Played golf Friday morning followed by lunch with the ladies. Weather was actually nice for a change.
Saturday morning Arne and I headed south to Bonita Springs. Our friend, Larry, was celebrating his 70th birthday. His wife, Lori, with whom Arne and I went to college, had invited us and five other couples to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for the celebration. I had never eaten there before. It's very pricey but my filet was cooked to perfection and remained warm throughout the meal due to the HOT plate on which it was served. Lori put us up at the Holiday Inn Express and we stayed an extra night so that we could visit a Marine with whom Arne attended Officer's Basic School, 46 years ago.
Sunday morning Larry and Lori treated us and two other couples to brunch. In the afternoon, we visited the Marine, Rick Stein, and his wife, Jane. They were on the beach so we joined them and took a LONG walk along the water At 5:30, we met Larry and Lori and Byron and Gloria, with whom we had also gone to college, at Pincher's Crab Shack for dinner. From there we went to Royal Scoop for an ice cream cone. Needless to say, I consumed way too many calories this week-end!
Sorry I don't have any pictures. I need to get a new camera as I lost the battery charger for my Sony on my last trip to Arizona.:-(
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Golf in a Wind Tunnel
Today I played a 9-hole scramble with our neighborhood. If I'd been in Arizona on a day like this, I would have canceled. Sine most of the people here come from up north, they don't think it's so bad and seldom cancel. :-( So I endured the sunny but cold day with wind gusts over 20 miles an hour. I am still feeling chilled and it's almost 4 hours since we finished. The good news is my group won the birdie pool, with just one birdie, and we each got $11 so I more than doubled the $5 I threw into the pot. :-)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Erik's Week-end Visit
Enough! This cold weather is really getting old. I know...we’re not shoveling snow. BUT, it’s supposed to be warm down here. OK, enough whining.
Friday poured down rain all afternoon as I went shopping, running through the wind and water. Fortunately, the rain stopped before we headed to Tampa shortly after 5 to pick up Erik and his friend, Jamie, whose flight was due in at 7. Forty miles from Tampa, we were stopped on the Interstate due to an accident. After we’d been sitting for almost 50 minutes, Erik sent a text that they had just landed. We still weren’t moving. Finally, an hour and 15 minutes after stopping, we started to move. On the way home, we saw the moving van which had gone off the road and caught fire. We saw cars backed up for miles and miles and miles. I later read that one person had been trapped inside and died and that traffic was backed up for eleven miles.
After that rocky start, the week-end was delightful. The sun was out although the wind brought down the temperature on Saturday. We gave the kids a tour of The Villages, had a nice dinner at home and watched the Olympics.
Sunday after church, we drove over to Al and Donna Smith’s home in Harbor Hills, hoping to see some gators. No luck. We came back to Arnold Palmer Legends for lunch. Then a trip to Fresh Market where we picked up filet mignon and twice-baked potatoes for dinner. Oh yeah, Arne picked out a decadent chocolate cake for dessert. We got home around 4. Erik and Jamie went for a ride in the Corvette. They went over to Lake Sumter Landing and spent some time sitting on the boardwalk by the lake.
Monday, it was time to make another trip to Tampa for their 2 PM flight back to New Mexico. We were doing well until 18 miles from the airport and we ran into another accident. Thanks to a digital warning that an accident was ahead and Arne’s awareness of the stopped traffic, we got off the Interstate, programmed the navigator to minimize freeways and got to the airport 25 minutes later than planned. Our detour took us past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers field and George Steinbrenner field where the Yankees play their spring training games. Erik and Jamie made their flight, which was 20 minutes late taking off, but they nearly missed their connection in Dallas and their baggage did miss it. Fortunately, there was another flight in less than two hours so they had dinner while waiting for their bags to arrive in Albuquerque. I hope they got a refund of their baggage fee.
I was surprised today by the ladies to whom I teach English. At the end of class, they brought out a big cake with white frosting and red writing “Happy Valentine’s Day.” I didn’t realize it was in my honor until one of the ladies handed me a knife with which to cut and serve. It was 11:45 and I didn’t really want cake before lunch but I had to be polite. :-)
Friday poured down rain all afternoon as I went shopping, running through the wind and water. Fortunately, the rain stopped before we headed to Tampa shortly after 5 to pick up Erik and his friend, Jamie, whose flight was due in at 7. Forty miles from Tampa, we were stopped on the Interstate due to an accident. After we’d been sitting for almost 50 minutes, Erik sent a text that they had just landed. We still weren’t moving. Finally, an hour and 15 minutes after stopping, we started to move. On the way home, we saw the moving van which had gone off the road and caught fire. We saw cars backed up for miles and miles and miles. I later read that one person had been trapped inside and died and that traffic was backed up for eleven miles.
After that rocky start, the week-end was delightful. The sun was out although the wind brought down the temperature on Saturday. We gave the kids a tour of The Villages, had a nice dinner at home and watched the Olympics. Sunday after church, we drove over to Al and Donna Smith’s home in Harbor Hills, hoping to see some gators. No luck. We came back to Arnold Palmer Legends for lunch. Then a trip to Fresh Market where we picked up filet mignon and twice-baked potatoes for dinner. Oh yeah, Arne picked out a decadent chocolate cake for dessert. We got home around 4. Erik and Jamie went for a ride in the Corvette. They went over to Lake Sumter Landing and spent some time sitting on the boardwalk by the lake.
Monday, it was time to make another trip to Tampa for their 2 PM flight back to New Mexico. We were doing well until 18 miles from the airport and we ran into another accident. Thanks to a digital warning that an accident was ahead and Arne’s awareness of the stopped traffic, we got off the Interstate, programmed the navigator to minimize freeways and got to the airport 25 minutes later than planned. Our detour took us past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers field and George Steinbrenner field where the Yankees play their spring training games. Erik and Jamie made their flight, which was 20 minutes late taking off, but they nearly missed their connection in Dallas and their baggage did miss it. Fortunately, there was another flight in less than two hours so they had dinner while waiting for their bags to arrive in Albuquerque. I hope they got a refund of their baggage fee.
I was surprised today by the ladies to whom I teach English. At the end of class, they brought out a big cake with white frosting and red writing “Happy Valentine’s Day.” I didn’t realize it was in my honor until one of the ladies handed me a knife with which to cut and serve. It was 11:45 and I didn’t really want cake before lunch but I had to be polite. :-)
Monday, February 8, 2010
February's Flyin' By
Another busy week here in Florida. Past two Sundays I played BB and VB while on Mondays it's Mah Jong. Wednesday and Friday played golf. I had been warned to take extra balls for Wednesday's course. I did indeed lose three balls and this is a par-3 course! Several of the tee boxes required carrying the ball over swamp grass and mine didn't always carry so far. :-(
Friday night we went to Harbor Hills, a community about 15 minutes from The Villages. Our neighbors in Terravita, Al and Donna Smith, recently moved there and wanted us to see their new home. They have a fantastic view as they sit on a hilltop and look out at a big lake.
Sunday we went to a Super Bowl party at one of the Recreation Centers. We were seated a table with the Johnsons, Hal and Candace, who happened to be from the Chicago area, and last lived in Arlington Heights, where Arne's mother had lived for many years. Hal had worked for Colonial Hospital Supply and is very well acquainted with Arne's brother, Carl. In fact, he saw Carl in December at a Christmas party back in Chicago. Small world!!
Tonight we went to Stonecrest, just outside The Villages, to see the new home of friends Jack and Bobbi Leahy who will be moving here from Sedona, Arizona. Pretty soon we'll be able to have an Arizona Club.
Erik and friend, Jamie, are flying to Tampa on Friday. We look forward to having them here for a short stay. They have to fly back to Albuquerque on Monday. Sure hope we have sunshine for them.
Friday night we went to Harbor Hills, a community about 15 minutes from The Villages. Our neighbors in Terravita, Al and Donna Smith, recently moved there and wanted us to see their new home. They have a fantastic view as they sit on a hilltop and look out at a big lake.
Sunday we went to a Super Bowl party at one of the Recreation Centers. We were seated a table with the Johnsons, Hal and Candace, who happened to be from the Chicago area, and last lived in Arlington Heights, where Arne's mother had lived for many years. Hal had worked for Colonial Hospital Supply and is very well acquainted with Arne's brother, Carl. In fact, he saw Carl in December at a Christmas party back in Chicago. Small world!!
Tonight we went to Stonecrest, just outside The Villages, to see the new home of friends Jack and Bobbi Leahy who will be moving here from Sedona, Arizona. Pretty soon we'll be able to have an Arizona Club.
Erik and friend, Jamie, are flying to Tampa on Friday. We look forward to having them here for a short stay. They have to fly back to Albuquerque on Monday. Sure hope we have sunshine for them.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Frost Damage
Yesterday I took a ride through the neighborhood to assess the damage from the cold spell we had in early January. All of those beautiful Queen palms I had so admired have brown leaves. I now know that Arne and I will not be planting any Queens when we work on our landscaping. You can see the damage in these two pictures of the thousands of dollars in landscaping put in by our neighbor across the street just a few months ago. Very sad. Some plants will probably come back but it will take a LONG time.
We have had two cranes visiting the vacant lot next to us. Today, upon returnig from a Genealogy meeting, they were on our driveway. I got a picture of them moving to our neighbor's yard. At least they don't rattle or hiss.
We have had two cranes visiting the vacant lot next to us. Today, upon returnig from a Genealogy meeting, they were on our driveway. I got a picture of them moving to our neighbor's yard. At least they don't rattle or hiss.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Leaving Cold Country
Thursday I flew from Phoenix to Albuquerque. We were delayed by almost an hour due to bad weather in California which was coming to Phoenix. I was in a rental car just north of Albuquerque when I got a call from Kadin and Gracie wanting to know when I would be in Los Alamos. They were released from school at 12:30 and had a 2-hour delayed start on Friday because a winter storm was approaching. I didn't run into any problems except slushy roads once I got to LA, arriving around 3 PM. The view from Erik's living room was beautiful but I wouldn't want to live with the cold winter again.
The girls were supposed to have a basketball game on Friday and Saturday but they were cancelled. I was disappointed as it would have been fun to see them. I talked to Kadin's coach Saturday afternoon during Kadin's 9th birthday party. He told me the girls haven't grasped rebounding so if a girl from the other team shoots and the ball comes down by them, they give it back to the girl who just shot. Would have been cute to watch.
One morning, Erik made the girls pancakes. He makes them in the shape of a heart.
Kadin has wanted a dog for years. Erik compromised with a parakeet. Saturday morning we drove to the PetSmart in Santa Fe where she picked out her parakeet. After this one is trained, Gracie will be allowed to get one. I bought the cage they picked out. By Sunday night, he was sitting on their finger or hand. Kadin was very excited.Here's "Blue Raspberry" in his/her cage.
Before her party, Kadin went outside to clean the snow off their trampoline. Here's some video which shows how she turns work into fun.
Sunday was sunny and upper 30's. Not so bad until the wind picked up.Kadin and Gracie spent a couple of hours sledding down a hill on the other side of Erik's house.
Erik and I were cheering for the Vikings but alas, too many mistakes and they pretty much gave the game to the Saints. We'll be cheering for the Saints in the Super Bowl.
Less than an hour until my flight back to Orlando. I'll get home between 8 and 9 PM if all goes according to plan. Arne has been lonely and should be glad to see me. :-)
The girls were supposed to have a basketball game on Friday and Saturday but they were cancelled. I was disappointed as it would have been fun to see them. I talked to Kadin's coach Saturday afternoon during Kadin's 9th birthday party. He told me the girls haven't grasped rebounding so if a girl from the other team shoots and the ball comes down by them, they give it back to the girl who just shot. Would have been cute to watch.
One morning, Erik made the girls pancakes. He makes them in the shape of a heart.
Kadin has wanted a dog for years. Erik compromised with a parakeet. Saturday morning we drove to the PetSmart in Santa Fe where she picked out her parakeet. After this one is trained, Gracie will be allowed to get one. I bought the cage they picked out. By Sunday night, he was sitting on their finger or hand. Kadin was very excited.Here's "Blue Raspberry" in his/her cage.
Before her party, Kadin went outside to clean the snow off their trampoline. Here's some video which shows how she turns work into fun.
Sunday was sunny and upper 30's. Not so bad until the wind picked up.Kadin and Gracie spent a couple of hours sledding down a hill on the other side of Erik's house.
Erik and I were cheering for the Vikings but alas, too many mistakes and they pretty much gave the game to the Saints. We'll be cheering for the Saints in the Super Bowl.
Less than an hour until my flight back to Orlando. I'll get home between 8 and 9 PM if all goes according to plan. Arne has been lonely and should be glad to see me. :-)
Monday, January 18, 2010
In Arizona
Arrived in Phoenix Friday around 5 PM. Am staying in Mesa with Lisa. Saturday morning I met 6 friends from Terravita for hiking in the McDowell Mountains. I made a wrong turn and caused them to wait for a good 15 minutes. They were very nice and welcomed me with open arms. We did about a 7-mile hike and then got something to eat at AJ's. So much for burning calories. :-(
Sunday morning Lisa dropped me off in Tempe, a mile from the finish line for PF Chang's Rock'n Roll Marathon. My niece, Megan, was running the half-marathon. I was to meet sister Marla and Mark to spend the afternoon with them. It took quite a bit of time to hook up even with cell phones. There were over 32,000 runners. Add to that mix all of the people waiting to greet them at the finish line, using their cell phones to locate each other and perhaps you can understand why Marla and I had to make many phone calls, some of which didn't go through because of the volume of calls. We finally got together after I took her call while in the porta pottie, known as a Kaibo in Iowa.
Sunday evening Marla's family and mine went bowling in Scottsdale. Fun time was had by all, especially Drew, Marla's 3-year-old grandson. This pic is of my 3 grandsons.
Today is Martin Luther King holiday so I took Taylor to see Avatar in 3-D. I enjoyed it. To me it was Star Wars on steroids. Excellent.
I just got home after dining at Toby Keith's in Mesa. Lisa, Nick and I were joined by grandson Aaron and Ashley.
Sunday morning Lisa dropped me off in Tempe, a mile from the finish line for PF Chang's Rock'n Roll Marathon. My niece, Megan, was running the half-marathon. I was to meet sister Marla and Mark to spend the afternoon with them. It took quite a bit of time to hook up even with cell phones. There were over 32,000 runners. Add to that mix all of the people waiting to greet them at the finish line, using their cell phones to locate each other and perhaps you can understand why Marla and I had to make many phone calls, some of which didn't go through because of the volume of calls. We finally got together after I took her call while in the porta pottie, known as a Kaibo in Iowa.
Sunday evening Marla's family and mine went bowling in Scottsdale. Fun time was had by all, especially Drew, Marla's 3-year-old grandson. This pic is of my 3 grandsons.
Today is Martin Luther King holiday so I took Taylor to see Avatar in 3-D. I enjoyed it. To me it was Star Wars on steroids. Excellent.
I just got home after dining at Toby Keith's in Mesa. Lisa, Nick and I were joined by grandson Aaron and Ashley.
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