Good Morning Dear Friends,

I was visiting another friend's journal on Caring Bridge a minute ago and decided I would post one of my own. Bette...I am finally fulfilling my promise to you!

As you all know, Mike and I have been in AZ since mid-December! What an amazing decision it was, way back in March of 2020 to decide to become Snow Birds here in Valle Del Oro! Who knew back then how long this Covid 'stuff' would last and that I would be going through cancer treatments all summer and fall and Mike would be having ankle replacement! Being on the other side (mostly) of all of that was definitely made so much easier with the support of our friends and family in CO, and now the sunshine, warm temperatures, and new friends made here in AZ!!!! 

Our days are filled with Pickleball, pool playing, sewing with new friends, motorcycle rides, bicycle rides, Bocce Ball, golf (yes...even me!), dinners, happy hours, games with friends and a lot of home improvement projects which always entails many, many trips to Home Depot. We are heading to Lake Havasu City this morning to finally get out of the metro area to explore a new to us location in AZ. We are excited to spend a few days with a wonderful couple I became reacquainted with after many years!

All in all, it has been a wonderful winter. Health-wise, (note that is now just a little aside) we are doing quite well. I started taking the 5 year (what I call "the devil pill") to mitigate, to some extent, my cancer returning. The side effects are joint pain and hot flashes. Both have appeared, but I try to ignore them so evidently they are both manageable so far. Oh...and by the way...most people ask about my hair...it is returning, but quite slowly in my opinion. It is mostly gray with some dark hair making it sort of 'salt and pepperish' and is quite wavy. I am learning to live without wigs and hats most of the time, but seeing myself in the mirror is quite difficult for me. Trying to appreciate the fact that I once again even HAVE hair.

 Mike still has numbness in his foot, but again, manageable and doesn't slow him down any more than any of the other usual aging afflictions do for all of us as we age.

We will be returning to CO sometime in April...mostly a weather related decision. I am hoping to be able to see many of you soon after our return! We miss you!

Hoping this finds you happy, healthy, and 'out and about' again!

I couldn't close without trying to give you a giggle (hopefully)! While walking through the golf shop I overheard an older gentleman say this...

"Did you hear about the man who was addicted to Viagra? His wife is having a hard time!"

(Hope you weren't offended...I thought it was kind of cute!)

Sending lots of love!

Denese (and Mike)