April 30, 2016---Yuma, Arizona

After tending to the dogs, we went by to see Ardene and Bill.  They weren't home so we continued to the out patient clinic where Todd was moved last night.  The purpose of the move was to increase PT for Todd. 

When we were there, he was eating lunch.  Chewing seemed to tire him out.  We could see him getting more tired as time went by.  They were having some problems with their insurance so Todd said he would just go home to recooperate.

When Bonnie and the pups came this afternoon with a report, Bonnie said she couldn’t handle him by herself.  He isn’t strong enough to get to the bathroom under his own power.  Bonnie isn’t strong enough to pick him up.  We are going over there to see if there is a way to rearrange the furniture to make it easier for Todd to get around.

We still plan to head for Colorado on Friday.  We both hope their weather improves.

April 29, 2016---Yuma, Arizona

This morning, I was scheduled for an ultra sound of my liver at 11:30.  For that reason, I wasn’t able to eat or drink anything after midnight.  By the time I finished the test, I was really hungry.

I had seen a Mexican restaurant not far from the hospital.  It is one I had read about in some Yuma literature…highly recommended.  It proves the theory that not all you read should be believed.

In the first place, it was very, very noisy.  The place was packed.  We ordered beef burritos with guacamole.  Bill was given a number for our order which we were to listen for.  With the noise level the same as the fighter planes taking off from the Marine Base, we didn’t hear our number being called.  A local man came to ask our number.  It had been called, so Bill went to get our order.  Too bad, because the food was terrible.  The beef was tough and fatty.  The salsa was more like colored water than anything else.  The guacamole was ok, but there was little more than a dab.

We marked The Chili Pepper off our list of places to eat.  I may have been hungry, but I would have to be quite close to starvation to go there again.  Ugh!

After telling Bonnie and Todd of our experience, we went home for long naps!

April 28, 2016---Yuma, Arizona

We woke up to a sky full of fluffy clouds and cool temperature…56°.    It was windy which made it even cooler.  It was very pleasant.

We needed batteries for my hearing aids, so we went to Sam’s Club, made our purchase and ate lunch…pizza for Bill and a Polish dog and kraut for me.  Yum, yum!

Our next stop was at the hospital to see Todd.  He continues to improve, although very slowly.  He seems to enjoy having Bill there
to listen to his nonsense.  He smiled the whole time we were there and didn’t drift off for a nap once.

After several quick stops on the way home, we went to see Ardene and Bill.  She continues to struggle, but is always cheerful.

Bonnie and the pups came with a daily report on Todd.  She told the furry ones to tell Bill “thank you” for the treats.  Maggie basically ignored her, but Fiesty tried to figure out what she was to do.  She started to go to Bill and then came over to me.  I guess she wanted to cover all the possible options!

April 27, 2016---Yuma, Arizona

This was a slower day for us.  It was nearly 2:00 before we went to In-N-Out for lunch.  After eating and getting gasoline, we went to see Todd.  He is doing much better and looks better, too.

Todd still nods off frequently.  He really needs the rest.  He was able to walk a few steps.  He is taking it slowly, which is what the hospital heart doctor insisted on, after his experiences of a few days ago.  It really set him back.

After a quick stop at Walmart for an Rx, we went home for naps.

Bonnie and the pups came for a visit and to bring an up to dated  report on Todd.  The furry beasts love coming over here because they know this is where the “Prince of Puppy Chow” lives.  He never lets them down.

April 26, 2016---Yuma, Arizona

We had several different kinds of experiences today.  We made a return trip to Ogilby Road to check the progress of the Desert Primroses.  All the flowers were gone and the remains had begun to dry and form the Mexican Birdcages.  None were ready to harvest so we will check on them as soon as we get back to the area.

It has been interesting to see the different stages.  When I learn again how to send pictures, I will “share the show” in my blog.

We continued our morning journey west on I-8.  We got off at the exit just before the Rest Area and drove into the Imperial Sand Dunes area.  Not to worry…we were on a paved road.  We were going in search of The Plank Road.  It was built in the early 1900s to help the cars cross the sand dunes.

It was seven miles long, built in eight foot sections (I think) and hauled to the desert to be installed.  As it needed to be repaired, a new section was built and installed.  Recently, a volunteer group located as many sections as they could, moved them together, and fenced them in to help preserve them.  It is a National Landmark, about a tenth of a mile from the wall between the US and Mexico.  The Border Patrol was there this morning. 

It was interesting to see this piece of history.

Once back in Yuma, we went to see Todd.  He kept going to sleep so we didn’t stay long.

After lunch at Panda Express, Bill shopped at Walmart while I stayed in the car and rested.  This was one of those days when my progress took two steps backwards.

At 1:00, we met a realtor and toured two house.  One was just about what we have been looking for, but without a view of the mountains.  Since we will be here only one more week, we probably will put house hunting on hold.

Nap time was really welcomed.  Bonnie ate supper with us.  We got a report on Todd.  He is very weak and his heart is so weak it has a hard time pumping enough blood.  The doctor today put his rehab on hold until he gets stronger.

Bonnie said a nurse came in to give him a bath.  Todd ask her how old she was.  She said 24.  Todd said she looked about 16.  He may be weak, but some of the old spark is still there!

April 25, 2016---Yuma, Arizona

The temperature was much cooler today…about 10° cooler than yesterday.  The wind, however, blew really hard, and stirred up a lot of dust.  The good part of it all…we didn’t have any tornados in the area.  

Those things can be really scary.  We know that from living in the Lubbock, Texas, area.  I can’t even count the times I’ve had to take shelter.  I don’t want to have to experience that again…no fun, no fun!

After lunch, we went to see Todd.  He had a rough day yesterday, but was much better today.  And mentally, he was much, much better today.  He was zoned out yesterday.

We plan to look at two houses tomorrow.  After that, we will leave the “house looking project” until next fall when we come back to the Yuma area.

Puppy patrol went well today.  They are such a pleasure and very, very easy to spoil.  We don’t even have to try very hard.  In fact, we have to try to NOT spoil them.  We are failing miserably at that!

The wind was really rocking the coach tonight!  My goodness, it was b!owing a gale.

April 24, 2016---Yuma, Arizona

Bill and I didn’t put out a whole lot of effort today.  It was a day to relax.  We watched the NASCAR race from Virginia.   It was a good race, in spite of the fact that Jeff Gordon has retired.  He is announcing every race so far so we get to see him and hear his comments.

We didn’t go visit Todd today.  Bill did go over once to tend to the furry beasts.  And they were very excited to come visit Bill at his house when Bonnie came home.

We are suppose to have cooler weather for the next week.  That will be nice, but with our two air conditioners in the MH, we aren’t suffering too much.

I talked to Brent today.  He said their temperature is about the same as ours.  One difference is the humidity.  It has been very low here.  I don’t know about Mississippi!

April 23, 2016---Yuma, Arizona

I had another day of feeling good.  Gee, whiz!  I’m not going to know how to act with all this “feeling good” several days in a row.

We went on some early morning errands…Dollar Tree, Walmart, ReMax…fun things like that.  After eating at Arby’s, we went to see Todd.  We didn’t stay very long.  His PT was there.

I ask him how things were going.  He said he walked from the bed to his chair…about three feet.  That was an accomplishment.  He’ll have to walk a bunch to get his strength back.  I think he and I are having a contest.  Right now I’m winning, but one “face plant,” and he will be in the lead again.

After leaving Todd, we went to see Ardene.  She has been home from the hospital for several days and seems to be doing well.  She always has a cheerful attitude.  That’s good medicine! 

Janna called today.  Although their part of the Houston area wasn’t flooded, she did have water up to the sliding glass door.  She said lots of places were completely surrounded by water, but not actually   flooded in the structures.  I don’t think many houses in her area  have basements so maybe that’s a good thing.

We continued our dog duties.  Bill has them really well trained.  What a team?!

April 22, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

The people who own the lot where we have been parked for the last month came today.  We paid through May 6.  We will leave for Colorado then, go past LasVegas, and stop in Henderson to see our friend, Jo.

Today I felt better so that called for lunch at In-N- Out.  Afterwards, we went to the hospital to check on Todd.  He had a blood pressure problem yesterday so they did a heart cath on him this morning, checking for blood clots.  None were found.  That was good for him.

We were on pup patrol all day.  I don’t know who is having the best time…the dogs or Bill.  I think it is a toss up!

I will soon start making appointments for medical stuff in Loveland.

April 21, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

I had an appointment with my primary doctor this morning at 10:00. 
She didn’t have any test results that showed cause for my fatigue.  We are planning another liver test before Bill and I get on the road on May 6.

I had a slight fever this morning, and most of the day I felt below par.  I did manage to eat some yogurt for a late supper.  It agreed with my tender stomach and I felt somewhat better after some nourishment.

This afternoon, Bonnie walked the pups over to see us.  Maggie knows the way, so when they reached the first corner, Bonnie let her off the leash, she ran across the vacant lot next to us, and made her way through our gate and to the motorhome.  Bonnie was watching her from one direction and Bill was watching from the MH.  She didn’t “pause” once.  She knew exactly where her “paws” were taking her.

April 20, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

We had a somewhat lazy morning.  I had a doctor’s appointment at 1:20. 

This was a followup on some lab work done to try to discover the cause of my fatigue.  As usual, nothing showed up.  I’ll go back in the fall for more tests.  “Same song, second verse, could be better but it could be worse!”

After the appointment, we went to check on Todd.  He had some physical therapy earlier and was very tired.  He kept going to sleep sitting up in his chair.  When the PT came to take him for another session, we left to check on Ardene. 

She was waiting for her dismissal paperwork.  She and her Bill were both very excited.  She will have a Home Health Nurse to come to their house to continue her IV antibiotic program.

We left to eat at Arby’s on the way home.  I was really hungry by then.  After eating, I felt good enough to look at a house for sale.  I haven’t felt as good as yesterday, but I didn’t do any “face plants,” or anything like that.  Just the usual fatigue.

It was warm today so I tried to nap in front of a fan.  I never did go to sleep…not because of the heat.  I just couldn’t put my mind in Park.

Bonnie and the pups came at about 5:00.  They were so excited to be at our house.  Bill was vacuuming the bedroom and they were afraid to go back there with all that noise.  They have become very attached to Bill, because he is their new “gravy train.”  He usually walks to their house and has a routine for the treats.

Brent flew back to Jackson this afternoon.  He said Willie put on quite a “tail wagging show” when he saw Brent.

April 19, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

After getting some thing accomplished around the house and letting the pups our for a potty break, we went to eat.  In-N-Out was our choice for lunch.  Since we were headed for the hospital to make a couple of visits, it seemed the logical place for lunch.  That’s our story and we are sticking to it!

Todd was sitting up in a chair when we got to his room.  After we had been there for a few minutes, he seemed to fade.  We left soon afterwards and went up one floor to see Ardene. 

She looked better than yesterday…her color was good.  And she still had her sense of humor.  At some point, someone said something to her husband, Bill.  We all laughed, except him.  It was really good to hear Ardene laugh.

We drove back through an area of houses that we hadn’t checked on before.  There are several houses we might try to see before we leave.  All of the houses are Santa Fe style, which is what we want.

When we got back to our neighborhood, Bill left me to play with the puppies.  The younger one, Lexie…nicknamed Fiesty by me…is lively.  Any time we speak to her, she turns one or two circles.  She looks like Madison…same breed and same coloring and about the same size.

I have felt better today, which causes me some concern.  It usually precedes one of my “falling down” days.  I will try to be extra careful for awhile.

April 18, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Todd was to have surgery today, so Bill and I were on pup patrol.  I think we got the best deal in that bargain.  They love to play and gobble every bit of attention they can get.  They are adorable and, of course, spoiled rotten, but that’s the way it should be.  We love those two furry little beasts.

We got a call from Bonnie saying the surgery would be at 3:00.  We waited and waited for a call reporting on his surgery.  Finally, Bonnie called just before 7:00, saying she had been waiting and waiting, also.  She finally called for an update and was told, “Oh, he’s already back in his room.”  Very unkind of someone on the staff, don’t you think?

Apparently, he is doing well.  We didn’t talk to Bonnie for a full report.  That will come tomorrow.  And we plan to go see Todd tomorrow.

I was able to get my closet cleaned out while we were waiting for a health report.  That was something to cross off, finally.

April 17, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

At about 12:30 this morning, Bill was up and saw red light flashing at Todd and Bonnie’s house.  He went over there.  Todd had fallen and was still on the floor.  They were waiting for the medics to get him strapped to a back board before they tried to move him.  They expected he had a broken hip…and they were correct.

He will require surgery to put a pin in it.  He waited all day to get a surgery room.  We didn’t hear from Bonnie that it was accomplished today, so we are hoping for tomorrow.

Bill and I visited with him in the middle of the afternoon.  We went to cheer him up, but he had so much “happy juice” it really wasn’t necessary.  I think he enjoyed the visit, anyway.

Before leaving the hospital, we went up one more floor to visit our friend, Ardene.  She is waging a war against cancer, and seemed to be fighting a good fight.  Ardene and her husband, Bill, are RV friends that we have known quite a few years.  They are part of our big RV family!

Tonight was spent relaxing and watching TV.

April 16, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Our plans for today didn’t go as we had hoped…

Bill and I picked Todd and Bonnie up at 7:00.  We were going to a Geocache breakfast at the Copper Miner Cafe.  We had only gone about a half block when I told Bonnie I felt sick and was going to throw up.  I had a “barf bag” with me, and I put it to good use.  By the time we had arrived at the cafe, I was OK, so after a few minutes I went in to the gathering, but sat by the door…just in case!

I ate about four bites of pancakes, and that was all I could take.  I just wasn’t hungry.

When the meeting was over, we started to go to Ogilby Road where Bill and I discovered the Desert Primroses growing not long after we arrived in Yuma.  We wanted to check their progress toward drying into Mexican Birdcages.

But, alas, the wind was blowing very hard and Bill and Bonnie decided
we shouldn’t be out on the desert in a sand storm.  We all agreed and were happy to be back home.  We could barely see the mountains by then.

I took a long nap.  When I woke up, Bill asked what I wanted for a late lunch.  I thought In-N-Out sounded like a good idea, since we needed to go to Walmart for a few items.

With Walmart marked off the list, we went home to rest.  I was feeling OK, but, as usual I was tired.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing.

April 15, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Happy Anniversary to us…56 years.  That’s a lot of years, don't
you think?

Todd and Bonnie celebrated their 56th in January, but Todd was in the hospital with a heart problem.  I think their celebration was limited by circumstances, so we invited them to join us today.

For those of you who remember the Burger King incident from six years ago, don’t be surprised that’s not where we went.  In-N-Out would have been our choice now, but we went to Olive Garden today.  It was very good, as usual.  And we took home enough leftovers for supper tonight.  Not a bad deal, eh?

We made a couple of stops on the way home, so by the time we got there, I was really ready for a nap.  It was about 5:00 before I got up.  I was refreshed, but didn’t accomplish much before bedtime.  Oh, well.  I had a good time relaxing with Bill!  That’s the best part of any day, anniversary or not.

April 14, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

I got up earlier than usual this morning so we could go for a walk before the weather got too hot.  It was a good idea, but it didn’t work just right.  We had just gone a short ways when I felt an intestinal upset coming on.

I barely got back to the motorhome before all h… broke loose.  It took me some time before I had things back in order. 

Bill realized I needed some time to rest.  We had planned to go on some rather important errands today.  They just had to be put on hold until next week.  I didn’t have the energy that I needed.  As we said when we were much much younger…”Same song, second verse, could be better, but its going to get worse!”  It seems as if that “chant”of my life just gets repeated over and over.

The bright part of my day was when JP called “just to chat.”  We always have car things to talk about.  He has been with the solar company three years now.  Time flies…etc., etc., etc.

It got rather warm this afternoon so Bill and I went house looking.  No luck, but as usual, we had a good time.

April 13, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Bill had an early morning meeting at a donut shop, so he brought my  “breakfast” home with him.  Yum, yum!!!

I had commented yesterday (in a moment of weakness I’m sure) that I wanted to walk this morning.  Unfortunately, it had already started getting hot by the time we headed out the door.  I was able to go further than the last walk, and I tried, very hard, not to drag my feet.  I did OK in that respect, but by the time we got back home, I was hot and really tired. 

I took a two hour nap so I missed lunch.  I have to rethink my schedule so I don’t do that again.  Some of you who remember me from “back in the good old days” might think it wouldn’t hurt me to miss a meal, but since I have had so many health issues in the last few years, I’m at my lowest weight for awhile.

We visited with Todd and Bonnie this afternoon.  Bill helped Todd install screens on two doors.  They spent quite a lot of time in Todd’s workshop.  I think it was the part of the project they both liked best.

Bill and I went to a fish place for dinner.  Neither of us was particularly impressed, and seemed to suffer from the fried food.  I took the batter off part of my fish.  The fish was very bland without the batter.  If I ever start cooking again, I will have to do some recipe hunting.  Maybe Pioneer Woman can help me.  However, that is a long time away, I think.

April 12, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

We went on an adventure with Todd and Bonnie this morning.  We took I-8 to Fontana and turned north.  When we got to Highway 95 we turned west for a couple of miles before heading north again.  Our destination was Mittry Lake.  It is on BLM land with lots of camping space and fishing pull offs.

The lake is long and narrow, and after about 15 miles it changes to a canal on one side of the road.  The lake on the other continued for about five more miles.  It was an interesting area with date palms by the water’s edge.  There were lots of green bushes, too.  There were marshes close to the road.  Our first turn off the dirt road on to a paved road lead us to a cache. 

Bill was the only one of the group agile enough to climb down to get to the cache. It was hidden in a toy turtle.

We stayed on the pavement which went through part of the Yuma Proving Grounds.  Imperial Dam is further on and is part of the BLM land.  We were at that area several years ago.  Today most of the RVs were gone, because it is so late in the season.  We went back on a different road and went close to the Base. 

Afterwards, we went to a complex which we think was the place to get passes for the Proving Grounds.  Our passes to the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range were all we needed.  There was a wonderful display of tanks and other big things that shoot big shells.  We sat in the car and ate our picnic lunch and looked at the displays.

We weren’t very far from Highway 95, which took us back to Yuma.  Todd thought ice cream cones at McDonald’s sounded like a good idea and no one voted against him!

We spent the rest of the very fun and interesting day resting and relaxing.

April 11, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Lots of clouds were filling the sky this morning.  No moisture was falling, but it made for a lazy morning.  Our night time temperature has been much cooler than it was last week, when we had to leave the air conditioner on most of the night.

At 1:30 I woke up because I was cold.   I got up, went into the living room, and got our fluffy white blanket to cover us with.  I was able to go back to sleep, snuggled down in the fluffy white softness. 

At 7:00, I woke up, laughing at the ridiculous thing I had done.  I had completely forgotten that we have an electric blanket, plugged in and ready to go.  We have not used it since we came here in November.  We leave it on the bed because that is a good storage place for it.  Maybe next time I need to get warm, I won’t forget about one of our favorite modern conveniences!

We had a stop to make at the Post Office before going to Subway for lunch.  We hadn’t eaten there in a long time, and Bill was having Meatball Sub Sandwich withdrawals.  He’s all better now!

We went to Walmart for a few supplies before going home.  When I can get a power chair to ride around in, it is a pleasure to be in the store.  Bill is the one who suffers because he has to keep up with me as I zip around the store.

Not long after getting home, Todd and group came for strawberry shortcake.  The berries were from Watsonville…they are the best!  We told Todd and Bonnie how much fun we had picking strawberries when we were at Michelle’s.  I am glad we weren’t weighed before and after picking the berries because we ate lots as we picked.  It is one of our happy memories with the kids and grandkids.

We saw four helicopters returning from today’s training mission.  We have a good view of the mountains from where we are now parked.

We spent the evening watching Dancing With The Stars.  It was Disney theme night and was extra enjoyable.

April 10, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

We had more rain this morning.  It wasn’t much, but it was nice to hear rain on the roof of the motorhome.

After lunch, Bill “suggested” taking a walk.  Even when using my walker, I stumble a lot.  It is discouraging, but I can’t seem to help it.  However, I did walk further than last time.  That’s always something to cheer about!

We took a drive to “house look,” mainly just for the enjoyment of it.     We also went by to see Jeff and Sonya.  We hadn’t seen them since I did a “face plant” out on the desert.  I told them I had spent a lot of the week resting.  No caching all week for us, but they have added several “finds” to their growing list.

April 9, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Today turned into a “nap” day for me.  I was really tired after yesterday’s ordeal with income tax figuring.  It wore me out.

I kept going back to sleep and after eating breakfast I took a nap.  I just had trouble staying awake.  Bill woke me up before 12:00.  We needed to get to the Post Office before they closed.  We made it…just barely.

Afterwards, we rode around looking at houses for sale.  Most of the ones we saw we had seen before.  I think our time is just about up until we come back in the fall.

After another nap or two, Todd, Bonnie, and the pups came for a visit.  That’s always fun!  And then it was on to NASCAR from Fort Worth, Texas.  I just about missed the last few laps because I kept going to sleep!

April 8, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

We woke up to the sound of rain on the roof…honest to goodness rain!  Wow!  What a novelty!  It really freshened the air…cleared the dust out of the air.

At 9:00, Bill and I went to get help with our taxes.  AARP had a tax service set up to help people like me.  We had to wait until there was space for us.  We sat and talked to Bill, a friend of ours.  His wife is in the hospital, so we got an update on her.

We waited a while longer while a tax expert check the forms.  We were back on the road in three hours from the time we left the house this morning.  And very relieved to have it all taken care of…and the check’s in the mail.  Yea!

We were able to return the TurboTax Program we got at Sam’s Club.

Bill has been wanting to go to Cracker Barrel to eat meat loaf.  He has been deprived…or is it depraved.  Take your pick!  Would’t you know it, there was a catfish special today, so he changed his mind.  He loves fried fish!  I guess we’ll be going back for meat loaf.  I had chicken and dumplings, one of my favorites.

As we were driving back home, we saw four Osprey Helicopters flying toward the mountains to the north.  Then along came two Attack Helicopters and one jet fighter plane.  The Marines are having six weeks of training here at the Marine Base here in Yuma.  Its interesting to see the different kinds of air craft flying over.

When we got back home, Bill discovered a bird had started building a nest on his step ladder.  It was in the beginning stages.  Because Bill uses the ladder a lot, he had to brush the nest off and close the part the bird was using as a platform.  We were both sad about the occasion.

I was really tired so lay down for a nap.  When I got up two hours later, it was raining again.  On the Internet it was reported we got a fourth inch of the wet stuff.  We needed it and a bunch more.

April 7, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

This morning, I started trying to do our taxes on TurboTax.  I couldn’t remember the password.  I tried lots of things.  Nothing worked.  We went to Sam’s Club to get the 2016 version of the program.  I couldn’t get it to cooperate, either. 

Finally, I resorted to help from the “big guys” at TurboTax.  I spent about an hour on the phone.  The young lady was very patient, but we had a hard time getting the password to work, even the new ones.  When we hung up, we thought everything was A OK.  I was unable to get the password to work on my own.

I may call TurboTax again in the morning, or I may go a different route with another preparer.  We’ll see how things go tomorrow.  I am discouraged and running out of time!

But it wasn’t a complete waste of our time.  Sam’s Club is just across the parking lot from In-N-Out.  Guess where we ate lunch? 

It wasn’t as hot today as it has been the last few days, but we still needed the air conditioner.  Bill said early this morning we had a 20” rain…20 inches between drops!  As we were coming home from Sam’s, we had some drop of moisture on the windshield, but it didn’t amount to much!

April 6, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

At 10:00 this morning, Todd and Bonnie came to get us to go on an adventure.  We crossed into California and continued on I-8 to El Centro.  The highway took us past sand dunes, not far from the fence dividing the US and Mexico, through a dry desert setting where no houses could be seen for miles and miles, and to green farmland as we got closer to Holtville, Calexico, and El Centro.

It had been quite a long time since we had been in that part of the state.  Our destination was Costco for lunch and some shopping.  It was a nice drive, good hotdogs, and lots and lots of shopping.  It was a good adventure, all the way around.

There was a lot of road construction, which slowed us down.  It was nearly 4:00 by the time we got back home.  I took an hour’s nap, but was still tired when bedtime arrived.  I don’t have the stamina that I used to have and need.

April 5, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Happy Birthday, Courtney.  Since you are way up north, I hope you can feel the vibes from way down here in Arizona. 

It was so good to be able to talk to Courtney to wish her Happy Birthday.  She and Brent love to cook together.  They are both creative.  Well, a new problem has arisen.  The kitchen in her apartment is smaller.  That’s not surprising, but Bill and I have encountered the same thing in our motorhomes and we have adjusted and thrived.  They will, too, each time Brent goes north for a visit.

BilI and I went for a walk this morning.  I was able to go further than I did yesterday.  That’s my goal…to increase the distance everyday, even if just a little bit.

I got my hair cut today.  I am really glad to have found someone who can cut my “sprigs” well.  I will see her once more before we leave the area, probably in mid-May.

We went to Burger King for lunch.  We’ve lost our taste for the place.  I know we have been spoiled by having In-N-Out so handy.  We will miss it when we leave this part of the country, but it will be something to look forward to next fall.

April 4, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Bill got really pushy today…he pushed me out the door to go for a walk.  I went a total of a block…1/2 block down the street and 1/2 block back home.  By then it was beginning to get hot.  That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

After resting for a bit, we went to get Todd.  Bill needed to go to Sam’s Club for a new card, Todd needed to go to Verizon, and I needed to go to In-N-Out, of course, since we were in that part of town.  On the way home, I got an appointment to get my hair cut tomorrow.  I guess we got quite a lot accomplished today after all.

We missed Dancing With The Stars last week because of our TV problems.  I never did hear who got voted off, but I wasn’t sorry to see that it was Geraldo Rivera absent tonight.

Tomorrow, we have a busy day planned so I am hoping for a good night’s rest.  In fact, the whole week is just about full!

April 3, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Bill and I had meant to get up early, go to McDonald’s for pancakes and then shop for groceries at Walmart.  It didn’t work…the getting up early part or anything else for that matter.  I was too tired to get up.  Finally, at 10:00, I got up, but went back to sleep while we were watching the NASCAR race.  I was unusually tired.

Brent called to say he and Courtney made it to AnnArbor safely.  They didn’t have much bad weather on the trip.  We were glad to get the report that they were in Michigan safe and sound.  Brent will stay a couple of weeks before flying back to Mississippi.

By supper time I was feeling better.  Bonnie called to say her cactus was blooming.  By morning, the bloom will probably be gone, so we went over to see it tonight.  It was beautiful…large white blooms with tinges of pink at the base.

As we left their house, we could hear coyotes howling in the distance.

April 2, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

This morning we went to view two houses.  One is half a block from where we have the coach parked now.  It has very nice landscaping and is a pretty “Santa Fe style” house.  There were two major flaws inside which gave it a “thumb’s down.”

The length of the garage had been divided in half to make an extra bedroom.  The remaining garage wasn’t long enough to hold even a very small car.  The washer and dryer were installed at the end making the garage even smaller.  And the vent for the dryer was installed improperly and certainly not to code.  It would’ve been a definite fire hazard.

The second house was new and part of an estate.  Both owners had died and the children were selling the house.  It was a really nice place, but too big for us.  We don’t need three bedrooms.  There wasn’t a stick of furniture in the house, including a refrigerator and washer/dryer which are usually considered part of the house.  On the plus side was a gas stove.  There was no landscaping…just bare ground.  Most of the houses we have looked at have at least a cactus or two and at least some furniture.  The house had a lot of possibilities, but they would have increased the price way beyond our means.

It is a good thing we are having fun looking!

Todd and Bonnie went to Sam’s Club with us.  We ate supper and then did just a little shopping.

April 1, 2016—-Yuma, Arizona

Yes, this is April Fool’s Day…and yes, I am very battered and bruised on the left side of my face!  I had to go to a new doctor and every time someone looked at me with pity or whatever, I said, “Don’t sign up for kick boxing.  It’s a tough sport.”  After seeing the shocked look on their faces, I would say “April Fool’s!”  I got lots of smiles, chuckles, and laughs!

I kept an ice pack on my wound a lot during the night.  This morning, there was very little swelling and bruising…that is until I was up and moving around…and then gravity took over.  Now I am swollen down to my jaw and the purple skin goes from my ear and down as far as my neck.  I think I will look very scary for a long time.  Too bad it isn’t Halloween time.  I wouldn’t have to put much make up on to scare the bejesus out of the trick or treaters.

Our little hummingbird has flown the coop, or nest, as it was.  We miss having it around to entertain us.

Going to the doctor took three hours out of my day.  I was really tired when we got back home, so after eating lunch I took a long nap.  Just after I got up, Todd, Bonnie and the pups came over for a visit.  The pups always look for Cheerios on the floor.  Today, Bill put them out on the floor in a pattern.  Not quite an Easter Egg Hunt, but a Cheerios Hunt, and it was just as much fun for our furry little friends.

The Marine Base was doing lots of flying today.  It is always interesting to see them…the sound of freedom!