Day 31...Trip to Yuma

Lettuce field near Yuma

 a pretty mountain

 I wish I knew what kind of plant it was.

              I turned the picture but it didn't stay.

  Mel by Booginvia  (?)

 Our good friends Pat & Leroy

 

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

 

 

We had a good day.    Left about 9:30 and headed for Yuma.    Mel dropped me off at the AZ market

at noon to meet Pat and Leroy.   Mel went on to do some truck stuff.

 

I haven't walked that much in a long time.   We covered every inch of the market looking for a few special things but neither of us found what we wanted.  Didn't spend much that way but sure fun

looking.   Mel got back and found us.  Some of the venders wasn't there that I liked other years.

 

We left about 3:45 and went to the Golden Coral for supper.  We all ate to much !  Sure was good though.  and good conversation too.

 

Pat and Leroy are Minnesota people who sold their home and live in there RV full time.   They still go back to MN for a couple months in the summer to see family.   They are in a park on a golf course in Yuma as Leroy is an avid golfer.   We met them at the first park we stayed at when coming to AZ.

We have so much fun together.

 

Yuma is about 90 miles from Brenda on a 2 lane road all the way.   Such pretty scenery.   Mountains and veggie fields.   There was signs saying watch out for animals but we only seen one bird going both ways.  A beautiful sunset on the way home.

 

We got home about 7.   Molly was so glad to see us.   She was a good girl while home alone.

 

Tomorrow is a big desert race. Parker 425.  4 laps at a little over 100 miles each. Like the Baha race in Mexico.   So we are picking up Cliff and Verona and going to Bouce to watch as they go by there.     Maybe find a few rummage sales too.

 

There is a sock hop at the club house tomorrow night.   We will see how tired we are after the race.

 

Good night and God Bless

 

 

 



Day 30... Only 75 today :-)

A couple of the best singers at the Brenda gospel jam.   Naomi with guitar and Patti.   In the back is Hank on the fiddle (from Staples MN) Tex on base(lives here year around.  Also plays lead guitar) , Janice is on the keyboard ( from CA),  Pat, Tex's wife,  on mandolin.   Off camera are several guitarist, accordion,  & harmonica.   Not so many here tonight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

We had a quiet morning.    Found out our LP tank has a leak.   Mel got a new part but didn't help.
We have to take the tank in and get a new valve or seal.  Cliff is going to haul it in for us on Monday.
Mel hooked up the little tank from our grill in case we need heat.   It does get cool at night.

We went to Quartzsite to get the part for the LP tank and new water filters that should have been replaced last year.    We looked around a bit but didn't buy anything.   Oh ya,   Mel did but himself a hat.  A huge one.   One that will keep him shaded.   (I think it is funny but don't tell him I said that !)
I bought another container for my beads.  

Home again and did laundry.   So nice out I should have been in the chase outside.

Wilsons called and we will meet them at Black Rock restaurant for supper and then the Brenda Jam.
There was a BBQ rib special and buffet.   It was good.

Tomorrow we are going to Yuma.  It will be a long day of shopping and spending time with MN friends, Pat & Leroy who we met the first year we came to AZ.      I may not be blogging tomorrow night.   So have a good Friday.     Sat is the desert race so we will be gone all day then too.

Hugs and God Bless

Day 29...quiet day

Some of you have seen my new pet before but just had to show it off again.
You can also see a bit of our new deck carpet in the bottom left corner.
==================================================

Hi there,
We stayed home most of the day.   It was so nice out.   it got to 80 degrees this afternoon.

I was invited to join some gals in beading at the craft room this morning.   It was fun.   Although not the kind of necklace I would wear so I just might take it apart and use the beads for something else.
Maybe....

Wow...   I just seen Elvis's tour bus on TV.  :-)

Mel made some BBQ ribs on the grill today.    Sure was good.    After the dishes were done we
just sat out on the deck and watched the beautiful sunset with our coffee.

Enjoy a little warmer days...

Hugs and God Bless

Day 28...Taco's and Jam

I wonder how many necklaces, bracelets, & earrings I can make !!
    ___________________________________________________________


Hello there,

I see our house and truck was on TV lately.   It made me lonesome to see that and Dexter.
I just hope and pray that our LP contract hold out.    How are the rest of you getting along?

We got new neighbors today.    A couple from northern California with 2 big dogs.   Their good friends are in the row behind us so I don't suppose we will get to know them much.

Didn't do much again today.   I got a few of my beads in containers.   Many to go yet.   I have to find some cheaper things to put them in.   

Mel made breakfast again.  He does every day... Bacon, eggs, fried potatoes, toast & coffee.   Nice, eh?   My usual bowl of cereal doesn't even sound good anymore.

I watered my flowers and Molly and I went for a ride on the cart.    Busy, eh?

Taco's at Dos Amigos for supper.   Always so good.    Verona & Cliff,  Audrey & AG joined us.    On to the Gospel jam at Desert Gold.   There wasn't many musicians tonight.  But the ones that were there were awesome.   Every song had a wonderful message.

71 again today.   Wish you were here.

Good night, hugs and God's Blessings.

Day 27...Bead shopping

Our new ride.   We sure are enjoying it.
__________________________________________

Welcome back,

Boy am I tired.    I spent 3 hours walking the isles of a very large bead store.   I had so much fun.
At least it was fun up until they added it all up.   I did find some pretty good deals.   I haven't unpacked them yet but so anxious to see what I have.  I will take a picture when I do.
I will really have to get some jewelry made now.

We had some of my home made noodle soup & a sandwich for supper.   

Not much else happened today.  

Hugs and God Bless.

Day 26...Long trip

The road to Lake Havasu City.   Pictures were taken with my little cell phone.

____________________________________________________________

Hi there my friends and family,

Our day started with church at "God's Little Church in The Desert"   It was a full house
today.  Pastor Rick had a nice service even a couple of cute jokes.    The choir sang today too.
We came home for a short time mostly to drop Molly off.   It would be to hot for her in the car today.

Lake Havasu City is a long ways..  about 75 or 100 miles from here.  But a pretty trip.
We stopped in Parker (half way) and had a Subway then on the road again.

Our friends and used to be neighbors have stuff for sale at the flea market there.   Our plan was to surprise them but ended up calling them to get directions.    But it was us that got surprised.   We got there at 2:00 just as everyone was closing up.    We did get to see Bev & Frank so this is good.
He gave me a beautiful crystal that I can make a necklace with.

Back to Parker and the grocery store.   I sure like the stores there better than in Blythe.  A bit cheaper
too.

We met our friends, AG & Audrey Wilson for supper at a neat little restaurant.    The Wilsons are
parked just outside of Parker for a couple of weeks.

Home again.   Molly was so happy to see us.

I am always watching for wild life when we travel.   All we seen this time was a bunny rabbit that ran
across the road.

Tomorrow I am going bead shopping...  :-)

Good night and God Bless

Day 25...crafts, auction, & concert

 

Meet Robin Arnold.      He is an awesome singer and guitarist.    We enjoyed his concert this evening.    The top picture if from his website and the bottom picture I took after the concert.
He sings Country and Western and classics.   Sounds a bit like Marty Robins. 

_____________________________________________________________________________


Hi there,

We had a busy day.    We went to a craft show this morning at Brenda park.    Didn't buy anything but seen lots of pretty things.   Also ideas for my jewelry making.    I needed to see how they display things.   I see that I will need an earring rack.     They also offered cheeseburgers and root beer floats.
mmm so good.

Yesterday we took our old bedroom carpet to the auction tent to sell.   So we went there and sure enough it was sold.   Just not for much money but at least it is out of here.

Home for the afternoon...did some laundry.   Went for a ride on the cart and also a short walk in the desert.   Molly just loves the desert walk.

After supper we went to Robin's concert at the clubhouse.  I went to another concert of his a couple weeks ago at another park.   I really enjoy his work.

I see it is going to be cold at home again.   I hope the Governor can do something about the LP prices.
Stay safe everyone.

Gods Blessings

Day 24...Fish night

California gas prices...     Maybe higher now.   This was last week.    It is $3.49 for the good stuff here in Brenda.


Hello everyone,

I can't believe the LP prices in Minnesota.    I haven't heard what it is here but I know it is cheaper than there.   We just had a tank filled so haven't got the bill yet.     We have contract prices at home so I hope we bought enough.

We had another 70 degree day.   Cloudy so no sunshine but still nice.    We were home most of the day.   Watered plants,   sorted the beads I got yesterday.  Washed yesterdays dishes.

Went to Dos Amigo's for their fish supper.   I just love it.   Alaskan Cod.  All you can eat.  Also French fries & coleslaw.  Of course their home made chips and salsa.

I am watching RoboCop on TV.   Haven't seen that in years.

Busy day tomorrow so see you then.

Hugs and Gods Blessings

Day 23....Soup day

Sure looks like a fun ride.   I guess it is called a T-Bucket.   We seen this one in Blythe CA.


I am still having problems with my computer so just can't seem to write where or when I want to.
I was going to blog last night but my wifi didn't want to work.    It was on but the computer said
I wasn't.   So I went to bed.  This morning it worked again.

It was so good to hear from Tom who had flown into Phoenix but wasn't staying.    He got 10 min of warm air anyway.    Trey called too.   He was driving home from WI.   

I made chicken noodle soup today.   Cliff and Verona came for supper.    She brought over  a good desert.   They went on home and I started dishes.    Then Mel said lets go to the jam.  dishes can wait.
So we did.   Always good to hear those old Gospel songs.

The weather is so nice.   low 70's every day.   It gets in the 40's at night though.   We run out of LP last night so it was kind of chilly in here this morning.    Mel hooked up the tank from the grill until
the big one got filled.

We went to a store in Quartzsite yesterday and I got a few strings of beads and some things to make earrings.  I can't wait to get to the big bead store.   Maybe next week..

We went to Silly Al's pizza for supper.   They were so busy.  When we left they were still lined up out the door.

Last night we met friends from CA.  They were just in Quartzsite to look around.    We sat around a bon fire and talked.  We sure enjoyed seeing them again.  Elaine is my son in law, Bob's cousin.

Not sure what will happen tomorrow other than a sink load of dishes and the fish supper tomorrow night.

Thanks for checking in.    God Bless and hugs too

Day 19...Already !

Our church...Gods Little Church in The Desert....  Pastor Richard Roland

Hello everyone.   

We are so enjoying the beautiful weather we are having.   Above normal temps for Jan.   65 to 75, blue cloudless sky, and the most awesome sunsets.

I have had a major computer problem so I haven't been able to write.   My computer still isn't working the way it should but usable.   It all started with a computer teck helping me get
the printer/scanner to work but instead he locked up everything.   Had to take it in.   Now works but missing some programs.   

Our first week here mostly was getting groceries and new carpets found and installed.
Our deck carpet was just rotting away on the outside edge from the hot sun beating on it all summer.
The rug we had in the new bedroom just wasn't good.   So hard to clean and it wasn't wall to wall so the floor was cold.    We got good but simple brown outdoor commercial  carpet on the deck and again brown Berber type in the bedroom with a good pad.   Now my feet stay warm while sitting at
my computer desk.

We enjoy the music jams in our area.  Our park has one on Sunday afternoons, Monday night is at Hope - about 15 miles away (we haven't been to that one yet this year),  Tuesday night is a Gospel jam at Desert Gold (about 5 miles away), & Thursday is at Brenda Park...also Gospel.  The jam on Tuesday is our favorite and the biggest.

We do eat out a lot too.   Tuesday nights is Taco night with home made taco shells and Friday night cod supper.  Oh so good.   Both at Dos Amigo's - 8 miles away.  We also go to Kofa restaurant (10 miles)  Black Rock (5 miles)   and or others in Quartzsite.      Oh yes,   I do cook at home but not if I don't have to.  ;-)   Mel makes breakfast everyday.   fried potatoes, sausage or bacon, scrambled eggs and toast.  

Another busy day  today.  (as most days are)   church this morning.   Home for lunch then watched the Eagles Cancer Telethon on the computer.  My favorite 'Elvis' Brad Boice performed and after he was done we went to our parks music jam.   Our good friends,  AG and Audrey Wilson came for a visit and went to the jam with us.  Not so many at the jam today because of the football games...   But it was still good.

After the jam we went cruzen in our new hot rod...ha!  golf cart.   Picked up our mail and home again.
Geepers...  we got 3 big priority envelopes of mail so it took a while to go threw it all.  Thanks for sending Jen.

Supper time and off to Kofa.   Now close to bed time.

Stay safe and warm everyone.   God Bless and big hugs.

Day 14 - A little about our trip

Hello to all my followers. I hope I give you something good to read. I have to learn again how to do this.

Great.. I just bumped a key and erased all I had written. So I will start again !!

With the car packed to the brim, leaving a little bed on top of everything for Molly, we left Dexter on the morning of Jan 1st. It was 9 below. The roads were good though. We got to Des Moines and the Speirs home about noon. Terri and Bob had lunch ready. They are such wonderful hosts. We left Des Moines about 8 am. on Wed.

We spent the 2nd night in Oklahoma City. Actually the whole trip was uneventful. We just enjoyed the scenery.
Big Springs TX is where we were for the 3ed night. I didn't remember just how big Texas is. Seemed like were were never going to get threw it. West Texas was all oil wells and cotton fields.

We took a longer route as there was possible snow in Northern New Mexico and the Flagstaff AZ area. Mel said no more snow so he just stayed on I-35 all the way to Ft Worth then West on 20 & 10

Night 4 was in Benson AZ. After a good nights sleep we headed for Tucson and Green Valley. We had a short visit with our friends Jackie & Don.

ahhhh... finally warmer weather. We got to Brenda late afternoon and an invite for supper at friends Cliff and Verona.
Mel hooked up our water and elec first then on to their place. They are friends from home and live in the same park.

Only our suitcases were unpacked that first night here and the bed felt so good.

I will go on with our first week here on my next blog.

I hope your all well and safe. I heard about all the storms. Weather has been perfect here. Maybe a bit windier than I like but temps around 65 to 70

Take care, God Bless
hugs

Day 13, I sure got a late start.

Welcome back my friends...

This blog has changed so I will have to get used to this again.

I am not going to write much today as I just want to see how this is going to work.

Check back tomorrow night... thanks

God Bless and hugs

We are home...

Happy Easter friends and family

I am using Mel's computer as mine just isn't working. I can get to my Blog but it won't let me write anything. I just wanted to finish up with my winter writings.

We got home Wed about supper time. The trip was pretty uneventful. The weather was good as well as the roads. Our motel rooms were acceptable. We met Northfield friends, Mary and Jerry Taylor, a couple times. They were going home too.

Molly was a good girl the whole trip as long as we brought out a bite of what we had to eat. :-) She was good all winter. Mel took her for a lot of walks in the desert but it didn't seem to help her weight any. (mine either)

We unpacked some of the car and then went to the Pit Stop for supper. Seen Russ and his family and Tom. Sure missed them.

Thursday we unpacked more of the car and I started putting stuff away. Got groceries in the afternoon so cupboards are full again.
Trey and the kids came over and had supper with us. We visited until Church time.

We didn't get to see Terri and her family as they were either working or school. Being Easter week they are very busy with church work.

Mel has been working on getting the big truck out of the ice. It is pretty nice out today so maybe it will melt enough to keep the tires from spinning. He hopes to go to work next week. The trailer is in a snow bank as well. He said we should have stayed in AZ another couple of weeks. no no no no no.....

Back to hanging up some more cloths. Good Friday service tonight.

This will be the last blog until we leave again next January.

Thank you for following our stay in Brenda AZ. Maybe you can come for a visit next year.

Happy Easter everyone. A big hug to all and God Bless

Day 85...Wichita

Hi everyone,

We made it to Wichita KS today. We are so tired from sitting in the car all day. Even Molly. Molly has been so good. She mostly sleeps other then when she tells us to get to a rest area. But when we get to the motel she wants to play. and she barks when playing so the poor little girl has to just settle down some more.

We found out friends Jerry and Mary from Northfield were also on their way home from AZ. We met them for coffee this morning. They took a different road so we parted again.

Starting to see some snow here and there. Cold and windy today too.

Home tomorrow night.....sooo happy.

Good night hugs and God Bless

Day 84...On our way home

Hello,

We are in Santa Rosa, NM. The weather is wonderful although a bit cooler than Brenda. Had to wear light coats today. The scenery is awesome. Only God can do that. Hills, valleys, rock formations, snow capped mountains. Big bright moon. If only I could get the pictures on here.

We didn't leave quit as early as planned but not to bad, We thought we were ready last night but found so many things to take care of this morning. We left at 8 and then We stopped for breakfast at the Kofa and then on we went.

We drove over 630 miles. Hope we can go as far tomorrow. Should be home Wed night.

So good night hugs and God Bless

Day 83...Ready to go !

Good evening,

The problem with the time change is I keep checking for words from home and forgetting most are in bed. We are 2 hours earlier than home.

We are so ready to leave. Going out of the park at 7 am. Now praying for good weather.

After church we went home to have our final lunch here then we visited friends and got visits from friends to say good bye. Inbetween we finished our packing and cleaning.

I scrubbed the floor and vacuumed. Emptied the frig and thawed it out. (no self defrost here) Washed the dishes and cleaned the sinks and coffee pot. Mel got the last of the stuff in the car.

We met AG & Audrey for supper in Quartzsite. Went a little early so I could get some more beads that Judy recamended. (Still forgot one kind). But what I did get made us late meeting Wilsons. (Sorry!)

We had a good meal. I had Chicken Fried Steak and Mel had pork.

Thinking back about the critters we seen. There isn't many I guess. A road runner, a lizard, some quail, some cows, and just heard about 3 snakes. (So glad I didn't see them) Didn't see or hear any Coyotes.
Wish there had been more. The desert is starting to bloom now. Yellow daisy type bushes all along the highways.
Cactus is blooming here and there. Not the big Sagiaros though. My cactus here has a bud but I won't get to see it.

Our friend and former neighbor here ,Bev, lost her little doggie today. Bev had a tea cup poodle. So sad.

I have a new computer and a new weed eater waiting for me when we got home. From what I here I won't be using the weed eater for a while.

So guess I better get some sleep. I will try to blog from our motel along the way but if I miss a day don't worry.


I think I am just babbling so good night hugs and God Bless. See you real soon.

Day 82... Leaving earlier

Hello friends and family,

I am so excited. We are leaving Monday morning instead of Tuesday. We only have the deck stuff to put away and some final cleaning. The frig, floors and window covers. Might still find some odds and ends but I hope not many as the car is full. Only room left for Molly in the back seat.

This morning we went to yard sales in Brenda Park. Got a few things. Mostly some beads.
Home and packed. Washed cloths and packed, brought yard ornaments in and packed.

Friends came and got my flowers. I hope they enjoy then for a while. They won't last long when the temps rise.

We went to a music jam for an hour. Mels back was sore from all the carring and packing he has done so we came home after an hour and he rested for a while.

We grilled chicken wings and shrimp on the grill for supper. Now just hamberger left in the frig.
Good thing we will be going out for supper tomorrow.

So keep the sun shinning. we are coming home.

Good night hugs and God Bless

PS... Thanks Dixie J. for the updates on Brad's (Elvis ETA)contest. Wish I was there.

Day 81...3 more days and gone !

Good evening.

The weather is perfect here. Nice and warm with a little breeze.

More packing. Mel has the car half full. With a heaping pile on the spare bed to put in yet. He is a good packer so I am sure he will get it all in.

I got my necklace lesson today. Thanks to Judy. I just hope I can remember how to do it. I wore the one I made tonight. :-)

We met the Wilsons at Dos Amigos for our final Cod supper. It is soooooooo good. I hope to find a place at home that offers all you can eat Atlantic Cod. I know I will miss it. Said our good byes to the owners and our favorite waitress, Gege

We are going to a park wide yard sale early in the morning. A neighbor hood party behind us tomorrow afternoon. This will give us a chance to say good bye to everyone. From there more packing.

So good night hugs and God Bless everyone.

.

Day 80...Uffda, a long time!

Hello my friends,

How is MinneSNOWda? Oh, I sure hope it is getting better.

Pretty nice here. Never looked at the temp but I am thinking about 85..

The stew we made last night sure smelled good this morning. I and 2 friends, Alice and Mary, went to a craft show at Desert Gold. Mel said he would have lunch ready for me when I got back.. ha! It was almost ready when I left.

The Craft show was the same old things. Didn't have what I wanted. I bought a new sleve pin. Different then the ones I have been making. I am hoping I can make some of this kind.

After lunch we got a few more things packed up. Mel picked up the carpet grass we had out front. He tied down the deck roof and filled the water jugs. We set them all over inside to keep moisture in during the hot hot summer.
I got all the paper stuff I need to take home packed. Washed a load of cloths.

We went to Quartzsite later and picked up a few things. Then met our friends Betty and Roger for supper. They are from Utah. Good eating and good company.

We picked up some milk and headed back to Branda. The very last Gospel jam for us this season. So many have left so a small crowd and a small band. but I sure enjoyed it. AG and Audrey joined us there.

Home again. Molly had to stay home as it is just to hot to stay in the car. She thought for sure we left her for good... Silly girl.

Three days left and so much to do yet. Lots of packing and 3 more dinners out with friends. Church on Palm Sunday and a race to watch. I still want to get a lesson on making a necklace. Maybe tomorrow for that.
I pray the weather will allow us to go home on Tuesday.

Good night hugs and God's Blessings to everyone.

Day 79...Kind of warm !

Hi there,

Hardly left the house today. Packed a few things. Went to the post office. Stopped at Alices with a cactis book.

It was really warm today. 91 I think it was. Still pretty warm out.

Molly got a comb out and a bath. I was hoping to wait with the bath until the day before we left but she was soooo dirty.

We are trying to empty the frig and freezer so we made a crock pot stew. We will have it for lunch tomorrow. Not to much left. Hamberger and chicken wings is all.
Good thing we are going out to eat a lot. We finished off the steaks tonight with scalloped potatoes & mixed veggies.

I guess I better shut the door. Got a big moth in here.......
.......it is gone.

I hope this sends now as I don't have a very good signal. Ony two bars in 2G. Suppose to have 4G.

I found homes for my flowers when we leave. They are just getting big and pretty.
Just glad I won't have to throw them in the garbage.

Watching American Idol. I still don't have a favorite. They are singing Bettles songs tonight. I bet they can't do Elvis!!

Good night hugs and God Bless.