Groundhog Back Home, Sunday Brings Wind Relief and Sunny Skies, Pool Day

We were up with Clemson on Sunday, Feb. 3^rd at 5:00. Bill first and then when they came inside, he needed a bum wash so I got up to assist. Clem and I went back to bed until 6 when I got up and joined Bill with my tea. Bill doesn’t cough all night and seems to sleep well with this cold. It is when he is sitting up that the sniffles come and plug him up. He takes DayQuil through the day with Vitamin C and the odd XS Advil. There is improvement. Tonight, he'll get the old fashioned Vick's chest and foot rub.

The park streets are long and pretty

Pat, on the other hand,is coping with her ear ache too but not showing much improvement and has difficulty sleeping at night. I went out for my walk around 7:20 after Bill had gone back up to bed. He slept a lot yesterday, off and on, so we believe that is aiding in his recovery. When I returned, he was still in bed, awake but resting, so I hopped in the shower. Then it was time for breakfast, even though early.

Some very elaborate toys

The streets are named after desert plants

We are debating running across the road to see about Pet Grooming, if it is open today. We’ve looked at Google maps to find it but the name isn’t clear so can’t search it. The bottom line is that we need to tend to our little hairy guy. When dishes were cleaned up, we checked in with Rob and Pat to see of their plans before we made any decisions. Rob is taking her to an Urgent Care clinic to get started on some antibiotics. No one wants her unwell during our stay here and meds will take a while to kick in.

Good morning, he said to me as I walked by

Yesterday, our back-home groundhog, Wiarton Willie, didn’t see his shadow so that means spring is supposed to arrive early. I hope so, we want the snow gone come April! I read that Punxsutawney Phil predicted the same in Pennsylvania. How often are these rodent’s predictions correct? I don’t know but you might want to keep your winter clothing handy during the month of March, just in case. Here, in the beautiful state of Arizona, we’ll enjoy the warm weather for our fellow Canadians!

I wasn't sure what was on this cactus

And a close look reveals cluster flowers not yet in bloom

And the sun also rises

Not sure what the puddles were from, we don't think it rained
overnight

Use your imagination here
This gazebo is for short people - ha ha

Bill and I drove to try and find the dog groomer just down the road, but they have obviously moved. We drove further to S. Frontage Rd. to Southwest Exchange and made an appointment for Clemson’s groom on Thursday. With some time on our hands, we decided to drive to E. Yuma Palms to the Hobby Lobby. I could buy some yarn and Bill can get some paint for his model. After that drive, we were disappointed to find them closed on Sundays. Never even thought of that! Duh to us!

Sunday morning arrives with gusto

There is a Joann’s Craft store in the same mall location and they are having a store wide closing store. We popped in to check for what we needed and Bill was pleasantly surprised to find the model paints. At a 20% discount, it was a better cost any way than H.L. No yarn for me but we will come back another day. We drove home and took a swing around to the Yuma Flyers model airplane field. No one was flying so we drove home. Bill took a couple of his DayQuil and settled down with his book.

Colourful selfie in front of the Office/Ballroom

I’ve got the itch to either swim, read or go work on the puzzle. Prepared for both scenarios, I dressed for the pool with cover-ups and took my bag with towel, book, water and phone to the clubhouse. Oh! And my pool noodle. First time in a new park is always the most intimidating when I'm alone so I never make any promises to myself. 😊 The day was a nice one though with the temperature rounding 68F and light winds around 3 mph. I had no doubt that I'd be getting in the heated pool. 

This is the puzzle I worked on yesterday

 There were 4 people at the pool but in the 2 hours I was there, that number doubled. People came and left but the original 4 stuck around enjoying the pool, the hot tub and the sun. When I returned back at our site, I noticed that my sweetie had removed my bike out of Black Beauty and she was prepped and ready to ride. Once I’d changed out of my bathing suit, I took a chair to the back of the Suite and sat in the sun for a while longer.

A couple of desktop computers available for guest use

We weren’t interested in the Super Bowl so had no desire to partake in the goings on at the Ballroom, right next door. Once I’d moved inside around 4, I noticed many people going in with their bags of drinks and nibblers. It is good that the park opens up a central location when the sports minded can hang out and have fun. It is almost too nice a day to be indoors but unless they have an outdoor tv, inside it is.

And lo and behold, our Canadian flag flies proud

Rob and Pat returned while I was at the pool but we hadn’t talked to them yet. I know that Pat got some attention and medication for her diagnosis of an ear infection and strep throat. I’m hoping that she soon sees some noticeable improvements. I want my puzzle buddy back! So, at 5 I texted to see how they were doing, specifically how Pat was. She answered in the positive, noting that she at least wasn’t any worse so we invited ourselves over for a visit. We didn’t turn down a cuppa tea when Rob offered it.

Looking at the mountain view near the flying field
a flyer could get distracted

Tomorrow is Mexico day, 3 of us have dental appointments so we needed to firm up a time for departure. Pat will have to wait and see how she feels in the early morning to determine if she stays home or goes along. When we returned home, I put together the Easy Meatloaf recipe we've come to love. My turn to look after my sickie and give him a break from barbecuing supper tonight. With some mixed veggies on the side, it was a filling meal with leftovers for another night.

You're not seeing things
You are wished Happy Chinese New Year
by this inflatable dragon in the park

To try and conserve some $, Bill turned the meter off to the park’s electric supply. With the full sun, we could take advantage of our panels. At 5:45, he turned it back on so I could utilize our convection oven. The park's electric cost isn’t as bad as we’ve seen nor as good but at .14¢/kw it was reasonable. (since we have no choice when staying for the month).

Supper was very testy

After supper, yum that was good, we cleaned up dishes and relaxed even more for the evening. We have some taped programs to continue watching and that’s a good thing with the Super Bowl on. Starting with Madame Secretary from a week ago and The Good Doctor. This has been a nice quiet day. I enjoyed the pool and the weather. Has yours been a good one too?

Thank you for checking us out today.

Fun Day with Elvis, Mom, Sisters, Friends and Pocket Cash to Boot!

It was around 6:30 on Saturday, June 9^th when we found ourselves up and about. It wasn’t looking like too much sun was going to make an appearance today but at least the pleasant 55F/13C was encouraging. It was a nice night for sleeping too, double digits are always good for the overnight hours. We had our tea and coffee and talked about what we needed to accomplish today.

A few hostas up on the hill, a tomato plant, peony, rose of sharon
and lilies

One thing I wanted to do before leaving here tomorrow was to spread the last bag of mulch. So, that finally got done! I think it looks so much better and should help to keep the weeds at bay.

Gerry needed to borrow Bill’s jigsaw as Mike was building a new rv step for them and once they left, we hopped into the Rav4 and drove to Hanover. A few groceries were needed from Walmart, some bread at Bread Depot and we stopped in Mark’s to check out their ‘storewide sale’. Bill found a pair of black jeans for a great price.

A few things left but not much
Trace and Bill watch the goings on

Sandra had lots of beautiful skating dresses for sale

 Back in Durham, the town was C-R-A-Z-Y!! The Durham Herb Fair was on, an auction sale, many garage sales (including the Aljoes’) and even a funeral. I missed getting a picture of the 1940’s hearse as it sat in the lot. The streets in the north end of Durham were jam packed for most of the day. We found a spot down Queen St. and walked to our friend’s yard sale with a 6 pack……of cinnamon buns. It was nice to see Trace who was home from the mine for a couple of weeks.

Even though it wasn't an original, I still like the sleekness
of this Thunderbird

Bill and I left for home and tidied up a few more things, getting ready for tomorrow’s departure.  At 1 I picked Donna up, yay, my turn to take the new wheels out, and we hit a couple of garage sales. Pat handed me cash that she received for our inflatable boat. Yippee! We are so glad it sold and thankful to them for putting it out for us. We made $24 at their sale. :)

With the grass reflection it is hard to see the colour of our Rav4
It is called Pyrite (fool's gold) and we love it!

 We found a few small things and then drove to Rockwood to see Mom. Today was Elvis day, Spencer a young impersonator from Durham was putting on a show for the residents. We all love Elvis, so when Cathy, my oldest sister, arrived we all sat with Mom in the auditorium. She was so proud to have 3 of her daughters with her.

Full house at Rockwood auditorium
Back row on the right, Donna, Mom, Cathy, my chair

Special times with Mom today

For an hour we listened and sang along to his renditions of many of the Elvis hip shaking classics, then he did some Ricky Nelson and even Johnny Cash. This young man was not more than 25 and was very good. He didn’t look exactly like the Memphis man nor did he talk like him but we enjoyed the performance very much. 

Our Mom loves to flirt

And our friends really appreciate her humour

The 3 of us walked out to the elevator where we met Rob and Pat in for a visit with Aunt Mary. Mom flirted with Rob, right in her element there! Lots of laughs.

don't you love the shoes?

He was very good with the residents, giving out leis, flowers and silk scarves

Mom was singing along too

Aunt Mary was enjoying it also in her hair do and lei

We said goodbye to Cathy and I drove Donna home to the Acreage. Back at the Ridge, Bill had most things put away and the truck backed into position. It was when Bill asked what was for supper that changed the evening. Or should I say it was ‘the way’ Bill asked “what did I have in mind for supper?” that did it. He had an idea in his head and barbecuing steak wasn’t it. That idea was Riverside Fish and chips so we texted Donna and Gerry to see if they had plans.

Mom and 3 of her girls

We drove and picked them up giving them their first ride together in the Rav4. The food was good and I was so ready for it. After dropping them off again and checking out their new step, we returned home to our pooch. I felt kapooped again and just wanted to sit. I hadn’t really done much but it was a go-go-go day. I cleaned up the day’s dishes and put things away before securing the cupboards with the bungees. I remembered how to do it!

Looks like our purple irises will bloom in our absence

Before coming inside, I made 4 jaunts around the property and up to the garden with the watering can. I wanted to give my plants and veggies a good drink before we left. Bill found a program on PBS that we’ve probably seen before but this time recorded it. It is called The Highwayman Lives with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and my all-time favourite, Willie Nelson. Every song is one we can sing along too so now today I have had rock, gospel and country filling my soul with music.

One thing I didn’t tell you yet. While I was gone today, Bill crawled up onto the roof. We had a robin family nestled in our bedroom a/c. We couldn’t take the babies with us or Mama would never find them. So, with gloves on he carefully lifted the air conditioner to move them out. The nest was mostly dismantled and the 3 babies were actually old enough to have their license to fly. With a nudge, each one took off from the rooftop. What a relief that was! Bill’s hands were pretty busy though so couldn’t get a picture.

The sky put on a gorgeous display tonight before (or as) the sun was saying goodnight. I hope your day was just as wonderful!

Thank you for stopping by. I love to hear from you.