Autumn is in the air.....

Our early fall is in the air.....my most favorite time of year. This is true wherever we are living as I am continually amazed that God created His beauty all over the Country. October and November is absolutely beautiful in the Desert. Our hot summer is coming to a close....our mornings and evenings are much cooler (no sweaters needed) and entertaining family and friends begin to happen with real vigor. Our outside spaces come alive as patios and porches become additional living spaces.

Instead of 4 normal seasons, the Desert has about 8 mini seasons. During the coming weeks Snowbirds (winter visitors) begin returning to the Desert to enjoy our wonderful weather, but increasing our traffic. Plus flocks of birds migrate to the Desert to shower us with their beauty and beautiful songs. Our citrus is beginning to ripen and will be ready by late Fall. In the meantime, the fruit adds an array of beauty to our trees. I have just had the first ripe lime from my little tree in the front yard. Looking out my office window I can enjoy the ripening of orange, lemon and grapefruit trees. Nothing taste better than tree ripened fruit.

As our weather cools I bring out my knitting and begin projects of fuzzy hats, warm scarfs and slippers for the Grandchildren. Teddy has already ordered 'green slippers'. It is with total joy that I begin these small projects. Holiday thoughts and ideas begin popping into my head and I am looking forward to spending time with special friends. We have a very large pool in our Park, which is heated to 88 degrees all winter.....needless to say, pool time will continue to be a priority.

My heart is full of joy and and over flows with thanksgiving as we begin my 'favorite time of the year'.....it is so easy to remain a very BLESSED ARIZONA GRAMMA.

BUSY FAMILY LIFE

When a family is busy, it is a good indication that all is well and everyone is healthy and happy. What more could I ask for? As a parent, it is a blessing to see positive attitudes in your children. Their glass is always half full and never empty. And then, to see that positive attitude in the Grandchildren is a blessing beyond compare. Robby was remarking the other night that knowing God created him made everything about him just right!! We definitely please God when we love what He created and we choose to live our life with joy and thankfulness.

Wayne is enjoying retirement....he loves his morning walks and visiting with people in the Park every morning, plus he enjoys sitting around the pool visiting with friends as I swim. He would like to work a few hours a day....very part time....and I think that would be good for him. He is a workaholic, so I think he would enjoy just a few hours a day.

Randy and Dana are leaving this Friday for a cruise.....Actually I believe this is to celebrate Dana's birthday. I know they will enjoy their trip, as they have been on many cruises in the past.

Tiffany and Jordan are doing well. We hope their move to Seattle, after the first of the year, becomes a reality. Randy is especially excited about this.

Tom, Shari, Rob and Ted are totally enjoying their new home in Sahuarita....they are constantly going in many directions, but yet they have a very peaceful, safe and loving home.

I continue to recoup from my surgery.....I'm feeling great (except for my back). I enjoy the pool every morning and use pool weights to increase my strength. I'm thankful for the natural healing that Xango gives me.

It is a wonderful life and it is so easy to be..and remain...a Blessed Arizona Gramma

Create your own visitor map!

POLITICS

Politics can be an ugly subject (sometimes). However, as good citizens and having a love for our County, it is also a very important subject. I like to think of myself as being a very conservative Independent....voting for the best person that I feel will serve in the best capacity of whatever office they are running for. I hope that I will always look at all issues and make a complete study of that issue and not be blinded by whoever is popular.

It is so interesting that as I talk to people and ask them about the Health Care bill that the Senate will be voting for, their opinion is based on whatever they are hearing on the news or the fact that they voted for a person, so whatever they say is true.....oh my, that in itself is bad news! I am fortunate enough to have both friends and family that will dissect any bill line by line and actually know what it says and means. I try to do my part in this too. I also listen to both sides of an issue and hopefully use my own abilities to make my decision. Shari's husband, Tom...our Randy.....and good friend, Jim Swartwood, are all good at going line by line with bills and issues. I appreciate opinions from both my Democrat and Republican friends. What I don't like is someone saying "well, I voted for so and so....they must be right. That sounds pretty stupid to me. I voted for George Bush, but did I like everything that he did? Absolutely not! I have a responsibility to be the best that I can be for my Country. I take the time to listen to the liberal press and TV stations and after listening to many lies, I am happy to return to FOX news and Glenn Beck, where, as an Independent, he calls it as it is. He is also very honest.

I challenge you to listen to both sides of the issues and studying line by line before making up your mind. Be smart and responsible about your choices.

Thank You XANGO

I think most of you know how much I appreciate Xango's Mangosteen Juice....but, just in case.....this juice, I feel, is responsible for maintaining my Parkinson's Disease for the past 11 years without medication. Recently just having major surgery...and at 73 years old, I have bounced back like a young chicken....well, almost ha! Often after taking a supplement for a long time it is only natural to think it isn't continuing to do anything for you, or you don't need it anymore. However, we now know that all disease begins with inflammation - even heart attacks. The medical profession is even stating that the level of inflammation in the body is more important than Cholesterol levels. Taking this juice consistently allows the antioxidant to work within the body to attack the inflammation within your body. Wow....how cool is that! It continues to work without you even knowing it.

Xango, as a company, has such a respected name in the industry. Everything they do is superior and that includes research, science, quality control.....the best in the business. I am confident that whatever new products they bring to us, the consumer, will be only the very best.

It is with this excitment that Wayne and I began takiing ELEVIV..... This is a 100% Natural Product * Clinical Studies as well as 5 years of Science * Boost energy levels * Promote vigor (mental & physical energy) * Promotes relaxation * Reduce Stress * Improve mood * Promote restful sleep * Restore mental alertness/acuity. BELIEVE ME....THIS DOES WORK.

It is with this same excitment that we use our outstanding 3SIXTY VITAMIN & MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS This is whole food nutrition at it's best and easy assimilated into our system. Different formula for Men and Women. Please call me for additional information regarding these superior vitamins.

Another product that I would not be without...GLIMPSE SKIN CAREThis is topical skin nutrition at it's best. There are no toxins or chemicals in any product....just pure nutrition for the skin.

COMING THIS FALL: BODY CLEANSER, SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER AND BODY LOTION All products are non-toxic, nourishing and contain the potent phytonutrients of the mangosteen.

I could continue to write a book on these products...instead if you are interested in a product send me a note and I will be more than happy to send you additional information.

My biggest WOW factor in the hospital, was no one believing I was 73 years old.....All guesses came in much, much younger.
I attribute that to a toxin and chemical free body, including my skin care! THANK YOU XANGO from a very Blessed Arizona Gramma

Dreaming of Hawaii

I am sooooo far behind with my blogging and yet there has been so much happening lately. Now sure if I remember it all. Randy and I had a long phone conversation the other night and he remarked that life seems to get busier and busier instead of slower and slower. Right now I am dreaming of a nice Hawaiian vacation.....perhaps this Fall.

He and Dana are preparing for a cruise vacation.....I think the Caribbean. When they both fly all the time a Cruise is a nice diversion. It certainly isn't their first cruise.....they know what to expect and I am sure they will have a super time. Tom, Shari and boys were recently in Seattle and were able to spend a couple of night with them. Rob and Ted think their Uncle Randy is 'super stuff' and they love to invade his "Man's Land", where you are supposed to have special permission to enter. They were able to watch their favorite DVD there. Man's Land is in their 3rd bay garage.....very comfortable with all the bells and whistles and a total delight to Rob and Ted. They think everyone should have a Man's Land.

Randy and Dana are delighted that Tiffany and Jordan are planning to move to Seattle the first of the year. Randy said he is more than ready to have his daughter close by. We hope this becomes a reality.

I recently had abdominal repair surgery.....a surgery that my Cardiologist was insisting that I have done. I'm doing extremely well, considering my bad back and Parkinson's. In another week I will be back in the swimming pool and life will return to normal. Wayne has been my super caregiver....pampering me far more than necessary - but, I love it!

Rob and Ted delight us with their visits and we enjoy our visits with them in Sahaurita. They have a large play/game room that Grandpa must watch movies with them.....mainly Star Wars. They have been looking for their new Church home and I think they are narrowing down their search.

Wayne is leaving this afternoon for Bellingham.....this will be a quick visit to take care of business.

September/October are beautiful months in the Desert.....our temperatures are beginning to cool and the days are delightful.
We do have an awesome Fall season.

God continues to bring us many blessings and I remain a blessed Arizona Gramma.

First Day of School

As I reflect back through the years and remember the first day of school each year for Randy and Shari, it was always traumatic....and emotional.....for me!! I would always take them to school on that first day, but somehow I just couldn't make myself drive away once I returned to the car. I kept thinking that surely there was something they would need or I forgot to give them everything. Finally, I would have no more excuses and I would drive away with a very heavy heart. After the first day, they would usually ride the school bus and I would let the tears flow as the bus pulled away. It would take a good week before I would get my emotions controlled and see the brighter side of this picture.

Does it get better with the Grandchildren.....Noooooo!! I did a lot of praying this year when Rob and Ted started School in Rancho Sahaurita on August 4th. I told myself perhaps it was because they were entering a larger school in a new town, but I knew I had felt this way the beginning of each of their school years. Well, this Gramma had to drive down and be there when Shari picked them up after that first day of school. Besides it was fun and special to be there to share in their day activities.
We then went out for special treats to top off the school day.

Well....they each enjoyed their first day of school and they like their teachers and now I guess I can relax.....until next year!!
I am so thankful for the blessings of being their Arizona Gramma.