People, People Everywhere

For being such a small town, it feel like there are people everywhere. Well, actually the fact is, there are no people anywhere. And this means if you see a person, you stop and introduce yourself. They expect it, and they like it. It's nice. It is not what we were looking for when we left the suburbs, but it's nice. We love it, and it is a trip. Sometimes I feel like I am on TV. Today I walked into Duckett's, the small market in town (5 blocks away). The lady in the front of the store immediately said to McKenna, "Hello, Beautiful, are you back for another push up?" Kenna and Tim had come in the day before for treats, and the lady remembered Kenna. That is exactly why we were there, and so we started walking to the back of the store. Right away I heard another voice, "Hey, What did Quinn have to say about her substitute yesterday? Any crazy stories?" It was Brian Williams, yesterday's kindergarten sub. We had a good laugh. And then his wife, Shannon, said, "Where did you guys move from?" I said, "Utah." She said, "Oh, YOU'RE the new family from Utah with three little girls." "Oh, yeah," said the lady at the check out.

It was awesome. I felt famous.

On Wednesday, I met a handful of new people. I went to the PATT (PTA) meeting and met grouchy Ellen, who I love, and Laurie and Katie who are 10 years older than me and run every program in town. Katie lives across from the school and we sat and talked for an hour and a half after the meeting all about the town, why we came, and who to go to for a pedicure. It was fun. Later, I took the girls to the post office. A mom my age walked out before I walked in. She was holding an 18 month old. We both paused, and then I said, "I'm new." She laughed, and was delighted to meet me and hear about her two daughters' new play mates. Her and her husband live in a building on main street, and her husband is a local artist. Their 5 year old is in dance, gymnastics, and drum lessons. Not sure I can keep up with that, but play dates at the park will be fun.

After craft time at the Ridgway Library later that morning, we stopped at the park. Ridgway is about 9 miles from Ouray (more geographical details to come). There was one mom at the park with another 18 month old. She started talking to me, and then said, "Oh, is your daughter Quinn? I met her yesterday at school." Turns out this mom, Marjorie, works part time for Ouray school as the ESL teacher. Since there are no ESL kids, she walks around and helps in kindergarten and other rooms. She was really down to earth and easy to talk to. Then, another mom with a 3 year old walked into the park. I asked, "Are you Amy? Did we meet at the library on Monday?" It was her. We talked for a long time, too. Kenna fell in love with her confident, fun little Emma. Amy works as a part time librarian and used to teach preschool with Quinn's kindergarten teacher.

We have an old man Neighbor, named Maple, and a beautiful 2nd grade teacher named Melissa, who has a kindergartener, named MJ, who does not brush her hair. I can't wait to watch and learn how that mom makes that work for her. I have so much to learn.

So, that's a lot of people. I met all these people since Friday. I don't have anyone's phone number, and I am not going to ask them to babysit or come sit on my floor to eat dinner anytime soon. But it is fun to meet them and see them again out and about.

It is not a small world here.

It's a small town.