Gold Medals in Hurdles and a Slower Pace

     Hurdle number one was the inspection and getting a new roof.  Hurdle number two was my appointment at the French Consulate in LA to get my long term stay visa.  I was so happy when both of those hurdles were behind me.  But I had no idea that I was way ahead of the race! 
     The new roof came much quicker than expected.  The roofing company I had hired had a postponement and so had a two day opening to be able to get my roof done.  Ten guys showed up Thursday morning and worked for ten hours straight and I now have a new roof!  I was warned that it would be really noisy and dusty as they took off two layers of shingles and the old wooden shingles on the older part of the roof.  So CoCo and I took off and found lots of things to do to keep us busy and out of the house for most of the day.
     We had breakfast at my favorite cafe (who lets CoCo come inside to eat with me!).  Then I took her to the dog park.  She needs more exposure to other dogs and the dog park here is great because they have a special area for little dogs so they don't feel so overwhelmed with the big guys.  CoCo spent most of the time sitting in my lap and snapping at the dogs who were too curious and got too personal!  I will try to take her there a couple of times a week to help her get more comfortable around other dogs.  The French take their dogs everywhere and I don't want mine to be the anti-social one!
     Then we headed to the Garden of the Gods Trading Post - another dog friendly place - and I got a drink, CoCo got some water and I sat and read for a while.  Then we went to Culver's for a burger and fries and sat outside on their patio.  It was a warm day but it's always cooler in the shade here in Colorado.
     We got home around 5 and they were still working.  I thought they would be working on it for a couple of days so was surprised that they were still going strong.  They worked til almost eight!  And everything was cleaned up and dusted off and put back and looked great!
     So "Gold Medal Number One"!  yay!
     "Gold Medal Number Two" actually happened that same day.  When I checked my mail there was a FedEx envelope there and inside was my passport with the visa glued inside!  That didn't even take a week!  They told me to expect it in two weeks. Maybe France really wants me :-)  Now I have to get busy and do all the things needed for CoCo to be "legal".  So I will call our vet tomorrow and see about getting her micro-chipped with the 15 digit version that can be read worldwide. 
     I told you about the modem problems and having such a hard time staying connected to the internet, right?  Well, I know the young guy behind the counter at Xfinity thought I was crazy, but he let me trade in the super duper fast modem for a slower one.  And, guess what?  I have had no more problems with internet connections!  Am I a genius or what? ha!  So faster isn't always better - unless you're on a zip line :-)
     And going with my slower pace, I visited the zoo this past week with Renae.  It was a warm day and we didn't see much of the Asian or Rocky Mountain animals.  They are always much more active in the colder months.  But we did enjoy seeing the African animals and watching all their antics. 
     My zoo visit always begins and ends with the lions.  (On the way to the lions I visit with the giraffes and the red river hogs.)  The cubs will turn one on Saturday.  I think next week I'll show some photos of them over the past year.  They were about ten pounds when I first saw them and now they are about 150 pounds!  Then after the lions I walk on up to the elephants.  We have six females who can be very entertaining.  Then it's the monkey house, the Grizzly Grill for lunch, the Asian and Rocky Mountain exhibits and finally the Primate house with the gorillas and the orangutans.  Our new silverback is still by himself, but I think plans are in the works to have him start meeting the girls and Dembe. 
Here are a few photos of my favorite zoo friends.

Aslan looks so grown up

Boma was trying to tell us something.  Elsa is in the background.

Dad was napping in the sunshine with his paws crossed

Our handsome new silverback, Goma

He was getting some veggies through the ceiling grate

Daddy Tujo with sweet daughter Ember

     So, this week I need to start packing the dishes and collectibles that are in the china cabinets.  I will be making another trip to Good Will and a few to the storage unit as I take the rest of the art and boxes of things that were left here for staging purposes.  Cindy and Aunt Mary Ann are coming to the cabin this week and Cindy will be coming to stay with me here from June 30 through July 4.  She will help empty the house and I will be moving into Stacy's condo. 
     It's a little unreal that everything has happened so smoothly (for the most part) and that I will soon be out of this house and looking forward to my little cottage in France.  CoCo will be a real French French Poodle!  Guess I'd better start teaching her commands in French!  Oui!
     Thank you for coming along with me on this journey.  Today is Father's Day and I thank my dad continually for giving me this sense of adventure and the courage to follow my dreams.