Saturday, May 30, 2009
Neighborhood Party
On Tuesday, May 26, some neighbors wished us well with a beautiful cake depicting our journey from Arizona to Florida along the "Adventure Highway."
Friday, May 29, 2009
Good Bye Parties
Due to going out of town for my high school reunion, I neglected to post pictures of a party in my honor hosted by Maryanne Annan on May 19. Marla created a short video of my life. Guests were from MAM (Martini a Month) group and Havasupai Hiking group. It was a fun time. I'm so lucky to have so many wonderful girl friends and will miss them very much.
MAM ladies gave me two beautiful martini glasses while the Havasupai group gave me Route 66 salt and pepper shakers from our fun night in Seligman. Thank you, Ladies.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Reminiscing
Friday I flew to Des Moines to attend my high school reunion. On my way to the farm, I decided to drive through Pilot Mound, where I attended school 1st through 10th grades. The red brick school building looks the same. Missing were the playground equipment and ball fields. Many memories, mostly happy, were cultivated there.
I stayed with Mark and Marla Friday and Saturday nights. Marla had flown up on Thursday to spend time with her hubby. They did a lot of planting...cannas, zinnias, tomato plants. Mark will enjoy them as Marla probably won't be back to the farm until Labor Day.
Saturday, Marla and I drove into Dayton. Our first stop was the cemetery. Marla goes there every Memorial Day week-end to place flowers on Mom and Dad's gravesite, as well as Grandpa John and Grandma Louise.
From the cemetery, we stopped for a nice visit with Gwen Peterson. Gwen is nearing 90 but still sharp. She is suffering from Shingles right now. I'm so glad I got that shot a year ago. Last stop was Jan and Clayton where we spent over an hour and a half catching up.
Sunday morning I headed back to Des Moines. I met Jody at 11:30 and helped her decorate tables and set up displays for the reunion and banquet. Social Hour was from 3-6 PM. This was the time we could mingle and visit with former classmates. Grand Community High School began 50 years ago and closed 26 years later. All classes were invited. The class of '59 had gathered the night before and most of them attended this reunion also. My class, 1960, had 25 members. Four are now deceased. Of the remaining 21, fourteen were in attendance. I had a great time talking about the "good old days."
I was happiest to see my basketball coach, Derald Swisher, and his wife, Emily. I asked him about the time my parents drove me to his house to turn in my suit. This was
Grand's first year and two basketball teams had been brought together so obviously some changes had to be made. I always thought it was Mom who was upset because I was being told to share the post position with Boxholm's post. Swisher said Dad was the one who was mad, which really surprised me. He said Dad left laughing and I still had my suit. The following year, I didn't have to share the post position. We won the District tournament giving us a trip to the state tournament.
I was also happy to see Janet Zunkel. Janet and I were known as Mutt and Jeff when we ran around together 8th-10th grades. Since I had a motel room with two beds, I invited her to stay with me so we could have another slumber party. We talked until midnight, woke up at 5 AM and talked for a couple more hours. I don't know why they're called slumber parties when there's so little slumber.
After a GRAND week-end, I returned to Phoenix Monday afternoon. Marla and I were on the same flight so Arne picked us up. After dropping off Marla, Arne and I stopped at Desert Ridge Marriott to visit with cousins Marge and Eileen. They flew in Saturday and kept Arne entertained while I was gone.
I stayed with Mark and Marla Friday and Saturday nights. Marla had flown up on Thursday to spend time with her hubby. They did a lot of planting...cannas, zinnias, tomato plants. Mark will enjoy them as Marla probably won't be back to the farm until Labor Day.
Saturday, Marla and I drove into Dayton. Our first stop was the cemetery. Marla goes there every Memorial Day week-end to place flowers on Mom and Dad's gravesite, as well as Grandpa John and Grandma Louise.
From the cemetery, we stopped for a nice visit with Gwen Peterson. Gwen is nearing 90 but still sharp. She is suffering from Shingles right now. I'm so glad I got that shot a year ago. Last stop was Jan and Clayton where we spent over an hour and a half catching up.
Sunday morning I headed back to Des Moines. I met Jody at 11:30 and helped her decorate tables and set up displays for the reunion and banquet. Social Hour was from 3-6 PM. This was the time we could mingle and visit with former classmates. Grand Community High School began 50 years ago and closed 26 years later. All classes were invited. The class of '59 had gathered the night before and most of them attended this reunion also. My class, 1960, had 25 members. Four are now deceased. Of the remaining 21, fourteen were in attendance. I had a great time talking about the "good old days."
I was happiest to see my basketball coach, Derald Swisher, and his wife, Emily. I asked him about the time my parents drove me to his house to turn in my suit. This was
Grand's first year and two basketball teams had been brought together so obviously some changes had to be made. I always thought it was Mom who was upset because I was being told to share the post position with Boxholm's post. Swisher said Dad was the one who was mad, which really surprised me. He said Dad left laughing and I still had my suit. The following year, I didn't have to share the post position. We won the District tournament giving us a trip to the state tournament. I was also happy to see Janet Zunkel. Janet and I were known as Mutt and Jeff when we ran around together 8th-10th grades. Since I had a motel room with two beds, I invited her to stay with me so we could have another slumber party. We talked until midnight, woke up at 5 AM and talked for a couple more hours. I don't know why they're called slumber parties when there's so little slumber.
After a GRAND week-end, I returned to Phoenix Monday afternoon. Marla and I were on the same flight so Arne picked us up. After dropping off Marla, Arne and I stopped at Desert Ridge Marriott to visit with cousins Marge and Eileen. They flew in Saturday and kept Arne entertained while I was gone.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
So Near, Yet So Far...
Weeks ago, Marla had mentioned hiking Camelback Mountain before I move to Florida. I wasn't too keen on the idea initially but after thinking about it for a few weeks, I decided to do it one last time. It had been over 11 years since I last climbed it and I'd forgotten that half of the "trail" was climbing over boulders. Closer to the top, there are no railings. 
Anyway, I met Marla at 5:30 AM yesterday. Since the parking lot was already full, we had to park about 3/4 mile away and we hit the trailhead at 6:20. We were taking our time climbing and had passed the mile marker. The top is 1.2 miles. Marla had successfully climbed up a rather large boulder and it was now my turn. As I was attempting to hoist myself up, I think my left foot slipped, scraping on the rock, and my right shin bumped the rock on the way down. Because the terrain was uneven, I couldn't get my balance as my left foot hit the "ground." I had a hiking pole in my right hand so I couldn't brace myself with that hand and the right elbow took the brunt. I got up slowly and was ready to continue to the top when another climber looked at my elbow, which was dripping blood, and 
said I should turn around and get to emergency for some stitches. I was really upset with myself as we were SO close to the top. Fortunately, Marla had a small towel, for wiping her brow, and she tied that around my elbow to slow the bleeding.
We worked our way down, which took a good 45-50 minutes and then the 3/4 mile walk back to the car. Because Marla's car was parked near Scottsdale Road and the 101, I decided to just go to Thompson Peak Hospital Emergency. On the way, Andy called to tell Marla that there was Urgent Care near Camelback Mountain but by that time we were headed in the opposite direction. Marla said they probably specialize in broken bones and sutures. :-)
Marla insisted on going with me to Emergency, where she had to sit in a nice, but cold, waiting area for at least an hour and a half. How lucky I am to have such a caring sister!
I ended up having one long running stitch, whatever that means, and four smaller stitches. The doctor also ordered xrays of my hand and elbow. My right hand had a significant scrape above the pinkie which I hadn't even noticed until we got to the bottom of the mountain and I rinsed it off under the water faucet.He gave me a prescription for narcotic pain killer. I slept through the night without taking anything for pain because the only pain was from pressure on my elbow. I slept with my elbow on a small pillow. I'm not even stiff this morning, unlike last week after climbing Black Mountain.
I actually got down on my knees yesterday afternoon to thank God that my injuries weren't much worse. When I think what could have happened, especially if I'd hit my head, I'm truly grateful. Marla and I decided to take Camelback off our "Bucket List" and added Yosemite and Yellowstone.
Anyway, I met Marla at 5:30 AM yesterday. Since the parking lot was already full, we had to park about 3/4 mile away and we hit the trailhead at 6:20. We were taking our time climbing and had passed the mile marker. The top is 1.2 miles. Marla had successfully climbed up a rather large boulder and it was now my turn. As I was attempting to hoist myself up, I think my left foot slipped, scraping on the rock, and my right shin bumped the rock on the way down. Because the terrain was uneven, I couldn't get my balance as my left foot hit the "ground." I had a hiking pole in my right hand so I couldn't brace myself with that hand and the right elbow took the brunt. I got up slowly and was ready to continue to the top when another climber looked at my elbow, which was dripping blood, and 
said I should turn around and get to emergency for some stitches. I was really upset with myself as we were SO close to the top. Fortunately, Marla had a small towel, for wiping her brow, and she tied that around my elbow to slow the bleeding.We worked our way down, which took a good 45-50 minutes and then the 3/4 mile walk back to the car. Because Marla's car was parked near Scottsdale Road and the 101, I decided to just go to Thompson Peak Hospital Emergency. On the way, Andy called to tell Marla that there was Urgent Care near Camelback Mountain but by that time we were headed in the opposite direction. Marla said they probably specialize in broken bones and sutures. :-)
Marla insisted on going with me to Emergency, where she had to sit in a nice, but cold, waiting area for at least an hour and a half. How lucky I am to have such a caring sister!
I ended up having one long running stitch, whatever that means, and four smaller stitches. The doctor also ordered xrays of my hand and elbow. My right hand had a significant scrape above the pinkie which I hadn't even noticed until we got to the bottom of the mountain and I rinsed it off under the water faucet.He gave me a prescription for narcotic pain killer. I slept through the night without taking anything for pain because the only pain was from pressure on my elbow. I slept with my elbow on a small pillow. I'm not even stiff this morning, unlike last week after climbing Black Mountain.
I actually got down on my knees yesterday afternoon to thank God that my injuries weren't much worse. When I think what could have happened, especially if I'd hit my head, I'm truly grateful. Marla and I decided to take Camelback off our "Bucket List" and added Yosemite and Yellowstone.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Latest Photos of New Home
Hallway to master bedroom is on right.
It's the master bedroom which is larger than we need.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
The best laid plans...After planning to have lunch at Olive Garden, we had to postpone it a week. Nick decided to work double shift. Hope he gets lots of tips! Aaron wanted to join us and had to work also. In the meantime, I spent the afternoon watching golf on TV and sifting through files and shredding papers we no longer need.
The week-end wasnt a total bust as I received a beautiful bouquet of tulips and Iris from Erik AND the gardenia plant that Arne planted for me many years ago finally bloomed.
The week-end wasnt a total bust as I received a beautiful bouquet of tulips and Iris from Erik AND the gardenia plant that Arne planted for me many years ago finally bloomed.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
47 Days...
We're 47 days away from the moving van with a lot of s*** (stuff) to sort through. We've started by going through papers. Arne found invoices from some of our old automobiles. Our '73 Ford Galaxy was a tank and only $4000. And to think what that beautiful white Corvette sitting in our garage cost...Talk about inflation!
This past week I interviewed two more moving companies, Graebel and Wheaton. Along with United, Bekins, and Atlas, we have enough quotes but which is the best company for our goods? We have to make a decision this week. We plan on packing most things ourselves and this will save us $1500-2000, more than enough to ship the Corvette, either on the van or by auto transport.
I played golf twice last week. On Monday, I had a 3-yard drive on the 17th hole. I kid you not...3 yards! It went straight up and off to the left into the desert. I still managed a 6 on this par 4. That might not sound too good to you but I picked up for an 8X on holes 12, 14 and 15 so 6 was much better than picking up AGAIN. I really had the yips. Guess that's why golf is a 4-letter word.
Yesterday, sister Marla took me on the Lost Dog Wash trail in the McDowell Mountains. It was beautiful scenery. I'm glad I got to try it as it will probably be the one and only time.
This past week I interviewed two more moving companies, Graebel and Wheaton. Along with United, Bekins, and Atlas, we have enough quotes but which is the best company for our goods? We have to make a decision this week. We plan on packing most things ourselves and this will save us $1500-2000, more than enough to ship the Corvette, either on the van or by auto transport.
I played golf twice last week. On Monday, I had a 3-yard drive on the 17th hole. I kid you not...3 yards! It went straight up and off to the left into the desert. I still managed a 6 on this par 4. That might not sound too good to you but I picked up for an 8X on holes 12, 14 and 15 so 6 was much better than picking up AGAIN. I really had the yips. Guess that's why golf is a 4-letter word.
Yesterday, sister Marla took me on the Lost Dog Wash trail in the McDowell Mountains. It was beautiful scenery. I'm glad I got to try it as it will probably be the one and only time.
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