Monthly Archives: August 2013

Grateful.

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Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts.  They worked, and we’re so grateful.  Today C’s surgeon, Dr. Andrew Nemechek, met us with good news.

When the three of us got to the hospital (Sarah, C’s sister, joined us) we were seen nearly right away by Jessica, one of the nurses in the practice who took a brief history and vitals from C.  She said, “Dr. Nemechek will be in to see you in a moment.  Do you want any coffee, tea, juice, water?”  We all said no, thank you.  But, had I known we would be in the room with the surgeon for two hours, I would have asked for a double shot of espresso.

Our visit was refreshing, relieving, and we’re feeling much better.

It was as if there was no detail of C’s life that was insignificant to Dr. Nemechek.  We talked about where C grew up, where he went to college, how he exercises, what he eats, and what he knows right now of his family’s health history.  We mentioned that C has been training for a half marathon at the end of October and Dr. Nemechek said he thought that was fantastic.  He wants C to run it so he’ll be as fit as possible for surgery in November.  He wants us to go to the three weddings we are planning on traveling to this fall.

Next week, C will have a full neck ultrasound that will reveal any other issues we need to know about before surgery.  We’ve been encouraged to call Dr. Nemechek’s office with ANY questions or concerns.

As we were wrapping up, we were strongly encouraged to go out to lunch with each other and take a few deep breaths before C returned to work.

We are thankful.

Where we belong…for now.

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Last Wednesday ended up being quite the day for us and spoiler alert, we did not move forward with our contract on the ranch-y house in University.

There were a lot of factors that led to our decision and one in particular that stood out after inspection was over.

We are suddenly facing a second challenge in our marriage.

On Wednesday, Chris was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

I hate that word. cancer.  I won’t give it the satisfaction of an upper-case “c.”

But it is what it is and we have it and we’re facing it.

When Chris told me about the diagnosis, after the home inspection that evening, we decided not to move forward with the house and concentrate on Chris’s health and being well.  We don’t need to worry about mortgage payments or closing costs or hiring movers or being far from the comfort of our neighborhood, building and neighbors.

DenverSkyline

[from the rooftop of our building, April 2013]

We are meeting with C’s surgeon on Friday morning and will know more from there.  In the meantime, we’re thinking good thoughts and know that historically, though this cancer is rare, it is highly treatable and curable.

We are in good hands in our little bit of the world here in Denver.

Friday evening update.

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We are under contract for a house.  Again.  This time, the contract is even more messy than last time.  If you haven’t heard, buying a house in Denver right now is an absolute nightmare.  If you have a house in this town and you want to sell it, be prepared to make a mint.  Denver is pretty much on fire.

Nearly two weeks ago, we found a place we loved.  It’s charming.  It’s ranch-y.  It’s in a nice neighborhood – a great school district.

Unfortunately, the sellers of this particular ranch-y charming house needed 10 extra days to figure out some stuff with the house they plan on buying with the money we give them for their current house.  They asked that we go under contract but allow 10 days so they could to back out if their deal falls through.  This put our inspection on hold.  The 10-day contract ended on Wednesday.  The sellers’ agent called and now their 10- (er, 12-) day contact ends today.  It’s 8:00 p.m.  Still no answer.  Chris decided to go fishing rather than waiting around for our phone to ring.   I think that was a fine idea.  I guess the sellers have until 11:59 p.m. to let us know exactly whether or not they want to sell us their damn house.

Anyway, this whole time we’ve been under contract, I’ve been thinking about how much I love THIS neighborhood – our neighborhood.  The happy place I’ve lived for six years.  Why leave?  Why expand our square footage?  Who needs a yard when we have Cheesman Park?

DenverSunset6.8.13

Who needs a bigger kitchen when Chef Zorba’s is right down the street?

I took this photo and Instagram’d it yesterday on our way to eat at Chef’s.

WalktoZorbas

Mmm.  Love it here.

What’s for breakfast?

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Weekend mornings growing up we usually had some sort of fun breakfast my dad would make for us.  On Saturday, it was always French toast, pancakes, bacon or hot chocolate.

And after church on Sunday, if we didn’t have donuts or buttered rolls at church, we’d stop on Main Street in Valatie for six of the best fresh-glazed donuts I’ve EVER had in my whole life.  Or, we’d pick up some Freihofer’s powdered donuts from the grocery store.  My dad liked plain, my brother liked white powder, I liked cinnamon powder, and my mom liked tea…so it all worked out.  Donuts are easy to eat over the Sunday funnies.

FreihofersDonutsBut one Saturday morning, Michael and I woke up to a smell unlike the normal weekend smells coming from the kitchen.  It was almost exactly like…a dinner smell.  Occasionally, my dad liked to experiment.  Like the time he discovered the Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix Pancake recipe on the side of the box.  He made them with Crisco.  It is basically like having a heart attack for breakfast.  Truly delish!

But this particular Saturday morning, we stumbled down to the kitchen and saw a small cardboard box on the counter top.  In the oven under the broiler was our breakfast.

“What are we having?”  I asked.

“Well, something new,” my dad said.  ”It’s what people in Texas eat for breakfast.”

The timer went off and the meal was put on our plates next to glasses of orange juice.  We took a bite.

“Dad,” Michael started.  ”People in Texas eat garlic bread for breakfast?”

“I guess they do.  They call it toast.  Seconds?”

PepperidgeFarmTTTrue story.

 

Picture postcard.

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C and I spent this past weekend at The Lodge at Vail with wonderful friends.

It was nothing short of fantastic, and just what the doctor ordered.  Two nights away in a very comfortable bed, fresh mountain air and lots and lots of sunshine and laughs.

On Friday when we looked at the forecast we were told we were in for highs of 65 and scattered thunderstorms.  That was not at all the case.  Mid-seventies and loads of sunshine were the order for the weekend.

Saturday, Katie and I took a leisurely stroll from Vail Village to Cascade along the wooded path and back, stopping for coffee and people watching.  We enjoyed some great pool time and then I took a late afternoon nap.

This was the view from the balcony of the Lodge on Saturday morning.  The Lodge is one of Vail’s original buildings and I think, one of the prettiest (and has one of the nicest views, as you can see.)

VailVillage_1

For dinner on Saturday night we ate really delish German fare at Pepi’s.

It’s a very European experience.  The staff was not too friendly or attentive and we waited FOREVER for our meals and for service really, but it was worth it.  Absolutely fantastic.  I had Jager Schnitzel and it was heavy and creamy and veal-y.  Ugh.  So good.  Everyone had wonderful meals.  C had the Weiner Schnitzel with spatzel.  We all shared beautiful desserts.  The apple strudel was the table favorite.

Prost!