A Busy Friday

I kinda hate to admit this, but I am definitely a better talker than taking pictures. I have a big problem of getting so involved in conversation that I forget to take pictures of the event! When I get home and ready to write a blog I suddenly realize I don't have many pictures. But, boy did I ever have fun visiting and talking!!

This past Friday was the Park Carport Sale. I certainly don't need anything and my friends know that I am not a Garage Sale junkie....however, my friend Bev called and wanted me to run around in the golf cart and she would hop off to see if she could find anything interesting. We ended up laughing a lot and of course talking a mile a minute.

The beautiful Iris is between our house and my neighbors. It is really Marlene's flower, but I enjoy it from my living room, so I water and fertilize it.....she can't see it from her house, so I kinda claim it.

Later Friday evening our good friends, Paddi and Michael, hosted their annual Chili Fest......oh my, not only did I visit and talk non stop I ate non stop too. Paddi makes the most awesome chili and cornbread, followed by homemade brownies. Plus she has a large table laden with fresh fruit, chips and many delicious dips.

Paddi, is the same talented Artist that I have previously told you about. Her work is shown in only the finest Galleries. She and Michael have a beautiful home at Tucson National Golf and Country Club. Paddi is also known for her "green thumb" as she has the most beautiful gardens around her home.

It was especially nice to reconnect with other old friends.....and yes, the evening was spent in lively chatter. I came home with just two pictures - and not very good ones. I am mad at myself when there was a wealth of beautiful art and gardens to take pictures of. I just get so involved with friends!!

Shari's boys were camping, so she was able to go with us....in fact, it was nice having her drive us.

There were blessing galore on the entire day.......I remain a very thankful Arizona Gramma.

Gus Balon's Restaurant

I am determined to keep a blog as a journal for my family and yet the days are over before they begin. This past week was no exception. Then I must make the decision of several small blogs, or do I lump things together? Decisions, decisions - ha! I'll just start in and see where things take me.

Besides the usual Doctor appointments, baseball games, visiting with friends, Shari and I have been making trips to Sahaurita to check out paint and gather ideas for this beautiful new home. Of course, this is so much fun, as I am totally in my element.

Our days are beginning to heat up, as our Summer is upon us. Of course this makes our evenings warm and awesome. Our evenings are spent on the porch drinking fresh lemonade and visiting with any neighbors who happen along. I love my rocker on the porch, as it fits my back perfectly.

This is also the time of year that we will think twice before turning on the oven. It doesn't take much to heat up this little nest.
And.....since it is extremely hard for me to stand for any length of time, Wayne and I usually eat one meal out each day and then we will have a light dinner in the evening. Tucson has an array of fine restaurants and we certainly know most of them.....but, we have this favorite little 'hole in the wall' that we love.

Gus Balons Restaurant has been a fixture in Tucson for many, many years. When Gus died, his Granddaughter took over the restaurant. His widow now lives in our Resort Park. We love this little eating place.....it is spotless!! Everything is made from scratch, including bread, rolls, pies, giant cinnamon rolls, soup and all of their meals.....even the mashed potatoes. The waitresses all wear matching shirts and the cooks always in clean whites.....which is a rarity anymore. Besides excellent quality food, they do a daily special plus a blue plate special. Prices are hard to beat.....their daily special is $6.99 and includes a homemade dinner roll and coffee or tea. The Blue Plate special is usually $4.20...smaller portions (just right) and also includes coffee/tea. They are not open on Sundays and they close each day at 3 PM. They put out a hearty breakfast and they have a large breakfast crowd plus patio eating. Best of all....they are very close to where we live. This is NOT a picture of me in front of the Restaurant.

This doesn't happen often......but, if I am alone and I am having a bad PD day, they notice immediately and will be right there to cut my meat for me. I have far more good days than bad so I won't complain.

On your next trip to Tucson be sure to visit our little 'hole in the wall'......you will probably meet us there!
Until then.....I'm a happy and blessed Arizona Gramma.

Our Granddaughter Tiffany

It has been a beautiful warm Sunday.....a day to rejoice in the Lord. My thoughts have especially been about our Granddaughter, Tiffany, who we love and miss very much.

Tiffany is our only Granddaughter and she will soon be 25 years old in June. I'm not sure how this little girl grew up so fast. It seems only like yesterday that I was constantly sitting in the cold Ice Skating Rink watching as she skated, jumped, did her spins (which she was very good at) and buying those cute skating outfits. Then it was proms, school events, dating and away she went.

We were all so proud of her......she was able to fly all over the world with Tom and Shari. I remember her 16th birthday was spent in Paris, along with a favorite girl friend. And a favorite trip of mine was going with her to Switzerland, Austria and Germany with Tom and Shari, Grandpa and myself. We laughed so hard with Tiffany on that trip....remember those hot dogs, Tiff?? Her Uncle Tom has a gift for languages and he was always teaching her words to where ever they were going.....Japan, Germany or where ever and reading books by the hours to her, especially the classics. I remember her delight when she saw two white swans landing and swimming under a bridge in Switzerland. Just a few years ago, Shari planned a beautiful 21st birthday party for her.....a sit down dinner at one of Tucson's finest resturants.

Now Tiffany is living with her husband, Jordan, in Elverta, CA. They are managers of a large storage facility and Tiffany continues to groom show dogs. She has a gift and a love for animals....especially dogs. She has the cutest dog, Bosko.....I will blog pictures of him later.

We don't get to see her as often as we would like. God blessed us with a beautiful, intelligent Granddaughter and we are so proud of her. We love you, Tiff.

This evening was spent in Sahuarita with Tom, Shari and boys.....visiting their soon to be new house. Shari and I had fun looking at new paint colors......then we stopped at their favorite 50's Diner and ate too much. It was a fun evening and we are so thankful that we can enjoy these special times with our family.

It was 94 degrees today....the evening is warm and beautiful and we feel so blessed.
Mary Ann

The Nut House

For a number of years we have enjoyed shopping at the Pecan Store (Nut House) in Sahuarita, AZ. And now that it is only a couple of miles from Shari's new home, we pass it far too frequently. There are hundreds of pecan trees on many acres making it a beautiful area....their gift store is stocked full of wonderful candies and gift items. The store sits out in the middle of the Country and yet it is crammed full of people each time we stop. They also ship all over the world.

PECANS: The latest research from the U.S.D.A. confirms pecans are one of the highest antioxidant-rich tree nuts and are ranked in the top category of all food for antioxidants.

Pecans contain high levels of the "good fats" monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which have shown to be essential in a balanced diet. Pecans naturally contain many vitamins (including B complex vitamins and vitamins A and E) and essential minerals (including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, folic acid, potassium and zinc). Pecans are also a great source of protein, the perfect supplement for a vegetarian diet.

Now I know why I love their delicious dark chocolate camelbacks (turtles)....they have pecan rolls and just about anything and everything that you can add pecans to. Their gift baskets and tins are wonderful, plus they carry many cactus jellies that are so popular in the Southwest, sauces, salsas, bread mixes and butters. Pecans are sold in the shell or whole shelled.

As you can see, Wayne is stuffing his hands with lots of goodies to take home.....yummy!

Ending the day as a happy Arizona Gramma and continuing to count my blessing.

Bits and Pieces

Just a few bits and pieces for my journal.

Tomorrow I deliver Del and Pat Bosman to the Airport....they will be departing for Bellingham on the same plane that Wayne will be arriving on. Very convenient....like killing two birds with one stone. It has been nice having Del and Pat around and I am hoping they return soon. It will also be nice to have Wayne home....and, he is very eager to get here. He will be spending tonight with Randy in Seattle and heading to SeaTac in the morning.

Shari and boys are spending a week having fun and visiting relatives in the Washington DC area. Both Tom and Shari have relatives in that area. Tom is on business and Shari and boys are entertaining themselves until his meetings are over. The closing process is going smoothly on their Sahuarita home. Wayne and I plan to be at the inspection next week.

Just had to include this picture of Teddy and his baseball team. He is one of the youngest on his team and you can tell what a tall boy he is.....and what a tall young man he will probably be!! This is "Coach Lowell" sitting in her chair keeping things organized. Of course on game days, she is right in the dug out keeping the boys in line. Shari does a super job on everything she undertakes, including being a super Mom.

Randy is still dealing with the ash of Mt. Redoubt in Alaska. He and Dana will be here the first week in May. I am really looking forward having this time with them.

The picture of Wayne.....he is installing lighting in our front yard. He does have the job completed and it looks very nice at night. Now he has to complete the irrigation for our plants. We have very little yard to maintain and that is just perfect.

My accident update: I still have a very bad back and damage to the sciatica nerves. Laser treatments are helping, but it is a long slow process. Walking far or standing long is next to impossible. Parkinson's: I do very well thanks to good nutrition and Xango....It's learning to live with a handicap. I am blessed to be able to work with and help other Parkinson's people. God is good and faithful.

The world situation and our economy is a real cause for prayer. Continue to pray for God's perfect plan to be done and thank Him for your many blessings.

Arizona Gramma

Eruption of Mt. Redoubt

This picture and note arrived from Randy:
Attached is a pix of the latest eruption of Mt.Redoubt near Anchorage Alaska.
It is a frighteningly beautiful pix - but the aftermath of volcanic ash clouds
in the atmosphere doesn't mix with aircraft engines very well (at all....). I
had the distinct pleasure (not.....) of being on duty last Sunday evening when
it decided to become violent - that was one ugly shift!! Since that time we've
canceled almost 300 flights in the ANC market to either avoid flying through
volcanic ash clouds or operating with volcanic ash on the ground at the
Anchorage airport.

Putting the "puzzle" back together and figuring out ways to haul stranded
passengers (and cargo) in between eruptions has meant a lot of extra hours (and
days) worked, by everyone at AS. One of my friends came in the System
Operational Control (SOC) office the other day and commented that it looked
like a war room. I don't remember that it looked that bad .....

Of course there is no prediction of how long this will go on - the last time it
blew (20 yrs ago) it went on for four months - I guess it could be like the
volcano's in Hawaii and continue infinitum - I vote for it settling down
tomorrow :-)

But hey - what is the sport of working in the airline industry if you don't
have a challenge...... Take care and hope to see you soon.

R

You can tell Randy loves his work.....he also reminds me that solving all of these problems is why he gets paid the big bucks :).

I love my kids and I love being an Arizona Gramma
Mary Ann

A Possible New Home for Tom, Shari, Rob & Ted

The above pictures are just possibly a new Santa Fe style home for Tom, Shari, Rob and Teddy. This home is located in Rancho Sahuarita, ...about 45 minutes south of where I live. It is a lovely planned community with excellent schools. Shari has always wanted the boys to be raised in a smaller community than Tucson. The house is approx 3200 sq ft. Living Room/Dining room, Den or bedroom, family room with fireplace, Master Bedroom and 2 baths and kitchen(granite counters and stainless steel appliances) downstairs. Another family room, 3 bedrooms and bath upstairs. It also has a three car garage. Their offer has been accepted, but appraisal and inspection must be done. It is a spacious home and we are all excited for this to happen for them.

Rancho Sahuarita offers many sidewalks, bike trails, lakes, water parks, large club house and many activities for the family. The boys are not too happy about leaving their present house, so we are trying to ease them gently into this move. The backyard needs to be landscaped and they are planning to put a pool in this summer. Furniture shopping has already begun!

I'll continue to keep you updated on this exciting event.
God is so good and we have many blessings to count. A thankful Arizona Gramma.
Mary Ann