Jan 26 - Feb 3
Some housekeeping information. If any of you have been having problems getting video links to play, please try again (videos from Dec 24 & Dec 31). I've moved the files to a new sharing location and they should work now.
My foot seems to have recovered, with only the occasional, very slight dull ache in the ball. I don't know if it was just my body's recovery time, but I had expected (and the doctor didn't say otherwise, that I remember 😏) an almost instant return to normal, but it took 3 weeks. The important thing is that it's better.
Saturday, Jan 26 - Robin was up and at it early (8am) with Lance to wander the RV park checking out patio sales. I'd barely arisen when he headed out, but patio/garage sales are his thing anyway. The boys returned victorious with their prizes. Lance found a couple of Tommy Bahama shirts for I think it was $5 each (apparently the seller has a massive collection - some never worn) and Robin came back with two recliner style patio chairs (NOT gravity chairs, although one is similar) for which he paid a grand total of $7 (both have full cushions and are very comfy). If we find we don't have the space, or don't want to pack them around in the motorhome, we'll just turn them over to the charity thrift store when we leave.
While the guys were out shopping, Bev called me to say she and Perry were at a juried Arts Festival in Gold Canyon (about 20 miles southeast from us) and that I should get out there. So when Robin got back, we jumped in the car and headed out. We saw some pretty amazing works, had a couple of incredible burgers from a food truck, and returned with a couple of unique finds. Picked up a mobile-like metal work of a hummingbird, as well as a gorgeous fused glass wall light sconce for which I have the perfect spot at home. Love and thanks to my mom for her Christmas gift of cash for just such a purpose.
Some housekeeping information. If any of you have been having problems getting video links to play, please try again (videos from Dec 24 & Dec 31). I've moved the files to a new sharing location and they should work now.
My foot seems to have recovered, with only the occasional, very slight dull ache in the ball. I don't know if it was just my body's recovery time, but I had expected (and the doctor didn't say otherwise, that I remember 😏) an almost instant return to normal, but it took 3 weeks. The important thing is that it's better.
Saturday, Jan 26 - Robin was up and at it early (8am) with Lance to wander the RV park checking out patio sales. I'd barely arisen when he headed out, but patio/garage sales are his thing anyway. The boys returned victorious with their prizes. Lance found a couple of Tommy Bahama shirts for I think it was $5 each (apparently the seller has a massive collection - some never worn) and Robin came back with two recliner style patio chairs (NOT gravity chairs, although one is similar) for which he paid a grand total of $7 (both have full cushions and are very comfy). If we find we don't have the space, or don't want to pack them around in the motorhome, we'll just turn them over to the charity thrift store when we leave.
While the guys were out shopping, Bev called me to say she and Perry were at a juried Arts Festival in Gold Canyon (about 20 miles southeast from us) and that I should get out there. So when Robin got back, we jumped in the car and headed out. We saw some pretty amazing works, had a couple of incredible burgers from a food truck, and returned with a couple of unique finds. Picked up a mobile-like metal work of a hummingbird, as well as a gorgeous fused glass wall light sconce for which I have the perfect spot at home. Love and thanks to my mom for her Christmas gift of cash for just such a purpose.
Got back from the fair in time to have a quick nap before showering and getting ready for the annual Canada Social in the main ballroom at the park - a dinner and dance. The organizers pay a fee to use the hall, so that they can bring in their own caterers and it can be BYOB (rather than using the park's catering and bar services). The savings on buying from the bar probably almost cover the cost of the ticket 😉 The dinner was really good, the company was wonderful and the band was pretty good. Mostly 50's music, whereas I prefer late 60's and up (not that WE dance much anymore), but it was fun to sing along.
Monday, Jan 28 we had decided to drive to Phoenix to take in Lights of the World. Robin had purchased tickets through Groupon before we even left home, good for use from early December thru until Feb 3rd. We decided to head out a bit early, ahead of rush hour (although most traffic would be going in the opposite direction). Found our way to the fair grounds, so we would know where to go when it got dark, and then went in search of some dinner. Got a hankering for Greek and found a little place called Nino's Greek Cafe. Tiny little family run place with maybe 5 or 6 tables inside and another 5 or 6 outside on a covered deck. Food was good and reasonably priced. We then headed back to the fairgrounds. First thing we notice is the parking gates are wide open and the booths unmanned. Then we see no signs of life at the entrance to the display. So we check the website and discover, waaaaay down at the bottom of the page, that they are open Tuesday to Sunday - not Monday. 😢 Oh well, the drive was pleasant and we found the neat little cafe and had a great meal (with leftovers enough for lunch the next day). We'll try again another day this week.
Tuesday, Jan 29 I started a 5-session oil painting class. I think I'm going to enjoy this. Different from working in acrylics, as it doesn't dry anywhere near as fast - days instead of minutes, which makes blending a whole lot easier. Spent pretty much the whole night talking on the phone - between teleconferencing for a strata meeting, rehashing the meeting with my neighbour, and then getting a call from my granddaughter who wanted to chat, along with the rest of the family.
Wednesday, Jan 30 was the first Manager's Happy Hour - beer and wine for 25 cents. We didn't head over until about 1/2 hour before it was ending. The place was packed - people had started saving tables at noon. We stood at a table where a bunch of our friends were sitting. When it was over, we hit the road again to take in Lights of the World.
Monday, Jan 28 we had decided to drive to Phoenix to take in Lights of the World. Robin had purchased tickets through Groupon before we even left home, good for use from early December thru until Feb 3rd. We decided to head out a bit early, ahead of rush hour (although most traffic would be going in the opposite direction). Found our way to the fair grounds, so we would know where to go when it got dark, and then went in search of some dinner. Got a hankering for Greek and found a little place called Nino's Greek Cafe. Tiny little family run place with maybe 5 or 6 tables inside and another 5 or 6 outside on a covered deck. Food was good and reasonably priced. We then headed back to the fairgrounds. First thing we notice is the parking gates are wide open and the booths unmanned. Then we see no signs of life at the entrance to the display. So we check the website and discover, waaaaay down at the bottom of the page, that they are open Tuesday to Sunday - not Monday. 😢 Oh well, the drive was pleasant and we found the neat little cafe and had a great meal (with leftovers enough for lunch the next day). We'll try again another day this week.
Tuesday, Jan 29 I started a 5-session oil painting class. I think I'm going to enjoy this. Different from working in acrylics, as it doesn't dry anywhere near as fast - days instead of minutes, which makes blending a whole lot easier. Spent pretty much the whole night talking on the phone - between teleconferencing for a strata meeting, rehashing the meeting with my neighbour, and then getting a call from my granddaughter who wanted to chat, along with the rest of the family.
Wednesday, Jan 30 was the first Manager's Happy Hour - beer and wine for 25 cents. We didn't head over until about 1/2 hour before it was ending. The place was packed - people had started saving tables at noon. We stood at a table where a bunch of our friends were sitting. When it was over, we hit the road again to take in Lights of the World.
We were treated to a beautiful sunset as we headed west. As we predicted, the bulk of traffic was headed in the opposite direction, so the drive was stress free. The Lights display was well worth the drive back. We figured the grandkids would have loved it, as the price of admission ($15) included unlimited amusement rides (we don't do rides). But we thoroughly enjoyed the sights. They did a great job and we're glad we decided to return. We arrived just as a sea lion show was getting underway.
It was 8pm by the time we left, and we hadn't had dinner. There were food trucks on site, but nothing that appealed to us. So we started heading towards home, thinking Mexican, so looked up a particular restaurant chain and saw it wasn't too far off the route, but then noticed they closed at 9, so probably no point in going there. Same thing for any other places I looked up, so we just drove and kept our eyes peeled. Ended up at a casino a few blocks off the route. Left about an hour later with their food in our stomachs and my cash in their slot machines.
.A couple of teaser pictures from Lights of the World, and below that a couple of links - one to more photos and one to some videos.
It was 8pm by the time we left, and we hadn't had dinner. There were food trucks on site, but nothing that appealed to us. So we started heading towards home, thinking Mexican, so looked up a particular restaurant chain and saw it wasn't too far off the route, but then noticed they closed at 9, so probably no point in going there. Same thing for any other places I looked up, so we just drove and kept our eyes peeled. Ended up at a casino a few blocks off the route. Left about an hour later with their food in our stomachs and my cash in their slot machines.
.A couple of teaser pictures from Lights of the World, and below that a couple of links - one to more photos and one to some videos.
Friday, Feb 1 we were invited to what was billed as happy hour at Norb & Linda's and it turned out to be dinner. Great company, met more new people and helped Jim and Colleen celebrate their 50th anniversary.
Saturday & Sunday, Feb 2 & 3 - Saturday was a quiet day that ended the way we like when we're down here. We had finished a late dinner and Robin was outside while I was thinking about doing dishes. Jim & Colleen wandered by, walking off a spaghetti dinner they had just finished at their church. Robin invited them to sit for a visit, so I went out. A while later John & Fran came by on their way back from a tennis event, and we invited them to join us. Great visit with good friends and when we finally packed up and came inside, it was 10:15 and we still had dishes to wash. Made short work of the dishes and by the time we were finished the rain had started. It kept up all night and on and off throughout the day Sunday. Robin popped out in the car to pick up a few groceries, and I took my laptop over to the computer lab to plug into the internet to fix the problem with videos on this blog and to upload a bunch of pictures to the cloud (avoid using up a bunch of data while hotspotting). Watched the end of the Waste Management Open happening in nearby Scottsdale (congrats Ricki Fowler) and now the SuperBowl is on. I'm only watching for the commercials and the half-time show.
Saturday & Sunday, Feb 2 & 3 - Saturday was a quiet day that ended the way we like when we're down here. We had finished a late dinner and Robin was outside while I was thinking about doing dishes. Jim & Colleen wandered by, walking off a spaghetti dinner they had just finished at their church. Robin invited them to sit for a visit, so I went out. A while later John & Fran came by on their way back from a tennis event, and we invited them to join us. Great visit with good friends and when we finally packed up and came inside, it was 10:15 and we still had dishes to wash. Made short work of the dishes and by the time we were finished the rain had started. It kept up all night and on and off throughout the day Sunday. Robin popped out in the car to pick up a few groceries, and I took my laptop over to the computer lab to plug into the internet to fix the problem with videos on this blog and to upload a bunch of pictures to the cloud (avoid using up a bunch of data while hotspotting). Watched the end of the Waste Management Open happening in nearby Scottsdale (congrats Ricki Fowler) and now the SuperBowl is on. I'm only watching for the commercials and the half-time show.
Biggest darned hummingbird I've ever seen. This is the second time we've seen him/her trying to get some of the nectar.
Until next time, dear readers.
Until next time, dear readers.