Good bye until next year.

Torpedo's are on that trailer. I wonder where they are going.



We asked for a glass for water and got this "big" one.



Molly checked out the bed in the motel room.



A pretty sound wall in NM



Our friends, Cliff and Verona Prigge had a bedroom added to their camper. Sure is nice.
---------------------------------------

Hello,
I thought I had more pictures that I wanted to post but I guess I am to the end of any important ones. I hope you enjoyed them.

I think we made the weather turn cold as it has been since we got home. I hope it warms up again real soon. It is going to have a hard freeze tonight. I hope the fruit trees won't be harmed.

This will be the final writing until we leave for AZ again next year.
Thank you for coming along.

I am on Face book if you would like to chat.

Have a wonderful summer. Good night and God Bless

Happy Easter

I wasn't going to write tonight but when I seen that I didn't say the
name of the town where the little green men were I had to let you know.
It was Roswell, NM.

I still have a few pictures to show you so come on back on Tuesday. I will write on Monday night.

May you all have a wonderful Blessed Easter. "He is risen."

Goodnight and God Bless.

Good Friday

These are some of the neat things we seen on the way home. Including the space ship and the green alien.

The whole town was invaded by these little green men. I guess they claim that an actual space landing happened some time ago.

Today was another day of putting things away. Washing cloths too. Mel worked on the truck. The brakes froze up on one side. It took some time and a little pounding but it broke loose. Thank goodness. He also replaced the 4 batteries.
Next week he will get his CDL renewed and his hazmat test taken. He should be ready to go to work by Friday.

We had a wonderful Good Friday Service at church. Words and song of love and forgiveness.

Good night and God Bless

Seeing friends

I almost forgot to write tonight.

I visited friend Dixie this morning while Mel had errands in Rochester.

Did some more unpacking this afternoon. I didn't realize we took
so many cloths. I am running out of hangers!!

I made pork chops for supper. Trey joined us. Tasted pretty good.

Church tonight. Service was at our sister church in Grand Meadow.
I got such a warm welcome home from everyone. So good to be home.

I will say good night. I will start earlier and post a few more pictures
tomorrow night. See you then.

Nite nite and God Bless

PS... I just realized it would have been my Dad's birthday today.
Happy Birthday Daddy!! 1901 - 1979

Cupboards are full.

White Sands Missile range...NM



Yucca blossom



Molly sleeping on the pile in the back seat



A field of cactus



Love these cacti

------------------

Hi everyone.. Just wanted to send a few more pictures.

We got a lot of errands done today including groceries. Now the cupboards are full again. Guess I better start cooken again.

Temps were in the low 60's. Frost watch for the next couple of nights.

More unpacking tomorrow.

I will post a few more pictures tomorrow night so check it out.

Good night hugs and Gods blessings.

Day 99... HOME !!!!!

Hello everyone,

It was cooler at Terri's this morning. We slept much better last night.
Amanda gave us her bed and a comfy one too. Thanks Amanda..xx Thank you Terri and Bob for supper last night.

We left about 8:30 this morning. Molly didn't sleep very well the last two nights.
Thought it was the heat but decided it was the fan that bothered her. When we get in the car to go, Molly crawled up in the top of stuff in the back seat and slept all the way home. we stopped and had a snack. Molly always greets us as we open the car door expecting a treat. But she slept right threw this one. She finally got up as we got into Dexter. At the house she checked out the yard then into the house straight to her food dish..that was empty of course.

I have a good start unpacking. I think the back seat is empty but the trunk isn't nor are half the bags of cloths Mel brought.

We are going to get groceries tomorrow. then will work on the unpacking again.

Trey joined us for supper at the Pit Stop. Russ came in to say hello too but had to go to a firemans meeting. Trey had to mow a lawn so left early.
Tom called from his job so we got to talk or see all 4...now to see the grandkids.

Has to be bedtime..... oh boy, our own bed.

Hopefully I will post more pictures tomorrow.

Good night hugs and Gods blessings.

Day 98...Dexter by noon

Hello,

We had a good day at the Speirs but it sure was a hot one. Almost 90 out.

After everyone left the house Mel and I cruised around town and did some shopping. Mel checked out some truck tires too. We met Terri for a quick lunch at Perkins.
Tonight we all had a buffet supper Ryan's. Like the Ol' Country Buffet. Good stuff but ate to much as usual.

Hopefully we can sleep tonight in the heat.

We should be home by noon tomorrow. I can't wait.

Good night and God Bless

Day 97...At Terri's

After an early start we made it all the way to Des Moines.

The motel room's smell of disinfected really got to Mel and he couldn't sleep. He woke me up by a phone call at 6am. Lets get ready to go he says... He was having coffee someplace. This room was about the end of our using Motel 6. The one on Friday night wasn't all that good either. They never used to ask if we have a pet but always welcomed one. This year they ask and I think they give us the worst room they have.

We watched the sun come up this morning and go down tonight. A very long day.

Molly couldn't get enough of the grass here. She didn't want to come in. She roamed around all over.

So good to see Terri, Bob, Amanda, and Aidan. With their work and school hours I hope we can visit some more.

Good night hugs and Gods Blessings

Day 96... Many miles today

We are in Elk City, OK at a Motel 6. Not the best Motel 6 we have been to but clean. We went a lot of miles today. Not sure how many.. 650 or so. Not far now to Des Moines. and then home...... :-)

I will have to watch the Nascar race or rather read the race on the computer.

Good night

by the way...I found my computer cord in Mel's suitcase.

Day 95..no cord

We are in Deming NM for the night. Went to start my computer and no cord. I have no idea where I packed it. So I only have my battery to get me home.

We had a nice supper with Jackie & Don, Jerry & Phylis, Linda and Roger at a nice restaurant in Green Valley. We were going to have the buffet at the casino but just as we were leaving our car a security guy come by and said we couldn't go in and leave Molly in the car. The car was running and the AC on but still wasn't allowed to leave her. He said it was inhumane. So we all went to a different place.

It has been a long day so I am going to bed. Mel is already sleeping... So is Molly.

Good night and God Bless

Day 94.. Last night in Brenda

I had to have a Stevie burger before we left. It was awesome...huge burger, cheese, tomato, pickle, and a huge stack of onion rings.



More neat cactus..full of buds.




Buckaroo Cafe. We had supper here. Nice place,



This is an interesting instrument played at the jams. A Hammer Dulcimer

------------------------------------------

Well, we are ready to go. Maybe an hours work in the morning and off we go.

Mel got everything packed in the car. I don't know how he did it but he did a good job. Even room left for Molly.

We will finish cleaning out the frig, move one more chair inside, put some last min. things in the car. Unhook the water and elec. Say good bye to neighbors.

We met the Wilsons for supper in Harcuvar. We had a nice visit and meal then on to the final Gospel jam for all of us at Brenda Park.

I sure will miss these jams. Guess I will just have to sing with Elvis (Brad Boice) this summer. ;-)
I and friend Dixie will be going to his concert on the 13th.

We will be in Green Valley (by Tucson) about 4 or so tomorrow to meet friends for supper. Probably won't get to far after that.

I might not be blogging for a day or two. I will have to see how late we get into a Motel.

So good night from Brenda.

Hugs and God Bless

Day 93... Almost time

Hello, Hows the weather in Minnesota?? Won't be long and we will be on our way.
It has been really warm here. Loved it. The only bugs to deal with is moths and they sure come around in the evenings.



Our friends, Verona & Cliff and Ginny got home today... Rochester and Stewartville.
They had a good trip and seem very glad to be home again.

We packed some more today. I have the laundry done. Suit cases packed for the trip home and some of the cloths packed. I will finish in the morning. We have to make a short trip to Quartzsite tomorrow then finish up packing.

Went out to supper with neighbors, Betty and Roger. Went to a new place for us..The Buckaroo's in the town of Hacavar. About 18 miles from here. Good eats. Mel and I had a Phily and fries.

The Wilsons are parked in that area so stopped in for a visit and got desert too.:-)

Tomorrow is the last full day in Brenda. Will be on our way Friday morning.

Good night hugs and Gods Blessings

Day 92...tired

Hello,

We got a lot done today. Mel has the trunk filled plus the back seat floor.
We got everything from the yard picked up. The ornaments, carpet, & flowers. All of this stays here. Neighbor Bev wanted the flowers. Most of the plants were looking pretty good but the baskets got really wind blown.
Tomorrow we will cover the windows and not sure what else. Maybe start packing our cloths.

We visited with a neighbor (Betty & Roger) for a while. They are leaving this weekend also. Home to Idaho. They have a small 5th wheel to go home in.

Wilsons brought over supper. Nice eh? Mac and cheese, great spinach salad, and apple crisp. I made buffalo wings on the grill for an appetizer and burgers to go with Audrey's hot dish.

Tonight we all went to the Gospel Jam at Desert Gold. I keep saying it was the best ever but it was. Each week the music is better. I get goose bumps.

We all came back to our house and had Audrey's Apple crisp. Oh so good.

Good night and God Bless

Day 91... Started packing for home

.



This shows you how far we have to walk to get to the clubhouse. I am standing at the clubhouse door. Look past the white building & accross the field. You can see our red car. See, I do walk ! ha!

----------------------------------------
Hi everyone,

We started packing today. Nothing really big but a start. I cooked a cornbeef in the crock pot. Have to eat at home more to use up the meat from the freezer. I still have hamberger, chicken wings, and a whole chicken to use.

I took a long hot shower. while in there I heard Molly whine...I looked out the shower curtain and there she sat looking up at me as if to say "get out of there, it isn't safe". You see, Molly hates baths. It still was kind of cute.

We took our sweet 83 year old neighbor out for supper. She always wants to help people. She lost her husband last fall and now that everyone is leaving the park she is feeling kind of lonely. Her first summer alone. She lives here year around.



Three days left before we leave....

Good night and God Bless

Day 90.. Guess I can't count !!

Only 3 flowers open so far. Won't it be beautiful??



Just look at all the buds.



Checking out all the buds on this cactus.



Dixie J when she visited our park last May. But we weren't here. Shucks!!

--------------------------

Hello,

I recounted the days since we left home and now at 90. I wonder how I got only 81 yesterday??!!

We have been on the go most of the day. Breakfast at the club house. It was the last one so they used up all the breakfast foods from past Sunday morning meals.
Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, juice, coffee.
Sure was good.
Home for a half hour and then to church. Back home for lunch. We shared one of the left over steaks. Turned on the race and watched the beginnings of it. Music jam at the club house was next.

Came home from the jam early to see the end of the race only to find that it had a rain finish and was all done. Shoot...we missed it. The race was in California where we went last year.

Alice and Kermit (MN folks) is going home tomorrow so we went to their place to say good bye.

We had supper at the Kofa cafe with several friends from our park.

We spoke to Alda, who lost her husband last night. Her family is here to help her pack up and go home. I thought she was from Idaho but it is Utah. They were with us for supper.

Stopped back at home and got Molly and then to the Jam at Black rock. We have to get our fill of the music jams before we go home.

Tomorrow we will start to pack. I don't like that part.

Good night and God Bless

Day 81...Lazy day.

A very close up of the saguaro cactus



Audrey and A.G. Wilson and their new pickup

----------------------------------

Hello,
Mel went to Lake Havasu City this morning to attend a gun show. I spent the day doing not much of anything. Watched the race for a while but fell asleep.
Was up way to late last night.

Wilsons came over for supper and we grilled T Bone steaks. We had potatoes, scalloped corn, baked beans, crab salad. Audrey brought over creamed cukes and upside down pineapple cake. Oh so good.

It is so nice out tonight. Perfect for deck visiting.

But now is my bedtime.

Good night hugs and Gods Blessings

Day 80...What a day!!

No pictures for today. What I took didn't turn out. Sorry!!!

The morning was pretty frustrating. I wanted to send Mel's logs in and couldn't make it work. I scan them in to Landstar every 12 days. But first the password wouldn't work. Called the company. Fixed.. went to the program again.. didn't work. Called again. This happened 4 times. Two hours later I got the logs sent.

This afternoon we met the Wilsons in Parker at the Bluewater casino. Being we were there for the first time we each got a free buffet worth $15.99 and a $10 credit to gamble with. We won $16.75 with that. On to the buffet. I ate so many crab legs.
They were so good. They had the shells cut so didn't have to brake them to get to the meat. After we ate we went to a show. Three comedians tried to entertain us but didn't succeed. I never did like comedy and the language they used sure wasn't funny. But now I can say I have been to a Casino show.
We stopped and got milk and bread and then on home.

Then an ambulance came to our street that goes north and south. Not far from us.
we watched and watched but nothing seemed to be happening other than the lights flashing. Pretty soon the helicopter flew over our house and then came back with their big spot light lighting up the whole area. They landed in the open area in front of our place and shut down.
We watched and waited and waited. Nothing happening other than the paramedics going to the ambulance. But we sadly found out the gentleman passed away from a stroke.

I took a video of the copter taking off but was to dark. Could only see their lights.

Prayers go out to the family. I think they are from Idaho and planned to go home next week. We didn't know them but very sad.

Good night hugs and Gods Blessings...

Day 79...Lake Alamo trip

------------------------------------------------

It was a fun day. Ginny, Verona & Cliff joined us in a trip to Lake Alamo. So beautiful there. Didn't pay attention how many miles we went. Maybe 60 or so.
We just roamed around and took in the views. Spoke to some fishermen. I guess they catch crappies off shore and bass from a boat. I think next year we will have to bring some tackle along.
We found a restaurant way back off the main road. They served 1/2 lb burgers.
Good ones too. I sure enjoyed our day together before they leave for home on Sat.

Home again about 3:30. I washed a sink full of dishes, washed a load of cloths and took a shower. Fried pork chops for supper.

Alice and Kermit came over for a bit. They are leaving on Tuesday.

After supper we met AG & Audrey at the Brenda Gospel Jam. I thought it was the last one but it will go on for a few more weeks. Maybe we can enjoy one more time.

Now it is after midnight and I haven't even checked emails yet. I think I better go to bed instead.

Good night and God Bless

Day 79...

Day 78...gone all day

Bushes blooming in Blythe..



Race haulers are going to California. This one is the Speed Channels truck. We also seen the Tony Stewarts Oreo truck and Mark Martins Aarons truck. But they went by so fast I didn't get a chance to snap a picture.

-------------------------------------------------

Good evening,
We thought we would have a quiet day at home and continue healing our colds. But Mel got a call that he was picked for a random drug test for the company he hauls for. Had to be in Blythe by 1. This kind of drug test is mandatory. If you don't go your terminated. So off we went. Landstar made the appointment so Mel just had to walk into the clinic and do his thing.

The nose piece on his glasses broke so found a place to fix that.
Then to the Sizzler for lunch.

Mel dropped me off at KMart for some alone time to shop. Spent about an hr and a half just wondering. I did find some sales on blouses.

We got home just in time to pack our bowls for the final soup supper at the Club house. I didn't care for the soup this time. To many tomatoes and peppers.

Tonight I went to help Ginny put her pictures from her camera to her computer. Her computer is so different than mine I was kind of lost. But we did get the job done. I never did figure out how she can email a picture. I hope your family can
show you Gin.

I better get to bed. Another big day tomorrow. It was 80 today. I hope tomorrow is the same.

Good night hugs and Gods Blessings

Day 77...Warmer

"As you pass through life let this be your goal.
Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole."

--------------------------------------

Hi there,
Looks like a lot of you had rain today. Guess it was needed. It was nice here finally. Back in the 80's by Thursday.

We made a final trip to shop in Quartzsite. I think it was the last time anyway. But then you never know. But not much left there for vendors. The bakery is still open and did we pick a winner this time. Cream filled bismarks. They will be closing too in a week or so.

We met the Wilsons for lunch. Good food and good friends.

Back home for a while then went to Prigges for supper. They served Sweet/sour chicken, salad, fried potatoes, angle food cake with cherrys. Sure was good.

We topped of the day with a great Gospel Jam at Desert Gold park. Not as many there but still a lot of good music.

The snowbirds are starting to leave. A lot of folks are packing up to leave this weekend. We will be starting to pack up next week.

Lots of things to do and places to go yet.

Good night hugs, and Gods Blessings

Day 76...Another cool day

This years circle of rock art. A Kocapeli or Indian dancer. All in natural color rocks. For some reason I couldn't reach high enough to get the whole thing in the picture. ha!!





A cactus blooming at the neighbors. So beautiful. I got to late to see the open ones at their freshest. But more coming so hopefully will get another picture.
I have this cactus at home only smaller.

----------------------------------------------------

Hello.

My cough is some better. Mornings and over night not the best but this afternoon was good. I hope tomorrow will be even better.

We had another chilly day. Light jackets needed. But it is suppose to warm up again soon. In northern AZ they got several feet of snow. The most in the mountains.

We stayed home most of the day. Visited with a neighbor for a while and Mel got the mail. That's about it. I read some, & computered some. Gave Molly a bath and took garbage out. Oh, I vacuumed too. Hard work, eh?

Heading home in less than 2 weeks. I am getting anxious. Verona, Cliff, and Ginny are leaving Sat. I will miss them. Wilsons will still be here though.

This is the last week of Music jams. I will miss that too. The vendors in Quartzsite are almost gone too. Going there tomorrow and see what is left.

I hope your getting the much needed rain and not storms. Those of you that are or were by the lakes...I envy you.

Good night and God Bless

Day 75...Rain and cold

It has been raining off and on all day. Do you see the rain come down in the mountains?



I took a picture of our park model..just for fun.

-------------------------------------------

Good evening,

It is so cold and wet today. Only about 55 degrees as the high. I think we should go to Minnesota!!! (we will in 2 weeks)

We never left the house today. Missed breakfast at the club house, church, and 2 music jams. We did watch the race but I slept threw part of it.

Bristol, my former favorite track, wasn't as fun since they changed it. Plus, M Martin didn't race today.

I am still coughing and coughing. I didn't sleep much last night so really tired now. I am glad it was cold out as I didn't want to go out anyway.

I am listening to Yanni right now.

Good night and God Bless

Day 74...Happy St Patty's Day

Hello,

It is raining in Brenda. Not much but it is wet anyway.
Enough to cancel my signal anyway. I hope I can get this sent.

This afternoon we had Corn Beef dinner at the club house. Came with cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onions, Irish soda bread, and green jello. I could have ate more of the soda bread. Soooo good. I thought a lot of people had left the park for home but the Clubhouse was full for dinner.

We came home for a while and then to the dance tonight. Everyone had a good time. No band just CD's and not even one Elvis was played!! Everyone was green even us Norwegians!!

I am amazed that I haven't noticed the change in my eye color. I have always had brown eyes. Now they are a blue green. Is that normal with aging?

I am still coughing. Sure tires me out.

Racing in Bristal tomorrow. Enjoy.

Bedtime... Good night and God Bless

Day 73...groceries - ugh!!

I didn't take any AZ pictures today but these are cuter anyway.



My Great Granddaughter, Kylee and her pet bird.



This is Hunter, my Great Grandson and Kylee's bird.

-----------------------------------------------

Hello my friends,

We didn't do much most of the day. It was hot again.. 80 something.

About 4:00 we headed for Blythe. Stopped in Quartzsite for gas. We had less than 10 miles left before empty!! The price in AZ is $3.87 but in CA it was $4.65. How much is it where you are?

We met AG and Audrey for supper at the Sizzler. I just had the salad bar but it has more than anyone would want. Besides all the salads, fruit, & puddings there is chicken wings, cheese and chips, taco salad, beans, and ice cream with toppings for desert. Oh and a Pepsi!

Groceries from there. As usual we didn't think we needed much but the price tag was lots.....uffda!! I hate grocery shopping. But along with the necessity's we got a couple of TBones and a Corn beef brisket and my meds.

We stopped at Wilson's place for a few min. Seen Audry's awesome quilts she has made.

Poor Molly had to stay home again. She had begged for attention since we got home. Just now went to sleep.

It is suppose to be cooler the next few days. Maybe even some rain.. Doubt it though. Northern AZ will even get snow. Tonight the sky is so clear and full of stars. So pretty.

Big day tomorrow with Corn been and cabbage at the club house and a dance tomorrow night.

Have a great St Pattys day.

Hugs and Gods Blessings.