Art is in the Eye of the Beholder

Last weekend was the Denver Chalk Art Festival on Larimer Square. Since I moved to Denver I've been wanting to go, so my friend Leslie and I went and it was really neat!


Here are some shots I took of the pieces I liked most:

It's amazing what creative people can do! The way the were able to blend the colors and make the ordinary street pieces of art is incredible. I'm definitely going back next year, although I'll arrive earlier when kiddos are still in bed :)

Have a Little Faith

I started reading Mitch Albom's book, Have a Little Faith, on Sunday night. I wasn't sure what to expect but have enjoyed two of this other books, The 5 People You Meet in Heaven and For One More Day so I decided to give it a go.

I have to say, I was skeptical of the book at first but have really gotten into it in last couple of days. A few things that stand out to me are: 1) the unshakable faith of the Rabbi who's life is profiled in the book and 2) how believing in something can provide such strength and comfort.

While I was raised Presbyterian and spent many a Sunday morning in Sunday School, it's been more than ten years since I've been to a religious service. This book, in a way, makes me want to reconnect to a faith. I think I may have a different appreciation for church now as an adult that I did not have as a child.

One part of the book that sticks with me goes a little like this -
Q: Are your parents perfect or do they need improvement?
A: No they're not perfect...
Q: So they need improvement?
A: No, because no one is perfect.

This part of the book has stuck with me for days, mostly because it's easy to get lost in the "Perfect Mentality". Where everything needs to be just right. The more and more I tell myself that nothing and no one is perfect, I am able to have more peace and patience.

Perhaps I didn't pick out the book at the library, perhaps - just maybe, it picked me out.

For the past two years when this time of year rolls around, I cringe. I hide. I cry. When I hear Mother's Day commercials on the radio, I change the station and when I see Mother's Day commercials on TV, I flip to the next channel. It's not that I don't like thinking about Mother's Day. It's just sometimes difficult to be forced to think about the loss and sadness I feel during Mother's Day and not being able to spend it with my Mom, because there's nothing I would want more.

To my surprise, in the May issue of Cooking Light, I came across an article all about Mother's Day. This time, instead of turning the page, I read it and it is a really great article. Here's why it hit home for me:

"as Mother's Day approaches I find that Mother's Day has suddenly taken on a different shape, one of celebration through memory rather than phone calls, sweet notes or a family gathering. The stories I tell about my Mother and that others have shared with me by card or e-mail, sustain me. This ability to celebrate anchors my well-being as a daughter - and in contemplating my Mother's life I realize it was one of her most important gifts to me."


The author Kate Meyers does a phenomenal job of describing her Mother's personality, her love for her Mother and one can't help but feel special to be let into such a private moment. She goes on to write:

"anyone who has lost a loved one comes to understand that grieving is a necessary part of healing, and that there's no right way to do it. For me, celebrating my Mother in memory gives me a joyful place to go when I am sad - a place where she still is. This sort of celebration is available to all of us, but requires practice and repetition lest it slip away, lost in the vast commercialism of Mother's Day."

I like celebrating my Mother by remembering the times she'd grab me while she cooked dinner and we'd dance around the kitchen. By remembering the completely ridiculous things we would do together that would make my sister and Dad roll their eyes but make me and Mom giggle. By remembering what a caring, giving and loving Mother she was and knowing how blessed I am to have had her as my Mom.

Whoa, what a difference a mile marker can make!

This past Friday my sister, her husband and I went to Pueblo to see my Grandfather who was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack. I am happy to report that the spunky 80-year-old is very much back to normal and wanting to get back on his tractor as soon as possible.


When my sister and I got the news about my Grandfather Thursday morning, there was no question that we would be there by his side soon. We knew there was nothing we could do, but sometimes having someone to pass the time with is just as important!


Little did we know when we decided to leave first thing in the morning Friday, that we would run into some major weather. Normally the cruddy weather wouldn't be a problem as the Colorado Department of Transportation is pretty good about taking care of the roads but on this particular day, little to nothing had been done to the roads.

I'm not sure if the storm came too fast for CDOT or they were just totally unprepared, but the roads down to Pueblo were nothing short of hazardous! Here's a pic near mile marker 190:



I have never seen I-25 not plowed! It was like driving in a dream...




This pic is about 50 miles South of the first one near mile marker 138...

Crazy Colorado weather definitely keeps us on our toes! Being a Native, I have seen a lot of weather changes but this has got to be one of the most drastic I have EVER seen, anywhere!

By the time we made it to Colorado Springs and there was no sign of severe weather it felt like we were driving in a different state.

Thanks to my brother-in-law for braving the roads for my sister and I so we could be home with my Grandfather!

Karen, You Took a Page Right Out of My Book...

By Karen, I mean Karen Carpenter...from The Carpenters. And I'm talking about her song, Rainy Days & Mondays. I am kidding when I say she took a page from my book but whenever it rains I can't help but this song! And lucky you, it's a rainy day.



Rainy days always remind me of the time I lived in Joplin, Missouri. The grey days we rarely have here in Denver are just like the grey days that would last for weeks in the 4States. At the time I HATED it. Growing up in Colorado, you get used to seeing the sun on a daily basis and many Natives have a hard time functioning without it. My Mom always used to say this and it's something I've come to believe!

However, when we have grey, yucky days I am fondly reminded of my days living in the Midwest. It was an adventure to say the least! I made some amazing friends whom I love dearly and learned so much about myself. It was the first time I was truly alone.

All through school, University included, I always had people around that I knew. But when I moved to Joplin, MO I knew not one soul. It was terrifying but also liberating and some days I miss the good ole 4States. It was a time when all was right with the world. I absolutely LOVED my job. I would even go in early and stay late most days just because I loved being a broadcast journalist so much.

Nowadays, I enjoy the freedom and compensation (time off :) I have not being the intrepid reporter but am happy I can look back and smile and that I have something to smile about on grey, yucky days too!

Words to Live by...

I was reading my Body+Soul magazine the other evening (thanks Sis for the subscription) and a quote at the bottom of a page really got me thinking.

It read,

"Here's the magic soap; Your own attention is what spiritualizes things, Attention to the meal you cook, the clothes you wash, Attention is love. And that's transformative."

I just love this saying and have noticed how true it really is! When I care about what I'm cooking, it tastes better and the other weekend when I was weeding my backyard, I noticed how much nicer things looked because I took the time to care about what I was doing.

This is something I'm trying to apply to every aspect of my life. So far some areas are easier to conquer than others, but working on it is fun!

There's Gonna Be A Party!

One of my oldest friends asked me to be the Maid of Honor in her wedding and I am so honored! (thanks Luz) And, we're going to celebrate by having a wild night out in Denver before her big day. I'm extra happy with myself because I made some super cute invites for her personal shower!

If you do indeed know me, you know I am the least crafty person on the planet! This, even though it was just printing, was a big accomplishment for me! Here's what all the hub-bub is about...

The copy reads:

nighties & teddies & a little satin bra are sure to make Tylor say ooh la la!

Let’s celebrate Luz with a lingerie shower and girls night out before the big day! We’ll begin the evening with dinner and drinks at LaLa's and then head to La Rumba for some Salsa dancing.

Saturday May 8, 7:00 p.m. - ???

I'm so looking forward to celebrating my friend and having an amazing night out!