Last Day in This Paradise, Puzzle and Craft Fun, Dinner Out

On Friday, Nov. 30^th I woke around 5 but dropped off until just after 6:30 when I got up for the day. This will be our last full day here this year and it is looking like a good one. It is a cloudy 58F/15C now and not a drop of a breeze but to the west, the blue sky is pushing through the pink clouds. With a forecast of 19C and full sun, I don’t think we’ll be disappointed.

the wash from yesterday works well

 Bill got up soon after but Clemson slumbered on. I went for my walk and remembered that I wanted to show you something from yesterday’s pictures. I forgot to include them in my Thursday post. When we came back from the early casino run, we noticed for the first time, here, the wash doing its job. There is a sign at each end warning that in case of a flood you are not to enter. In other words, use your head, it is more powerful than you’d think.

you can see how it rushes through

This morning, the wash was clear of water but the puddles gathered at the west end were confirmation they got rain.  I could sure smell it in the air and rising from the damp sand. It seems unfair for us rv’ers to pray it doesn’t rain on our parade, when they need it so badly here in this part of the country.

The clouds to the east gives the impression of a cloudy day

Back at the Suite, Clemson still wasn’t up and didn’t budge until 8 for his first nature call since bedtime at 10. Good dog! The house on the hill is really coming along now and I’m glad they’ve recovered from the wind damage. Next year when we come back, it will be interesting to see its progress. There still seems to be only a couple of guys working on it but I’m sure they’re grateful for the calm days too.

The house of the rising sun?

I had a nice walk and met a couple of friendly pooches. One black and white bulldog named Leah (Laya) as in Princess. Her owner, a tall muscular guy, said ‘oh yah, she’s a princess alright’. Too cute, macho men and their dogs with sparkly pink collars. She didn’t need her leash, she doesn’t make a move without her owner…………. And she didn’t. I neglected to get a picture of this sweet dog.

and to the southwest, it is clearing

there are so many places to walk in this park, if you are curious

And soon enough, only puffs like these were visible in the sky

Bill and I had our tea and coffee together and read blogs. I read a few last night since we have so many gb left to use up by the end of the month. End of today. I hope to get some postcards written today and then we’ll have to buy some stamps to mail them over the next few days. Also, a couple of birthdays this coming month to remember. With the mail strike back home, I think I mailed one early, just to be sure it arrived on time.

This is all that is left this morning of yesterday's rain

I had a banana after my walk, feeling a bit hungry when I returned and they are starting to get soft. We had bacon and eggs for breakfast and we decided that we didn’t need to do any laundry before leaving here. I was going to wash a couple of our scatter mats but we can wait until we get to Lake Havasu City and use the one near the park on L.B. Road. Bill wiped the Weber Q and trays down so I went out and washed the small patio tables and our chairs as well.

Bill relaxes with his coffee for a while

I swept inside the Suite and got rid of a lot of small gravel and stones that tend to find their way in on our shoes somehow. Our awnings always seem to make a terrible noise when we pull them in if it is cool so Bill sprayed the arm hinges, which is where the noise is coming from. In and out, in and out, ah that sounds much better! Clemson and I sat in our chair together for a while before retreating inside for a coffee. Me, not him.

Pat and I finished the puzzle
So pretty and worth finishing

With plans for Pat and I to paint rocks while in Lake Havasu City, I gathered up the paints that I have and put them all together in a bag. I should probably invest in a few more bottles, Pat says they are very reasonable in Walmart. We’ll see how good these are, they were starting to dry out the last time I used them. I made Bill a coffee as well and we had a couple of Nutter Butter cookies for dipping. Clemson doesn’t miss a trick, he got a cookie too, dunked.

I took a pack of 4 cookies over to Pat so they can have a couple each with their coffee break. We all deserved a treat with our break today. Last day of the month and this will be our last day in this Paradise. In some ways that is sad because we're not going where we'd first planned. Pat and I are going to participate in the Arts and Crafts this afternoon with Debbie. That is something that Pat loves to do so I’m going to try my hand at it too. I’ve never been too ‘crafty’ so stay tuned to see what I can create!

Debbie helps Pat make decisions about lights in her wreath

At 1 Pat and I walked up to the clubhouse and worked on the puzzle. My favourite lady, Bev, was playing Christmas tunes on the organ and teasingly told us we had to finish the puzzle before we left tomorrow. Alrighty then! So, we worked away at it, chatting all the time. We figured out the confusing border and managed to get the last pieces put in place. Yay! We walked back to our sites and agreed to meet up again after a tea.

I read outside for a bit and at 2:40 the two of us went back to take part in creating something seasonal. Debbie put out so many wonderful things. We could make small or medium wreaths, we could make large candy canes, we could paint or colour canvas pictures. 

Two young gals were painting and colouring on canvas

We each chose a small wreath and she helped us choose tulle and get started. I was very impressed with her selection of supplies. I had no qualms donating $10 for what I would need for my wreath.

I was being crafty!

This is only a fraction of the materials Debbie offered us

For 2 hours, Pat and I worked with the tulle, ornaments, pipe cleaners, lights and wire frames. Bev sat beside us and offered opinions. She has been with the park since 1996 and loves being a part of it since she's lost her husband and can no longer travel. She has a permanent site and lives in a motor home at the entrance of the park. Bev kind of latched on to me today and I gratefully accepted a hug goodbye. I hope she’s still here when we next come to Ridgeview RV Park. She is a sweetheart.

Bev and I get cozy

I’m tickled with what I made and was happy that Bill also liked my non-traditional Christmas wreath. In 12 days, I can hang it. 

We proudly show our wreaths
They'll look much better hanging rather than in front
of our patterned clothing

This was fun!
It is kind of hard to see the silver drum and flower in the middle
but my little red bird stands out

Back home at 5, we got cleaned up and Bill drove us all into Bullhead City to the Black Bear Diner for supper. This has been planned for a week and it was a good decision and a nice way to end our time here. We started with our drink order and that was either water, tea and/or milk.

Newspaper or .........

Menu.......both!

2 pieces of pollock, fries and coleslaw
Oh and 2 hushpuppies
Quite a good meal!

For our entrees, we all ordered the Friday night All You Can Eat Fish Fry. We didn’t order this for the ‘all you can eat’ part but rather because it was the same price as basic Fish and Chips. She brought our meals and then brought 3 or 4 more pieces of fish to the table. Because we didn’t ask for it, she asked us if we wanted to take the balance home. Crazy nice! I could only eat one of my 2 pieces of pollock so added those to the container. Now we all have leftovers.

Preparing for sunset

Back home, we said our 'good nights' and because it was the last day of the month, I took Rob over his Christmas Advent calendar. I bought one for each of the ‘boys’ so they could start them tomorrow. Of course, they have to share their chocolates with us. We are all packed up to leave in the morning with the exception of the satellite dish and as we don't have far to go it doesn't have to be an early departure.

and the sunset tonight left this portrait behind
Gorgeous for our last night here
good night from Ridgeview RV Resort

We’ve had fun today and even better, we’ve had great times this past 2 weeks here in Bullhead City. Thanks for taking the time to see what we’re up to today.

Plans for a Quiet Morning, Wait!...... Goodwill Hunting, Classic Car Collection, Gambling, Dinner

I got up at 6:45 on Thursday, Nov. 29^th and it wasn’t raining so after putting our vitamins in the daily pill dispenser, I went for my walk. It was 55F and the winds were at 1 mph. I knew the forecast was for the sky to fall (so to speak) so I was grateful that I could get out and about the park before that happened. With the exception of one up by the office, I covered every street in the park.

The lower structures of this house are going up and I could
hear a couple of workers up there on this calm morning

As usual, I stopped in the clubhouse to check on the puzzle and was pleased to see someone else is stepping up to the plate and helping out. I put a few more pieces in and headed back to see if my sweeties were up. 

I think I take a picture of these rocky steps each year
but this is the closest I've got to them

They were, and Bill was at the table with his coffee so I joined him with a nice cup of tea and creamer. Clemson had gone back to bed. We read some blogs, checked our data usage and laughed at the amount we have left for these last 2 days.

The sky was gorgeous this morning
'Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning'

Bill hopped in the shower and then we made another hot drink and took a package of 4 warmed cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing. Pat asked if I got a picture of them, but no, we all dug into them before I even thought of it. Wow, they were a nice treat for a change. We ate them with a fork, if that gives you any indication how ooey, gooey delicious they were.

A cholla cactus near the laundromat

Pat had plans for the morning and shared them with the rest of us. Of course, I was totally on board with going to the Goodwill Thrift Store and the guys had promised to take us before leaving the area. Woohoo! They dropped us off and drove on to Harbor Freight, such a hardship for both of them, and returned within the hour.

Not quite sure what this one is

This one is called "Metal Saguaro"

Getting ready for the season
everyone has their own way of decorating and their own way
of securing their satellite dish

Don't get excited, it isn't real
but it's pretty cool in the light of dawn

Us girls enjoyed walking around the store checking things out and I tried a few things on. Most, other than a couple of things, were left behind. Let’s just say what I did buy is encouragement to lose some of my belly fat over the next year. We’ll see how that goes. I was quite surprised when I checked out that I had picked up a gray ticketed item, meaning it wasn’t $4.99 but instead $1. Even Clemson lucked out with a new Christmas stocking since his felt one fell apart last year.

This one should last him for a long time
I need to affix the applique from his old one
to make it complete and 'his'

The boys were in the parking lot when Pat and I walked out and we headed back home for lunch. We just snacked in our Suite and I think Rob and Pat snacked in theirs before we met at 1:30 and drove across the river into Laughlin, Nevada. Bill and Rob wanted to tour Laughlin’s Classic Car Collection at the Riverside Casino. 

There's my girl, waiting for me

Pat and I took our Player’s Cards and did a bit of gambling. I was doing pretty good on the penny machine, up and down a bit for over half hour. I didn’t walk away with anything I didn’t go in with but I had fun.

I knew there would be a rainbow when I saw the sun immediately following the heavy rain

And I was not disappointed
There was a double one on display and it was brilliant from tip to tip
but no pot of gold today

When the guys joined us, we decided to accept Pat and Rob’s offer to share in the free dinner buffets they received for registering. Buy one get one free. It was only 3 pm so Bill drove through Laughlin along the west side of the Colorado River and around to the backside of the gambling city. It was raining and windy but we all enjoyed the views before heading back home to the park.

The rains were hesitant when we drove over for supper

At 5 we met again and went back for supper at the Casino. Bill and I had eaten there last year with Donna and Gerry and you can’t go wrong when 2 people can dine for $15.95. 

We asked for a table near the windows

and we couldn't have had a better view

It was a great meal and although I had too much food on my plate each trip to the buffet, I only ate what I liked and was happy to try a few new foods. Who knew I’d like artichoke salad? We tipped the waitress and after a leisurely hour and a half, drove back home.

Looking across at Bullhead City

But I feel like we're on a Caribbean island instead

The food choices were phenomenal
and our waitress was awesome too

The rain had stopped and it was a mild night of 62F/17C. We said our goodnights and came inside to read and I finished today’s post. It was a wonderful day from beginning to end and we shared a lot of laughs. 

Have a good night
from us here in Laughlin, Nevada
and Bullhead City, Arizona

Rob and I can banter with each other all we want but Pat and Bill win the prize for teasing each other. Rob and I just sit back and laugh at the two of them. At one point, walking across the lot to Black Beauty, Pat came close to being thrown in a puddle. A little puddle, since she is just tiny. We do have fun. I think I’ve said that before!

I hope you had a good day. Thank you for stopping by.

Shopping Spree, A Slice of Heaven, Quiet Day, Sad Memories

It was 7 when I got up again today, Wednesday, Nov. 28^th and out the door soon after. The winds were non-existent again and it was 57F. Nice morning for a walk. I took my stick this time and walked along the wash to the east once more and headed to the streets of the city. The crew were already working on the ‘House on the Hill’ but from what I could see, it was only a crew of two. Unfortunately, I've lost the pictures I took this morning on my walk.

We drove into Bullhead and such beautiful views

I found a couple of nice rocks that need to be painted, just about perfect ones, as I went up over the bridge and down and back the other side. What a view I had up there from a higher level and what a view the people in that new home will have when their home is finished! The way the sun hit it first, before any other home, was inspiring. I’m sure there will be lots of windows on that corner.

On the way back, I met Rob heading just where I’d come from in the park and I arrived home a few minutes before 8. I made my tea and Bill was up soon after, as was Clemson, and joined me with his coffee. We read blogs and checked our banking status. Yay! Pensions are in, time to get some groceries in the fridge and freezer.

another successful visit to Sam's Club

I had a shower before we left and we informed Rob we were on our way in to Bullhead. They had already declined joining us today as they had laundry on their morning agenda. Bill drove first to Smith’s and we checked things off our grocery list as we walked around the unfamiliar aisles. From there, we went across the highway to CVS and picked up some good deals on the vitamins we needed.

One last stop at Sam’s Club had everything crossed off the list and Bill pulled in to get fuel at their pumps. Can’t beat $2.88/gal for diesel! It didn’t take too much to fill Black Beauty and we were on our way back home again. It didn’t surprise us one bit to see Clemson at the neighbours on his long rope. He got quite excited when he saw us, which is always a good thing!

And here is Black Beauty, looking spiffy

It takes a while to get our food put away but there is a place for everything and when everything was in its place, I proceeded separating the sausage, chicken breasts, pork chops and ribs into meal size packets. Bill helped and I found room in the freezer. I feel so much better now with lots of choices. That means I can be less creative considering what we’ll eat for suppers.

Little Mr. Happy Hour today
One slice of Heaven right here

We had leftovers from last night and agreed that would be tonight’s meal, even without the rolls and salad. Neither felt it was necessary. At just before 2, I walked up to the pool for a bit of a swim and some sunbathing. There were 2 other couples there and one left soon after I arrived. The pool was wonderful and I swam around for a bit before heating up in the hot tub. A final swim across the pool to get the soap off and I sat with my book in a lounge chair.

It was just before 3 when I walked back to the Suite. I took the garbage down to the dumpster and invited myself (and Bill) to our neighbours for happy hour. Their neighbor to the west pulled out this morning so they had a gorgeous view and would have full sun on their patio at just the right time. Clemson joined us today as well and seemed quite content to wander a bit and sit on his ottoman a bit. It was a nice hour and a half as usual before we said goodnight.

Leftover night

The sun should give us a performance when it sets since there are just the right amount of clouds hovering over the horizon. Rob informed me that there was a $2 fee for standing on his site to take a picture so I tried to get creative as I crept over and snapped the first picture. He caught me and there was a request through his open window to drop the fee in a cup the next time. We do have fun.

Looking darker than it was, but still a pretty view

Thought I'd play with some colour

The 2^nd time I walked over and snapped a photo, I carried with me a jar of salsa. We don’t eat much of it at all and had an extra jar. It was a win win for both of us. The sky didn’t do what I expected, unless I missed it when we were eating supper, but there will be other sunsets that wow me. 

this picture cost me a jar of salsa
I think it was worth it!
another slice of heaven

 We cleaned up dishes and after taking Clemson out for his business we began watching our recorded programs.

Good night from our house

This has been a relatively quiet day and yet we’ve taken care of a few things. I hope you have enjoyed your day as much as I have mine.

And my last pictures are for my brother, Bruce
This one was in 1955 of the two of us and my doll, Susie

The last picture of Bruce and I
3 1/2 months later, he was gone
I miss you big brother
You are now my real slice of heaven
And losing you at 58 is a good reason that Bill and I are doing what we are doing now
Living life to the fullest

Thank you for stopping in to see what we’re up to!