Friday - The rest of the story - February 29, 2008

Oh what a day this was. We had so much fun. After the party this morning Aunt Delores and Uncle Roger, Vince and Shirley Henderson and Charles and Myrna Drost drove over from Coolidge to visit and have lunch. Myrna brought us one of her famous matrimony cakes. We talked, we laughed and we ate. Sounds like the story of our lives! We went to Duffer's for one last lunch and it was good as usual. After lunch we came back to the RV and visited - avoiding what we knew we all had to do - say farewell. We took pictures, hugged and said our goodbyes. That is never the fun part but it part of our lifestyle. By now, the young man was here cleaning the RV. Bruce made an inspection and decided that he was doing a great job. It was 90 here today so that guys was HOT. The motor home looks like a million bucks so it was worth whatever Bruce had to pay to have it done. Even though we had just eaten two hours earlier we were off to Cafe de Manual for dinner with John and Bonnie McMullen, Oscar The Grouch (not really) and Lucille Peterson, Bud and Shelley Wright, Tom and Sharon Peterson, and Jack and Cathy Montgomery. More food, more laughs and more fun. We hurried back to the park so we could all go to the sock hop. We danced. We laughed. We talked. We hugged. We said our good byes and we slipped out the side door crying. We have worked our buns off this winter. We have had many many unpleasant and un-necessary butt chewings. I've had many sleepless nights worrying about this party or that party. We have met numerous wonderful people from all over the U.S. and Canada that have touched our lives deeply. We have met a few people I'd like to beat with a stick. Most of all, we have accomplished our goal and that was to help the residents of Quail Run had a fun-filled winter. Again tonight countless people told us this was their best winter ever. That feels really good. Bruce and I talked that we will very likely never do anything like this again but neither of us can say we are sorry we did it. We are both filled with emotion and are ready for a great night's sleep. Tomorrow morning we will leave for Las Cruces, NM to start yet again another new chapter in our lives. God is certainly leading us on an exciting journey. People can say a lot of things about the way we live but boring is not a word anyone would ever use to describe our life together. We are ready!

Thursday and the first part of Friday 2/28-29

WHAHOO!!! Bruce arrived at PHX about 30 minutes early and for a wonder Jasmine and I were there this time (remember I was an hour late to pick him up in November). He sure looked good to me. Jasmine, however, was mad at him and wouldn't even look at him. She still hasn't warmed up to him but she will sooner or later. She's paying him back for leaving her. I told Bruce last week that if he lived to 250 he'd never be able to repay me for leaving me to do his job. He's started paying me back and I like it a LOT! He brought me a beautiful strand of pearls and pearl earrings to match. He is so good and I like it. I'll bet Zoe (the jeweler) likes it too. You see, since Bruce retired he hasn't been buying jewelry so she was probably really glad to see him and find out that he is back to work. The economy is going to surge!! This morning the park had a going away party for us at 8:30. The residents and our fellow workampers were way too kind to us. They showered us with wonderful words, gifts and hugs. Bill Turner is a singer/song writer and he gave Bruce two of his CD's so I'm listening to those right now. He's good! The residents have had a great time this winter and they appreciated our part in that immensely. Bruce cried like a baby (I know your are shocked NOT). I was dry-eyed until our workampers started talking and then I lost it too. God has given us many new friends and acquaintances that we will take with us in our hearts. Someone told us this is the first going away party they've ever had for workampers. We feel like it was a party for all of the Activities Workampers because every one of them contributed to this winter's success. Bruce and I were truly blessed this morning. That was a spectacular ending to this adventure. Now Bruce is outside getting ready to roll. He HIRED someone to wash and wax the outside of the RV today. Can you believe it? I can't. He really has turned over a new leaf. Our Coolidge buddies will be here in a few minutes and we are all going to the golf course for lunch. I'll write more later. Bruce's Mother is in the hospital with what they think is pneumonia. She went by ambulance last evening. Bruce talked to the nurse this morning and Doris had a restful night. Her heart markers are normal but her white count is up. They've got her on antibiotics and IV's. She's not been well for a week or so and she's really weak. Did I mention that I'm glad to have Bruce home with me again? Well, I am.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

ONE MORE SLEEP!! Today was a beautiful day in Arizona. The sky was perfectly blue, no wind, no humidty and 80 degrees. It just doesn't get any better than that. I talked to Bud and Shelley this a.m. and we all decided there was no need for me to go to the office. I went for a nice walk with Cathy and delivered some Tupperware from the Tupperware Bingo party. Next Kathy Weyers brought a beautiful card over and wished me farewell. I am looking forward to seeing the Weyers in Kansas City. They are from Nebraska - between Lincoln and Omaha so it is very possible that we will be able to get together again. Great people! Kathy and I apparently look alike because the other day one of the residents called her DeAnn and started talking to her about park activities. I spent the majority of the day cleaning the motor home. I decided Bruce would have a stroke if he walked in and saw how I've been living so I took care of that little project. Jasmine even had a bath so she would smell good for Daddy tomorrow. Jack and Cathy made dinner for me this evening and it was good. Now Snookie is at Jack and Cathy's helping Cathy set up her blog and giving us both a lesson on blogging. Snookie is the queen of blogging in this park. Tomorrow Shelley and I are going to go shopping one last time to get stocked up for the luau. We're going to try to work in a trip to the Chico's outlet one last time. Then tomorrow night at 10:15 Jasmine and I will pick up Bruce from the airport.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Sunday was a lazy day for me. I slept in until 9:35 a.m. - slept right through both church services. Yikes!! Jack and Cathy and I went to the Big Wa for lunch and then printed some pictures from the Valentine's party. After we got back we went to Rick and Wendy Fury's for Rick's birthday party. The party was planned for last week but Rick has been ill. It was good to see him out and about again. We all enjoyed sitting outside to enjoy the warm weather. FINALLY!! Monday I finished up a few things at work and helped Sharon with the newspaper. Really, she did all the work and I just did the proofreading. She is really good at the newspaper! This evening I had dinner with Jack and Cathy. I'm definitely winding down and getting ready for the arrival of Mr. Hoover! 3 more sleeps.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

It was a beautifiul day in sunny Arizona. Jack, Cathy and I went to the Fountain Hills Art Festival and had a fun day. The artists there have very unique products. It's fun to go and see how the beautiful people live and shop!

Friday, February 22, 2008

This day started at 3:15 a.m. for me. I had the great pleasure of dumping the black tank at 3:30. Have you ever seen the movie RV? Last night when I flushed the toilet there was a geyser in the toilet. I couldn't believe it so I flushed it again. It happened again. Then I filled the pot with water and flushed it. That made a BIG geyser (fresh water) and now I was soaked. I called Bruce and he had a few things to say and I didn't like any of them so I went to bed. After I was asleep he called and told me he figured out that the black tank was full. Now it seems funny to me but it wasn't so funny last night. When I woke at at 3:15 I was afraid to flush it again for fear that the next geyser would not be fresh water so out I went. I didn't have any water in the grey tank so I closed it, ran the dishwasher and the washer and then opened the grey valve too. By now I was fully awake so I just stayed up. I went to work at 9:00. I finished writing the contracts for all of next year's entertainers. One more thing off my list. IT IS FINISHED!!!!! Tonight was the last food event on my watch and for that I am VERY thankful. The White team did a superb job with the spaghetti dinner. I had my doubts about 1:00 this afternoon. Oh my. There wasn't enough butter to butter the 24 loaves of bread so I headed off to every stupid excuse of a grocery store in Arizona City. All I could scare up was 3 pounds so I ran that back to the park. Now the people working in the kitchen were all arguing about how to do the bread. We had a little pow wow and made a plan. Next we talked about the way the "expert" told us to do the spaghetti. None of us were comfortable with that plan so we changed the plan. The "expert" said the spaghetti needed to be cooked yesterday and that is what the White team did. Today it looked pretty much like a giant lump of goo and we were scared. They dropped it in boiling water for a few minutes and then mixed it in the hot sauce and kept it hot in roasters. They wrapped the buttered and cut bread in foil and heated it all in the oven for 1 1/2 hours. The salad was all cut up this morning and mixed this afternoon. At 5:00 sharp I said grace and we started serving. The food was GREAT!! The spaghetti was very moist and still hot when all of us slaves ate. Nothing could have been any better and everyone had a good time. We all took the tables down and set up for church. Did I mention that I'm thankful this was the last event on my watch!! Bud and Shelley and the rest of the gang will do a great job without me and in another week no one will even remember my name! Tomorrow Jack and Cathy and I are headed off to Fountain Hills Arts Festival.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Fun Day!! Jack, Cathy and I left the RV Park at 7:00 a.m. for Los Algadones, Mexico. Well, we almost left at 7:00. I had to stop in the office to check something I had done earlier and thought I messed up. It was fine but I just had to know for sure. Anyway we had a nice drive and arrived safely about 10:00. The little VW came through with flying colors. The weather was perfect - not too hot and not too cold - no wind. We shopped and had a great lunch. We got in line to cross the border at 1:55 and did not get to the U.S. until 3:55. ARGHHH!! By then we were hot and tired. That cheap rum I bought got mighty heavy! From Mexico we went to the Peanut Patch in Yuma for some more goodies. Then it was off toward home. We stopped in Dateland, AZ and I had a date shake. Before you say YUCK, I have to tell you that it was GOOD. We've driven past there several times and didn't bother to stop. That was something I thought I should do before we leave the area and I'm really glad I did. I also bought a five pound box of Medjool dates. Bruce will have a nice treat and the rest will be used at the luau here in the park. We arrived back at the RV about 8:15 this evening. We had big news in Arizona City while we were gone today. The very first stop light was installed at the corner of Sunland Gin Road and Bataglia Road today. That was a nice surprise. Tom Peterson babysat for Brandy and Jasmine today. They were both happy as can be when we got back.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

One day closer to seeing the love of my life!! We are just not at our best when we are apart from each other. Having said that, my day was good. My day started off on a shakey note with a complaining resident. I let it bug me for hours until I was so engrossed in the luncheon/style show that I forgot about the complaining. I'm not sure why I dwell on the negative when there are so many positive comments. Anyway, about 9:15 I buzzed over to Liz Clairborne to pick up all the clothes we were using for our style show. When I got back to the park I helped the Blue Team set up for the luncheon. At 11:30 we served pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, chips and cookies to 87 people. We used the pork leftover from Valentine's Day plus one new loin. We covered it with Bill Johnson's BBQ sauce and refrigerated it overnite. We warmed it in big warmers and served it with KC Masterpiece on the side. It was unbelievably moist. YUM YUM. The cole slaw was the kind with the ramen noodles. We used UTZ chips from Sam's. That's the kind with sweet potatoe chips and all different colors. The ladies loved it all. After we ate, one of our residents, Jane Speedy, made a cute "Purse" presentation - how personalities represent different purses. She was good. The models were residents from the park. After the style show I washed the roasters and made did the final cleanup of the kitchen. Then I was off to the office for a lesson with Bub and Shelley on keeping the books. After that I met with Snookie and Marlene to hear a presentation of an idea they've developed for the first week in March. They are putting together a photo scavenger hunt and it is going to be fun. Next, Cathy Montgomery and I returned the cothes to Liz. We eacdh did a little shopping because models got 40% discount on the day of the show. I got a new "basic" black dress. When Cathy and I were almost back to the park I called our friends Scott and Wanda Brady who were coming to visit me. What a surprise I had when I asked Scott where they were and he said they were on Battaglia. I looked over and they were an equal distrance from the stop sign as we were. I led them to the park where we had lots of hugs and Cathy got a tour of their motor home. It is a top-of-the-line Newmar Essex and it is beautiful. Scott and Wanda treated me to dinner at Duffers where we talked and laughed and drank a little too many margaritas (thanks Richard!) Scott and Wanda are the most generous and servant-minded people I have ever met and it was a real joy to spend a few hours with them. After dinner they headed off to Oceanside, California where they have an appointment today. Before Bruce took his job we had both toyed with the idea of hooking up with Scott and Wanda to do serious volunteering with the Spartan Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association. Maybe later! I'm off to work to see what Wednesday brings me. P.S. Amy found a condo that she loves and the end of March, she will be a first-time homeowner! Congratulations Amy.

Monday, February 18, 2008

This is the best day I've had in a really long time! I went to work and about 15 minutes later Cathy came in and said they were going shopping. I wanted to go but almost decided not to do it. Bud and Shelly encouraged me to go so off I went. We went to Chandler Fashion Mall which has everythong anyone can imagine. Dillards was having their President's Day Sale. I got three pair of shoes at 75% off EACH! Then I found two pair of slacks that were actually my size so I got them as well. Next was a pretty sweater. Cathy wasn't quite as lucky as I was. We walked through the mall and made our next big stop at Harry and David. I restocked my soup supply. We got back to the park about 3:00. Bud and Shelley had a good day without me. They are going to do a great job and won't miss me a minute. The three of us went over and got the meat ready for tomorrow's luncheon. I came home and made shrimp salad for dinner. Bud and Shelley and Jack and Cathy joined me. We had a fun evening of eating and laughing. Amy's got big news but I won't announce it until she tells a few more people!!

Sunday Night, February 17, 2008

Last week I was interviewed for a position at the FAA in Kansas City. I checked the status of the application tonight and learned that I was not selected. I have mixed emotions about that. On one hand I am relieved because after the interview, I knew I really didn't want to do that particular job. On the other hand I don't like being rejected. I want to be the rejector not the rejected! Jack and Cathy joined me for some Wild Mushroom and Leek soup this evening. It was yummy. I made it from a mix I purchased at Harry and David. I'll have to get more of those for the cold nights in Kansas City. Jasmine and I are off to bed so I am ready for my work day tomorrow.

Sunday, February 17, 2009

The sun is shining and the sky is blue. Now we are talking nice weather!

Friday was the first day of the transition of leadership in the Activities Office at Quail Run RV Park. Bud and Shelley Wright are now in full-time training. That is a good feeling for me but not such a good feeling for them. Friday night Bill Rinne treated his lovely wife Donna and me to the seafood buffet at Duffer's. Oh yum. Everything was great. I wish I could have eaten more but I was about to explode after my heaping helping of bread pudding covered with caramel sauce. No Bruce, I have not lost any weight since you left! We got home about 6:45 and believe it or not Jasmine and I went straight to bed. I was exhausted. I tried to watch the Celine Dion special but missed all but the first and last songs. I slept straight through until 6:00 Saturday morning.

Saturday morning Bud and Shelley and I went to Sam's to do major shopping for the ladies luncheon, the spaghetti dinner and the luau. They've got an HHR so we had lots of space for "stuff" and we used every inch of it. When we returned to the park we packed everything away in the kitchen and went over to the office to take care of the week's money. Keep in mind that we aren't supposed to work on the weekend. HA. Saturday night we had a comedy night at the park but I stayed home. I'm glad I did because my brother called and we talked for more than an hour. That was a real treat for me.

This morning Bill and Donna Rinne and I went to early church. We took a couple pictures with the Montgomery's and now Bill and Donna are preparing to make the trek back to Kansas. It has been fun having them here and I am looking forward to being able to see them often in Olathe. After church this morning we talked about the fact that there is no place like home for going to church. Even though Bruce and I have been gone from Olathe for 4 years, we still feel the most at home at Beautiful Savior and we are looking forward to worhipping there often.

Bruce went to the condo at Lake of the Ozarks Friday night. Snow is in the forecast for today so right now he is on his way back to Kansas City. Being tied to a work schedule makes it way harder to enjoy a nice little batch of snow.

Valentine's Day 2008

The Valentine party at Quail Run RV Resort was a HUGE success. I worked 8:00 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. I guess that about does it for my hours this week. hahaha. The Activities Workampers and I served 153 people in 17 minutes. They were absolutely great. I wish I had a video of how that all happened. Things in the kitchen were a little tense until we found our rhythm but boy once we got it we were GOOD! The residents were all seated and we actually plated the food and served them. We served a green salad built on a wedge of lettuce, white and wheat rolls, pork loin glazed with a yummy pineapple glaze, cheese potatoes, green beans dressed with french onions, applesauce, black forest or white forest cake, water, iced tea and coffee. After dinner we raffled off several items and earned $325. YES!! Then we all danced as Ted and Sue Barnes sang for us. Everyone had a great time. It was really fun to be part of such a wonderful team last night. The music ended at 9:45 and by 10:05 the mess was cleaned up, all the tables and chairs were put away and the kitchen was spotless. We were all dead on our feet. I walked home in hopes of getting a great night's sleep but instead of that I was wide awake until around 1:00 a.m. Today I worked from 9:00 to 4:00. How much am I earning? hahaha Aren't they cute? Gary Nottingham and Bud Wright love to clown around. Shelley and Bud Wright are taking over when I leave. Jack Montgomery, Cathy Montgomery, Bill Rinne and Donna Rinne (my personal support team) Barb and Daryl Howard are my favorite Texans. Barb works in the office. Ted and Sue Barnes are from Springfield, MO and they KNOW how to entertain!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Shirley Henderson, Garrett Wolfe, Vince Henderson

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were busy days AGAIN! Sunday, Vince, Shirley and I went to their grandson's baseball game. He did a great job helping his team win. The day weather was beautiful and we had a good time. After the game, the three of us went to Sam's and did more shpoping for the Valentine's Day dinner. We stopped by the RV park on the way home and they helped me unload all the goods. That is a chore I will not miss when I leave here.

Monday was not a good day for me at all. I was stressed over the Valentine's dinner. Luckily Snookie and Lucille (workampers) are taking care of all the decorations, set up and the raffle. The office was busy all day so I had to stay way late to get a few things accomplished. Jack and Cathy invited me over for dinner. After dinner Jasmine decided to poop on the floor and then she decided to pee on the floor at Jack and Cathy's. That was the last straw for that nasty day.

This morning I got up early and went to Casa Grande to finish the shopping for the party. I left at 7:00 and got back about 10:00. I would have been back 15 minutes earlier but I couldn't find the car in the WalMart parking lot. I ended up walking up and down every aisle pushing my overflowing cart. Half the time I was stomping around and the other half I was crying on the phone to Bruce. I was a mess. I got back to the park and put 18 of the pork loins in roasters to cook. Next was the all resident meeting where I got to talk. Another task I won't miss. Shortly after it started the UPS man came to the office with a beautiful boquet of red roses for me from the love of my life. That brightened my day. After the meeting we chopped radishes and green onions. By then all but one of the pork loins was cooked to a perfect 170 so Cathy and I wrapped them in foil and put them in the fridge. It was after 2:00 so I came home. Bud stayed to take care of the last pork loin and babysit the afternoon entertainment. The motor home was a pig stye so I cleaned it up and now it looks great. Jasmine and I are settled in for the evening.

Roses from my lover! Aren't they pretty?

Tomorrow is an all work day and the party is tomorrow night. We'll be cooking for 170 people. Sure hope I have enough meat!!

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Today was a beautiful day in sunny Arizona. Jack, Cathy and I went around the park this morning to the annual patio sales. I found a couple of things that I just had to have for gifts. I came home to clean the RV but I never got around to it. I watched parts of two movies and took a nice nap. I also made ribs and roasted vegetables for dinner. Bill, Donna, Jack, Cathy and I had dinner tonight and then we played dominoes. No work today!!! YEA!!! One week down by myself and three more weeks to go. Bruce spent the morning with his mother. This afternoon his cousin Barry was in Centerville so Bruce got to visit with him for a little while. They hadn't seen each other in years. Melissa flew to Denver today to go skiing. She met her friend Molly and Nathan in Denver. They arrived at their condo about 8:00 tonight. Amy checked out four more condos today but didn't love any of them so she's still in the market to buy. She feels way better today than she's felt all week.

The rest of Friday, February 8, 2008

Tonight was the Rebecca Dawn concert. She is a regular in Branson, MO and travels the Arizona circuit in the winter. She is a fun entertainer and we had a good crowd. I should have taken my camera because there were lots of good shots of her and the men in the park. She's quite a looker and she likes men with bald heads! I got home at 9:45 p.m. and have been working on Activities bookwork until now (11:10 p.m.) I'm TIRED. Bruce is in Iowa visiting his mother. He had dinner with her this evening and visited with his Uncle Bob and Aunt Beverly later. We finally got around to talking about the weather up there. It is supposed to be ZERO in the morning. It is supposed to be 70 here tomorrow. Finally some justice. I just heard on Jay Leno that the whole presidential primary is going to come down to South Dakota on June 3. It's all about South Dakota!! YES!!

Friday, February 8, 2008

The week has been fairly uneventful. I've worked in the office until about 1:30 every day and everything is fine and dandy. Tuesday I went to town and bought another 50 pounds of pork loins to cook for Valentine's Day. Bruce is busy at work and loving it. I was happy to be alone for about a day and I'm ready to have him back now. We are not good apart!! Yesterday I had my interview for an HR Assistant position at the FAA. That was not fun. It is way more fun to be the interviewer than the interviewee. I felt like a babbling idiot with no brain. Shortly after the interview, Vince and Shirley Henderson and I went to Phoenix to watch their grandson's baseball game. Garrett goes to College of Southern Idaho and they are down here for 4 games. Thanks to Gertie the Garmin we made it safe and sound without incident. Garrett's team won 4-1. When the sun went down it got out there. Here are a couple pictures from the game: Garrett is a very quick shortstop. Do you think it was cold out there?

Monday, February 4, 2008

Today Amy turned 25 years old!! Happy Birthday to my baby girl!! Amy, Melissa and Bruce are at Hikari Japanese Steak House right now celebrating #25. I know they are having a great time. Next year I'll be there to help her celebrate too. Bruce's first day at work was great. He was happy and very upbeat when I talked to him this afternoon. He was excited about all the great people that are working for him. Besides all of that it was 65 and sunny in Kansas City today. It was COLD, cloudy and very raining in Arizona. Poor me! My day was a good one. Jasmine and I awakened about 7:15. I worked from 9:00 to 1:45 and accomplished everything on my list. After work I had a hot stone massage. What a treat! This was the best massage I've ever had. My back and neck have been so stiff I could hardly turn my head and she worked that out. I've also got a head full of whatever and she opened that up as well. Thank you Bruce!! Tonight I ate way too much tuna and noodles so now I've got a belly ache. Jasmine and I are going to wrap up in a blanket and spend the night on the couch.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

This was a nice day of rest for me! Bill and Donna and I went to early church and then Bill took us out for breakfast. Jasmine and I had a short little nap when I got home. I spent the day doing laundry, playing on the computer and watching Super Bowl hype. This evening I had dinner with Jack and Cathy while we watched the game. I already miss Bruce and he's been gone only one night. I've only got 25 more nights to sleep by myself. This morning I woke up and started talking to him but he didn't answer. Imagine that! I think he was really happy when I called him at 5:50 a.m. - NOT! This was not a day of rest for Bruce. Todd Black drove him out to the storage unit this morning to get the Envoy. He went back to the condo and gathered up a few clothes to wear to work and headed for Kansas City. He did a little shopping when he got there and then visited with our friend Kari Swan until the girls got back from Chicago. Bruce and the girls had dinner and now Bruce is staying with Amy. Tomorrow morning he starts his new job. We are about to start yet another great adventure!

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Jack, Cathy and Bruce enjoy a grapefruit from the tree beside the RV.

Cathy, Bruce and DeAnn celebrating Cathy's birthday on 1/29!

Part of our "herd" touring Shamrock Farms - a 10,000 cow dairy operation

The "spa" for the girls. "Where Luxurious Spa Treatment Produces Quality Milk"

Intersting facts.

The milking process is really interesting. These cows know exactly what to do and when to do it.

Our "herd" watching a movie.

Bruce and Jack driving the milk truck.

A calf that is less than 30 minutes old.

After the dairy tour we stopped at John Wayne's favorite watering home!

Janet and John

As you can see, we've had a busy week.

Bruce and Janet left this morning. Janet is back home in Maryland and Bruce is at the condo. Tomorrow he'll go pick up the Envoy, gather up some work clothes and head to Kansas City. He reports for work on Monday morning. When I got home from the airport, Jasmine and I took a nice nap on the couch. At 1:00 p.m. I started working on my January Activity reports. I finished at 8:00. YUK!!! I will not miss that task. Is it March 1 yet?