Eagle Country

I have been planning to fly back east to meet a friend of mine for the weekend. She normally works in Washington DC, but has these odd little philadelphia jobs every couple of months. I thought it would be really fun to be able to see all of the amazing historical sites around Washington DC with her--but then to also enjoy a weekend soaking up the history and culture of Philadelphia. Plus, the Eagles have LONG been my favorite football team, and I'm thinking we could catch a game while I'm in town---you know, catch a little team spirit--or at least a sweatshirt from the home of the Eagles. I do want to wait until the craziness of the World Series is over---just to avoid any "scene" that can come with either winning---or losing!

Stress

Do you have a technologically minded husband? I mean, for the most part, it's awesome. But there are times, like when I'm in a hurry, that it really can start to get on my nerves. We were shopping the other day--something I usually enjoy and usually take my time doing. I enjoy the process that is shopping. But last week we were late. And on this particular shopping trip---nothing was going right. The woman at the customer service counter couldn't get her scanner to work. And if it did work---it would beep that the coding was wrong. We tried and tried to get the codes in and finally she starts to enter all of the numbers by hand, then look through her little discount book to subtract the sale percentage from each and every item. THEN....there's a clearance code that needed to be input as well. She was frustrated. I was frustrated and a bit stressed and my husband is chirping on and on about how they should have the new Symbol LS2208 bar code scanner or this data entry software that would automatically calculate the percentages off---mindless chatter that really meant something---but not at that moment...and not with the sales girl! I nearly turned and asked him to head up stairs to the executive offices and speak with the GM. THAT would have gotten him out of my head!!!

Loving Life

When we bought our house they were converting it from the model home to a normal "neighborhood" home. Because of this, we have a lot of fun little upgrades that the other neighbors had to pay extra for when they built their homes. We have a pool, beautiful wall and window treatments. Huge 18 x 18 tile that goes throughout the entire "public" areas of the house. The bathroom fixtures are amazing--and you know what? I just don't know how we got so lucky! I LOVE everything about this house---and I didn't have to pay nearly as much for it as everyone else. Which is really lucky for me---cause we wouldn't have been able to afford a 10th of it!

Ooops

I was pulling into the drive way last week, and I clipped the side wall. It's the outer wall---which in comparison to the one attached to the house--I felt lucky! There wasn't much damage to the wall---a little stucco falling off and the sconce light is now askew. But the wall definitely fared better than my car. It totally took my mirror off of the drivers side door---and ya know....I really like to look at that mirror!

Double The Bandwidth....It's Good

I was looking up what ddr memory was--and you know, they say it achieves nearly double the bandwidth of the SDRAM!

Now---doesn't that sound better? Honestly--I had to look it up in Wikipedia, cause it's one of those things that I leave for my husband. Usually I leave him a little sticky note saying that we need more memory---and then he does a little research and comes back with three options and the scientific explanation of each one. As my eyes glaze over and I start to drool---all I can manage is..."Whichever one you think is best, Dear!"

Holy Cannoli, Batman.....it makes my head hurt!

Birthday Ideas

Why is it when you ask a man what he wants for his birthday it's either truck accessories or Harley accessories? Really--I'm not sure I've ever gotten a different answer from the hundreds of times I've actually asked the question. In fact, I think from now on---I'll just save the hassle of asking--and just get them a gift card!

Me---I always have a laundry list of things I'd like. Mind you, no one ever asks me!!

Homes Away From Home

My sister and her husband have been looking at real estate here in Arizona. They are true "snowbirds" who come down every winter in their RV and stay for 2 months in Yuma. They love it but thought that with the real estate market so depressed here--that it might be worth putting the used rv for sale and actually buying a brick and mortar!

Do you know what stopped them??? Scorpions! The fact that we find them in our house all time was the deal breaker. So they will just continue to pull their RV home to Yuma every year until they can't pull it anymore---then they'll just park it and leave it---and then drive to it from then on.

Not too shabby, eh?

Fastin' & Prayin'

This week is the first week of the month. Which means I was supposed to spend the day Fastin'! Not so much fun I have to say. But you know, if I would just buckle down and do it--I'm sure it would get easier.

We didn't do much today. We watched Conference--and then a football game. How is that for Sabbath entertainment? It wasn't so bad---we did manage to sneak in our leisurely Sunday afternoon naps as well. What good is a weekend without a nap??

Catching Up

Are you on Facebook? I'm LOVING it! From all of the people I get to catch up with to their chat software where I can have immediate contact with others, it's heaven!

I have been a member for nearly 2 years now, and I have to say that it only picked up about a year ago. Before that I had like 7 friends and they were never on. Now I have nearly 500 and am finding new ones everyday!

The most fun I would have to say, is catching up with family members that I knew growing up but that gone on to get married and have their own families and not really get a chance to keep in touch. We are all connected now, and it has been amazing to catch glimpses of their everyday lives----really, if you aren't a member.....go sign up right now----it's awesome!

Needs Me A Steamer

Have you seen those cute Lady Bug steam cleaners on TV? Oh I WANT one!! Especially for the areas that are hard to get to around the faucets in the sinks in kitchen and bathroom---and ugh, especially around the base and seat of the toilet. That has got to be the hardest thing to clean EVER! But with the cool wand like handle---it's steam cleaned in seconds---and it just looks so simple. We have a vapor floor cleaner in the kitchen--and I would be happy to replace that with this--because it does everything that one does---plus it will clean that nasty toilet!!

Bad Skin

Do you remember back in the olden days when they would put a girl on birth control pills for acne treatments? Yeah---I was one of those girls! It's amazing how far we've come in the last 20 years. There are so many new and amazing products for this problem. I always had bad skin, and I don't think there has been anything so self esteem shattering as that. So I'm glad that my kids and grand kids will have an easier time getting through this period in their lives!

Living Life

We are retired, and I have to say we have enjoyed every facet of retired life! We've been able to travel and see many parts of the world that I never dreamed I would get a chance to see. In the coming weeks we will be in Chicago, New York, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Last year we had the chance to visit Canada, and if I can book us a great rate at one of the Isla Mujeres hotels maybe we'll have a chance to hit Mexico this year!

Growing up I always thought that once the "Empty-Nest" stage started there was nothing left. But truly--Grandparent status is wonderful--and the freedom to roam is un-toppable!!

Can't Wait For Winter

When we first moved into this beautiful house, we didn't worry about changing any of the air filters or swimming pool filters. No one had lived in it before--it was a model home---how bad could they be? Well, with the cooler weather coming on here, it was time to tidy up the yard, and get things ready for our fabulous Arizona Winters. So we changed all of the filters in and out of the house. And to our amazement...they were FILTHY! We knew we were late in changing them, but truly thought that with no one around they would be fine. We never took into account all of the dust from the neighboring subdivisions under construction. It was shocking to see them in such bad shape!

Just A Few Nerves

In our new home we have one of those wireless alarms. The coolest part is, since we have a pool--it actually talks to us and lets us know when a door opens. Now this new contraption has been the source of much entertainment---and many heart skippings as well. You see---our TV is in the front of our family room, the speakers for the doors just outside the door in the hallway-and the voice, is male.

So the other night we were watching a murder mystery show full of suspense when all of the sudden--there is a man talking outside of the room. It startled me immediately--until I realized what it was. The door was a jar to let in a little of the cool night air. It did it three or four more times before we had had enough and had gone in and bolt locked the front door. It was only funny that we love this little alarm/reminder about the doors---until it just starts talking to you in the middle of a murder mystery!!! Then it's just creepy!

Lots of people want our home

All the prospective buyers love our home, and many said they would write us a check on the spot if their homes were sold.

There were only about two or three that really looked like they might be interested enough to write an offer.

One couple came back twice and said they definitely want it. The man is suffering from three different cancers and is in and out of the hospital often.

They are too worried too commit to an offer at this time.

We expect them to make a decision soon.

Selling Our Clinton Home

We just signed papers to buy a home in Arizona and unfortunately haven’t sold the home in Clinton, Utah. Got the cart before the horse, as it seems.

We've been trying to sell the home in Utah since August. I sold Real Estate for 15 years and along with selling homes for others I’ve sold several of my own homes. I feel more confident about selling this home myself than any I’ve sold previously since the home and subdivision we live in are very desirable.

We feel certain that it will sell quickly, that it will bring a good price, and that in fact, it will sell itself.

I hope I’m not being complacent or over-confident since I didn’t put a contingency clause in the contract stating that we need to sell our home in order to have the funds to buy the new one.

This negligence could cause us a lot of trouble in the future. In spite of this neglect we both feel everything will work out well.

Disease

Have you seen the commercials on TV for mesothelioma? I've seen them, but never really paid much attention to it until last week. The announcer said that if you had a loved one whose life was affected by lung cancer, it could have been caused by this. It then went on to list all of the different occupations that come in contact with asbestos--and it was amazing how long that list was.

My sister in law passed away after a struggle with lung cancer. She'd been a 20 year smoker--so we just assumed that was the cause (and it probably was), but these days--how can you know? There are so many extenuating circumstances surrounding everything we do--who knows if we turn around in 20 years and Diet Coke causes some other huge illness..........well.....then you'll just have to shoot me--cause I'm NOT giving it up!! ;)

She's Coming Home

A family that has been really close with our family over the decades just found out that their daughter's family is finally calling the moving companies Los Angeles and coming home! Of course, home to her is in Utah, and we are all in Arizona--but it seems a lot closer when it comes time to be a part of the grandkid's lives.

None of our grandchildren live near us. But with the cheap airfare between here and there and the relative ease of driving--we get to be there for all of the super important moments in their lives. Nothing is better than family.

DNA Don't Lie

I walked into the family room last week only to find my grandson watching the Maury show. It was about, of course, DNA testing. I was just amazed at all of the different things going on on the stage. From a girl not sure if her husband or his nephew was the father--to a girl that had come back for the 12 time--and still got negative tests!

We had the unfortunate opportunity to go through 2 different DNA tests with two of our relatives--neither turned out how we have wanted--and the choices made by the mother's of these children was just astounding. I'm glad we have the opportunity to have our questions answered--but holy cow---the questions just seem to keep coming and coming. Even in the best of families!

Backing It Up

Have you heard all of the radio talk show hosts talking about free online storage? It's really made me stop and think about looking into it. We have a ton of stuff on our computer that we don't want to lose. Pictures and video that would leave me heart broken if it was ever lost or destroyed.

I lost about 16 digital pictures once, and as minor as that is--I stewed over it for 2 weeks. Even now (several years later) I still feel bad remember back to those pictures. I have a few burned into my memory--but so many are just gone. So this week--we will be finding a back up storage site that is perfect for us. I suggest you do the same!

It's In The Air

I have now talked with three different people who are all taking the same weight losss supplements. How coincidental is that? They seem to be having tremendous success--and really quite quickly. My sister is one, and she's dropped 11 pounds in a month and has never had so much energy before.

I have always been on the "little" side--so I haven't had to worry too much about those kinds of things. But for so many people out there suffering with weight--I'm hoping they find this. It may just help them too!

Muffin Is Queen

I think it's funny that in our new house we have three different pet beds for the same dog. I've never had a bed for her before, but this house is so big and we spend so much time in it--that she needs to be able to sit near us at all times. Her thing---not ours! So we have a pink bed at the foot of the computer. A green one in the den. And the blue one is out next to the couch.

She is completely welcome to come and snuggle with us on any of our furniture, but she really just wants to be with us--not on us. I'm setting up a genealogy room down the hall--and I can just see my husband coming home with a red one for that room!

Silly Brain

Do you ever psych yourself out when you are out late at night? The other night I was walking into a perfectly well lit grocery store and suddenly in my mind it was stormed by gunman and we would all soon be hostages. I don't go too far into my little 'twisted' thought--but every time it enters my head (usually when I'm out shopping late at night) I always have to check for the nearest exit signs. Either that or weighing out the possibility of me hiding behind the display of potato chips without being seen or popping all of the bags to give my hiding spot away!

Silly I know--but you can't always stop your head from heading down some paths. Don't even get me started on psyching myself out while I was babysitting late at night---egads!!

It's Just Too Hot

What is with all of these young starlets and their Ugg shoes in the middle of the summer. HELLO??? I live in Arizona, and I realize that not all places on the planet are as hot as the sun---but every time I see them in their shorts and midriff baring t shirts with their feet all bundled up in Uggs, it just makes me hotter! Honestly, I think my feet sweat every time I see it!

Now---move them all to my native Utah--during the Sundance Film Festival in January--and I'm totally game with their super cute foot wear!!

The Rees's Are Coming

We got to spend time with some really dear friends this week. They are newly retired (after years in the software development industry) and have come to town looking for homes to buy around here. I'm so excited. We've lived by them in 3 of our last 4 homes. Once they followed us, and twice we've followed them. So it's their turn to join us, and I couldn't be happier!

I have taken a ton of pictures, and I will get them up as soon as we sit down for longer than 5 minutes!!