Feeling Nostalgic

Looking through pictures this evening and got very nostalgic.  Yes, I even got a little teary.  Decided I wanted to document so I can look back at this post that will have memories.  And maybe it will take away the nagging guilt of not posting lately. 

 Christmas time--2012.  Pudge and his oldest sister, Barb.  We got together before Christmas at Mary Jo's (Barb's daughter).  Had a very nice visit.  It was nice because it was only a few of us there so we got to really visit.  When we are home we meet up with Barb and Butch at least once a week and walk around Maplewood Mall and then have coffee and get caught up.  Pudge really likes his sister and looks forward to always getting together with her and Butch.  She is a great lady and I enjoy her very much. 

 This picture brings a smile to my face.  Not sure why it turned out with that dark line.  These are my "teacher friends."  Peggy (art teacher) taught right across the hall and we were hired the same year.  Me.  Nancy (she taught FACS with me.)  Back row is Phyllis (phy ed and health)  Marcy (business teacher)  She was hired the same year as Peggy and me.  And then there is Nancy who also taught FACS with me.  All of these ladies give me a warm feeling.  When I am home in MN we meet for coffee every Friday morning.  Love getting together with these dear friends.  All of us are retired now except Nancy and Phyllis. 

 High school friends.  All of these ladies except me graduated in 1963.  I graduated a year later.  For some reason I got very close to the class ahead of me thus the friendship has continued.  I cannot believe the fun we have when we get together.  These gals knew me when I was young and foolish.  Even though we are all old ladies now you would never know it when we get together and giggle and talk old times.  It is so nice to be with people who know exactly what you are talking about from way back when instead of having to go into deep explanation.  The order is as listed:  Laurel (Harholdt) Hesley, Diane (Martin) Lepinski, Jackie (Green) Wenzel, Nancy (Dunlap) Ream, Me, Karen (Duncan) Brueske, Kris (Hanson) Anderson.  Love these people!!

 Christmas Eve--We celebrated at my nephew Jeff's house.  It was so very nice.  Jeff did such an excellent job hosting this event.  I was so impressed.  This is Shannon Reed (Wayne's youngest)  Her birthday is Christmas Day.  We celebrated with a cake and singing Happy Birthday.  She turned 38.  I can hardly believe it.  Trevor (great nephew) is on the couch.

 Love this picture!!  Back Row--Pudge, Bob Buttermore (Kim's husband) Amber (Matt's wife), Jeff,  Matt, Shannon, Kim, Trevor and his girl friend, Marissa and me.  Oh!! how Mom would have loved this!!! 

 Laughlin, Nevada.  If I ever win the lottery I would buy this car.  Love 57 Chevrolets!  Denny, Pudge and I did a mini trip.  Enjoyed it so very much.  So much fun!!!

 Christmas Day - 2012.  Spent at Bryan's house.  Kari, Jamie, Abby and Bryan.  I cannot believe I only have this one picture from that day.  I guess I didn't have Mom there bossing me around and telling me what pictures to take. 

 This was in Laughlin, Nevada.  The reason I took this picture is because Wayne had a slot machine exactly like this.  I remember the slot machine but not any of the details.  It was Pudge who told me that this one was exactly like the one Wayne had.

 We left Laughlin and made our way to Oatman, Nevada.  A couple miles before we reached the town we ran upon These bushes in the desert that were decorated.  It made a statement.  I thought it was really neat.  There were probably about 10 of them.  They were spaced quite a ways from each other.

 Oatman, Nevada.  It is an old Western town with lots of personality.  Wild burros roam freely throughout the town.  I loved these adorable donkeys. 

 Another trip we took.  Decided to go to Yuma, AZ and go to a border town in Mexico.  Right now I cannot think of the name.  We parked car and walked across.  There was nothing about this experience I did not like.  I know it is not for everybody but it sure was for me.  You know immediately you are in Mexico with the colors, the vendors, the Mexican food.  I love the bantering and bickering.  I like how they will slap their products on you and start to bargain.  They will follow you down the street trying to get you to buy.  I see it as really fun.  In this border town there are tons of dentists, eyeglasses, pharmacies.  Many Americans come there for dental work because it is about 1.3 the cost of the U.S.  There was even a character dressed up as a tooth roaming the streets.  Wish I would have gotten a picture of that.  Pudge bought me 2 bracelets.  It was one of those things where the vendor put all kinds of them on my wrist and started with $40.00 for one of them.   It ended up where we got 2 for $20,00 and he threw in a pair of earrings.  I actually really like them a lot and wear them all the time.  Also bought a cute little table with Kokopellis.  That started at $65.00 and we got it for 20.00  I did give him an extra dollar to buy a coke for himself.  And we really like this table.  Also bought a really neat stained glass hanging of a golfer.  That started out at $65.00 and ended up paying $30.  It is perfect hanging in our screen porch overlooking the golf course.

 And of course, you cannot go to Mexico and not have a margarita.  We also ate great enchiladas while listening to the most fantastic singer. 

 Yuma, AZ. has a prison that you can tour.  It was from back in the late 1800's.  We all liked this tour very much.

 On the way home we found this ghost town that was really off the beaten path but it was so worth it.  Big and very authentic.  We had to drive about 10 miles back into the forsaken desert land.  Fascinating though because it was government land where they were testing ammunition and bombs.  We could hear the ka-booms all the time.  And there was no mistaking that it was serious with all the posting of signs.  Anyway, this is Denny with a dunce cap.  Every thing was so well done.  Took longer than we expected to go through this because it was bigger than what we thought.

 They had a building there that they wanted all veterans to sign the wall.  It was interesting to read the names, ranks and the years of these people.

 Liked this guy and his cabin

 Collection of potties at the ghost town.

This was taken at the Barret Jackson.  I am so very glad I went to this event.  It was so awesome.  This just happened to be a display of the Jack Daniels whiskey which was informative.  Then they took your picture as you exited the display.  Owen, Pudge, Me and Denny.

I am not going to spell check this or proof it.  I just want to get it published before anything happens and it disappears. 

Before and After

We have done a few projects in the condo.  Of course, it will never end.  But it does feel good to get these few things done. 

 This screen door going from porch to patio.  It was a pain.  Opened to the patio and if anyone was sitting there it would be difficult to get around them to get into the door.  Also hard if you were coming out with drinks or food.  Always using my elbow to open that darn door.

 This is from the inside of porch looking out onto patio.  Did not like the bars going across that door either.

 And here is the after.  We got retractable screen doors. Retractable means that the screens disappear into the housing on either side.  Part of the wall was taken out so it is more open.  This picture shows one screen closed and one open.

 Both screens opened and disappeared  It is so nice to be able to just walk in and out without struggling with the stupid door.

 Both screens closed.  We will have to be careful not to walk through them because they are hard to see when closed.

 Old microwave.  I am sure it is original to the condo which was built in 1992.  Still worked but it sure did moan and groan. 

And it got replaced with a white, new one. 

Parade -- December 6, 2012

Want to get this posted before this computer decides to act up again. 

Community Parade was held here at Sunland Village East.  Used to be called the Golf Cart Parade but the organizers felt that limited it.  They wanted to see walkers, bikers, floats, etc...  I still call it the Golf Cart Parade.

This is the third year that I have participated.  Tape Dance group (The Sunsationals) decorate golf carts with pink which is our signature color.  I think we make quite a showing because we all wear pink sweatshirts and pink Santa hats.  It is really a lot of fun.  Pudge is a spectator and sets up camp with neighbors and friends in our driveway as the parade goes right by.  Chairs and tables are brought out along with the fire pot.  Hot toddies are made and even though I am not there it sure looks like fun.  Wish I would have gotten a picture of it.   Hard to do though when I am driving the golf cart and waving and keeping track of my passengers as they are hopping on and off greeting people they know.  The problem with being in the parade is you do not get to see the parade.

I thought it was bigger this year than last.  More golf carts, a couple of floats, a high school marching band.

Here's Minnie (my golf cart) in the lineup for the parade.  Notice the hood ornament- pink bear with tap shoes. 

 Linda and Darlene waiting for dark.  I may have said this before but I'm going to say it again.  It amazes me how punctual everyone is around here.  We were told to be at this meeting place at 4:45 pm.  I got there at 4:45 pm and was absolutely the last one to arrive. 

 Jan in her new golf cart.

 Glenda and Mary Lynn

 Nancy, Vicki and Mary Jean.  Vickie borrowed this cart from her neighbors.

 Gloria and Jim.  They got a new golf cart this year and participated in the parade with their street.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of their golf cart.  Jim looks like he belongs in the Appalachian Mountains.  This is about as crazy as I have seen Gloria get.

 The parade takes a little less than an hour and then there is a program in auditorium.  They wanted us to do a dance but there was no way we could.  We are just working so very hard on the revue that will be in March that we had to refuse.  However, we did do an activity that involved getting the audience to sing the 12 Days of Christmas.  We had to make posters to prompt them.  It was a contest at who could get their group to sing the loudest.  I had 7 Swans a'Swimmin.  My group did not do too well.  Although at one time the tuba players joined in which sounded really good.  It was fun.  This is Darlene and Linda with their posters.  Linda's is a work of art.  Mine looked pitiful next to hers.

 High school band that marched in parade and then performed a few songs in the auditorium.

 Here we are holding our posters.  Too bad that 11 and 12 got cut out.

 Minnie in all her glory. 

 Me and Minnie

 Mary Jean's cart all lit up.  Parade started at 5:30.  It was just starting to get dusk.  Once the sun starts going down it doesn't take long.  The evening was gorgeous.  Almost too warm for the sweatshirts and hats we had on.  We didn't dare take hats off.  Hat hair is not becoming.

It is a tradition that before the parade starts we toast with a blackberry brandy.  Ick--it tastes like Nyquil.  I made a thermos of peppermint patties and that is what I drank. 

It was a great experience.  The streets were lined with people who seemed thrilled to see us.  It was so much fun to be able to wish every one a Merry Christmas. 

Part Two Of Our Journey - Oct. 2012



I was relieved to get at the bottom of Pikes Peak.  Although, coming down did not seem as bad.  We drove just a few miles and came across "The North Pole"  Big sign displayed that anyone over 60 was free.  I talked Pudge into going in.  It was an amusement park and I thought it was really fun.  And I might add just what I needed after the harrowing ride.  We spent about an hour there.  

 

 

 We rode the little train around the theme park.  It was fun.

 Elmer the Elf.  He was adorable and sang a really cute song.

 Merry Go Round had reindeer. 

 I cannot tell you how pretty the aspen trees were.  They had both of us gasping.  So brilliant and gorgeous and so many.  I had to get a few branches.  Enjoyed them for about a week before they started falling apart.  Pictures cannot capture their beauty. 

 After taking off from "The North Pole" we found ourselves on this rustic road.  It was not paved.  It was 23 miles and took us 2 1/2 hours.  But it was so very picturesque.  No high mountains but a few canyons that were awesome.  The day was gorgeous making everything so much more spectacular. 

 Tried to get the beauty of these trees but pictures do not do it justice.  We are on our way to Cripple Creek, Colorado.  When we got to that town it was all casinos.  We got $10.00 worth of quarters to put in the slots.  And guess what!!!!  We walked out with $50.00.  That made it fun.

 After going through many mining towns we found ourselves in Florence, Colorado where we got a motel.  Found out they were having a "Kick Butt Barbecue Festival."  We decided to go there for our dinner.  It was different and fun.  There were chili and rib contests.  Different vendors selling their famous Barbecue whatever.  I had brisket and Pudge had rib eye. 

 Then we sat down at a picnic table and listened to the live music.

 This is in Taos, New Mexico.  Tried to find a picnic grounds to have lunch.  No success so we pulled over and fixed up the back with our picnic.  After we were done we went down the road toward the town and there was a beautiful picnic grounds.  Oh well--I didn't mind our tail gating.

 Taos, New Mexico.  Really liked this town.  Very artsy and unique.  The streets were so charming.  The shops were unusual and very neat.  After sightseeing around the town we went to Taos Pueblo.  This is where the Indians still live in very primitive conditions.  No pictures were allowed unless you paid an extra $6.00.  I wish I would have done that but I didn't.  The natives were selling some of their jewelry or other things.  Women were selling bread that they made in their ovens.  No electricity or plumbing.  It was fascinating.  I would recommend this to anyone. 

 Love the hanging chili peppers.  You can buy these and use them.  

 Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Known for their hot air balloons.  We saw about 14 in the air.  We went to the field and saw a few of them land.

 Hot air balloon museum.  This was fascinating.  And this was free because we were there at 9 am on Sunday. 

 Pudge in the basket of a balloon.

 Vendors on the sidewalk in Old Town, Albuquerque.  They spread their blankets with all their goods.

This picture is out of sequence.  Not sure how that happened.  This was "North Pole."  We rode this sky ride.  You can see the train down below. 

On Sunday evening we got a motel in Show Low, AZ. which is about 2 1/2 hours from Mesa.  It made for a short trip the next day.  We got to the condo about 10:30 which was perfect.  Unpacked and started in getting ourselves settled.  It was so good to see our neighbors, the blue sky, the warm sunshine, the airplanes flying over, our friends, Minnie (golf cart)  and many other things.