"It's Raining...not Snowing"

Rain is softly falling. The view from my front porch! It was a dreary, cool, overcast winter day. While living in Arizona has it advantages, though at Christmas time we get rain instead of snow. I am a midwest girl at heart and I truly love a snowy day with lots of snow on the ground. Hearing the crunch of snow under my feet reminds of the delightful times and adventures I had living back east. I may have to do something to create a snowy environment here. How about the outside decor including many shades of white with lots of glitter to create a winter look? I could hang glass icicles from my tree (I do) or perhaps I need to stack mounds of faux snowballs in outdoor urns and hang snowflakes and icicles from my porch. Not this year though, we have red lights on the porch columns and white cluster lights on the eaves. Looks like a candy cane house when the lights are on. Next year, we'll see what we can add, there's a whole year to plan.

90 Concrete Tiles Later...Up a Ladder

Part of our keeping our current insurance provider was to replace and repair the broken tiles on our roof. Not an easy task as we have about ten different slopes and separate areas of roofing.  The inspection report said that twenty tiles needed to be removed and replaced...I think the man couldn't count right or he grew tired.  Actually it was more like ninety tiles that had to be carried up the ladder and the old broken tiles were tossed off the roof. When I said tossed off...that's exactly what happened...wherever they would fall or should I say where they were thrown and not by me. Front yard, side yard, rear yard, by the drive way and if you are wondering who got to collect and pick up the broken tiles...look no further...it was me.  See the pile! The dark tiles are actually the ones that were replaced. What a difference in color and we have a pile of the original ones...that's what the sun does to them.  Next project..finding a way to get rid of the pigeons and helping them to find a new roosting place...think it's possible? Dirty birds!!!!!!

Moved In...Settled?

It was a move...to remember? Really not sure but with welcomed relief, its done. Yeah no more moving...no more boxes to pack...and now I will hopefully be able to find some of the lost or misplaced things.

What a life style change!  Cool at night...chilly I should say. Room to roam. More cleaning...lots of dust and finally the coyotes.  Their cries and howls in the night can be darn right scary. And you know why they are making all of the noise of course, they hunting for something to eat.  No more night walks, which I love.  Run into to three of the critters and I think we both almost wet our pants.  They ran and I sure walked a little faster home.  And can I say it is good to be home? More to follow.

Las Vegas October 2010

Wedding Vows Renewed

A few of my favorite photos of the weekend. Time spent with family celebrating and visiting the casinos.  Some are so amazing and filled with the most beautiful sights.

Celebrating 60 years of marriage

The Venitian

New York New York

Paris Hotel

Ceiling in the Belogio

The Belogio

Part of the 9-11 Exhibit at New York New York

Week 4

Looking at newly varnished floor 

Items Completed *  Floors finished and they are beautiful.
                                Took four days for the polyurithan coat.
                                Couldn't work in the house.
                            *  Fencing
                            *  Garden started
                            *  Still working on the paint colors...this
                                will be a work in progress
                            *  Bought white appliances to be delivered
                                this week
                            *  Washed doors and removed hardware
                            *  Removed and replaced around 90 concrete roof

Rear Porch

                                tiles    
                            *  Painters begin tomorrow..last week before move.
                            Almost there...joy.

Week 3

Completed...a lot of bits and pieces
* Floors are repaired, sanded and stained
* Windows fixed
* New garage door installed
* All screens removed and washed..just lost one
* New fence up and gates to be installed
* Top soil delivered
* Found new stove...undecided about it
   ..not sure if I want to spend the money
   right now and do I really want all white
   appliances            
* Gift from a friend..two outside lights to
   frame the new front door
* Gift from a great friend...beautiful chandlier
   for dining room
* All cupboards washed and cleaned, inside and out
* Ordered new locks and handlesets
* Still looking for dishwasher..back to the color choice
* Choose interior paint colors
* Bought paint samples for the exterior..hope they work
* Washed and cleaned up all the exterior of
   the windows, sills and frames.  This was
   gross, lots of dead bugs and spider webs.
Seems to be a theme...dead bugs and spider webs
Thats country living?

Tired...moving day?  Maybe ten days off.
  

Week 2

Completed..* new door installed
                   * front porch cleaned and catsclaw vines removed
                   * drywall repairs completed through out house and garage
                   * cleaned up weeds, dead birds and trash front yard
                   * rear yard..gas powered weed eater took care of it
                   * cleaned and washed all windows and frames
                   * washed half of interior doors
                   * started cabinet cleaning...to much of a good thing..
                      need several of these items going at one time
                   * cleaned fireplaces...cobwebs and dead bugs
                   * vacuumed the closets and walls..more cobwebs                            



Birds nest removed...it was an interesting construction project for the bird...actually made out of cotton and strung among the catsclaw.
Also found lots of hornets nests, strange looking black bugs...huge black bugs and lots of ants.