We have had fun getting our bearings and can find our way around our local area quite well now. I went for a walk by myself yesterday and managed to find my way home again, a great accomplishment, because I truely felt like I had no sense of direction at all!!
We live in a subdivision called 'Governor's Ranch'. Every home is 2-storey. And all would have basements! Our home is lovely. We are extremely comfortable with the central heating. The kids wear t-shirts inside. Today the temp is 46 F which is 8 C with an overnight low of -3 C. We haven't had any more snow since last Friday although there was a sprinkling last night. The locals are all complaining that its so unusually mild, so it doesn't look like Denver will have a white Christmas this year. However, on the mountains about an hour from here, they have received 6-8ft of powder snow. Apparently great for skiing. We have had all sorts of advice about going to the snow and what resorts to go to. We thought we would go and have a look on Christmas Day and perhaps try some tobogganing first before we have another go at snowboarding and skiing.
At first being here felt so surreal, now I feel I am in America. This is a complete change of scenery, no gum trees, but lots of Aspens and evergreens. The grass is brown, evidently the frost and snow brown it off. But the days are cold and clear and yes, I have invested in some thermals from Wal-Mart. Speaking of which, must be one of our favourite shops! The prices are incredibly cheap, which is helpful to us. The first visit, we bought some warm tops and Sarah and I stocked up on makeup. Lipstick for .93c !! Maybelline is half the cost that it is in Australia. We have been sharing and trying to make our supplies last until we got here, but I am so happy to say we have our own now!! (Trivial I know, but very nice!)
Everywhere we have gone, we have found the people to be very friendly, courteous and helpful. Once you get past the accent!! I am getting used to that too! Seriously, we went to a farewell get together last Saturday night with all of Barb & Ken's friends who were so nice to us. Even the kids had a great time. We have offers of borrowing ski things whenever we want and received an invite for dinner on Christmas night. On Sunday at Church we were made so very welcome. It's like an instant social network where you feel so at home with all things familiar.
On Monday night we went with a family we met on Sunday to 'Elvis Cinemas'. It's and older cinema which shows movies that have been out for a while. We saw R.E.D (Retired Extremely Dangerous) starring Bruce Willis for $3.50 each. If you go before 6pm the movies are $2.50. I think the drinks & popcorn cost more than the tickets! Sarah actually researched this cinema before we left so it was cool to actually go to it! Afterwards, Tom went ice-blocking with some boys he met, one lives 2 doors up. Tuesday night they were going to go ice skating but ended up watching movies and yesterday they managed the iceskating (on an open rink) and then spent quite some time throwing rocks at a frozen pond trying to crack the ice!! They also visited the Columbine Memorial, which was a moving experience bringing what they had learned virtually into reality.
Yesterday there was a knock at the door and a young mum who I didn't see at church but lives just down the street, introduced herself to us and invited us over Christmas Eve with a couple of other families to share in their Christmas traditions.! People are soo kind!
Our home is 4 bedroom, the main with an ensuite and walk-in robe(room), upstairs has a main bathroom, there is a small bathroom downstairs and Sarah and I discovered only the other day another bathroom in the basement!! (That actually adds up to a toilet each!!) I love the basement idea, there are so many nooks and crannies! I am finding my way around the kitchen and laundry and hope Barb can to the same ok when they get to our place. The back yards are interesting. Every yard is open with just wooden posts and rails. There is a green area and path separating the homes at the back.
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| The front of our house, 9183 West Prentice Ave, with the car we get to drive! |
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| Looking up the street, Aspens, Firs and 2-storey houses |
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| Looking at the back of our house |
Every morning I have stood in the kitchen and watched the squirrels play in the back yard /walkway. They scamper from the pines along the fences and yards playing some sort of game. Ken says they are a pest, but I think they are fascinating and wish Chloe and Zayla could watch them with me, they would love it!!
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| Can you spot the squirrel? (See also the fences?) |
Tom, Sarah and Rick have joined the local Gym!! I think I might stick to the walking, the neighbourhood is very lovely. They are just coming back now, so we are off to do some more exploring. Today would be Christmas Eve in Australia, so tomorrow I look forward to skyping with Karlie, Michael and the rest of the family.. (We bought a tree last night and a set of lights! ) I'll make sure I take some photos of our street tonight and post them so you can all see the beautiful lights.
Merry Christmas everyone!
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