being used properly. This somewhat makes me dread the next part since I am not even able to do everything right now, but I continue to remind myself that I have more time to work on it and by the time the next part rolls around, I'll be fine.

I've never done one of these programs before but it's kind of fun - and fun because I joined the community and have my before pictures and blah blah. It's also fun to try to keep my friend going and on track. It'll be neat to see if there are actually any results.

Ohhhh how I love being active. Endorphins. Feeling good. This will be a good thing if for nothing else than the experiment and the feeling of having been active each day for just a little bit of time.

Day 138: Catching Up

Well, it's been a wild last week or so - between my birthday and family visiting town... so I have some days to catch up on.  Ten of them, I believe.

So... here is my short post to say that I like catching up so that I am no longer behind!  (And here we go!!)

Day 137: Vegetables

I am really thankful for vegetables.

Particularly today, I was really excited to return home and have a meal prepared by a roommate chalk full of veggies.

Yum.

Healthy and delicious.  What's not to love?

Day 136: New Accomplishments

I had a headlight out.  I'm not entirely sure when it happened, but there was a night a few weeks ago when I realized the reflection of my car was lacking one headlight.

In efforts to not get a ticket, I drove with my brights on... Not entirely sure what kind of ticket the brights would amount to, but I figured it was better than one headlight out.

I picked up a bulb yesterday and read my manual a little.  Decided to tackle the change today... and upon opening the hood and unscrewing the part where the headlight is, I was lost.

No idea what to do, I posted on Facebook asking for people that had experience with changing headlights.  I really didn't think it could be that hard, so I felt particularly defeated and helpless while asking for help. One response said I should send him a message and he could give some instruction.

I think he gave me some little advice like, "pop the hood and unscrew the part where the headlight is and change the bulb."  Something I'd already done, but I figured I was just missing something.  I read through the manual a bit more to see some diagrams and eventually found myself in a conversation with my brother while making my attempts.

Lucky for me, my brother has the same kind of car and knew exactly what I was seeing so as I was doing it, he was giving advice, I was staring at the pictures in the manual and trying to follow all of the instructions.

1) Open hood
2) Unscrew plastic thing where headlight is
3) Pick the right color of wire
4) Disarm bomb
...wait.. no...
4) Unplug wire
5) Unhook ridiculous strong latch thing that doesn't want to unhook
6) Remove light
7) Replace light and guess on which direction it should face. Try not to touch it while you're doing it but still replace it.
8) Rehook ridiculously strong latch thing that also doesn't want to hook
9) Screw around with this for a while
10) Replug wire
11) Try to put that plastic thing back over everything even if it doesn't really want to go back on... 
12) Give up and start car just to make sure the right bulb was replaced
13) Feel proud the right bulb was replaced
14) Try to put the plastic thing back on more... 
15) Slam it on... 
16) Shut hood
17) Feel accomplished

....and boy, do I feel accomplished.  And handy and independent. I do have a weird curiosity about my car but I never feel confident to really navigate what is going on for it. So today was just a little triumphant all around. I fixed the fact I had a headlight out - and I did it alone.  (With help from afar.)

Day 135: Web Profile

Well... with all of the articles I've been writing, I actually just have a profile on the NewsCastic website with all of the articles - minus two that are still pending.

<Check It Out>

Like it (facebook style) Tweet it.  Share it.  Do whatever.  If you like them. Don't lie and just like them just because you like me (because I know everybody likes me).

Anyway, what an interesting time - and enjoyable all at once.

Day 134: Waving at People in Cars

Having grown up in Montana, I'm used to the small community in which everybody waves to one another as they pass - whether in a car or on foot. Lately it's been wonderful to see people wave in the neighborhoods.

Today specifically, a little girl was in her driveway and her grandfather asked if she could wave to me... and she did.  He proceeded to tell me she normally doesn't wave at strangers - so I felt even more special then.

Something has happened within our society where we all walk into public spaces with our walls up high. We avoid eye contact on public transportation and use our smart phones or other devices to conveniently give excuse the fact we do not want to interact with humanity.

While I understand this guarded stature to a degree, I also feel like we've made our society to be even more isolating to others. God forbid we include someone in anything as small as a smile or eye contact. I try to be present and I understand times when I may not be feeling so outgoing or social, but I do think this is something we could work on combatting.

Perhaps people wouldn't be so depressed and lonely if they got the occasional smile and wave.  You just never know what that will mean to them.

Day 133: Unexpected Gifts

I've always had a bit of a hard time with holidays feeling as though they've desensitized certain aspects of our lives - Thanksgiving gives us reason to be thankful one day out of the year, New Years enables people to make resolutions on a big date, Christmas is the season in which we give, birthdays we focus on an individual, etc.  I've just always thought it's best to adopt those philosophies all of the time - focus on the people you love daily, give to people always, make resolutions when you feel inspired to do so.

Because these holidays have somewhat instilled the idea that the other days aren't as deserving of these concepts, I find it refreshing when people are displaying the "attitudes" of the holiday when it's not the holiday. It's probably the same beef people have with Valentine's being a day that gets a lot of pressure for people to go on dates - when people should always be wanting to show love and go on dates.  I just carry this over into everything.

Yesterday was one of those days where I was unexpectedly surprised with gifts - and I'm so thankful. I returned home feeling incredibly blessed.  I was given a trip, basically, that will give some insight into my future. Plane tickets and expenses all covered by this wonderful individual all for the sake of hoping to help me figure some things out.

I moved onto my friend's house for a lovely night with fire and wine. In our conversation it came up that she had an extra ticket to a concert this summer - and I don't want to drop names or anything but...One Republic at Red Rocks Amphitheater sounds pretty stinkin awesome.

Later I was gifted farm fresh eggs... and honestly, I don't need any of these things but it doesn't detract from how blessed I am by the offerings.  Truly remarkable.

Day 132: Good Music

Well...  Here I return to music. 

It was a long day from shopping, cleaning, cooking, organizing, biking, browsing, and more of some of those things several times over - and then suddenly there was this guitarist in my house.

It was as though an angel was singing to me while I cleaned and made attempts to be productive. The strings plucked so delicately and in perfect beauty washing over my soul. I was moved. Not only was I moved to tears, but I nearly started bawling - something I don't do often, and certainly not when I'm feeling happy. 

I made my escape before anybody could see tears and turned on some different music in my car, but the music from the house lingered in my mind.

Upon returning home it was still going, and the boy was still sitting there playing his guitar in the most fantastic way.

Truly... one of the more impacting musical moments of my life. I still feel moved. Good music is to be cherished and embraced, and that is what I will do.

Day 131: Dad Jokes

Pretty sure I've posted about dad jokes before but today I saw a list (I LOVE LISTS) of dad jokes that cracked me up...  so here you go.  You're welcome.

34 Greatest Dad Jokes of All Time

Also... in honor of lists and writing articles, I've written a couple more!  Check them out if you so desire!

• 6 Denver Breakfasts Worth Waiting For (because I love breakfast)
• Awesome Denver Non-Profits You Didn't Know About (but should)