Meat Pies and Australia Day

The snow is mostly melted, there are only a few icy snow banks lying around.  But it is still cold!  This morning dropping Tom at school is was still 16F outside which is -9C.  A funny came through from Craig Raeside via Leslie "Many are cold, but few are frozen!" (Well, I enjoyed that!)

A tree directly outside our back yard.  Everything looks very pretty with the snow.

 

Clement Park Lake, not far from Columbine High.  The snow has melted away but the Lake is completely frozen



Another angle.  These pics were taken at about 8am, with outside temp at -9C.  Didn't stay long!!
















 This past week became busy!  I attended a CubScout Committee meeting, which essentially planned out the activities for the coming year.  I have a new friend called Heather who is also a cub leader.  During the planning, I asked her 'what's a weeny roast?'  Which she laughed at!!  A 'weenie roast' is a sausage sizzle using pop dogs or precooked 'dogs' using a stick over a fire!!  She thought 'sausage sizzle' sounded hilarious and refered to it during the rest of the meeting!  (There are so many different names for the same thing.  I'll have to write them down and include a list in the next blog!)
The next evening was a den combined activity to a local fire station, where 'Fireman Bob' (as opposed to Postman Pat) showed our troop around.  The kids really enjoyed it, and so did I.  I can see I'm going to have fun teaching these boys how to pronounce some words (like Australia) with an Australian accent!!

My art class was fantastic.  I fear this is going to get very boring as I rave on how much I am enjoying learning this skill each week.  I have been very pleased with my new painting, and am in the process of doing it again to practise some of the techniques.  Chuck, the art teacher, was very pleased with my first effort and it was critiqued along with others in our class group.  I need to use correctly weighted paper so the colour doesn't pool and need to work on my trees, because no two trees are alike! Cool! He said the next one should be 'tremendous'. Well, thats a high expectation, but I really appreciate the encouragement.  I have some drawings of the girls (ie Chloe & Zayla) that I would like to watercolour if I can be brave enough. 

Second effort... the original shows stronger colour

.. the kitchen table as my art studio!

On Thursday my lovely friend Donna, picked me up and patiently showed me where to grocery shop!  She showed me Cosco's and Sam's Club.  They are both huge warehouse places with bulk food items piled very high. So many items, grocery & non-grocery.  I have never seen so much food or variety.  What a great place to get food storage items, and general groceries buying in bulk.  I have to go back with Rick and join one, perhaps take a short clip to show here.  Amazing...  I need to be a member to shop at these two places, an annual fee of $40 or $50 to get great discount prices, but since we're here for a while, I might as well.

On Friday, Heather picked me up and we went to lunch!!  Now this is quite the lifestyle you have to agree! We met up with 5 other mums and 3 cute little girls and ate ate the Sweet Tomato Salad Bar (that's 'sweet to-mate-o'), all you can eat salad, soup & dessert.. Very nice.  Oh, I could get used to this - art classes, shopping, lunch... just when normally, I would be back at work sifting through invoices, general ledger journals, banking and budgets.

On Saturday evening Rick & I attended an Exchange Teacher induction session for all of the 7 Australian exchange teachers here in Denver for this year.  It was really lovely to be in a room full of Aussie accents and being able to compare experiences so far!  We learned a bit more about our Visa requirements and Teaching conditions and other helpful tidbits, eg, we should not ever turn off the furnace that controls the central heating, like we might turn heat off in Australia to save energy.  If we do, or let the heat drop below 60F (15.5C), the pipes will freeze!  Hmm thanks for that one!!  Rick is on a J-1 Visa, and myself and the kids are on a J-2 which is essentially to gain a cultural professional experience.  If at anytime Rick needed to leave the country,eg family emergency, we can't stay here without him, or we would be illegal aliens!! And if we want to hop over the border to visit Canada, we have to notify the education agency so we can have the correct paperwork to reenter the USA.  So it looks like we need to get cracking and organise our summer itinery!  Rick would definitely like to visit Montreal, where he served his mission.  (I love tagging along!!)


Westridge Elementary - The reason we are all here in the USA!!

Westridge Elementary -  low lines, central plan design



Columbine High School as I'm driving out!

This meeting was followed by and Australia Day Party at someones home, where everyone who has ever gone to Australia as an exchange teacher from Denver, came, including 2 who have just returned from being away in 2010.  It was excellent being able to talk to people who love the things we love!!  We received offers of accomodation and help for our travels here.  We continue to find the people here very kind and extremely generous.  There was also a pile of winter snow clothes for the taking to use.  We just leave them behind for the next group at the end of the year.  This is so helpful!! There are activities organised by the exchange throughout the year so we can catch up.  The first one is this coming Saturday: Snow-shoeing at Estes Park about 2 hours drive north from here into the Rocky's.  (Wish me luck getting the kids up before 6 on a Saturday!!)

On Sunday, I was invited by another new friend Michelle Ballard, (Michelle B also!) to attend the BYU Women's Conference in late April with her and 2 others. A 2-day conference staying at BYU in Utah!  I am so very excited for this opportunity.  (Suddenly not feeling quite so homesick!!)

I have been trying to capture the squirrels.  Rabbits and squirrels  are frequent vistors to our yards and pathways.  Very cute they are scampering away and playing at some game.  But they are very quick and by the time I grab the camera they have moved on.  Here is a poor movie effort, but hopefully enough to show Chloe & Zayla the squirrel in Grandma's tree!

Mr Rabbit, very tame, down by Clement Pk lake

There's a squirrel in my tree, with a long bushy tail!

Tom & I have had a hankering for a meat pie! (funny, I should say that after talking about rabbits and squirrels!! Beef is the preferred option!)  I even dreamed I was eating one the other night. Silly!  They don't have them here, the closest thing I have found is called a 'pot pie' which is a fairly deep pie in a foil plate, chicken & veg.  The pastry is more like a short pastry however, like you find on a custard tart, but not so sweet.  I found some frozen pastry sheets, but only 2 to a pack for $5.00 so I decided I would have to make my own.  Has anyone made flakey puff pastry from scratch??  Well, I never had.  I just love the frozen sheet pastry you BUY!!  Anyway, thanks to the Australian Women's Weekly recipes online, I have a great recipe.  I tried it out yesterday, a little time consuming since I used muffin tins -  but they turned out like large party pies and were a hit.  Now I have an order for a dozen for Rick to take to school for Australia Day tomorrow!!  (I have started something now!) Hopefully I get quicker at making them!! 


My first attempt at flakey puff pastry from scratch!



Tom approved!! (they didn't last long between everyone!)

Sarah, Tom & I all had severe sore throats during the week, but have recovered now..  I'm not surprised, since this is the second back to back winter, in a new country with new germs.  I think we have done well considering.  Well, I have a painting to finish, another to start and some pies to make.  Might add some Anzac Biscuits to the order. I'm starting to really appreciate the 'solitude', there really is much to do!!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY EVERYONE!  (We'd better review 'Advance Australia Fair'!!)

Scouts, Floods & an Avalanche

I'm a bit late posting a blurb for the past week.  At first I thought nothing remarkable happened, that we are indeed sliding into 'normal' routines.  But to quote Forrest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolates!"  There are always surprises!

Our week began with a request to visit the local Boy Scout group which meets at the local school about 500m around the corner.  They wanted to hear all about Australia, the cultural differences and in particular what we do in the holidays with the seasons being so different!  We had great time, with the boys and pack leaders asking us lots of questions which we all took turns in answering!! When it came time to leave, they presented us with a signed and framed pack certificate with lots of 'welcome to America' wishes. 
We met one of the pack leaders when we first arrived when Ken & Barb were still here.  I think they were quite involved with the group, and we were very happy to help some of the boys get a merit badge as they learned about another country!!

Troop 538, Littleton Colorado

The snow is melting as the temperature warms up to around 50F (10 or 11C) So Tom, after school, made a magnificent snowman who stood guarding our house for about 2 days until it toppled over.  He looked very fine complete with the aussie flag!  He attracted quite a few smiles from neighbours!

The snow ball is actually quite heavy, & the girls weren't keen to help so I gave him a hand.  It took some effort!

Tom and his new mate! After a day or two, the base melted and the whole man toppled over..

The week also started with news coming in about the flooding in Queensland thanks mostly to FaceBook and then ninemsn news!!  We watched the news reports and comments very closely, feeling very Australian but detached and helpless at the same time.  There was a video clip posted by my neice Mel, showing cars being washed away in Toowoomba.  It was very intense.  We saw parts of the same clip being shown on the nine news, and then finally about 3 days later, we saw it on the local news here in Denver!! (They don't really give a lot of air time for overseas news!)  Better late then never!
Michael messaged me today say how they cut the meeting short on Suday and sent all the YSA's out to help in the community! "Mormon Helping Hands!" It was great seeing some of his pics showing our kids helping complete strangers clean up their properties, a very muddy, messy and huge job.  It will take a while I'm sure.  I think the people of Queensland could teach us alot about being prepared for emergencies.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=10150358028025551&id=681660550&aid=601293


On Wednesday, I had my art class and we were shown how to 'finish' our paintings!!  Wow! I learned I didn't have all the right brushes, but a visit to the art shop fixed that, and I finished mine at home.  I'm actually very happy with this first effort so here it is!

A work in progress as seen in the last post..

..and now, with some finishing touches.  It's come 'alive' a little bit. 

We are now working on a 'snow' scene.  Very wintry and country looking.  I am learning so much!! The test comes when I'm away from class, to have the courage to start a blank piece of paper on my own!

Friday, we heard from Jonathon, or should I say Elder Bennallack.  He was able to go throught the Salt Lake Temple the week before, which was a magnificent experience for him, and this week attended a devotional with the Apostle,  Elder Holland and several other general authorities.  It was a wonderful experience for him.  I'm so glad he got to be there.  His french is coming along very well, and he looks forward to start the next part of his journey.  He is scheduled to leave for Toulouse, France on the 31st January.

Friday night, Rick & I planned on going to the movies which we did!  Hot date you are thinking?  Well, it had potential, then we ended up all going!!  (Funny!)  We had a great time seeing 'Country Strong' a Gwenyth Paltrow movie.  We thought, 'this would never happen on a Friday night in Adelaide!'  But here we are, with both Sarah and Tom at a loose end which meant quality family time!! We have all converted to country music!! Well, Rick was already there with his 'Dixie Chicks' CD.

On Saturday morning, Rick & I went to the Denver Temple.  It closed yesterday for 2 weeks winter maintenance, and we aren't sure if this was the reason, or if it was typical, but it was really, really, busy!  The car park probably has about 200 parking spaces, but it was all full so we parked on the street. The Denver Temple runs sessions every half an hour.  We arrived in the chapel (waiting room) at 8.30am for the 9.00am session.  The room is quite large and would seat easily 60 people.  But people kept coming and so they used another room for the overflow.  The Temple has 4 endowment rooms for the sessions each seating 48.  When we had finished, there was an hour wait!  The streets surrounding the Temple grounds were also chocka block!  It was a wonderful thing to see so many people going to the Temple.  It really is a very beautiful and peaceful place!!

Ok, now I have some news!! I am now a cub scout leader of the Webelo's!  (10yr old boys) Ha!ha! Now this is something different!  In Australia, our church hasn't been affiliated with the scouting program for quite a few years now, but not so here!  Its a big part of the kids and youth program.  I have my first 'den' meeting on Thursday after school and have a committee meeting once a month.. So lots to learn and something quite different! I'm looking forward to it.  (Dib Dib Dob Dob???) Not sure about that but watch this space!!

Sunday night we were invited to the Mercer's home for dinner.  We had such a lovely time comparing our lives and countries!!  So thank you Donna and Jeff and your lovely family.

Monday (yesterday), was a public holiday: Martin Luther King Jnr Day. It was really good to learn again about Dr King.  Oprah had a great show on racism. A very stirring day.  Interestingly enough though, the shops were open!  At least the supermarket was, I didn't venture too far a field to see what else was open, but I was able to stock our shelves a bit! 

Tom went into the 'High Country' which is the snowfields in the Rocky Mtns close to Denver, to learn how to snowboard.  They left at 6am and were due to head home about lunchtime.  The slope they went to would be about an hour and a half drive away.  However, there were heavy falls all week and the road was blocked to come home.  An avalanche dropped right on the highway stranding them.  Fortunately, one of the kids mum, had a friend with a condo there and arranged for them to stay overnight which was so kind especially as a blizzard came in overnight.  By morning, 3 highways were closed.  2 reopened during the day today, but not US40.  So Tom and co left using a north detour to take them back to the I-70, the main track back to Denver.  What would have been a 1 1/2hr journey took them 5hrs, but they are home.  On the news, they showed pictures of the Avalanche, 20ft high of snow, and about 200yards long (sorry, no metric, but thats a lot of snow!) with a bulldozer like machine digging in clearing it. It still isnt cleared tonight. It is forcast for snow overnight with another storm blowing in.  If they had stayed, they would've been there until about Friday.  I certainly hadn't heard of this reason for skipping school!!  Tom of course had a long story to tell, which ends with him being the expert snowboarder now!!  We will of course, have to give it a go!

Tonight, Sarah was invited to go with a friend from school and her family to the Ice Hockey game at the Avalanche Stadium, 'downtown'.  Lucky girl!  That is something that is definitely on the 'to do' list!

Ken & Barb Wolma are due to arrive at our home in Magill this week.  I really appreciate Karlie, Nathan and my dear sister Deb for helping to get our home presentable and ready - Thank you so much!! and also thanks for the several messages I received over this past week from good friends and family, they have made the world a little bit smaller (lots of fuzzies!)

Well I think that's about all for now.  I am very excited that tomorrow is Wednesday, which is art class day!

School, Art Class & Snow

SCHOOL
This past week began with enrolling Tom & Sarah at Columbine High School which is the closest one to our home.  It's a bit daunting coming to Columbine given it's history!  We'd researched the whole shooting episode on YouTube while we were still in Australia, but we are assured by the locals that this is probably the safest school in America!!  There seems to be plenty of security too.  On arrival you of course check in at the front reception, where they like to swipe your drivers license.  Well, our doesn't do it! We become a generic visitor! From there we went to see the student counselor, Mr Andrew Lentini.  He organised Tom & Sarah into classes.  At first, he wasn't going to accept Tom since he has already graduated from year 12, but the Principal ok'd him attending.  Tom has 5 elective subjects since he wont be graduating and is here for the experience only: Guitar, Drama Production, PE/Weight lifting,Choir & Media/ Video - so it's all fun for Tom!!  He is loving it!
Sarah has managed to not do a Science or Maths, so we will have to work out if she needs to when we get back to Australia, she may have to repeat some Yr 11 if she decides she does want to go to uni, otherwise it looks like TaFE and hairdressing might be ok for her..  (She is doing English & American History though!)

After working out their schedules, we had a tour of the school so they would know where to go.  It was a bit eerie seeing the cafeteria which looks exactly like it does on Youtube, except the ceiling has been removed where the old library used to be, so the cafeteria has a really high ceiling space now and the library has been relocated nearby, but is completely new and different.  The school is very large, wide hallways, lots of photos and awards and banners - and of course miles of lockers!

Anyway school started officially on Wednesday 5/1/11 with the first lessons starting at 7.15am! (Before the sun is up by the way!)  I have never seen a school car park / entrance so busy at 7 in the morning!  People everywhere!  It took a good 10minutes to drop them off in the car park 'loop' with 2 lanes going! But Sarah & Tom were so pumped! I guess it's many a teenagers dream to go to an American High School!  The first few days have gone well, and of course their Aussie accent is a winner everywhere.  Tom seems to be the only one with a 'surfy' hair do, and european fashion, so stands out somewhat (which he quite likes!) Sarah also, still loves fashion and loves not having to wear a uniform to school.  So far, she says there are no 'hotties' in sight!  But, everything else is just like the movies!!  Both of them say it's actually hard to meet people at school, because they all sit in rows and then rush to the next class.  The corridors turn into a sea of people then empty.  At lunchtime, there are no passes needed, kids just leave the grounds, go somewhere to lunch then come back for class.  It seems that all the 'cool' kids in the junior & senior years (yr 11 & 12) don't stay for lunch in the cafeteria but 'go out'.  Tom seems to find a ride everywhere.  Sarah has found a couple of friends, and has managed to catch the school bus home ok, which is great!  Saves me doing the taxi run, although driving has become less scary, but not yet natural!! To catch the bus to school, they would need to be at the bus stop, which is only around the corner, by 6.25am.  Needless to say, either Rick or I run them to school which is about 10 minutes away.  Sarah is keen to try cheerleading or the 'Poms', but may have to wait since tryouts are already well and truely over given we have come in the second half of their school year.  But!  Wait! the Winter Ball is coming up soon on the 5 February!!  (Groan!) This means, finding a suitable dress which we have already spent some time doing.. This will be followed by the 'Prom' around April.  (I can see where Sarah's focus is on..)  It's all very exciting and fun at the moment.. I'm sure some serious school work will be expected very soon!

Dropping the kids off at Columbine High, its just after 7am and the sun is not up!!!

Meanwhile, Rick is adjusting to his new role as Special Ed Teacher at Westridge Elementary.  This is a complete seachange for him especially since he is not a leader at all. Instead, he has small groups of children throughout the day at specific times that correlate with the class lesson on the same subject.  Children come for part or all of the lesson. He says its very prescribed which is again different, but seems to work well within the system.  After the first day, he said it was going to be 'a very long year', but each day is better.  There is no Deputy on site as the school needs to be larger to qualify for one (over 600).  At the moment it  has about 500 students. During this week, the Principal needed to take personal leave as her father passed away, and there was a student that needed to be removed from school (suspended), and there was a big question as to who would do that.  The District Office had to be consulted..  So, quite a different system but interesting for Rick to observe.  From my perspective, his day starts about the same time or a little later (his school is only 5 mins away) and he is home so early!! 4.30pm I will pick him up (if I have the car)!  Crazy! Gone are the 6.30pm finishes or rather the 9.30 or so!! This is definitely a change in pace.

ME
Also on Wednesday, I started a Watercolour Class!  Rick saw the ad in the local paper, and it turned out to be at Ken Caryl Ranch House. (We live in Governor's Ranch, and also have a community hall or house) The class is run by Chuck, who is a retired Graphic Designer who lives locally. The class is made up of mostly retirees and a couple of us who have copious time on our hands!  We completed the same landscape scene of sky, mountains, hills, lake, rocks and pine trees.  A typical American landscape that I see around me.  It was an excellent class with Chuck taking us step by step showing us various techniques.  What to do and what doesn't work so well.  I loved it.  My finished product worked reasonably well, but not as lovely as Chuck's.  I can see I have a lot to learn from him... I really really enjoyed this class and look forward to next Wednesday.  Meanwhile, I have bought the materials I need and am dreaming of becoming a great illustrator.. Ha!Ha! Well, one can dream! But I am looking at things differently now, thinking, 'ooh! that would make a nice picture to paint!' and have my camera ready!  Ok, I will share my first effort, if only I can be told how much I have improved as time goes on!!

First effort! Without proper paints or weighted paper, but very theraputic..

SNOW
Well it sure was a lovely novelty to have snow a week or so ago.  The snow took about 8-9 days to melt mostly away and then on Sunday morning we had another snowfall, heavier this time.  Sunday was dark and dreary and very cold.  We went to church in the morning only to have to scrape the car down so we could drive home.  It snowed in flurries to start with, but then came quite heavy.  Definite snow balls floating down very quietly, but steady all day.  I think we had easily 15-20cm.  Apparently, the snow is too 'dry' to make a successful snowman yet.  I think this means it has to melt off a bit, or snow with moisture (sleet).

Rick scraping the snow and frost off the windscreen ready to drive home

Sarah eating snow again!  It taste like a slushie without the flavour..

Today, is beautiful and clear.  It really is very beautiful with the blue blue sky and the white clean snow.  This morning, while it was still dim when the gang left for school, I spotted at least 3 neighbours scraping and shovelling snow from the drives and 'walks' before work.  I went out about 8.30am and spent about nearly 2 hrs shovelling ours clear.  Phew! it's a good workout!  The snow is like powder, and felt a bit like shovelling fine sand.  But we have learned from the last fall, that it's better to get it off the paths asap, cause the bottom layer melts a bit during the day, then freezes overnight and is very very slippery to walk on.. I was very pleased with my efforts but conclude that although snow is pretty to look at, it's very high maintenance.. Not sure if I would like to live in it all the time, and am very glad for central heating.  It's so nice to come into the warmth and be cosy.  Overnight, the temperature drops to -11F (-19C).  You can't be out for long unless you are really rugged up.

The drive with a decent cover of snow, needs to be cleared before the base turns to ice..

The amount of snowfall was fairly reasonable, coming up to the top of my boots..

 Sorry, this above clip is sideways - I couldn't work out how to straighten it!  Any ideas?

A fair effort!  The thin ice layer remaining has melted off..

 On Saturday, we drove into the city to have a look.  The freeways are amazing how they cross and loop.  The 16th Street Mall is very long and has free buses running up and down it.  It was a typical Mall I suppose, but lacked the atmosphere of our Rundle Mall.  The shop doors were all closed too, due to the weather we assume, which made it look different.  We enjoyed the outing, and warmed up with a huge hot chocolate each from Starbucks.


16th Street Mall, Denver City



One American Hot Dog for $1.00, but no need to have another!

We then found our way to the Cherry Creek Mall which is not far from the city, and about 20-30mins from here.  It was lovely, with many classy shops.  We had a lovely time again -  the sales are all very good 40-70% off. 

This is a regular, but sad sight.  Beggars on the street corners asking for food, shelter or money.  There is a beggar on the far corner too..

We are unable to join the local Blockbuster because we don't have any photo ID with our current local address on it, and it seems we are unable to get one.. hmm.  However, there are these 'Red Boxes' where you can get a DVD for $1.00 Just swipe your credit card, select a movie from the touch screen and out it comes.  Return it the same way, touch the screen and insert the movie!!  The selection is a bit limited, but not bad, so problem solved! :)



The iron sparked, blew up and caught fire Sunday morning. A new one probably was long overdue..


As I am experiencing this, it is summer in Australia and family and friends are swimming, and keeping cool under air cons and fans.  Then there's the flash flooding in Queensland.  I had to find this out on the internet, as the news here is very local, and world news isn't given much if any air time.

It looks like the holidays are definitely over, and a routine is beginning to be established.  My challenge after being soo busy with family, work and church is to adjust to the quiet of my own company for several hours each day.  I have decided, I need to be self disciplined, and use this time constuctively for me. I know that once we return to Australia I wont have this luxury again, even so, it still is hard to adjust to.  The quiet.  I'm trying hard to avoid the word 'lonely' and so I am going to keep myself busy, painting and drawing if possible, besides the homey mummy things I might do!!  So, please, let me know if you read any of this stuff, I would love your company!!

Snow in Denver for the NEW YEAR!

This past week started early on Rick's birthday, with Tom waking us about 3am with a violent migraine.  Rick went in search of a 24hr chemist we had seen and found some medication which did the trick.  A few days later, we realised that our local supermarket is also open 24hrs and has a 'vast' choice of pain relief!  Well, thanks Rick and Happy Birthday! which also included a 5 min phone call from our missionary son in the Provo MTC.  It was really nice to talk to you Jonathon! 

Happy Birthday Rick!

We spent a reasonably quiet relaxing week which included the movies and for me, driving!!!  This is quite the experience I have to say!  The car we have to drive is also a manual, so no problem there, except the gears are on the right hand and not the left and I kept going for the door knob to change the gear and put the hand brake on!!! And ok, reaching across my right shoulder to put on my seat belt to find me grasping air in the middle of the two front seats!! Round-abouts go in the opposite direction as do drive thru's.  Think, brain!!! 

Sarah and Tom were shown a lake that was frozen on the surface.  They had fun trying to break the ice with rocks. The temperature still has been hovering around 8-10C.

By Thursday a very large low pressure system came across the Rockies from California dropping the temp dramatically and dumping huge amounts of snow on Utah and Colorado.  It started snowing about 10.30am and snowed all day.  Its amazing stuff.  Our last 2 encounters with snow were only appertisers!  This was the real thing!  It is so quiet, and cold!!!  Everything looks very amazing covered in white, very beautiful.  The world looks like its been given a generous covering of royal icing.  Driving in it was very sobering however, the roads are slippery.  We passed a couple of accidents and the news was full of mishaps.  The main roads are cleared but not so much the back streets.  By Friday I think we had about 6" (thats inches!! about 15cm) Depending where you were, anyway a very generous covering that only started to melt on Sunday, but is still in abundance today in the shaded areas. 


It's been snowing for about an hour, and Sarah and friend Noel are taking Cocoa for a walk!!



I've always disliked driving on a dark wet night since you can't see the lanes.  This tops it!!

Tom with new friends Conlin and Calland

It's soft, cold and wet after it melts! Where is my coat??

This is our back yard from the back door

Tom & Sarah have been very busy with the neighbourhood kids sledding.  First down our short but reasonably steep drive, then onto a hill not far from our house. 

By Friday, the snow had stopped and the roads and car parks are covered with slush.  Thats the stuff, a mud slushy!!  Not so pretty to look at and very wet to walk in -  its the patches of black ice you have to watch for!  We have warm clothes but not footwear suitable for the snow.  We found a Goodwill store and bought a couple of ladies boots for Sarah and me to share for $11.50!  (Not the same luck for the boys though)Very happy with that bargain.  They feel like comfy waterproof uggboots!

Thick, wet slush..  The trolly boys really have their work cut out!

Mud slushy, you really don't want a hole in your shoe!!

We live in 'Governors Ranch' which is a covenanted area of housing, where there are a couple of expectations for residents, one of which is to keep the front 'walk' shovelled clear of snow.  So Friday found Rick & I having a go at that.  The air is so cold, ordinary woolly mittens do not cut it.  Thankfully, heavy jackets and gloves have been left for our use!  Its quite a task, especially trying to get the ice off. We met our neighbour doing this job - People are very very nice. 

There is a footpath here somewhere!

A novelty job at first, but was quite hard work!

Friday was also New Years Eve.. We were invited to DJ's and Russell's home who live around the corner to see in the New Year while the kids went to a church dance.  Sarah didn't dress for the weather, but looked very glamourous and georgeous.  They were picked up by a couple of Tom's new friends. Unfortunately for Sarah, walking down our front path, she started to wobble and slide on her pretty barbie pink stillettos, couldn't quite keep her balance on some ice and down she went flat on her knees and face, then jumped up quickly, "I'm ok! 'I'm ok!"  Poor girl, a tad embarrassing, but it was a good laugh.  They had a great time, apparently there were about 600 kids there!  I was nice to ring Karlie and talk to her and Nathan when we got home, to hear about their day on the river and how HOT it has been in Adelaide.  It is such a far far cry from our strange world where overnight temperatures drop to -15C!

On Saturday, we went ice skating with DJ's family out at 'Evergreen' which is a township in the foothills surrounded completely by evergreen firs.  Its very pretty, especially with the snow.  I could imagine it to be a scene from Hansel & Gretal or Heidi!!  We went skating on a frozen lake the size of about 2 footy ovals. Parts of it were sectioned off with snow to form ice hockey fields.  I have only ever been ice skating in an ice rink in Adelaide, first at 'DownTown' (in Hindley St, remember that?) and at the Ice Arena, both have rails around the edge which the lake doesn't!!  I felt completely like a beginner, but warmed up and found my skate legs!!  I was doing so beautifully, picking up quite a speed when the toe of my right skate found a large surface crack and down I went landing on my hip and wrist in spectacular form.  Frozen ice is very unforgiving and I have a couple of nice bruises which won't see the light of day...  Besides that one mishap, we all had alot of fun, but an hour was enough.  Although we were well rugged up, our faces were frozen, literally.  I couldn't move my lips they were so stiff.  The air temperature was 12F (-11C) zzzzzzzz!!  We warmed up with large hot chocolates!!  We are adjusting to the weather and are thankful for central heating which comes on about 4am,  mmm lovely..

I'm ok, I'm ok!!

Sarah, freezing but doing well on the ice

Rick next to an ice sculpture of a bear

Tom very impressed with the ice sculptures

Today we received a nice long hand written letter from Jonathon along with some photo's.  There is nothing quite like getting a letter in the mailbox! Very nice, and he is doing well learning his French ..

We are enjoying our ward at church.  There are 3 wards meeting in our building and we have just changed meeting times from 1.30pm to 8.30am.  Gone are the Sunday morning sleep ins for the next year and and gone are the holidays.  Today (Monday) Rick started at work.  Tomorrow I go with the kids to go through the enrolment process at Columbine High School.  I have had to chase up their 'transcripts' (school reports which I didn't bring with me) and their immunisation records.  Thank goodness for the internet!!  Sarah is already trying to work out what to wear for the Winter Ball on the 5 Feb!  (I'm sure she will study something this year!!) Both Tom & Sarah are excited to start school on Wednesday.

As for me, today I signed up for a 6 week water colour class and bought myself some sketch and watercolour paper.  Tomorrow I'll hunt up some brushes and paints.  Now this really is living the dream. 

I do miss my family and garden though, and spent some time this afternoon watching little video clips of Chloe & Zayla I had on my camera.. (There's something to be said for not uploading your camera!)