I love you more than marshmallows

Over the past few days I’ve been overcome by bouts of homesickness that seem to take my breath away. I miss home, I miss my friends and I miss my family, which is only natural. Making new friends is exciting and fun but I can’t deny a longing for those who know and understand me, those who know my story already, those who have grown with me...I miss the familiar. Stupid, isn’t it since I was the one who craved such a change? Stupid that I should complain about it, right? Stupid that I should be so heartsick when I brought this on myself. Yes, it would be stupid of me only if I regret my move here...and I don’t. It’s just that as the newness wears off, reality starts to shine through. Yep, reality...got to find a job, reality; got to find my groove, reality; got to make my place, reality.

The last two weeks have been especially tough because my friends Dawn and Mark have been in Europe and I have been totally on my own. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve made several good friends and I’ve spent time with them, but I still can’t shake the feeling that I’m totally on my own. Until yesterday. Yesterday I got a letter from Dodie, my 9 year old niece...and it made me realize that regardless of where I go in this world, there are those who love me and support me no matter what. In the midst of feeling sorry for yourself it is possible to forget such a thing. But there it was yesterday, this gift in my mailbox, just lying there among the junk mail and bills...this perfect, innocent letter of love and sweetness, complete with a crayon rendering of a teddy bear and signed at the bottom with "I love you more than marshmallows." How can you feel sorry for yourself when someone loves you more than marshmallows?

So, this is for Dodie: thank you, sweet girl, for making me smile, I love you more than marshmallows too...and I can’t wait until Thanksgiving, either. I miss you and Booger Butt more than I ever thought possible.
Love you both to the moon and back,
Aunt Terri

Sail on, Silvergirl

Sail on silvergirl,

Sail on by.

It's your time to shine.

All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine?

~ Simon & Garfunkel

Random thoughts and observations about my first month in Denver:

• I walked out of the grocery store the other day and walked right past my car...didn't recognize it with Colorado plates on it. Yep, I'm a special kind of stupid.
• I've sunburned my lips twice in the past few weeks before I figured out that Blistex is not your friend. There is no sunscreen in it so it acts like a freakin' intensifier for the sun. I had Angelina Jolie lips for two weeks. And trust me, Angelina Jolie lips only look good on Angelina Jolie.
• I now know what a 'swamp cooler' is.
• Don't go to Coors for the short tour after 3pm on a Friday. All the students from Colorado School of Mines are there sucking back the free beer.
• The smoking ban in bars is the best freakin' thing EVER!!!! No more smelling like an ashtray after going out.
• I now keep a baseball hat and a hoodie in my car...you just never know when you're going to need one or both. It's almost like I'm a native.
• I drove to Boulder the other day and spent several hours at this great little Irish pub drinking Boddingtons and writing in my journal. The weather was simply gorgeous so they opened up the floor to ceiling windows and I was once again struck by how much I love this place.
• I'm heading downtown tonight to see my friend Matt's band play (yes, I've made friends). I've never been downtown on my own before... Anyone wanna bet on how lost I get?
• While driving to Golden yesterday I saw the weirdest thing: there was a beach ball just rolling down the middle of the street. No one was around so I've no idea where it came from. Strange sight to see.
• Every morning when I open up the window blinds and I see the mountains in the distance I say "Good morning, mountains." Is that weird?
• Cheering against the Broncos is not the smartest thing to do here. Not that that's going to stop me from doing so.
• There is a great Cantina with a killer happy hour and an even better margarita. Good news: it's two blocks from my house and I'm already a regular. Bad news: it's two blocks from my house and I'm already a regular.

Long time, no blog...

I miss all y'all too!! Don't write me off just yet...I'm still here! And I, kcterrilynn, do hereby promise y'all a rather lengthy, possibly entertaining, and definitely drunk post by Friday.

I just stopped by Dawn's house to print out copies of my resume...I've got two interviews today, so I've really got to rush. Wish me luck!!