The Somewhat Calm Before...

In such a short time, how our world has changed. Just last week, Paul and I were on vacation in Breckenridge, Colorado with four couples - college friends. We knew Covid 19 was spreading, but only a couple cases had popped up in Colorado. We took along hand sanitizer and washed our hands frequently. As we left Colorado last Saturday, we received notice that we should self-quarantine as several more cases of the virus had appeared in the resort area during the week.

Now we are laying low at home - venturing out for essentials. Just like many of you! So I'm writing this blog, filling time - and I'm waiting for my next turn at painting our walk-in closet. Paul is taking out shelving right now. Such fun!

The trip seems so long ago already! We drove out to Denver on Friday, March, 6 - handwashing and elbow door opening our way across Nebraska. Destination - Amy and Corey's place! We hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving. So it was great to get together at their place near downtown Denver. The weather was fabulous - upper 60's and sunny. I got a dog fix - hanging with the kiddos' pups Franklin and Eros.

Aunt Marty and me

Amy and Corey had a friend's baby shower to attend on Saturday and we took the opportunity to visit my Aunt Marty (she says she's 87 years old but is not elderly) and my cousin Amy Brownlee and husband Tom. We love catching up with them, hearing about their family and great trip to Hawaii just after Christmas.

After that, we headed back to the Park place. Paul and I enjoy walking in Amy and Corey's neighborhood - a mix of new development and quaint updated older homes, with restaurants and some retail within walking distance. We had lunch at a place called Root Down where I had the best Eggs Benedict ever. That afternoon we joined at Kansas State pal of Amy's at an Iowa State bar near the Coors Field to watch KSU blast Iowa State in Men's basketball. Great Cyclone crowd and the bar owner was fun to talk to - helping take away the sting of an awful hoops season. That night it was Chinese takeout, just enjoying our time with our kids.

Post brunch pic with Jordan and Jill

On Sunday we met my niece Jordan and wife Jill for brunch. So nice to see them! They recently went to Lake Chapala, Mexico to visit my sis Susi and husband Jim as that is where they winter. Visiting Denver affords us a great opportunity to see so many loved ones.

Our college pals arrived mid-afternoon Sunday. Moose and Kay drove from the Chicago area and picked up Vicki and Fred at the airport. It was nice they got to spend some time with Amy and especially Corey as they'd never really been around him except for their wedding - which didn't allow for much quality time. We went to a place called Milk Market - many vendors under one roof.

Milk Market grub

On Monday we headed up the big hill to Breckenridge - checking into a nice "ski-in" condo that Fred found. Two more couples - Tom and Shirley and Mike and Paula (from Paul's side of the college friend tree) had reserved their own condo - and it was just around the corner from ours!

A few of the skiers

The birthday girl had a sash! 

Did I mention this is the 40th anniversary of a spring break trip to Breckenridge? It was my senior year of college - 1980. Paul, Vicki, Fred, Mike, and Tom were there as we packed into a huge condo along with about 15 other people. It was a blast! This time we were a bit more sedate! And I haven't skied for close to 20 years, so it wasn't on my list of things to do. Paul and some others skied 3 days - and we heard a bit about everyone's aches and pains (even from me - a non-skier haha).

We had a ball! Just hanging out with this gang is fun. In our condo is the group that went to Alaska together last summer - good memories there. It was Paula's birthday on Wednesday so we went to their place for a big party (lasted until 9 PM) that night. Did I mention how nice it is to be with friends we've known for 40 plus years? Tom and Shirley live in New York, Mike and Paula near LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Moose and Kay live just north of Chicago and Vicki and Fred live south of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Yep, we're the only Iowans.

Breckenridge Distillery

Up to Peak 9

During the week, we visited a distillery, shopped, and rode up the Gondola. On Thursday we all met at a barbecue in downtown Breckenridge. On Friday the whole group drove up to Vail to visit my sister Cindy and eat at my nephew Colby's restaurant, El Sabor in Lion's Head. Vicki has known Cindo since spring break our Freshman year when we slept on her fold-out bed and skied Vail. We reminisced about that trip on Friday - what knuckleheads we were - dragging out hanging clothes, for a ski trip, riding on shuttles. Did we think we'd be going to discos? Vic and I skied every spring break when we were in college.

Delish lunch with friends at El Sabor - Colby treated us right

Paul and I were excited to stay at Cindy's Friday night - since we missed our usual Christmas get-together due to health issues. That night we went to our friends Bonnie and Eric's for supper - just like Christmas without the prime rib! Bonnie did make a yummy shrimp salad. I had fun playing catch with their dog Dodger. It was nice to catch up with them. Their son Byron is getting married this summer...just the other day he was a high school senior..haha. On Saturday, Vail shut down the mountain - including food service that Eric is in charge of. Now Colby's restaurant is closed too - after that, Iowa followed, shutting schools and eat in restaurants. 

Dodger wants to play fetch!

Our trip home Saturday was uneventful. Now, just like you - we are living in a different world, praying for good health for all. And for our medical professionals. Our April Florida trip is canceled and a sister trip to France planned for May is not likely to take place. Not really that important compared to health and people's livelihoods. Still, disappointing. The uncertainty is the worst part - will it be weeks, months? Will we all end up getting it? Nobody knows.

Sending good thoughts and karma to all. Cherishing my time with family and friends. Will try to stay in touch in all the ways I can. I hope you will too. We need each other! 

Feeling the love part 4

Four weddings (and no funerals) since late July. Jordan and Jill 9/20/2017. Paul and I were very happy to witness their marriage, together with many of the couple's family and friends. It was grand!

We actually flew to Denver this trip. We've traveled to Colorado by car so many times the gas station attendants along the route know us by name. (no, not really) Paul had never actually exited the Denver airport before - he'd just flown through. Flying was a big deal! Amy collected us curbside in Dave the car. Franklin (the wonder wienie) and Corey were back at the ranch - their apartment not far from downtown Denver.

It's so weird to think of Amy and Corey as husband and wife. I'm still getting used to seeing Jud sporting a wedding ring!

Look at that blue sky! Last year we ate chili in PA with the Parks

On Friday we attended a benefit chili festival put on by firefighters from around the country. It was on Larimer Street on a beautiful Denver day. Amy had helped a guy re-brand his chili powder and he had donated all the bowls for the day. Pretty cool, and the chili was great. 

View from Pottorff's condo

That evening our peeps started to arrive. Logistics boggle my mind, but somehow - through the magic of Uber and Google Maps, we conquered! Cindy hooked us up with awesome accommodations for Friday and Saturday. Our pals Bonnie and Eric (yes, of Christmas Dinner prime rib fame) have a primo place in the Spire in downtown Denver to go along with their lovely home in Edwards. Yep, the best of both worlds! It's super cool, with a view of Rockies stadium and they split tickets to games with other Spire owners. I love how it's decorated - just right for the space and Paul was digging the large TV. We met Cindy there and settled in.

Later we met Jud, Kara, and Kohans (Betsy, Wayne, son Paul and his gf Christine) at a little place called the Corner Office. It was fun catching up. At the last wedding (Amy & Corey's) we didn't get to chat much. Amy and Corey were at the rehearsal dinner. Later, all the youngsters ended at Amy and Corey's place for a few drinks. I love that they like hanging out. My niece Leslie's husband Jordan (not to be confused with her sis Jordan) seems to be a bit of an instigator. He kept them up late, coming up with interesting topics to discuss.

Doing the prep thing

On Saturday, Cindy, Paul and I took a long walk and settled into Sam's 3 for a big breakfast. Then we heard from Amy that Sister Susi (at the venue getting ready) was experiencing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and wished for some visitors. Betso, Christine and I Ubered over to the venue and checked it out. We got to meet Jill's parents and chat with Susi, Jordan, Amy, and Les in the totally cool urban warehouse venue. After, we met up with the rest of the gang at Lucky Strike, a bowling alley in downtown, until it was time to get ready for the main event.

Look at this wedding cake topper - clones of the brides! 

Some jubilant faces

Ashley Alvillar and Amy are beaming, David Alvillar in the foreground

The wedding was so beautiful. Susi looked gorgeous with her lovely silver hair and gown. There was a solo of the song "I Want to Hold Your Hand". If you haven't seen the video, it includes the vows which say so much about how these two people feel about each other. The ceremony was perfect and Jordan's dress was so perfect. Jill was killing it in her outfit - it was so Jill. 

4 of my fave guys. Corey - not so secretly watching the Clemson game...

Susi with grandson James - so fun watching them interact

We got to see so many of our family members again! My cousins, the Lamms, with the family matriarch, Aunt Marty. Again - I love that we dig each other. I liked watching Marty watch her grandkids have fun together. I got to finally meet our great nephews James and Jonah and see David and Ashley Alvillar for the first time in a long while. One of my favorite parts of the evening was watching the three Alvillar siblings dance to - you guessed it, my song selection, "Love Shack".  Tin Roof...Rusted. Kara made sure that Paul, Cindy and I had the appropriate photos taken - for the guest book and at the photo booth. #shessosmart.

With Aunt Marty. Somebody took a cousin pic - but I didn't get a copy, hint, hint

It was much harder to say goodbye to everyone at this wedding - because I don't know when I'll see some of them again. Ugh. But...there is the Kohan wedding next August - so we have that going for us. Getting excited for Alex and Lisa!

Congrats again to Jordan and Jill. They have faced adversity because of who they are. It isn't easy to be someone who because of who they are, they do not conform to other's expectations and closely held beliefs. They are difference makers, helping to show that love is universal. We need more of it.

I swiped this photo off of Facebook - so good. 

We got to get together with just our kids on Sunday after Cindo dropped us off. I have to admit, I wasn't ready to leave! We walked to a food court type place for a bite - then Corey took off to host clients at the Broncos game and Amy delivered the rest of us to DIA for our flights. Can't wait to see them all again for Thanksgiving in STL!