Yeah, I have been to Denver. Nice town.Many interesting and well known wild game meats restaurants there. Since It's in the Rocky Mountain State, I tried their famous oysters. Not bad at all.

Good luck to you!

dcarch

Wishing you the best!

I have two job interviews lined up: one at JoAnn Fabrics the day I arrive, and the other with Bath and Body Works (whom will contact me sometime after I arrive on the 13th). Still apartment hunting and hoping I find someplace soon. I'm visualizing how I want the place to look with plants, and the living room decor in my teal and orange or purple scheme, with the plants everywhere. Dusty rose pink in the bathroom. Bedroom, I want it to have a wicker bed for sure. Some bookshelves. Of course, a nice, roomy kitchen to cook in ;).

The party was a smash and so was my punch (sadly, what was leftover was tossed out, but it was still good). I didn't get as emotional as I thought I would, but it was still a wonderful time. They sang a chorus of "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow" to me which was quite nice :).

Brad AKA Moonwolf

You'll love Denver! First of all for the scenery and the newly revised down town area. Weather is the best of both worlds, has 4 seasons and can get lots of snow, but it melts quickly and Denver is most often warmer than thes urrounding area....something about being in a basin.

Hope you can find a theater group to connect with when you get settled in.

That's a huge move....hope you have some sort of support group of ready friends to get yous ettled in.

Keep in touch!

Congratulations, Brad, on the next step in your life journey. I hope everything goes wonderfully for you.

I've never been to Denver, the closest I've been was in Manitou Springs. My girls and I were there for a couple days while on vacation, so not long enough to get a true feel for the place.

Good luck, and keep us updated and how it's going.

Annie

Seems to me JoAnn Fabrics would be a match made in heaven; hope they think so, too!

What an enormous change to your life! It can be a very daunting experience so make sure to have fun and I wish you the best of luck!

Great to hear the update. Hope all goes well. It's a lot to take in. Hope you'll keep us posted once you get settled. Meanwhile, Go Moonwolf!

Wow, Brad, big leap! So jealous that you get to work in a fabric shop :-)

Out of curiosity (and feel free not to answer), what prompted the big move?

Brad, it's been ages! And nothing like coming back with a huge announcement like this one. I'm so excited for you!

I think Denver would be the bomb! I love winter, so I could never live in the south.

Please keep us updated on everything. And the fabric shop would be right up your alley.

This is my last night at home. Spending it with a dear friend and her family today. I offered to make corned beef and cabbage for her and the kiddos (her hubby works today and he doesn't care for cabbage, so more for us, LOL).

I'm a mix of emotions, but I feel pretty good about it. Just sentimental I guess. I wish I had an apartment by now, but I feel pretty good about getting hired at JoAnn's.

I went to see my gram yesterday (the one whose lemonade I've shared on here and everyone loves), and while she's not the best at remembering or quite as coherent anymore, it was still nice to see her before I leave. Tomorrow's the big day. I hope I can sleep tonight.

Brad AKA Moonwolf

you could always go a few miles south on the I b/w denver and colorado springs. castle rock is really nice.

Such exciting news! Best of luck to you Brad. I think you'll find Denver an accepting kind of place with much to offer. Keep us posted! Edited to add: So glad I checked in today. It's been months since I dropped by!

Wal-Mart was sold out of corned beef briskets yesterday, so I made chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes (they were a disaster), corn and brown gravy. I did marinate the steaks in buttermilk for a few hours to help them tenderize a bit further, but some were still tough.

A few more hours and I'll be on a train bound to Pittsburgh, followed by a layover before Chicago bound, and then another layover before bound to Denver!

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Sounds like a great trip. Keep your eyes open between naps; you’ll be going though a lot of the country! Good luck and please keep is posted!

Oh, I love the train!

Travel safely and keep us updated as things happen. I agree that JoAnn Fabrics seems like a dream job for you.

Annie

Well, here I am in Denver. Had a full day yesterday. Haven't slept much and my stomach's been fluttering with butterflies. I cried this morning because of all the stress and the fear/anxiety.

So far, I've eaten at Snooze at Union Station (breakfast), Potbelly Sandwich Shop for lunch, dinner at Applebee's last night (grilled chicken Caesar salad and a Fuzzy Navel-funny thing, my bartender had never heard of it so I told her what it was and she said she'll have to try one herself). I had the hotel continental breakfast this morning (potatoes, eggs, and sausage with orange juice), and I had KFC delivered for lunch (they have fries there like mine used to in my childhood!!!)

They'll call me tomorrow to make it official, but I did get the job at JoAnn's!!! I just need to find an apartment now.

Denver's beautiful, and even thought it's only my second day here, I think this will become home in time.

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Sounds like you’re off to a great start! I’m so happy for you that you got the job at JF. I hope ”just” finding an apartment goes smoothly. Keep us posted!

I have the utmost faith that finding an apartment will come at the right time. I know what my budget is, what I'm looking for, and how to decorate it. I have good feelings about living here.

Had dinner tonight with a longtime FB friend. We just met in person tonight and it was wonderful.

We ate at the historical Pete's Kitchen. I had a patty melt, fries, lemonade and water (he told me it's important to drink lots of water if you're not used to the change in altitude).

Think I'll stay in tonight and just jam to music on YouTube. Hoping to catch some z's early.

Brad AKA Moonwolf

I'm glad you arrived safely, and I hope your apartment hunting goes well. Congratulations on the job at JoAnn's, it seems like it would be the perfect job for you.

I hope you get an apartment soon, and get your kitchen set up!

Annie

Sounds l;ike you are setteling in!! good.....and as your friend said....drink lots of waterw hile you become used to the altitude.

Well, I have an apartment showing at 5:30 today! Huge space, too! Reasonable rent (thank goodness for saving some money up and that I was given a few donations as gifts-especially from mother darling). I feel good about it. Thinking I'll venture to the local bank I found online and love the sound (and name) of, and open my account there. I'm officially putting down roots here. I just need to grow into the city and really find a group of friends. Filled out all the paperwork for JoAnn's last night. I've been a busy man, lol. Might explore a few vintage/antique shops for some home furnishings/decor/furniture ideas today. :)

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Sounds like it's all falling into place for you. Wonderful news. Fingers crossed for your apartment!

Nice to follow your 'play-by-play' new life experience. I remember so well my first apatments. I did not have internet back in the day. Or cell phones. If you post on a local free-cycle...you might be set up for zero dollars. So many of us older are offering good quality furnishings for free to a good home. Not junk. I would rather give kitchen stuff or free to a new young one like you...

So do check free-cycle.

Colorado is a pretty state. Congrats on getting the job at JoAnn's! Moving into a new place is so much fun (moving out...not so much).

Brad, you're moving forward really quickly. Congratulations on your new job, new home, new life. It sounds really wonderful.

Today, once again, didn't go exactly as planned. But I had a great time!

Woke up, partook of the continental breakfast again. Napped. Came back. Ventured to Antiques Etc., ate lunch at Tessa's Delicatessen (ate my first Cuban sandwich-boy was that good!), then stumbled across a nursery I wanted to visit (City Floral-what a little gem this is; made me feel right at home, so to speak). Went to the apartment showing. Came back and ate at the Chinese restaurant with a very dear friend I finally met in person today (it was amazing).

The apartment isn't mine yet, but I have the application put in (and considered first for it).

Tomorrow is my first day of work at 2 P.M. . I should rest well tonight and hope that sleep comes to me with ease.

Brad AKA Moonwolf

wow, Brad, I'm just catching up on this now. I'm glad it sounds like everything is ticking along just fine for you, and I couldn't imagine a better place for you to work than Joann's -- especially before Halloween. lol! Congratulations on making such a big and successful move!

I extended my stay at the hotel for another week while I find a place, but doing well otherwise. I could use a few more friends here in Denver, and today has not been a good mental health day. I've pretty much have just stayed in my room all day. Trying to get caught up on some rest and take a breather. I'll go out for dinner, but not sure beyond that. I know I'm just not feeling well, mentally or emotionally. Thanks all for the support.

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Take a deep breath or two. You have embarked on an amazing journey. It might be tough some days, but you have your eyes on the prize and I am certain that all will turn out well for you. Remind yourself that you are a warrior and you're going to make this work. So many people wishing you good luck and good fortune. You've got this Brad!

As Sleeve said, do check out Freecycle and Craigslist for freebies. I've gotten a microwave (just needed cleaning), my tv stand, and a stereo cabinet that I re-purposed into my kitchen cabinet to store casserole dishes, baking dishes etc. It's my pride and joy!

Keep your chin up. It's always hard starting in a strange place. Be kind to yourself and always go to sleep on a positive thought. Sending hugs!

I know you'll make friends at work, and friends with neighbors as well once you get more settled.

Meanwhile, see if there are any book clubs at the local library. Even if the genre isn't your cup of tea, it will get you out and in social contact with others (I'm not sure about masking etc in CO).

Also, maybe there are MeetUp groups that are active, maybe a sewing group or something else of interest.

Another way to "meet" local folks is to join NextDoor. On the ND platform, you'll also find groups that share the same interests like a gardening club or such. The ND platform is designed to enrich contact with your neighbors in your city, and in close surrounding areas as well. It's a neighborhood hub for connections and the exchange of helpful info, goods, and services, like who's a good dentist near me, who is a good vet with extended office hours, where's the best place for tacos, can someone help me set up my computer, etc. It's like a news feed.

It also is a place to share info if kitty or poochie gets out, people will be on alert to watch for them and try to get them home. Just note that some folks might be "wackadoodles" (every place has wackadoodles) so you don't want to put yourself in danger. There is a dark side to ND as well, when people take things to a political turn, or disagreements turn to name calling--this is frowned upon b/c politics are so volitile (but you can report people for going against ND policies of being respectful etc).

NextDoor in Denver, Colorado

Still here in the hotel (extended my stay). Been working a lot (got called in on a day off-been working longer shifts than scheduled). I want to like this job, but it's getting to be like Pizza Hut all over again. But I'm going to tough it out. Waiting to hear back about a possible roommate situation (sent in my app last night, hoping to hear back from them ASAP). I'm only here in the hotel until Thursday, so I am REALLY scrambling to find a place. However, this application was like filling out a job application, and was much, MUCH easier than all the others.

Keep up the good energies, friends. It's much appreciated. I did check out a local bar last night that was absolutely a blast. I'll be going there more often for sure.

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Extended my stay yet again. To be on the safe side. Off to do some exploring and lunch. Have a great day, everyone. It's such a waiting game. I really hope I hear something back and soon.

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Sounds like long days but I’d be looking at those extra hours as a gift at this point. I’m sure the apartment search is stressful but hopefully that will be behind you soon. Glad you’re already having some fun in the middle of all this. Good luck and please keep us posted!

Good news, 👍...❤️❤️❤️

Nice to hear...determination pays off. Good souls and kindness is often beaten down by the negatives...chin up wins. I would hire you in a heartbeat.

So good to hear! I admit I was a little worried about you, you sounded so down before.

Big moves are always a little fraught- I hope you're on the way up now!

I have (or had) cousins in Arvada, on my mother's side, as opposed to my cousins in Denver on my father's side. According to them, it was a very nice place, but then that was decades ago! I'm sure it's still nice now.

Will you commute using public transit? Since you moved by train, I am guessing that you do not have a car yet.

I think it is nice that you will be living in a house with other people. Personally, I've never wanted to live alone, and I've only done very briefly. I start talking to myself when I am alone, but then I also talk back to myself.

Glad you are setteling in!! And house mates are a good thing. Keep us posted on your continuing progress.

Great to share a house. Fantastic news. How are you enjoying your job?

I'm glad you found a place, and roommates too. I'm OK by myself, but living in a hotel is just too depressing for me.

I hope you love it there!

Annie

Arvada is beautiful! Lots of parks within walking distance. Quiet at night, save for the crickets :).

I've been using Uber to get around. Public transport will be a big help, too.

The job's going well. We're dealing with understaffing there, as well, and I'm working a lot. I'm trying to enjoy it. I do adore my co-workers, however.

Today, I start moving in since there was a small hiccup with my bank card (but all's well now).

Brad AKA Moonwolf

It's all moving in the right direction. In a couple of months you'll be feeling right at home.

Congratulations on finding a good place with good roommates! Hope your move went smoothly!

I always celebrate every move by eating some favourite food particularly pizza I admit and beverage of my choice usually mineral water and grape juice or something like that. I hope you had a chance to celebrate and if not there's always today.

I'm glad you like work and it has only challenges you can keep up with.

So wonderful that you have places to go that are pretty. We like pictures :-).

Take care and continued success.

So glad you found a place, my best friend lives in Arvada and her daughter is on the city council there. Nice downtown and the train is fantastic. I don't post here a lot but do read the forum most days, so have kept up with your saga.

Haven't read any updates lately, moonwolf-gw. You've probably just been too busy with your move-in, job and exploring CO. Hope all is going well!

Check in Brad, your friends are wondering.

Agree about freecycle for pretty much everything and Nextdoor for finding out about things in your new environment!