Far Horizons "An Evening in Paris" was a wonderful night of dinner, wine, and dancing. My date was Matt, who is a dancing instructor extraordinaire from Casa Grande. What fun we had! We danced nearly every dance, even dancing one in the parking lot, when the dance floor was too crowded and I was too warm.
Dress rehearsal went pretty well tonight. Full makeup, costumes, and props were all in use. Just about everything went off without a hitch. My first hillbilly scene was good, but the last one needs work. We will be rehearsing again tomorrow.
Dave is here! :) He arrived this evening while my dress rehearsal was going on. His flight, while making for a long day, was easy and uneventful. I gave him the rundown of the play, showed him around my cottage, and we just caught up a bit. I'm a happy girl tonight.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
I can do anything
I'm glad that you are all enjoying these photos! Today Jack and I worked to get the electrical connections for the RV completed. I did a part of it that was for me a big deal, and I have to give you a little history here:
Back in June of 2007, Michael and I were heading out to go to the east coast in the little Navion. We stopped at Camping World in Greenwood, to get the wheel covers with their braided valve stems, and we were very happy with these.
Well, while we were there, we shopped around at the Camping World store and I found a plug replacement for the 30 amp plug that is on the RV. The problem with the one that was on there is that it's hard for me to pull it out of the box, when I'm leaving a campsite. Click this link and you'll see that the one that I wanted has a handle, making it far easier to pull out!
Well, Michael told me that I couldn't get it, because I wouldn't be able to install it, and his hands were too shaky at that point. I still wanted it, but held off on getting it.
Fast forward. I was down at Camping World here with Jack and Kathy a few weeks ago, and asked Jack if I'd be able to install that plug. He looked at it and, with a "sure you could, heck yes" expression, asked me why I'd ask that. I told him that Michael had said that I wouldn't be able to do it. I bought the plug.
And today, while Jack was working on other things, I read the directions and did the installation of the plug.. all by myself. I cut off the old plug. I cut back the black insulation. I stripped the wires to the appropriate lengths. I wound the wires around the appropriate screws and tightened them. I put it all back together. I plugged it in. And it works! :)
I feel like Michael reads my blog; he always did read it. I hope that he is reading this and sees that I actually DID that. Of course, I feel like Wonder Woman!
Back in June of 2007, Michael and I were heading out to go to the east coast in the little Navion. We stopped at Camping World in Greenwood, to get the wheel covers with their braided valve stems, and we were very happy with these.
Well, while we were there, we shopped around at the Camping World store and I found a plug replacement for the 30 amp plug that is on the RV. The problem with the one that was on there is that it's hard for me to pull it out of the box, when I'm leaving a campsite. Click this link and you'll see that the one that I wanted has a handle, making it far easier to pull out!
Well, Michael told me that I couldn't get it, because I wouldn't be able to install it, and his hands were too shaky at that point. I still wanted it, but held off on getting it.
Fast forward. I was down at Camping World here with Jack and Kathy a few weeks ago, and asked Jack if I'd be able to install that plug. He looked at it and, with a "sure you could, heck yes" expression, asked me why I'd ask that. I told him that Michael had said that I wouldn't be able to do it. I bought the plug.
And today, while Jack was working on other things, I read the directions and did the installation of the plug.. all by myself. I cut off the old plug. I cut back the black insulation. I stripped the wires to the appropriate lengths. I wound the wires around the appropriate screws and tightened them. I put it all back together. I plugged it in. And it works! :)
I feel like Michael reads my blog; he always did read it. I hope that he is reading this and sees that I actually DID that. Of course, I feel like Wonder Woman!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Catching up a little
Guess what? I've done many things which I have not talked about! And I've taken probably a thousand pictures which I have not posted! Some of the things that I've done have been amazingly fun, and a few of the photos are actually good.
This posting is an attempt to catch up a little on just a few of the photos.
Eric took these at the Desert Museum on 2/3:
These were from the Agua Caliente Hill hike on 2/5. That, recall, is the hike when I became dehydrated and sick:
I shot these at the Reid Park Zoo on 2/7. This is an anteater and the 2nd picture is of an otter:
These were from the Rodeo Parade yesterday, on 2/23. There were 900 horses in this parade, and this 2nd photo shows just a few of them:
And here, at long last, are photos of the deck Jack and I have built. Note that the top of the bar is not done yet in these pictures, and it is not done yet in real life, either. The RV will be moved up from where it is here, so it'll not be quite as close to the deck:
Yesterday I went up to Casa Grande and spent the day with Matt. He's going to be accompanying me to the big dance here next weekend. We had a great day, with him teaching me some dance steps (he's a dance instructor), going on a tour of "his" little lake, having lunch, and then doing more dancing. What fun! I hope that more dancing is in my future!
Today I went with a group of friends to the rodeo! We saw bucking broncos, women riding horses standing up, bull-riders, calf-roping, and lots more. This was my first rodeo, and I hope not my last. I bought a cowgirl hat which I'll show you in a future photo show.
Our weather the last couple of days has been delightful, with highs in the 70's, blue skies with high cirrus clouds, and lovely sunsets. Ok.. now I'll post this!
This posting is an attempt to catch up a little on just a few of the photos.
Eric took these at the Desert Museum on 2/3:
These were from the Agua Caliente Hill hike on 2/5. That, recall, is the hike when I became dehydrated and sick:
I shot these at the Reid Park Zoo on 2/7. This is an anteater and the 2nd picture is of an otter:
These were from the Rodeo Parade yesterday, on 2/23. There were 900 horses in this parade, and this 2nd photo shows just a few of them:
And here, at long last, are photos of the deck Jack and I have built. Note that the top of the bar is not done yet in these pictures, and it is not done yet in real life, either. The RV will be moved up from where it is here, so it'll not be quite as close to the deck:
Yesterday I went up to Casa Grande and spent the day with Matt. He's going to be accompanying me to the big dance here next weekend. We had a great day, with him teaching me some dance steps (he's a dance instructor), going on a tour of "his" little lake, having lunch, and then doing more dancing. What fun! I hope that more dancing is in my future!
Today I went with a group of friends to the rodeo! We saw bucking broncos, women riding horses standing up, bull-riders, calf-roping, and lots more. This was my first rodeo, and I hope not my last. I bought a cowgirl hat which I'll show you in a future photo show.
Our weather the last couple of days has been delightful, with highs in the 70's, blue skies with high cirrus clouds, and lovely sunsets. Ok.. now I'll post this!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Some Nifty Shortcuts
This morning first thing was Computer Club, and Jack (same Jack) did a fine presentation on shortcuts in MS Word. Here are just a few of the ones that he told us about. I am just giving you the ones that I remember, without looking at the handout. These are ones that I didn't know before, too!
If your Windows Sidebar is always on top, and you don't want it to be, you can right-click anywhere on the sidebar (except on a Gadget), and choose Properties. Always on top means that the Sidebar will always be on top of other programs. I'd rather have it so that my other programs are on top, till I want to see my Gadgets. Then I use Windows-Spacebar to bring the Gadgets to the fore. Handy!
My Gadgets include 3 weather panes -- one for each of 3 zipcodes in the country, the clock, calendar, slideshow of some of my photos (which I can change easily), and a post-it style note where I keep a to-do list.
- Ctrl-E centers the line of text where you are.
- Ctrl-L left-justifies.
- Ctrl-R right-justifies.
- Shift-F3 will capitalize the word where your cursor is. If you hit Shift-F3 again, it'll capitalize the whole word. Once again, and you're back to all small letters.
- Ctrl-[ makes the font for the coming word smaller.
- Ctrl-] makes the font for the coming word larger.
- Ctrl-S saves your file. (I knew this one!)
If your Windows Sidebar is always on top, and you don't want it to be, you can right-click anywhere on the sidebar (except on a Gadget), and choose Properties. Always on top means that the Sidebar will always be on top of other programs. I'd rather have it so that my other programs are on top, till I want to see my Gadgets. Then I use Windows-Spacebar to bring the Gadgets to the fore. Handy!
My Gadgets include 3 weather panes -- one for each of 3 zipcodes in the country, the clock, calendar, slideshow of some of my photos (which I can change easily), and a post-it style note where I keep a to-do list.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Actually.. it was a total eclipse of the moon! And we had a block party to celebrate it! While it was a bit chilly (probably 50), everyone enjoyed watching the moon disappear into the shadow of the earth. People toured the new deck, and ate my snacks. I loved it!
First thing today I went for my walk with Maddy. The sun was up, but not over the Rincons when I started walking, and it was still just 49 degrees, so it was a little cool. (I know that you Indiana people reading this are not sympathetic!)
Play practice came next, and we did a walkthrough of the entire production. It's going well and I think that people are going to have fun watching us having fun. This is such a happy group, and I love it!
Jack and I worked on the deck a bit, mulling over what we're going to do about the top of the bar, since the stick-on linoleum tiles don't seem to be working. I think that we're going to be taking the tiles up, and adding some construction adhesive. I'm not optimistic about that, but I know that we'll come up with something that works well.
We made a step to lead down to the driveway. This will make it possible to use the driveway for entertaining space, should I decide to put the RV into storage. It'll also make it easier to get into the RV where it is, and that's important too.
And we worked on the electricity. We're putting power onto one of the awning support poles, and I'll plug in a string of rope lighting there, into the switched plug. We're going to add a 30A receptacle for the RV, which will be on the side of the old part of the deck.
I think that all that's left after that is putting some sort of stain on the deck. I have to figure out how to make the top part of the deck work with the new part. I want to stain (not paint) the bottom, but the top part is painted. So... I think that we're looking at painting the top part in a darker shade, and then coordinating the bottom part. I'm really happy with this deck. I know... pictures. I took some, but they're still in the camera. ;)
First thing today I went for my walk with Maddy. The sun was up, but not over the Rincons when I started walking, and it was still just 49 degrees, so it was a little cool. (I know that you Indiana people reading this are not sympathetic!)
Play practice came next, and we did a walkthrough of the entire production. It's going well and I think that people are going to have fun watching us having fun. This is such a happy group, and I love it!
Jack and I worked on the deck a bit, mulling over what we're going to do about the top of the bar, since the stick-on linoleum tiles don't seem to be working. I think that we're going to be taking the tiles up, and adding some construction adhesive. I'm not optimistic about that, but I know that we'll come up with something that works well.
We made a step to lead down to the driveway. This will make it possible to use the driveway for entertaining space, should I decide to put the RV into storage. It'll also make it easier to get into the RV where it is, and that's important too.
And we worked on the electricity. We're putting power onto one of the awning support poles, and I'll plug in a string of rope lighting there, into the switched plug. We're going to add a 30A receptacle for the RV, which will be on the side of the old part of the deck.
I think that all that's left after that is putting some sort of stain on the deck. I have to figure out how to make the top part of the deck work with the new part. I want to stain (not paint) the bottom, but the top part is painted. So... I think that we're looking at painting the top part in a darker shade, and then coordinating the bottom part. I'm really happy with this deck. I know... pictures. I took some, but they're still in the camera. ;)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Pima Canyon Hike
This green is a color that I actually saw today in little ferns that were growing up in Pima Canyon. The hike took off from the northwest part of town -- at Ina and Christie, and then north on Christie.
The hike followed a well-traveled trail which carried us across the usually dry creekbed, which was today a rushing rill! So we had some rock-hopping. The hike was 5.3 miles with 1000 ft of altitude gain.
It was Jack's turn to bring the peanut butter sandwiches, and we ate them on a nice flat rock overlooking a rushing waterfall. This was one of the prettiest hikes of the year!
Monday evening, Jack and I worked on the lid for the bar for the deck. We put the linoleum tiles on, edged them with the aluminum channeling, and then attached the hinges. We grinned. It looked great.
This morning, though, the tiles had lifted in places. This afternoon, when it was much warmer, they had lifted more! Eeek! We're going to try taking off the trim, relaying the tiles when the day is warm, with warming help of a hairdryer, and then trimming the edges, before reapplying the trim.
If it doesn't work, we'll use a solid piece of linoleum, trim the edges, and just hold it with the trim. The temperature differential here is profound, so I shouldn't be surprised that this is something of a challenge.
I do have some deck photos, and more to come. And today I took what should be a nice collection of Pima Canyon photos. I just have to get them out of the camera which I will do... soon!
The hike followed a well-traveled trail which carried us across the usually dry creekbed, which was today a rushing rill! So we had some rock-hopping. The hike was 5.3 miles with 1000 ft of altitude gain.
It was Jack's turn to bring the peanut butter sandwiches, and we ate them on a nice flat rock overlooking a rushing waterfall. This was one of the prettiest hikes of the year!
Monday evening, Jack and I worked on the lid for the bar for the deck. We put the linoleum tiles on, edged them with the aluminum channeling, and then attached the hinges. We grinned. It looked great.
This morning, though, the tiles had lifted in places. This afternoon, when it was much warmer, they had lifted more! Eeek! We're going to try taking off the trim, relaying the tiles when the day is warm, with warming help of a hairdryer, and then trimming the edges, before reapplying the trim.
If it doesn't work, we'll use a solid piece of linoleum, trim the edges, and just hold it with the trim. The temperature differential here is profound, so I shouldn't be surprised that this is something of a challenge.
I do have some deck photos, and more to come. And today I took what should be a nice collection of Pima Canyon photos. I just have to get them out of the camera which I will do... soon!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Party Day
Today was a fun day. I got up and remembered that I had no milk and no cereal so I drove down and asked John if he wanted to go get groceries with me. Sure. Over $100 later, I have milk and a full pantry. Yay!
After breakfast, I went for my walk and talked with Dave. The morning was pretty, with no wind and a temperature of about 60 when I got home.
While I was eating my granola, Gary came by and asked if I wanted to come to their party this afternoon. Well, yes! I had a shower and heard sounds of deck-building when I got out. Jack was doing a little routing and sanding. We sat on our new bench and talked about what we had left to do, and talked to some people who happened by.
The way parties happen here is that someone has the idea and supplies some main dish. Then everyone who comes brings a side dish, hors d'oevre, or dessert to share, and something to drink. I supplied a rigatoni and Italian sausage dish, which was quite good. Everything was great, and of course the people were fun. Lots of laughs defined the afternoon. When it started to cool down, most of us left.
During the party, I found a paper clip on the pool deck. Now... those of you who know the paper clip story know what I'm thinking here: Michael drops those for me! I told the story to a small group and everyone enjoyed it. These folks really enjoyed Michael -- and they knew only the fun side of him!
John and I went out for ice cream (Sunday!) and that was good too. So it was a great day. :)
After breakfast, I went for my walk and talked with Dave. The morning was pretty, with no wind and a temperature of about 60 when I got home.
While I was eating my granola, Gary came by and asked if I wanted to come to their party this afternoon. Well, yes! I had a shower and heard sounds of deck-building when I got out. Jack was doing a little routing and sanding. We sat on our new bench and talked about what we had left to do, and talked to some people who happened by.
The way parties happen here is that someone has the idea and supplies some main dish. Then everyone who comes brings a side dish, hors d'oevre, or dessert to share, and something to drink. I supplied a rigatoni and Italian sausage dish, which was quite good. Everything was great, and of course the people were fun. Lots of laughs defined the afternoon. When it started to cool down, most of us left.
During the party, I found a paper clip on the pool deck. Now... those of you who know the paper clip story know what I'm thinking here: Michael drops those for me! I told the story to a small group and everyone enjoyed it. These folks really enjoyed Michael -- and they knew only the fun side of him!
John and I went out for ice cream (Sunday!) and that was good too. So it was a great day. :)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Fashion Show
The Far Horizons Fashion Show for Spring 2008 was held yesterday. I had been chosen to be a model, and had gone for my clothes fitting a couple of weeks ago. The models all got to eat the same luncheon enjoyed by all the other ladies -- delicious chicken salad (with nuts and grapes) on a lettuce leaf and a lemon-topped tarte. It was delish!
Then we were taken back to the changing area, where our coordinated outfits hung. They told us what to put on in what order, and how to go out there, where to stand on the stage, how to move, etc.. We also had plenty of time to just banter among ourselves. Because the ladies were all ... us.. it was great. We chattered like magpies!
When it was time, we herded ourselves to the ballroom backstage, where we awaited our cues. As they announced each of us, we walked up, pranced to the back of the stage, then to the side, front, and other side. Then we crossed back and were helped down the steps, where we met our adoring public. We ambled among the tables, showing off our duds, and then we exited through the back, and ran back to the changing room for the next round.
The funny thing for me was that the woman from the clothing store who was putting on the show, Lorie, enjoyed kidding around with me. When she introduced me, she pointed out that, although she enjoys hiking, walking, cycling.. all this outdoor stuff, today Janee actually wore makeup for you! Every time I was up there, she said something about me or I did something that made all the ladies laugh. It was such fun! I hope that they ask me to do it again next year.
Then we were taken back to the changing area, where our coordinated outfits hung. They told us what to put on in what order, and how to go out there, where to stand on the stage, how to move, etc.. We also had plenty of time to just banter among ourselves. Because the ladies were all ... us.. it was great. We chattered like magpies!
When it was time, we herded ourselves to the ballroom backstage, where we awaited our cues. As they announced each of us, we walked up, pranced to the back of the stage, then to the side, front, and other side. Then we crossed back and were helped down the steps, where we met our adoring public. We ambled among the tables, showing off our duds, and then we exited through the back, and ran back to the changing room for the next round.
The funny thing for me was that the woman from the clothing store who was putting on the show, Lorie, enjoyed kidding around with me. When she introduced me, she pointed out that, although she enjoys hiking, walking, cycling.. all this outdoor stuff, today Janee actually wore makeup for you! Every time I was up there, she said something about me or I did something that made all the ladies laugh. It was such fun! I hope that they ask me to do it again next year.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Valentine's Day
Ok, so it's not Valentine's Day anymore, but I forgot to post this on the day, so here you are.
Every couple has their own way of celebrating holidays. Some people go all out for such holidays as Valentine's Day, getting jewelry or clothes, or going out for nice dinners. Michael and I had our own ways of celebrating our holidays, too.
For Valentine's Day, we would go out together sometime before the day. We'd go to a card store and he'd take off in one direction, and I in another. I would look for a card for him, and he would look for a card for me.
When we were satisfied, we would meet again, and show each other the cards. Sometimes we'd laugh. Sometimes we'd shed a tear or two. Then we would put the cards back and leave the store.
Sometimes we'd show each other a little cutesy stuffed thing that we would get for the other if we were doing that, but we didn't actually buy the thing. I am laughing now, remembering this. I do have a few cards still that Michael did give me -- mostly for my birthday. Now I do wish that I had more things written in his handwriting, but this memory of our card "shopping" will always be mine.
Every couple has their own way of celebrating holidays. Some people go all out for such holidays as Valentine's Day, getting jewelry or clothes, or going out for nice dinners. Michael and I had our own ways of celebrating our holidays, too.
For Valentine's Day, we would go out together sometime before the day. We'd go to a card store and he'd take off in one direction, and I in another. I would look for a card for him, and he would look for a card for me.
When we were satisfied, we would meet again, and show each other the cards. Sometimes we'd laugh. Sometimes we'd shed a tear or two. Then we would put the cards back and leave the store.
Sometimes we'd show each other a little cutesy stuffed thing that we would get for the other if we were doing that, but we didn't actually buy the thing. I am laughing now, remembering this. I do have a few cards still that Michael did give me -- mostly for my birthday. Now I do wish that I had more things written in his handwriting, but this memory of our card "shopping" will always be mine.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Some Fun!
Today Jack and I took a break from deck work so that we could do other things. I spent the day doing unpleasant things, mostly. I began by doing laundry -- 5 loads.. sheesh. I should really be doing it every week, instead of letting it pile up so.
Then I assembled and actually sent all my papers off to my tax accountant today! I was so happy and proud of myself for finally doing that. I just hope that he can make sense of it all; it's sort of a mess, compared to what Michael always did. I sent it all in a flat rate box, priority mail, from the Post Office, return receipt requested. Michael woulda been proud.
Then I went and bought shoes to wear for the fashion show, in which I'm taking part as a model tomorrow. (Most women love buying shoes, but me? errr... no, not my favorite thing!) I'm going to be wearing 3 outfits and I had to get shoes for one of them. I got another pair of shoes too, which are dancing shoes. Hey.. there's a dinner/dance here on the 29th, and I have tickets! No date, yet!
I had some fun, too, of course. There was a meeting of the Foto Fun club, at which we had speakers from Jones Photo, who told us about using settings other than auto on our cameras, and it was very good.
And then Jack and Kathy invited me over for dinner -- delicious vegetable beef soup, salad, bread... mmm! :) John and I went out for ice cream at Coldstone and that was fun. I just got home a bit ago.
I missed Michael fiercely today. I had some tears, which are not coming as frequently as before (maybe once a week), and I got to tell my neighbor Neil's brother Phil about how he and I (his wife died too) are the lucky ones, because we made it "till death do us part" and our spouses died loving us. That always gives me a smile to share that sentiment. I told him that it doesn't get any better than that, and really... while it DOES suck that Michael died so young, we really were very blessed to have so many great years, so much fun, and such a love that we shared. He was a great guy. You, my faithful reader, know that, of course. ;)
Then I assembled and actually sent all my papers off to my tax accountant today! I was so happy and proud of myself for finally doing that. I just hope that he can make sense of it all; it's sort of a mess, compared to what Michael always did. I sent it all in a flat rate box, priority mail, from the Post Office, return receipt requested. Michael woulda been proud.
Then I went and bought shoes to wear for the fashion show, in which I'm taking part as a model tomorrow. (Most women love buying shoes, but me? errr... no, not my favorite thing!) I'm going to be wearing 3 outfits and I had to get shoes for one of them. I got another pair of shoes too, which are dancing shoes. Hey.. there's a dinner/dance here on the 29th, and I have tickets! No date, yet!
I had some fun, too, of course. There was a meeting of the Foto Fun club, at which we had speakers from Jones Photo, who told us about using settings other than auto on our cameras, and it was very good.
And then Jack and Kathy invited me over for dinner -- delicious vegetable beef soup, salad, bread... mmm! :) John and I went out for ice cream at Coldstone and that was fun. I just got home a bit ago.
I missed Michael fiercely today. I had some tears, which are not coming as frequently as before (maybe once a week), and I got to tell my neighbor Neil's brother Phil about how he and I (his wife died too) are the lucky ones, because we made it "till death do us part" and our spouses died loving us. That always gives me a smile to share that sentiment. I told him that it doesn't get any better than that, and really... while it DOES suck that Michael died so young, we really were very blessed to have so many great years, so much fun, and such a love that we shared. He was a great guy. You, my faithful reader, know that, of course. ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
