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.

Latest Photos of New Home

Looking from family room through kitchen to dining room.
Hallway to master bedroom is on right.


Looking from kitchen toward family room.

Master bath

Arne refers to this as the auditorium.
It's the master bedroom which is larger than we need.

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.

New Home's Progress

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.

A gift in disguise

I just read that "This economic downturn is providing a gift in disguise for many young people. They’re learning that success has to be earned. Buying on credit isn’t free money, and a government that promises you everything will eventually come knocking at your door to pay the bill."

I thank my husband for caring enough to teach me to pay off my credit cards monthly, to retire the mortgage as soon as possible, to save for a rainy day and to only buy what I can afford. We tried to teach these lessons to our children. If they listened, they will probably make it through this deep recession far easier than those who overused credit cards and accumulated debt.

Our Great Adventure Begins

As of Tuesday, April 21, we became renters of the home in which we have lived for over 14 years. In less than two months, we will be on our way to Florida for a 180 degree environmental change.

March 22, Arne and I flew to Orlando and then spent a week at The Villages picking out what we wanted in our new home. It was a rather stressful week as so many things had changed since we picked things out last July. We were able to keep the lot we had picked out and are building the same model, minus a few things such as solar tubes, sound system, gas appliances and bird cage. We’ve been told there are few bugs in The Villages but EVERY home has a SCREENED-IN lanai (patio)...to keep out the geckos and patio stays cleaner. Yeah, right!!

For those who aren't sure where The Villages are located, here's a map. Look for the red star. Below the map are pictures of progress on our new home.