When I said that I cleaned the inside of the RV like a woman possessed I didn't think about what it was doing to my back. So, on Saturday I cleaned, on Sunday I lifted grocery bags and laundry baskets, and for several days we had been walking the path twice a day (3 miles total). By Monday evening I was hurting like crazy, so yesterday and today I took the day off. I've been taking muscle relaxers and ibuprofen and now I'm starting to feel better. I spent both days mostly sitting - either doing computer work or knitting but getting up once an hour to walk around a bit. I plan on trying to walk tomorrow. Shall see how it goes.
I haven't done much of anything with the geneology stuff so far this winter despite my intentions to get a lot done. My subscription to Ancestry ends next week and I probably won't renew it until May after we get settled back in. On Monday afternoon I decided that I needed to get everything downloaded from Ancestry to the computer. First I had to load the Family Tree Maker onto this computer, then tell it to import my tree. That didn't take long, but when it came time to import all the photos and source documents it was forever. Really. I started the download after dinner on Monday and it took until 0638 Tuesday morning for it to complete. But, I have everything and feel comfortable that it's all there.
I made reservations for us at the Sparks Marina RV park for the 7th and 8th of April - our target date for getting home.
Several emails and phone calls later, I finally made progress with the PA for my neurologist. They've pushed back my appointment twice now and I realized I didn't have enough meds. It took a while to get her to understand that we were not at home and wouldn't be until the beginning of April. She kept trying to give me an appointment in March. Finally, we got it straightened out and she will renew my current prescription for just enough to get me to my appointment. Whew!
Today Lona and I went into Florence and hit the thrift and consignment shops along Main Street. There are three plus a small shop that does custom embroidery and t-shirts. We found an antique store we wandered through, too. It was fun and we stopped in a little place that advertises fudge but also serves sandwiches and salads. We had a nice lunch there - no fudge. The antique store has a couple of prints by a Native American artist. I want to go back tomorrow and check them out - to see if they are prints or copies of prints. The artist is R.C. Gorman. For the price I'm sure they aren't original prints, but I'm going to check them out anyway. I really liked them and they would be a good addition to our living room decor at home.
It rained most of the night last night and today was cold (55 hight) and windy. It's 6pm and it's warmer now than it has been all day and there is no wind. It's really quite nice outside. The sun is about to set and there's not a cloud in the sky to make the usual incredible sunset.
A new month tomorrow. It's hard to believe we've been here four months now.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Monday, February 26, 2018
Mystery Solved and Other Things
We've now had two people tell us that the steam/heat from the shower will set off a smoke alarm. Since it is right outside the bathroom door that would explain it. Learned something new.
Saturday was a day where we didn't do much sitting around. After the walk and showers (no smoke alarms) I started cleaning inside the RV and Rog started on the outside. I ended up doing a "deep clean" and even polishing all the woodwork. Don't ask what got into me - it was like I was possessed or something. I was even ready to take the vacuum to Maggie. Roger got the front and the side of the RV with the windows washed. It was so dirty he had to go over it twice. It was great being able to see out the windows again without looking at mud splatter.
Sunday we did the usual - groceries and laundry. In addition we had to visit the Walmart for RV necessities - toilet paper and digester for the black tank. While I was doing laundry Rog washed the back end and other side of the RV. We are all set for the next rain - tomorrow night.
Two long days and we were pooped last night. Fortunately the PBS station here airs the shows an hour earlier than the regular time so I got to watch the final episode of Victoria and still be in bed by 9:30.
Laundry story - a woman came in with two cushions that looked as if they were dining chair cushions. She put them in the washer that is set aside for rugs/pet bedding. She left. Towards the end of the cycle the washer started going berserk and making all kinds of noises. There was another woman in the laundry room and we just looked at each other. We decided one of us should open the washer and redistribute the load. I went over and opened it to find that the two cushions had pretty much disintegrated and the washer was full of polyester stuffing. It was ugly. We agreed that we hoped we were done and out of there before the woman came back to ger her cushions. Luckily we were and so have no tales of the reaction when she opened up the washer.
All's well here - glad we aren't at home for all the snow they are getting.
Saturday was a day where we didn't do much sitting around. After the walk and showers (no smoke alarms) I started cleaning inside the RV and Rog started on the outside. I ended up doing a "deep clean" and even polishing all the woodwork. Don't ask what got into me - it was like I was possessed or something. I was even ready to take the vacuum to Maggie. Roger got the front and the side of the RV with the windows washed. It was so dirty he had to go over it twice. It was great being able to see out the windows again without looking at mud splatter.
Sunday we did the usual - groceries and laundry. In addition we had to visit the Walmart for RV necessities - toilet paper and digester for the black tank. While I was doing laundry Rog washed the back end and other side of the RV. We are all set for the next rain - tomorrow night.
Two long days and we were pooped last night. Fortunately the PBS station here airs the shows an hour earlier than the regular time so I got to watch the final episode of Victoria and still be in bed by 9:30.
Laundry story - a woman came in with two cushions that looked as if they were dining chair cushions. She put them in the washer that is set aside for rugs/pet bedding. She left. Towards the end of the cycle the washer started going berserk and making all kinds of noises. There was another woman in the laundry room and we just looked at each other. We decided one of us should open the washer and redistribute the load. I went over and opened it to find that the two cushions had pretty much disintegrated and the washer was full of polyester stuffing. It was ugly. We agreed that we hoped we were done and out of there before the woman came back to ger her cushions. Luckily we were and so have no tales of the reaction when she opened up the washer.
All's well here - glad we aren't at home for all the snow they are getting.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Another Wild Goose Chase and a Silent Auction
Yesterday involved an unplanned, very long drive down to the base south of Tucson and back. It's a round trip of over 100 miles. Mostly it was a waste of time. The day before, when we got back from our trip to Costco, I was getting stuff out of the truck and I dropped Roger's new phone in the gravel. He had liquid protective cover put on it when he bought it, which I think saved the screen, but it did put a small divot in the protective cover. Oh, dear.
I called the people at the base exchange who had sold us the phone and asked if they might be able to repair it. "Well, maybe, but we need to see it." In the meantime I realized I had not registered the product nor had we purchased insurance on the phones. With the way I've been a fumble fingers lately, I thought it might be prudent. We went on line and added the insurance, but since I'd thrown away the packaging we couldn't register the screen protector. We had 3 days left of our 30 days before we had to do both.
We got down to the base exchange and it was determined that they couldn't repair the scratch. I explained about not registering the product. They took pity on us and the manager took a new package and gave me the code from it so I could register it so we can make a claim in the future to get it fixed. So, the trip wasn't entirely wasted. We grabbed a frozen yogurt from the food court and headed back to the truck. Maggie was with us and really was a good dog. When we left her in the truck we told her we were "going to the store" just like we do when we go out. She curled up in her bed and waited. We were only gone maybe 20 minutes so she didn't have a long wait. We ate our treat in the truck - gave her some dog treats and then headed back. It was a very long afternoon.
Today the Activities Club held a silent auction and then an open dessert auction to raise money for the Club. I'd never been to one before and it was fun. I managed to get one of the handmade baskets and a small purse for carrying only phone/wallet.
The woman who donated the purse also donated 6 others - all in different fabrics. I bid on all of them hoping for one. I ended up with the one that had my least favorite colors. Rog says it must have been everyone's least favorite colors or I wouldn't have got it. It's ok, though, I'll use it for when I don't need anything but the phone and wallet.
I was beaten out on a nice red one by $1 at the last minute! I almost had two! There were so many nice things - hand made items mostly, and some gift certificates. Rog is thinking about making a couple of segmented bowls this summer to donate for next year. I think they would go for a lot of money!
Then they started auctioning the desserts. Wow! Pies going for an average of $60 and some even got to $110. One pie that went for $100 was bought by the husband of the baker! People even bid on an item, paid for it, then donated it for a second round. One batch of cookies got auctioned three times and made about $60 each time. They raised a lot of money today - they served free nachos and margaritas and everyone had a fun time. I am sure the margaritas were on purpose to loosen up the wallets!!! I really enjoyed it!
Cold and windy this afternoon, but it was nice for our morning walk. Our walking partner is back from her travels. Maggie was very happy to see her. A couple times while she was gone Maggie headed to her RV and would sit down and wait. I'd have to pull her to get her going.
We put the potted plants in the shop for the night - expecting freezing temperatures for the next couple of nights.
I called the people at the base exchange who had sold us the phone and asked if they might be able to repair it. "Well, maybe, but we need to see it." In the meantime I realized I had not registered the product nor had we purchased insurance on the phones. With the way I've been a fumble fingers lately, I thought it might be prudent. We went on line and added the insurance, but since I'd thrown away the packaging we couldn't register the screen protector. We had 3 days left of our 30 days before we had to do both.
We got down to the base exchange and it was determined that they couldn't repair the scratch. I explained about not registering the product. They took pity on us and the manager took a new package and gave me the code from it so I could register it so we can make a claim in the future to get it fixed. So, the trip wasn't entirely wasted. We grabbed a frozen yogurt from the food court and headed back to the truck. Maggie was with us and really was a good dog. When we left her in the truck we told her we were "going to the store" just like we do when we go out. She curled up in her bed and waited. We were only gone maybe 20 minutes so she didn't have a long wait. We ate our treat in the truck - gave her some dog treats and then headed back. It was a very long afternoon.
Today the Activities Club held a silent auction and then an open dessert auction to raise money for the Club. I'd never been to one before and it was fun. I managed to get one of the handmade baskets and a small purse for carrying only phone/wallet. 
The woman who donated the purse also donated 6 others - all in different fabrics. I bid on all of them hoping for one. I ended up with the one that had my least favorite colors. Rog says it must have been everyone's least favorite colors or I wouldn't have got it. It's ok, though, I'll use it for when I don't need anything but the phone and wallet.
I was beaten out on a nice red one by $1 at the last minute! I almost had two! There were so many nice things - hand made items mostly, and some gift certificates. Rog is thinking about making a couple of segmented bowls this summer to donate for next year. I think they would go for a lot of money! Then they started auctioning the desserts. Wow! Pies going for an average of $60 and some even got to $110. One pie that went for $100 was bought by the husband of the baker! People even bid on an item, paid for it, then donated it for a second round. One batch of cookies got auctioned three times and made about $60 each time. They raised a lot of money today - they served free nachos and margaritas and everyone had a fun time. I am sure the margaritas were on purpose to loosen up the wallets!!! I really enjoyed it!
Cold and windy this afternoon, but it was nice for our morning walk. Our walking partner is back from her travels. Maggie was very happy to see her. A couple times while she was gone Maggie headed to her RV and would sit down and wait. I'd have to pull her to get her going.
We put the potted plants in the shop for the night - expecting freezing temperatures for the next couple of nights.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Weird Storm and Costco Run
Day before yesterday when we had the rain and wind it turned out to be a very weird storm. Watching the wall of rain coming I had thought to myself, " that looks a weird color. It's not gray but brown." Apparently the wind (35 mph gusting higher) had picked up a lot of sand and dirt. Then the rain brought it down. When we got up yesterday morning EVERYTHING was coated in a layer of dirt/sand. Not wet as one would expect, but dirty - very dirty. Rog got out and washed down the truck before I could get pictures. He did go up (reluctantly) on the RV roof with a hose and bucket of soapy water and clean it off. The water coming off looked like dirty river water. The windows on the RV are hard to see through there is so much dirt on them. Tomorrow he will tackle the rest of the RV. The patio furniture had to be scrubbed with soapy water - hosing it down just made it worse. I've never seen so much dirt in rain water. It was astounding.
Yesterday was haircut day for the both of us.
I've been on a book buying kick. Seems every one I see or is recommended to me I have to get. I need to stop. I've more than I can read at the rate I'm going.
It's been cold - highs of 50s lows in the 30s. When he finished with the truck yesterday Rog headed to his shop and I spent the day inside finishing a knitting project and downloading the latest geneology update. Maybe I'll get back to doing some research for something different to do the next windy/rainy day. I haven't done any since we've been here. If it's warm I can sit outside and knit or crochet but can't do computer stuff. I save that for inside days. I am still feeling the effects of my stupid move the other day with the email :-(
Today we went to Chandler (south western suburb of Phoenix) and had lunch and went to Costco. It wasn't nearly as crowded as the one we've been to in Mesa. We did buy a power washer for Roger to do the rest of the RV. He can leave it here as we have a small one at home for doing the vehicles. Hopefully it will be a bit easier on him. It's an awful lot of work and the mobile guys charge a fortune.
We asked a friend across the street to check on Maggs while we were gone and to take her out to pee. Maggie refused to go with her. She said she tried a couple of times but Maggie wouldn't leave her little bed. Rog has posited that before we got Maggie her owners would put her in a crate/kennel when they went out. That's why when we tell her we are "going to the store" she goes immediately to her bed and stays there. She doesn't drink her water, or eat any food we leave while we are gone. I am amazed that Lona was able to get her out a few weeks ago when we went to Tucson, but Maggie sees her twice a day for a walk, so that's probably the reason she did - reluctantly - but she did.
No more critter encounters for Maggie, but the hummingbirds are out in force now that the winds have died down. Today we watched three of them for about 15 minutes. They were each chasing the others off and trying to get a drink for themselves. Rog said it was like watching an aerial dogfight. It was a lot of fun to watch.
No plans for tomorrow. Forecast is cold and windy again. It'll be a nice quiet day inside!
Yesterday was haircut day for the both of us.
I've been on a book buying kick. Seems every one I see or is recommended to me I have to get. I need to stop. I've more than I can read at the rate I'm going.
It's been cold - highs of 50s lows in the 30s. When he finished with the truck yesterday Rog headed to his shop and I spent the day inside finishing a knitting project and downloading the latest geneology update. Maybe I'll get back to doing some research for something different to do the next windy/rainy day. I haven't done any since we've been here. If it's warm I can sit outside and knit or crochet but can't do computer stuff. I save that for inside days. I am still feeling the effects of my stupid move the other day with the email :-(
Today we went to Chandler (south western suburb of Phoenix) and had lunch and went to Costco. It wasn't nearly as crowded as the one we've been to in Mesa. We did buy a power washer for Roger to do the rest of the RV. He can leave it here as we have a small one at home for doing the vehicles. Hopefully it will be a bit easier on him. It's an awful lot of work and the mobile guys charge a fortune.
We asked a friend across the street to check on Maggs while we were gone and to take her out to pee. Maggie refused to go with her. She said she tried a couple of times but Maggie wouldn't leave her little bed. Rog has posited that before we got Maggie her owners would put her in a crate/kennel when they went out. That's why when we tell her we are "going to the store" she goes immediately to her bed and stays there. She doesn't drink her water, or eat any food we leave while we are gone. I am amazed that Lona was able to get her out a few weeks ago when we went to Tucson, but Maggie sees her twice a day for a walk, so that's probably the reason she did - reluctantly - but she did.
No more critter encounters for Maggie, but the hummingbirds are out in force now that the winds have died down. Today we watched three of them for about 15 minutes. They were each chasing the others off and trying to get a drink for themselves. Rog said it was like watching an aerial dogfight. It was a lot of fun to watch.
No plans for tomorrow. Forecast is cold and windy again. It'll be a nice quiet day inside!
Monday, February 19, 2018
Boy, Did I do Something Stupid Today!
Weather wise it was a perfect day for staying inside and doing some computer work. I decided I'd clean up and organize files. I started with the email. I have been using the mail program that comes on apple products. Well, I had no idea that if you delete the archived emails everything, I mean everything goes away. "Are you sure you want to delete 1,903 emails from the Archives? They will be deleted and not retrievable." Sure, why not? Yep. Clean, blank slate. No getting it back. I tried to retrieve from the computer back up. Nope. From Gmail. Nope. From anything I could think of. Nope. Gone, Kaput, History. So, I'm starting over with a blank slate and bemoaning my stupidity. I'm now trying to set things up using Gmail and not the mail program in hopes it won't let me do dumb things.
Windy and cold all day and then this afternoon it started raining and raining hard. Rog hung out in his shop and I spent the afternoon trying to fix things on the computer and stress eating. Maggie just got bored.
We have a mystery. This morning Rog was at the wood shop and I was taking my shower. As I stepped out of the shower and had the towel wrapped around me the smoke alarm went off. Yikes. I came out on the landing and looked around and saw nothing smoking, didn't smell smoke, but the alarm kept going. I tried a couple times to stop it and it wouldn't. Finally, after holding the test button down for a long time it quit. What a panic. Thank goodness it was a false alarm - I'd have been in bad shape if I'd had to exit the RV in my towel with the wind blowing at 25mph. So, why did it go off? No clue.
So, now we are trying to watch a movie on Netflix and it says we aren't old enough. Shall quit now and try and fix it on line so we can watch it.
What a day!
Windy and cold all day and then this afternoon it started raining and raining hard. Rog hung out in his shop and I spent the afternoon trying to fix things on the computer and stress eating. Maggie just got bored.
We have a mystery. This morning Rog was at the wood shop and I was taking my shower. As I stepped out of the shower and had the towel wrapped around me the smoke alarm went off. Yikes. I came out on the landing and looked around and saw nothing smoking, didn't smell smoke, but the alarm kept going. I tried a couple times to stop it and it wouldn't. Finally, after holding the test button down for a long time it quit. What a panic. Thank goodness it was a false alarm - I'd have been in bad shape if I'd had to exit the RV in my towel with the wind blowing at 25mph. So, why did it go off? No clue.
So, now we are trying to watch a movie on Netflix and it says we aren't old enough. Shall quit now and try and fix it on line so we can watch it.
What a day!
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Scorpions and Hummingbirds
Roger took Maggie out for a walk on the path around the drainage area behind us while I was at the laundry room this afternoon. He said that she was doing her usual sniffing for ground squirrels when she stuck her nose in a hole up to her eyeballs. All of a sudden she jumped back and a scorpion came scrambling out of the hole. He said it was a good 5 inches long. Fortunately it didn't get her, but it sure gave Maggie and Roger some heart palpitations! Lesson - no more sniffing in the holes.
Yes, today was, once again laundry day. I only had to go up there twice. Usually Sunday afternoons are quiet but the first time I went - around 1:30 - it was SRO. I went back at 2:30 and had the place to myself.
This morning was groceries - again. Geez, for two people who don't eat much we seem to always be going to the store. And, since I was hungry when we went - well, you can guess what happened!!
No beautiful sunset tonight, but a lovely rainbow!
As Roger was taking the upper left photo he heard a buzzing noise behind him and was able to capture the hummingbird coming to the feeder:
Yes, today was, once again laundry day. I only had to go up there twice. Usually Sunday afternoons are quiet but the first time I went - around 1:30 - it was SRO. I went back at 2:30 and had the place to myself.
This morning was groceries - again. Geez, for two people who don't eat much we seem to always be going to the store. And, since I was hungry when we went - well, you can guess what happened!!
No beautiful sunset tonight, but a lovely rainbow!
As Roger was taking the upper left photo he heard a buzzing noise behind him and was able to capture the hummingbird coming to the feeder:
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Sunshine Today!
After a long, dreary day yesterday with low cloud cover and dampness, today brought us abundant sunshine! Maggie and I sat outside most of the afternoon. She was watching for critters and I was knitting. Rog spent time in his shop and the RV shop. We obviously are in a rut as nothing much changes our routine! It was most pleasant today, though, and made us appreciate being here.
With all the rain, the desert floor is starting to turn green with what I hope will be wildflowers but are probably just weeds. The cactus even look happy after two days of rain.
My walking partner is in Las Vegas this weekend watching her grandson play baseball in a tournament. Maggs and I had to go it alone today. We made a little better time as two women flapping their jaws slows us down almost as much as a dog sniffing every bush on the route :-)
With all the rain, the desert floor is starting to turn green with what I hope will be wildflowers but are probably just weeds. The cactus even look happy after two days of rain.
My walking partner is in Las Vegas this weekend watching her grandson play baseball in a tournament. Maggs and I had to go it alone today. We made a little better time as two women flapping their jaws slows us down almost as much as a dog sniffing every bush on the route :-)
 |
| Ten minutes later the sky was crimson. I just can't get enough of the sunsets here. |
Thursday, February 15, 2018
A Couple of Days of Rain
The temperatures dropped to highs in the 50s and the rain started yesterday around noon. It rained off and on in the afternoon but then steadily all night and until about noon today. Everything looks so refreshed with the dust washed off. The plants even look happier!
Maggie and I have had a couple days off from our walks but should be back to "work" tomorrow. I'll have to put on my hiking boots, though, as the path will be muddy but walkable.
One of our friends across the street is in the process of buying the empty lot next to ours on the right (facing the street). They are going to leave it empty and not rent it out but use it for friends and family who might want to come for visits. We were told today that if we have anyone who wants to visit just let them know and it will be no problem. That's very generous. Rog and I are not upset at all about having the lot empty most of the time - makes for a more spacious feel. It is unimproved, but does have a tree and a gravel pad for the RV.
Not much else happening. All is well.
Maggie and I have had a couple days off from our walks but should be back to "work" tomorrow. I'll have to put on my hiking boots, though, as the path will be muddy but walkable.
One of our friends across the street is in the process of buying the empty lot next to ours on the right (facing the street). They are going to leave it empty and not rent it out but use it for friends and family who might want to come for visits. We were told today that if we have anyone who wants to visit just let them know and it will be no problem. That's very generous. Rog and I are not upset at all about having the lot empty most of the time - makes for a more spacious feel. It is unimproved, but does have a tree and a gravel pad for the RV.
Not much else happening. All is well.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
A Wild Goose Chase
Roger's project requires some drawer slide hardware. Maggie's harness is on it's last legs and she needed food. I was ready for a day off campus.
Perfect time to take a trip into Casa Grande. Maggie had to go to try on her new "outfit." She's allowed in the Lowe's. The place we like to have lunch has outdoor seating. So, off we went! It's a little over 30 miles from here.
Our lunch place was experiencing renovation construction and was closed. Neither Lowe's nor Home Depot had any drawer slides in the size Roger needs. Maggie did get a new harness, though, and it's a good thing there to try it on.
We stopped at a Firehouse Subs for lunch because we spotted outdoor tables. No veggie sub on the menu, but they will make one for you. I ordered one small without mushrooms and one small with. We were waiting for our order and a nice woman brought out a bowl of water for Maggie (she hadn't seen the one we had for her). Then the food came - one small veggie sub without mushrooms and a medium tuna. Hmmm.. We told her that wasn't right and she was going to take them back and start over. We told her we were hungry and we would take the tuna sandwich. She didn't tell us we needed to adjust the bill, so we got a bigger sandwich than we paid for. It all worked out and Maggie made another friend. (She's got more friends around here than Rog and I put together.)
On the way back we stopped in Coolidge at the Ace. No drawer slides. We stopped in Florence at the True Value. No drawer slides. A total wild goose chase of about 60 miles today! Oh, well. It was a nice day out and away.
Drawer slides are on the way from Amazon!
Perfect time to take a trip into Casa Grande. Maggie had to go to try on her new "outfit." She's allowed in the Lowe's. The place we like to have lunch has outdoor seating. So, off we went! It's a little over 30 miles from here.
Our lunch place was experiencing renovation construction and was closed. Neither Lowe's nor Home Depot had any drawer slides in the size Roger needs. Maggie did get a new harness, though, and it's a good thing there to try it on.
We stopped at a Firehouse Subs for lunch because we spotted outdoor tables. No veggie sub on the menu, but they will make one for you. I ordered one small without mushrooms and one small with. We were waiting for our order and a nice woman brought out a bowl of water for Maggie (she hadn't seen the one we had for her). Then the food came - one small veggie sub without mushrooms and a medium tuna. Hmmm.. We told her that wasn't right and she was going to take them back and start over. We told her we were hungry and we would take the tuna sandwich. She didn't tell us we needed to adjust the bill, so we got a bigger sandwich than we paid for. It all worked out and Maggie made another friend. (She's got more friends around here than Rog and I put together.)
On the way back we stopped in Coolidge at the Ace. No drawer slides. We stopped in Florence at the True Value. No drawer slides. A total wild goose chase of about 60 miles today! Oh, well. It was a nice day out and away.
Drawer slides are on the way from Amazon!
We Lost a Dear Friend Today
In October 1971 we moved into an apartment building in Suitland, MD. Glenda lived in the same building. She became my friend and my mentor. She taught me about being a new mom and a new military wife. I'm not sure I could have survived without her. She taught me so much - including what chicken pox looked like. I was sure it was just a bad case of diaper rash on Andy but she knew immediately what it was. She watched the kids often, brought food when I came home from the hospital with both Pam and Andy, and drove us to the ER when her son and Mike collided and both needed stitches. When I was pregnant with Andy and the doctors thought near the end of the pregnancy that he was twins, she even offered to take one of them when I panicked. She was always there for me - and the kids loved her cookies.
Her husband was in the Air Force and we crossed paths over the years as we traveled between duty stations. We never lost touch. We were stationed in Michigan at the same time - we were in Detroit area and they were in the Upper Peninsula. We were both stationed in Louisiana - Roger in New Orleans and they were in Shreveport. Both times at opposite ends of the state. When we retired we moved to Sparks, Nevada. When they retired they moved to Minden, Nevada - 40 miles away.
Glenda has had a long history of bouts of different types of cancer and each time she went into remission. Then she had a heart transplant because all the chemo destroyed her heart. She has fought ill health for many years but her faith and her enthusiasm for life kept her going. I spoke with her a few weeks ago and she said she was tired - very tired and was no longer going to seek medical treatment. She was at home with her husband and son. Today her body gave out. She's gone now, but will never be forgotten. It is truly a sad day.
Her husband was in the Air Force and we crossed paths over the years as we traveled between duty stations. We never lost touch. We were stationed in Michigan at the same time - we were in Detroit area and they were in the Upper Peninsula. We were both stationed in Louisiana - Roger in New Orleans and they were in Shreveport. Both times at opposite ends of the state. When we retired we moved to Sparks, Nevada. When they retired they moved to Minden, Nevada - 40 miles away.
Glenda has had a long history of bouts of different types of cancer and each time she went into remission. Then she had a heart transplant because all the chemo destroyed her heart. She has fought ill health for many years but her faith and her enthusiasm for life kept her going. I spoke with her a few weeks ago and she said she was tired - very tired and was no longer going to seek medical treatment. She was at home with her husband and son. Today her body gave out. She's gone now, but will never be forgotten. It is truly a sad day.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Maggie was a Good Dog.
It's Monday night. Not sure where the last three days have gone, but nothing much exciting must have happened or I would have written something down.
Until today the weather has continued to be spectacular. We did have some wind yesterday but it was sunny and warm. Today, on the other hand, the temps dropped, the winds came up mid-morning and just blew like crazy all day. There's a storm system coming in and we might even get some rain in the next couple of days. That would be nice. Our new plants could use the extra water. (Rog has been watering regularly, but the natural rain would be good for them.)
The hawk hasn't been around for a few days so yesterday I put Maggie outside on the leash. She had water, shade or sun, and could sit on her fake grass and watch for ground squirrels. I'd check on her and she seemed to be content where ever she was at the time. Then late afternoon I looked out the window and saw her leash attached to the harness on the patio but no Maggie in it. My heart did some double time. I was sure she had taken off after the squirrels and I had no idea how long it had been, where she was, or how I would find her. I went to the door and there she was - sitting on the top step waiting to be let in. Crazy dog. (She never barks or cries or whines or scratches when she wants in or out. She just sits and waits for someone to open the door.) Today she spent most of the afternoon inside out of the wind, but still watching for critters.
Tonight after dinner Maggie and I went to pick up Lona for our evening walk and the hawk was in Lona's yard and flew off as Maggie approached. It had a dove in it's talons. Lona said it had raided a nest in their tree and had taken the babies earlier in the day. Now it had the mom. :-(
Yesterday was a slow day for me. Normally on Sunday we go to the grocery store after my walk and then in the afternoon I do laundry. I had no energy. Well, maybe the energy of a sloth. No walks, but we did go make groceries. No laundry. I spent the day on the computer, reading, knitting, and just generally not doing much at all. Roger worked in the shop. It was back to "work" today and I did get the laundry done this afternoon. I guess I just ran out of gas yesterday.
Expecting lots of wind and some precip soon so not sure what we will be up to.
Until today the weather has continued to be spectacular. We did have some wind yesterday but it was sunny and warm. Today, on the other hand, the temps dropped, the winds came up mid-morning and just blew like crazy all day. There's a storm system coming in and we might even get some rain in the next couple of days. That would be nice. Our new plants could use the extra water. (Rog has been watering regularly, but the natural rain would be good for them.)
The hawk hasn't been around for a few days so yesterday I put Maggie outside on the leash. She had water, shade or sun, and could sit on her fake grass and watch for ground squirrels. I'd check on her and she seemed to be content where ever she was at the time. Then late afternoon I looked out the window and saw her leash attached to the harness on the patio but no Maggie in it. My heart did some double time. I was sure she had taken off after the squirrels and I had no idea how long it had been, where she was, or how I would find her. I went to the door and there she was - sitting on the top step waiting to be let in. Crazy dog. (She never barks or cries or whines or scratches when she wants in or out. She just sits and waits for someone to open the door.) Today she spent most of the afternoon inside out of the wind, but still watching for critters.
Yesterday was a slow day for me. Normally on Sunday we go to the grocery store after my walk and then in the afternoon I do laundry. I had no energy. Well, maybe the energy of a sloth. No walks, but we did go make groceries. No laundry. I spent the day on the computer, reading, knitting, and just generally not doing much at all. Roger worked in the shop. It was back to "work" today and I did get the laundry done this afternoon. I guess I just ran out of gas yesterday.
Expecting lots of wind and some precip soon so not sure what we will be up to.
Friday, February 9, 2018
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Our Rings Arrived!
We had a nice surprise when we went to the post office today! The last notice we got was that they wouldn't arrive until about the 21st! They came from a jeweler in Montreal. We thought they were coming from New York. The designer is Alain Rafael. We are pleased with them - especially after taking the risk of buying them on the web. The fit was perfect and they look just as advertised. We've had another two days of wonderfully warm weather and have spent a great deal of time outside. That's what we are here for! Rog works in the shop with the doors open and I sit on the patio with my knitting. The days are flying by - we've only got about eight weeks before we head for home the first week in April. This winter has gone fast. We are very happy with our decision to buy a lot here. Should have done it years ago.
This morning on our walk we encountered others who warned us that a javelina was wondering around on one of the longer paths and we shouldn't take Maggie there. We didn't. Not sure I would want to encounter one, anyway. I like the yard art ones at the stores!
Nothing on the agenda for the next couple of days except to enjoy our winter home.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Another Go Round With Arizona Propane
I was only on the phone today with the Arizona Propane person for about half an hour. I called a different number - the second one listed on the invoices we have. Still no sign of our account under the name(s), place of delivery, phone number, or invoice numbers. "I'll have to research this and call you back." No call back yet.
Then I spent forty five minutes on the phone with an AT&T rep with an accent and lots of background noise behind him. When we got new phones we changed carriers. It was early in the billing period, so we should be seeing a credit. The young man was helpful - after he understood what I wanted and I understood what he was trying to tell me. He said he's made the adjustment and it will be on the next bill. OK - we shall see.
These kind of afternoons make me stress eat and my neck and shoulders tighten up.
We had a minor crisis this morning - Roger's coffee pot died. We had a small travel size Keurig and it was getting pretty old so it wasn't a real surprise, but Rog said the cup of tea he had this morning just didn't cut it. :-( We made a trip to the Walmart and picked up a similar coffee maker in a different brand. It's got a little smaller footprint on our limited counter space and should do the trick. We finally looked at the odometer for the trip today - it's 13 miles to the nearest Walmart - past cotton fields, a mine of some sort, a landfill, and ranches. Rog says he likes our isolation until he needs something and we have to go miles to get it.
The shopping center area where the Walmart is located is right across the road from the Casa Grande National Monument which is an ancient people's "great house." We haven't been in to see it this trip, but we did on one of our previous trips to Tucson. There's not much left of it and they are trying hard to preserve what is left. They have a nice museum there.
We had a little bit of wind today but otherwise it was another nice day with temps in the high 70s/low 80s.
Tomorrow morning early we go vote for our new Board of Directors. This whole transition from developer/owner to a co-op is quite a learning experience.
Then I spent forty five minutes on the phone with an AT&T rep with an accent and lots of background noise behind him. When we got new phones we changed carriers. It was early in the billing period, so we should be seeing a credit. The young man was helpful - after he understood what I wanted and I understood what he was trying to tell me. He said he's made the adjustment and it will be on the next bill. OK - we shall see.
These kind of afternoons make me stress eat and my neck and shoulders tighten up.
We had a minor crisis this morning - Roger's coffee pot died. We had a small travel size Keurig and it was getting pretty old so it wasn't a real surprise, but Rog said the cup of tea he had this morning just didn't cut it. :-( We made a trip to the Walmart and picked up a similar coffee maker in a different brand. It's got a little smaller footprint on our limited counter space and should do the trick. We finally looked at the odometer for the trip today - it's 13 miles to the nearest Walmart - past cotton fields, a mine of some sort, a landfill, and ranches. Rog says he likes our isolation until he needs something and we have to go miles to get it.
The shopping center area where the Walmart is located is right across the road from the Casa Grande National Monument which is an ancient people's "great house." We haven't been in to see it this trip, but we did on one of our previous trips to Tucson. There's not much left of it and they are trying hard to preserve what is left. They have a nice museum there.
We had a little bit of wind today but otherwise it was another nice day with temps in the high 70s/low 80s.
Tomorrow morning early we go vote for our new Board of Directors. This whole transition from developer/owner to a co-op is quite a learning experience.
Monday, February 5, 2018
When Will We Learn Not to Stay Up Past our Bedtime?
We are running on low power mode today. We stayed up to watch "Victoria" last night and it ended an hour past our turn-out-the-lights time. In addition, we had to make the bed. I'd done laundry and hadn't put the sheets back on yet. So, it was even later before we got in bed. Of course, we couldn't go right to sleep, so a little reading before lights out put us even later.
Then I had a horrible night with my nose being stuffy and was even waking myself up with the noise from snoring. Once I elbowed Roger and told him to turn over because he was snoring so loudly. Well, it was me - not him. He ended up on the couch where I found him about 7:30 this morning.
In addition, Maggie had one of her "wheezer" attacks in the middle of the night. She's not had one in ages, so don't know what prompted it, but she woke me up scratching on the side of the bed and wheezing loudly. I got up to calm her, got her back in bed and by that time I was cold. It took awhile to get warm and back to sleep. My Fitbit said I got less than five hours of sleep last night - hence the low power mode.
As I mentioned, yesterday was laundry. Today the dust, fine silty sand and dog hair reached maximum capacity so I did some housework this afternoon - with lots of breaks to sit outside and enjoy the warm weather. It takes less than two hours to clean this little house but today it took all afternoon!
That's the excitement from here.
Then I had a horrible night with my nose being stuffy and was even waking myself up with the noise from snoring. Once I elbowed Roger and told him to turn over because he was snoring so loudly. Well, it was me - not him. He ended up on the couch where I found him about 7:30 this morning.
In addition, Maggie had one of her "wheezer" attacks in the middle of the night. She's not had one in ages, so don't know what prompted it, but she woke me up scratching on the side of the bed and wheezing loudly. I got up to calm her, got her back in bed and by that time I was cold. It took awhile to get warm and back to sleep. My Fitbit said I got less than five hours of sleep last night - hence the low power mode.
As I mentioned, yesterday was laundry. Today the dust, fine silty sand and dog hair reached maximum capacity so I did some housework this afternoon - with lots of breaks to sit outside and enjoy the warm weather. It takes less than two hours to clean this little house but today it took all afternoon!
That's the excitement from here.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
A Quiet Saturday
It was another gorgeous day weather-wise and we spent it out on the patio again. Just loving every minute of it. Maggie in on constant alert for the ground squirrels and sits on the back edge of the patio watching the desert.
Lona and I walked up to the activities center this morning and checked out the craft show. Not much there this time - about half the tables compared to the December one. I did pick up a tote bag for me and a hat for Roger with the Desert Gardens logo on it. Nothing else caught my eye.
I didn't do the long walk this morning. Not sure what I did to my back yesterday, but it is aggravated. Couldn't get comfy watching tv last night and this morning it was yelling at me. I think maybe it was the chair I sat in for a few hours outside yesterday. It's got quite an angle to the seat and maybe that's what did it. It was comfy while I was in it. Today I avoided it. I'm feeling better as I write this and I hope tomorrow will be pain free.
Roger's project is coming along slowly. He finally got the two sides of the project square today.
Roger's lesions are scabbed over and he looks like he's been in an altercation, but the meds have cleared up the virus.
Nothing on the agenda for tomorrow except laundry. Will probably do it while the football game is on. I should be all alone!
Lona and I walked up to the activities center this morning and checked out the craft show. Not much there this time - about half the tables compared to the December one. I did pick up a tote bag for me and a hat for Roger with the Desert Gardens logo on it. Nothing else caught my eye.
I didn't do the long walk this morning. Not sure what I did to my back yesterday, but it is aggravated. Couldn't get comfy watching tv last night and this morning it was yelling at me. I think maybe it was the chair I sat in for a few hours outside yesterday. It's got quite an angle to the seat and maybe that's what did it. It was comfy while I was in it. Today I avoided it. I'm feeling better as I write this and I hope tomorrow will be pain free.
Roger's project is coming along slowly. He finally got the two sides of the project square today.
Roger's lesions are scabbed over and he looks like he's been in an altercation, but the meds have cleared up the virus.
Nothing on the agenda for tomorrow except laundry. Will probably do it while the football game is on. I should be all alone!
Friday, February 2, 2018
Enjoying Being Here
The last few days we have been having incredible weather and we have been able to take walks, sit outside on the patio (sometimes in the sun, sometimes in the shade), and just enjoy being here. It's been relaxing, we are visiting with neighbors occasionally, Roger's working in the shed, Maggie is scouting for ground squirrels, and I've been knitting. It has been quite peaceful. I am feeling a bit weird, though, sitting in 80 degree weather knitting a winter hat. Rog caught me standing in the middle of the parking lot at the grocery store today staring off into the distance. He asked me what was wrong and I told him "Nothing. Just the opposite. I was just appreciating February in a nice warm place."
I don't remember going anywhere yesterday. Today we had lunch out and then went to the Safeway. It's a good thing we had lunch first because I can't imagine what the bill would be like if we had gone there hungry!
Rog spent some time at the wood shop this afternoon. He's quite frustrated right now, as he does need the use of power tools for some of his project but the ones in the wood shop are either calibrated wrong or they work differently than his at home. He's having an awful time. His rectangular boards look like trapezoids. (I thought maybe he was taking his lessons from my last crochet project!!!) He spent a lot of time and effort with a plane today trying to square things up. By now, though, his dimensions are off and he's going to have to adjust the rest of the project to fit.
There's another craft fair in the park tomorrow morning. Lona and I will go scope it out after our walk.
Nothing else happening.
I don't remember going anywhere yesterday. Today we had lunch out and then went to the Safeway. It's a good thing we had lunch first because I can't imagine what the bill would be like if we had gone there hungry!
Rog spent some time at the wood shop this afternoon. He's quite frustrated right now, as he does need the use of power tools for some of his project but the ones in the wood shop are either calibrated wrong or they work differently than his at home. He's having an awful time. His rectangular boards look like trapezoids. (I thought maybe he was taking his lessons from my last crochet project!!!) He spent a lot of time and effort with a plane today trying to square things up. By now, though, his dimensions are off and he's going to have to adjust the rest of the project to fit.
There's another craft fair in the park tomorrow morning. Lona and I will go scope it out after our walk.
Nothing else happening.
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