Joanne Heim

Such a good day

(Wednesday evening)

I had such a good day today!

My dear friend, Shanna picked me up around 11 and we headed to the new campus of Denver Christian--the school our kids used to attend together--in fact, we met each other on a third grade field trip to the Denver Zoo the first year my family was in Denver after moving from San Diego. We've been good friends ever since. My oldest and her middle were best friends for a couple of years. The school moved a couple of years ago and we've been meaning to visit the new campus for the past year. It is a great school if you are in Denver and looking for a school for your kids.

We found it without trouble and took a tour as if we were prospective parents. The new school building is marvelous--big and bright and open and beautiful. We walked every hallway and ran into teachers our kids had and loved, who sent their love to our five kids (her three and my two). We reminisced about the good times we had at the school. We even saw some students and parents we knew, which was an unexpected treat.

And when the tour was done and our tummies were growling quite loudly, we left and had a huge lunch at Macaroni Grill--a place neither of us had been in years.

It was a terrific day and I am still full. Instead of a meal, I may just eat some yogurt and watch a movie before taking Maddie out and going to bed early (after all, it is dark and getting cold--perfect for an early bedtime!)...

Sweet dreams, friends!

Joanne

 

Holding down the fort again

Mom and Dad left super early this morning and are headed to California for the week--a getaway for just the two of them. Maddie and I are staying here and keeping each other company. Someone is coming every morning to walk Miss Maddie and to provide any assistance I need (which is not very much these days!) As I've shared before, Mom and Dad have gone away in the past, but they've only been a couple of hours away by car. This feels like a much bigger deal since they are flying and are much farther away.

I got up after they left for the airport and have found sticky notes around the house that Mom left for me--on my mirror, the shower door, the kitchen cabinet and Maddie's food container. Love my mother!

I am super excited for them. They are renting a car and driving up the coast as far as Big Sur and Carmel, which is one of my favorite places ever. I  kinda wish I were going along because of that, but I wasn't invited and I really am thrilled for them to get away on their own!

I have a week full of my usual activities and am going to the Stroke Center for my art group this morning. I missed it last week due to an appointment with my neurologist, so I am excited to see my friends there and to paint today. My appointment was my usual six-month check with her and everything is fine. She is a wonderful person and my favorite doctor. I always leave her office feeling encouraged and hopeful.

We had a mellow weekend around here. Dad is rebuilding our deck so he worked on that a bunch. We went out for pizza on Saturday night since we don't really do Halloween. There are no children in our neighborhood, so we didn't deprive anyone of candy by not being home. And the only candy we tend to have around is a box or two of Milk Duds for emergency movie snacks for me. I don't really share those if I can help it! They are my favorite!

That is about it for news here.

Last week, I did meet with the counselor the kids have been seeing from time to time. We had a good chat and I think we may have helped each other understand some things a little more clearly. There are no plans for me and the kids to meet together at this point in time. Toben does send me updates a couple of times a month and it sounds like they are both doing well. They are doing well in school and really getting along well --I am really proud of them for that and am glad they have each other!

My tummy is starting to rumble, so I think it is time  to finish my coffee and think about food. As it gets cooler, I have switched to oatmeal for breakfast every day. I do love my Captain Crunch when the weather is nicer, but I need something hot when it is cold outside!

Happy Monday to all. I hope you have a great week!

 

Joanne