I haven't been keeping up very well since I started working and got sick. I should get back on track.
So here's the latest... in a nutshell. I'm not sure anyone wants to read 8 pages on what I've been doing for the past week or so.
I found out that Delta has a bar poker league! I was so excited! I love to play texas hold-em, and it's such a great way to meet people. I still remember all my poker buddies in Florida, and still talk to some of them on a semi regular basis. So my first night at poker some guy is flirting with me. I don't like to date a lot at poker, because it's my hang out and I don't want to make it weird. But he was persistent, and funny, and I think I like him. So now we've been hanging out together every day since. Hmmm, I wasn't here long before I met someone interesting.
I've started both jobs. Orientation is coming along in Delta. My first 3 days shifts were pretty busy, which is a great way to learn. I had a couple slow nights, good for getting paperwork done. I called in sick Thursday, finally can't take the coughing all the time. I think lots of rest is helping. Lots of rest is the only option since I can't catch my breath when I am in motion. I had a couple things I was going to get done today, but I have decided to just stay in and have a nice "movie/computer" day.
I went to the ER and have some doubts about it. I was supposed to be given a start of antibiotics, which I didn't get. I called and went back down, and no one has gotten back to me. This scares me, with my history of bronchitis and pnuemonia. then again, no one asked for my medical history in the ER. Hmmmmmmmm.
I did hospital orientation in Montrose. So far so good. I haven't been to the unit yet, so I can't really give an opinion on anything yet.
I guess we'll see.
I am adjusting to small town life. It's pretty much what I expected. There are pro's and con's, but overall I like it. I can't say everyone here has been overly friendly. Business owners are, and waitresses, etc. The rest will come in time, I'm sure. I'll get to know people. Many of the people I work with don't live here in Delta, but in surrounding towns. Hanging out with a local helps me meet people.
I'm not sure I'll leave the house today, unless I try to go play a game of poker later. I am getting a little cabin fever here.
More to come!
d
Dana
San Juan Mountains, from the back yard
Friday, April 29, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
meeting new people
Yesterday I went to Grand Junction and had dinner, and made a new friend. I finally get to western Colorado and meet someone who moved here from Wichita, Kansas. It's a small world! I had some fabulous local wine, and now I'm paying for it today.... Just very tired.
So today was a total --lay around the house--- day. It's really nice! I can open the back door and Cooper gets to go play. I'm getting lazy because I don't have to leash him and walk him. I did go to the local grocery store. It was so quiet and empty it was almost eerie. I guess not many people shop on Saturday evening in this town. Maybe that will make it the perfect time to go. I started to wonder if they were open, but more people came in.
I must say, business owners have been very friendly, but people walking by and on the street... not so much. I'm sure if I give it more time I'll get to know more people, especially in my line of work!
One more day off, then starting work. I'm excited, probably more for the pay checks to start up again than anything else! But I always feel a little more grounded when I'm working. I'm so glad this is a permanent job. I don't have to worry about where I might be going in 3 months or 6 months, or spend hours online keeping up with who's hiring in what states. It will be nice to start getting to know the nurses I'll be working with. They are usually like family! We end up spending so much time together.
There's more going on, but I'm not telling everything in my blog. I guess I should protect the innocent. (ha)
Maybe it should be it's own separate blog! I'll keep you posted if anything develops.
right now I'm so tired! Going to bed.
D
So today was a total --lay around the house--- day. It's really nice! I can open the back door and Cooper gets to go play. I'm getting lazy because I don't have to leash him and walk him. I did go to the local grocery store. It was so quiet and empty it was almost eerie. I guess not many people shop on Saturday evening in this town. Maybe that will make it the perfect time to go. I started to wonder if they were open, but more people came in.
I must say, business owners have been very friendly, but people walking by and on the street... not so much. I'm sure if I give it more time I'll get to know more people, especially in my line of work!
One more day off, then starting work. I'm excited, probably more for the pay checks to start up again than anything else! But I always feel a little more grounded when I'm working. I'm so glad this is a permanent job. I don't have to worry about where I might be going in 3 months or 6 months, or spend hours online keeping up with who's hiring in what states. It will be nice to start getting to know the nurses I'll be working with. They are usually like family! We end up spending so much time together.
There's more going on, but I'm not telling everything in my blog. I guess I should protect the innocent. (ha)
Maybe it should be it's own separate blog! I'll keep you posted if anything develops.
right now I'm so tired! Going to bed.
D
Thursday, April 14, 2011
first day alone in delta
It was so nice to nap yesterday evening, then get up and go back to bed. I finally feel rested and caught up on sleep, and the constant cough is finally better! No inhaler today! I woke to a very windy morning, and a huge rainbow out the back window. The coffee maker and coffee were unpacked, so I had a nice little breakfast.
Today has been good. I drove over and signed a form for the electric. I thought it was taken care of, but I guess not. No big deal. They have a cool automated kiosk with video phone, so I got to just take stuff off the printer and lay it on the scanner. They do the rest remotely. Pretty cool! I went and got my Colorado drivers license! Woohoo. Now I feel like it is official. I have moved. I am Coloradan! I registered to vote. I don't have the license yet. They mail it. Which reminds me, I need to find out about the mail box situation here. I saw a bank of boxes here at the entrance to the neighborhood, but I have no key or box number. Have to check on that. Ah, details. It will be nice when it is all settled. But then what will I do with my time? Anything I want, I suppose.
I tried the mexican place everyone says is good, and it was good. Nice to know. I had just finished a coffee and got too full, but other than that I really liked it.
I came home and put my bed together. It's hard to do by myself but I got it done. It's amazing how much I can accomplish by myself. I would never have known it if I hadn't traveled alone and been living alone for so long. In a way it's kind of cool. Help would be nice, but being single has its perks too. I enjoy coming and going when I feel like it. Eating whenever and whatever I want. Keeping the temperature where ever I'm comfortable. Napping at the drop of a hat, because I can. Sometimes it's so great! I don't get lonely that often. Sometimes I get bored. Sometimes I just want someone to talk to, or to share things with. When I see something really beautiful it would be fun to say --hey, check that out. Did you see that???---
I've been thinking... (that's what I do when left alone). What is success? I guess everyone can define it differently. I've worked hard for years, and yet I moved here with very little. I don't own much. I've made money, but spent it along the way without a lot to show for it. But I do have other things I wouldn't trade. I have the memories I've made along the way, the lessons learned, the experiences working in different places and getting new perspective on the same job. I've made friends, I've met people I don't want to see again, I've learned who I want to be more like, and who I don't. I've seen those who "have it all," some who have lost everything, and everything in between. It's been an interesting ride. I'm so glad I keep in touch with old friends, old co-workers, and people everywhere. I hope someday people will come visit me here. I'd love to share what I have found that I love. It's not for everyone, but I feel a sense of peace with all the beauty that is! I have had a dream of living out here since I was about 13 years old, and I am finally here. I finally made a move for myself and no one else. It is so exciting, and now that I'm here I hope and pray it works out and I can stay a long, long time. I'm trying not to have too many expectations on how things will go, but just to enjoy the ride. Appreciate what is here, what I can do, and roll with it.
Right now I'm walking around in my hiking boots so that soon I can take some long hikes up in the mountains. Maybe this weekend I can go hike National Monument, or Grand Delta (weather permitting). I really want to go back to the hot springs, but I should let the sun burn heal! Maybe by saturday or sunday I'll be okay, and wear sunscreen. The altitude makes the sun worse than living in Florida!
And God bless all you Floridians. I may come visit someday, but I have found where my heart belongs!
another day. more later.
Today has been good. I drove over and signed a form for the electric. I thought it was taken care of, but I guess not. No big deal. They have a cool automated kiosk with video phone, so I got to just take stuff off the printer and lay it on the scanner. They do the rest remotely. Pretty cool! I went and got my Colorado drivers license! Woohoo. Now I feel like it is official. I have moved. I am Coloradan! I registered to vote. I don't have the license yet. They mail it. Which reminds me, I need to find out about the mail box situation here. I saw a bank of boxes here at the entrance to the neighborhood, but I have no key or box number. Have to check on that. Ah, details. It will be nice when it is all settled. But then what will I do with my time? Anything I want, I suppose.
I tried the mexican place everyone says is good, and it was good. Nice to know. I had just finished a coffee and got too full, but other than that I really liked it.
I came home and put my bed together. It's hard to do by myself but I got it done. It's amazing how much I can accomplish by myself. I would never have known it if I hadn't traveled alone and been living alone for so long. In a way it's kind of cool. Help would be nice, but being single has its perks too. I enjoy coming and going when I feel like it. Eating whenever and whatever I want. Keeping the temperature where ever I'm comfortable. Napping at the drop of a hat, because I can. Sometimes it's so great! I don't get lonely that often. Sometimes I get bored. Sometimes I just want someone to talk to, or to share things with. When I see something really beautiful it would be fun to say --hey, check that out. Did you see that???---
I've been thinking... (that's what I do when left alone). What is success? I guess everyone can define it differently. I've worked hard for years, and yet I moved here with very little. I don't own much. I've made money, but spent it along the way without a lot to show for it. But I do have other things I wouldn't trade. I have the memories I've made along the way, the lessons learned, the experiences working in different places and getting new perspective on the same job. I've made friends, I've met people I don't want to see again, I've learned who I want to be more like, and who I don't. I've seen those who "have it all," some who have lost everything, and everything in between. It's been an interesting ride. I'm so glad I keep in touch with old friends, old co-workers, and people everywhere. I hope someday people will come visit me here. I'd love to share what I have found that I love. It's not for everyone, but I feel a sense of peace with all the beauty that is! I have had a dream of living out here since I was about 13 years old, and I am finally here. I finally made a move for myself and no one else. It is so exciting, and now that I'm here I hope and pray it works out and I can stay a long, long time. I'm trying not to have too many expectations on how things will go, but just to enjoy the ride. Appreciate what is here, what I can do, and roll with it.
Right now I'm walking around in my hiking boots so that soon I can take some long hikes up in the mountains. Maybe this weekend I can go hike National Monument, or Grand Delta (weather permitting). I really want to go back to the hot springs, but I should let the sun burn heal! Maybe by saturday or sunday I'll be okay, and wear sunscreen. The altitude makes the sun worse than living in Florida!
And God bless all you Floridians. I may come visit someday, but I have found where my heart belongs!
another day. more later.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
no catchy title today
Got up and took Susie to the airport and as I was driving away the phone rang. It's Susie. United doesn't show her on the flight. U-turn. Turn out it was booked on the wrong day.... Now how in the heck did that happen??? So it's $450 to get Su home. That really sucks. The rest of the month just changed drastically! If anyone wants to send donations, or early birthday presents, feel free. I have a paypal account! Life will go on. I have done creative accounting before, I can do it again. I just wish I knew when I was getting my first paycheck, from both jobs.
On to more pleasant subjects. I'm pretty sure no one wants to read about me complaining on a blog. I thought I'd mention some interesting people I've met on the trip. My friend Colleen says I should write a memoir about the guys I've met and dated, but I've decided I'll probably leave all that out of here for a while!
No one in particular was so memorable on the drive. I remember where the nice clean bathrooms were! (Glenwood Springs had a very nice one in a little bitty gas station!) Pulling into Delta there was a woman, oh so interestingly dressed in a plaid shirt, a flag covered vest, and a great big plastic flower covered hat. She was playing a pink guitar and waving a flag on the side of 50 Hwy in Delta. I'm not sure what that was about, but it was a bit entertaining!
At the hot springs in Orvis I chatted with a very nice gentleman (which is kind of odd when you're sitting naked in water, but it worked). I got all kinds of local info on where to eat, what kind of critters to look out for, places to hike, etc. The girl working there was pregnant, so who knows, maybe I'll be her delivery nurse in Montrose some day!
I like the girls at the Doghouse coffee shop here in Delta. I keep asking anyone who lives here where I should eat. There aren't a whole ton of options, but it's still good to know. The first night here we picked the wrong place and it was pretty awful. We went to McDonalds afterwards. (So Sad)
I was going to shop for a washer and dryer today, but I think that will wait now. I certainly have enough to do here at home to keep busy. That stuff won't make it out of the garage by itself.
More later!
D
On to more pleasant subjects. I'm pretty sure no one wants to read about me complaining on a blog. I thought I'd mention some interesting people I've met on the trip. My friend Colleen says I should write a memoir about the guys I've met and dated, but I've decided I'll probably leave all that out of here for a while!
No one in particular was so memorable on the drive. I remember where the nice clean bathrooms were! (Glenwood Springs had a very nice one in a little bitty gas station!) Pulling into Delta there was a woman, oh so interestingly dressed in a plaid shirt, a flag covered vest, and a great big plastic flower covered hat. She was playing a pink guitar and waving a flag on the side of 50 Hwy in Delta. I'm not sure what that was about, but it was a bit entertaining!
At the hot springs in Orvis I chatted with a very nice gentleman (which is kind of odd when you're sitting naked in water, but it worked). I got all kinds of local info on where to eat, what kind of critters to look out for, places to hike, etc. The girl working there was pregnant, so who knows, maybe I'll be her delivery nurse in Montrose some day!
I like the girls at the Doghouse coffee shop here in Delta. I keep asking anyone who lives here where I should eat. There aren't a whole ton of options, but it's still good to know. The first night here we picked the wrong place and it was pretty awful. We went to McDonalds afterwards. (So Sad)
I was going to shop for a washer and dryer today, but I think that will wait now. I certainly have enough to do here at home to keep busy. That stuff won't make it out of the garage by itself.
More later!
D
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Fist full day in Delta
We were going to sleep in, but my coughing woke me up. i had to break down and start using my inhaler again. At least I have one and it still works.
We did get the trailer unloaded last night, all my stuff is sitting in my garage. I'm so happy with my 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with a 2 car garage, fenced back yard, and mountain views from every side. Awesome! For less than my last apartment. Now i just need furniture and a washer and dryer.
So first thing this AM the trailer got dropped off. It's so nice to have my car back again. I can park anywhere! I found a great organic coffee place on main, went to Delta hospital, signed a form, did a drug test, went to Montrose hospital, same things... Lunch at Damiano's on Main in Montrose! Cutest place! Then Susie and I went to the Orvis hot springs in Ridgeway. The plan was to go to Ouray, but they are closed this week. I am so glad they are, because I LOVED Orvis! We went to Target to get suits, but the place is clothing optional. So I buy a suit, get there, and don't wear it! Silliness. Now I feel better about my jobs, have start dates for both, and have a slight sunburn on one side.
I am so tired! What a crazy 5 days..... I have to be up early to take Susie to the Grand Junction airport in the AM. I will miss her. It's been fun having someone to play with all the time. Once I'm alone I'll have to start getting the house in order. I can't waste all my time off. Well, I can enjoy it!!!
until tomorrow!
We did get the trailer unloaded last night, all my stuff is sitting in my garage. I'm so happy with my 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with a 2 car garage, fenced back yard, and mountain views from every side. Awesome! For less than my last apartment. Now i just need furniture and a washer and dryer.
So first thing this AM the trailer got dropped off. It's so nice to have my car back again. I can park anywhere! I found a great organic coffee place on main, went to Delta hospital, signed a form, did a drug test, went to Montrose hospital, same things... Lunch at Damiano's on Main in Montrose! Cutest place! Then Susie and I went to the Orvis hot springs in Ridgeway. The plan was to go to Ouray, but they are closed this week. I am so glad they are, because I LOVED Orvis! We went to Target to get suits, but the place is clothing optional. So I buy a suit, get there, and don't wear it! Silliness. Now I feel better about my jobs, have start dates for both, and have a slight sunburn on one side.
I am so tired! What a crazy 5 days..... I have to be up early to take Susie to the Grand Junction airport in the AM. I will miss her. It's been fun having someone to play with all the time. Once I'm alone I'll have to start getting the house in order. I can't waste all my time off. Well, I can enjoy it!!!
until tomorrow!
arriving in Delta
Well, in all the excitement and exhaustion of moving, I skipped a couple days. I'll try to keep up. I had a great time in Kansas City seeing my friends. I had dinner with Jenni and Duane who have helped me -oh so much- the last couple months, moving my stuff around. I hung out with Randy who drove me around so I didn't have to lug a trailer around KC, so nice! I got my hair done! I wasn't sure when I'll see Aveda again, so I thought it might be a good idea. I begged Randy to bring me my keys after I left them in his car. Susie took me to meet him, after she had been in Topeka all day. She only called me a brat a couple times. Oh feel the love. Cramps hit, and came a week early. Thanks so much mother nature.
We left KC early sunday. The drive across Kansas and Eastern Colorado were very windy. Maybe that had something to do with the 10 MPG I was getting. It felt like we stopped for gas every hour or two. But wait, we did! In Colorado we saw tumbleweeds. A lot of tumbleweeds. One got stuck in my headlight and rode with us all the way to Denver. At one point, just before another stop for gas, we saw an entire huge herd of tumbleweeds rolling across the highway. Hundreds of them! I've never seen anything like it.
I have finally driven in the right lane of traffic and been passed by semi's. I guess it had to happen someday. I've never seen the view from the right lane before.
So we roll into Denver. Traffic wasn't too bad. We get closer to downtown, I'm a little nervous with my trailer behind my car with other cars all around, but we were doing okay. Then a van got on the highway in front of me. Soon metal parts start falling off his vehicle and bouncing down the lane in front of me. Then he swerves, manages to get across 3 lanes and to the shoulder. Lo and behold, his grill was off in the lane in front of me, and his hood had blown open and was up against his windshield. I drove over the grill and thank goodness I straddled it. I can't swerve or stop! Disaster averted. Scary scary moment passed!
Dinner in Denver with Tom (thank you). Still needed to finish up the packing and loading of the Denver apartment. Worked until about 11pm and got things 95% done! Exhaustion, so tired. Didn't sleep well, too much going on! This is when it finally starts hitting me and feeling real that I am moving, permanently, to a new place with a permanent job. Wow. How exciting, and slightly totally scary.
Up Monday, on the road! Starbucks before we left was a must, and they kind of messed up both our drinks, but messed up starbucks beats none and caffeine was not an option, but a necessity. The drive across the mountains really wasn't so bad. I went slow and tried to be careful. I stopped in Breckenridge to get my TV, but the road up to the house was covered with snow. I promptly made a U-turn at the site of the snow covered road. Not in my car, not with a trailer!!!! (I had been told the road was clear....)
So we got gas and drinks, used the bathroom, and drove on. Now I have to stop and ask C-Dot, what the HELL is up with the ginormous holes in the middle of the lane that are unmarked near Vail pass. Seriously!?? A pot hot/crater the was about 3ft by 4 ft and a foot deep. Not marked. I saw it, can't swerve, braked as much as possible and then hit is and prayed, as I watched my trailer bounce around behind my car, that the trailer wouldn't flip over and take us with it. It took a few miles to stop shaking, even the animals all got up and looked around to see what happened. (not much disturbs Chester, but he had to turn around in his spot on the floor by Su's feet.) So we ended up hitting one more before the road was okay. Shit.
Then it was just driving, talking, singing, and looking at scenery. Feeling very ready to get out of the car, and counting down miles until arrival!
got keys, no problem. Drive to house, and it Rocks!
More on the house and post arrival fun later.
We left KC early sunday. The drive across Kansas and Eastern Colorado were very windy. Maybe that had something to do with the 10 MPG I was getting. It felt like we stopped for gas every hour or two. But wait, we did! In Colorado we saw tumbleweeds. A lot of tumbleweeds. One got stuck in my headlight and rode with us all the way to Denver. At one point, just before another stop for gas, we saw an entire huge herd of tumbleweeds rolling across the highway. Hundreds of them! I've never seen anything like it.
I have finally driven in the right lane of traffic and been passed by semi's. I guess it had to happen someday. I've never seen the view from the right lane before.
So we roll into Denver. Traffic wasn't too bad. We get closer to downtown, I'm a little nervous with my trailer behind my car with other cars all around, but we were doing okay. Then a van got on the highway in front of me. Soon metal parts start falling off his vehicle and bouncing down the lane in front of me. Then he swerves, manages to get across 3 lanes and to the shoulder. Lo and behold, his grill was off in the lane in front of me, and his hood had blown open and was up against his windshield. I drove over the grill and thank goodness I straddled it. I can't swerve or stop! Disaster averted. Scary scary moment passed!
Dinner in Denver with Tom (thank you). Still needed to finish up the packing and loading of the Denver apartment. Worked until about 11pm and got things 95% done! Exhaustion, so tired. Didn't sleep well, too much going on! This is when it finally starts hitting me and feeling real that I am moving, permanently, to a new place with a permanent job. Wow. How exciting, and slightly totally scary.
Up Monday, on the road! Starbucks before we left was a must, and they kind of messed up both our drinks, but messed up starbucks beats none and caffeine was not an option, but a necessity. The drive across the mountains really wasn't so bad. I went slow and tried to be careful. I stopped in Breckenridge to get my TV, but the road up to the house was covered with snow. I promptly made a U-turn at the site of the snow covered road. Not in my car, not with a trailer!!!! (I had been told the road was clear....)
So we got gas and drinks, used the bathroom, and drove on. Now I have to stop and ask C-Dot, what the HELL is up with the ginormous holes in the middle of the lane that are unmarked near Vail pass. Seriously!?? A pot hot/crater the was about 3ft by 4 ft and a foot deep. Not marked. I saw it, can't swerve, braked as much as possible and then hit is and prayed, as I watched my trailer bounce around behind my car, that the trailer wouldn't flip over and take us with it. It took a few miles to stop shaking, even the animals all got up and looked around to see what happened. (not much disturbs Chester, but he had to turn around in his spot on the floor by Su's feet.) So we ended up hitting one more before the road was okay. Shit.
Then it was just driving, talking, singing, and looking at scenery. Feeling very ready to get out of the car, and counting down miles until arrival!
got keys, no problem. Drive to house, and it Rocks!
More on the house and post arrival fun later.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Arriving in KC
Okay, probably not going to write quite as much today. I am so tired. I drove through hours of fog, got here safely, had dinner with a couple old great friends and two of my cousins at Smokehouse. YUM KC bbq still rocks. I always miss it. I have tomorrow planned out. I'm sad I didn't get to see my sister. I am so happy and greatful that my friend Susie is going on my road trip with me.
Tomorrow is get and load the trailer day. I'm excited to start this new phase, part of me would love a break, and part of me just wants to get this moving stuff over with.
I got the paperwork for the house, called to set up utilities, answered job emails. Not bad for one day.
Exhausted.
More tomorrow
I have great friends!
Dana
Tomorrow is get and load the trailer day. I'm excited to start this new phase, part of me would love a break, and part of me just wants to get this moving stuff over with.
I got the paperwork for the house, called to set up utilities, answered job emails. Not bad for one day.
Exhausted.
More tomorrow
I have great friends!
Dana
officially day 1
I tried to clean up and pack the apartment here in Denver. Right now is when I question how much I love these pets. Dang they make a mess. I'm starting to eyeball them and wonder how they'd taste on toast.
I thought my illness was about over, but I get out of breath about every 5th step. I'll have to pace myself. I can still do it. I'm giving up, the place is at least 1/2 packed and sort of organized. I can finish on Sunday when I come through to move out! (sorry Su!, you'll have to watch me clean, unless you want to help).
Nothing like hitting the road at 3am. I want out of Denver before traffic starts. I don't mind driving across Kansas in the dark, nothing to see anyways. I have to stop and get a drink in Hays, birthplace of my father. Not much to see there either!
happy trails to you....
I thought my illness was about over, but I get out of breath about every 5th step. I'll have to pace myself. I can still do it. I'm giving up, the place is at least 1/2 packed and sort of organized. I can finish on Sunday when I come through to move out! (sorry Su!, you'll have to watch me clean, unless you want to help).
Nothing like hitting the road at 3am. I want out of Denver before traffic starts. I don't mind driving across Kansas in the dark, nothing to see anyways. I have to stop and get a drink in Hays, birthplace of my father. Not much to see there either!
happy trails to you....
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