Nom Nom

So, sourcing food in a new place is always going to be tricky! Nic had done some shopping for when we arrived, but, his choices are always a tad different from mine! We had bread, ham, cereal etc, however being a fussy madam I wasn't happy that the bread contained sugar?!? Ham was mostly water and totally processed etc etc. Ok so it isn't going to hurt us to have a little junk but I try to keep our diets pretty healthy. 

I spent quite a long time scanning labels to find healthier choices and feel like I'm getting there with stocking up the cupboards and freezer with healthier options. It does usually mean opting for the more expensive choices but it sure tastes better.

However we have been sampling local fast food joints and restaurants and have had some yummy and very unhealthy meals! I have however had a few great salads and some super yum Mac N Cheese! 

This weekend we are hopefully heading off to a local market/ mini festival type thing where we can get some yummy South African wors rolls and some trade stands etc. I'm really looking forward to that!

Week One!

So, here we go. One week into my big adventure, and quite a week it has been!

The Stunning State Park with Denver City and the Rocky Mountains in the background

I have been all over the place both emotionally and physically and today, one week on am beginning to feel a little more settled.

DRIVING AND SHOPPING

On Wednesday last week I was thrown in the deep end with driving in the USA. Nic had to work in the office and as he didn't yet have a car we needed to drop him off and then drive home. As I kissed him goodbye and literally climbed a few feet into the truck I was feeling slightly nervous. Sitting up in the biggest mother of a truck with rush hour and multiple lane highways straight away. I can't say I loved it straight away, but as the days have gone by I have got more and more used to it and it doesn't worry me at all anymore. Its a bit of a change from our little country roads around Berkshire though!

On the way home I decided to stop of at Trader Joes. Its a great supermarket and is on the way home from where Nics office is. We were offered a taste test of some chocolate brioche type loaf, we munched happily on this, the lovely lady behind the counter then offered Ethan a taste of some cookies. We chatted to her for a while about England etc and before we left she said that anything we would like to try in the store before buying, we can just take it over to her and she will open a packet so we can sample before committing- how cool is that! We left with a free lifetime 'Colorado' shopping bag and lots of yummy cheeses, bries etc.

My next great customer service moment was at a Comcast (bit like Sky or Virgin) store. We all went in and Nic wanted an extra box on his account, as we walked in the store another two people entered at the same time... here we go, long wait I thought. As we walked in there was a manager at the front desk to welcome you, behind him was a short line of polo shirt wearing, smiling american assistants, each customer was assigned to an assistant who took as straight over to a desk. The whole transaction was complete in under ten minutes and they were all friendly and kind.

The service staff are just fantastic here, they are genuine, helpful and enjoy their jobs- its a refreshing change for the large percentage of service staff in the UK who seem like they are doing you the most ENORMOUS favor by serving you! Not all of course, some of the best service I have had has been in the UK, but it is few and far between.

THE CAR DEBACLE

The hunt for a car or truck for Nic has been somewhat stressful, driving 40 minutes into the City Centre and ending up in a slightly dodgy part of town and viewing a Jeep owned by a large and unsmiling Hispanic family was not my favorite moment (the Jeep was awful too). We did however finally find a fabulous little Jeep Wrangler for him eventually at Cherry Creek Automotive. It had just been returned from being recovered stolen and needs some work as the keys have all been drilled out and the doors were stolen etc! It has a clean title though, plus because of the work it needs he got it at a fantastic price and we all love it- such a fun car- I think I might steal it!

JUNIOR RANGER

On Saturday we, or should I say Ethan did something very cool! We are super close to the fabulous Cherry Creek State Park, their FB page advertised a Junior Ranger Program running on four consecutive Saturdays. I got in touch and signed Ethan up. It is totally free and they spend three Saturdays from 11am- 3pm learning how to be a ranger, everything from the Parks history to water, wildlife and safety. The final Saturday is a camp out overnight on the swim beach (which isn't usually open to campers). Its a fabulous opportunity and Ethan made a friend within minutes and when we said goodbye and left him for the day, he was more than happy to wave to us and stay with his friends and the Rangers. We also now have the Colorado Parks pass which allows us access to all State Parks in Colorado! Ethan loved being able to get out the house and make some friends, he also loves the outdoors so this was the perfect opportunity for him!

Saturday night was a wobble night, I sat out in the garden watching the evening drawing in and sobbed big baby tears. I missed my Mum and my Dad the most, then of course I sobbed a little for all my friends that I have left behind. I actually needed a good cry and woke up Sunday feeling much better. I still haven't been able to bring myself to read my gorgeous goodbye book that my buddies made- just not quite ready yet but soon, hopefully soon.

Sunday we jumped in the Jeep and went out for iHop Sunday, they do some seriously yummy pancakes and I can see this becoming a regular fixture for us! Stuffed and happy we headed home to watch a movie (ET) in the man cave (basement) with the dogs and family.

Well, thats about week one! We have done lots more of course but most of it is quite boring so I don't want to go on much longer- its been a longer than usual post as it is! I hope you enjoy the photos and I promise I will try to keep the next post much shorter!

Nics Jeep

The Cherry Creek Dog Park

Hoax and Ethan splashing in the Creek within the Dog Area

Ethans and the woofs at Hampden Park (2 mins walk from home)

Hampden Park

Our Garden

Welcome to Denver

Well, the last few days in the UK were incredibly tough, the stress and craziness of the packers and the final move didn't help and the goodbyes to my family really hit Ethan and I hard. Once we finally arrived at the airport it felt like we were on our forwards path and although I was sad to leave I was starting to get very excited about the future!

Of course, at the airport there was the inevitable last minute lacking issues. As we had been living out suitcases for the past five days things had been packed extra into our luggage, moved around, plus we had two boxes of wine and spirits that we were taking on the plane as the packers had recommend not to ship this as it can create lots of extra costs plus delays. After a little repacking and help from kind airline staff we breezed to security. I had ended up having to take a bag I was planning on sending checked, as hand luggage. I clearly hadn't looked in it properly at check in time as the bag was pulled aside for further investigation. Right at the bottom on the bag was half a ton of toiletries- whoops! After a quick explosives scan we were through and on our way. The flight was fine but BA Premier Economy are pretty rubbish compered to Virgin, but the extra legroom was appreciated as it felt like a very long flight this time.

After landing we breezed through security etc, the airport decided not to charge us a penny for all our wine and spirits which was a great ending and we flew through the gates to see my gorgeous man waiting for us. Ethan ran straight into his arms and broke out sobbing in huge great, choking tears, saying I missed you so much Papa, so so much. We were all very emotional and being back together felt so right.

Then theres the truck, what a beastie she is- Ethan was so mega excited to see it and he totally loves it to bits, all I can say for now... HUGE!!! We got to the new house quickly (about twenty minutes of course) and I ran straight down to see the dogs. They were very happy to see Ethan and I and enjoyed showing us how fast they can sprint around the garden. After the excitement we all finally crashed in bed after about 22 hours straight awake.

Waking up in our new house was strange, not knowing where light switches etc are is an odd feeling but I also felt quite relaxed and at home straight away. We spent 'Day One' shopping for some household items and running a few errands we needed to do, and today (day 2) is much more of the same. The area around us is peaceful without being too quiet and it feels very odd to have so much more living space!

However, I did welcome my woofs in a similar way to which I said goodbye to them. With a bath for one... Yesterday morning I was sitting in the lounge with the dogs, the backdoor was wide open so that they could wander in and out and it was still dark outside. All of a sudden Detour went dashing out barking at something which I assumed was a cat, I called him back and went to the backdoor to see what it was he was woofing at, he snuck back over looking like he'd been scratched in the face or something making the oddest faces at me, at the moment I thought 'Oh No, he's been hurt', a mega stink hit me and I relayed he had probably been skunked! The whole garden smelt bad and the smell drifted along into the house. Normally bad smells don't bother me but this actually made me gag. I swept Detour straight downstairs and spent ten minutes washing his head off. Luckily the smell washed off just fine, it can permeate into things so I think we got lucky and hopefully Detour has learned his lesson! So really, I think I wall always remember my welcome to Denver by Skunk...

My Welcoming Party...

True Prosperity

As I prepare to leave (for a while at least). I can't quite figure out what I have done to deserve such loyal friends. I am not particularly funny or smart, dynamic, kind or beautiful, yet here I am, saying goodbye to people who are quite simply fantastic. People who have gone out of their way to say their own, clever goodbye. Lunches, dinners and thoughtful gifts and quiet see you soon hugs. I am not sure, in the least that I deserve a single one of these things, yet here I am, gifted with them all. Friendship is true prosperity - guys, you rock!

Total Morning Madness

So, I was so well prepared this morning for the dogs.
Crates were decorated with stickers and photos, built and in the van ready to go.
Fresh vetbed was ready and waiting to be placed in each crate.
Paperwork was boxed and ready along with fresh water, comfort squares, crate spares etc.
Tomtom was programmed and ready to go
Dogs were all bathed, clipped, groomed and stunning
Walk planned on Greenham so dogs don't get wet and muddy for journey.

The timings were all sorted, 45 mins for me to get ready, 10 mins to Greenham, 60 mins walk, 10 mins back and 15 mins at home to get crates ready before hour journey to Pet Transporters for 10.45am.

It didn't quite go that way...

I was ready and out the house with the dogs early- 25 mins ahead of schedule. just FIVE minutes into our walk the rain starts.. and goes on and on. I keep a close eye on Hoax as I don't want her to roll but I swear- I have no flipping idea how it happened but a huge cow pat must have jumped up and planted itself on the side of her head! My boots start to rub the back of my ankle and I am limping at top speed along the second half on the walk. Back at the van with one crap covered dog and four totally drenched beings.

We rush back home and I bung Hoaxey in the shower- THREE washes later and she finally stops reeking. Run downstairs and blow dry all four dogs as I don't want them wet and cold in their crates.

Launch outside and clean out the crates as they are now filthy and one smells slightly of cow poop...

Try to start sticking down the puppy pads to the bottom of the crates using double sided tape, of which the backing paper sticks to the tape furiously and doesn't want to help me out, cursing I strip bits of paper off and chuck them everywhere. Then vet bed is folded at edges and placed in onto of pads.

Run upstairs and change my sopping trousers- no time for the top that'll have to do. Grab a new non poop covered collar for Hoax and spend five minutes trying to extract the stupid tag off of her poop enhanced one and onto the clean one.

Chuck dogs in crates in van and leave poo splattered, filthy house behind.

En route tomtom decides it will attempt to switch itself off every five minutes, spend journey cursing and smacking tom-tom buttons.

Finally arrive at Pet transporters with not a minute to spare- the dogs are rested and immaculate, their crates are pretty, cosy and cool. I look like a bedraggled mad dog lady with mismatching clothes, wet and frizzy hair and mascara halfway down my face. They ask if they can take a photo of me and the dogs for their FB page- Ha! "Why the hell not- crack on I say"!

All for the love of dogs x

All a little weird- restless me

So this week things feel a little strange, the treading water stage of the move seems to be the current situation.

I feel anxious, not really relaxed. It isn't so much that I have lots to do or anything like that, things are just on pause. I am not really at home here now, emotionally and mentally I have begun my move and as such feel restless. There is of course an awful lot still to happen but my brain is buzzing between sad, happy, anxious and excited. Feels very. very odd.

On a happy note, my amazing husband has been working hard getting the truck ready for our babies. Not a penny has been spared for them and I so appreciate all Nic has done. The topper is fitted and ready!

The truck now has it's slide opening truck to topper window (which meant a whole new window had to be fitted on the truck plus one from the topper company). It has a locking tailgate for added security. Sliding side windows complete with dog mesh so I can drive with them open and they will get full airflow with out risk of them sticking heads out. Also full headlining for temperature control and noise reduction plus a full lined carpet for their foot and belly comfort! Lucky woofers :)

Thank you my awesome man xxx

If Dogs could fly...

My final big worry is of course our darling dogs. The mutts arriving safely in Denver will see me beaming and excited, but until that time, I will be very nervous.

Chillin' in her 'crib'

I don't think they could be anymore prepared than they are. They have been using their crates for the last week or so and are all happy and confident in them. The crates have been in the back of the loan van which is dark and rattly and loud and somewhat like the inside of the cabin will be. I have never been precious about leaving them for periods of time at home, so they can deal with not being let out for long periods of time. Finally, like all agility dogs they are great travellers, they sleep anywhere and are very happy moving around and sleeping wherever they are, be it crated, caravans or new homes! They are all fit and well and rabies jabbed etc. Finally Boo and Detour have been on Zylkene for the past week just to take the edge off of any nerves.

They have new collars and bowls waiting for them in Denver plus toys and treats and of course, their Daddy!

I don't think, I will truly relax until the point Nic has them, but fingers crossed- they will all get through it just fine.

BOPD

Stands for British Obsessive Packing Disorder...

I have started to think about what I need to pack in my suitcase to take over with me, and I believe I may be starting to be a tad obsessive about British items.

A friend suggested I take some cadburys chocolate and a jar of marmite with me, to the U.S. I rushed straight out and brought a bar of cadburys caramel and a pot of marmite. Now, I can't remember when I last had marmite, but I am sure that if I don't take any, that all of a sudden the most complete and consuming craving will appear.

This got me thinking of what else I will miss, and of course, over the last few weeks I have added a few things to my 'suitcase cupboard'. It now contains two bars of cadburys dairy milk caramel, three bars of cadburys milk dime chocolate, two Terry's chocolate oranges, two bars of Bournville, sloe gin, cherry brandy and a jar of marmite. My fingers are itching to add about a hundred things, including Heinz tomato soup (Ethans only soup love), PG Tips, Berkshire Honey, Local Eggs, Joules clothing, Crew clothing, Kettle chips, Pate, Salad Cream.... The list goes on and on. At this rate I will have no space for any clothing, but hey, if I spend my time stuffing british treats I won't fit into any of my clothes anyway!

However, I think I will just make myself stick to my few basics and learn to embrace the American treats instead... Bring on the #smores