Here we are at the end

  This is the last week of June. The summer goes by quickly when enjoying the time with no snowbirds causing trouble in the park. All of us are praying that the snowbirds come back with a better attitude this winter. Last year was a living hell for most of Yuma, not just our park.

The heat is on in its force. There have been reports of sand storms but luckily none of them hit us with anything more than a little bit of wind. Others were not so lucky. Some area's have seen some rain but not enough to do much good. As some say, a little is better than nothing. But the little bit sure messes up the vehicles and windows. The drought is hitting so many states hard and even the desert is feeling it strongly. Not just the country is in a turmoil but the weather is as well.

So now women have no right to do what they want with their bodies. God save us all from the republicans selfish stupidity. The end of all our rights will be gone if the republicans have anything to say about it.

The temperature of the pool has finally been raised to a comfortable level for all. It was so cold that muscles and joints were not functioning well in the cold water. Not one person other than myself mentioned their concerns to the office. So nothing was done until I put it on the parks website. Bamm! Instant fix. Imagine that. All of the summer residents mentioned how happy they were. And I pointed out that if they don't like something say something. Not much gets done when only one person says anything. We need to work as a group.  I mentioned this sternly to all at the pool the other day.  Should I mention that they are all republicans and don't want things to be done in a manner that is good for all. They like things to just go to hell and then blame it on someone else.

Yesterday I blew out our circuit and we lost power. I had forgotten that I had the dryer going. The a/c units, iron and dryer are not a good combination. Too much of an overload. Thank God, Mark got us back up and running. It is rare that I use the dryer so I had forgotten that it was running. I'll not forget again anytime soon. It gets warm in the house quickly when it's 112º outside.

The other day I screwed up and cut a water melon. I should've asked Mark to do that. Now my right arm is back to being a really big pain. Every time I use that arm for anything I'm in pain. My independent nature is not always a good thing.  And it's too early for another injection so I have to grin and bear the pain because of myself. 😠

Pool time!!!!!!

Summer is upon us in its entirety.

 The days are hot and the nights don't cool down as low and the a/c units are working well to keep us comfortable inside. Outside workers start very early in the wee hours of the morning and are pretty much done for the day by noon or one. The park is quiet except for the maintenance crew driving by in their golf carts going from project to project. Not much movement in the park this time of year and those of us who live here full time are loving the solitude and no drama.

The pool is still not very comfortable and yesterday Mark went without me. When he came home he even said the pool was COLD and I would not have stayed 10 seconds. There has to be something wrong with the heater for the temp to fluctuate that much. No one is happy with the cold water in the pool. The tap water is warmer.

Yesterday our small kitchen Island was delivered. Mark assembled it and we were pleased with the outcome. It is sturdy and looks very nice. There is so very little counter space in the so called kitchen. I use cutting boards on the stove top and half of the kitchen sink just to make a meal not to mention any baking. And of course if you need the stove top you can't use it as a counter top. Last night the new Island was used and we were so very thankful to have the added work space. The bottom storage is a real bonus too. We have been working on making this place a full time home and not just a cabin for part time usage. Functioning as a cabin you don't need much and the previous owners didn't do much cooking and no baking. This was their vacation home. And who wants to do much cooking or baking when on vacation? LOL We on the other hand live here year round so we have different needs to make it work as such. We are not spending frivolously but watching for sales and good prices and things that will make our life easier or less stressful. Somethings just don't come as easy for us as they did when in our 40's and 50's.  More things are quite an effort. A small floor lamp is on oder too. There is just a lighted ceiling fan in the living room/sitting room. A floor lamp will aide in doing crocheting, reading, and hand mending or whatever. The ole eye sight isn't what it used to be either. Old age sucks.

It looks as though the additions to our home is as complete as it is going to get. This place is smaller than our previous home so we have had to make many adjustments/changes. When we were needing to find a new place there weren't many places in our budget available.  Now the prices are skyrocketing, making it a sellers market. Heck, prices on everything is skyrocketing. This week we found a good sale on coffee and we really stocked up. Last week it was hamburger.  I'm a real sale shopper. We watch our pennies closely, living on a fixed income. Starting over at our age is no fun. And with the economy the way it is it's worse.

Happy Fathers day weekend to all of the fathers. God bless.

PS. As of today the gas prices are $4.89 for regular unleaded and diesel is $5.99. No wonder everything has gone up so much in price. Everything relies on fuel.

Oh baby it's hot outside

 From today through the weekend we are in an excessive heat warning. Yesterday the temp on the porch reached 108º. The high off of the porch got to 107. By Sunday the temps could reach 115 or higher. It is the desert after all so the high temps are expected. Not liked, but expected. At least we have a good air conditioner and a pool in the park to keep cool.

On Tuesday Mandy was spayed and it all went well.  The Humane Society has pets in your foster care until they are spayed or neutered. So Mandy Houdini Benton is officially our little girl now. She has to wear the "cone of Shame when we can't keep an eye on her. She is not to lick or scratch her incision for up to 14 days. We have ordered a onesie for her to wear, but it won't be here until Friday or Saturday. When that comes she will no longer need to wear the horrible cone. She works so hard at getting it off that the bow gets so tight  I have to cut it to get the cone off of her head. The first night Houdini got the cone off. But she was still so loaded from the anesthesia and pain meds, she didn't know which end was up. Although she did know that she needed to go to the door to let us know she had to go potty. Good girl.

The gas prices went up another 10¢ yesterday and 20¢ the day before. Those damn oil companies are making billions and we all are struggling to get by. We have now opted to have our groceries delivered to save some money. Groceries have done up in price daily so we all have to cut where we can. The really sad thing is that once the prices of all of this has gone up, the prices will stay up. When have they ever gone down again???????

Finally relief

 It's with much happiness that I can now say the pain in my arms is much better. The only time I have issues is when I over use my right arm or sleep in a way that I am not suppose to. I've had to find a way to sleep at night so my arms are in a position recommended by the doctor. It took a good long time to get any sleep and used to a position that worked. At night I do wake up and find my arms in the old position but quickly remedy that. I'm still not sleeping well most nights but I guess that is just the way it's going to be for quite some time. 

 With the rising outside temps I've been so ready to use the pool. But the water temp in the pool is COLD. I don't like to be in ice water or be in pain from the cold water. I'm angry to say the least that they are doing nothing to raise the pool water temps to where it should be. In the four years we have lived in this park the water has never been this terribly cold. Maybe in August, when the sun has warmed the water in the pool, I can enjoy some pool time. 😡

Just another day in May.

 We have had three of the most beautiful days, weather wise. The mornings have been nice and cool, to us it has been quite chilly. The afternoons in the mid and low 80's. Doors and windows have been wide open so we could air out the place before the heat returns and the a/c once again goes on and on.

With the cooler weather I was and still am, in a baking frenzy. Each morning for the last three days I've baked cookies and desserts to get us through at least a few weeks of not having to purchase and eat store bought cookies. We both enjoy cookies with our morning coffee so they don't last long around here. This morning will be the last baking day for quite some time. 

So far my arms have tolerated the baking and extra movements. The injections really didn't help like we were hoping and I can not sleep the way I should be either. So my right arm is still the worst of the two, but at least it is a smidge better. I will be going back to Dr Clark if I feel there is anymore he can do. As of right now, there isn't much. It's just something I'll have to live with until surgery deems necessary.  So I'll just keep my chin up and thank God that it's not worse.

I'm gradually learning how to use my embroidery machine again. The auto threaded just will not work and I've watched every video and read everything I can find. As far as it looks, I'm doing it correctly, so I'll be calling the 800 number next. With the constant changing of thread the threader is a must have. And with bifocals it really is a must!!!!!!

Again today the wind is keeping most people inside. Even on a nice day it's not fun eating dirt! The porch is becoming a sandbox and cleaning it off is futile. Even Mandy is a walking sandbox. She will need a bath shortly. It's still two weeks out for her groomer appointment. When I'm done with the cookies and dishes, I'll put her in the sink and give her a much needed bath. For the last week or longer, Mark has been saying he will do it. LOL

This weekend the temps will be in the low 100's so it will finally be warm enough for me to give the pool another try. Not much I can do without making my arms worse so i'll have to find other methods of getting some exercise and a tan. 😎

Since finding out that our previous church in MN has on line Sunday services, we have been back to enjoying church again. A dear friend got me lined up with the bible study too. Sadly the study is done for the summer now, but I did enjoy it for a couple weeks. But I do have some bible study books so I can continue on my own. Which is nice but nearly as much fun or much help with understanding. It's always nice hearing another person perspective on a topic.

Morning is slipping by quickly so I'll end this entry and get to my baking. Today I'm making Mark's favorite cookies; Million Dollar cookies. The recipe can be found on my recipe blog...... http://mammascookin.blogspot.com/

Another doctor for me

Yesterday afternoon, I met with the orthopedic doctor of my choice!! I saw Dr Clark about 6.5 years ago with my elbow and liked him.  He is very thorough, understanding, listens and explains everything. He showed me the MRI  and explained everything so I could understand. The doctor that issued the MRI two years ago, never had me come back, period. Dr Clark said I do not need rotator cuff surgery at this time and he doesn’t recommend it at this time either. I can still do things on my own. He had me move my arms every which way.  He did give me an injection into both shoulders and said that I need to learn a new way of how I lay to sleep. Oh joy, no more sleeping for quite some time. I’ve tried other ways before and I was up all night. But I will keep trying and Mark will sleep in the other bed so I can try and set up a new sleep position without worrying if I bother him or not. Last night I had to sit with heat on each shoulder for 20 minutes every hour tonight. But that didn't do well. I can’t sit for 40 minutes straight every hour!!!!! I can take Tylenol or my pain pills to help tonight. But after that the shots should have helped some. I can go to the pool but have to be careful not to over extend my arms. Geesh too many restrictions. Old age sucks. LOL I hope that the shots not only help my shoulder but the pain in my arm muscles. 🥴 I forgot to mention that. Oh well, I’m sure he knows, it all goes hand in hand. If or when I do need surgery I feel confident in him. Even Mark was impressed, that is quite a feather in Dr Clarks cap.

 I'm so glad that I took the initiative to just call the doctor of my choice not settle for the ones that my PCP suggested. At the time I didn't know that I did not need a referral to see a specialist. My insurance doesn't require one, which I didn't know at first. Anyway I am very pleased with Dr Clark and if or when I do need the surgery I will fell comfortable with him. Now to just find a good cardiologist for Mark. But we are working on that too.

The injections seem to have helped. My right are was worse than my left so I had better put heat or ice on it today yet. Just changing the sheets today and then give both arms a break. Mark is great at helping, I just have to ask. I'm not good at asking for help so I have to work on that too.

Easter Blessings to all

 

It stinks to get older

 As a kid, why in the world did I wish to be older. How little we know that it can be so tough. This week was one doctors appointment after another. Check ups, follow ups and tests.

Mark is waiting for his test results from an Echo and I'm waiting for an appointment with a surgeon. Yesterday I went in to the doctor hoping to get cortizone shots in my shoulders and hip to help with the pain. Little did I know that that is not in the cards for me. My hip has bursitis so I was given several PT exercises to do. The pain is too much to do alone so Mark has to help me until it isn't too painful to do without his help.  I was told that the injections would or could do more harm than good in my shoulders. There are too many tears in my upper arms (rotator cuff) so surgery is in my future. After we talk to the surgeon I will or will not make a date for the procedure. Mark is insistent that I have the surgery so that I get his help with daily tasks now  incase something would happen to him later and I would have to rely on outside help and no one here to help me at any given time. He always thinks of me. If I should go ahead with the surgery, it would be in the fall. Summer I like to spend in the pool where as in the fall and winter I hibernate anyway. Too many snowbirds around for us to have any fun anywhere. It's almost impossible to even go out to eat.

Update: As I looked and read what my x-rays show, it is not bursitis in my hip. I'm going to another doctor for another opinion. As well as for my shoulders. My previous visit does not seem to be correct.

Done

 We are finally done with the major updates to our new place. The last of the sunscreens were installed today. So we are as ready for summer as we can get. Well the house is ready anyway. 

 We chatted about all that we needed to do to a move in ready house. If you weren't going to live here full time it was move in ready. Or if you didn't cook or bake, it was ready, or if you were really short and didn't need to replace the very short toilet, it was ready.  But isn't that true with anyplace you move into? Is there not always some things that you need to have done to make it work for you and your lifestyle? Mark really could use a new shed too. The floor is about to give way and it is so small it's hard to turn around inside.

We have been having some hot summer days already this spring. This week it has been in the mid and upper 90's. And along with the high temps the high winds have also been an issue. Dirt and debris wickedly flying all over. It would be good days for a dip in the pool but the last of the snowbirds are winding down with their drunken pool parties. Let them have at it, we will get our turn shortly for much longer enjoyment.

From an old shoe to a glass slipper

 When we picked Mandy up at the human society we were proud because she looked so tough that we though no one would want her. But....... after trip to the groomer to get all cleaned up, she went from an ugly old shoe to a pretty glass slipper. The first picture is the day we brought her home and the second pic is after the groomer. 

Mandy is a "typical" little girl....She loves to put on her pretty dresses and cute shirts. Yep, she puts her head right through the head hole as well as her legs in the right ones. She is also not real happy when it's time to take off her dress or shirt. What a Diva. LOL

She prances down the street like the queen of the RV park. I'ld say we made one little dog very happy. And she has made us happy too.

More beautification.

 Mark really liked the wood blinds that we had put up in our other home and wanted them in this place too. He put up 7 blinds, living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom, and they do look very nice. But at first it was very hard for me to look at without reflecting on our loss. A lot of things trigger the day of the fire and all that was lost. Baby steps. We also have the sunscreens on the outside being installed. They measured several of them wrong so had to take them back. We also noticed that some were put on wrong and will have to be redone. This all will be a great help in keeping summer sun and heat out. Hopefully the job will be completed before the big heat is here.

We purchased another storage cabinet for on the porch from Sam's Club. There is quite a bit less storage in this place  than in our other home. Not even having half of what we lost and not having storage tells us how little storage is here. Our laundry cabinet has also become a pantry for food. Not much for cabinets in the kitchen unless you don't cook or eat at home. This home is about 6 feet shorter too. But at least we have a carport to protect our car from the sun, a dishwasher, and washer and dryer. 

Mandy is doing very well and has decided that we need protecting. Yep, she has found her bark. And she lets anyone who comes here know that she means business too. We are trying hard to break her from too much barking.

Mark has gone to the gun range a couple times with a friend. He took what was left of my gun along and they tested to see if it was still working.  Mark worked hard at cleaning it and working on it to make it function again.Yep, it does. It looks tough but is functioning . Nice to have our guns firing properly. Mark also installed security cameras again too. And they are working very well. Some are visible and some are not.

Yes, it's looking more like our place every day. Maybe some day soon it will feel like home to me. With none of "our" original possessions I just don't feel at home. Our son, bless his heart, has been sending us photo's via text so I am planning on making copies to hang on the walls. Maybe having some family pictures around will help me adjust. I really miss all of my quilted table runners, placemats and quilts. They were my pride and joy. Thanks to my wonderful sister in law, I have one table runner that I made. She gave back the one I had given her years ago.

The weather has been very spring like, temps going up and down. Winds the last few days have been just wicked. The warm weather has had the pool filled with snowbirds but the recent wind has kept them inside. It's no fun eating dirt even while in the pool.  Quite a few of the birds have left for home so the park is slowly thinning out. All of us full timers are anxious for all of them to leave. And like the winter weather they will be gone too.

Last weekend we went to the Arizona MarketPlace. I have not gotten much of any clothes since losing it all. So I now have 7 new t-shirts, which is what I much prefer to wear and Mark got 2 new muscle shirts for the summer. I've ordered 4 pair of capris's from Walmart too. Unless I need something really dressy I have all the clothes I need now. I absolutely hate shopping for clothes and women's shirts do not fit me. Another reason I like t-shirts. I buy mens t-shirts since they are longer. I'm too old for the women's midriff shirts. Why are women's shirts so much shorter? Larger sizes are  wider but so short, it makes no sense. Another question.... why aren't women's slacks sold by waist and length like mens?

End of February

 Time stands still for nobody. The end of February is just a week away and that means in a month or less most of the snowbirds will be leaving. Some of them it's none too soon for them to leave. Some are kind and thoughtful people.

Our little Mandy was given a cute name by my cousin Patty. She referred to her are Miss Mandy Houdini Benton. Yes, Mandy is some escape artist. She got out of her crate last week by knocking the door off. Guess those cheap crates from Walmart weren't meant to keep her inside. Or any dog for that matter. She is so good overnight without being in the crate, but if we leave her alone, she goes nuts. Yes, we are still dealing with separation anxiety with her.  Since she is so small we do take her most places that we go. The exceptions being eateries, and stores. We don't shop inside stores very much nor do we eat out often anymore due to the trump virus. So she is with us the majority of the day. Yesterday she snuck out the gate with me, but didn't run away. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked at me and turned to walk to the car. She loves to go for rides. I picked her up and just brought her into the house. It seems to me that she knows she has it pretty darn good here. 

Tis the season for fresh citrus to be at its peak. And we are getting our share of the fruit. Mark has been busy with his electric juicer making grapefruit juice, orange juice and lemon juice. Our freezer is  filling fast. The season comes to an end quickly so we are contemplating going for another run to pick up two more bags of fresh fruit. The groves are all selling at great prices to sell their over abundance from their groves. All of the fruit has been very good too.

Last of the indoor renovations.

 Today we are getting a new kitchen sink and faucet put in place of a shallow, narrow porcelain sink. The old faucets are all coming off of the sink since they were only put on with putty and the old sink is only 6 inches deep and 3 inches narrower than a regular kitchen sink. That made for difficulty in washing dishes especially kettles and plates. Water splashes everywhere but in the sink.

This should be the last of the major inside renovations of our new home. In 5 weeks or so sun screens will be put on the outside of our windows. That helped so much during the summer months in our last home. And since these windows are just single paned and no screens it will be double nice to have in place. 

A new addition

 Good morning on yet another cold windy morning. Well to me 53 is cold especially with wind too.

We had an eventful day yesterday. Morning started out as it usually does with the two of us having coffee in front of our computers. As usual we check out the Humane Society for small dogs incase one would pop up touching our hearts. Around 11 we headed to WM to pick up our grocery order. After quickly putting the cold foods away we headed to the Humane Society to check out a couple dogs with no intention of bringing one home. One they said was a Shih Tzu and one a small terrier. Well the Shih Tzu was not what they said and the terrier was a scruffy looking stray of mixed breeds. The stray, Mandy, was so loving and looked so lost that our hearts just went out to her. She loved being close, held and petted. So yep, she touched our hearts and we decided we would fit well together. Having nothing for a pet anymore, we told them we needed to do some shopping and then come back for Mandy.
Once the paper work was all done and she was microchipped, we headed home with Mandy sleeping in my lap for a bit and then watching out the window. We got her and her things situated. We found out she is a runner!!!! She jumped through and over the gate on the porch and took off. I in my stocking feet, without my cane, took off after her while Mark worked at getting the golf cart to help catch. Thankfully God had a man and his dog walking, close to the exit gate of the park and Mandy stopped to say hi to the dog. Another gentleman, he had to put on shoes, helped by getting to Mandy before me and bring her to me. By then Mark had caught up to us so I didn't have to walk back home too. Or I should say hobble back home. By then I could hardly walk I hurt so bad. But I had to keep Mandy in my sight so I just kept tailing her.

Today Mark will be going to Lowes for lattice to put up higher than what was previously here so she can be on the porch but not escape. It will take her some time to realize that this is a better place to live than on the streets. It looks as though she was once groomed and taken care of. Her teeth are nice and white, and her fur was just scraggly like she was over due for a groomer and not matted or snarled. Some people just around here just let their dogs go when they get tired of them or can't take care of them anymore. So sad. She was so good when I gave her a bath and cut some length off of her coat. Today I will call a groomer and make an appointment. No picture of her yet. She is so black that it's hard to tell which end is which unless you see her tail wag.  Mark will take some pictures with his good camera later.

When I woke up this morning, Mandy was not in her kennel but curled up on the couch next to Mark. She saw me and slowly walked over with her tail wagging at full speed. She is still cautious but happily accepts the affection.

Well that was our day in a nut shell. I hope that today has less active excitement.

Big steps to our home

 Since we live in Yuma full time there are adjustments that need to be made to most park models. The summer gets mighty hot and the AZ rooms are not set up for the intense heat summer can bring. And just like our last home the AZ room was not set up well for the cold nights either. Soooooo, we had to look for help in making our extra room more comfortable for us.

Tuesday we had a mini split put in the AZ room for supplemental heat and air conditioning. The men were professional and actually cleaned up their work area's. Meaning no mess left behind. I've found that is seldom the case and has been that way for quite a few years. Anyway the unit is installed. BUT, we can't use it yet. Some wiring was not up to code so they had to change some things and are waiting for 50 50 breaker for the new unit to make that and the hot water heater up to code. They also installed a more powerful bathroom exhaust fan. The one that was in here didn't exhaust it just moved the air around. So after a shower the towels were very damp and water from steam was running down the walls. Not what you want on sheet rock. The new fan works so well that there is not even steam on the mirro and you can almost feel a breeze when it is on. I'm thinking it may need to be turned down a notch. OH, it's adjustable too.

Next week we will be getting a bid for sunscreens on most of our windows. They really help stop most of the sun from heating up and entering the windows. The windows are only single pane so we may have to replace them as funds become available. Which means we need to start saving for them.  A couple at a time works. I noticed last night, with the wicked cold wind, that it was cold sitting by a window. I think I need to order a quilt too. All I had are no more.

It breaks my heart to think that we just finished getting our last home the way we wanted and needed and now to start all over again. 😢 

Here we go again

Yesterday we purchased and set up a 20 gallon aquarium. It took some doing to make room for it because this home is smaller than our last home. But it's up and in three days or so we will add fish to the tank. The temperature and water chemistry need to be right before adding fish. We did start with bottled water this time instead of Yuma water, which killed too many fish. The water here is way too  salty for the fish to survive. I'll be testing each day to make sure it is stabilized. We are so anxious to have fish again.

A super nice surprise phone call to Mark yesterday made us both so happy. A dear friend from our home town is in AZ and wanted to see us. So today we will be sharing lunch and chatter with some very special friends. We never thought any friends would ever come down here and visit us. Mark is on top of the world. Thank you Ken and Julie.  💜

Made the call

 My darling husband finally made the call for help with some much needed repairs around here. He is used to doing everything himself, but not all things can be done that way anymore. Not just repairs but some areas need to be brought up to code. The AZ room is cold this time of year so we know that it will be HOT come summer. So Mark called a company to put in a heat pump in this room. They found some things that are not up to code so that will have to be fixed before they can even do the work we need done. They will be getting back to us with an estimate. Also a plumber is coming to look at and give us a bid on replacing the shallow, 6 inch deep kitchen sink and old faucets. AND.... the electricians will fix or replace the nonfunctioning exhaust fan in the bathroom. The exhaust fan in the bathroom does NOT exhaust, but just circulates the air. After taking a shower, the walls, towels, everything is wet. NOT good. We can't have all the humidity in the house, especially in the summer. It all make me wonder if the previous owners ever took a shower or cooked. About cooking, I've resolved to just putting up with the under sized range until it dies or needs repair. Replacing that will require new counter top and rebuilding that area. Geesh. I'll start saving now.

Mark put in a new RO system under the kitchen sink this last week. I drink quite a bit of water and the water was not tasting right when we moved here and it just kept getting worse.  So he was going to replace the filters. Not surprising, the filters were totally plugged and the water reserve tank was rusting on the bottom. We were lucky that we didn't get sick or worse. After a day or so of clearing out the new filters and tank, we had good water again. Many thanks to my loving, handy hubby.

The AZ room is so noisy with echo's and outside noise and cold  that we had to do something. It costs too much to replace the bogus single pane windows so we had to do something less expensive. We hung thermal, black out curtains yesterday. It made a big difference in the sound and it wasn't quite as chilly in here this morning either. It seems as though our time and money was not in vain. And the curtains look very nice in here too.

Considering we were told that everything worked well, we found that to not be the case. Gee, imagine that someone would not tell the whole truth. It's just one thing after another lately and we are tired and sore from all the extra work we were not anticipating.  Starting over at our age is no small feat. And it is too stressful with our medical issues. But with Gods help we will make it through this hurdle too. We have made it through much worse with His help.

Even though there was more work involved than we had hoped for, we do like our new home. It feels more comfortable each day. And it's beginning to look like our home with a few changes from other years.

Our first full week at home

 It's really starting to look like "our" home around here. Thanks again to donations from wonderful friends and family we have been able to not only get some much needed clothes and food, tools for must do chores, but also some items to help make our house feel like home. We had insurance to help with some things we lost but some items will never be replaced. We no longer have any family photos or photos of our travels etc., no more personal memorabilia of any kind. But we have tried to get our new home reflect us.

The bedroom has new curtains and bedspread. We are waiting for blankets that actually fit the bed so we both can stay covered at night. Some kitchen decorations to make it feel welcoming. We covered the worn old loveseat with a fitted gray cover to make it look nice and comfortable and added a couple throw pillows for a nice place to rest your back or head. The bathroom of course has to be purple so some nice rugs and new towels made the dark gloomy bathroom bright and clean looking. What was left here was tattered and stained. That leaves us with the extra room that we have yet figured out what to call it. Try as hard as we can we have yet found a spot for a much needed freezer. There is a nice queen size bed in there that takes up a lot of room. But the bed is nice to have when either of us has a bad night or by some chance someone would actually come to visit.

Friday we had to go and pick up the toilet we ordered. The one here was so low that we both had a hard time getting on and off of it. And with my back and arms it was also painful. As with any plumbing job for Mark it didn't go well. The pipes are very old and brittle and the main line into the bathroom snapped and broke. A mad rush to turn off the water and find old towels to sop up the water, left us in a pickle. Two trips to Ace Hardware and Mark had enough fittings etc to stop the flow into the house. But that left us with no true functioning toilet.  Just before dark Mark had to stop working, it was too dark to see anything while under the trailer anymore. So jugs of water were used to "flush" the toilet. Saturday we both were totally worn out so we pretty much took a much needed break. However enough energy was found to hang our large wind chime, Big Ben.

As of yesterday Mark planned on finishing with the plumbing job today. That remains to be seen. I wish he would just call a plumber. I know he can get it all to work, I just  worry about him crawling around under there. He believes that if you can do it yourself why pay someone else to do it for you.  Work smart not hard my dear. Hire it done. LOL

More to be done

 Woohoo, thanks to my tech savvy husband we have internet. It’s not the fastest but in Yuma it never is fast.  Today he is going to the cabin and take the internet antenna off. The one here is old technology so that may be why the internet is even slower. We can borrow a ladder from Leroy to do that. The antenna is on the side of the roof, not on top, or I would not allow Mark to retrieve the antenna. Our internet provider will come in 3 to 4 weeks and put it up here and adjust it for signal. Mark no longer has the equipment to do that.

About a month or so before the fire my heart was not working right. I was concerned and planned on seeing the doctor. After our move here I purchased some pomegranate juice and started drinking 2 ounces each day. No more heart palpitations or hard pounding going through my chest. That juice is to help clear arteries and work with the heart for good function. I did not expect it to work that quickly, but am thrilled. 

Last night Mark found a toilet that will fit in the tiny spot in our bathroom. He found it at, of all places, Amazon!!! It won’t be here for a couple weeks, but at least he found one. And he looked at the exhaust fan in the bathroom that doesn’t exhaust. It may need to be replaced. It circulates the air NOT exhaust. When we took our showers the other night, the humidity in the house was awful. So Mark will have to see about that too. Always something when ya move.

 I’m pleased at how the angel area are turned out. It still makes me sad that I lost so many. The ones that made it through the fire are all the ones that Mark gave me just to give to me. And my two beloved eagles survived too.

I have so little kitchen work space that I bought two big cutting boards for over the sink when I’m cooking. We also ordered a kitchen Island to help. The kitchen is hardly a kitchen but I have to make it work. The range is small, not the normal size, but my cookie sheets do fit in the oven. The stove top only has one large burner with three small ones. And not much room for more than two pans on the stove at a time. It will be tricky, but at least I have a range. The fridge is only two year old and bigger than the one we had. We will still need to get a free standing freezer. There is not enough room for much food in a fridge freezer. We will look for a used one this time. We don't need one that will last 20 years, we won't last that long either. LOL

Mark is enjoying having a shed again, even if it is small. He now has a place to himself and to putz around. We both have room to move and get away from one another for a bit. Now it actually takes more than three steps to get to any one place in the house. 😆

Today I need to take down the curtains we just hung yesterday, and iron them. Or maybe I’ll wait and see if the creases from shipping just fall out. The Christmas tree on the porch needs to come down and put away. But it needs to warm up before I tackle that job. This Yuman doesn't like this cold weather. It was 40º when we got up this morning. I'm not doing anything outside in that temp. Ok, so call me a Yuma wuss, I don't mind. LOL

Good riddance 2021

Rain for the last two days and this morning we finally see some sunshine. I hope it dries up and warms up a bit. It's only 47º and if I read right it got down to 39. Too cold for me. But I am very happy to see the sunshine this morning.

Last night we were so exhausted that we never did get to kick 2021 to the gutter. But it did leave just the same. Today we are not going to work too hard. I've got a pile of ironing that I need to get done and Mark is going to hang the curtain rod up in the bedroom. I'll be happy to get the black out curtains up in there. Bright light in the morning is not very welcome, I don't like to get up too early. At least here, when I get out of bed I don't run into a wall. This bedroom is much better than the cabin, we can actually walk around the bed on both sides.

Yesterday afternoon we went to look for a toilet, the one here is not very nice anymore. We couldn’t find one to fit the small area so may have to order one and pay more. Then we went to Bed Bath and Beyond and found out that they are closing. We love that store so it really made us sad. We purchased some things that I needed with some of our donation money. Everything in the store was 20% off too. Then to WM to get some bath towels, hand towels and wash clothes. Carol only left 3 towels, one hand towel and one wash cloth. And they were so stained and scratchy. We should have enough to get us by for now.  We needed LED light bulbs for here to replace the old fluorescent ones. 

 

Yesterday, Maria, a lady from a charitable church organization, picked up all the stuff I don't want or need. She left with a pick up load, box, back seat and front seat. Needless to say she was very happy. And we are happy that someone can use the things that I don't need. Yes, we lost everything in the fire, but, we did manage to salvage a few, very few, items and we had to purchase some things since the cabin we were in for over two months had very very little.

 It's now a new year and prayers for a good one. So far it's starting out very nicely.

 God is Good.