What Can I Get Started For You?

So, shortly after arriving in Longmont, we visited the Spirit Halloween store.  It's our favorite type of store, of course!  This year, they have lots of animated props...an interactive playground for the slightly twisted, like us!  It's a good thing we aren't in our house in Hobart because I think we may have dropped a small fortune!  (Altho, I truly miss our graveyard and sincere pumpkin patch...and all of the other fun things we would do on Halloween day for the trick-or-treaters!)

 

I applied to Spirit online that nite and received a call the very next day!  Two calls, actually!  They must really want me, I am thinking!  And, who wouldn't?!  With my resume, it's easy to see that I would be reliable and once they meet me and see my love for all things All Hallow's Eve, well, hiring me would be their best decision!  So, I returned the call and set up an interview for later that week.  This would be the most ideal time for me to get a part-time, temporary job at a Halloween store, right?  I'm between jobs after the move, this would help me be even more in the spirit of our favorite holiday and I would love to help people buy costumes, accessories and props to enhance their Halloween experiences! 

 

Come Thursday, at noon, I arrive several minutes early for my interview.  I spot some small things I want to buy once I get an employee discount (a sugar skull magnet and something witchy for my mom).

 

Upon meeting the manager, Gary, he immediately informs me that he is under a hiring freeze!  I'm thinking, why didn't you call me this morning to let me know this?  Why are you wasting my time if you have no means to offer me a job?  We chat for several minutes anyway and he tells me that he will have everything with HR straightened out and will contact me next week.   

 

Can you believe I NEVER heard back?!? 

 

Chris and I have gone back to the store once and I really had hoped to see this Gary and make a point of saying hello!!  It certainly appears that he wants to continue to hire young, possibly unreliable...girls!  (He told me at my "interview" that HR had him at 12 employees, when he only had 5 after firings and quittings...and this was only the middle of September!!)

 

In the meantime, I also applied online for the several Starbucks locations in Longmont.  I love spending time in Starbucks, it's always so relaxing and smells so good!  Plus, I love the drinks and pumpkin scones!!!  I think it would be fun to learn what goes on behind the counter of one of my favorite businesses!  The baristas always seem to be enjoying themselves!!

 

Once again, the day after applying, I receive a voicemail for an interview.  This time, when I arrive, it is a real interview for a job that, in fact, exists!  The manager informs me that it will take about a week for a background check (and I let him know that I possess a federal background clearance, which he thought may be the case) and he will contact me. 

 

He DID call and offered me the gig!  So, on Monday, I start my part-time job.  I have to run to Goodwill this weekend (lucky me, it's a 50% off day on Saturday) to grab some black collared shirts and a pair of khaki pants, which I will pair with my chunky Mary Janes by Anarchy (bought at Hot Topic years ago), so that I have the right Starbucks "uniform" (black or white collared shirt, black or khaki shorts or pants and black or brown waterproof shoes). 

 

Not only is this a learning opportunity for my own personal gain, I see this as a learning tool for the future Extrava Market I will run for my friends, Jason & Julie Ufema.  Yep...I am working on getting them to open up a shop here, outside of Pennsylania!  Yesterday, when Chris and I were walking in Boulder, I found an ideal location for lease...sent them pics, too!  ;) 

 

The changing of the seasons...this one, my favorite, with the changing of the leaves, is also a time for my change: where I live, where I work, even the color of my hair! 

Longmont Hot Spots

In the midst of the rains and flooding, we had to venture out to meet with our new auto insurance agent.  We spoke about needing to find the closest coffee spot with wifi.  He suggested a place just one block away that he knew was open (so many businesses were impacted by flooding and remained closed for some time). 

 

We found ourselves right at home on the corner of 4th and Main Streets at Ziggi's.  Free wifi AND delicious coffee!  A definite local hangout, even under the trying circumstances.  We really like the vibe here and have been back.

 

We wanted to have a meal out one morning and headed to another of the places our agent also recommended: Janie's Cafe, on Main Street.

 

This little greasy spoon is the food gathering spot for Longmont's old timers, to be sure!  I think we were the youngest people in the joint!  The décor is very hometown, hodge podge.  On one wall are hung mirrors to look like windows, while the opposite wall is a painted mural of windows looking out to mountains.  The walls and booths are padded in black.  The carpet throughout is basic blue and is the flat, utilitarian style that will wear well for years to come.  And there is a cowbell on the door to announce arrivals!

 

The waitresses are dressed in tshirts and jeans or capris.  And there is a little old man at the counter in his Sunday finest: dress pants, short-sleeve button up shirt and patterned tie (dogs, I think)!!! 

 

I don't know the age of the restaurant, but maybe it has been around for decades.  I think it's the old charm that attracts the crowd. 

 

On this Saturday morning, the chatter was all about who is flooded out.  We even overheard someone described as "Chicken Pooper"!  I kid you not!  This is definitely one of those joints where the locals gather to talk the latest hometown news!

 

Our food was tasty, the coffee was flowing and the service is very attentive.  We even had someone take our check and money to the counter and brought back our change, even tho the customers are to pay on their way out. 

 

We have also loved the chain Einstein Bros. Bagels.  Another coffee spot with free wifi ... well, actually, each time we have been there we have gotten on the wifi from the neighboring Bdubs!  The current Autumn Roast coffee is divine!  The only downside to Einstein is that they are only open until 5PM.  However, they offer Happy Hour pricing from 3-5 of 25% off!  That speaks volumes to our bank account!  And during our first visit, the GM brought us a yogurt parfait and a fruit cup, which we ate with delight!  We missed out on the best pumpkin food by arriving so late, but we did try the pumpkin bagel (I'm of the opinion that Panera's is better).  On our 2nd visit, we were able to try the Autumn Roast coffee for the first time and I scored the last pumpkin muffin!  Mmmmm!!!  Just now, while snagging the website for my link, I see they have a frozen concoction/drink called Cold Pumpkin Pie.  Might have to give that a try soon! 

 

We had our first visitors during our second week, my cousin, Matt, his girlfriend, Emily and their new little girl, Audrey, who came up from Denver.  Per Matt's recommendation, the 4 of us went for dinner and brews at Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids & Solids.  A feast for the eyes as well as the body!  Very much a New Orleans feel mixed with House of Blues.  I went for the BBQ pork dish with cheesy grits and hushpuppies...thinking I would take home leftovers!  HA!  I washed down this delish dish with the Oskar Blue's hefeweizen and their "60 in a 40".  Chris got the muffaletto sandwich and a couple Goose Island Matildas.  We are planning to head back for some live music and a few more draughts!

 

As our time here progresses, I will have more local spots to share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitness..Why Have You Forsaken Me?

I know it's ONLY been 3 weeks, but I haven't been exercising as much as I would like.  As much as I did back in Indiana, before the move.  I know, I know~ we have been busy and we are still in flux, adjusting. 

 

I have run outside, once.  It reinforced that I prefer to run inside on a treadmill.  But I did it and I am not completely against doing it again.

 

I did a small workout in our basement, once, which included about 15-20 minutes of shadow boxing.  It felt awesome to have my gloves back on!  While I didn't sweat as much as I did at LAB/UFC, it was so wonderful to perspire from exertion! 

 

I did the weight machines in the fitness area of our townhouse complex, once.

 

I did a quick warm-up style workout in the basement, once.

 

I have run on the treadmill in the fitness room...TWICE!  I ran 3 miles this morning and feel so energized! 

 

And lest I forget, we did a short hike at the gorgeous Red Rocks.  This place is amazing!  Human ingenuity using nature to carve out an outdoor amphitheatre and trails!  We cannot wait to see a concert here ~~ so many big names have played this venue.  U2 started the revolution, as a matter of fact, in the early 1980's. 

 

I guess my fitness hasn't completely been lost and I guess I just have to figure out how to put exercise into each day, no matter how intense, so that my mind stays clear and my body, healthy. 

 

We have access to fresh produce (love our new supermarkets Sprouts and Lucky's) and have been eating healthy! I even bought rolled oats, raw almonds, roasted almonds, dried cranberries and long grain rice directly from bulk bins!  We try to take snacks with us when we head out to save money and eat well!!  I started a snack bag, too, so it is handy.

 

 



The Drive

Ok, Ok!  I am back!!!  We have been in Longmont, CO, for 3 weeks today.  We finally got internet and satellite installed, so we can now spend a little more time at home, where we can be connected both online and with tv!  It has been a bit strange being so unplugged!  We would get online at coffeehouses and the local library, but the moments were fleeting and often spent searching for and applying to jobs.  Now, we can do so many more things from the comfort of our home, which will also help us to get even more done in a day!

 

While it seems like a long three weeks, the days themselves were flying by.  I think with no routine or real commitments to our time, we have been just moving at our own speed on any given day.  We have done some exercising, visited some new places, unpacked, decorated for Halloween, visited with family and a few other things.  Yet, I am feeling a bit out-of-sorts.  I hope that by putting my thoughts down here (and I have been collecting many), I will begin to grasp a bit of control back.  And then I will really be able to enjoy myself in our new (and breathtaking) surroundings. 

 

So...I am going to begin where it began: 

 

Observations from the Road ~ Things I Learned During Our 2-Day, 18-hour Drive from Indiana to Colorado

 

A squirrel will run out into the highway!  And then I will accidentally hit & kill it!  Usually, I will slow down or swerve a bit, but on the highway, at fast speeds, I had to continue in my lane.  I did briefly take my foot off the gas pedal and scrapped the top of it a bit, but I didn't brake!

 

Somehow, a mouse can fit betwen me and my seat, amidst my sweatshirt that was bunched behind my lower back for support!  One of our pitstops, I look back into my car and see what I thought was one of the cat toys.  However, it just didn't look exactly like any I remembered.  So, Chris takes a closer look and, lo & behold, it is a REAL and DEAD mouse!  My joke on Facebook is that my ass is so rock hard (from all of my working out) that it can kill a mouse!

 

There is a city in Iowa called What Cheer!

 

Isis travelled much of the first day sitting in the litter box I put on the floor behind my seat, in case they needed to use it during transit.  She had my lap, the seats, the top of her carrier, inside her carrier, the back window...yet, she chooses the litter box, which is quite funny b/c that is where she spent her time when we found her at the pet store and when we first brought her home (14 years ago)!  I guess it must be her safe place! 

 

You will always have a Friend in Nebraska. 

 

We were told that Nebraska is the most boring state thru which to drive.  Well, my suggestion: listen to movie soundtracks!  That's what I did and didn't find Nebraska so boring after all!  I listened to "Nightmare Before Christmas," "Moonlight Kingdom," and "Practical Magic" are a few of my faves!

 

Don't pick up hitchhikers!!! Especially when you see the signs and they are posted near correctional facilities!  (We didn't, mind you...it's no longer the 1970's when thumbing for rides was du jour!)

 

Kearney, Nebraska, where my cousin, Tam's, paternal grandfather was born and is the only reason I paid attention as we passed it on Highway 80, is the sand hill crane capital of the world.

 

Stop for gas when you see the first exit, otherwise you get a Dairy Queen-gas station combo with dirty bathrooms, bad coffee and gas pumps from the early 20th century (read: no pay at the pump capabilities)!

 

Head inside the gas station to use the facilities FIRST...if there is no running water, therefore no bathrooms to use, then don't buy gas here!  Spend your money where you get to use the toilet!!

 

 



Happy Mabon from Longmont, Colorado

With Starbucks Pumpkin Via coffee in hand and sweatshirts over our pajamas, we stepped outside this first day of fall 2013 into the chilly morning air.  We were greeted by the moon setting above the mountains to the west and the sun rising brightly in the east. 

 

And what bit of luck does Chris spot?

 

A rainbow that appeared to come straight from the clouds to the mountain!!  Fortuitous? Serendipitous?  First day of Fall magic?  Perhaps!!

 

And if it couldn't get any better, as we left for a couple mile walk into town, we see 3 hot air balloons arise in front of the mountain skyline.  Would you believe Chris had mentioned hot air balloons when we were having our coffee this morning???!!  As we walked, there appeared to 5 or 6 in flight. 

 

We did a hot air balloon ride when we were in Sedona, Arizona, in September 2008.  It is so peaceful up there.  What a smart way to begin this season...why hadn't I thought of it?!?  ;)

 

I have a tradition that I strictly uphold for today and that is ...  I make myself wait to eat candy corn!  So for me, the first day of Fall = Candy Corn (with peanuts)!!  I had a couple pieces of the good stuff before our walk today ~ for energy, of course!

 

We will celebrate the harvest season with a meal of Pork and Sweet Potato Chili, a recipe from my dear friend, Kim Stephens, atop quinoa, along with a Pumpkin Cranberry Bread I am baking.  And to wash it all down, a Pumpkin Spice Tonic from Cost Plus World Market.  We are going to compare it to the incredibly delicious Pumpkin Juice we got at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter a few years back.

We Are Coloradans! Coloradites? Longmontians?

We arrived to Longmont, Colorado, on Tuesday, September 10th at 3PM Mountain time.  I have much to tell you about the drive and our first week (first days!) in our new hometown/state! 

 

 

Two long days of driving, bookended with loading and unloading a moving truck, were somewhat exhausting!

 

Days of rains that led to flooding of biblical proportion in Boulder County!  Nothing like it in 500 years!!  Yes 5 HUNDRED years!!!

 

The upside: we were indoors getting unpacked and decorated during the bad weather.

 

We enjoyed much-deserved brews our 2nd nite here.  After unloading in drizzle and returning the truck in the rain, we went directly to Walnut Brewery!  We even did a quick walk of Pearl Street Mall under our umbrellas.

 

We have been applying for jobs and trying to familiarize ourselves with our new neighborhood, city and county (well, from Longmont to Boulder, so far).

 

I have a job interview tomorrow with Spirit Halloween!  HA!!  Just looking for something part-time to get us a little extra money and to indulge my senses in our favorite holiday!

 

Found a wonderful little coffee place in downtown Longmont, where the coffee is pretty good and the free internet even better!

 

In a nutshell, that is where we are right now....only one week in! 

 

I have scribbled cryptic notes along the way, but don't have them with me at the moment. 

 

Observations from the road and a review of a small-town greasy spoon where we had breakfast on deck!

 

 

 

 

 



Our last week in Indiana

Can you believe our move is only 2 days away?!?

 

Let me catch us up:

 

Our last day of work was last Friday, August 31st.  I actually got teary as I left.  I think because it was a place I had spent over 11 years of my life and there are a handful of people with whom I developed relationships and they will be missed.

 

Leaving my gym was even harder!!!  I said goodbye to my circuit coach and some gym-mates on Thursday.  Then, I was back there yesterday for my final boxing class.  I didn't think about it during our class, which was wonderfully tough.  The owners of the gym, Paul & Danielle, brought cupcakes and presented me with UFC Gym and Hoosier Fight Club tees.  So 2 days in a row, I was crying at the gym.  Generally, a no-no!  I made connections with people there over the past 4 years and leaving them and the ah-mazing workouts is very hard, very sad.  I was both physically and emotionally drained last nite.

 

We also had a gathering at a local bar last Saturday.  The best way for us to see a large amount of people before we leave.  We are very grateful to those who made the time to come and see us!  We stayed out until after 2AM!!!  Left the first bar and then headed into downtown CP for some dancing at another bar! 

 

We are packed and getting the moving truck tomorrow morning.  Chris and I will spend the day loading everything up just right! 

 

If we can squeeze it in, we will head to the beach once more.  We'll then spend one last nite here in Ogden Dunes, waking early Monday morning to begin the first of our 2-day drive to Longmont, Colorado. 

 

So many new things await us out West!