Donna's Diary

Well, our coffee roasting business has gotten off to a big start. It started when JT (Glover) was roasting beans, and Lana, Gerald, and I wanted to know what he was doing and wanted to participate.

I mentioned that we know a lot of people who drink coffee, and that maybe JT would help us learn how to roast the coffee beans so we could sell them. JT agreed, and we decided to give it a try. Our first sale was in late June to Vanessa and Sunil from 19th Street Group Home. At that point we wanted to give them the coffee in order to get feedback from them on how it tasted but they wanted to buy it. And now, here it is, SmartHome Coffee.

Over time, all of my housemates became involved, even if it was just hanging out with us and keeping us company while we roasted or stirred the beans. Then our next door neighbor, Donna, designed the SmartHome Coffee label for us.

A huge advantage that attracts people is the color and freshness of the coffee. So, I’ll bet you’re wondering how we roast the beans. We have two methods so far. We use a small amount in a popcorn popper, and we also have a Whirley Pop, a pan that sits on the stove and has a handle that you turn which stirs the beans. Then when the beans are roasted to either a light, medium, or dark color, we put them in another pan to stir them and cool them.

It’s really cool that Gerald has it programmed into his Dynavox communication device that we are selling coffee, including our phone numbers and the price, which is five dollars for a quarter pound.

This project has got us more involved with the community. People are coming here for the coffee, and we plan to host a coffee tasting soon. People on bicycles have seen us sitting out front and have stopped to order or buy coffee. At this point, we are not interested in how much coffee we can sell, it’s more for spending time together doing something fun, and learning how to be more independent.

My advice on coffee is that fresh ground that day is the best. It does need to rest in the CO2 can for at least 12 hours though, but if you get the beans that day, take them home and grind them that day, that’s the way to do it. Store it in a cool, dry place, like a kitchen cupboard, not in the freezer like some people say. And we aim to please. You want it medium, no prob. You want it light, no prob. We make it however you want it.

Next month Gerald and I will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary by going to Casa Bonita in Denver. I’ll tell you how that went, so stay tuned.

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On the 4th of July, we partied over at the 19th Street Group Home.  Some of the clients and staff from there are friends of mine, and it was a great time going over there.  Some of the clients from the old Iris House (before it became the SmartHome) came too.  We had a barbecue and watched fireworks from the back yard. 

Some people sure do go wild over the 4th of July.  I remember one year I was over by the St. Vrain River waiting for the fireworks and heard a loud noise from behind us.  It happened to be eight teenagers packed into a Camero, and they drove right into the river and had to be towed out.  Now I’m all for a good time, but that seems a bit much to me. 

I had a wonderful time at the Millennium FAC last Friday night.  It was cool.  I liked being out with Gerald and all of my housemates.  Having so many kids come by to paint and draw with us was a lot of fun.  I love the teachers from my art class, Aliza and Chris.  They are always cooking up something neat for us to do, and they always take time to sit and talk with you to see how you’re doing.

We have been roasting coffee beans over at the SmartHome too.  It’s a fun project, and we roast the beans in a popcorn popper.  As a matter of fact, we are roasting coffee beans right now but I took a few minutes off to do my monthly diary entry.  My housemate Rebecca is the queen of coffee bean stirrers.  She stirs the beans to cool them off, she is really good at it, and seems to love it. 

Well, that’s all for now.  Donna

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I just got back from Target where I was buying some new clothes.  I used my personal needs money for shopping.  I like to put the money I earn from my job in the bank.  I have direct deposit which helps me to save money, and that way it’s there when I need it. 

A couple weeks ago we had a big birthday barbecue party for Mandy.  A lot of us wore homemade tie dye t-shirts because we knew that would make Mandy happy.  She is a sweetheart and we are both happy to be housemates. 

Since Gerald and I got back from our honeymoon, we’ve been hanging around the house a lot since we spent a lot of money.  It’s a good trade off though, and it was worth it.  Today Gerald and I took a stroll around the neighborhood near the iris gardens.  Even though it’s hot, I love the summer time and the heat.  I do better in the heat than I do in the cold.  Some people are polar bears and like the winter, but I’m one of those who likes to “hibernate” in the winter.  In the summer I’m out all over the place enjoying the warmth.

Gerald just got his motorized chair back and boy is he glad.  It had been in the shop for two weeks for repairs.   He missed his independence and is really happy to have it back. He’s the same way I am when my chair breaks down.  Things are great though, and now I’m going outside to enjoy some of that summer warmth.       

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Oh my gosh, we sure did lots of fun stuff on our honeymoon. JT Glover and Marie Handlin went with me and Gerald and I think we all had a wonderful time.

We left Friday morning (May 21) and drove straight to Dillon. The first thing we did was check into our room, at the Dam River Hotel. I know that name makes it sound like I’m cussing, but I’m not. That’s the name of the hotel. They treated us great the entire time we were there. They even opened the doors for us EVERY time we came in and out. I was totally amazed. I’ve never had so many doors opened for me. I was one surprised individual, and Gerald was tickled to death.

After we checked into our room, we went to Dillon Lake to go fishing. Gerald and I brought along our new fishing poles but we didn’t catch anything, we just had a couple nibbles. It’s interesting how those fish can nibble the bait right off the hook and leave the hook bare. We had fun though.

Friday night we had dinner at the hotel restaurant and relaxed in the hotel room. Saturday we went shopping, I bought some clothes I needed, and Gerald bought a fanny pack and a pair of sunglasses.

Sunday, we had a free continental breakfast, cleaned up the hotel room, and headed back. It was a little windy so we took it easy and got back Sunday afternoon. I would have preferred to stay away longer but we needed to get back so I could go to work. It was a wonderful honeymoon, better than I thought it would be. Being in a place you don’t know, you wonder how it’s going to be with the people you meet. It was very pleasant, a great trip.

When we got back to the SmartHome, everyone came out to greet us and carry in our luggage. They were outside before I got off the van lift. Rae came up and gave me a big hug, and it made me feel great that my housemates were glad to have us back home. They even made presents for us, which was tie-die t-shirts. Mandy is having a birthday party on June 6th and we’re all wearing tie-die t-shirts because that’s what she’d like. It was nice to be gone, and it’s nice to be home.

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All of us at the SmartHome got new setups for our computers.  The new setup has bigger icons, which makes it easier to click on them.  It’s great that we’re learning new ways to help us use all the neat equipment we have here. 

Also at the SmartHome we’re in the process of putting up pictures of some art we made in art class.  They’re framed, and they look good hanging on our walls.

Many of us are going to participate in the Bolder Boulder again this year.  We have to use our push chairs as the Bolder Boulder isn’t allowing motorized chairs this year, for safety reasons.  I appreciate that the staff are willing to push us and to help us finish the race.  I love all the staff who work here at the SmartHome.  My favorite part of the race is just being able to do it with my friends.  Even though I can’t do it by myself, I do it with my friends and that makes it a wonderful day.

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We all continue to have busy lives at the SmartHome.  I’m happier when I’m involved in something.  I have what is called seasonal depression, and the snowstorms have kept me from getting outside and enjoying the beautiful air.  So far I haven’t been down in the dumps like I have been in the past because I keep myself busy and occupied. 

Being married helps too.  Having a mate has created a very positive lifestyle for me.  Gerald goes out of his way to make things for me in art class.  Right before Valentine’s Day, at the end of a class he handed me a valentine he’d made.  It was a complete surprise and was sweet. 

We had talked about going to Las Vegas for our honeymoon, but after thinking about it we decided to save the money we’d have spent on air fare and a hotel room and use the money to buy some things we need, such as new wardrobes.  Although the trip would have been fun and exciting, I think we’re doing the right thing and that we’re being responsible.  Also, we’re having plenty of fun right here at home. 

I want to add that our housemate Chris has been very helpful to me and that I really appreciate it.

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It’s been another interesting month at the SmartHome.  All the residents continue to get to know each other better and the way we get along so well is wonderful.  We all make compromises and try to respect each others’ privacy and space, but I think we all get along great.  At times it’s even a shock how well we get along.  We all recently got brand new closet space in our rooms.  For those of us who use wheelchairs, we have shelves on the dressers, which makes it easier for us to get at our clothes.

On Valentine’s Day Gerald and I went to Sol Azteca for dinner and it was a great Valentine’s Day dinner.  It’s been five months since we got married, and my relationship with Gerald gets better all the time.  I’ve made a sincere effort to show that I care for him more and more all the time.  That’s how marriage should be, when two people care more and more about each other over time.  A while back he politely told me that he’d like a little more effort on my part to show him how much I care for him, and it was a reasonable request. 

Even though all of us at the SmartHome have a need for our alone time, I get a kick out of it if I’m going to my room to use my computer and Gerald says, “I want to go to my girl’s room and spend time with her.”  Sometimes he will just sit by me and watch me do things on the computer.  He says he just wants to be near me and that’s pretty neat. Now I’m a computer freak, but I will always have time and MAKE time for Gerald. 

So, as you can see, life just seems to be getting better and better all the time. 

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We have sure been busy at the SmartHome.  We've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off, but I like that.  I love being busy.  With our jobs, classes, appointments, and other activities, it's tough to keep up with ourselves so I know it's hard for you all to keep up with us. 

One of my favorite activities is the art class I take with C.O.R.E./Labor Source on Wednesdays.  Gerald and I are both in the class.  The teachers, Aliza and Chris, come up with a lot of interesting projects for us to do. They are both favorites of mine.  They are sweet and very good teachers. 

Work at In Clover is going well too.  I enjoy the people there.  As a matter of fact, I lost my wedding ring there and one of my coworkers found it on the ground and returned it to me.  Boy did that make me happy to get my ring back.  It had fallen off my finger when I was getting on the bus.  I was so upset that when I got home I didn't want to go inside the house.  When I finally did go in, Gerald knew something was up and asked me, “What's wrong?”  I told him I'd lost my wedding ring and he gave me a big hug.  Now I have a ring that fits better and won't fall off. 

We've all been having fun here at the SmartHome.  I enjoy living here.  Now that Christian (an Imagine! staff member who is my friend from when I lived at 18 th Street PCA), has a brother (JT) working at the SmartHome, he comes by more often .  JT lives here at the SmartHome with us, and he's a sweet guy, just like Christian.  So, overall, things are going really well for me.

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I think I have had the best year of my life.  I've been healthy, I got married, and I moved into the SmartHome.  It's so great to be around a whole group of people who care about others.  This includes all my housemates and the SmartHome staff.  It makes a whole different outlook in your life.  Without being around people who care about others it's easy to feel like life is not going very well.

At the SmartHome, we've got a tree with presents already under it.  I'm going shopping with Lauren to get more presents today.  I've even got a Secret Santa who leaves me presents at the SmartHome.  We all drew names and are giving presents to each other.  I think that's cool.  Having a husband at Christmas makes it special.  Gerald thinks it's special too.   

Next week, the Dreamrocket quilt Gerald and I both got to work on is going to be at Imagine! all day.  (Wednesday the 30th).  I love to watch how much effort Gerald puts into his art.  When he paints, it's wonderful to see the designs he comes up with. 

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Well, my life has slowed down a bit in the past two months and that's fine with me.  Between moving into the SmartHome and getting married I got a little worn out.  Don't get me wrong, these were two of the best things that happened to me in my life, it's just that now I can enjoy myself and not worry about how things are going to turn out.  One of the other things that has been really good in my life is that Gerald is talking more than he used to.  He keeps making more and more progress and that really tickles me. 

The past few weeks I've been able to spend time with some old friends, especially my three housemates from the 18th Street PCA (the Station) and some of the staff from there too. Sometimes Christian (one of the staff from 18 th Street PCA) brings his beautiful baby girl to the SmartHome and it's delightful to see her.  You wouldn't believe such a little kid would recognize someone but the other day she waved at me.  It made me happy because you never know how kids are going to react to a person in a wheelchair. 

It's kind of funny when people visit the SmartHome, and with all the different technology that's here the one thing they all sure are impressed with is the size of our TV.  I guess it's something that everyone can relate to.  I'm getting to know my housemates better all the time, and even though we don't agree on everything, we make it work out and I love being here.   

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I am happy that my wedding came off without any problems.  Well, almost anyway.  I had a dress that was draped over the back of my wheelchair and it tore when my chair ran over it.  It wasn't my nice dress though, it was just to cover up the duffle bag on the back of my chair and so I'd have a train.  It was embarrassing at the time, but I guess it's funny now. 

One of the things I like about being married is being called Mrs. instead of Miss. Another good thing that's happened to me in the last month is I have more hours at my job at InClover.  I used to work only Wednesdays, and now I work Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  That means I have more spending money.  Gerald likes that too! 

When I first came to Imagine! I was living in the old Iris House.  That's the house that was torn down to build this brand new SmartHome.  It is strange living in the same location as I did so many years ago, and having it be so wonderful now.  Back then it was hard to get around in the house, and now I can go anywhere in the house on my own. 

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This is the most spectacular month that I've had in my entire life.  It's still sinking in that I'm married to Gerald.  It's exciting to see the smiles on people's faces, and to know that they are smiling because they are happy for me and Gerald.  Most people don't know that it was Alex Andrews and Betsy Janowak who introduced us. Alex had come to 18th Street PCA where I was living, to visit Betsy, and he said to me, “I know someone who would like to be better acquainted with you.”  I was ready to give up on guys at the time, to throw the idea of dating right down the drain.  When I met Gerald, it was…WOW.  It made it really easy because we both liked each other right off the bat.  And look at us now, we're married and happy.

Check out photos of the wedding here.

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Gerald and I are happy that we're getting married on September 12th and that we'll be living together at the SmartHome.  Gerald's mom and dad are also happy that we're getting married, and that I'll be a part of their family.  I was thrilled with the way his mom and dad accepted me into their family. 

Gerald was so happy to see his mom and dad that he was screaming and squealing with joy.  When his parents arrived, staff came back to get me but I was at my computer and for a couple seconds it didn't register that Gerald's mom and dad were here.  I had never met them, and all of the sudden it hit me, ‘Oh my gosh, Gerald's mom and dad are here.  I've got to get out there and meet them.'   I was blown away with how nice they are!

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On July third, I moved into the SmartHome.  I moved in and unpacked, then toured the neighborhood.  I got to meet one of the neighbors who has the same name as mine (Donna).  I love it, I love this house!  My life is becoming more of what I want it to be.  Instead of living in a home where people have to take care of me, I'm glad I'll be able to have a place to call my home where I can do more things by myself.  I give this SmartHome two thumbs up!

I never thought I'd live in an upgraded house, and this is more than an upgrade.  It's a brand spankin' new home!  There is so much stuff in this house that will help us all to be more independent, it is hard to explain how much this means to me.  I love it here at the Smarthome, it is very much something I have ever dreamed of to live in. 

Then, to top it off, Gerald (Stopa) and I are getting married August 15 th.  A couple weeks ago the Twisted Pine Brewery had a reception for me and Gerald, and the brewery and Imagine! staff pitched in money that will be used to help pay for our wedding.  I'm starting a blog too.  As you can see, I'm a really happy lady right now.    

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In less than one month I will be moving into the SmartHome.  It's an exciting time for me, but moving can be a bit scary.  All of us who are going to be living in the SmartHome went bowling a few weeks ago (see pictures here).   I like that I'm getting the opportunity to spend time with and get to know the people I'll be living with.  As much as it's going to be great living in a brand new house and making new friends, I will miss my friends at 18th Street PCA and will keep in touch with them.  It's only a mile from where I live now to the SmartHome, so keeping in touch shouldn't be a problem.

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My name is Donna Fairchild and I've been a consumer with Imagine! for more than 25 years. In a couple months I will be moving into the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome on Iris Street in Boulder. I used to live in the old Iris Group Home years ago, and it will be interesting to live in that exact same location in a brand new house.

I have been a member of Imagine!'s Board of Directors for the past six years, and as a Board member I want to do my part to help spread the word about the important work that Imagine! does. That is why I'm going to be writing a monthly diary about my experiences living in the SmartHome. I hope you will follow along and share in this new phase of my life.

I'm excited to be moving into the SmartHome for a number of reasons. I will be living with a girl that I've known since we went to school together. I was really surprised and happy to find out that I'll be able to spend time with her. We kind of lost track of each other years ago, and now we can make up for lost time. Another neat thing about the SmartHome is if you want to cook something and you don't know how to do it, there are talking devices that tell you step by step how to cook it. There are a lot of other things that I'm looking forward to telling you about, and I'll know a lot more about them once I move into the SmartHome. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you.

Talk to you next month!

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