Front Yard....work in progress

Okay......it is time to post a few pictures of our front yard of our little mobile nest. It is still a work in progress, but we finally have it to where we are happy with it. The house was blue and no yard when we moved in. After deciding that we loved this little place and didn't want to move, we thought we had better make it look a little better.

Thanks to Randy who made a trip down to help paint......we removed the dirty white rock and replace it with new rock. We moved my lime tree/pot to the front stump and found a few pots that we liked. As I said.....it is still a work in progress. You can see my porch where I sit with my iced tea.....I love my porch!!

Let me know what you think.....there is only so much you can do to a mobile home, but it is much larger inside than how it looks outside and we do love our neighbors and the Park. We have plans to enlarge the porch and add an Arizona room so we can welcome guest.....just waiting to see how the economy shakes out. Our temporary move is becoming more permanent and we love our resort lifestyle.


We do have many blessings that we count daily. Mary Ann

Mesquite Gardens

One of our favorite pastimes is visiting our local nursery and gardens. Mesquite Gardens is like a breath of fresh air, or an oasis in the Desert. Best of all it is very close to our home, so we love to visit often. It does the soul good to wander around and among this awesome nursery....it is not the usual nursery, but it is a haven for anything and everything that you could possibly be looking for your yard or garden. They feature the works of many artisans.....they grow all of their own flowers in their many large hot houses. They have large buildings that house citrus of every kind and type imaginable. In the background of all the many acres of floral masterpieces looms our Catalina Mountains. During the winter it is possible that there will be snow on these mountains, yet the array of floral colors loom below.

It is impossible to feel depressed or lonely after a walk around these Gardens......God has truly provided a special beauty and nourishment to add joy to our lives.

Remember to keep counting your blessings,
Mary Ann

Tom and Shari's New Toy for the boys

Tom and Shari picked up their new toy today and the boys are totally delighted! Airstream (remember them) is manufacturing a retro look of their first little travel trailer called "Taking Back America" and it is made in the USA. It looks like a bubble....small enough that they can pull it with their Honda Pilot, but large enough that the four of them can sleep inside.....It is an adorable little yellow bubble, that my neighbors named "Yellow Bird". It has a Clam Shell back and when opened reveals a complete outside kitchen. It has air conditioning, heater and has TV and Stero....stero speakers are also in the outside kitchen. They do plan to pull it up North this summer, but they will mainly use it for day trips to be comfortable in.

Shari is not a tent camper and when they are out with the Boy Scouts and the guys are in their tents, she can be comfortable and cozy in her little bubble. It will be fun to use on picnics with the family.

I am posting a couple of pictures that really don't do it justice....so for a more complete picture visit:

Our cul-de-sac neighbors gathered for a good look and everyone ended up on our porch to eat and chat. A good ending to a perfect day.....sunny, warm and 80 degrees....yeah!

Wayne completed the day by putting finishing touches on our outside house paint and trim. With our new front yard our little nest looks neat and sharp.

Until next time....remember to count your blessings. Mary Ann

Knowledge Is Wisdom

Tons of activity and confusion is going on in our Country right now, it is hard to know who, what, when or where. However, I believe knowledge is wisdom so I watch the news regularly and try to balance different views.....I also read all that I can about what is happening in our Country.....and, I don't like what I am hearing.

Again, as I just read another article by Bruce Fong, he concurs with my thoughts completely and he explains it far better than I can...... Again, I quote from Bruce: "My skills at government talk is quite modest. However, I am going to try and decipher out loud what I’m hearing. Maybe hearing myself explain things will help me digest things a little better.

If a homeowner has not been able to keep up with his house payments as he promised he would, there is help on the way. Even though he has legally entered into an agreement with his lenders he will be the recipient of a bail out. But, he only qualifies if he has been missing payments as he promised he would do.

Also, if the house that he agreed to purchase is now worth less than what he paid for it there is also help on the way. “They” will reduce the principle of his mortgage in order for him to restart his payments. “They” will also wave late payments, that is payments that have been missed will be forgiven.

In addition whatever the interest on the agreed mortagage will also be lowered as the priniple is reduced. “They” will rework the numbers to make it more comfortable for the homeowner who has been delinquent on his payments.

Finally, “they” will given him a reward for participating in this restructuring of his past agreed to terms. If after one year he is able to keep up on his new payments then, they will give this homeowner a $1,000 cash reward. This is like hearing about Christmas coming in February.

Now, since I have been keeping up with my mortgage payments without a miss since I promised to do so years ago, I do not qualify for this bailout. Furthermore, since I have been faithful in my payments then I will not have the principle of my loan reduced. Nor will the interest on my loan be reduced. But, I am included in this bailout plan because I am one of the “they” that is paying for all of this."

I repeat....Knowledge is Wisdom

God, Family and Friends

Sometimes I feel so blessed I feel that my buttons will burst! God, Family and Friends.....there is nothing more important and I feel I have received the best of all three. Take away everything that I possess and I would still remain the riches person alive.

God has given me the peace that only He can give....the promise of eternal life....and a close relationship with Him that I know without a doubt that he directs in every area of my life.

Family that I love dearly.....A daughter and son-in-law that live for the Lord and give from their hearts in all that they do. They have created a loving and stable home for my awesome grandsons, Rob and Ted. A son and daughter-in-law that are caring and loving. A beautiful and intelligent granddaughter, and most of all, a wonderful husband. Plus extended family that mean the world to me.

Friends....who are beyond description, both here and around the country. My days are filled with friends making me one wealthy woman! How I love daily visits and long chats!

I am posting a picture of our evening with Bud and Joyce Schiffler from Bellingham the other night. It was special to spend time with them and share dinner together. They will be doing a lot of camping before heading back to Bellingham. We wish them a fun and safe trip.

Last night was dinner with my friends to celebrate Paddi's birthday..... Unfortunately my camera decided not to work very well and pictures did not turn out. Think my flash was turned off. This is not a good picture of her, but the best I have.....she is one beautiful gal and an extremely talented Artist. Happy Birthday again, Paddi.

I have a project on my needles tonight, so think I will head to my comfortable chair and knit like crazy.
Take care....keep well and safe....and remember to count your blessings. Mary Ann

No Retirement For Me!

Retirement does not mean slowing down.....my days get busier and busier. Today was the Yarn Club meeting at my home.....we had a great time sharing patterns and helping each other with projects. I'll post a couple of pictures of what I have on my needles and my friends are busy working on their projects.

As we were knitting in the house, Wayne and the handyman were busy laying our new paver sidewalk and putting some finishing touches on the house paint. So far, everything looks great. I'll include a picture of the paver pattern.

I managed to spend time with Xango and talk to a few of my customers. This is my most favorite thing to do. To know that people are feeling results is the highlight of my day.

Tomorrow we are expecting former classmates, Bud and Joyce Schiffler from Bellingham for the afternoon and dinner. It will be special to have them here.


My Birthday Club Dinner is happening this Thursday evening, so I will definitely do a post on this.....we always have a fantastic time....... there is never a dull moment as laughter always seems to take over.

Each day is a blessing and sometimes a challenge, but what we do with each blessing and challenge is our choice. I am thankful that I have a faithful God who is always there to direct me.

Until next time stay safe and remember to count your blessings. Mary Ann

Valentine's Day '09

It is always special to wake up to the sunshine and today was the normal.....thank you Lord for the sun that brings warmth and brightness to our days.

Besides having a beautiful day......it was also Valentine's Day.  Wayne and I began our day with breakfast out....which is my favorite meal to enjoy eating out and we enjoyed the fellowship with special friends.    We would much rather stay home in the evenings and be cozy and comfortable.....is this part of growing old?

Well, we also had activity around our little home.  We are doing some work in our front yard and Lowes delivered pavers to be used in a nice wide sidewalk.....then the Rock Company (remember this is Arizona and lawns are rock) delivered our rocks.  Well, we had spent hours picking our house paint colors and then the paver colors to cooridinate with the new rock.....well the great big pile of rock  that was dumped in our front yard is totally not the rock that we ordered!!  Now.....we have to deal with the Company about this.....someone is not going to be happy and I hope it is not us!!  I guess it wouldn't be normal if things went smoothly.

The best and brightest spot in the day was Rob and Ted bringing us a Valentine.  It was one of the new musical cards that they could also record their message....and, they did this with real gusto.  This Gramma's heart was overflowing.  Of course, we had valentines and gifts waiting for them.

Because it was such a nice day, Wayne also spent a couple of hours rearranging our storage unit and getting rid of a few more things.  This is an on going project.

After enjoying homemade soup tonight, we are relaxing by reading and watching TV.  All in all a nice day - except for the rock - !!  Stay safe and well and don't forget to count your blessings.

Mary Ann