Make Your Own Sparks: No Fireworks Here

As I’ve been acclimating to my new city it’s been striking to see things that are the same and things that are different.  This week here’s my observation – No Firework stands.  None, zero, zip.  How do students raise money for summer camp?  How do kids make memories of sparkler dances and fountains of sparks going off?  They don’t.  Families attend July 4^th parades, eat hot dogs and go to shows sponsored by cities, towns or companies.  Talking with the locals they event tell me that the big sponsored firework shows can often be cancelled due to dry conditions.

I still remain open to this new Colorado life, but I appreciate more the year watching my dad light bottle rockets over the ocean, dancing with sparklers on the basketball court, and sparks of fountains falling down like rain.

May this year bring new happy memories and may you make your own sparks.

No matter where you are this July 4^th.  Celebrate safely and if you are in a place with sparklers.  Light one for me!

12 Days Living in Denver

12 days in Denver

So if you take out all the ups, downs, fly in and fly outs since I landed in Denver it’s really only been 12 consecutive days of living here.  Here’s an update on my progress 12 things for 12 days.

12 – Restaurants we have tried from Thai to Indian, burritos, and ice cream to breakfast places.  I’ve had mimosas in the rain, Indian fry bread on a Friday night, pizza delivery, and sliders cooked to perfection.

11 – Morning meditations sitting out on my patio.    The mornings here are at least 70 degrees and the cup of coffee in our quiet neighborhood is amazing.  My squirrel friend visits most every day.

10 – The number of times on gone out to the garage looking for a box of something I cannot find.  Has anyone seen my Quickbook’s CD? 

9 – Times I’ve asked Don to drive me somewhere and he’s graciously said yes without delay. I’m deeply grateful.  From Target to the grocery store, restaurants to doctors he’s always there with the car keys and a smile.

8 – Meals cooked at home in the new kitchen if you count the use of my juicer as a meal. (Ok the waffle iron did make it’s transition when I broke the handle off it attempting to make wafflilch’s at home) 

7 – The number of time’s I’ve called home to check on my mom, my dad, my bother or anyone with an OR in their address.

6 – Out of town visitors I’ve had the chance to catch up with. - Midori, Jessica, Jim, Karen, Michael, Roger

5 – Times we’ve all the maintenance company and had no response to my long list of things they still need to fix.  Just in case you are wondering the 3^rd toilet in your house is not considered an emergency if you have 2 that work even if the 3^rd one is in your office.

4 – Thunder Storms with the lightening to spark the nights.

3 – The miles of walking trail around Sloan Lake.  Amazing date night at sunset with the Canadian geese, dog walkers, photo takers, and fishermen.  Proof there is water here if you look hard enough.

2 – Visits to Mile High Church where community welcomed me with open arms.  Also the number of sunglasses I had to acquire… did I mention it’s summer here?

1 - Visit to Urgent Care (watch out the curbs are a killer here).  At least I know where it is now.

The move to Colorado has been a life change like none other.  It’s been harder and better than I could have visualized.  There are still countless things to do like buy a car, change my drivers license, find the QuickBooks CD’s, learn to bake at high altitude, make a few girlfriends, find a farmers market, a baseball game (that’s on the list for next week), a concert at red rocks, tour my parents on an upcoming visit, hike a 14er (no, I don’t really know what that means), enroll in the practitioner program at mile high, ride the bus, find a hair dresser, and who knows what all else.

At the end of the 12^th day I’m grateful for the support of both my family and friends as I navigate all the new adventures ahead.  And most sincerely thanks to my dear housemate and beloved Don for breathing in and out no matter how random my request from new showerheads to magic sponges, take out the garbage to moving boxes up and down stairs.  It’s been a wild ride of early mornings and late nights thanks for teaching me to be a better more flexible and receiving person.  I look forward to the weeks ahead.  Isn’t it time for a vacation?

Cheers to life lived fully at a mile high!