Our last days in AZ and our night-mare trip home

The Monday after Easter, we did a little shopping, continued to organize stuff to pack in the car and went out to Dubs for our last burger/beer get-together with Bz, Joyce, Mac, Tim and Kathy M. Kathy came over for a visit after we ate dinner.
Tuesday afternoon I played bridge with my little ladies at the center. We had four tables and I won 2nd! Had great cards that day and it yielded me $1.25! Tuesday night I insisted we stay home and eat some of the food we had left over from the winter. It was a very strange meal indeed! However, we couldn't begin to eat up everything! After dinner we went to Bz and Joyce as we needed to get in one last evening of great Wiper/Jensen rummy. We women are NEVER very lucky at that game!
Wednesday night Mac picked us & Wipers up for our last "Sour Dough" pizza night. We should have eaten at home as we still had plenty of food, but...we prefer the pizza!
Thursday morning we were all packed, did last-minute chores, and we on the road to Utah at 9 a.m. We intentionally left a little late to avoid some of the heaviest traffic. We drove as far as Cedar City, UT. The drive was beautiful, except for the last 40 miles over a couple of passes--one at 9,000 plus and another at 10,000 feet and snow was piled high on the sides of the roads in many places. NOT my favorite part of the trip. It was 87 when we left Mesa at 9 a.m. and about 40 when we got to Utah. I don't think the abrupt change in climate was good for me!
Friday we took our time driving to Sandy, UT, to see Lois as she worked until 5 p.m. We actually took back roads and stopped to see some great petroglyphs. We had thought of driving through Bryce Canyon National Park, but when we realized that we had to go BACK over that same 40 mile stretch of road that I said I never wanted to travel over again, we scrubbed that idea...next time, maybe!
We took Lois and Chris to a great Mexican restaurant in down-town SL City...I swear it was the tastiest Mexican I have ever eaten. Had a fun visit with Chris too.
Saturday we woke to at least 4-6" of heavy, wet snow! We drank coffee and visited until the streets cleared off a bit, then we went to a ski rental shop for a very delicious lunch. When we pulled up there, I was afraid Lois was expecting us to rent skis and hit the slopes that day! Then we shopped at a very interesting gift store (huge)...Saturday night Lois had a dinner party for about 5-6 of her closest neighbor friends. It was so fun to meet her friends. We had a really good time.
Sunday, despite the COLD weather and ice chunks frozen to our windshield, we hit the road for a marathon day of driving. I wasn't feeling the best so Gary drove all the way to Glendive, MT. It was well over 850 miles. We had dinner and hit the rack...that is after listening to the announcement that Osama Bin Laden had been killed!
The last day of our trip was when the real misery hit! We decided in our infinite wisdom that we wouldn't need to stop for gas until we got to Williston as that would be a great place to take a short break. UNFORTUNATELY, when we got to Williston (with 25 miles of gas left) we were surprised to learn that the city had been without power for more than 2 days...that meant there were only 2 stations in town pumping gas and the lines were ungodly long. Thanks for a friend, Kelly, in Williston, she directed me to the station that was a bit off the main drag and our wait there was only 2 hours. We had about fumes left when we pulled into the station! Our plans for arriving home early afternoon were dashed by this time. We stopped in Stanley for a quick lunch and short visit with Gary Nelson at the bank as we wanted to share in his joy at the death of UBL. Needless to say, he was happy about that! We got home about 5:30 and managed to unpack the car. I was feeling worse and worse as the day wore on; I called the Botno Clinic and scheduled an appt. with Dr. Jessica for 11 on Tuesday.
However, by 12:30 a.m. I realized that if I didn't go to emergency, I would probably pass out from lack of oxygen. I couldn't get my breath...my asthma had kicked in big time. It is the first time in my life I have ever been taken to ER...pretty good record for an old dame! Anyway, I expected a shot, some meds, and I'd be on my way. My doctor had other plan for me..that included two nights in the hospital, nebulizer treatments every 2 hours, many doses of steroids (that started with a very painful shot in my arm that made me very nauseous, hot, cold and ready to tear my arm off from the pain!) I always brag about my high threshold for pain, but I'll think twice before I do that again. By 4 a.m. I was tucked into my hospital bed and Gary was on his way back home. I was poked and prodded every couple of hours the whole time I was there, but felt fortunate to get out today (Wednesday). I did manage to unpack a few boxes when I got home. but vowed to save much of the work until I am breathing a little better. I encountered all my worst asthma triggers on the way home...dust (from cleaning the condo...plus the air pollution in Mesa/Phoenix is the 2nd worst in the nation) perfume from the blankets in the motels, and COLD in Salt Lake City so now I am the proud owner of a nebulizer and I have enough treatments for about 2 years...hoping that I can stave off another emergency room late night visit. It is GOOD to be home!

Eat, eat, eat

These past few days have not turned out like I planned. Had hoped to eat up some odds and ends from our cupboards and frig, but instead we found ourselves going out nearly every day! Wednesday I had my hair cut after I went for a walk. I spent quite a bit of time cleaning cupboards, closets, etc. in preparation for our trip home. Thursday I did more of the same and got lots crossed off my list of things to do. Thursday & Friday I made it back to the pool. Friday night we took Tim & Mac to Saguaro Lake for the fish fry. They came in when we got home and we played some card games.
Saturday afternoon Gary & I played our last round of golf for this season. It was beautiful on the course and we were able to play in a 2-some; felt like we had the course almost to ourselves. I think I had my best round all year. Saturday night we drove up to Apache Junction to a western bar to meet Gordy & Peggy for one last dinner with them.
Sunday morning we went to church at 10; we came home, changed clothes, and drove over to Billy & Geraldine Siercks for Easter dinner. Jackie, Vince, Kayla and Mychal were there too. We had a wonderful meal and great visit. We played about 8 games of pinochle before heading home about 10p.m. It was a very nice day!

Time is flying by!

I've been so busy that I've forgotten all about my blog this past 10 days. (That's not all I've forgotten!) Anyway, last week the weather was perfect. I think I made it to the pool every morning. Monday night we had burgers as usual; Kathy M. joined us this week. Tuesday I played bridge (and won a quarter!); Wednesday morning Mac & Tim picked us up and we drove to Tuscon to see Tom & Sandy Olson's home and have lunch with them. We ate at a very authentic Mexican restaurant, Lupe's, and were home late afternoon. Bz was along too, but Joyce was home sick. Tom has an absolutely beautiful home in Tuscon. It was fun to see them.
Wednesday we golfed with Dorine and Roger, went out for pizza and then played some cards that evening. Our car had a dead battery so Mac came to the rescue and brought over a battery charger to get us going again! It was beautiful on the golf course. Friday was a quiet day; we grocery shopped and mostly relaxed.
Saturday we had Gordy & Peggy over for happy hour and snax and then took them to Little Chicago for supper. Sunday we had Bz, Joyce, Mac and Tim here for brunch at noon. In the afternoon, Joyce and I went to Stein Mart and did a little shopping. We played cards with Bz & Joyce at our condo until about 10 Sunday night so it was a full day.
Monday morning Betty Bossart came down from Fountain Hills; she joined Dorine & I in a round of golf. The weather was perfect again! We met Kathy M. and Lu Nermyr for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Then we came back to our condo and played bridge until almost 6 p.m. Kathy & Betty joined us this week at our burger night. We had lots of laughs from their stories!
Tuesday I played bridge (had terrible cards this week); Gary & I did a little shopping and I started knitting yet another felted bag in the evening. I've been walking this week instead of going to the pool as I haven't had time for the pool activities! Time is getting short and we're trying to get in so many "last minute" events!

Weekend

Saturday it rained about 1/2 inch. We made use of the inclement weather (!) to do some shopping. Saturday afternoon we went to church and were pleasantly surprised that many snow-birds have left so there is room to park and sit in the comfortable pews! Saturday night we watched a great movie "Simon Birch." It is one of the best we've seen this winter. A real tear-jerker too!
Sunday we had a lazy morning. In the afternoon we drove to Phoenix to visit Billy & Geraldine Siercks. We played 12 games of pinochle...5 regular games (women 3, men 2) and 7 games of race-horse pinochle (women 4, men 3). Geraldine had a great meal prepared for us--as usual! We didn't get home until 11 p.m. Very late for us!

Sioux fall!

It was back to the pool for me every morning this week. The weather was perfect after such a hot weekend in Palm Springs. Tuesday afternoon I played bridge. We just had a 4-some this week, but it was fun anyway. Wednesday was cleaning and cooking day; I actually made dinner for us! Thursday afternoon we went with Bz & Joyce to O'Sullivans to watch the Sioux get beat in their first (and last) game of the Frozen Four. It was an exciting game, but they came out on the short end. It wasn't for lack of trying! After the game, we went to Wipers and played our usual 2 games of rummy. Friday was a pretty lazy day. Gary drove me over to the Yarn Shop for my last purchase of the season. I now have a pretty good supply...it should last me until we get home at least. We spent a quiet night at home Friday night.

Palm Springs and more

Finally on Monday, the 28th, I got back into my routine of going to the pool in the mornings. Monday night we did our weekly burger and beer at Dubs and went to Wipers for a visit afterward. Tuesday evening we had neighbors in for some pinochle card games and Wednesday night we were invited to Mac's for some great home-made lemon pie that a gal from Grand Forks (Audrey) had made for us.
Thursday morning we were on the road to Palm Springs by 8:30 a.m. The traffic was pretty heavy getting out of town...otherwise, the drive over was uneventful. We stopped at Audrey's first and got situated. Then we headed to Cathedral City to see the cousins. It was HOT! We had great hors d'oeuvres and drinks (mostly ice water) at Nadine's. Everyone had arrived by the time we got there.
Friday morning we girls met at Stein Mart and spent a few hours shopping. It was 103 degrees! I think I was a near candidate for a heat stroke by noon. We met Cal & Julie at the Kona Grill and enjoyed a leisurely lunch in air conditioning! Then we drove over to see the RV park where they have been staying. In the evening we all met at Pete & Mona's for a dinner that Judie had prepared.
Saturday morning we were up and out early as we wanted to shop at the swap meet at College of the Desert. It was another 103 degree day! Needless to say, we had to shop FAST in order to get out of there before we melted. We did manage to find quite a few things that we really needed!
At noon we met Cal and Julie at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. After lunch, Julie rode with us to Nadine's and we met Danny & Maxine there so the four of us had a relaxing afternoon of bridge...except that Julie & I got beat!! That evening we were at Pete's again for another great meal that Mona had prepared.
Sunday morning we were up early and went to church with Audrey, Hank and Joyce (Audrey's sister). After church Hank took us to lunch at Esconsa Country Club. It is an absolutely beautiful golf course and club house. In the afternoon Gary & I went by ourselves to a "Musical Tribute to our Troops" at the Palm Spring Air Museum. Ariana Savales (daughter of Kojak) was the only name that we recognized, but the program was lots of fun! After that, we drove over to Nadines and Les & Kay Vea took all of us to a very nice Chinese restaurant for our last meal together. We had a great time looking at old family pictures and reading some letters that our parents had written each other years ago. It was a fun evening of memories!
We got back to Audrey's early so I taught them how to play "Farkle" before we hit the rack. The heat had subsided by Sunday (thankfully) so we weren't quite as exhausted as we were Fri/Sat.
Monday morning we were on the road home by 9:00. We took a longer, more scenic route through Yuma and by the Salton Sea. The roads on this route were much better and the views were much more interesting than taking HWY 10...however, it was about 100 miles further. We had lunch in Yuma at Olive Garden. We got home just in time for our weekly burger. Afterwards we stopped at Bz & Joyce's and had a couple games of rummy.

Sioux-per week!

Can't believe I'm a week behind in my postings...I'll will blame it on the crud I struggled with for several days. Sunday we didn't even get to church; I was coughing so much that no one would have wanted me to sit near them.
Monday I stayed quiet too--except Monday night we met the ND gang at Dubs; Katie & her family were down too so got to see them. Tuesday I played bridge (didn't win anything!) and then we were invited to McFarlens for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails about 4:30. Had a great visit with Katie and family. Wednesday at noon I drove over to Faith's (Dad's cousin) to see her AZ park model in Mesa. She showed me around, then we drove to a Mexican restaurant for lunch. After lunch we did a little shopping before I came home.
Thursday I picked Katie & Ryan up and took them to lunch at the Kona Grill in San Tan shopping center; afterwards we wandered around in and out of several stores and mostly did some browsing. It was nice to have some time with them.
Friday noon we were invited to Nick & JoAnn Perrin's park model at Venture Out in Mesa. We had a great brunch; Kathy Marcil came too. We visited most of the afternoon. Friday night we came home and watched the movie "Sleepers." It was a very disturbing movie about young boys who are put in juvenile detention centers.
Saturday morning we headed over to O'Sullivans to watch an early Sioux hockey game; we won 6-0! Gene and Beth joined us there. Afterwards we came back to our condo and played cards until it was time for our golf game. We managed to play 9 holes (badly!) and then had some snacks and drinks before going out for Sour Dough Pizza. We played a few more hands of cards before bed time.
Sunday we had a leisurely morning; we had a big brunch and then went to church at noon. After church we headed right to the "Swap Meet" on Baseline. Gary & I only stayed 45 minutes as we didn't want to miss the hockey game at O'Sullivans. It was another great game! The Sioux won 6-1 against Denver and are now headed to the Frozen Four in a couple of weeks! A great way to spend the afternoon! Gene & Beth headed back to Surprise after the game and we came home and had a quiet evening.