Our Week In Quartzsite

Lousy weather – Highs in the 50’s and lows in the 30’s. Wind and more wind

As you can see, we have made really great progress in Rocky’s adjustment to our family. That’s my lap.

We still have our moments but the last two have been over possession of the back seat of the truck. Hopefully, as we keep traveling that issue will also go away. Skittlez doesn’t cry anymore when we leave them. But Rocky likes to bark so we will have to do something about that when we get back to AJ.

When he’s not on Jim’s lap, he hogs the sunshine.

He also barks at other people because he gets very nervous around them. And we just make sure we keep him protected from other animals. He has certainly filled a hole in our hearts with lots of love.

We didn’t do much while we were in Q because I was so cold most of the time. The first couple of days were completely overcast and dreary. Then the sun came out but the wind was relentless.

We were parked next to John and Nan and had a great visit with them when we could brave the cold and wind. Yes, George, I really am a wimp. George and Susie were parked just across the wash from us and I had hoped we could get to one of their happy hours but I just couldn’t sit outside. Hopefully next year we can get a chance to visit.

Jim, Nan and John

We did drive out to Plomosa Road to see Barbara and Katie and we visited for about a half hour with her and some friends. Good to see them again. That’s about it for visiting.

We only ate out once at Silly Al’s with John and Nan and got to meet their friends, Lynda and Howard and Al. We got there at 1:00 and were able to find parking and a table. There was a steady stream of folks coming in to eat but it was not near as busy as I thought it would be.

Al, Lynda and Howard

In fact Q was not as crowded as in the past. There were a couple of traffic line ups but it didn’t stretch for miles like I’ve seen it happen. The Big Tent gets really crowded but I’m not sure how many folks are actually buying anything.

We went to the big tent when they opened on Thursday morning. That was a good time to go. We were only there about half an hour and didn’t find anything we were looking for. Then on to Discount Solar for a battery cable since ours was in serious need of replacing.

Todd and Michaela – isn’t this about the most perfect dog – a beagle/dachshund. I thought he was so cute.

This is a 29 Model A. The guy who owns it runs a BBQ stand. Told us he drove it over the bridge to get it to the Big Tent.

Also had to get to the bakery a couple of times. They have the best blueberry turnovers I have ever had. Friday we drove over to Blythe to pick up our mail – nobody in line so we walked in and out. Perfect.

That was the extent of our visit to Q this year. Very few pictures because I was cold. What can I say.

Meet Rocky Joe

AJ, AZ   High 57  Low 45 – I’m getting tired of cloudy days and rainy weekends.

We really did not want another dog. But we could not say no to this little boy who desperately needed a furever home.

Skittlez has just been so lonely and cries so much that on Saturday we decided to go “talk” to Happy Tails Dachshund Rescue who was having an adoption event at Pet Smart.

We walked in and there he was. Rocky is 12 years old (same age as Skittlez) and had been in the rescue for a year because nobody wanted him. When he was turned into the rescue, he was malnourished and blind because of cataracts. His buddy was also turned in with him but his buddy had since been adopted so he was alone.

A wonderful lady stepped up and paid for his cataract surgery so he can see again. His sight is still not perfect but neither is Skittlez. He had to have 22 teeth and some growths removed. In the picture below, you can see that he doesn’t have much fur but it is starting to come back with good nutrition. We are also giving him Melatonin which is what Scooter’s dermatologist told us to give her and it did wonders.

How could we not fall in love with him. He does have a couple of issues that we are working on. Because he has been through so much trauma and several foster homes, he’s very nervous and occasionally snaps and snarls at Skittlez. His foster Mom said that it would probably take a couple of weeks for him to relax and feel secure enough to stop that. We have already seen an improvement in just a couple of days.

He is not friendly with other dogs so we aren’t going to be socializing him with anyone besides Skittlez. He does not have any food aggression which is great.

He has some arthritis and limps but it sure doesn’t slow him down. He is really a lap dog and spends most of his time laying on Jim’s lap while Skittlez is in mine. He snapped at me but it was because I tried to pick him up and I think it hurt him. He does much better if we just let him jump up into our laps.

 

He is used to having a doggy door and he hates when Jim goes outside without him. He pushes at the door to get it open and doesn’t understand why he can’t go out where Jim is.

Skittlez is still not sure what is going on and really doesn’t like it when he snaps at her. We haven’t left them alone together yet but hopefully tomorrow will be the day and Skittlez won’t cry.

Love the ears

We’ll Do That Again

AJ, AZ   High 64  Low 56

We stopped to visit Aunt Happy. She had been to see the doctor for her yearly check-up and he told her she was in fantastic shape. But she told him she had a problem. So he asked her what the problem was and she told him, that she had trouble pulling up her pants and it really bothered her. He told her that if the only problem his patients had was pulling up their pants, he would be overjoyed. She cracks me up.

Those of you who know me, know that I do not make pies. Mrs. Smith does such a good job that I don’t need to. But – as Toni knows, my hubby loves coconut custard pie. Not cream pie but custard pie. Toni made him one a couple of years ago and he hasn’t had one since. So I decided to be brave and give him a treat. He told me that I could do that again any time I want to.

I forgot to get a picture before he ate half of it. I don’t like coconut so it’s all his.

I love Groupon. We have had a chance to experience some really fun things using Groupons –such as Jim driving a NASCAR, trying to figure our way out of an escape room, and several eating experiences. At Christmas time, I found another Groupon that I wanted us to try. This time it was a hot rock massage at Willow Massage and Spa.

It was an incredible experience. We did the couple massage so we were both in the same room. Chico was my massage therapist and Jim had Stephanie. What can I say, other than we are definitely going to do that again.

I took these pictures from their website because I forgot to take any pictures. Check them out at http://willowmassageaz.com.

Chico

Stephanie

After the massage, we stopped at Not Your Typical Deli for a sandwich.

They hire autistic and developmental disabilities. This is from their website.

“Not Your Typical Deli is a full service delicatessen and bakery, located in Gilbert, Arizona. We showcase local products and services, including local artists, bakers and other culinary professionals, and provide our guests with a unique dining and shopping experience. NYT Deli was created to make a difference, not only do we serve incredible food, NYT Deli also creates opportunities for those who usually don't get them! We create an integrated work environment for those with developmental disabilities.

NYT Deli offers three 12 week training programs per year for adults with Developmental Disabilities. After our students complete the 12 week course, they are not on their own. We offer long term mentoring as our students start their careers in the culinary industry.”

We will be stopping there when we have our next massage. We will do that again.

Retired Rod

 

I’m sure most of you have heard that Rod has returned to Heaven to be with his beloved wife, Loyce. You will be greatly missed and never forgotten dear friend.

Happy New Year - 2017

AJ, AZ    High 65  Low 53  Probably rain. It rained last night and is supposed to rain today and tomorrow.

One of the fun things about the holidays is the chance to get together with lots of friends. We’ve had some really good times.

We went with Aunt Happy to her Family Christmas Party at her complex. They provided goodies and some drinks along with entertainment.

I sometimes forget about the different generation that she grew up in. She saw the gentlemen who was going to provide the music and said (quite loudly) that we would be leaving early because she didn’t like black music. I told her we’d leave whenever she was ready but after he started to perform, she ended up really enjoying his music. He sang mostly country and Christmas. She also does not like women doctors. She wants a man because women are just nurses. Like I said, a totally different generation.

The gentlemen in the white shirt danced every dance with anybody who would dance with him. He is 100.

We also met up with friends for lunch several times. We went to Can’t Stop Smokin’ BBQ with 19 RVers, some of which we haven’t seen for a couple of years.

We had lunch at Sal’s Gilbert Pizza (that’s the place that has my Italian sausage sandwich) with Bob and Jo. Because of health insurance issues they are headed to Texas. We will really miss them and have our fingers and toes crossed that they can return to AZ in March. Safe travels friends.

We also got a chance to have lunch at La Stalla Italian Restaurant with Toni and Doug. They may have to return to Canada early to deal with family medical issues. Toni made us a fantastic apple pie which is long gone.

Had lunch at the Mongolian Grill which opened here in AJ last summer with Jeri and Terry. Thank you Jeri for the beautiful towels.

We drove up to Superior for our hamburger fix at Porter’s. Jim decided to try their chimichanga and he said it was really good but he should have gotten the hamburger.

It was overcast and cloudy on our drive and I loved the clouds sitting on the mountain top.

And no holiday season is complete without a visit to the dermatologist. Not near as bad as it looks.

We want to wish all of you a very Happy New Year and a fantastic 2017.

Merry Christmas

Apache Junction, AZ   High 61  Low 42  Rain and Wind – but at least it’s not snow

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:10, 11, 14

Jim, Skittlez and I want to wish all of you a joyous and peaceful Christmas filled with love, family, and friends.

Needed An Escape

AJ, AZ   High 75  Low 54   Sunny and Beautiful

Got the Christmas tree up.

My Mom made this tree back in the days when macramé was the big fad. Mom was always way more craftier than I will ever be.

The dogs are out with Spike. (Thanks Jan)

 

Santa has his catch

Last week we did an Escape Room with Jeri and Terry. If you have never tried this, you are really missing out. You are put in a locked room with no instructions and have to find the clues to “escape” the room. It is mentally challenging and you need to be able to think outside the box. That is not one of my few talents but I still really have fun trying. You are given 60 minutes to find all the clues and escape. We didn’t make it but we were sooo close.

They offer several different rooms and I would love to try again but this time with four other people. I think six people trying to figure it out would work better. Escape rooms are everywhere. We did one a couple of years ago with Todd and Michaela in Billings.

Jan and Bill are at Usery Park for a Chapter Rally but we were able to spend some time with them yesterday for a visit. Went to Los Gringos Locos for dinner and had the best fajitas ever. So much fun to see them again.

Skittlez adjustment to being an only dog has gone downhill. She has always been close to me but it has now gotten to the point where she is like a permanent attachment. Except when it’s time to go outside – then she wants Jim. If I go across the street to visit with Ginny, she makes Jim take her out so she can track me down.

When we leave her alone, she cries. Not loudly but enough that yesterday Ginny was outside reading and could hear her. Being Ginny, she came over and took Skitz for a walk so she could look for me.

Not sure what to do. I know people are going to suggest another dog, but we really don’t want another dog. There are many many reasons for that and we have discussed it over and over again. But I’m also not sure that Skittlez would settle down even with another dog.

So one day at a time. She is almost 13 but seems to be healthy.

We stay busy with every day life and are loving the weather.