Pictures are worth a 1,000 words

Here are a few more pictures of our holiday and beautiful Newport Beach. That's several thousand words I don't have to type. On the picture we took of the beach, we walked from that spot all the way to the jetty at the top of the picture and back again. Love, Mom

Christmas 2008

Tim and I traveled to Vegas, Los Angeles and back to Vegas then home and spent an enormous amount of time with the grandkids. We stayed at Belae's houses in both cities. Darian is the spitting image of his mother, only he has his dad's coloring. He is a drool machine and has his two bottom teeth, which just came in special for Grandma. He smiles all the time and is the best baby boy I know! Mackenzie is growing like crazy and is getting more beautiful every time I see her. We can understand almost everything she says and it is so much fun to hear her put full sentences together. Oh, she wants for nothing! She's been dotted on for sure.

The traffic was lousey for alot of the trip, bottle necks for no reason but no accidents. We did end up behind a few flat tires though and peeeuuuuuu, that stinks.

Tim, Zoe and I took some time for ourselves on Christmas day and went to Newport beach. Tim and Zoe did alot of walking. I tried, but . . . struggled quite a bit. Zoe walked in the surf and chased sandpipers. I don't know what she would have done if she caught up to one. It rained (poured) all the way there and when we got there it cleared up and the sun warmed us up. It was windy though! The picture's I post make it look really overcast but that isn't my recollection of it at all. It was a beautiful day! But . . . right after we got back to the house, Tim got the chills and proceeded to get sick (flu?). We just got back last night and when he is up and about, we are going to try and find a decent clinic for him to go to. He might have pneumonia - he's that miserable!

As I write I am printing pictures on my new PhotoSmart printer from Tracy and Tina. That was a very fabulous gift - thank you ladies! They are tied with Rachel for favorite right now. hahahahaha

Well, I'm off to post pictures for one and all to enjoy. Love and prayers, and be safe in your New Year celebrations.

Mom (and Dad)

Deedles and Tumbleweed Tree

Hello everyone and Season's Greetings!

Tim and I are getting excited - we'll be leaving very early Sunday for Vegas, hopefully, we'll be there in time to greet Rachel and Darian when their flight comes in. Then it is on to her in-laws' Vegas home. Mackenzie is already there and Darrell will be out on the 23rd, after exams. I miss all the girls and the folks and would love to spend some time with Dennis and Sharon too. So today is alot of chasing around and tomorrow is packing. Saturday evening we are invited to a friend's house for a season "dish to pass" event.

My deedles have made it into a Gallery, thanks to Terry at Tempe Yarn and Fiber. You can visit her site and a few Deedles at http://tempeyarnandfiber.blogspot.com/ The Gallery is Art on Boston (I believe it is http://www.artonboston.com/) and the Deedles appear to be in really good company with the other artwork, from painting to glass work and jewelry. I was thrilled to see the area the shop is in. It is old Chandler with a square, restaurants, art galleries, tiny brewery, etc. The square has a Christmas tree made of tumble weed. It is ironic, because my friend Paige told me about the tree and Tim and I kicked around going to see it. As we approached the area and watched street names, we spotted the tree and the gallery was right on the other side of the street. (where was my camera? at home!) Then I was thrilled all over again when Laurie, the owner, said she would show them in the store. The whole thing is just too cool.

I've been rather lazy about keeping up the blog - apologies to all. I know keeping in touch is important. I'm not too sure I'm loving Arizona - the friendships are fabulous. Paige is a fiber freak too. Jane is an avid reader and we've read many of the same things, she became a Grandmother of twins yesterday. Holly is right across the street and she goes to water aerobics too. I went with Sue (a fun Canadian) and Jane to Bingo for the very first time ever on Wednesday. What fun is that? I could do that every night!

Tim has a job interview for a residential treatment center on the 30th. I hope he gets it. It is 2nd shift and I think he wants to keep busier.

I can never control where the pix end up on this blog when I upload them and I've lost my work too many times to try to get them where I want them but at least I have a new camera and at leat there is something posted.

I'll try to post in Vegas or California - but for now, Merry Christmas to all and Love and Prayers. Tim and Diane

Christmas Lights on Cochise Circle

Hello friends and family

I took a little film of our street with the decorations at night. It is my first movie on the blog but alas, it didn't load. I went to the help page and they are having "issues" with videos so I'll try again tomorrow.

Dad and I decided to go for sure to Vegas and LA for Christmas. We are both anxious to see the babies. Well, baby and kid.

Saturday Tim and I went out for pizza with some friends, Jane and John. They are from Indiana and have an old victorian they spent their summers in. On the 18th, their daughter is having twins via c-section. A boy and girl. How exciting! We went to Carini's. That was our first pizza in months - I think we had Pizza Hut in late September with Tom and Deb in Hayward. There aren't a whole lot of pizza parlors in this area. It is a topic of conversation now and then when restaurants comes up. There are better restaurants where we came from by far and everyone else seems to feel the same way.

Love and prayers, Mummy

First Hike

Well dad is off on his first hike and I thought I would post a picture of him and a few of the guys. There are a few vehicles needed so he took ours. I can't wait to hear where they hiked. Thursday is another one, I hope this one goes well.

I also put up a pix of our new grill we had to put together and a pair of hikers I had orders for from our neighbor whose folks are older and still hike all the time.

The missing photo

Here is the palm tree with its decorations. You can also see how we gardened our butts off around the base of the tree. It wouldn't post last night, so I am posting this a.m.

What a big deal hey? I'm so low on Christmas spirit that this is almost funny! But it was cost effective. So here's the secret on keeping costs down. Lowe's lighting only $1.57 a string for 100, so I got 2 strings and the snow man? 25% off at Lowe's also, it's a toilet seat cover!!!!!!!! Hahahahahaha. I might take pictures of other's deco, some are pretty outrageous. It was really dark when I took this pix, the sun just in its last glow, and it looks like bright afternoon skies with bad coloring on the trailer. How odd.

Have a good day. Love you all. Mummy

Luann - is that you?

Is this my cousin??? E-mail me. I gotta know.

Moving toward X-mas

Well I don't have much spirit, but we did pick up lights and a snowman's face for the palm tree. I put up a picture of it. Oh wow. I also put up a street picture of our little road, we are on the left maybe 2nd one down.

I took several days off from water aerobics because of the holiday but got back into it this a.m. Dad starts a hiking group tomorrow. Tuesdays are 1/2 day walks leaving at 8 a.m. (hahahaha) and Thursdays are all day hikes, also leaving early. I know he's looking forward to that. He got a backpack that holds water and you can drink it from a tube. Sort of like beer hats only on your back. (Not really)

I got 2 nice cards from Jen for my b-day - kudos Jen! Way to pull out in the lead girl! They were very funny. Nothing says "I love you" like a smutty card.

I also put up a Deedle picture - it is how I pass my time. This guy is really good in person!

I really miss you guys. I hope you will all be together for x-mas - this time please take pictures to share!

Catching Up

Hello friends and family. Tim and I are still getting used to this smaller trailer but what can you do? We have have some interesting people here and Tim plans to start hiking with a group once they have all arrived. (What's the hangup? Get here!) I have found a spinner/fiber freak, a quilter and alot of dog people. I go to water aerobics at 9 a.m. some days and last Sunday our little circle here in the park had a gathering and that was fun. It was our first party and our first bad weather. Figures! We had some drizzle but the no real rain. When it did drizzle, the smell was awsome - you know the smell of rain in a dry spell. The wind was awsome and kicked up so much dust our mountain disappeared. It's wierd when you can't see a mountain through the dust.

Our camera broke so the only picture is the one of a sweater I made for Mackenzie. I hope it will fit. She was a giraffe for Halloween so I swooned when I spotted the giraffe buttons. Fiber still keep me busy, currently I am finger teasing (cleaning) some wool from my Wisconsin friend, and guess whose fleece? Moses' fleece. How cool is that?

We have two dish to pass thanksgivings to go to on Thanksgiving. It will be bittersweet - in addition to the holiday, it is also the anniversary of Terry's death. It is still so hard to accept that he is gone from this earth. His illness was so unexpected and his death so fast. God bless his family at this time.

Until next time. Love and Prayers. Mummy and Dad.

Nothing much happening

Well the heat broke last night. Yesterday was very breezy and last night we had downright wind. After 2 weeks of hitting nearly 99 every day, we are going to hit maybe a high of 87. Then back up to the low 90s but I'll survive. A little FYI, you can still have allergies in this dry climate. Both Tim and I have sinus headaches and he is pretty stuffed up. Could be with the wind kicked up last night be we're basically good. Zoe is too.

We got a new stair for the front door, it is 48 inches wide with three steps and a railing. The side without a railing has the ramp for Zoe. Now she comes in and out comfortably. The trailer steps are too steep and close for her. Every in and out took alot of thought on her part. The stairs lift up with storage. I'll get a picture later.

I miss home - that is, our families, AND Sand Lake. I've come to think of that as home since being here. Our trailer here is brighter, but smaller in every way. Dad hits his head coming in and out of the door, the shower is small, the bed is short, the lights, although charming, hang too low and we hit our heads. Our refrigerator is painfully small and it just isn't possible to cook at all in this small space.

I met a woman who is also a fiber freak and a spinner. That was a gift!!! We went to two shops yesterday where I bought some wool for felting and a pattern and yarn for a sweater for Mackenzie. I made one for Darien so . . . the guilt moves me to create one for Mackenzie. I love being a Nana. I dislike the distance though.

We miss everyone but there isn't too much more to share right now so I'll get busy knitting and I'm loving you all - friends and family. Love and prayers, Mom and Dad

Day Tripping

October 15, 2008

Hello Family & Friends:

Yesterday (Tuesday) was an day trip day. We headed out to see the Lost Dutchman Museum and then headed further down the road to an old ghost town with a restaurant and lots of gift shops. After that we continued up the road to Canyon Lake. That last 8 miles was all in mountains and just beautiful. At the lake there was a restaurant and we had chips and dip and got a baggie of dog food to feed the ducks and huge carp over the railing of the outside dining area. There were also birds called crackels (??) that took the food right out of the air. That was fun! All of this was within 15 miles of our resort.

Here are a few pictures of our adventures.

Missing everyone really bad at times, especially when I heard a baby cry. The cry was just like Darian‘s when he was visiting in September! I see there are cheap airfares right now . . . Tempting for me!

Love and prayers. Mom and Dad

Cooling Off

Good morning - It's nice and cool today but yesterday was really hot. I put in a picture of the time and temp. So we went to cool off at the pool. We found the post office and mailed our absentee ballots and our mail is reaching us here so if you want to send pix or write, send it to Tim & Diane Puza, Superstition Outlook Mountain RV Park, 1371 East 4th Avenue #129, Apache Junction, AZ 85219.

The State Fair is going on here this week so we might go there this afternoon. It is cool today so it might be a nice thing to do for me. Tim isn't so bothered by the heat. We haven't been around here too much but we've been eyeing other parks and we think we landed in a pretty nice place. It reminds us of Vegas now and then and there are new malls/shopping centers in our area which we have been past but not in. We have a short Walmart list and Tim wants a hat so we might hit the malls. If we decide to stay here, we'll need a shed. Most people have metal ones so I think we'll get one like that but until we are 100% sure (which might be as early as today) we'll put it one in. It has to be large enough for my power chair though.

We are going to update Tim's resume today and get some resumes out on line so he can stay busy. I have to find a place to buy wool so I can make my Deedle People and stay busy. Some things don't change. Oh, in a few weeks, the watercolor classes start and I plan on attending those and learning to paint for real.

Well, I guess that's all the excitement we can share right now. Keep in touch please. Love and prayers, Mom and Dad

Okay, so its Hot in Arizona

Hello people and family

It is hot here. We got here yesterday and set up and by time I was done I was DONE. Tim does better. I was so overheated and weak it scared Tim but . . . must not set up trailer again in heat!

We ruined the big 42" flat screen on the roads in New Mexico. The roads were ok, except the bumps before and after overpasses were horrible. We had the TV secured but it worked its way out on those overpasses and ouch, it got stuck and pinched between the bed and door and ruined the picture. So today we go shopping. It is insured - so we'll be OK. Note to kids - get insurance.

Here is what we look like. We face south - ugh. Our awning doesn't provide any shade except to shade trailer. The wind is a problem so shade has to be brought in if it kicks up too much. Lucky for us, we got an electric awning.

I'll write again soon. Love and prayers, Mom and Dad

Mountains mountains mountains

The view even left Zoe speechless. But she said " Stars? I don't see no stars!"

This is the road we came from, you can't see cars, but we went up up up and looking back you can see how far down we were.

Rocks rocks rocks.

The rocks are so close on one side but the pictures don't really show it. I recommend taking a ride out here to see it and then hey, stop by us for a week! Hahahahaha

From Branson to Arizona Pictures

I can't load a lot here but I have a few to share. While in Branson, we went up into a 9 story tower on a really high hill. I have a few of those pictures here. We also shopped at a mall they put up along the river. There was a water show that was similar to the Belajio (sp) in Vegas but not as spectacular - it did have fire too though. Tim is pictured standing outside of the Bass Pro Shop. OMG what a store! Then there is me, just along some storefronts.

Then Texas and New Mexico were really no big deal, except to get across. Once we were in Arizona, we took Hwy 77 south to see a place called Show Low. Well, there is a little place called Snowflake just north of Show Low that was 100 times cuter. We may go there later in the year.

I'm moving on to a second post so I can post pix of the mountains. If I do it here who knows what will get goofed up and I'll have to do it all over!

Love and prayers, Mom and Dad

Still motoring . . . but getting close

Hello kids & peoples.

Well our second stop, Branson was amazing to see. We didn't hit any shows but took in the scenery and did a tad bit of shopping. The hills were awesome and frightening for me as the passenger. Dad wasn't too worried.

After 3 nights there we took off and ended up at a KOA about 20 miles West of Oklahoma City in El Reno. The next day we headed for New Mexico and made it. We stayed just inside the border at Tucumcari.

The trip through the northern pan handle of Texas was an eye opening trip. Traveler's aren't encouraged to stop, in fact, signs advertising gas and eats lead you to long defunct establishments. They don't attract you to stop at all. Northern Texas just isn't at all welcoming.

After a night in Tucumcari we drove to the opposite side of the state and are in Gallop NM and expect to leave in a few hours and hopefully, make it to Apache Junction. If not, we'll spend a night in Show Lo, which is also on the eastern side of Arizona and about 200 miles from our final stop.

We are both really looking forward to getting off the road and staying in one place. I have to save this for now and put the pictures under another post. It won't work with me this a.m.

Love and prayers. Mom and Dad (or, Tim and Diane)

First stop, Iowa

October 2, 2008

KOA Adel, Iowa. Leaving Wisconsin went pretty well for us and watching the fall colors in reverse was rather odd. Now, in the Des Moines area, only a few of the lighter trees that turn yellow first are turning. But the weather is really nice. It is about 5:30 p.m. as I write this and inside the trailer the temp is in the 70s. Outside it is nicer because of breezes.

Des Moines is an incredible city to drive through. The highways, the businesses, houses, shopping malls, all are very nice to look at. It makes the cities in Wisconsin look down right trashy. I really hadn’t thought that this area would be so progressive and attractive. Of course, Tim pointed out that we don’t have a clue how many of these business are laying off and how many homes are in foreclosure. Another really impressive sight here is the wind farms. There are wind turbines in both directions at times, and you have to think how progressive Ohio must be. It did my heart good.

I posted two new pictures. One is of the Wisconsin colors. The 2nd is a color of another kind. It is amazing how many ways there are to enjoy retirement!

Tomorrow morning we off bright and early to head for a KOA in the Branson MO area, where the daily temps are in the 80s this week and we should find something interesting to do and see. We have reservations for 2 days, but may stay longer if the area is as interesting as people say.

Well, that’s it for now from the retirees. Love and Prayers. Mom and Dad

Puza 2 Retirement 101

September 26, 2008

We’re starting this blog so we can keep up with family and friends and we hope they do the same and post comments and stories here.

Our summer in Stone Lake, just south of Hayward, is pretty well established and turned out to be a pretty good choice. Our park trailer worked out well and Tim did a fabulous job on our deck, including a ramp for me and my power chair. When the awning is out, we have a lot of shade and it feels really cozy. All but one of our daughters and family had a chance to visit for a while. We’re hoping that Dennis & Sharon and Mom & Erv will be able to come up for a visit in 2009. We were fortunate to have some friends of ours live nearby in another park.

As I write this, acorns are dropping from the oak trees and bouncing off the trailers, cars and anything else in their path. They sound awful but are harmless, just noising and boy, they have a good bounce to them. So with winter around the corner, we are going to head to Arizona, taking along Zoe, our 8 year old (see picture). We love her, she is a trooper but also a pain in the &%$ at times. Our park trailer is too large for the road, so we have a travel trailer and new big FORD to haul it. We hope to be safe and comfy.

I posted two pictures of our summer home. We are in Sand Lake Pines RV Park. There are 50 full hook-up sites and 6 cabins and boat piers. I posted a picture of our big FORD and travel trailer too. Wow, looks huge!

You may ask “why Arizona”? It is warm. It isn’t Wisconsin. There won’t be any ice or snow (God willing) and we’ll have a whole lot of new things to see and places to explore. Hopefully, we won’t see any snakes! Yes, there are snakes in Arizona, rattlers.

We are heading out on October 1. Our first stop is a KOA near Des Moines and then on to a KOA near Branson. Our plans aren’t firmed up past that but I’m sure we’ll find our way. Using the internet, we were able to view several parks and decided on a park in Apache Junction for our first stop. There were hundreds to chose from. We may not like it there, and if not, we’ll look around for something else. With the internet, you not only see the park’s websites, but you can use google earth to view the parks and see what they are surrounded by. The park we chose is east of Mesa, at the foothills of the Superstition Mountains.

We do have a few challenges. My multiple sclerosis can be a problem and Tim’s back can be a problem. In addition, his knees are aging.

This final week we have to clean, pack and winterize our Stone Lake home. Then we‘ll be off on our adventure and I promise (well, I propose to promise) to keep up with information and a few pictures.

Love and prayers. Mom and Dad