Home Sweet Home....

Hello,
We got home last night about supper time.   So good to be home.   All the snow is gone.

Trey and the kids were here to welcome us.   We joined him at Perkins for supper.

Today Mel unloaded the car.   Trey had the house nice and clean and now there is stuff all over.
I got a start on unpacking but had to get groceries.    Lunch at the Oasis and on to Austin.
We needed so much so the grocery bill was almost $300.   Uffda.    This should last a couple of weeks though.   Longer for some things.

By the time I got all the groceries put away I was pooped.   So we went to the Pit Stop for supper.

Tomorrow I will be back on my healthy eating.    I only gained 3 lbs this winter in spite of all I ate.  But now is the time to lose some more.   I lost 40 lbs last year and I couldn't exercise with my back and hip pain.   Being I can walk again I should be able to lose easier.

So good bye French fries with sour cream(except for Bingo night).

This is my last blog for this year.   I will start again next winter when we again head for AZ

May God Bless you with a wonderful, healthy, fun summer and fall.

Love and hugs
Diane, Mel, & Molly

Day 99 threw 101...Heading home

Hi there,

It has been a long but ok 3 days.     We left the park on Tuesday morning about 9:00.   Said a few more good byes to those we seen on the way out.  But not to many left.
We gave our neighbor the balance of our groceries.   There wasn't much but some eggs, cheese, dressings etc.

We got to Flagstaff the first night.   We took a slightly different route that way going threw Parker and Lake Havasue City and on to Flagstaff.   Such beautiful scenery.  

The second night we stopped at Tucumcari NM.    Still seeing so much beauty.  

Once we got to the very East side of NM and going threw Texas it was pretty but just not the same.
To me Texas is very boring but still seen some pretty sites. 

I have so many pictures,  way to many to put on here so just come over to see them.

Mel wasn't quit up to par the first couple days.   No appitite,  couldn't sleep but today his is feeling so much better.  Slept good last night and ate a big meal.  But I still have a bad cough.  Had that since I had the sinus infection.  Feel good otherwise.

I decided to eat what ever I wanted this week as next week I will be back to watching it.   I sure don't want to gain back what I lost last year.   Hope to lose more this summer.  Now that I don't hurt when I walk I should be able to get a few things done and do some exercise.  I hope to clean out all my store rooms and have a rummage sale,.   I also want to work on my beading and try to get some sold.   Then the yard work.   I did nothing with my gardens last summer so they need big time attention.

Mel has decided he wants to go back to work.   Not sure where yet but it will be trucking.  So I suppose the first week or so home will be spent getting ready.   The truck needs the carpet replaced and seats put back in.   He has to renew his physical too.

We will be at Terri's for the weekend and home Sunday night so good bye until next week.

Have a Blessed Good Friday and Easter
Good night hugs

Day 98...ready to go.

                              Monday,   March 30

Hi there,
We are ready to hit the road.   We got all the packing done and house is almost ready to lock up.
In the morning will have to sweep and cover the potty so the seals don't dry up.   Then Mel will unhook the water and electricity.  Lock the doors and head East.   Yippie.

It was another hot day.   Not sure what the temps were but high 90s again.   It is still 83 out there.
The AC is on in the other room but this room really gets hot in here.

We took one more golf cart cruse (cruse main) before Mel parked it, unhooked batteries, & covered it up.  Wish we could bring it home.. 

No time set for take off.   When ever we wake up is good.

I seen a couple interesting critters in the yard today.   The little lizards are all over.   so cute.  I have no idea what the toad like thing was.  Pictures below.

The cactus are blooming so beautifully.   So many huge blossoms on the Argentine Giant.

I got some sad news that our Pastor Karen will be leaving us in June.   We like her so much and will be so hard to see her go.

I won't be writing for a couple of days.   Feel free to call or text me.  

Good night hugs and God Bless

This cactus must be really old.   Notice the size of the trunk.

Mel squinting in the sun.

blossom on huge cactus

Argentine Giant cactus

On the side of our house

On our deck until Molly spotted it.

 

What is it ?????    I found it behind our house.

Our cactus
It has four buds but won't be open before we go.

Sun dog from yesterday.

Day 97...Pack and pack.. HOT!

Sunday March 29

 

I had to give my flowers to the neighbor today.  I wish I could take them home.

Parks Palo Verdi tree blooming.

Just noticed this pretty bush at the end of our park.

Close up of the blossom.   So soft.
 

Hi everyone,

Well...One more day before we head East.   Yaaaa   I am so anxious to be home.

We are almost all packed.   Mel will finish loading the car in the morning.   Then will clean and vacuum the house.  Also have to cover the deck with the tarp and put the green rug (our grass) away.
Fill the water bottles to set around.   Oh and clean out the frig. Not much left in there.  But have to clean and dry it good.

After church this morning we had lunch at the Buckaroo's sandwich shop.   Home and watched the race.   We missed the first half.  my driver came in 8th.   Shucks...   He was leading until something that I missed happened.    I would bring in a lawn ornament every now and  then so something happened to Harvick while I was gone for 2 min.

You should see the guest bed...  Uffda.    I put the deck table on the bed and then all the lawn ornaments on top.   So I hope we don't get any over night company.   ha !



This will be fun to sort out next year.  That is Sue's bin on top.
Just keeping it for her. 

For supper we went to Dos Amigo's.   When we left the owner, Gracie, gave us a big hug good bye.
She is so nice.

We decided to leave a day earlier being we got everything packed.  Leaving early Tuesday.  We will just take our time and maybe check out a museum or something on the way.   We will get to Terri and Bob's on Sat.& spend Easter with them.    So excited to see them.

Guess I better go to bed.   Another big long hot day tomorrow.

Good night hugs, God bless

Day 96...Lots of packing..98 degrees

Saturday, March 28

There is 23 flowers and buds on this cactus.
Just down the street from our house.

close up of a few.
Todays heat closed them earlier than usual.

Hello.

 

Uffda was it hot today!  98 on our thermometer.      After a short walk this morning we stayed in with the AC going.

Tonight it cooled down a bit.

 

I got a lot of packing done today.   Tomorrow early morning Mel will start loading the car.  I have the deck stuff to

put away.  

 

I think we are down to eating out the next few days.   Still have enough for breakfasts.  

 

The cactus are so beautiful now.   Lots of blooms around the park.   I have buds on one of mine but I don't think it will

open before we go.  Another huge cactus, roof tall, is starting to open too.

 

Last church service tomorrow at God's Little Church in the Desert.  Then home and race time.   It is starting so early here

so will miss the beginning.

 

Good night hugs,  God Bless.





Day 95..All friends gone home.

                 Friday, March 27


Hello,
It was another hot one today.    Mel, Molly, & I went for a short walk this morning but it was pretty hot already so didn't go long.   Maybe 20 min.

More from the park left this morning.   Verona & Cliff are home already.   Sue and Woody leave tomorrow.   Then we will be alone.    I have to start packing...   Also have to get another lesson on my necklace I am making.

I got a late start this morning.   I couldn't sleep last night but sure slept good this morning.

We talked to Sue and Woody and said our good byes  then an early fish supper at Dos Amigos.  Last one for this season.  Then on to the Melodrama at Desert Gold.

It was a desert theater.   They served  a delicious cheesecake with mixed berry sauce on top. the Melodrama was really good.   Booed the villain, J Tamarack Gargle, cheered the Hero, Balderdash Trustworthy, & sighed for the heroine,  Lily Lackamoney.  So fun.

But I had to sit with strangers.   My friends, AG and Audrey were going but sadly got called away to a family funeral.

Even hotter tomorrow so will just crank the air and pack away.

Good night hugs,  God Bless.

The villain and Heroine



The whole cast
 

Our house and Molly

If you want to look at a bigger picture just click on it.

Dayy 94...Kind of hot

Thursday, March 26

 

 

 

My pickup..(in my dreams)

Pastor Rick and God's Little Church in the Desert.

 

Hello,

 

Yes it was kind of warm today.   High 80's.   Nice breeze though.

 

We had lunch with Bev & Frank in Quartzsite.   Bev was our neighbor here for a few years.  It was good to see her before we left.

 

At home I just watched my soap and started to pack my jewelry.   Then visited with Sue on the deck.

 

Sue and I went for a ride on the golf cart and took a few pictures.   I didn't get any ready for here though.   I will for tomorrow.   Said good bye for a few more.

 

Sue, Woody, Mel and I went to Silly Al's pizza for supper.   We won't get another chance before they head for home on Sat.

 

This week is going fast.   I better get some packing done.   Don't know where to start.

 

I figured out that the bites I am getting is from No-see-ums.  Nasty little critters are worse than mosquitoes.  They itch longer anyway.   Others here are getting bit too.

 

Still 75 out and it is after 11.    It is suppose to break heat records for this time of year by the weekend.

 

Is the snow gone yet???

 

Good night hugs....  God Bless

 

 

PS...  I gave the wrong title to Pepe's song last Tuesday.   It is Lets All Go Down To The River...   not Walking on the Water.   He also sang  The Light House.

 

 

Day 93..Lots of Good byes

                                         
                                       Wed. March 25

Good evening,

So many either left today or are packing for tomorrows departure .    I wish we were ready to go.

We took our walk this morning and didn't do much for a while.   This afternoon we went for a ride in the desert and then got some bread and milk.  

I just met a lady, Mary Ann,  who lives down the street.   She kept giving me compliments on the flowers and lawn ornaments.   She said she used to walk past here only to see a very plain camper and now she just has to stop and look.  So nice to hear.

Sue came over tonight to watch a TV show, Survivor,  as that channel wasn't working on their TV.
I have never watched that show and doubt if I would again.   We visited for a while and she went home.

I think it is bedtime...

Good night hugs,  God Bless.

Ocotillo bush

Close up of the Ocotillo bloom.

                                         Ramsey Mine Road.  where we went on a ride.

.

Day 92...one week left

 

Tuesday, March 24

 

 

Beautiful blooms on a bush at Dos Amigo's

Close up of flower on the bush

                                                           This is on the bottom of the big bush pictured above.

Good evening... It is 11:00 here and I am tired.   I will be glad when I am done with the cough meds.  It really makes me tired.  We are both feeling better but still cough.

Mel and I & Molly took our walk a little earlier today.   Wasn't as hot yet at 9.   Had to turn on the AC by 3.  Nice out tonight.  about 70 right now.   The weekend will be a good time to start packing.  Going to be in the high 90's and all our friends will be gone. 

Mary came over and gave me another lesson on the necklace I am trying to make.   I hope I can do it now.  I will see tomorrow if I remember what she said.

Sue and Woody came over here for a while.   We visited at Alice and Kermits this afternoon.

I did laundry and dishes.  Also moped the floor.  Enough house work for a day or two.

Tonight Mel and I went for taco's.  Then on to the Gospel jam at Desert Gold.  Not so many there now but it was still so very good.  Pepe sang the 2 favorites,  Walking on the water and The Light House.

We drove around that park to see the cactus.  Lots of blooms but mostly all the same variety. 

Something is biting me.   Like a mosquito bit.   I never see what it is until the itching starts.  Got some while sitting at my computer and got 2 more while at the jam.   No idea what is doing it but they sure itch.

More park friends leaving tomorrow.   More on Thursday, Friday, & Sat.   Lots of empty lots already.

I think I figured out how to send pictures on my Tablet.   I will just keep touching until I get it.

Good night hugs,   God bless.

Day 91...Sad day

Hello everyone,

I woke to some sad news.  Our neighbor passed away.    But that's not all this family has been threw.
Right after we got here in January the lady of the house, Barb, died.  I didn't even get to see her.
The son (Tim) came from Delaware and helped his dad, Bill, deal with things.  Bill is in his late 80's  and near blind.  With some help from friends they got the house cleared and air plane tickets bought so Tim could take his dad back to his home.   Tim had a new big camper in his yard for his dad to live in.  The day before they were going to leave (Last Wed.) Bill fell and broke his shoulder in 2 places.   Bill had surgery on Friday.  They sent him home Yesterday.   Very very weak and barely able to get in the house.  Last night Bill died with the ashes jar of his wife in his arms.
Just so sad.   Tim's family came tonight to be with him.

Didn't do much again today.   I think I am getting lazier.  I did make some cinnamon rolls with a frozen loaf.  But again my oven burned the bottoms.   The tops were sure good though.  Sue and I walked a bit.   Mel walked to Woody's while Sue and I walked up to Verona's.

Played darts tonight.   I didn't so very good.   I got an 82 and a 51 but the rest was not worth telling.
My team won 2 of 4.

Cliff and Verona are leaving in the morning.   I will miss them.  8 more days for us...yaaaaa

Good night hugs,  God Bless

                                          Picture taken by our Pastors wife, Carol.

.

Day 90...Quiet Sunday

Hello,

We had a pretty quiet day today.    We went for a short walk by the golf course.  We have both been coughing a lot so just rested mostly.   We are feeling good though.  Just the old cough !!

We watched the Nascar race this afternoon.   It was a good race until the end.   Just wasn't the right winner.  For me anyway !

Went to supper at the Buckboard sandwich shop.  We treated Cliff and Verona for a thank you for taking care of Molly last Sunday.   Sue and Woody was with us too.

It was hot again today.   87* I think.   Nice this evening.

Wilsons got called away to a family funeral,  Pregge's are leaving on Tuesday,  Witter's leaving on Sat.  I think Alice and Kermit is leaving this week too.    So we will be along for 4 days.   I should be able to get a lot of packing done.   Many from the park is leaving this week.  I heard there are only 4 family's staying year around.  This includes our neighbor,  Charri.  

Lots of cactus in bloom.   I wish the Sorraros (how ever you spell the big ones) would bloom while we are here but not until June or later.

I hope the snow storm isn't to bad at home.    Stay safe everyone.

Good night hugs,   God Bless.

.

Day 89...Block party

Somehow I have not been counting our days here right.   So I figured again to come up with this being our 89th day here.   No wonder I am lonesome.

I am feeling a bit better but now Mel is sick.   Kind of the same sinus stuff.  He won't go to the Dr though.

We had a Block Party this afternoon.   Lots of fun.   Lots of food and water fights.  I got hit with a water balloon.   sure cooled me off.  Ha...  I need a bigger water gun for next year.

 

There was also a wet Tshirt contest....  for the men.   Nuffie was the funniest  with John close.

So much food. Plus Margaritas. 

The picture I took of the drink table didn't get saved.   It was neat how they made the margaritas.  But I couldn't have one being I am on the meds..   Oh well...my Pepsi was good.

Mel didn't stay long.   He ate and went home.    I got home about 4:30.   

Molly and I went after the mail.   Got our license tabs so we won't have to worry about getting stopped.

This morning we went to a rummage sale and I found lots of beads.   That was a fun find.

We are both coughing so probably won't be going to church tomorrow. 

We will be watching the CA race on TV this week.   

10 days left and we will be on our way home..   yaaaaaaaaaa   Better start packing soon.

Good night hugs,   God Bless

Day 84...Fish supper

Nummmm...  All the cod we can eat but we only can do 3.

Another kind of cactus starting to bloom.  Look at the buds coming.

 

I got the necklace done. 

 

 

Howdy,   Another nice day.   About 76 degrees I think.  

 

I am feeling some better.   Mel isn't.    He slept a lot today.  

 

We had the pork pot roast that I cooked yesterday for lunch.  It was so tender.  Lots left for tomorrow. 

 

Molly and I took a short walk.   We stopped and visited Sue for a few min.  Stayed home until supper.  We went to Dos Amigos for fish.   Gosh,  only one more before we head for home.

 

I sure had a time with the necklace I made.   I had to cut the end off and do it over.  But I got the job done.   I still haven't been to Mary's to get more understanding on another necklace pattern.

 

I hope all is well with you all.

 

Good night hugs & God Bless.



  
PS...  Only 11 more days before we head for home.   :-)

Day 83... Cool day, rain tonight

Rainbows after the rain.  It was cloudy again so they weren't very bright.

Supper at Cliff and Verona's.

Mel, Cliff, Woody, Sue, Verona

Woody, Sue, Verona...Mel's shoulder

 

Good evening,

I thought the rain was done but tonight we are getting some more.   It was a nice cool afternoon.  Barely made 70.   We didn't get the seat covered on the golf cart so that will be wet tomorrow.

 

We both are not feeling the best.  Mel caught a cold and me and my sinus's.  so just took it easy all day.   Verona & Cliff invited us to supper at 5 so I didn't even have to cook today. 

We were planning on going to the Brenda Jam but I am coughing to much so home again.

 

I put a necklace together but goofed on the end so put it away.  I think I will have to wait until we get home so I can use different beads on the ends.   Didn't have the right ones along.

 

I am going to watch American Idol .

 

Good night hugs & God Bless