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Merry Christmas!
12 years ago
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 03, 2010
A Thai Goodbye
Many of our friends here in Arizona have already headed for home. Everyone is hosting Happy Hours. The Canadians are trying to empty their liquor cabinets and the people in park models are cleaning out their freezers and fridges. Lucky for us we have a few more weeks before we go home as we have a few bottles to empty before we cross the border.
We have also enjoyed farewell dinners with many of our friends. We are always eager to try a new restaurant and during the past couple weeks we have gone to Mexican, Italian and Thai restaurants. The meals have been delicious and the evenings full of laughter. We are so fortunate to have made so many wonderful new friends and we look forward to seeing them next year!!
We have also enjoyed farewell dinners with many of our friends. We are always eager to try a new restaurant and during the past couple weeks we have gone to Mexican, Italian and Thai restaurants. The meals have been delicious and the evenings full of laughter. We are so fortunate to have made so many wonderful new friends and we look forward to seeing them next year!!
Organ Stop Pizza
One of the "must do" things on my list this year was to go to the Organ Stop Pizza. We finally went for supper one evening before David and Ellen left. I am not sure what the rest of the group was expecting but I was very surprised when we arrived. The Wurlitzer theatre organ is the focal point of the two story restaurant. Seating consists of long tables and benches and you must order your pizza and beverages at separate counters.
The organ has nearly 6000 pipes and is the largest Wurlitzer theatre organ in the world. We enjoyed listening to the wide variety of songs including "Hockey night in Canada" and we joined the rest of the Canadian visitors by standing for playing of O Canada.
The organ has nearly 6000 pipes and is the largest Wurlitzer theatre organ in the world. We enjoyed listening to the wide variety of songs including "Hockey night in Canada" and we joined the rest of the Canadian visitors by standing for playing of O Canada.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Cal Am Golfing
This week Senor Ping and I played in a golf tournament at the Gold Canyon Golf Course. Half of the golfers played the Sidewinder course and the rest of us were on the Dinosaur Mountain Golf Course. Dinosaur Mountain is ranked the #1 public golf course in Arizona. It was a fantastic golfing experience in the high Sonoran desert. Every tee box had a panoramic vista and became a challenge for all of us. The course took us up, over and around Dinosaur Mountain with dramatic tee-to-green elevation changes and long, loping fairways. The views of the nearby Superstition Mountains were spectacular. 
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Renaissance Festival
Today we visited the Arizona Renaissance Festival. This is the first weekend since the festival opened that has been warm and sunny and I think everyone else had the same idea as us. The traffic was bumper to bumper and it crossed our minds that we might not find parking. Not a problem!! There were acres of parking and the only problem might be finding your vehicle when you finally decide to leave. The festival includes a medieval amusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast. We arrived before lunch and strolled through the village. I was amazed at the large number of visitors, young and old, dressed in medieval costumes. For the younger crowd there were rides and carnival games. My favorite to watch was a ride called "fight the knight".
There was non stop entertainment on the various stages. We took in some of the shows but realized when we got home that we only saw about half of the performances. We enjoyed the music and song, story telling, comedy acts, sword fights, rope walking and juggling, and circus acts.
There were demonstrations on glass blowing, blacksmithing, pottery, leather work, weaving, spinning and a renactment of a medieval village.
A favorite on the lunch menu was the roasted turkey leg and people everywhere were strolling along chewing on the legs. There were chocolate covered bananas and icies served in half oranges. There was beer, wine and other beverages served throughout the park. We were both tired at the end of the day but will definitely head back another year. Senor Ping has his heart set on dressing up as a knight's templar and I think I would make a charming queen!!!
Sunday, March 07, 2010
A Girl For All Seasons
The annual Variety Show was held last week. I was responsible for one of the numbers in the show, "A Girl For All Seasons". While I was back in Eatonia working with Oasis Players, the 12 "girls" were recruited. Each of them designed their own costume and with a bit of makeup they were ready to go. Here are a few photos of the Val Vista Calendar Girls!!!
Happy People at Happy Hour
Senor Ping and I have been very busy since we arrived back in Arizona. I was busy with the Variety Night (more to come in another blog) and Senor Ping has been playing and practicing with Plan B. We have been to three dances and a couple watering holes as well as numerous Happy Hours in the courtyard. We also attended a Hula Party (that included a hilarious game of Pictionary) and a quadruple birthday party (with bocce and a musical jam session). We have also squeezed in a few happy hours with friends Dave and Ellen.
Last Wednesday Plan B played in the courtyard from 12-2 and then a few of our friends came over for Happy Hour. Our neighbors, Henry and Diane, had also decided to host a Happy Hour. Our block really came to life!!! After our friends went home we moved next door to join the sing-a-long. Along with the guitar, there were tambourines, maracas, shakers, and Diane played the spoons. There was even some dancing in the street.
Plan B in the Courtyard
Senor Ping and friends (called Plan B) have been booked into the Val Vista courtyard to provide entertainment during lunch and happy hours. Their mixture of classic rock and 60's favorites was well received, it even brought the line dancers to their feet.
Monday, February 22, 2010
It's Raining, It's Pouring!!!
The weather has been beautiful since we arrived in Mesa. We have had almost 2 weeks of blue skies, sunshine and pool weather. That is, until Saturday. We woke up to the sound of rain pitter, pattering down on the roof of the 5th wheel. For a minute I thought we were back in Saskatchewan. Hard as it is to believe, it really does rain in Arizona. The sun came out for a bit and I was able to take a quick bike ride around the park to admire some of the lake front property. Senor Ping and I went to the dance on Saturday night and wore rain jackets to walk to and from the hall. The rain put a damper on the Mardi Gras theme!!
Sunday morning and we woke up to the steady drip, drop as it was raining once more. Not so much fun!! Abbey and I went for a quick walk and she could hardly wait to get back inside. Apparently, she doesn't care much for the rain either!! We spent the day watching hockey, curling and figure skating. Good thing the Olympics are on!!
And Monday arrives....and with it more rain!!! I thought the wet weather would keep people away from aquacises this morning. NOT!!!! There were 37 women in the pool today. They were probably all looking for an excuse to get out of their motor homes. Cabin fever has struck!! The sun has tried to peak out from behind the grey clouds but as soon as I think it's over, the clouds roll in and the rain starts!!! I may have to check with my New Brunswick neighbors to see if they have hip waders!!
Sunday morning and we woke up to the steady drip, drop as it was raining once more. Not so much fun!! Abbey and I went for a quick walk and she could hardly wait to get back inside. Apparently, she doesn't care much for the rain either!! We spent the day watching hockey, curling and figure skating. Good thing the Olympics are on!!
And Monday arrives....and with it more rain!!! I thought the wet weather would keep people away from aquacises this morning. NOT!!!! There were 37 women in the pool today. They were probably all looking for an excuse to get out of their motor homes. Cabin fever has struck!! The sun has tried to peak out from behind the grey clouds but as soon as I think it's over, the clouds roll in and the rain starts!!! I may have to check with my New Brunswick neighbors to see if they have hip waders!!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Death by Chocolate
Oasis Players' 8th annual Dinner Theatre was held last weekend. We were sold out for all three evenings. The evening started off with a delicious meal, followed by the fantastic pre-show music. You could have heard a pin drop during Julie and Richard's vocal selections. And finally, the main event, a comedy murder mystery called Death By Chocolate. The long hours of rehearsals paid off as the cast did a wonderful job each evening. We received so many wonderful comments and the reporter who did the review for the local paper declared the evening a huge success!! Hats off to the cooks, the bar workers, waiters and waitresses, hosts and hostesses, the musicians and especially the actors!!!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A Winter Storm
When we arrived back home in early December we were greeted by -40C temperatures and both Senor Ping and I (but especially Senor Ping) were wondering what the heck we were doing coming back to the great white north. But then in early January milder temperatures arrived and it has been very pleasant here in "flatskatchewan". We have had above average temperatures, the snow started to disappear (which might not have been the best thing for the farmers) and you didn't need to start your car and let it run for half an hour before going anywhere.
Well, this weekend the mild weather came to an end!! It started with freezing drizzle and fog on Thursday evening. And wouldn't you know it, I was booked to substitute teach in Marengo on Friday, a 45 minute commute from home. For those of you that commute daily, you're probably saying "So what, suck it up!!" But you have to realize that for 24 years of my teaching career I lived next door to the school. This meant that it took me 57 steps to go from my door to the door of the school and if I cut through the playground I could do it in considerably less steps. And on Friday morning I had to drive cross-country on grid roads, through fog and freezing rain with the worst sense of direction anyone could have. Senor Ping suggested it might be in my best interest to take the truck with 4 wheel drive and the GPS. Thankfully, I made it to and from Marengo without getting lost or stranded. I really do admire anyone that has to commute to work, I'm so glad it's not me!!!
Anyway, by Saturday morning the snow had begun to fall, the wind was blowing and there were winter storm warnings!! Watching the snow pile up on the driveway brought back memories of some of the rare "snow days" we have had over the years. The days the buses didn't run, but the parents drove through the blizzard just to make sure their Kindergarten student didn't miss a day at school (which really wasn't necessary) while the high school students that lived down the street from the school didn't show up. Those few times when commuting teachers couldn't make it home and would spend the night at our house, and the last big storm we had on April 1, 2004 when the car was buried in the driveway, the drifts reached the roof of the school and the 57 steps to school was through thigh deep snow.
However, by far the most retold "snow day" story is the about the time I buried our jeep in a snowbank. The storm had started early one Sunday morning and by mid afternoon there was lots of drifting snow and high winds and zero visibility. I ventured out in the storm to pick up prizes we had won in the annual Ladies Bonspiel. I picked up my curling buddy and Al had a movie to drop off. We put the jeep in 4 wheel drive and off the three of us went. We made it to the curling rink and the convenience store without a problem. We were homeward bound!! I followed the usual route from the store to home. My buddy suggested I might want to take Main Street. "Not a problem," I replied. "I have 4 wheel drive!" And that's when we came to a grinding halt. No warning, nothing!! We couldn't see beyond the hood of the jeep, but then it didn't matter much because we really couldn't see the hood either....it was buried in the snowbank!!! I tried to get out and assess the situation but it soon became apparent the the snow was blocking my escape. Fortunately Al was able to get his back door open and by crawling over the seat I was able to get out and go for help. Off to the nearest house I went to call for help. A phone call home brought this response from Senor Ping. "Call a tow truck!" Eventually, after many head shakes, questioning looks and a few chuckles the jeep was extracted from a 3 foot deep and half a block long snow bank. So much for the jeep advertisement that maintained "Jeeps will take you anywhere" Ha!!! When I got home I had to put up with wise cracks and smart remarks from my family but the humiliation didn't end there. The next morning I arrived at school to find photocopied hand drawn pictures of a jeep buried deep in a snowbank posted throughout the school for all to read. So much for "What happens in the snow bank, stays in the snowbank!!"
The storm of 2010 is over, we have a few snowbanks in the backyard, some snowdrifts on the streets and the temperatures have dropped. Overall, not one of the more memorable blizzards. Of course, the jeep story was told once again (I can't believe there are actually people who have not heard the story) at a birthday party this afternoon. And when we were leaving, I offered my friend (yes, the same buddy) a ride home. She declined. I wonder why?????
Well, this weekend the mild weather came to an end!! It started with freezing drizzle and fog on Thursday evening. And wouldn't you know it, I was booked to substitute teach in Marengo on Friday, a 45 minute commute from home. For those of you that commute daily, you're probably saying "So what, suck it up!!" But you have to realize that for 24 years of my teaching career I lived next door to the school. This meant that it took me 57 steps to go from my door to the door of the school and if I cut through the playground I could do it in considerably less steps. And on Friday morning I had to drive cross-country on grid roads, through fog and freezing rain with the worst sense of direction anyone could have. Senor Ping suggested it might be in my best interest to take the truck with 4 wheel drive and the GPS. Thankfully, I made it to and from Marengo without getting lost or stranded. I really do admire anyone that has to commute to work, I'm so glad it's not me!!!
Anyway, by Saturday morning the snow had begun to fall, the wind was blowing and there were winter storm warnings!! Watching the snow pile up on the driveway brought back memories of some of the rare "snow days" we have had over the years. The days the buses didn't run, but the parents drove through the blizzard just to make sure their Kindergarten student didn't miss a day at school (which really wasn't necessary) while the high school students that lived down the street from the school didn't show up. Those few times when commuting teachers couldn't make it home and would spend the night at our house, and the last big storm we had on April 1, 2004 when the car was buried in the driveway, the drifts reached the roof of the school and the 57 steps to school was through thigh deep snow.
However, by far the most retold "snow day" story is the about the time I buried our jeep in a snowbank. The storm had started early one Sunday morning and by mid afternoon there was lots of drifting snow and high winds and zero visibility. I ventured out in the storm to pick up prizes we had won in the annual Ladies Bonspiel. I picked up my curling buddy and Al had a movie to drop off. We put the jeep in 4 wheel drive and off the three of us went. We made it to the curling rink and the convenience store without a problem. We were homeward bound!! I followed the usual route from the store to home. My buddy suggested I might want to take Main Street. "Not a problem," I replied. "I have 4 wheel drive!" And that's when we came to a grinding halt. No warning, nothing!! We couldn't see beyond the hood of the jeep, but then it didn't matter much because we really couldn't see the hood either....it was buried in the snowbank!!! I tried to get out and assess the situation but it soon became apparent the the snow was blocking my escape. Fortunately Al was able to get his back door open and by crawling over the seat I was able to get out and go for help. Off to the nearest house I went to call for help. A phone call home brought this response from Senor Ping. "Call a tow truck!" Eventually, after many head shakes, questioning looks and a few chuckles the jeep was extracted from a 3 foot deep and half a block long snow bank. So much for the jeep advertisement that maintained "Jeeps will take you anywhere" Ha!!! When I got home I had to put up with wise cracks and smart remarks from my family but the humiliation didn't end there. The next morning I arrived at school to find photocopied hand drawn pictures of a jeep buried deep in a snowbank posted throughout the school for all to read. So much for "What happens in the snow bank, stays in the snowbank!!"
The storm of 2010 is over, we have a few snowbanks in the backyard, some snowdrifts on the streets and the temperatures have dropped. Overall, not one of the more memorable blizzards. Of course, the jeep story was told once again (I can't believe there are actually people who have not heard the story) at a birthday party this afternoon. And when we were leaving, I offered my friend (yes, the same buddy) a ride home. She declined. I wonder why?????
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Winslow Arizona
Well, I did it! I always wanted to stop in Winslow Arizona and get my picture taken in front of the Eagles display. Note the girl in the flat-bed ford slowin' down to take a look at me. Also see the Eagle perched in the upstairs window!Cool eh!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Me and my New Gretsch!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thanksgiving on 12th Street
Senor Ping and I celebrated American Thanksgiving with our friends and neighbors in Val Vista. Carol and Sandy organized the dinner and everyone contributed by bringing appetizers, hot and cold dishes and desserts. We spent the afternoon (and into the night) enjoying delicious food and drink, beautiful weather, wonderful companionship and great music. People from elsewhere in the park dropped by to listen to the singing and share in the good company. We are so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful "snowbird community".
Thursday, November 26, 2009
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