"Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow!"

Monday morning, 5 December, I was invited to a visiting teaching Christmas lunch at Dixie's home.  Dixie will forever remain one of my most favourite people.  I just love her.  She and Janine organised a really beautiful lunch.  The food and table looked incredible.  I just regret not taking a photo of this beautiful christmas table with the crisp, white, snowy yard seen through the window and a fire blazing.  Wow!  The Christmas season in the northern hemisphere is really something, especially combined with wonderful friends like this.. 

Michelle & Chuck Danford. 
See Chuck's work: http://www.charlesdanford.com/

Wednesday morning was my final Watercolour Art Class with Chuck Danford at Ken Caryl Ranch house. (very sad!) I cannot express how much I have really loved this pursuit this year! I have learned so much from Chuck and love his talent and patience as he has encouraged us.  His critiques are always positive but honest!  I have learned to really take on board what he suggests.  Hopefully I have learned enough of the basic technques to continue on my own until I find another art group, and Chuck will kindly continue to critique my work via email.  I have been asked a few times why don't I try oils, or acrylics?  I will one day, but for now I really want to master watercolours which has a life of it's own.  Perhaps one day I will be able to exhibit and have the same faith and confidence in myself that Chuck does.  Meanwhile, I have been able to give away a few paintings which has given me enormous pleasure.  I am actually amazed that someone likes my work enough to put it on their wall!!  I would encourage anyone remotely interested, to take one of his classes, you will really enjoy it!!

(The next 6 week course  begins on the 1st Feb 2012 9.00-12.00noon.)

https://direct2rec.ken-carylranch.org/econnect/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp

Following this last art class, I was able to meet up with some dear friends from church for lunch at Chilli's.  Many thanks to DeAnne for organising this!  I was sitting in the centre position somewhere, just listening to the chatter going on all around me watching these dear women who have truely touched my life here in Denver and who I call friends.  I am overwhelmed by their love and friendship and will sincerely miss their association.  This was a wonderful visit together, which was over too soon..

L-R:  -, Dixie, Michelle,Donna, Kami, Babzanne, Jennifer, Linda,
Crista, Michelle Ballard, Rosemary & Cheryl

A huge serving of salad which I
had to 'box' up! (Very delicious!)

That evening, I was able to help DeAnne set up a blog for her son who is serving in Russia!  What a wonderful thing technology is, that we are able to share our life experiences and thoughts with loved ones on the other side of the world, or anyone interested to read!!  Good luck with it all DeAnne!


This week, I have been finishing paintings for a Christmas gifts, posting to Elder J Bennallack in France, last minute Christmas shopping and of course sorting & packing.  I have also been busy for a couple of weeks now cleaning! Washing windows, wiping out cupboards, skirting boards and walls and so on..  This is helping me to 'feel' like we are leaving, even though my mind doesn't want to deal with it!!  Our main concern has been to find shipping company to take our excess belongings, a bulk of which belongs to Tom!  Finally, Rick found a company that shipped for .45c a pound.  We ended up preparing 280 pounds, 4 large boxes!!  This did include items from a fun shopping excursion with Cheryl at Hobby Lobby!  (Why haven't we done that before??)  On Thursday, our boxes left, and so did a lot of anxiety!!  We can travel alot easier now..

Thursday afternoon was the last session of cubscouts.  As a breakup activity before the holidays, the Wolves and the Webelo dens combined.  First they made card messages and then we went to the home of a member in our ward who has been seriously ill and sang carols to them.  Two large cars of noisy, excited boys which we hoped would behave at the door!!  However noisy they were on the approach, they were brilliant at the door.  I must insert here, that at this point it's getting dark and Christmas house lights are on.  The ground has layers of ice and snow is still pretty thick, so it's also very cold.  It's a scene you might see on a TV movie, and I loved it.  What a great way to finish off my American experience of being a Cubscout Den Leader!!  And many thanks to my Den partner, Heather.  It's been so good working with you, and I'll miss you and your family!

I haven't mentioned this much, but most Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, my good friend and neighbour, Cheryl Reardon takes me with her to the 24Fit gym.  We even started going at 6.30am!  Are we crazy, yes!  But it was so good at the same time.  Many thanks Cheryl, I have loved going with you and treasure our friendship.  I will miss this greatly..  Friday morning was sadly our last work out together.  So, from now on, when I next get myself disciplined to exercise regularly, I will think often of Cheryl and her many stories!! 

Cheryl & Me, friends, neighbours and workout buddies!! (Don't we look fit!!)

Leaving accomodation of any sort in spick 'n span condition, despite careful preparations still is a tad stressful.  On Friday, Dixie and Janine came to my rescue and helped me with the last of the windows and final clean of the basement etc.  It only took a couple of hours and was greatly appreciated.  We were able to leave the house spic and span with everything in order by Saturday afternoon..  well, that is, nearly able to!  We had arranged to stay with the Mercer's on Saturday night so we could be finished with the house, but just before Jeff came to pick us up, the front door swung open a little too fast (again) and the door knob popped a hole in the newly repaired wall!  It was just one of those things!  So Rick set about repairing it again!! 

Saturday night, there was a dance on at Columbine which gave Sarah a chance for final goodbyes.  She enjoyed that.  Meanwhile, the Mercer family took Rick & I into downtown Denver to see the Christmas lights, and surprised us with a carriage ride tour!!  How wonderful and how kind!! 


It was so Christmassy with lights up all over the various streets and buildings throughout the CBD.  There was still snow on the ground from the week before, so pretty cold, but we were rugged up.  We so enjoyed that!  Many thanks Donna & Jeff!


Afterwards we escaped the crowded city restaurants and found 'Beaujo's Pizza.  Delicious!!  A great evening. 

Once back home at the Mercer's, Jeff kindly took Rick back to the house so he could finish the wall, and me to SuperTarget so I could stock up on make-up supplies that are so much cheaper than in Australia!!

The next morning at church was extremely bitter-sweet.  How we have greatly loved this ward.  Everything about it.  We have been shown so much love and friendship by so many people and we are thankful and grateful for the many rich experiences we have had... Thank you Clement Park Ward.  Thank you.  As I write this, I am getting misty again thinking of all the wonderful people who have touched our lives.  But what treasured memories, I am sure we will meet again one day...

It was so nice to spend this time with the Mercer Family.  We sure do love and apprieciate them!  Well, after a teary visit from Sarah's friend Chelsee, the final juggling of luggage to get the weight correct, and after Donna fed us with delicious Taco's, the time for departure arrived.  The hour journey to the airport was over far too soon, then we were checking luggage in.  With Jeff's help we were able to get one extra bag on, all the way to Auckland.  Out of the vast windows of DIA, I could see the fields of white snow.  It's a last glimpse.  The security area is a formiddable place!!  It can be an exciting challenge to pass through if you are on your way to an adventure, but a hindrance if you are departing for the last time.  Final goodbyes are tough, even though we are looking forward to seeing our own family, we have grown to love the Mercer's like our own. 

The Bennallack's and the Mercer's, it's hard to say goodbye..

What treasured friends who have shared such a lot with us.  They are hoping to come and spend Christmas with us in Adelaide in two years when Tom is home, so hopefully we will see them again soon..

Goodbye Denver! Goodbye..  A piece of our hearts will always be here.

A last look at Denver before heading above the Rockies

Wow! What a year....

Arctic Blasts from the North

Michelle & Bette Rae visiting at 'The Olive Garden'.

 On Tuesday, I met up with my good friend from Art class, Bette Rae.  She has not joined our classes this semester and I have missed her company.  I haven't seen her since before summer but we have been keeping in touch via email.  There are people that really touch your life, and Bette is one of those!  She is a sweet, and very talented artist with a huge, caring heart.  I really love our friendship.  We met up at 'The Olive Garden' and spent a leisurely couple of hours visiting.  We will continue to keep in touch for sure!!

Dropping Rick off at work,
this is an experience you don't get in Adelaide!

 It did indeed snow the following Thursday, much to our delight I must confess!!  We really were hoping to see snow again before returning to Australia.  Well, we got our wish with about 6" of snow on Thursday which was a grey, dreary day all day.  It was a day to stay inside and avoid driving anywhere if possible.  I of course, needed to take Sarah to school, driving slowly on roads covered in ice and thick slush.  Not my best stressfree activity!! 

Friday, the sun came out which is my favourite.  I love to see the blue expanse of sky contrasting the blanket of white, clean sparkling snow.  Everything looks so beautiful. The trees, the streams, the fields, everything is transformed!  I especially like it as the ice melts off the roads!!  I just cannot describe the cold and give it justice!  I want to, because I know when we leave here and are once again in the South Australian summer, it might be hard to remember what it was like here!  The cold is crisp and clear. Sharply  penetrating all layers of inappropriate clothing within a few seconds.  The cold permeates deep into your lungs and your breath can be clearly seen in large clouds of mist.  It's actually amazing to see how much air actually goes into our lungs with each breath!! The cold is invigorating if experienced for short intervals and fun if you are rugged up in 'snow clothes'.  For us, it's such a novelty still, I really, really like it when it snows.  I think because in Colorado you just get enough then it seems to melt off, and probably mostly because we come from a place where you just never see it at all!!

A quick pic, then a fast dash to the
 car to get out of the cold!!

Friday at Columbine HS was 'Pep Rally Day'.  The Cheerleaders all wore their uniforms to school for 'Game Day' and there was a huge assembly for the school community to honour the Varsity Football Team who had made the final playoff game against Lakewood High to be played Saturday afternoon.  This rally raised excitement, loyalty and demonstrated the deep founded school spirit that makes up Columbine.  What a wonderful experience for Sarah to be a part of.  However, she arrived home very teary, as leaving Columbine in one week impacted greatly on her.  She is completely settled in her school environment now, and the school year is still only half way through, and she knows what is coming next on the calendar.  It has been so great to experience High School in America, but heart wrenching to leave it too.. 

Bleak mornings, driving very carefully..

Saturday, 3 December, a very busy day, brought another blast from the Arctic, coming down through Canada, Montana and Wyoming to the north of us.  It came with feather like flurries on freezing gusts of air that put layers of soft 'powder' snow everywhere on top of the unmelted snow from 2 days before.  It was constant and persistant throughout the day making driving hazardous and the day very bleak. 

It was also the day of the funeral for dear Sister Baer, our Temple matron who died the previous Sunday evening in a head-on auto accident.  This was such sad news for all who knew her.  I barely did really, but she was the constant familiar, welcoming face each time I went to the Temple, especially when I didn't know anyone else.  What a sweet lady, she touched the lives of so many people and her loss is greatly felt.  What a miserable, freezing day to put her to rest..  My heart and thoughts are with her family at this time.

The morning for us began with a Ward Christmas breakfast which Rick was able to help out at.  We all just love our ward so much, but this is also the day for the last Cheerleading competition, the JV State Invitational which clashed, as mentioned, with the final game for the High School Varsity Football team. This conflict brought a huge conflict to our team as some of the girls had brothers or boyfriends playing in the game which was scheduled the same time as the competition final.
 

I love how homes are decorated for the seasons. 
Heather has a beautiful 'Christmassy' home,
 especially with the snow outside, and the lights
 and fireplace inside....

Sarah and I were around at Heather's place before 7am to assist with the braiding of the girls hair.  I don't think I really did much to assist, except to help a little with little Makenzie.  Heather's fingers flew, as she braided the whole team's hair!! Over 20 girls!  What a champion!  We then thankfully, caught a ride with her as we drove to Arvarda West High School for the competition which was about a 45-50 minute journey on the ice packed roads.

The competition was very large, with many teams.  The Poms were also competiting, their dance routines very spectacular.  Our girls performed very well, with just one spill in a tumble.  No drops and timing was very good.  However as the morning wore on, we as 'bleacher judges'  could tell that there were quite a few teams with a higher standard of team stunts and precision.  Cheerleading is an intense culture here, an integral part of High School life for those involved. 

Before the final teams were announced, Sarah's coach, Stephanie and the team made a special presentation to Sarah as a goodbye.  I know this has been a moment Sarah did not want to face, but this competition marked the last Cheerleading event for Sarah.  She has loved this experience and will remember it all her life.  She was presented with a lovely team photo autographed by all the girls.  This was really lovely and will be a treasured momentum for many years..

What a great experience to be a cheerleader in America!!

By the end of the preliminary sessions, our girls did not make the final round which was not too disappointing because they were then free to attend the Varsity Football Final which was being held at Invesco Field (recently renamed SportsAuthority Field), the main football arena in Denver!  Sarah shot off with some of the girls from the team and the rest of us headed home to get out of the cold and perhaps watch the game on TV.  Yes, the High School games are shown on TV, (Root Sports channel) especially the final!!

Varsity Football Final: Columbine vs Lakewood

I just have to explain a little about Football, not the technicalities of the game itself, (which I still fail to fully understand) but the conditions.  The game schedule is such that all football is over by the end of the first semester (December).  It generally doesn't snow until after Halloween, when most of the preliminary games are finished and the final rounds start to be played.  It is a winter sport, which means if it snows, the games are still going on!  The fields are ploughed of snow leaving large banks on either side of the field.  The game itself goes for 3 hours, so as a spectator on the sidelines, or for the Cheerleaders (or anyone present), it's a test of endurance in the cold!  It's probably a very good idea to follow the game so periods of intense excitement can warm you up!!  The Friday night games are so very cold, watching when the temperature is on or below zero for the duration.  And such was the case for the final.  Sarah was able to borrow a few extra layers of clothes, but it was a freezing experience, but born with as Columbine gained strength and went on to win the game becoming the Colorado State Champions for the 2011 football season.  The whole community, not just the current students, seemed to be very involved.  It was commented on in Facebook and analysed in the Sports show on the radio and reported on the TV news! A truely epic event for Columbine Rebels, so CONGRATULATIONS Columbine HS!!

Sunday, we awoke to more snow which had fallen overnight.  This was the most snow we had seen in one time.  The temperature is extremely cold, and thick patches of ice lay on roads and walkways.  Rick has been so good at diligently shovelling the paths to avoid those ice layers building.  It's a cold, cold task.  The snow eased off to flurries on Sunday, and after church we went to Juna Warriner's home for lunch.  We enjoyed a great time visiting with her and her family as she made us enchilada's and gave Sarah & I a lesson on how the Mexican's make them.  It really is simple and we'll have to definitely give that a go!

We are really enjoying hearing from our boys in the mission field!  Elder Jonathon Bennallack has dubbed himself Elder B1 and Elder Tom Bennallack is Elder B2, to avoid the confusion as they talk about each other.  They are both serving valiantly, and we love Sunday evenings and Mondays as we get to hear from them both.  What a wonderful experience this is for all of us. 

Early evening, looking up our street from the front door.  (You can Cheryl's car!)
It's so still and very beautiful..

We are now down to our final week here in Denver.  Rick finishes work on Wednesday, to assist in the final preparations to depart.  I have been doing alot of cleaning, but I keep blocking the thought of final goodbyes out, but know it's coming...