June 22, 2016

Who says I don't blog very often?  It's been less than six (6) months since my last entry.  Since January 1st I've returned to Illinois.  Planted half a garden. We're downsizing.  Watched my husband mow the lawn 18 times.  Been to Missouri once and Wisconsin three times.  Gotten a good doctor's report.  Eat less sugar and drink more water.  I'd say it's been a good two months.  And besides that, trips to the hair and nail ladies.  We've seen the kids, two grandsons and two great granddaughters.  They are both cute as can be toddlers.  Wish we got to see them more often.
We're getting some much needed rain today.  It's supposed to be storms but we're hoping then calm down or go south.

Happy New Year 2016

This is the day everyone is saying "where did 2015 go?".  I know as we age time goes faster but this year has been so full I think time might have slowed down  bit.

We started out the year with a new great grand daughter, Madeline Christine, on January 8th.  The first child for grandson, Eric, and his wife, Julie. 

February was spent enjoying our time in the southwest with trips to Tubac Festival and le Fiesta de le Vaqueros.  (Rodeo)

March brought us two new great grandchildren.  Benjamin entered the world on March 2nd to granddaughter, Amber, and her husband, Tim.  Next came McKenna on the 22 to grandson, Daniel, and Sarah.

April brought us back to Illinois and rain.  Ron mowed the lawn twice a week most of the summer.  July mammogram time with a clean results.  And a Metz family reunion/picnic in Milwaukee.  Fun was had by all. 

October brought us back to the great Southwest and old friends returning for the winter.  But the day after Christmas trip to Yuma, AZ was very special.  Our oldest grandchild, Michael, retired from the USMC and relocated to Yuma with his daughter, fiancée and her son so we made a short drive to Yuma and spent a couple days with them.  Their still settling in but the kids are in school and Michael is working doing the same thing he did in the Marines.  We had seen them on the east coast in October at Benjamin's baptizing.  It was the first time we've been able to visit him in his home in a long time.

Chilling Thanksgiving Weekend.

Ron and Dee Great Adventure http://ronanddeegreatadventure.blogspot.com/

Ron's Carport

We've been busy. Ron got a surprise birthday present.  His much anticipated carport was put up and finished for his birthday.  He spends way to much time complaining about the birds and what their natural body functions do to his vehicles.  Now, we're hoping, it won't happen again.
Otherwise life is good here in southern Arizona.  We're looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with Ron's foster brother and family.  We love them all dearly and enjoy spending time with them. 

Enjoying Our Winter Home.

We've cut and trimmed roses.  Pulled weeds.  A contractor's bag full and trimmed yuccas.  Now its time to enjoy.
We went to church yesterday and greeted old friends and family.  As you probably already know, yesterday's sports scores weren't what the male in this household wanted and I had an interesting afternoon with sore feet.
Saturday was the first gun show of our stay so we went.   By not leaving till later in the morning we were able to avoid the mongrel hoards and get a front row parking spot.  However it's still a good walk to the exhibit hall.  Then we walked up one side of a row and down the same row.  I took to a picnic table outside to wait for Ron to go back and make his purchases.  Then it was the walk back to the car.  I think I started out my walking for health a little to quickly.  At least I hope that was the reason for the foot pain.

Getting Settled !!!

Sunday was spent putting more stuff away.  Didn't think we brought a lot but finding a place is another matter.  One of the few drawbacks is no storage.  If here wasn't a man cave with homemade cabinets I don't know where we would put things.  Probably end up buying a shed and cabinets anyway. 

When that task was done, time to tackle the list of groceries.  As the season winds down we stop replacing stuff and make a list for the start of next year.  And then there's the stock up things like milk, bread, eggs, lunch meat etc.  We started by going to the furthest store north.  Sam's Club.  Since it was Sunday we were able to cut through downtown Tucson to shorten our trip.  During the week it's better to get on I-10 and drive the few extra miles.  Then south to Costco and on closer to home, Albertson's.  With a final stop at Office Max because my printer that I leave here was out of ink.  (Albertson's is owned by the same corporate that owns Jewel.  They also have Osco Drug in their stores)

Today has been dedicated to yard work.  When they said they had a wet Monsoon Season, they meant lots of rain.  Our front yard is so full of weeds that if the rose bushes hadn't sprang to six feet tall (I'm not kidding) we wouldn't be able to see the roses.  Our bougainvillea even came back from the dead to make me very happy.  I was ready to go buy another one as soon as we got here, now I don't have to and I can sit on my patio and enjoy it and the roses. 

Safe and Sound in Tucson, Arizona

We're not standing on that corner in Winslow, Arizona but we are enjoying our second home in Tucson, Arizona.  The last day of the trip was a dream compared to the day before.  Sunny skies and mild breezes carried us down 25 through New Mexico to I-10 and home. 
We did encounter a surprise outside Lordsburg, New Mexico at a Loves Fuel stop.  We were standing at the check out ready to pay for our one big splurge of the trip, chips and pop, when someone came up behind Ron and told him not to move.  Of course he did and there stood his niece and nephew.  Sarah and Nick were enroute to Kansas City, MO for Sarah's new job.  She graduated with a degree in accounting last fall and had been having a hard time finding a job in Tucson area.  We'll miss them but glad they're following their dream. 

Day 3

Ron and Dee Great Adventure http://ronanddeegreatadventure.blogspot.com/


Having trouble blogging on my notebook.  I'm sure it's something I didn't do.  Another day on the road.  When we left Weatherford, OK at 7:30am it was still dark and raining.  It continued to rain the entire trip and though it lightened up, the sun never peaked thru.  We extended our destination plan since we gained a hour from Albuquerque,NM to Socorro, NM.  Possibly Tucson tomorrow.

Des Moines, IA to Weatherford, OK

Ron and Dee Great Adventure http://ronanddeegreatadventure.blogspot.com/

Night One

We're on our way back to Arizona for the winter.  This year seems different.  I can't quite put my finger on why.  I want to go, so that's not the answer.  It's definitely getting to cold to sit on my front porch swing so I'm glad I'll be able to sit on our covered patio in AZ. 
The only difference that I can think of is we didn't leave the house vacant this time.  Our son and youngest grandson will be living there while we're gone.  I'm glad someone will be there most of the time.  They moved in the week before we left so I got to cook for them.  What a treat cooking for two hungry men.  We don't eat a lot anymore.  I tried to make extra so there would be leftovers.  Must have waken up my mommy genes.  I miss them.

It's Getting to be That Time of the Year.

Yep, it's time to head for the southwest.  Days are getting shorter and colder.  Hoping this year the trip will be the easiest.  By now we have about everything divided up between the houses and don't have to bring much back and forth but the clothes for travel.  There is a case of kraut already in the back of the van but that's because we can't get it in AZ and I would be hanged if I didn't bring smoked sausage and Sauer kraut to the monthly pot lucks. 
This year it will be a little difference in the IL house.  Our son and grandson have graciously moved into it while we're gone to keep an eye on it.  One works days and sleeps nights and the other works nights and sleeps days so beside the alarm system it will have human content. 
It's been a nice change having them here this week before we leave.  Cooking for Ron and I isn't very interesting but adding two healthy appetites to the mix makes for a lot more enjoyable meals. 
Sorry I haven't been a consistent blogger but the body was willing but the spirit was not. 

Summer Continued.....

It hasn't been a normal summer at our house.  We've spent most of it mowing the lawn.  Make that he's spent most of the summer mowing and I've watched or did something else.
We did manage to have two picnics this summer which is two more than we've had in quite a few years.
July 4th was a combination celebration of Independence Day and my 70th birthday.  As you can see, I'm not quite as old as the United States but still proud to be born close to her birthday.  We decided to stay home this year instead of traveling to Wisconsin to watch his nephew set off fireworks.  As it turned out we had a spectacular show from our back deck.  Aerials going off in a 180 degree circle.  People must have spent a fortune on pyrotechnics.  Ron's brother and his wife, Bob and his girl joined us till around midnight and by then we had our fill of ooos and ahhs. 
Labor Day weekend was also a nice cookout with family.  Monday capped off a double celebration.  Betsy turned 50 on Wednesday and Bob's girl turned 48 on Friday so we had a lot to celebrate.  Bob even brought a cake decorated to them both. 
Sorry I haven't written often but it has been an uneventful summer with a couple exceptions.  A lunch and visit with friends from Cactus Country on their way back to the east coast for the remaining time.  A visit to the Sandwich Fair.  It's the last county fair in the state of Illinois and we think it's the best.  Some things changed this year.  Less farm machinery to crawl over and ooh and ahh at the prices.  It rained on us so we didn't get to see as much as we liked, especially the harness races and the campers but we did get a meal at Fay's.  They sell pork chops and chicken cooked on an outdoor pits by their tent.  The price went up but we went ahead since it's a once a year treat.  The other change there was no white bread, only wheat. It's the first year with no white bread. 
Thanks to the Illinois Lotto we kept dry.  They aren't paying the lottery winners but they were giving out free rain ponchos. 

Summer 2015

We've had a very easy summer in northeast Illinois so far but today it took a turn for scorching with one to follow tomorrow.  I've enjoyed the nice spring weather.  Been spending a lot of time sitting on my porch swing reading and enjoying life.  I know there are some who crave the heat and humidity but I'm not one.  The humidity drains me of all my strength.  For now I'm staying inside my air conditioned home and waiting for it to cool off again.
I must say thanks for a cool weather birthday this year.  I can't remember when it was 59 degrees at 10 am on my birthday.  Nice getting ready to go out and not needing a shower after shower.
We've been staying close to home, husband has a new hobby, mowing the lawn.  He's mowed it 24 times since we got back.  Tells you I don't have a life either, keeping track of his mowing. 
I wanted to do some traveling, see the new great grand son in New Jersey but can't be gone that long, got to mow the lawn twice a week between rain showers. 
I see Tucson is getting their Monsoons and that's great.  They always need the rain.  Looks like I'm stuck where I am, hot and humid in both places.

Birthday and Independence Day Celebration

 

 

 

It's kind of a puzzle effort to get this blog done but it's a labor of love.  July 4th and 7th were both fantastic days.  The 4th turned out to be a family get together.  Both my children and most of my grand children and two great grand children were here with spouse and significant others.  One of Ron's brothers decided to forgo another family get together and him and his wife joined us for the weekend. 

I did all my part of the cooking on Friday so I could enjoy the 4th with everyone.  My son and his girl stayed till after 10 pm watching the neighborhood fireworks.  Believe me they matched anything a village put on with beautiful aerials.  Lots of oohs and ahhs.   

My birthday was very special.  A beautiful bouquet of white and red roses from my husband were sitting on the table when I came downstairs.  While I was eating breakfast my son stopped on his way home from work with two dozen red roses.  What a surprise.  I still got some birthday cards in the mail and lots of internet wishes.  Sure did feel special.  We even tried out a new steak house for dinner.  Jamenson's Chop House in Darien.  I'd definitely go back.

 

New Year's Day.

What a difference a few hours make.  At midnight it snowed and now most of the snow is on the mountain tops.  We're going to have some chilly days to start off the new year but I have every confidence that by mid January it will warm up till it reaches the beautiful warm weather we're used to in Southern Arizona. 

Wishing all our family and friends a Happy and Healthy New Year. 

 

Christmas Time in Arizona

Roses in Bloom

 

Thought I'd take a quick picture of one of our rose bushes in bloom.  They were to far apart to get them both in one picture.  The other one is multi color pink. 

It's been warmer than normal here since we arrived a month ago and we're enjoying it.  December and January are our real winter months and then February and March warm up again for all the great things going on.  Looking forward to the Gem and Mineral Show and Fiesta de la Vaqueros.  The Tubac arts and crafts fair is a lot of fun and we may make it to other things going on as time permits. 

 

 

We're back http://ronanddeegreatadventure.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-back.html

We're back

We've been back in Tucson a little over a week.  We've been busy restocking the perishables and stuff.  Yes we had the place painted, new entry stairs and a skylight put in the bathroom.  Th color isn't exactly what we thought it would be but we think it's better than what it was.  Besides we don't have to look at it that much.  We're inside. 
We've had beautiful weather since we got here.  5 to 10 degrees warmer than normal.  Our trip out was as close to perfect as we'll probably ever get.  Great four lane divided highways all the way. 
Things are changing again at the park.  New managers coming in and the one that came last year before we left is leaving.  They're claiming they worked hard all summer.  They did take the palm trees out of the entrance drive and covered the cactus garden with red rocks.  That helped the first appearance look better.
Nothing much else going on.

Sunday Morning Brothers

Ron and his brother,John, sitting outside in back of their home enjoying a morning cup of coffee and conversation.  Last weekend and all this weekend and they haven't run out of things to talk about. 
It's been a beautiful weekend.  Fireworks  in Burlington, Wi with blood and heart relatives.  Then back to Milwaukee for more food, fun and family.