My Barrio Will Beat Your Neighborhood Anyday!

I've lived in the "barrio" for over six years now.  When I bought the house, I was dissuaded, people worried that it wasn't safe for a single woman to be living here.  It's definitely a low-income area.  There's a decent amount of gang activity, plenty of graffiti and random acts of vandalism, and it's not always the cleanest of areas.  As a white English-speaking woman, I'm also in a minority for the first time in my life.  But I wouldn't trade it for the world!

My neighbors are often outside chatting with one another, drinking a beer (or six).  You better believe I'll get offered one when I walk past!  They even will bear with me as I try to practice my Spanish and have to repeat things three times before I finally catch on.

Best yet, this is a neighborhood that looks after each other!  People know who lives where (even if they don't know first names), when they are usually home and when something seems out of place.  There's a sense of family.  If I need anything, from help carrying in the groceries to installing a new thermostat, my neighbors are here to help.

This morning I left for work (10 minutes late) to find that my car was driving funny.  Yep, you guessed it!  Flat tire.  A father and his adult son were standing across the alley smoking a cigarette and immediately ran over to help.  They pulled the spare and tools from my trunk, laid on the ground and got to work changing that tire lickety split!  I could have easily walked back inside and gotten some help from Kyle, but there was no need.  My neighbors were looking after me.  It wasn't even until after they finished the task that they finally introduced themselves.  Thanks, Omar and dad (whose name I didn't understand)!

So, while I may not want to go for a midnight stroll alone or walk barefoot down the street, that's a small price to pay for such caring people around me!  And the chocolate-covered homemade marshmallows at the Panederia three blocks down the street for 75 cents are to die for!  You can keep your manicured lawns in the suburbs.  I'll take my barrio anytime!

Help Me Stay Motivated!

I've been participating in Zumba or Zumba-like classes for a year and a half now.  It is the only exercise other than pole dancing (which my body forced me to quit after about a year) that I've been able to stay committed to.  However, my workout buddy is moving out of state, and I just committed to another six months of classes! 

Motivation has been poor lately.  Partly because my pain has been higher.  Partly because my exercise buddy (who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) has been focused on other things and lost her motivation.  Partly because Kyle moved in a month ago and it's still fun and new.  And partly because I just always lose motivation eventually, and the time is now.

So help me out!  I've committed to 12 classes a month for the next six months.  That averages to three per week!  I've got Zumba and hip-hop aerobic classes to continue.  I'm also intrigued to try some kettle bell workouts and TRX.  I want to get strong and fit!  I also want to be as pain-free as possible.  Generally, when I work out more, I deal with the pain better and it doesn't flare as bad.  Finally, it would be great to be able to eat my cupcakes without feeling so guilty!

Let me know if you have any motivation techniques.  I'd love some suggestions.  If you're in Denver and want to help motivate me by coming along, that would be great too!

Maggie and Me--Who's Who?

Some people say that dogs resemble their owners.  Why does this happen?  I get the idea that someone who stays fit probably keeps their dog fit; someone who overeats may treat their dogs to unlimited food and treats.  But how do they take on our personalities?  What about our medical issues?  Can it really just be coincidence?

So, I got Maggie as an 8-week-old puppy over six years ago.  She was my first dog ever.  It was love at first sight, at least for me.  She's a little shy and tentative when it comes to new people.  Hmm...I've always been that way.  As much as my job forces me to be social and interact with many people, when you boil it down, I'm about as introverted as they come.  Sure I can fake it for awhile, but I'd much rather be with the ones I love than meeting new people.

Maggie as a puppy!

It's no surprise to you (if you've read more than one post or even just the blog info) that I deal with chronic pain and have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  Has anyone ever heard of doggie fibromyalgia?  I think Maggie might have it.  A few years ago she started limping after a day at the park.  Then I noticed that when the weather started changing she started limping more.  Sympathy pains?  I took her to the vet and while they did x-rays and tests of all kinds, they couldn't find any physical reason for her pain, though by her limping it was obvious.  Read the previous sentence and replace the word "vet" with "doctors" and it's the same story of my diagnosis.  With some supplements and rest, she feels better most of the time, but as the weather changes, I again notice my baby girl seems to feel how I feel.

Finally, she's incredibly empathic.  I've always been this way.  I tend to read people's emotions without even trying.  It's like they exude energy that gets translated to me and I just want to help.  She's the same way.  Between my pain and depression struggles, my emotions tend to be all over the place.  Most days she's kind of aloof.  She does her own thing, seeks out attention when she wants it, but won't let you pet her just because you want to.  However, when I'm sad or in pain, she's always right there with her head in my lap.  It's almost as if she's saying "It's okay mama, just pet me some and you will feel better."

I love this girl!