Our New Home

Here it is!!! We drove to Tucson yesterday, and BOUGHT THIS HOME!! We found a floor plan we liked and the dealership in Show Low had a model on site. Unfortunately, I hated the dark kitchen cabinets, but we thought we would end up with that home and would just have to make the changes we felt were needed. THEN, Ted called the factory and found out that an UPGRADED model was available FOR THE SAME PRICE in Tucson. (Pardon the capitals, but the emphasis is all mine!) This new model has been stretched four feet right through the living and dining room. It has a 3 X 4 foot island with room for 2 bar stools and light cabinets. It is loaded with extras and they will put doors in two walls that need to be opened up.

This home is 1 1/2 years old, never occupied. They want it off their lot to make room for newer models. They were willing to almost sacrifice it and we stumbled in at the right time. It is 30 feet by 60 feet and 1800 square feet of living space. It has 3 bedrooms, a den and 2 baths.

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In comparison, my rig has only one kitchen drawer, the model in Show Low has four kitchen drawers, and our home has 17 kitchen drawers! If I put one utensil in each drawer, I may be able to use them all. Each drawer has a cabinet above and below, so 34 cabinets in all. The low ones will probably stay empty.

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We have been on a lucky streak in 2009 and it seems to be continuing. We are going to look at used furniture later today. I love the mission style, and a couple are selling a coffee table...2 end tables...TV stand...curio shelf...quilt rack...and magazine rack....for (wait for it!) $500. It is Amish made and solid wood. They are going on the road full-time and are getting rid of everything. I explained that we are doing the reverse and we could help each other out. I'll keep you posted! (We're gonna need a bigger trailer!)

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6:20 pm We bought the furniture. The curio shelf turned out to be a 4 ft by 3 ft piece of furniture with 12 book/curio sections in it. Beautiful! Of course I have nothing to put in it!

Azimuth Marks

Today was a lovely day, so Ted and I decided to go for a drive through the California desert off Ogilby Road. We followed mostly well marked "roads" and stumbled upon this marker. It intrigued me because I've found BENCHMARKS all over the western states, and thought we had found another one. But, this is an AZIMUTH MARK. I've been on the internet all afternoon trying to understand what they are and here is the best explanation I've found. Benchmarks are vertical points of reference (a specific longitude and latitude) and Azimuth Marks are elevation points of reference. What is this thing doing in the desert? The BENCHMARKS I've found are brass plates set in a (10-12 inch tall) square or round concrete post and are level with the ground. The whole post is about 6 inches square, so they are not very big. They stand out in the landscape because they are not a natural shape. From a distance you wonder "what the heck is that?" This AZIMUTH MARK was mounted in an identical fashion.

If anyone knows more than I do, and THAT'S NOT HARD, please...help me out!

Trip to the Mexican Wall

A few days ago, Ted and I led a group of WIN friends south to the border wall with Mexico. We had to travel 37 miles at 5-10 miles an hour. As you view the following pictures, you'll get some idea of the rough desert terrain, and understand why only 4 wheel drive-high clearance vehicles will make the trip. This is the first sign you see soon after crossing into the Barry M. Goldwater Bombing Range. This trip is not for the faint of heart!

Soon, you see this sign designating a bombing target. We also saw several marked crosses on the ground quite close to the main "road." We are supposed to call the Marine base the morning of a trip, to see if the bombing range is "in use" that day. Hum...

We hadn't gone very far when a Border Patrol truck stopped us and asked for our destination. That prompted a consultation between Tom and Ted, as to what exactly our route would be.

This is the most significant sign, in my humble opinion. "You are in danger of dying..." This sign is about 25 miles south of any civilization and from I8. Too many illegal aliens have died trying to cross the desert. Too many miles, too little water and "coyotes" who abandon their clients contribute to the tragic deaths. (Click to enlarge the photo, or use Ctrl +)


Here's the gang, minus ME!

This was our first view of the wall.

Interestingly, the wall is open on the sides

Another group made the same trip, but they were using ATVs. It must have been a dusty ride.

Joyce is posing here so you can see the height of the wall. Notice that there are gaps under the wall as well. Legally, the builders must allow animals to move across the border following their natural migration or feeding habits. So, the Border Patrol puts special sensors and cameras focused on these areas where illegals could also gain access to the USA.

Along the way I took pictures of saquaro cactus that caught my eye. I wonder how this one could possibly live.

This cactus is unique. Every other saquaro I've seen has vertical rows of spines, with the occasional addition of a new row as the cactus expands and grows. Enlarge this picture and see what pattern these spines take. VERY unusual.

Hum...what force of nature caused this?

Or this?

That's all folks!

Quilt Class

This was all Ted's idea! We know we'll be snowed in next year in Show Low, and we both need something to do on long winter days. Ted decided he'd like to sew! YEAH! So we signed up for a basic quilting class in Yuma. The plan was that we would both do the same pattern, using the same fabrics. Then, we were each on our own.

I needed a lot of help with the cutting as my right hand and wrist are so weak. Ted did most of the cutting, and I held the ruler steady. Then it was time to start sewing. The great thing about this class was that the batting and backing are sewn in at the same time you are adding the pieces to the pattern. All you have to do is attach the finished blocks to each other...and you have a quilt! We are making a table runner for next Christmas when we have a house...and a table!
This is my arrangement of the colors...

...and this is Ted's. Different, but with quilting it only makes the result more interesting. Remember, the sides aren't finished yet!

Maybe I'll remember to take a picture of the finished product, and maybe not. Stay tuned...

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By the way...check out this website. missingmoney.com

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I was surfing the site and found my cousin's name. Seems Harley Davidson owed him some stock dividend income, but his address was incorrect in their files. So, he was listed. He checked it out and will receive a check for $120! Every little bit helps. Maybe someone you know is on the list, too. Maybe YOU!

Arizona Lights

OK, I know, it is January 5 and I'm just getting around to publishing the Christmas Lights. Better late than never!

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Every year, one block of 55th Street is decorated on both sides of the street.

Verses from the poem are placed along the street and the owners compete to see who can decorate with the most lights. Remember, you can click on a picture to enlarge it, or use Ctrl +. Ctrl - shrinks it again.







I like the palm trees in this one.

There were teddy bears in every seat of the ferris wheel.

The Reason for the Season.

"Bubbadeer" is an 11 year old standard poodle who is dressed in 12V lights every year. He poses well and seems to enjoy the attention.

This tumbleweed snowman is over 10 feet tall. Note the candy cane pistol in the holster!

One of our neighbors decorates this 12 foot saquaro every year.

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That's all folks! I have a new camera and picture quality should improve soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!