More BackYard Fun

Ricky came over Monday afternoon for a swim and a barbecue. Very relaxed and a lot of fun. More affirmation for me that we'll continue to have barbecues (Paul's passion) throughout the summer months; despite the awful heat and the distance we've moved. Good to know.

He brought his new dog (a chuggle - pug and Chiuawa (sp)) over too. Even taught her to swim. She's quite fearless with both our Collie and Border Collie. Mom had a great time.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Is it Monsoon yet?!

This Storm appeared far away - Gold Canyon 2004

Just a few minutes later 8/04 somewhat different view from the yard.

I know it's not monsoon yet, despite what the weathermen are saying this year; using dates, not dew points to determine the start of our violent summer storms, they've announced we're in Monsoon. I love the summer storms we have here; as long as I'm not out in it. As long as all my loved ones are safe inside. Violent storms; lightening I'd never imagined before--constant flashes; thunder non stopping and the worst part, the walls of dust that will on occasion proceed the storm, sometimes the wall is part of the storm. Paul and I did not respect the Auto Club Warnings of a monsoon,  when we came to the valley. We do now. We thought we could out run the storm one Wednesday night in August of 2004. We were on our way to So California for Lyndsey's wedding. We very nearly didn't make it. But for the stranger on the road (so surreal in my memory now) with the t-shirt covering his mouth waving his arms we would have

 crashed into an accident already on the road. I warned Paul and he stopped the car. I still remember the poor man in the car who didn't survive that day. We had to keep going and made it over to the side of the road, between our two angels.. Big Rig Trucks, and later followed them on the now empty Interstate 10. My strongest memory of that trip was the fear that Lyndsey's parents would have died on their way to her wedding....That was not ok. We did make it that night but never again traveled I 10 in the afternoon/evening during Monsoon season. I don't think of that late afternoon without offering a silent prayer for that man and his family.  We brought Makayla out to visit that week, while Lyndsey and Victor went on their honeymoon. These pictures are another storm.

Makayla's not liking all that noise

She'll sneak a peak now from Gran's window

Now I warn, re-warn and warn again, my children, friends and other family members that afternoons during Monsoon is NOT when we drive and when they see the black wall coming.. get off the road, turn off their lights.. oh yeah and Say their Hail Marys until the storm moves on.. Mostly they ignore me now.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

The Incredible Hulk

Today was day three of Paul's 3 day weekend. We decided to take Sabby to see the Incredible Hulk. I've got a little 12 year old boy in me I'm afraid, because I loved it. Not as much as the Iron Man. I don't really know these characters because I wasn't a comic book reader as a kid. I did read Brenda Starr, Reporter and Mary Worth in the daily paper.We drove to Westgate, where the Cardinal Stadium is. Real exciting to have our city's team play that close to us.. about 20-30 minutes from here. I love Westgate and the Theater makes me think of what we imagined the future would be back in the 50's and 60's. The heat makes it hard to walk around long but the water fountains are a great way to cool off a six year old. 

Ricky's come over for a barbecue and I've snuck away while Paul cooks chicken on the grill and the rest of them (including Ricky's new puppy) swim for a while.

Have a good evening everyone and thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Barbecues

Paul had three days off this weekend and we wanted to do something. Then reality swung by to say, NOT enough money, so we decided on a Barbecue yesterday. Kathie and Robb joined us along with Katie & Sabby. Barbecue's aren't all that easy when it's 113-115 outside. We all sat around in the pool which though no longer cool water, is still refreshing. This is necessary so we cool down enough to get the food cooked later. When it's 115, we still eat inside even with the wet bathing suits cooling us down! It was a great day; not a lot of pre-planning - it just came along.

I miss the days when we all lived closer; and these impromptu Barbecues remind me how much fun we can still have. Fourth of July is turning into quite a party. So again, I remind myself what I tell Lyndsey so much; All this may not be how we always thought it it would be; but that doesn't mean it can't still be good.

Have a nice day everyone and thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

To My Out of Town Family; Your Rooms are Ready

Rob, Carla; Lyndsey, Victor; Julee; Scott, Lanette; Sandra, Steven; Peggy, Dennis; Aly, Saul... Hell All of you.

Your rooms are ready.

We have Four Bedrooms and a Sitting Room(my office) in our home. Kind of big for "Empty Nesters" like us,however, even before Ricky and Katie moved to AZ, we needed lots of bedrooms for family gatherings (I'm lucky we still have them - they are weekends now though). It's also possible to get more bedrooms since home prices are not that high in the "oven". I gave up assigning bedrooms a few years ago and told the kids; it was first come first serve. Ricky got his own place 5 weeks ago and I'm finally almost done with the "Guest Room" in it's 5th incarnation since we moved here 2 years ago. First it was Katie & Sabby's room; When they moved back to CA, it became the guest room; They moved back 7 months later,  and I gave them each their own room, moved my office to the sitting room and turned my guest room and bathroom into Paul's "Cowboy Room". Then Ricky moved in and it became his room with Cowboy stuff and Paul's desk in it. NOW, it's Paul's Cowboy Room with a Futon and guest bathroom AND the treadmill Paul bought "ME" a few years ago. My office/the sitting room, also has a Futon. So we're set, pretty much, now for family gatherings.  

I still need to paint it but Paul has opted today for only a barbecue instead of "getting that room painted this morning" as I suggested. In RAN off to the market just a few minutes ago saying something about other errands too.. Oh well.

Oh and I've kept the air mattress for those expanded family gatherings.. Kids - It's still first come first serve!!!

I'm giving thanks today for our A.C. and keeping the rest of the country in my prayers, with the flooding in the midwest and the heat and fires in CA. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.