New Year’s Eve – Bye Bye 2024 – Hello 2025

Park Place RV Park

On Tuesday, Dec. 31^st it didn’t feel like the ending of anything when I woke up from dreams at 6:50 am. I know I’d been a some kind of big event with Bill and there were many of his pilot friends in attendance. Interesting. 😊 Seldom is my sweetie in my dreams so I wonder if the significance alone is that we are closing out a year together? ♥ Wouldn’t have it any other way.

Good morning!

The sun was ready to pop when I returned from
my early walk. The pink mountain top in the west
sees it first.

I got washed and dressed and headed out for my walk. It felt cool so I bundled up and was toasty warm against the 42F/5C. Clear sky again with a forecasted high of 69F/19C or so. Works for us! When I returned, Bill was on his way to packing up and heading out to the field. Alone. Duncan is still under the weather but hopefully, this is his last day before he climbs out of the sickness hole. I’m still touching wood (my head must truly be oak!) as I’ve not contacted anything.

What do you think? 
I think he's looking for 2025!

After my tea was finished and online games played, Gibbs took me for his walk. Today, he decided to go around his normal small block but then carried on around to Coyote Rd. instead of cutting through into the dog park shortcut. 😊 He was feeling pretty good and wanted to go further. It had warmed up a few degrees by then and the sun was beating down on us.

I set up my paints in the gazebo
and enjoyed my day here at home.

I made my own decision, since the puzzle was done, to paint some rocks. Nothing special, just more ladybugs and bumblebees. They are easy and some of my favourite rocks to paint. I give some out and others will go home and sit in our gardens on the Ridge. ♥ While the base coat, which I painted, dried, I came in to start an apple pie for supper, tonight, tomorrow, and beyond. I had Ridge apples in the freezer to use up.

Even though I enjoy making my own crust, and they turn out very good (yes, I admit that), I used 2 pre-made that I bought a couple of weeks ago. Just so much time saved and no mess at all to clean up after. 

These are great!

Once it was ready for baking, I went back out and used my markers to ‘paint’ the markings on the little bugs. 😊 I still need to purchase some ‘extra fine’ tipped markers, these are not fine enough for some details.

You can't see it, but the BIG TENT
for the RV Show is up.

When Bill came home, we had lunch and then, totally forgetting Pokeno at 1, we hopped in B.B. and drove uptown for a couple of items. We also stopped at Jim’s for Bill to seal a package they were mailing out for him, to Tyson Wells to look for a softer bike seat (no luck) and then to fill our two water bottles down the street. Then, while my boys dozed, I made the Christmas Wife Saver breakfast for lunch tomorrow and put it in the fridge to rest overnight. (picture tomorrow)

Cute little insects.

After more time spent finishing up my 12 rocks/critters, Gibbs and I went for a walk. The pie is done and looking wonderful. Hope it tastes as good! 😊

Yum!
I laughed at how my slits in the crust
turned out.
Sad apple pie?

We’ve planned our meal for New Year’s Day and I’ll make the lasagna after lunch tomorrow. Just the two of us to celebrate tonight, after fish and chips for supper. We’ll pour a drink to toast 2025 in at 10 pm (while you celebrate back home at midnight) and stay up as long as we can. Just a normal evening otherwise.  

The only thing wrong with this picture
is that there should be a streamer out behind
it saying...........you know what!

Supper was delicious!

I’ll close this off early and wish you all a Happy New Year! May 2025 be everything you hope it to be. Stay healthy, safe and most of all happy.

Good night!

Thank you for spending 2024 with Bill, Gibbs and I. We love hearing from you!

Poker Pool and Ukeleles?

Park Place RV Park

On Monday, Dec. 30^th we were up by 7 and Bill hopped in the shower after I washed and dressed. I’m always excited for Mondays because of poker pool so walked with a bit of a hip/hop in my step. 😊 It was a cool 42F/5C this morning so my hoodie came in handy, covering my ears.

Good morning!

Unfortunately, my ear buds were not connecting with my phone, after trouble I had yesterday with my phone not making a sound when I received notifications. LOL Bluetooth issues but I’ll get it figured out. I turned the volume up on my phone and played Sirius XM 70’s from my pocket. That worked just fine. I met the two ladies who come from the other direction and we greeted each other briefly.

On my early walk, I noticed this tree
at the library park has fully changed colour now.
Soon, it will likely be dropping them.

Back home, Bill and Duncan were preparing to depart. We have been fortunate to have use of our solar panels for 98% of the December days and today is no different. Bill turns the inverter on and switches off the power. It makes a huge difference in our electric/hydro bill, which will be due on January 1^st. 😊

The ukelele orchestra members begin setting up at the east end of the 
clubhouse.

I had my tea and Special K cereal (Walmart didn’t have Rice Krispies), which made me think of Mom. As a young teen, Bruce and I had Fluffs, Shredded Wheat or Muffets and Mom kept a box of Special K for herself. She deserved something more special every now and then and we respected that. We were little piggies and always filled our bowls to capacity! Fluffs were cheap and came in a huge bag.

Gibbs has been a really good boy
and Daddy is telling him so.
Later, they both snooze.

I walked over to Ladies Poker Pool after taking Gibbs for his regular walk. He makes me proud the way he struts along, even though there are a lot of pee-mail spots to stop, sniff and dribble on. ♥ Today, Sue had approved the ukelele orchestra members to practice at 10. Hmm, we weren’t sure how that would affect us but she made it clear that LPP was on the calendar and would still go on. It is only a temporary situation while their original venue is being remodeled. 

Finished!
See the extra piece at the top of the puzzle?

The group of about 20 came in and accepted the boundaries, as did we, and it was quite communicable to everyone for the hour or so. As for pool, there were just 4 of us today, and young Jess walked away with the gold star! She missed the first game but still came out ahead. Good job! 😊 Maybe next week we’ll have a full house with all members. We were careful not to knock over any of their music stands and they were careful not to play too loud. 

Gibbs started on the pavement
and his shadow followed him to the desert path.

Bill and I had lunch together and I heard that Patty is feeling better but Duncan seems to have caught a bit of the bug. Oh no! It’s going around. So far, I’ve done well, avoiding it, but as soon as I say that you know what will happen. I’ll just try and continue on the same path I’m on. We planned burgers for supper, since it is another decent day for barbecuing. Ha ha, there aren’t too many inconducive to that!

This path runs parallel to Quail Trail St.
so we aren't far but no traffic over here either.

With my boys snoozing, I started my blog and then walked to the puzzle. I’d like to get it finished in the next day or two – if possible. By 2:45, it was done! With a duplicate piece left over, I returned home. It was still pleasant outside so I opened a Seagrams Lime Margarita and sat with my book in the gazebo for an hour. Then Gibbs and I went for an early walk. Longer this time, in to the desert for a bit and then back through Arizona Sun RV Resort.

It is really hard to believe that the year is coming to an end. Wow, remember the song from 1968 ‘In the Year 2525’?  well, here we are approaching 2025 and that alone makes the sone 60 years old! My head spins when I think of what age we have become yet we are very grateful for every aging birthday. 😊 Bring them on – please!

This was a tasty little treat 
for a change.

Supper was one of Bill’s bacon, cheeseburgers, loaded but I forgot a picture before it was almost gone. You’ve seen them many times though so trust me, it was just as messy and just as good! A quiet evening watching tv. I hope you’ve enjoyed your day. We reached a pleasant 73F/23C with a clear blue sky. We still need our flannel sheets though, the nights are 42F/5C or lower.

I forgot this picture a couple of nights ago.
It's funny to take a 'selfie' from our security
cameras. We're enjoying having a view of
our home while we're out too.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by!

Wrapping it Up (Again) This Time in Reverse

Park Place RV Park

On Sunday, Dec. 29^th we were all mobile by 7, sorting clothes and headed over to the clubhouse to do our weekly laundry. All 3 machines were up and running again but we only needed to do 2 loads. I had already decided that after I loaded the dryers, so in 25 minutes, I would go for my walk.

Goood morning!

Back at the Suite, while Bill got ready to go flying (yes, feeling mucho better!), I put my running shoes on and carried my windbreaker and vest over with me. Oh, and my ear buds. 😊 It was a nice morning, beautiful clear skies but a cool 39F/3C. I’m glad my hoody as I needed to put it up to cover my ears on the north/south part of my walk. There wasn’t a lot of wind but the air felt cool.

You never walk alone

I went directly to the laundry room on my return and I had worked up a good heat by then. The sun had popped, of course, because it was after 8. I walked into the clubhouse and the heat in there hit me like a ton of bricks! Wow, I couldn’t get the layers off fast enough! Ha ha. Not excessive, just a total change from outdoors after a heated walk. My nose began running immediately.

Selfie time
What a great time to walk!

I folded the clothes and carried everything back to the Suite, putting all but Bill’s clothes etc. in their respective cupboards and drawers. Now, it was time for breakfast! I felt famished so my Rice Krispies and tea went down great. I messaged Patty next door to see how she was feeling and was sad to hear she is still battling the cough and sneezing. It took Bill 5 days to see a turnaround, even though a different kind.

This picture is out of order, but yes,
the decorations are wrapped up for another year.

Gibbs and I went for his walk and then we relaxed outside with my book, in the sun, until the boys returned around 10:30 (ish). Gibbs remained in the shade on the step, knowing his Daddy would soon be back. ♥ We passed the time until noon and had our ham, cheese and lettuce sandwiches. Bill had put the Christmas lights away yesterday so I tackled the Suite, returning things to normal. I usually wait until New Years but it was time and I wanted to dust in here.

I'm leaving the barnboard until last.
There seems to be so much that looks the same!

By then it was after 2 so I took my water over to the clubhouse. Puzzle time! It took a while to find a piece, seemed I sat looking for a long time before the first one dropped in. It went smoother after that and I worked away for a couple of hours, returning just before 4. I made my tea and took it and my next book outside to the gazebo. I finished Whispers by Belva Plain and started into a Louise Penny that Bette loaned me. 

This picture looks the same as the sunrise
but it is approaching sunset, facing west
over a dusty horizon.

Even though I got right into the story, the host behind us was on  loud speaker with her son on the phone, so I ended up coming inside and closing a window. One downfall of living in a park, although that is the first we’ve had this issue. 😊 I’m sure she has no idea how loud she is. Hey, I’m married to a loud talker too. We had steak, fried potatoes, mixed veggies, mushrooms and shrimp for supper.

Gibbs chose to walk to Quail Trail St. this afternoon.

I tell him he's a good boy, and he stops and looks at me.
Yes, I'm talking to you! 💗

 It was quite tasty! I thought I’d offer up an ice cream using the Signature Extreme Moose Tracks I bought at Safeway for $1.97. Well, it would have been if I had been asked for my card……….she didn’t and I forgot. Duh. Oh well, our first stray from Tillamook in a dogs age and because it was chocolate……….’nuff said. It was delicious! 😊 We cleaned up after our meal and had a quiet evening together.

A yummy meal.

We reached a lovely high of 73F/23C, with no complaints whatsoever about our weather. Nights are still dropping to 45F/7C or lower (in the next week) but it is fine for sleeping. Sometimes we turn the blue flame heater on, other times not. The house looks nice again, although I do enjoy the Christmas decorations during the season. Everything is packed neatly, in its place, under the bed and on a top shelf over the sofa. 

I can almost see a doggie's profile in the
ice cream. LOL Time to call it a night!
Good night!

Thank you for the visit!

A Pleasant Day and a Great Ride!

Park Place RV Park (I've taken a lot of pictures, just couldn't help myself!)

On Saturday, Dec. 28^th Bill was up with Gibbs at 6 and after having a rough day yesterday, cold related, I wasn’t surprised that he came back to bed soon after. I woke and got up at 7, heading out for my walk around 7:15. It was around 46F/7C and comfortable with a hoody, wind breaker and my poufy vest. I did my normal walk, around the big block and returned home before the sunrise.

Good morning!
Beautiful Arizona sky

What a beautiful sky again this morning! I can’t get enough and wondered if my friends and family back home were seeing it too. 😊 I know they were experiencing mild temps at least. Bill was up and getting ready for his day, although he decided on one more day of leave from flying. A wise choice, I think. He was sounding quite a bit better so why push it? Duncan left around 8:15.

We have Palm Trees, yes, but
we also have these three along my walking path.
Texas Ebony (left) (it is lovely!)
Top right: Desert Willow (no leaves yet)
Bottom right: Indian Teakwood

Just after I returned home
the sun tried to push its way through the clouds

I had my tea and cereal, playing games and reading my book until it was done. The tea, not the book. Although, the book is near the end. Bill and I drove to Moon Mountain Mail and picked up 2 parcels that he’d received a notice for. I think that is all we’re waiting for of our own. Back home, I took Gibbs for his walk before I hopped in the shower. Nothing like a long leisurely shower!

Bill may have a huge challenge with this little
plane kit. 'The pieces are so small!' 
I have faith in him. 💖

We sat together outside in the gazebo chatting and drinking our coffee. Lunch was bacon and eggs and we planned our supper. We’ve had a couple of quick meals recently so I took chicken thighs out of the freezer for a better option. After clean up, I got my running shoes on and a hoody, donned my bike helmet, loaded water and went for a nice long ride on Lila. 😊

My bike route was paved and smooth.
Past the flying field, around the corner onto Tyson
to Plymouth. Down to Chandler and back to the Community Ctre
and home. 

I’ve wanted to follow the route along Plymouth Rd. ever since we came and have only walked it, ¾ of the way to the bend. Today was the day and it was surprisingly easy, even with the occasional dips in the bike path/road, my gears helped me so I didn’t overdo it. Even the hard seat wasn’t too terrible today. I was pumped – um, as I pumped. Ha ha.

I made stops along the way 
for pictures and breathers.
Lila waits for me.

First this.
The amazing Saguaro grows up in the branches
of a Paleo Verde tree.
You'd think one would die with the strain
but both continue to grow.

There were things along the way that I stopped for and I took advantage to have a drink and a breather at those stops. Of course, and a picture. Round trip, about 7 miles and 30 minutes, not including the stops. 😊 It is very flat, for the most part, and that is good because my legs are still getting used to Lila.  I was quite warm when I returned and had even stopped to remove my hoody. It was perfect weather for it.

I walked around it, under it, zoomed in, zoomed out.
It is simply stunning. Almost like a Crested Saguaro at
the top.
It's the one I pointed out to the Police Chief last year.
He never noticed it before.

Past the Fire Station, an interesting attempt
at a bottle fence, the Town Park (bottom left)
and a lovely homestead (bottom right)

At 2:30, I walked over to the puzzle until 4 and feel like it just might be finished in a day or two! I’m pretty sure someone helped finish the border, I don’t think I had it all joined when I left it last. I whispered a silent ‘thank you!’ 

It's coming!

Back home, I took Gibbs for his walk. The clouds had moved in today but it was still warm up until 4. Time for the hoody again. I sat and wrote my letter to Wowpetsmart regarding Gibbs' toy. We'll see what we get from that. 

We sat together in the gazebo.
Someone knows I've got my camera.

Bill is sounding and feeling so much better today, for which we are both grateful. It was a matter of time for it to break. He had another snooze while I wrote this before supper and I always say that sleep will cure almost anything that ails ya! 😊 Unfortunately, Patty woke up this morning after a fitful night of coughing. Her cold seems different, more in her chest than her head. We wish her well too. 

Someone got christened today
and made it official!

Supper turned into a very nice, filling meal. I had a bit of cauliflower casserole leftover from Wednesday so cleaned that up with my squash. Bill had corn and we each had potatoes. Full!

A delicious supper tonight!
(if I do say so myself)

We cleaned up the dishes, the air fryer and potato pot, by hand and turned the dishwasher on. The evening is ours to relax and enjoy. Thank you to a commenter, Roger, who mentioned a YouTube video that we hadn’t seen. In fact, Bill saw the guy taking a video but had no conversation with him to know it would be posted. It is very cool as Bill doesn’t have many of him actually flying. You can check it out too: YouTube Rusty 78608 to see what Bill does each morning.😊 

A perfect sky to end the night.
Good evening!

We reached a lovely 69F/19C and with low winds, it felt much warmer than that. Thank you for stopping by.

Friday is Class Day, To Parker To Parker to Fill up our Suite

Park Place RV Park

On Friday, Dec. 27^th, Christmas is almost just a memory now. We still put our outside lights on, because it is pretty, and the tree lights in the evening. I love that ambience with no other lighting. 😊 I was up by 7 and out the door by 7:30. It was 50F/10C with a bit of a breeze. Bill’s head cold was still lingering so he decided to stay home this morning, and informed Duncan. He was happy that Duncan hopped in his car and went flying anyway. I think that man is hooked!

Good morning!
If this doesn't encourage me to walk,
not much will.

After my return, I had my tea and took Gibbs out for his walk. Bill had deduced that going to Walmart in Parker was not a good idea either, so I accepted D & P’s offer to tag along with them. Our grocery list was growing, day by day, and there were a number of things we needed to restock. But first! At 9:40, Jess and Jessie picked me up and we went to the Desert Camel Crafts for class. ♥

No matter which way I looked,
the sky was beautiful.

Brighter and brighter

Jess teaches, as you know, but Jessie helps the shop owner on Fridays, with whatever she needs done. 😊 This morning Georgia had errands so Jessie stepped in to man the store in her absence. Us ladies, 3 of us today, were in the corner learning to make more flowers for greeting cards. It doesn’t matter what we are making, I am just loving the fact that I am getting out there and having fun.

The path was well lit by the time
I got to it.

Today, my colour choices were not the best for the background I chose BUT I am proud of what I made and, even though I felt rushed to finish those last leaves, we were still out of the shop at 12:30 and on our way home. By no means did Jess rush us, but we all try to be finished by noon to allow for another class at 1. Bill was just starting to make his sandwich so I joined him and was ready to catch my next ride by 1.

It was a small class but very
enjoyable. My 'busy' card on top
and the classes creations on bottom.

Duncan drove and, as always, I love the route. The desert, the mountains, the blue sky, all mesmerize me each and every time. We went our separate ways and met outside the front doors with our carts full of groceries. 

On the road to Parker.
They almost look like postcards. 💓

One quick stop at Safeway, across the street, a water car wash at Terrible’s and we were on our way home. Bill and Gibbs greeted us with smiles but he still sound like the gas station. (Terrible) ☹ Poor guy.

While in Walmart, I turned down a FOOD aisle
and across from it were these bins for sale.
??? Oddest looking groceries, eh???

With the food items in their proper cupboards, shelves, fridge/freezer I changed into shorts and sat outside with a cup of tea. Bill tried to sit with me but was just not feeling up to it. At least, I’m trying to look at a positive, it isn’t in his chest, or throat and it isn’t a fever. Hopefully tomorrow, he will see relief. After my tea was done, Gibbs and I went for his walk around the park.

Gibbs and I saw the sun getting
ready to say goodnight.

Supper time and we agreed on simple again, but enough to ‘stuff that cold’ again. 😊 Grilled cheese sandwiches and Bill got a nice dish of Black Cherry ice cream for dessert. I was quite full but may find a Lindor chocolate from my stocking later on this evening. It was a much nicer day today, reaching 71F/22C but feeling hotter than that with that sunshine! We cleaned up the fry pan and loaded the dishwasher before settling in for the night.

Simple and it filled us.
Mostly. 😁

I hope you’ve had a nice day too; I know weather back home is on the mild side and good for traveling right now. My sister, Donna, sent this picture of our Ontario home. Looks pretty peaceful, doesn’t it?

Because I have room for a memory photo
This is with George and Suzie (& Clemson)
at our site in Pilot Knob RV Resort, Winterhaven, Ca.
Dec. 27th, 2017
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by. Thank you also for the wishes for Bill's wellness and condolences. I think Craftyfox may just have talked me into buying more cinnamon rolls!!! Oh my, that is something I'm going to try with my next batch. (they're in the fridge!)