OUR BIG NEWS

We've been very busy the last two weeks, going through all our stuff we brought back with us. We're getting close to being done. The repair man came down from Mesa to make the minor repairs that needed to be done to our new home. They have you wait at least a month to let things settle before they do the repairs. We've also had a few things fixed in the RV, so now we'll concentrate on selling it. We've been to the pool three times, including today, walked on the treadmill almost daily, and done a little shopping. But, we need to tell you about the new addition to our family! Many of you know we live in the newer area of the park with larger lots and it's also in the "dog area". There are only a couple of us that don't have dogs, so we thought it was time to get one. We decided that we wanted one that we didn't have to feed, clean up after or have to walk, especially in the rain. So, let me introduce you to our bulldog named Blossom.

Isn't she cute? She's quite the classy dresser! She's the only one in the neighborhood who doesn't have to wait for Jerry for treats. We spent a whole $18 on her at a 40% off sale. I'll bet that's a lot less than all the neighbors paid. I bet we never hear a peep out of her! So far, we really like her!!!

MOTHER OF MY CACTUS THAT BLOOMED

I hope our neighbor Carol, can get on the blog to see that her cactus is still blooming in July. I took these pictures yesterday.


My cactus that bloomed, was taken from this plant. They're just spectacular!

Hope you enjoy this Carol-we certainly enjoy our part of it!

RESULTS OF THE HABOOB

I'm still kind of excited that I can tell people I've survived a haboob, but the end result is a lot of dirt on the side it came from. Here's the back of Wayne's home next door to us.
The window on the back of our shed was filthy.


The dirt on the sewer pipe on the shed looked icky.

The good thing is-it washes off easily with a hose.

A MONSOON?

Tonight, I was just checking the weather on the computer, when we heard knocking on the door. Jerry and Dana came over to quick show us what was coming down the street. I wasn't quick enough to grab the camera before the wind and dust arrived. It was pretty windy for awhile with some gusts. We turned on the weather channel and within a little while, it was headed toward Phoenix. They had a helicopter in the air taking pictures, and it looked just like it did here, so-I took pictures of the TV.



Another new experience! (Later I heard the dust wall was a mile high and 50 miles wide. Phoenix got rain, but we didn't get a drop!)

DUST STORM

I think what we had last evening was a dust storm, since we didn't have a drop of rain, however, it is monsoon season. So far, I haven't been excited-living in Iowa prepares you for anything! I took a couple pictures just for the heck of it. I wouldn't have wanted to be on the highway-it's similar to a white-out. It does reduce the depth of your vision.

We were lucky that we just recently rode home on our neighbor's golf cart from playing Texas Hold'um. (Don won second and I came in third-which was pretty good for my first attempt!)
Anyway-interesting weather!

OMG-WHAT A MESS!!!

As you know, we picked up all the things we had in storage, while we were up north. We left on Wednesday after stopping to see Grandma one more time. We got here a week ago today, on Monday. We had a few problems, but made it. It took us two days in 108 degree weather to unload the RV. What a mess-in the kitchen!

And in the bedroom.

The shed is a mess too!

So-we spent the week cleaning it up, and we've made progress, but still have a ways to go. Those of you who really know how Don loves his nest will find it hard to believe that he has been getting up between five and six every day-and that's AM! It's amazing. The prime time to get your work done outside is early in the morning in that three digit dry heat. It's really not too bad!

RESULTS OF A GOOD RAIN

It's always fun to go to Dunning Springs after a good rain. It always just pours out of there.

It's really flowing!

You can be sure the springs at the hatchery would also be flowing.

It's easier to see up close.

Very pretty!