Last week was a fun-filled week with our trip to San Jose to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary and visit with long-time friends. Along the way there was some shopping, some outings, some wine tasting/drinking and just an all ‘round good time.
John and Carol’s anniversary party was especially fun because we had not seen three of their grown children since we moved from Amapola Drive in San Jose in 1981. Big surprise; they all grew up to be gracious and charming individuals. John and Carol have 5 granddaughters ranging in age from mid-twenties to five-month-old twins and four of the five were in attendance.
Carol is a cancer survivor and during this past year John underwent chemotherapy for a second bout with lymphoma. As soon as he finished the chemo earlier this year, he hied himself to the hospital for a hip replacement ……. and was dancing on Saturday night!!!
Of course there were a number of friends in attendance so it was good to visit and catch up with what everyone is doing. The conversations ran the gamut from grandchildren to retirement to social security, and everyone seems to be doing well with all of it.
Jeff and Bev’s granddaughter, Rebekah, has been dancing since she was four (now she is eight), and we attended her studio’s dance recital on Sunday. It was all very well done, and Rebekah was obviously comfortable in her element. I was impressed with the costumes, the music, and the lightning fast changing of groups on stage – all in addition to the great dancing.
Mark Schuler scored four box seat tickets to the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Saturday night so he, brother David, Jeff and Ken went. That is the only time Ken has attended a game at AT&T Park in San Francisco but his attendance didn’t create a win for the Giants.
We spent some time shopping and a few hours wine tasting on Saturday afternoon. On Monday, we drove to Half Moon Bay, stopped for a bite to eat, and then proceeded down Highway One to Santa Cruz. It was a very pretty drive, and I don’t think we ever drove it while we lived there. I tend to remember the entire Bay area as being in constant gridlock, but now when we go back to visit, I don’t see that. That drive down Highway One was wide open.
Now we are getting ready for the kids to get here. Brian and Sheila and the boys are on their way from Mt. Home in our motor home, will stay in Prosser tonight and be here tomorrow evening. Monday they are going to do a tour of the UofW campus, and then we are all invited to Curt and Cinda’s for dinner, and Jerry and Lois will be there as well. Then the next big event will be the Fourth of July to be followed by the Baltimore Kirkwoods' arrival on Friday.
I have some fun pictures to share, but can’t seem to get to that last step of downloading from the camera and up to the blog site. Be patient, I get them in one of these times. Ciao
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Home from Idaho
We are back home after our visit to Mountain Home for Brian's change of command. We left on Wednesday afternoon, the 6th, and after a brief stop in Toppenish to have a cup of coffee with Rod and Karen who were staying at the Yakima Nation RV Park, we stopped for the night at the Wild Horse Casino just outside Pendleton. Casinos are the best if one just wants to stop, have a bite to eat, and sleep. There were at least a dozen other rigs parked near us as well as a number of semis.
We llke the FAmCamp at Mt. Home AFB. It only has about 20 sites, but it is well-maintained and never at full capacity. We met a lady who full times in her small Class C. Her name is Hazel, "Hazy", is English but was married to a US military man, and now roams the country to pursue her favorite hobby of birdwatching.
Brian's final flight with the squdron took place on Friday afternoon, and as his plane taxied in, there were two fire trucks with their firehoses creating a water arch over the aircraft. Then with all of us out at the flight line, as soon as he left the plane, Nolan, Warren, Gray and Celia greeted him with more water and high-powered squirt guns. Ken and I sedately greeting him with sprays of champage!
Brian's farewell was most enjoyable with a very yummy catered BBQ dinner. Brian's "roast" was fun and we contributed by sending a number of photos that ran the gamut from newborn to college years. He seemingly gained a reputation in the squadron for using a favorite expletive on frequent occasions as a noun, or verb or adjective, or proper name............and coffee and the coffee-making ritual were always a priority before the day could begin. There were several, including the operations group commander, who spoke about Brian's two-plus years as squdron commanding officer whose words make parents beam with pride.
After dinner, Brian was promptly kidnapped by several squadron guys and spirited off to Boise for the evening. I think guys do that sort of thing to try and reclaim some of their college youth, and then realize it can't be done. But all in the name of tradition.
The change of command on Monday was well-executed, and of course less thrilling for us this time around than when Brian took command two years ago, but nontheless always serves to reawaken one's patriotism and pride of country. For those of you who know the military, he was awarded a third oak leaf cluster for his Meritorious Service Medal.
Sheila's sister, Lisa, and her children, Celia and Gray, came from Virginia for the weekend. Gray is eight and had not seen any of the military associated with Brian, so he took everything in. One of the men in the squadron gave us a full-up in-depth tour of the squadron and an F15E. Gray was invited to sit in an ejection seat, try on a helmet, and look through night vision goggles. He was in awe!
We left the motor home for Brian and the boys to use while they pack out, and we took two days to drive home. We spent Tuesday night in Hermiston at a fairly new, but obscure motel chain. Traveling with a dog and staying in a motel subjects one to additional charges as we found out! We are so spoiled by traveling in the motor home!
Now we have one week before we fly to San Jose. I know I have a number of things I want to get done before we leave because we have just about four days upon our return before Brian and family get here and then just a few more before Keith and family arrive. But at least we did concentrate on the yard and flowers early this season, so it is all looking good. What is left to do is probably not all that much except for some serious meal planning and grocery shopping.
We have had one email from Colleen from Australia and it sounded like she was having a good time. It was early in her trip, and I think they had been spending the time in Sydney with Bassim's family. She will be on her way home in about one week. so I should have more news of interest after that.
I have been waiting to post this blog so I could attach some pictures, but that hasn't happened yet, so pictures will follow. Ciao
We llke the FAmCamp at Mt. Home AFB. It only has about 20 sites, but it is well-maintained and never at full capacity. We met a lady who full times in her small Class C. Her name is Hazel, "Hazy", is English but was married to a US military man, and now roams the country to pursue her favorite hobby of birdwatching.
Brian's final flight with the squdron took place on Friday afternoon, and as his plane taxied in, there were two fire trucks with their firehoses creating a water arch over the aircraft. Then with all of us out at the flight line, as soon as he left the plane, Nolan, Warren, Gray and Celia greeted him with more water and high-powered squirt guns. Ken and I sedately greeting him with sprays of champage!
Brian's farewell was most enjoyable with a very yummy catered BBQ dinner. Brian's "roast" was fun and we contributed by sending a number of photos that ran the gamut from newborn to college years. He seemingly gained a reputation in the squadron for using a favorite expletive on frequent occasions as a noun, or verb or adjective, or proper name............and coffee and the coffee-making ritual were always a priority before the day could begin. There were several, including the operations group commander, who spoke about Brian's two-plus years as squdron commanding officer whose words make parents beam with pride.
After dinner, Brian was promptly kidnapped by several squadron guys and spirited off to Boise for the evening. I think guys do that sort of thing to try and reclaim some of their college youth, and then realize it can't be done. But all in the name of tradition.
The change of command on Monday was well-executed, and of course less thrilling for us this time around than when Brian took command two years ago, but nontheless always serves to reawaken one's patriotism and pride of country. For those of you who know the military, he was awarded a third oak leaf cluster for his Meritorious Service Medal.
Sheila's sister, Lisa, and her children, Celia and Gray, came from Virginia for the weekend. Gray is eight and had not seen any of the military associated with Brian, so he took everything in. One of the men in the squadron gave us a full-up in-depth tour of the squadron and an F15E. Gray was invited to sit in an ejection seat, try on a helmet, and look through night vision goggles. He was in awe!
We left the motor home for Brian and the boys to use while they pack out, and we took two days to drive home. We spent Tuesday night in Hermiston at a fairly new, but obscure motel chain. Traveling with a dog and staying in a motel subjects one to additional charges as we found out! We are so spoiled by traveling in the motor home!
Now we have one week before we fly to San Jose. I know I have a number of things I want to get done before we leave because we have just about four days upon our return before Brian and family get here and then just a few more before Keith and family arrive. But at least we did concentrate on the yard and flowers early this season, so it is all looking good. What is left to do is probably not all that much except for some serious meal planning and grocery shopping.
We have had one email from Colleen from Australia and it sounded like she was having a good time. It was early in her trip, and I think they had been spending the time in Sydney with Bassim's family. She will be on her way home in about one week. so I should have more news of interest after that.
I have been waiting to post this blog so I could attach some pictures, but that hasn't happened yet, so pictures will follow. Ciao
Monday, June 04, 2007
Getting Ready to Get Ready
I always seem to be in a state of preparing for something. This week it is getting ready to go to Mt. Home for a week. Since someone is coming to stay at the house with Skyla, I not only have to pack the motor home, but have to be sure to leave the house in order and some food in the 'fridge. On a completely unrelated note, I spent the better part of the day putting shelf paper on the shelves in the pantry!! Not a thing to do with getting ready to leave on Wednesday.
Colleen called about 1:30 this afternoon to say she had just arrived in Sydney. Her plane was late getting in to San Francisco, so she and another man had to have them open the plane's door to let them on. Out of the fourteen-plus hours between San Francisco and Sydney, she said she was able to get some sleep. Bassim is taking the full three weeks of vacation while she is there!!
Brian and Sheila have decided to fly to the east coast rather than drive so that means they will be here for an extra five days which makes us happy. They will take a red-eye on Saturday night, July 14. It also makes it easy for Sheila's mother to get them at Dulles on Sunday morning. But the main reason for the night flight is to be sure it is cool enough that the airline will allow the dog and cat to fly!!
Craig, Cassie, and Greta came for a visit yesterday and we had hamburgers and root beer floats for lunch. Greta loves horses and I found a copy of Black Beauty on sale at Elliott Bay Bookstore last week, so I read the first four chapters to her while she was here. I love reading to little ones, so it was a special treat for me. Plus I don't know if I ever read Black Beauty.
We do not have internet access at the FamCamp on the base in Mt. Home, so it will probably be at least a week before you hear from me again! Ciao
Ken and I stopped at IKEA yesterday after taking Colleen to the airport and it looks like they are in the process of yet another expansion/remodel. I think this is the fourth that I am aware of. And even with all the expansion in Seattle, IKEA just opened a new store in Portland. It is quite a success story. We made just a few small purchases, but it was easy shopping at seven in the evening on a Sunday.
Colleen called about 1:30 this afternoon to say she had just arrived in Sydney. Her plane was late getting in to San Francisco, so she and another man had to have them open the plane's door to let them on. Out of the fourteen-plus hours between San Francisco and Sydney, she said she was able to get some sleep. Bassim is taking the full three weeks of vacation while she is there!!
Brian and Sheila have decided to fly to the east coast rather than drive so that means they will be here for an extra five days which makes us happy. They will take a red-eye on Saturday night, July 14. It also makes it easy for Sheila's mother to get them at Dulles on Sunday morning. But the main reason for the night flight is to be sure it is cool enough that the airline will allow the dog and cat to fly!!
Craig, Cassie, and Greta came for a visit yesterday and we had hamburgers and root beer floats for lunch. Greta loves horses and I found a copy of Black Beauty on sale at Elliott Bay Bookstore last week, so I read the first four chapters to her while she was here. I love reading to little ones, so it was a special treat for me. Plus I don't know if I ever read Black Beauty.
We do not have internet access at the FamCamp on the base in Mt. Home, so it will probably be at least a week before you hear from me again! Ciao
Ken and I stopped at IKEA yesterday after taking Colleen to the airport and it looks like they are in the process of yet another expansion/remodel. I think this is the fourth that I am aware of. And even with all the expansion in Seattle, IKEA just opened a new store in Portland. It is quite a success story. We made just a few small purchases, but it was easy shopping at seven in the evening on a Sunday.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Trips and Traditions Continued or Snowball Revisited
I forgot to mention another part of the Memorial Day trip. On our way out into the country to visit some family, we decided to drive in to the now-abandoned homesite of Mike's dad, Bill Weber. Bill purchased this property from his sister, Anna Taylor, and lived there until he died in 1971.
Remember my recent blog about the long-remembered snowball bush at Anna's? Well lo and behold, it is still there, standing large and lush in all its blooming glory. Joel picked a start for me, and then I went off and left it behind. It does look like every other overgrown snowball bush, but needless to say, this one is special.
Since this property has not been inhabited for years, we scared up a bit of wildlife. An owl and two owlets flew up in front of the car, and while walking back to the car from the house, a Chinese pheasant hen flew up in front of us, abandoning her clutch of ten eggs that were nested right at our feet. I'm sure she returned. Oh yes, and a big kitty sitting up on the railroad tracks! Ciao
Remember my recent blog about the long-remembered snowball bush at Anna's? Well lo and behold, it is still there, standing large and lush in all its blooming glory. Joel picked a start for me, and then I went off and left it behind. It does look like every other overgrown snowball bush, but needless to say, this one is special.
Since this property has not been inhabited for years, we scared up a bit of wildlife. An owl and two owlets flew up in front of the car, and while walking back to the car from the house, a Chinese pheasant hen flew up in front of us, abandoning her clutch of ten eggs that were nested right at our feet. I'm sure she returned. Oh yes, and a big kitty sitting up on the railroad tracks! Ciao
Trips and Traditions
Getting to Mt. St. Helens with Jeff and Bev proved to be a two-day effort. We only got to the RV dealer and the quilt shop the first day, so had to save the mountain for the next day. We looked at the Winnebago and Alpine coaches again, and again assured our saleman that we have no money, but that didn't seem to slow him down. We are not especially serious about a new coach, but it is fun to look.
Bev was duly impressed with Sister's Quilt Shop in Chehalis, and I think it is the best in the area. Quilt shops are like book stores, one just can't walk out without buying something, even if you have no immediate use for it. Ken and Jeff found the bakery next door to the quilt shop and that is where they whiled away the time while we shopped.
Mt. St. Helens is always a fascinating visit, and I learned more about the dome building process which is continuing inside the crater. There are several ridges that have emerged and over time they build, collapse in on themselves, and then begin the building process again. The movie shown at the visitor's center is very powerful, and when it ends, the curtains open on a windowed wall that looks right out on to the mountainside.
I drove to Spokane on Sunday to continue a family tradition of visiting the Colfax cemetery where Mike's and my family is buried. I remember as a youngster that this was an annual outing combined with visiting some family while in town for the day. When I was young, the 70 mile round trip to Colfax seemed like a major outing. Sheila, I thought of you yesterday because the Palouse Hills were breathtaking with their blanket of green ranging from the light pea green to the winter and summer wheat hues of green. I remember you thought that countryside was quite lovely.
Mike and Mary go to the cemetery every year, but since Mary was in Texas visiting Becky, I said I would go with him as did Joel. After purchasing flowers in Spokane, we got as far as Spangle (about 15 miles south of Spokane's city limits) when I decided we should stop for a snack. Since it was now about 11:30, we opted for breakfast!! Then back down the road.
As with most rural cemeteries, this one sits atop the highest hill overlooking the town, and as usual, it was a bit windy and cold! In talking to a local resident, I learned that the FFA group makes and sets the holders for the veterans flags, and then the VFW places the flags. These are the flags from the coffins that the family has turned over to the VFW, and each of the flags is identified with the veteran's name. It is quite moving to see the 200+ flags flying at this relatively small cemetery.
Unfortunately, my brother Pat was not represented, and I suspect no one has made contact with his kids to ask for the flag. So I will follow up. Uncle Paul's flag was flying.
I have created a pretty tasty inexpensive roadtrip menu for the drive to Spokane. McDonald's coffee is very tasty and a junior hamburger at Wendy's with lettuce, tomato, and onion is plenty ample. So two drive-through windows, and I'm on my way. I was feeling pretty smug over my low-cal dining-stay-awake experiences. My other constraint was to set the cruise control at 65 mph even though everyone including the semis were passing me. That is my path of resistance against the gas prices, but I forgot to save my receipt so have no idea if there was any appreciable savings.
Now for the next week we will focus on getting the motor home ready to go to Mt. Home for Brian's change of command and farewell party. Ciao
Bev was duly impressed with Sister's Quilt Shop in Chehalis, and I think it is the best in the area. Quilt shops are like book stores, one just can't walk out without buying something, even if you have no immediate use for it. Ken and Jeff found the bakery next door to the quilt shop and that is where they whiled away the time while we shopped.
Mt. St. Helens is always a fascinating visit, and I learned more about the dome building process which is continuing inside the crater. There are several ridges that have emerged and over time they build, collapse in on themselves, and then begin the building process again. The movie shown at the visitor's center is very powerful, and when it ends, the curtains open on a windowed wall that looks right out on to the mountainside.
I drove to Spokane on Sunday to continue a family tradition of visiting the Colfax cemetery where Mike's and my family is buried. I remember as a youngster that this was an annual outing combined with visiting some family while in town for the day. When I was young, the 70 mile round trip to Colfax seemed like a major outing. Sheila, I thought of you yesterday because the Palouse Hills were breathtaking with their blanket of green ranging from the light pea green to the winter and summer wheat hues of green. I remember you thought that countryside was quite lovely.
Mike and Mary go to the cemetery every year, but since Mary was in Texas visiting Becky, I said I would go with him as did Joel. After purchasing flowers in Spokane, we got as far as Spangle (about 15 miles south of Spokane's city limits) when I decided we should stop for a snack. Since it was now about 11:30, we opted for breakfast!! Then back down the road.
As with most rural cemeteries, this one sits atop the highest hill overlooking the town, and as usual, it was a bit windy and cold! In talking to a local resident, I learned that the FFA group makes and sets the holders for the veterans flags, and then the VFW places the flags. These are the flags from the coffins that the family has turned over to the VFW, and each of the flags is identified with the veteran's name. It is quite moving to see the 200+ flags flying at this relatively small cemetery.
Unfortunately, my brother Pat was not represented, and I suspect no one has made contact with his kids to ask for the flag. So I will follow up. Uncle Paul's flag was flying.
I have created a pretty tasty inexpensive roadtrip menu for the drive to Spokane. McDonald's coffee is very tasty and a junior hamburger at Wendy's with lettuce, tomato, and onion is plenty ample. So two drive-through windows, and I'm on my way. I was feeling pretty smug over my low-cal dining-stay-awake experiences. My other constraint was to set the cruise control at 65 mph even though everyone including the semis were passing me. That is my path of resistance against the gas prices, but I forgot to save my receipt so have no idea if there was any appreciable savings.
Now for the next week we will focus on getting the motor home ready to go to Mt. Home for Brian's change of command and farewell party. Ciao
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
It's a long way......
from Pike Place Market to Pioneer Square and back when loaded down with recently purchased books from Elliot Bay Bookstore!!
Bev and I had a great day in Seattle today. We drove in with Colleen and she dropped us off on First Street just a block or two from Pike Place Market. On a whim, we headed for the doors of the Seattle Art Museum and waited just four or five minutes until the doors were unlocked for the day.
SAM has just undergone a year-long renovation, and we found the museum to be top-notch with several collections available for viewing. It was interesting to realize how similar Bev's and my tastes are................realism all the way. We saw works that ran the gamut from Andy Warhol to John Singer Sargent (both of which we appreciated). And of course a number of pieces that didn't do a thing for us. One of the most beautiful and fascinating was a small room devoted to porcelain - with all the walls covered with lighted glass-enclosed floor-to-ceiling cabinets full of beautifully displayed porcelain.
By the time we had finished at the museum, it was time to meet Colleen at Cafe Campagne on Post Alley for lunch. This little cafe was even rated by Zagats, and it was wonderful. Bev treated Colleen and me and we enjoyed grilled goat cheese, mixed bitter greens salad, heavenly quiche and some quite exceptional wine. I had a white burgundy and Bev had a rose. Alas, Colleen had to go back to work, so she had sparkling water.
In the afternoon, Bev and I hiked down to Elliot Bay Bookstore, which is a must when one is in Seattle and we both found some books we just couldn't live without. But now with purchases in hand (in shopping bags), we had to hike the eight or ten blocks back (partly uphill) to get north of Pike Place Market where Colleen was to pick us up. But a rest stop for coffee and a sweet helped us to reach our destination.
So now after dinner and some more wine, I am off to bed. We are going to drive south to Chehalis tomorrow to look at some motor homes and a quilt shop, and then we are going on to Mt. St. Helens. Ciao
Bev and I had a great day in Seattle today. We drove in with Colleen and she dropped us off on First Street just a block or two from Pike Place Market. On a whim, we headed for the doors of the Seattle Art Museum and waited just four or five minutes until the doors were unlocked for the day.
SAM has just undergone a year-long renovation, and we found the museum to be top-notch with several collections available for viewing. It was interesting to realize how similar Bev's and my tastes are................realism all the way. We saw works that ran the gamut from Andy Warhol to John Singer Sargent (both of which we appreciated). And of course a number of pieces that didn't do a thing for us. One of the most beautiful and fascinating was a small room devoted to porcelain - with all the walls covered with lighted glass-enclosed floor-to-ceiling cabinets full of beautifully displayed porcelain.
By the time we had finished at the museum, it was time to meet Colleen at Cafe Campagne on Post Alley for lunch. This little cafe was even rated by Zagats, and it was wonderful. Bev treated Colleen and me and we enjoyed grilled goat cheese, mixed bitter greens salad, heavenly quiche and some quite exceptional wine. I had a white burgundy and Bev had a rose. Alas, Colleen had to go back to work, so she had sparkling water.
In the afternoon, Bev and I hiked down to Elliot Bay Bookstore, which is a must when one is in Seattle and we both found some books we just couldn't live without. But now with purchases in hand (in shopping bags), we had to hike the eight or ten blocks back (partly uphill) to get north of Pike Place Market where Colleen was to pick us up. But a rest stop for coffee and a sweet helped us to reach our destination.
So now after dinner and some more wine, I am off to bed. We are going to drive south to Chehalis tomorrow to look at some motor homes and a quilt shop, and then we are going on to Mt. St. Helens. Ciao
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Trains and Rain
Since I have been asked by two different people, it would appear I have failed to follow up on Brian and Sheila's move as to where they are moving!! It will be the Pentagon in Washington D.C. For a while it looked like he would get orders to Lakenheath, England (and we were all excited and checking our passports), but that was not meant to be. This will put them very close to Sheila's mother and sister and family, and they will be about 1 1/2 hours from Keith and Janet in Columbia. So for us, one trip allows us to see all four of our grandchildren and their parents. Brian and Sheila will probably stay with her mother in northern Virginia for a while until they decide where to settle in.
I finally talked to brother Mike last night to wish him a happy birthday, and he said he is going to retire the end of June, as is Mary. I know they already have a trip in mind for the summer to drive to Iowa to see Martha, but beyond that I think they are just looking forward to calling their time their own.
There was no way to get in touch with Brian, so we will make up for that when we see him next month.
Bev called last night to say she was looking forward to some wine and cheese and crackers and perhaps a bit of knitting and/or sewing while here next week. She and I are going to drive in to Seattle with Colleen on Tuesday and spend the day browsing some of the neighborhoods such as Fremont or Belltown. Of course we will meet Colleen for lunch.
Jeff called to see what his and Ken's schedule would be because he needs to be available for a conference call on either Monday or Tuesday with regard to the train at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital where Bev works. Once a delightful energetic train layout that drew hundreds of eager children, it recently has fallen into disrepair so Jeff and his former boss, Bob Herendeen, have volunteered to keep the train running and the tracks open.
The reason for the call is that there is a major remodel going on at the hospital, and Jeff and Bob want to make sure the woman back east who is designing the new train layout knows what she is doing and what she needs to do! So while Bev is involved in the design and creation of new operating room suites, Jeff and Bob are making sure the children will have the train to entertain them. Good going guys.
It is a dark, drizzly, cool western Washington day. But the dark and the drizzle cause the rhodies and other blooms to shine. Ciao
I finally talked to brother Mike last night to wish him a happy birthday, and he said he is going to retire the end of June, as is Mary. I know they already have a trip in mind for the summer to drive to Iowa to see Martha, but beyond that I think they are just looking forward to calling their time their own.
There was no way to get in touch with Brian, so we will make up for that when we see him next month.
Bev called last night to say she was looking forward to some wine and cheese and crackers and perhaps a bit of knitting and/or sewing while here next week. She and I are going to drive in to Seattle with Colleen on Tuesday and spend the day browsing some of the neighborhoods such as Fremont or Belltown. Of course we will meet Colleen for lunch.
Jeff called to see what his and Ken's schedule would be because he needs to be available for a conference call on either Monday or Tuesday with regard to the train at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital where Bev works. Once a delightful energetic train layout that drew hundreds of eager children, it recently has fallen into disrepair so Jeff and his former boss, Bob Herendeen, have volunteered to keep the train running and the tracks open.
The reason for the call is that there is a major remodel going on at the hospital, and Jeff and Bob want to make sure the woman back east who is designing the new train layout knows what she is doing and what she needs to do! So while Bev is involved in the design and creation of new operating room suites, Jeff and Bob are making sure the children will have the train to entertain them. Good going guys.
It is a dark, drizzly, cool western Washington day. But the dark and the drizzle cause the rhodies and other blooms to shine. Ciao
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Spring in all its glory
The dogwoods in front have been in full bloom for the past week, and the rhododendrons are just now beginning to open. We have one lilac bush on the west side of the house, and it too performed beautifully these past two weeks.
Today Ken is working on planting a snowball tree that the kids gave me for Mother's Day. I shared with Colleen that I remembered, as a youngster, someone whom we would usually visit over Memorial Day (Anna Taylor), and there would be her snowball tree in full bloom. We found one at a nursery in Tumwater and it is going to reside at the edge of the lawn nearest the driveway and close to the sidwalk. This has all been easy for me since I didn't pay for it and I am not the one planting it!! I did however pick it up and bring it home. The tree is about ten feel tall, so on its side it ran the full length of the Jetta, and I had to go through some interesting gyrations to shift gears.
Sunday was very enjoyable with everyone remembering me and pampering me. Colleen started the day with homemade banana bread, spinach quiche and mimosas and then Craig, Cassie and Greta joined us for the annual Mother's Day dining experience: KFC! Phone calls and flowers rounded out a very nice day. I really don't have a very demanding schedule at any time, but Mother's Day is fun to indulge myself and do just exactly what I want to do.
I have several sewing projects going - most of them for quite some time, but now I have ventured back into trying my hand at making myself something to wear. The jury is still out on that one, especially since I am using a pattern that I have had forever, and needless to say, it isn't quite big enough. More challenges.
We are on track to drive to Mountain Home on June 7 and 8 to be present for Brian's farewell and change of command. Then we are going to leave the motor home for them to use while moving out of quarters and they will drive up here with it about the first of July.
Brian's birthday is this coming Friday, May 18, and we have three other relatives who share the birthday as well as at least two people outside the family. Happy birthday to Brian and Mike - the two who read this blog.
Jeff and Bev are coming up for a visit next Monday. Jeff is a season ticket-holder for the San Jose Sharks, so as long as they were in the playoffs, we figured we wouldn't see them. But alas, they were eliminated, so travel plans could be made. We have nothing in particular planned, and if the weather stays as lovely as it has been, I'm sure we would be content to sit on the patio and swap war stories. Ciao
Today Ken is working on planting a snowball tree that the kids gave me for Mother's Day. I shared with Colleen that I remembered, as a youngster, someone whom we would usually visit over Memorial Day (Anna Taylor), and there would be her snowball tree in full bloom. We found one at a nursery in Tumwater and it is going to reside at the edge of the lawn nearest the driveway and close to the sidwalk. This has all been easy for me since I didn't pay for it and I am not the one planting it!! I did however pick it up and bring it home. The tree is about ten feel tall, so on its side it ran the full length of the Jetta, and I had to go through some interesting gyrations to shift gears.
Sunday was very enjoyable with everyone remembering me and pampering me. Colleen started the day with homemade banana bread, spinach quiche and mimosas and then Craig, Cassie and Greta joined us for the annual Mother's Day dining experience: KFC! Phone calls and flowers rounded out a very nice day. I really don't have a very demanding schedule at any time, but Mother's Day is fun to indulge myself and do just exactly what I want to do.
I have several sewing projects going - most of them for quite some time, but now I have ventured back into trying my hand at making myself something to wear. The jury is still out on that one, especially since I am using a pattern that I have had forever, and needless to say, it isn't quite big enough. More challenges.
We are on track to drive to Mountain Home on June 7 and 8 to be present for Brian's farewell and change of command. Then we are going to leave the motor home for them to use while moving out of quarters and they will drive up here with it about the first of July.
Brian's birthday is this coming Friday, May 18, and we have three other relatives who share the birthday as well as at least two people outside the family. Happy birthday to Brian and Mike - the two who read this blog.
Jeff and Bev are coming up for a visit next Monday. Jeff is a season ticket-holder for the San Jose Sharks, so as long as they were in the playoffs, we figured we wouldn't see them. But alas, they were eliminated, so travel plans could be made. We have nothing in particular planned, and if the weather stays as lovely as it has been, I'm sure we would be content to sit on the patio and swap war stories. Ciao
Friday, May 04, 2007
Alpines, Rose of Karen and Rainbows
I need to get with the program with this blogging - I am way behind!!!
We had a brief interlude in Steilacoom before going to Spokane for the opening of fishing season. The greatest accomplishment was to hire a gardening service to spend 2 1/2 days getting the FRONT-YARD-ONLY under control. Craig's affectionate name for the Asian families who do the gardening is Ninjas, and his description of their mode of operation is that they come in and prune everything and what they don't eat they haul away. I found it humorous - and not true. They were three hard-working souls who loved coffee. I put both coffee and tea out for them and one cup of tea was consumed, but the coffee thermos was empty as was the cup of milk and cup of sugar!
They topped the evergreens that are on our neighbors' property (with their permission) and the view we have reclaimed is spectacular. It had been several years since any pruning had been done, so we had lost about 90% of the view of water. Colleen has been edging stepping stones and flower beds and Karen and I worked on the back patio.
We met Rod and Karen in Chehalis a week ago last Sunday and oohed and aahed over big beautiful Alpine and Winnebago motor coaches. And we did manage to come away without doing something foolish like buying a new one. Uhlmans in Chehalis is the only dealer for Alpine coaches in Washington and Karen and Rod are always looking. When we parted ways, Rod headed for Ft. St. John in Canada and we brought Karen home with us.
I am a container-gardener only, and a pathetic one at that, so I seized my chance when Karen came to visit last week. We shopped for mostly flowering annuals such as petunias, snapdragons, and others that I don't know intimately, and as soon as we got home, she was up to her elbows in potting soil. Everything is looking very perky and happy and I can't wait for all of it to fill in with glorious color. Following Karen in the garden store is as befuddling for me as it is for her when I drag her into a kitchen store or gourmet grocery. We do make a good team.
She and I made a road trip back down to Chehalis so I could take her to Sister's fabric shop which is where any quilter would want to spend her every breathing moment. Ten thousand plus bolts of fabric in tight formation shoulder to shoulder, color by color, for as far as the eye can see to the back of a very small shop. After the frantic shopping we were in need of sustenance, and found a delightful bakery where we supped on quiche and creme brulee. I detected a definite German influence and learned of the couple that owns it that one is German and the other Icelandic.
We returned last night from the annual fishing trip to Spokane. Ken and Bob fished three days straight: Lake Sacheen, Waitts Lake and Liberty Lake with some nice fish, mostly rainbow trout, from all three. The weather was as nice as I've seen it for opening week end and I remember one year when they came home covered in snow.
We caught up with Mike and Mary last Saturday at a neighborhood garage sale in north Spokane, so we chatted and shopped and then had lunch together. Their lives are currently taken up with pending retirement and the anticipation of a grandson. Becky is expecting a baby in July, to be named Benjamin. Now that I know it is a boy, I need to be thinking about a quilt perhaps? She lives in Texas, and Mike and Mary were there to see her in April, and Mary is going back down for a few days the end of May. We haven't had a baby in the family for quite a number of years!
Sharon and I had lunch last week in the restaurant at the new Davenport Towers in Spokane which is just across the street from the original restored hotel. The decor of the entire hotel is a safari theme with two life-sized, gold-leafed rhinoceroses greeting you at the entrance. Once inside, animals and jungle abound with a beautiful stuffed tiger looking at you from above. It was beautifully done, and I was very impressed.
And night before last we spent with Jerry and Lois. We had not seen them since last November, so we had a good time catching up. Jerry is recovering from a pulled hamstring, and Lois was her usual perky self. She had a one-man art show in Spokane recently and has enjoyed some good successes with her work. She is so talented. But the shows are hard work. Not only the creating of new pieces, but the matting and framing, and loading, and hauling, and unloading, and hanging, and "un-hanging". I have helped with just one or two and I was worn out.
It is gray and cool today; a typical Puget Sound spring day. I am off to figure out what it is that I need to do for the day. Ciao
We had a brief interlude in Steilacoom before going to Spokane for the opening of fishing season. The greatest accomplishment was to hire a gardening service to spend 2 1/2 days getting the FRONT-YARD-ONLY under control. Craig's affectionate name for the Asian families who do the gardening is Ninjas, and his description of their mode of operation is that they come in and prune everything and what they don't eat they haul away. I found it humorous - and not true. They were three hard-working souls who loved coffee. I put both coffee and tea out for them and one cup of tea was consumed, but the coffee thermos was empty as was the cup of milk and cup of sugar!
They topped the evergreens that are on our neighbors' property (with their permission) and the view we have reclaimed is spectacular. It had been several years since any pruning had been done, so we had lost about 90% of the view of water. Colleen has been edging stepping stones and flower beds and Karen and I worked on the back patio.
We met Rod and Karen in Chehalis a week ago last Sunday and oohed and aahed over big beautiful Alpine and Winnebago motor coaches. And we did manage to come away without doing something foolish like buying a new one. Uhlmans in Chehalis is the only dealer for Alpine coaches in Washington and Karen and Rod are always looking. When we parted ways, Rod headed for Ft. St. John in Canada and we brought Karen home with us.
I am a container-gardener only, and a pathetic one at that, so I seized my chance when Karen came to visit last week. We shopped for mostly flowering annuals such as petunias, snapdragons, and others that I don't know intimately, and as soon as we got home, she was up to her elbows in potting soil. Everything is looking very perky and happy and I can't wait for all of it to fill in with glorious color. Following Karen in the garden store is as befuddling for me as it is for her when I drag her into a kitchen store or gourmet grocery. We do make a good team.
She and I made a road trip back down to Chehalis so I could take her to Sister's fabric shop which is where any quilter would want to spend her every breathing moment. Ten thousand plus bolts of fabric in tight formation shoulder to shoulder, color by color, for as far as the eye can see to the back of a very small shop. After the frantic shopping we were in need of sustenance, and found a delightful bakery where we supped on quiche and creme brulee. I detected a definite German influence and learned of the couple that owns it that one is German and the other Icelandic.
We returned last night from the annual fishing trip to Spokane. Ken and Bob fished three days straight: Lake Sacheen, Waitts Lake and Liberty Lake with some nice fish, mostly rainbow trout, from all three. The weather was as nice as I've seen it for opening week end and I remember one year when they came home covered in snow.
We caught up with Mike and Mary last Saturday at a neighborhood garage sale in north Spokane, so we chatted and shopped and then had lunch together. Their lives are currently taken up with pending retirement and the anticipation of a grandson. Becky is expecting a baby in July, to be named Benjamin. Now that I know it is a boy, I need to be thinking about a quilt perhaps? She lives in Texas, and Mike and Mary were there to see her in April, and Mary is going back down for a few days the end of May. We haven't had a baby in the family for quite a number of years!
Sharon and I had lunch last week in the restaurant at the new Davenport Towers in Spokane which is just across the street from the original restored hotel. The decor of the entire hotel is a safari theme with two life-sized, gold-leafed rhinoceroses greeting you at the entrance. Once inside, animals and jungle abound with a beautiful stuffed tiger looking at you from above. It was beautifully done, and I was very impressed.
And night before last we spent with Jerry and Lois. We had not seen them since last November, so we had a good time catching up. Jerry is recovering from a pulled hamstring, and Lois was her usual perky self. She had a one-man art show in Spokane recently and has enjoyed some good successes with her work. She is so talented. But the shows are hard work. Not only the creating of new pieces, but the matting and framing, and loading, and hauling, and unloading, and hanging, and "un-hanging". I have helped with just one or two and I was worn out.
It is gray and cool today; a typical Puget Sound spring day. I am off to figure out what it is that I need to do for the day. Ciao
Monday, April 16, 2007
Ah Steilacoom
We found ourselves back home on Saturday afternoon and were welcomed by Colleen and Skyla along with an immaculately clean house and dinner! Who could ask for more? But all that wine tasting must have worn me out because I grabbed my toothbrush out of the motor home and was in bed by nine. Wine tasting is hard work.
We do have plenty of wine to show for our efforts; about 8 cases, so we should be in good shape for some time to come. Ken concentrated on the big reds and I went for the summer sipping wines such as riesling, light reds, and chardonnay. It is amazing to see the growth in wine country. Prosser seems to be the hub and not only are there lots of new wineries, but some of the established wineries are relocating to Prosser. We continue to seek out and support the smaller family-owned businesses rather than the likes of Chateau St. Michelle and Hogue, both of which are now owned by some huge, out-of-state conglomerate.
The weather here is quite all right, but I can't get warm since we have the usual clouds and threat of rain with little blue sky and sunshine.
I am excited that Karen is coming to visit for a few days. We are going to meet her and Rod in Chehalis next Sunday (at the Alpine/Alpenlite dealership), and Karen will come home with us while Rod goes on to Yakima for some work on the trailer and then on the road to Ft. St. John, BC for some business. We will take Karen to Spokane later in the week when we go over for the opening of fishing season. I hope Karen and I get more sewing done this time than we did all the time we were down south. I think I had my machine out just twice the entire winter.
I hear my bed calling me. Ciao
We do have plenty of wine to show for our efforts; about 8 cases, so we should be in good shape for some time to come. Ken concentrated on the big reds and I went for the summer sipping wines such as riesling, light reds, and chardonnay. It is amazing to see the growth in wine country. Prosser seems to be the hub and not only are there lots of new wineries, but some of the established wineries are relocating to Prosser. We continue to seek out and support the smaller family-owned businesses rather than the likes of Chateau St. Michelle and Hogue, both of which are now owned by some huge, out-of-state conglomerate.
The weather here is quite all right, but I can't get warm since we have the usual clouds and threat of rain with little blue sky and sunshine.
I am excited that Karen is coming to visit for a few days. We are going to meet her and Rod in Chehalis next Sunday (at the Alpine/Alpenlite dealership), and Karen will come home with us while Rod goes on to Yakima for some work on the trailer and then on the road to Ft. St. John, BC for some business. We will take Karen to Spokane later in the week when we go over for the opening of fishing season. I hope Karen and I get more sewing done this time than we did all the time we were down south. I think I had my machine out just twice the entire winter.
I hear my bed calling me. Ciao
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Here are the photos that were promised in my last blog!! Is that awesome or what?
We are now in Prosser after having spent several days with Sheila and the boys in Mt. Home. She didn't tell them when/or if we would be there, so it was a fun surprise to show up at their door to take the boys to the MH for dinner. They are both turning out for track this spring and Warren is still busy creating his Space Chicken saga. Nolan spent Saturday hiding Easter eggs with the church youth group and then went to church with us Sunday.
Sheila treated us to Sunday brunch at the club, and on Saturday night she invited the Hoovers for dinner. She and I prepared beef kebobs and she made an awesome Mediterranean salad with tomatoes, and peppers and feta cheese; that served along with rice and freshly purchased bread with angel food cake for dessert. All washed down with some good wine!!! Yum yum.
Our Sarah has been working in the restaurant at the golf course at the University of Maryland ever since she started school there and is now a manager. Now as she is finishing her second year, she was nominated for the Emma Powers award which recognizes one of the 500 individuals who work in dining services at the UofM..................and yes, she was the chosen employee. We are so proud of her for all of her hard work as well as keeping on track with her grades, and along with the recognition is a $500 scholarship!!
We have had one day of wine tasting while here in Prosser, and will get out to do some more today. We are up to two cases plus two bottles, but I'm sure we can find room for more in the MH before we head to Steilacoom on Saturday.
We heard some rain pattering on the roof early last evening, but at the moment the sky is a glorious blue with just a hint of some poufy white clouds on the horizon. I love this part of the country, probably because I am a farm girl, and I enjoy seeing all the new growth, the green, and the beautiful flowers and flowering trees. The apple trees are in full bloom, but from a distance it looks like the grapes are still asleep. I read in the paper today where the cool weather is creating some worry for the farmers, particularly for the asparagus crop that should be in full swing by now.
The next blog will be from Steilacoom! Ciao
Monday, April 09, 2007
Nellis AFB, Pahrump ooh lala, Tecopa Hot Springs & Yankee Blade
Whew, it has been a long time..............
We said good by to Rod and Karen on Saturday (March 24), and we went our separate ways for a week – they to a rally at AVI in Laughlin, and we to Nellis AFB Famcamp in north Las Vegas.
We endured some mighty winds while at Nellis and our one night in Pahrump – so much so that we pulled the slides in for fear the slide awnings would get damaged. But that weather finally “blew” through and we were back to sunshine and blue sky.
Spragues caught up with us at Tecopa. We have spent two days sightseeing inside Death Valley NP, and one day in between doing very little – brunch around eleven, a two hour visit to a local date farm, and then back to our lawn chairs and wine
I was quite surprised at the size of Death Valley, and I did not expect so many peaks and elevations – both above and below sea level. I think I envisioned a flat desert valley. Period. But the landscape is ever-changing as well as the colors. It is quite amazing.
We drove to the north end of the park to visit Scotty’s castle – which was not Scotty’s but belonged to his wealthy friends, the Johnsons. We enjoyed a tour of the inside of the home that sported every modern convenience that would have been found in the mansions on the east coast during the 30s – even though this little oasis is in the middle of nowhere. The “modern conveniences” such as hot and cold running water and central heat, reminded me of the similar thinking of King Ludwig and his castle at Neuschwanstein.
We stopped at Badwater which is the lowest elevation in the western hemisphere at 293 feet below sea level. There is just a huge expanse of a white salt lakebed, but even in that extreme alkaline environment, there is aquatic life. Needless to say, it is already getting quite hot there, so we limited ourselves to sightseeing by car with just short stops at points of interest.
We discovered Tecopa Hot Springs while staying in Pahrump, and after looking at the three possibilities for a place to stay, chose the one that looked the most normal. A small park with about 50 spaces and two hot mineral baths that were immaculately maintained. But with the heat outside, I found the baths to be not all that appealing with water that is in the 105 degree range. But it was a diversion.
The reason for going to Pahrump was to have lunch at one of the two legal brothels in the area. (Helen’s idea, not Ken’s) because we had talked to folks who had been there and toured the facility. It was interesting, as we ate lunch in the restaurant, to watch the comings and goings of the scantily clad “working” girls as well as the men who seemed to come and go! One of the “girls”, Olivia (not very attractive, about 6 feet tall wearing acrylic platform heels, a thong and a long sheer blouse), gave us a tour of the parlor and the five public entertainment rooms where a couple can have dinner or sit in a whirlpool tub, but the private rooms of the girls are off limits and are not included in the tour. It was just a good opportunity to get a glimpse of the inside of a facility for the world’s oldest profession.
Last Wednesday, we made our way from Tecopa Hot Springs to Austin and finding nothing satisfactory for the night, we headed up the road toward Battle Mountain. We discovered a great pull-out, flat and graveled, about 10 miles out of town – no signs, no warnings, no nothing. So we parked, leveled up, opened our beers and relaxed for the evening. There was one vehicle about every half hour, and that was usually a semi truck. It was unbelievably quiet, and attached is a picture of the awesome view. Ken and Rod, being the cautious Scandanavians that they are, were a bit apprehensive until they saw the county sheriff’s car go by without a glance. It was a very fun experience. With some research by Karen, we learned that the area was known as Yankee Blade which is a ghost town up over the hill.
The next night was spent in Wells, NV at Mountain Shadows RV Park; Passport America, free WiFi, clean restrooms and laundry, dog friendly, and neat as a pin. We got there early in the day, but by dusk all the big sites were full. In the morning Ken discovered a low tire, but Les Schwab said it was just a leaky valve stem – no charge – and we were on our way to Mountain Home. Ciao
We said good by to Rod and Karen on Saturday (March 24), and we went our separate ways for a week – they to a rally at AVI in Laughlin, and we to Nellis AFB Famcamp in north Las Vegas.
We endured some mighty winds while at Nellis and our one night in Pahrump – so much so that we pulled the slides in for fear the slide awnings would get damaged. But that weather finally “blew” through and we were back to sunshine and blue sky.
Spragues caught up with us at Tecopa. We have spent two days sightseeing inside Death Valley NP, and one day in between doing very little – brunch around eleven, a two hour visit to a local date farm, and then back to our lawn chairs and wine
I was quite surprised at the size of Death Valley, and I did not expect so many peaks and elevations – both above and below sea level. I think I envisioned a flat desert valley. Period. But the landscape is ever-changing as well as the colors. It is quite amazing.
We drove to the north end of the park to visit Scotty’s castle – which was not Scotty’s but belonged to his wealthy friends, the Johnsons. We enjoyed a tour of the inside of the home that sported every modern convenience that would have been found in the mansions on the east coast during the 30s – even though this little oasis is in the middle of nowhere. The “modern conveniences” such as hot and cold running water and central heat, reminded me of the similar thinking of King Ludwig and his castle at Neuschwanstein.
We stopped at Badwater which is the lowest elevation in the western hemisphere at 293 feet below sea level. There is just a huge expanse of a white salt lakebed, but even in that extreme alkaline environment, there is aquatic life. Needless to say, it is already getting quite hot there, so we limited ourselves to sightseeing by car with just short stops at points of interest.
We discovered Tecopa Hot Springs while staying in Pahrump, and after looking at the three possibilities for a place to stay, chose the one that looked the most normal. A small park with about 50 spaces and two hot mineral baths that were immaculately maintained. But with the heat outside, I found the baths to be not all that appealing with water that is in the 105 degree range. But it was a diversion.
The reason for going to Pahrump was to have lunch at one of the two legal brothels in the area. (Helen’s idea, not Ken’s) because we had talked to folks who had been there and toured the facility. It was interesting, as we ate lunch in the restaurant, to watch the comings and goings of the scantily clad “working” girls as well as the men who seemed to come and go! One of the “girls”, Olivia (not very attractive, about 6 feet tall wearing acrylic platform heels, a thong and a long sheer blouse), gave us a tour of the parlor and the five public entertainment rooms where a couple can have dinner or sit in a whirlpool tub, but the private rooms of the girls are off limits and are not included in the tour. It was just a good opportunity to get a glimpse of the inside of a facility for the world’s oldest profession.
Last Wednesday, we made our way from Tecopa Hot Springs to Austin and finding nothing satisfactory for the night, we headed up the road toward Battle Mountain. We discovered a great pull-out, flat and graveled, about 10 miles out of town – no signs, no warnings, no nothing. So we parked, leveled up, opened our beers and relaxed for the evening. There was one vehicle about every half hour, and that was usually a semi truck. It was unbelievably quiet, and attached is a picture of the awesome view. Ken and Rod, being the cautious Scandanavians that they are, were a bit apprehensive until they saw the county sheriff’s car go by without a glance. It was a very fun experience. With some research by Karen, we learned that the area was known as Yankee Blade which is a ghost town up over the hill.
The next night was spent in Wells, NV at Mountain Shadows RV Park; Passport America, free WiFi, clean restrooms and laundry, dog friendly, and neat as a pin. We got there early in the day, but by dusk all the big sites were full. In the morning Ken discovered a low tire, but Les Schwab said it was just a leaky valve stem – no charge – and we were on our way to Mountain Home. Ciao
Monday, March 26, 2007
Three weeks? No Blog?
It has been a long time. So I need to catch up on our last days at Casa Grande and our travels since. We bid farewell to Gary and Carolyn on Friday, March 16 as they made their was north to Laughlin, and we and the Spragues headed north to the Grand Canyon. It is interesting that the Ouseys only live about 100 miles from us, but THEY LIVE IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY so that must be why we have to go to Arizona to see them!! Perhaps we will meet up sometime this summer.
We spent a few nights in Camp Verde at a very nice park called Distant Drums, and then moved on to the Grand Canyon. Karen was able to call and score two sites for us at "Trailer Village" which is inside the park and walking distance to the information center and the market. The park has a marvelous free bus system that allows you to see all of the South Rim without moving your car. The canyon takes on a different persona from every angle that it is viewed. I didn't find the color to be as bright or intense as I remembered it, or at least envisioned it.
After leaving TGC, we spent one night in Bullhead city at a county park where we stayed last year, and in keeping with tradition, drove to Laughlin for In-n-Out burgers for dinner. Last Saturday, Rod and Karen moved to AVI in Lauglin for an Alpenlite Rally, and we came here to Desert Eagle RV Park at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas.
After some cool temperatures at the Grand Canyon, we are now running the A/C with the afternoon temps in the low 80s. This is a very nice park, and very popular, so we are only able to stay four nights. Rumor has it that one can reserve a site six months in advance and then stay for six months. NOT FAIR!! Old retired geezers that can afford motor homes need to use them as intended and make the wheels go 'round once in a while. I'm biding my time until I have the straight scoop, and if it is true, I will be frequenting every forum and website I can find to complain!!
We are not gamblers, and there is nothing showing downtown that catches our fancy so we won't even be going to the Strip. From here we will probably go to Pahrump for a few days, check in with Spragues for their travel plans, and then begin moving northward.
Cooper is still along for the ride; and the cookies, and the walks, and the attention. There was an elk cow that had walked through our park at TGC, and he just about lost his mind when we were out walking. Right now he is sprawled out on the sofa keeping cool under the A/C. A dog's life? I'll take it.
Ciao
We spent a few nights in Camp Verde at a very nice park called Distant Drums, and then moved on to the Grand Canyon. Karen was able to call and score two sites for us at "Trailer Village" which is inside the park and walking distance to the information center and the market. The park has a marvelous free bus system that allows you to see all of the South Rim without moving your car. The canyon takes on a different persona from every angle that it is viewed. I didn't find the color to be as bright or intense as I remembered it, or at least envisioned it.
After leaving TGC, we spent one night in Bullhead city at a county park where we stayed last year, and in keeping with tradition, drove to Laughlin for In-n-Out burgers for dinner. Last Saturday, Rod and Karen moved to AVI in Lauglin for an Alpenlite Rally, and we came here to Desert Eagle RV Park at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas.
After some cool temperatures at the Grand Canyon, we are now running the A/C with the afternoon temps in the low 80s. This is a very nice park, and very popular, so we are only able to stay four nights. Rumor has it that one can reserve a site six months in advance and then stay for six months. NOT FAIR!! Old retired geezers that can afford motor homes need to use them as intended and make the wheels go 'round once in a while. I'm biding my time until I have the straight scoop, and if it is true, I will be frequenting every forum and website I can find to complain!!
We are not gamblers, and there is nothing showing downtown that catches our fancy so we won't even be going to the Strip. From here we will probably go to Pahrump for a few days, check in with Spragues for their travel plans, and then begin moving northward.
Cooper is still along for the ride; and the cookies, and the walks, and the attention. There was an elk cow that had walked through our park at TGC, and he just about lost his mind when we were out walking. Right now he is sprawled out on the sofa keeping cool under the A/C. A dog's life? I'll take it.
Ciao
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Birthday, Brunch and Body World
Yikes, it has been forever since I've blogged!!!!!
Ken's birthday came and went with not a lot of fanfare. Gary and Carolyn gave him a fun card and two maple bars (a special treat since I rarely, if ever, let him have them), he heard from all four of his children, and I baked an applesauce cake for him. He was also given a very nice, very good bottle of single malt scotch - so what more could the man want?
We have shared some dinners back and forth, and recently Rod and Karen served brunch before the six of us went to Phoenix for the Bodyworld 3 exhibit - hence the catchy title for this blog.
I was the one who really wanted to see Body World 3, but I think all six of us found it very fascinating. These are actual cadavers that have been donated and plasticized and then displayed to illustrate the complex systems that our bodies are!! Everything is done very well and I would say with reverence for the people whose bodies were represented. The systems, the blood vessels, the organs and the muscles are amazing!! If it comes to your city, I would highly recommend your seeing it.
This week was our evening to go to Barleen's Arizona Opery in Mesa. It is quite a bargain with a ticket providing a roast beef and mashed potatoes dinner along with about 1 1/2 hours of entertainment by the extended Barleen family. A little bit of everything from country/western to impersonations of Elvis and Neil Diamond.
We have one more social outing before we go our separate ways, and that is Organ Pipe Pizza. I think I have blogged before about the world's largest Wurlitzer organ as the centerpiece for an enormous 'pizza parlor'. The six of us are going tomorrrow night.
We will be leaving here on the 16th and Gary and Carolyn are going to Laughlin for a few days as they begin their journey back to Victoria while we and the Spragues are going to go nouth. Rod and Karen are going to attend a rally in Laughlin the end of March, but we haven't decided where we want to go after the end of this month. When we leave here, we are going to go to Casa Verde, and then probably on to Flagstaff.
The weather has turned very hot very quickly, and even the locals are complaining. We are approaching the 90s this week. Therefore, we are going to travel north this week instead of south.
Ciao
Ken's birthday came and went with not a lot of fanfare. Gary and Carolyn gave him a fun card and two maple bars (a special treat since I rarely, if ever, let him have them), he heard from all four of his children, and I baked an applesauce cake for him. He was also given a very nice, very good bottle of single malt scotch - so what more could the man want?
We have shared some dinners back and forth, and recently Rod and Karen served brunch before the six of us went to Phoenix for the Bodyworld 3 exhibit - hence the catchy title for this blog.
I was the one who really wanted to see Body World 3, but I think all six of us found it very fascinating. These are actual cadavers that have been donated and plasticized and then displayed to illustrate the complex systems that our bodies are!! Everything is done very well and I would say with reverence for the people whose bodies were represented. The systems, the blood vessels, the organs and the muscles are amazing!! If it comes to your city, I would highly recommend your seeing it.
This week was our evening to go to Barleen's Arizona Opery in Mesa. It is quite a bargain with a ticket providing a roast beef and mashed potatoes dinner along with about 1 1/2 hours of entertainment by the extended Barleen family. A little bit of everything from country/western to impersonations of Elvis and Neil Diamond.
We have one more social outing before we go our separate ways, and that is Organ Pipe Pizza. I think I have blogged before about the world's largest Wurlitzer organ as the centerpiece for an enormous 'pizza parlor'. The six of us are going tomorrrow night.
We will be leaving here on the 16th and Gary and Carolyn are going to Laughlin for a few days as they begin their journey back to Victoria while we and the Spragues are going to go nouth. Rod and Karen are going to attend a rally in Laughlin the end of March, but we haven't decided where we want to go after the end of this month. When we leave here, we are going to go to Casa Verde, and then probably on to Flagstaff.
The weather has turned very hot very quickly, and even the locals are complaining. We are approaching the 90s this week. Therefore, we are going to travel north this week instead of south.
Ciao
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Afghanistan Update
The suicide bombing that occurred yesterday was at the gates of the base where Brian is, but we have IM'd with him and were assured that he is okay. They are located quite some distance from the gates where the blast happened. And just like every other day, we were made aware of the lives being lost as our thoughts go out to all the families from all the countries emeshed in this war.
I think the thermometer is supposed to dip down to 32 tonight, but I did see an 80 on the horizon for the week end. There is still the ever-present blue sky and sunshine so that is a good balance for the cold nights.
I can't believe how much of a Wal Mart shopper I have become; mostly out of necessity since there is no other shopping available without going to Phoenix. Yesterday it was a hair cut, a pedicure, and Coleman electric refrigerator. The two local salons were booked out for about ten days, and we could just walk in and sign in at Wal Mart. Actually, I was fairly impressed with both the haircut and the pedicure, but perhaps that is because the salons are independent businesses - not WalMart.
I decided the refrigerator was an outside necessity to keep beer and soft drinks on hand. There is no room in the refrigerator for that assortment, and we are not disciplined enough to keep ice on the drinks when in a regular cooler. The problem will come when it is time to move on, and we have to find a place to stow it while traveling.
We are tentatively planning to head south toward Yuma and Organ Pipe National Monument when we leave here on the fifteenth of this month. We need to get some sun screens to hang from the outside awning and want to purchase them from the same company in Yuma that made our windshield screens. We have driven through Organ Pipe but would like to see it again, and it has a wonderful RV park that is close to the visitors' center but essentially right out in the desert.
This is the third day that Colleen has been without heat at home. It was determined yesterday that the motor on the burner unit had shorted out, but the repairman couldn't get a replacement until today. So she has been wearing Polar Fleece, ear muffs, and a hat. She has a small space heater and is burning the fireplace. And snow flurries were predicted.
Tomorrow is the last of the 60s birthdays for Ken. I'll give him his choice for dinner and have our traveling partners over for dessert which is yet to be determined.
Have a good day. Ciao
I think the thermometer is supposed to dip down to 32 tonight, but I did see an 80 on the horizon for the week end. There is still the ever-present blue sky and sunshine so that is a good balance for the cold nights.
I can't believe how much of a Wal Mart shopper I have become; mostly out of necessity since there is no other shopping available without going to Phoenix. Yesterday it was a hair cut, a pedicure, and Coleman electric refrigerator. The two local salons were booked out for about ten days, and we could just walk in and sign in at Wal Mart. Actually, I was fairly impressed with both the haircut and the pedicure, but perhaps that is because the salons are independent businesses - not WalMart.
I decided the refrigerator was an outside necessity to keep beer and soft drinks on hand. There is no room in the refrigerator for that assortment, and we are not disciplined enough to keep ice on the drinks when in a regular cooler. The problem will come when it is time to move on, and we have to find a place to stow it while traveling.
We are tentatively planning to head south toward Yuma and Organ Pipe National Monument when we leave here on the fifteenth of this month. We need to get some sun screens to hang from the outside awning and want to purchase them from the same company in Yuma that made our windshield screens. We have driven through Organ Pipe but would like to see it again, and it has a wonderful RV park that is close to the visitors' center but essentially right out in the desert.
This is the third day that Colleen has been without heat at home. It was determined yesterday that the motor on the burner unit had shorted out, but the repairman couldn't get a replacement until today. So she has been wearing Polar Fleece, ear muffs, and a hat. She has a small space heater and is burning the fireplace. And snow flurries were predicted.
Tomorrow is the last of the 60s birthdays for Ken. I'll give him his choice for dinner and have our traveling partners over for dessert which is yet to be determined.
Have a good day. Ciao
Thursday, February 22, 2007
A Skype Dog
We have had to scold Cooper for making telephone calls. We were away today, but Gary received a notice that Kirkwoods were on Skype (computer to computer telephone technology). He was quite sure we weren't home yet but stepped outside to be sure our car wasn't here, so the only creature to have access to our computer, inside the motorhome, was Cooper!!!!! Now I have always known he was a smart dog, but I never dreamed he could plug in the headset and make a telephone call!!!! Truth be known, I suspect Cooper wriggled his way to the front of my seat in the cockpit and somehow managed to jar the computer to life - the mechanics of what happened is beyond me, but it makes for a good story.
Karen and Rod arrived Sunday as planned and they are parked right beside us - for the next month. We are very happy that they decided to stay in this park, and right next door. We have shared some meals, swapped some stories, and touched on what we might want to do for the next three weeks. Karen and Rod invited their neighbors to join all of us to talk about Puerto Penasco since those folks had just been there. Everything we hear is very positive, and we are determined to at least drive down for a day just to see it and make plans for next winter.
We are still waiting for sunny warm weather. Once in a while we get a burst of sunshine, but sprinkled among the bursts of sunshine are blasts of wind and black walls of clouds. It is going to get down into the 30s here tonight.
There were two quilt shows in the area this weekend, and we were partially successful in attending. Yesterday was a small show in the town of Cooldige which is about 20 miles from here and looks like it has been forgotton. But there were some lovely quilts including some antiques. Today's show was at Fiesta Grande Park in Casa Grande but after a late start, a slow lunch, and my error in the hours of the show, we essentially missed it. The quilts were being taken down when we arrived.
We continue to work on our quilt of valor. Karen, Carolyn, and I worked on color placement today and now I am getting ready to join the blocks for the main part of the quilt. I am very happy with the choices for colors and am convinced the finished product will look smashing! Karen and I have worked outside the past two days and needless to say we have elicited several comments and visits from folks who are walking by.
The guys went to Chandler today for a car show which included the Shelby that was sold for $5M+ at auction here last month. Tomorrow Ken and Rod are going to Phoenix for a gun show, and Karen and I plan to stay home to catch up on some chores and projects. Even though this motor home is small, it still seems to require a fair bit of attention and cleaning!!
It is my bedtime so will toddle off to bed. Ciao
Karen and Rod arrived Sunday as planned and they are parked right beside us - for the next month. We are very happy that they decided to stay in this park, and right next door. We have shared some meals, swapped some stories, and touched on what we might want to do for the next three weeks. Karen and Rod invited their neighbors to join all of us to talk about Puerto Penasco since those folks had just been there. Everything we hear is very positive, and we are determined to at least drive down for a day just to see it and make plans for next winter.
We are still waiting for sunny warm weather. Once in a while we get a burst of sunshine, but sprinkled among the bursts of sunshine are blasts of wind and black walls of clouds. It is going to get down into the 30s here tonight.
There were two quilt shows in the area this weekend, and we were partially successful in attending. Yesterday was a small show in the town of Cooldige which is about 20 miles from here and looks like it has been forgotton. But there were some lovely quilts including some antiques. Today's show was at Fiesta Grande Park in Casa Grande but after a late start, a slow lunch, and my error in the hours of the show, we essentially missed it. The quilts were being taken down when we arrived.
We continue to work on our quilt of valor. Karen, Carolyn, and I worked on color placement today and now I am getting ready to join the blocks for the main part of the quilt. I am very happy with the choices for colors and am convinced the finished product will look smashing! Karen and I have worked outside the past two days and needless to say we have elicited several comments and visits from folks who are walking by.
The guys went to Chandler today for a car show which included the Shelby that was sold for $5M+ at auction here last month. Tomorrow Ken and Rod are going to Phoenix for a gun show, and Karen and I plan to stay home to catch up on some chores and projects. Even though this motor home is small, it still seems to require a fair bit of attention and cleaning!!
It is my bedtime so will toddle off to bed. Ciao
Friday, February 16, 2007
Friends
We have spent lots of time with the Jaynes this past week, and now they are headed out in the morning to spend one or two nights in Mesa and then on to Las Vegas. Last night we were invited to Gary and Della Reinbolds' who are parked in the Palm Creek Resort here in Casa Grande..........a very posh upscale resort with over 1000 spaces and a par 3 eighteen-hole golf course in the middle. We, the Reinbolds and the Jaynes then went on to Chili's for dinner. Another evening of enjoyable company and visiting.
Last Tuesday is when the Ziemers were here for the afternoon, and so we were able to catch up on what they have been doing. They have four kids about the ages of our four, and the last of them, one of the twins, got married last October. They are going to be heading back home within the next ten days as Daryl seemingly has injured his shoulder and has a doctor's appointment later this month. He has already had surgery on the other shoulder, and now it looks like it will be this one.
Today Carolyn and I were in Phoenix for an Amish furniture and quilt sale at the fair grounds. I was quite surprised at the reasonable prices of some of the furniture. All of the quilts that were for sale were machine pieced and then hand quilted - some were quite lovely. But aside from the quilts, most everything was more country than is my choosing. I purchased a book and two scented candles.
We had Bob and Sharon and Gary and Carolyn over for dinner tonight - hamburgers. This is one of the first days that it has been warm enough that we could sit and eat outside, as long as we finished before the sun went down. I think it is supposed to be nice tomorrow as well with the temperature in the mid seventies.
I talked to Karen briefly this afternoon, and they are in Ely, Nevada tonight with a goal of getting here on Sunday. The space next to us is going to be available so we will be neighbors for a week and then see what they decide to do. I think a road trip to Yuma and Mexico might be in the plans for the near future. Since we have occasionally considered spending time in Mexico, we thought it would be worthwhile to just drive across the border to Puerto Penasco to spend the night and check it out.
We have been able to connect with Brian once in a while for some IMing, and last Saturday, he, Keith and I were all on at the same time. He is very busy and is currently working nights. We sent some rugs, coffee, and a magazine to him recently, and he had it in less than ten days so it is good to know that the U.S. Post Office is doing its job.
We have not been in touch with Sheila and the boys for a while, and I suspect they are in McCall this week end for some skiing. Both boys got straight As on their recent report cards, and Nolan is number one student in his entire student body. We have awesome grandchildren; otherwise known as our space chickens!!!!!
We are settling in for the evening...........the television is on and Cooper is snuggled up on the sofa. Have a good weekend. Ciao
Last Tuesday is when the Ziemers were here for the afternoon, and so we were able to catch up on what they have been doing. They have four kids about the ages of our four, and the last of them, one of the twins, got married last October. They are going to be heading back home within the next ten days as Daryl seemingly has injured his shoulder and has a doctor's appointment later this month. He has already had surgery on the other shoulder, and now it looks like it will be this one.
Today Carolyn and I were in Phoenix for an Amish furniture and quilt sale at the fair grounds. I was quite surprised at the reasonable prices of some of the furniture. All of the quilts that were for sale were machine pieced and then hand quilted - some were quite lovely. But aside from the quilts, most everything was more country than is my choosing. I purchased a book and two scented candles.
We had Bob and Sharon and Gary and Carolyn over for dinner tonight - hamburgers. This is one of the first days that it has been warm enough that we could sit and eat outside, as long as we finished before the sun went down. I think it is supposed to be nice tomorrow as well with the temperature in the mid seventies.
I talked to Karen briefly this afternoon, and they are in Ely, Nevada tonight with a goal of getting here on Sunday. The space next to us is going to be available so we will be neighbors for a week and then see what they decide to do. I think a road trip to Yuma and Mexico might be in the plans for the near future. Since we have occasionally considered spending time in Mexico, we thought it would be worthwhile to just drive across the border to Puerto Penasco to spend the night and check it out.
We have been able to connect with Brian once in a while for some IMing, and last Saturday, he, Keith and I were all on at the same time. He is very busy and is currently working nights. We sent some rugs, coffee, and a magazine to him recently, and he had it in less than ten days so it is good to know that the U.S. Post Office is doing its job.
We have not been in touch with Sheila and the boys for a while, and I suspect they are in McCall this week end for some skiing. Both boys got straight As on their recent report cards, and Nolan is number one student in his entire student body. We have awesome grandchildren; otherwise known as our space chickens!!!!!
We are settling in for the evening...........the television is on and Cooper is snuggled up on the sofa. Have a good weekend. Ciao
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Another week has gone by. We have been here almost four weeks, and I have yet to open my sewing machine. I have also been thinking I would take one full day to go to Phoenix and shop by myself, but I haven't done that either.
We have shared some dinners with Gary and Carolyn, but with each of us having friends arriving, our schedules will change a bit. Bob and Sharon Jayne arrived last Friday and are staying at Val Vista Winter Village which is about 2 miles from here. They and Angus are fine and it is good to see them. Gary and Carolyn have some friends arriving tomorrow and will be here for three days. Tony is a magician, and he has some engagements in this area.
Rod and Karen Sprague plan to be here by this time next week. I'm not sure where they plan to stay, but we have heard that this park is full, so they could end up at Val Vista as well. We are looking forward to our time with them as we had such a good time down here last year when they joined us.
And Davenport friends, the Ziemers, called and said they were coming down for a visit next Tuesday afternoon. They always stay in Phoenix at The Resort, and we haven't been up that way even though we were within blocks today..........
We, the Ouseys, and the Jaynes went to the Mesa Market (a must when wintering in the Phoenix area) today, and I managed to spend less than $5. But I have my eye on some items when I go back next time. We also found a reasonably priced outlet for a sunscreen to hang from our awning, so it was a worthwhile trip, and we can probably pick up the sunscreen sometime in the coming week. Our awning cannot be adjusted as to how low it sits, and we get sun all day on the door side of the MH so it is time to take action.
Have a good week. Ciao
We have shared some dinners with Gary and Carolyn, but with each of us having friends arriving, our schedules will change a bit. Bob and Sharon Jayne arrived last Friday and are staying at Val Vista Winter Village which is about 2 miles from here. They and Angus are fine and it is good to see them. Gary and Carolyn have some friends arriving tomorrow and will be here for three days. Tony is a magician, and he has some engagements in this area.
Rod and Karen Sprague plan to be here by this time next week. I'm not sure where they plan to stay, but we have heard that this park is full, so they could end up at Val Vista as well. We are looking forward to our time with them as we had such a good time down here last year when they joined us.
And Davenport friends, the Ziemers, called and said they were coming down for a visit next Tuesday afternoon. They always stay in Phoenix at The Resort, and we haven't been up that way even though we were within blocks today..........
We, the Ouseys, and the Jaynes went to the Mesa Market (a must when wintering in the Phoenix area) today, and I managed to spend less than $5. But I have my eye on some items when I go back next time. We also found a reasonably priced outlet for a sunscreen to hang from our awning, so it was a worthwhile trip, and we can probably pick up the sunscreen sometime in the coming week. Our awning cannot be adjusted as to how low it sits, and we get sun all day on the door side of the MH so it is time to take action.
Have a good week. Ciao
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Ah the Sunshine
It is still in the 40s in the morning, but the days have been glorious and in the low 70s. It is still a bit too cool to sit outside with my morning coffee and paper.
I'm afraid this past week has not been very exciting. We have been in to Phoenix twice on specific shopping expeditions and had Gary and Della Reinbold here for dinner on Thursday evenng.
We, and the Ouseys, went to Chandler on Friday for the Beaudry RV 'roundup' which included a free barbeque lunch. Afterwards, we climbed in and out of at least two dozen motor homes ranging in price from the low $100s up to $750,000 and above. I was pleased to see that the manufacturers are putting in more and more hard surface flooring in the living areas rather than cheap carpet that gets dirty and wears out. I think two lavatories in any motor home is over the top, but I do like the rear master bath that is found in some of the diesels. But I managed to find something wrong with all of them, and was willing to come back to our humble abode.
We enjoyed the Reinbolds visit and caught up on what they have been doing. The first six months after Ken and I were married, we carpooled with them. Della and I worked downtown Spokane and the guys would drop us off and then go on out to Eastern for school. They eventually settled in Davenport and bought the local insurance agency. Their son Mike and daughter Kris are about the same ages as Keith and Colleen. Now they spend most of their time either at a condo in Anacortes or somewhere in their motor home. This winter they are here in Casa Grande at a nearby golf resort.
We were thrilled to have the Air Force IM site up and working yesterday, and with a bit of technical help from Keith, he, Brian and we were able to 'chat' . It is quite fun with a three-way conversation because there is usually something to be reading while someone else is composing. So we determined that there is a chance that all of our family could be together the first week of July. Keith and Janet and the girls arrive on the sixth, and if Brian, Sheila, and the boys can stay a day or two beyond the Fourth, it will work. What fun would that be?
I have had some interesting grocery shopping experiences that have run the gamut. There is a chain of stores in the area called Food City which would be considered lower end, but the fun is that they cater to the Mexican cuisine, and every store has its own tortillaeria with fresh warm tortillas hurtling down the conveyor belt Plus the store has all kinds of interesting ethnic foods; Knorr brand chipotle flavoring base, and some fresh vegetables that I have never seen such as grey squash which is similar in taste and texture to a zucchini.
And at the other extreme was a stop at AJ's which is a very upscale chain here in the area. A beautiful store with lots of interesting and high end foodstuffs with prices to match. But it was fun to poke around, and we only needed 2 items so we didn't blow the budget. I still rely on the commissaries for the staples, and then frequent local stores for produce and fresh items.
The Super Bowl is in the fourth quarter and then we are going to have dinner here with Gary and Carolyn - chicken enchilada casserole, Mexican rice, and spinach salad. That should make us sleep well after a late dinner! Ciao
I'm afraid this past week has not been very exciting. We have been in to Phoenix twice on specific shopping expeditions and had Gary and Della Reinbold here for dinner on Thursday evenng.
We, and the Ouseys, went to Chandler on Friday for the Beaudry RV 'roundup' which included a free barbeque lunch. Afterwards, we climbed in and out of at least two dozen motor homes ranging in price from the low $100s up to $750,000 and above. I was pleased to see that the manufacturers are putting in more and more hard surface flooring in the living areas rather than cheap carpet that gets dirty and wears out. I think two lavatories in any motor home is over the top, but I do like the rear master bath that is found in some of the diesels. But I managed to find something wrong with all of them, and was willing to come back to our humble abode.
We enjoyed the Reinbolds visit and caught up on what they have been doing. The first six months after Ken and I were married, we carpooled with them. Della and I worked downtown Spokane and the guys would drop us off and then go on out to Eastern for school. They eventually settled in Davenport and bought the local insurance agency. Their son Mike and daughter Kris are about the same ages as Keith and Colleen. Now they spend most of their time either at a condo in Anacortes or somewhere in their motor home. This winter they are here in Casa Grande at a nearby golf resort.
We were thrilled to have the Air Force IM site up and working yesterday, and with a bit of technical help from Keith, he, Brian and we were able to 'chat' . It is quite fun with a three-way conversation because there is usually something to be reading while someone else is composing. So we determined that there is a chance that all of our family could be together the first week of July. Keith and Janet and the girls arrive on the sixth, and if Brian, Sheila, and the boys can stay a day or two beyond the Fourth, it will work. What fun would that be?
I have had some interesting grocery shopping experiences that have run the gamut. There is a chain of stores in the area called Food City which would be considered lower end, but the fun is that they cater to the Mexican cuisine, and every store has its own tortillaeria with fresh warm tortillas hurtling down the conveyor belt Plus the store has all kinds of interesting ethnic foods; Knorr brand chipotle flavoring base, and some fresh vegetables that I have never seen such as grey squash which is similar in taste and texture to a zucchini.
And at the other extreme was a stop at AJ's which is a very upscale chain here in the area. A beautiful store with lots of interesting and high end foodstuffs with prices to match. But it was fun to poke around, and we only needed 2 items so we didn't blow the budget. I still rely on the commissaries for the staples, and then frequent local stores for produce and fresh items.
The Super Bowl is in the fourth quarter and then we are going to have dinner here with Gary and Carolyn - chicken enchilada casserole, Mexican rice, and spinach salad. That should make us sleep well after a late dinner! Ciao
Friday, January 26, 2007
Sunshine and Sewing
Here are two pictures pertaining to the previous blog - the peanut can technology and Greta with her new doggie, Peach. I think the wintery blast is in the past and sunshine has taken its rightful place among us. We are seeing blue skies and sunshine with the temp topping out at 72 yesterday. And I suppose in another month we will be complaining because it is getting too hot.
Let's see, on Tuesday the four of us took two cars into Phoenix. We arrived at IKEA around 9:30 and enjoyed the breakfast while waiting for the store to open at ten. Then Ken and Gary went their merry way to do their shopping at Fry's Electronics while Carolyn and I started our quest for all those "can't live without" items that IKEA is so famous for. After walking the aisles of the upper floor with all the room displays we had to make our way back to the restaurant for a coffee and tea break so we could summon the energy to shop the lower floor. And then it was time for lunch! After that we still had to make a stop in the food section for meatballs and lingonberries to restock the larder in the motorhomes.
Speaking of bargains one can't live without; IKEA had a set of dishes, four placesettings, large plate, salad plate and soup bowl for $3.99 for the set. We each had to have one of course - and they were blue and white - perfect colors. I keep buying throw rugs while trying to find the perfect ones for the motor home.......not too big so I can't shake them, not too small so they don't cover enough space, not too light in color so they show all the dog hair, and, and, and. So now I'm trying a couple of good-sized burgundy cotton rugs, and since the interior is neutral in color, I think I'll have to continue the burgundy theme with some pillows and accessories. Yes!!
Yesterday found Carolyn and I on I-10 headed back to Phoenix for the Sewing/Quilting/Craft show at the fairgrounds and spent about six hours there. After just a half hour, someone tapped me on the shoulder and it was Jan Zeimer for Davenport/the Resort/Phoenix. She said there were two cars that came in from the Resort.
I have enough quilting projects to keep me busy for the next two years so I did exercise pretty good restraint. But I did get taken in by a silicone roller that will pick up pet hair, coins, and pins and needles. It works like a lint roller but has an extended handle and the roller is about 10 inches wide. It does work quite well, and as soon as the roller is covered, you rinse it in water, and when you dry it off it becomes sticky again. It sounds a bit of a gimick, but I do think it will help - see the preceding paragraph about rugs and dog hair.
Coming home found us going the wrong direction of I-10 after we left the fairgrounds, so we had to do a bit of backtracking during rush hour traffic, but we did get home just fine.
We have the ability to IM with Brian if we happen to be online at the same time, and we were able to chat with him for a few minutes this week. With the difference in time zones, his early morning is our early evening, and vica versa, so there are two good windows to catch each other. I know he is very busy, as is the entire squadron along with just having to adjust to a new environment and mission. He and Sheila also have a blog site that is updated every few days so that also gives us a glimpse of what is going both with the guys and the families at home. If you are interested in the blog, let me know, and I'll get you to it.
The Spragues are hoping to leave Spokane and come our direction the second week of February if all stays okay with their parents. The Jaynes have talked about coming down next month, but I'm only giving that a 50/50 chance based on what they have been saying. In the meantime we and the Ouseys are trying to figure out if we want to stay where we are or explore another park for the next month we are here.
UPDATE: Just after I wrote about the Jaynes coming to Arizona, we received an email to say they were planning to leave next Saturday!! They are coming down I-5 so they can stop in Euguene to get a brake system installed in the motorhome, then continue south and east. I am going to check at the office to see how availability is. I know there are spaces available, but the question is whether there is a space in the pet area. It will be fun to see them. We are slowly creating our own little social circle here. Ciao
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