Roy keeps asking if our projects will ever end….my reply is, “Well, maybe!”  The porch will give us additional “living space” during the warmer seasons, while keeping some of the wind and cold away during the winter months.  And, because the winter sun shines on the front of the house the entire day, we should have solar gain which can be “shared” with the entrance into the house.  At least, that’s our plan and hope.  The porch project picked up again this past week, with it totally enclosed, and windows and door installed now.  Next is to add the siding (and yes, we will be doing that….I’m beginning to really hate the sight of scaffolding and climbing it!!).  Note….pictures of this project to follow soon.

One of our so-called minor projects was to sell the 5th-wheel, which it was, prep it for turning over to new owner and having that space available to store Mike’s Lake Powell boat.  It’s a lower area on the property, which provides more shelter and is out of sight of the road.

Another project has been to restain the entire back deck and rail.  Mission can now be declared accomplish!!!  And the larger items (table saw, miter saw and table, planer, and misc. wood) have been removed so we should be able to freely move about on the entire back deck without those obstacles in our way.

The final “project” was to get everything readied for the anticipated visit by Roy’s son and daughter-in-law, plus her parents from Germany.  I am in the Valley (details below), so Roy had the wonderful task of taking care of all of that and meal planning tasks.  Luckily, I’ll be returning the night before they leave our place, so I’ll have a short time to see them.  In the meantime, Roy’s being a tour guide to all of them, with antipcated trips to our “back yard” (the Grand Canyon), the volcano crater, indian ruins nearby, and other close-by, easy to drive to sights.  Hard to pack so many things into a couple of days, so hoping they have a great time and plan for another, longer visit in the future.

Last news item is that my son-in-law has be activated and preparing for deployment to Iraq (refer to previous post).  Words escape me at this time, but suffice to safe I didn’t have a happy face when I received the news!!!!!!  His third tour!!!!  And just before his planned retirement from the Reserves, which will add up to beyond 20 years for him.  He will be gone for one year, AGAIN!!!  Did I say I don’t have a happy face????

So, please keep him, his family (daughter) and the grandkids in your thoughts and prayers as they sacrifice yet again to serve the military.  Include all those serving and their families as well.  The time committed extends beyond the person serving to include their families and friends.  Because of this fact, extended family members help when need, which is why I’m at their home, watching grandkids while daughter attends a weekend retreat.  I’m sure the car will be going back and forth a bit more than usual to help her out when needed during his absence.

Well, best close this out for now….gotta do my grammy thing here.  Watch for photos in the next week when I return home.

Take care all, stay safe, no matter where ya’ll are.

And, we’ve also been tied up handling Association matters–preparing financial documents and other annual report items as well as tax returns.  Thankfully, all’s completed now on this matter so we can return to finishing the front enclosed porch (we hope nothing else comes up!!).

Our most pressing news at this time is the anticipated departure of Todd for his third (yes, that’s 3rd) tour of being called up to active duty, just a mere few months before he was due to retire after serving his 20 years.  This activation is taking place soon, and he’ll be going to Iraq.  Arg!

There’s lots for Todd and family to do to get ready for him to leave for another year of duty, besides all he likely has to do at work.  Barely 30-days notice is just not enough time, but then, on the other hand, it means the quicker he leaves, the faster the return time will come his way.  Can’t win for losing, I guess.

Well, it’s a cool, overcast day here, and have more to do outside before any chance of rain.  Please keep Todd and his family in your prayers and thoughts during this upcoming tour of his.  I know they’ll all appreciate it greatly.

Below are some photos of their visit……

     Riding train to South Rim

     South Rim

Slide Rock Area

     Oak Creek Canyon Area

Sunset Crater Volcano

      
Wupatki Ruins

We had a great time, were sad to see them leave, but looking forward to the next visit with them, either here or in Germany.

These sell for +/- $800, and then add on +/- $250 for the bindings….Roy’s cost? $140.

The best part of his purchase is that the bindings don’t have to be altered any, his boots fit right in there! 

Hmmmm….didn’t I see the radar last night showing snow falling on the mountain?

Another great shopping event via Ebay.

She looks a little drenched, to say the least!

In the end, she was a very good puppers and sat still the whole time, seemed to enjoy her bath, and didn’t try to play with the towel while Roy rubbed her down.

A great time was had by both Roy and Nedra.  Happy dog to be clean and refreshed, that’s for sure.

Here he is, ready to make his first run on the mountain….

And, he’s off….to the chair lift….

So, Roy, how was the ski trip this afternoon??????

And, how tired are you since returning home?????

(Hey John, and Eliz…..it was a beautiful day on the hill….you would have loved it!!)

Oh, Roy sent Michael an email stating it’s been about 10 years since he was on skis and he wasn’t certain about his abilities….well, Michael stated it’s just like riding a bike, that you never really forget. So, Roy’s testing his skills on the easier hills before moving up the mountain to those tougher runs. I’m sure we’ll hear about that point when he’s feeling more comfortable to do so.

Nedra is sad her newly found playmate has returned home.  She whispered in my ear last night that we need to secretly snatch that little girl and bring her back cuz it’s just not the same…no one to chase, no one to play tug of war with, no one to tire her out for happy naps.

She awaits the return of Bella…the toys sit silent vigil in anticipation of her return, and Nedra continues to look for her here and there and then plops on the couch in anticipation of that return.

Such a sad tale of woe, huh!  What’s a puppy to do?

Yesterday, while John, Wanda, Eliz and Roy were off to the snow mountain, I had the “honor” of watching these two playing, romping, and yes, snoozing soundly during a couple of nap times. It’s just like having a couple of “terrible twos” kids!!!!

Last night, after dinner, they were at it again, entertaining everyone with their antics. Bella seems to have taken a liking to this large green squeaky toy and was just minding her own business playing with it. That is, until Nedra decided she wanted it. Well, that was not what Bella had in mind, and she tried to hold her ground with Nedra.

That tactic and position really wasn’t working too well for Bella, so she decided to try getting higher in her effort to maintain her grip on the toy.

When that position seemed to be failing, Bella added some minor puppy growls in the mix. Of course, due to the size difference, no matter what Bella tried, she was to be left waiting for Nedra to move onto a different toy. I think she started to wonder just how she could fool Nedra and decided to momentarily sit by the toy in hope Nedra wouldn’t notice “I’m still VERY interested in playing with this tory.”

Of course, that didn’t work for long. Kids! Whatcha gonna do with ‘em!

In the meantime, Wanda was having her own kind of fun….you’ll have to ask her just how much fun she was having

Was it still warm, Wanda?????

John and family arrived with not only the three girls, but also their new puppy Bella (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). What a cute face…so expressive without uttering a sound.

Nedra had been trying to convince Angel to play, all to no avail. Angel is still quite annoyed with a new addition to the family. What’s a puppy to do?

Well, upon Bella’s arrival it was utter chaos! Bella chasing Nedra. Oops. Now Nedra chasing Bella.

Toys? “Gosh, those are tiny and new to me,” Nedra says. And so it is, Nedra snatches a toy or two of Bella’s. Then, Bella looks on wondering what she’s supposed to play with. The next thing I knew, Bella was dragging one of Nedra’s toys over, sitting there looking at Nedra like, “Hey. THIS one is yours. Give me mine!!”

Bella finally gave up on that thought. So, she plunked her little body down and began playing with Nedra’s large rope chew toy, which didn’t phase Nedra one bit.

What’s really amazing is the fact these two are almost the same age. Of course, that has nothing to do with the size of a puppy. It’s still hard to watch them play and not take notice of that fact.

They’ve chased each other round and round, in and out of one room to the next. Nedra definitely needed this exercise. Now, both puppies are sound asleep for a late morning nap. Ahhhh, the quiet is wonderful.

We are VERY pleased with her water color image proposal.  The second image is labeled with what’s here now, and what will be added.  This addition will likely not occur until this summer, or at some point after the front deck enclosure is completed.