Arcadia "Charmer"

I know I have been remiss in posting to my blog - but I've got an excuse. I sold my house and have bought a new one. It will be quite a fun challenge fixing up this original 1957 home in "southern" Arcadia. An original allied - it needs to be totally remodeled. The yard is desert in front and weeds in back. I guess I have my work cut out for me. The biggest challenge will be being "homeless" for a few months. Thanks to my sister, Sandy, for putting me up for the time being.

Happy 4th Everyone!

I took this picture up in Prescott a couple of years ago - Happy Fourth of July.

Photography Workshop - Lauren and Neil

I took a photography workshop this weekend taught by Trevor Dayley who takes fabulous wedding and engagement photos. This super cute couple - Neil and Lauren - are getting married this fall. Here are a couple of shots I took of them. (I don't think Lauren could take a bad photo - so it made my job much easier.) I learned a lot at the workshop - now I just need to practice, practice, practice...

Lauren in Alaska

I swiped some of these photos off Facebook of Lauren working in Alaska. She can text me and call me when she is in port. I miss her :(

Artist Card of Dudley from Beth

Look at this cute art card made just for me of my Dudley by artist Beth Meador (www.myspace.com/blindgirlartist) from Oklahoma. She is a fellow artist on my Milande Art community group. Her goal is to send artist trading cards all around the world so that people can look at her art and she can raise awareness about Retinities Pigmentosa (RP) - that is right she is almost completely blind and can still draw beautifully! She currently only has 1% of her vision remaining. RP is typically diagnosed in adolescents and young adults and is a progressive disorder. You can read more about it at http://www.blindness.org/ I feel so privileged to have received one of Beth's cards and am grateful for my own ability to see so much beauty in this world. Thank you, Beth!

Lauren's Pics from Cabo

Here are some pictures from Lauren's latest trip - she is working on Princess Cruise Lines with her friend Brittany. They went to Cabo, Puerta Vallarta and a couple of other ports - five cruises in five weeks. She will be going to Alaska for three months this summer :(

Happy Earth Day!

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvets; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year. - Robert Frost

Do something nice for your Mother today!

Woo Hoo - Chicken Coop is Done! Thanks, DAD!!!

My Dad built an awesome chicken coop for our four chickens. The top flips up for ventilation and to easily remove eggs. It has a nice front door and the chickens are really loving it! He brought it down from Prescott last weekend.

Lauren just returned from five weeks of work on board the Princess Saphire. I will post more pictures of her in Cabo soon. She is pictured holding the smallest chicken here - Maude.

Thanks again Dad!!!!

John McEnroe Event - Steve Nash!!!

I went to a tennis exhibition fundraiser at the Village Tennis club this evening where John McEnroe played Andrei Neval. It was very fun - but the best part was when my wonderful Stevie Nash walked in and sat right across from me. He took a bunch of photos afterwards with all the kids, but I was too embarrassed to ask him for a pic. I did take a bad photo with my camera phone though.

More Pictures from Jerome and Sedona

Lennox at Oak Creek Canyon

Patty at Oak Creek

Amy, Dudley and Patty in Jerome

Lennox and Patty in Jerome

Family Visits

Amy, Patty, Sandy and Mom

Lennox, Patty and Dudley

Lennox and Amy

Amy in Jerome

Amy and Dudley

My niece and nephew visited from Michigan this week. We had lots of fun going to Sedona, Jerome and Prescott. Also celebrated my Mom's birthday. The went back last night and I miss them already!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Made my Corned Beef and Cabbage with potatoes and apple cake. Guess I will bring it into work with me tomorrow, as no one is here to eat it! Missing Lauren on her ship and Jack is at the lake today during his Spring Break.

Weiner Races!

Dudley raced in the Wiener Nationals this past weekend. He finished third in his race.

A whole lot of butt sniffing was going on here as they sized up the competition.

Dudley gets tips from the experts. They were raising money for Greyhound Rescue at the event.

"The Best Idea Ever"

This is what Lauren said as we were bringing home these chicks today - I am sure it is not "the best idea ever." Hope we don't kill them this weekend. We were inspired by an "urban farm" we recently toured in Phoenix. The chickens were living quite nicely in the backyard. We will see - if not, I think I have a couple of people who may want them! Aren't they cute? Harold and Maude and Marilyn and Greta... all different kinds.

Happy Birthday to Lauren

My wonderful daughter turned 23 on Saturday. Here she is several summers ago with her friend Brittany in Australia. (Hey, Mom, she just found out she made the Dean's list her last semester.) She is the light of my life - along with her brother, of course. Life with Lauren is always interesting. She has moved back home while she is working part-time for Princess Cruiselines and it has been a bit challenging - for both of us!

Lauren and the Chicken

Lauren and I went to the Phoenix Antique Show downtown on Saturday - they had a lot of fun vintage jewelry there.... and a stuffed chicken!

Gift Giving Project

See my other blog 52 New Things to see my progress on my 29 Gift Challenge!

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Rio Salado Rowing Club had an introductory class where they taught us how to row a sweep-oared boat with eight people! We practiced on a rowing machine first to get our technique down and then we got a chance to go on the water. There is a lot to it - we were told it takes about two years for someone to become a good rower. I believe it after trying it! It surprisingly took more leg strength, than arm strength to row. It was so much fun!