There is someone lurking at me

It may only be 85 right now (6:13 am) but the humidity is at 51% so it is quite uncomfortable outside. Last night there was another dust storm...this time we did not get the dust part only winds.  Have you seen one?

This is what it looked liked crossing the southeast part of the valley.  At 3,000 feet high and miles across, they are not to be dismissed lightly. The dust is a fine powder that gets into everything.... and not easy to clean up. Although we have not driven through one, I am told it is like driving into a blizzard. The air is so still outside...
Today I opened the craft closet door to get something and ....

if she could see, she would be staring at me! Impossible now because she has no eyes... well, actually she has no face. I really should do something about her; after all she has been this way for some time.  Never know what is in this closet.... a Harry Potter closet! I have no stitching to show...a Round Robin piece I am working on, Blueberries is not completed until I get a piece of wood, and I did not work on Hummingbird Garden this morning. Today I finish my journal posting of our road trip to Arizona. Than you for the kind words and I am happy that you have enjoyed reading about it. Hope you have a nice day.

Arizona Bound

Monday July 26 2004 Journey completed

What a beautiful morning. It is sunny and very warm  for us at 103. Rhode Island does not get that high a temp during the summer months. We had a good nights sleep and are ready for our first new day. First, I must get out and clean the truck a little better. Thank goodness I had enough sheets to accommodate Sherlock being sick yesterday. I have thrown out all the sheets as we traveled yesterday and now one of our quilts. We can't believe we did it, we are actually here. It has been a long  and at times hard journey.There were a few times we all were unhappy and tired, not feeling well. But we just pushed ahead. Lessons learned on this journey? Dennis has no patience for road construction and highway detors. He thought about dumping me off a few time, so he says, but he loves me so here I am. We believe in what we are doing strongly, and that has gotten us through some rough moments. First on the agenda today is to go to the Penske dealer and remove the car carrier so we can use the car. It was very close to our new apartment so not a problem. As soon as we leave there it is on to the apartment complex. Dennis and the pooches and the truck stay outside the gated area I drive in...my first time driving here. Problem!! They cannot locate our keys. I suggest firmly they try very hard and very quickly. Lo and behold they are in our folder. What a novel idea. Along with the office gal we drive to the apartment. We will be able to park the truck right at the apartment for unloading...being right at the parking side and first floor this will be good. We noticed right away that the apartment was very warm. The pooches were restless and panting. Well, the air conditioner is not working! The maintenance guy came immediately and with adjustments it was fixed. We spent the next few hours unloading most of our belongings. We did not bring but a few pieces of furniture. It was off to the market to get some food and a few other necessities. Next stop was Target to get sheets so I could make our bed. After we all ate, pooches walked we settled down for a good nights sleep. Early the next morning was time to unwrap and take in our curio cabinet. All I could do was hope that all the glass and mirror did not break along this journey over some tough roads. Perfect...The Brother Alan did a fine job of packing. The pooches already have found their sleeping spots and are adjusting well . Tasks for the week are to shop for a sofa and chair, a dining set, and new TV. The bank is also on the list. Did I mention that we seem to have lost the box containing the pots and pans? Add that to the growing list.By the end of the week, we had settled in. We had stocked the refrigerator, the cupboards, the linen closet and unpacked all the clothing We had a sofa on order, a recliner and Cox was scheduled for internet and phone service. By the end of week two we had a sofa, recliner and cable and internet. 

The journey was an experience. Truck stops, convincing the pooches to go for walks in a new place each time, motels and lots of take out food. We are home now. A new way of life and palaces to explore. Three years in in the planning and it has finally materialized. Dennis has finally relaxed and patience returned to this quiet man. Life is good.

Slowing down....

I really do not like having too many things on my mind. Today I feel like just zipping my mind closed, at least for part of the day. Yesterday we hit a new hot day record...116 for the date...and it was hot hot hot. Even the shade was hot. We are still in heat advisory mode.... It was 113 in my garage yesterday! I haven't gone out to open the umbrellas as it was windy but I really should brave the heat and at least water the garden for Mr H. I have made progress on Hummingbird Garden and still thinking off a finish for Blueberries. I think I have it.... a bit more to think on. See, my mind is still unzipped! Today is a big day for the journal so I hope you are ready. Thanks for the kind words and taking the time to visit with me. Hope you have a grand day.

Arizona Bound

Sunday July 25 2004  Day 6

Another cloudy start this morning, cool and comfortable. The storm last night did not last too long. Hard to believe that we have had a storm every night since leaving Rhode Island. The pooches walked and I had my tea. I hope we do not have any rain today. We have been lucky to find nice motels all just off the highway and all allowing pets. A few did not even charge for the pooches .On the way again.... we are entering Indian Reservation territory. Vast open spaces. We see Elk crossing signs. Dennis is already with "I do not want to see any elk in the road". A little testy today! This does not seem to be a relaxing kind of day and none of us can get away form the other... the passengers are very territorial right now.  At 9 am we stop at a visitor center in Cibolla New Mexico. It is maintained by a Native American tribe and is beautiful. There is a small pond here and the frogs are in full sound today. I found a nice book about Route 66 and bought it. Gas and food and we sat outdoors with the pooches to eat. The pooches seem happy to be out. On our way again and Sherlock is into everything. Oh no!!!! Sherlock just ate 6 or so of his arthritis pills! Terrific, no what. Dennis is giving me a look like I gave them to him! No patience, wish I had a pill to give him. Sherlock has refused to take any of these pills since we left on this "vacation". Now I am going into the back constantly  so I can get a few more bumps check on what else he is doing. Zoe is looking very confused.... plastic and paper everywhere. Now we are on  "dog alert". If Dennis says, "he better be alright one more time" I will not be responsible for myself! So far Sherlock is too quiet. We have entered Navaho Nation territory. We seem to be making good time. At 11:30 am we stop at another truck stop. Each time we stop I have bought a thimble to add to my collection....just the touristy ones. Back on the road again. I can't believe it! it is 12:02 pm and we have entered Arizona, we gain another hour. We stop for gas in Holbrook and quickly get back on the road. We still have a long drive to get to Phoenix. Lots of cross winds today.  Lots of trains passing and I better not mention "I wonder where they are going" because, you know it, Dennis has no patience with me asking questions. It was just a matter of time for Sherlock to get sick. It is 1:55 pm and he vomited quite a bit. We need to stop so I can clean up and get out the Fabreeze to fumigate the back. I guess I was more upset than he is because he ate a cookie and went to sleep. Zoe is very upset by all this and she needs a cookie...."Calgon take me away...remember that commercial? Just crossed into Flagstaff Arizona at 2:15 pm. Another stop for Sherlock and the clean up again. When will be out of this truck?? We change to Route 17 and head straight for Phoenix now. Sherlock is sick again and Zoe is very upset. Hope this is not an hourly thing. Well, at least he is getting all those pills out of his stomach. What a wonderful sight....Phoenix City Limit sign. Although it is only 5:30 pm, we decide to stop right here at a Red Roof Inn for the night and call it a day. It seems that Sherlock is finally finished with the vomiting and now for the last clean up. I have been throwing out the sheets that he has soiled. I do not believe I have any for the bed tomorrow night! Not going to worry about that right now.  Solid ground is what we all need. Another thunder and lightening storm. Now really, this is too much. Tomorrow we will be in our new apartment.

I need a relaxing day...

I bet you are saying, but she only worked one day this week...but what a day it was. A steady flow of customers and we were only two at the counter. At times we had a third, but Lynette and I kept pretty busy. Customers were quite nice though which did help. I did look for the frame for Blueberries, but it did not look as I though so I did not get it. Thinking of something else now. Today will be interesting...Mr H has a doctor appointment at 8:15 am today...he is not an early riser. I will be sure to have an extra cup of coffee! I will take some stitching to do...but I do not have a "waiting room project" put together! I will have to gather one as soon as our visit is over. Oh you know the kind I mean. They are few supplies and easy to follow chart and very portable. I started an ornament Monday evening. What am I thinking! the verse is one over one and some specialty stitches... definitely not going with me today. Another hot day in the forecast. What can you expect when at this hour, #:30am it is 94; the temp for today will be around 110 and humidity 23%...hot is what it will be. That is the Monsoon.... from now until September... what we need is rain... sure saw lots of that on our journey traveling to Arizona. Thanks for the kind words and I am glad you are enjoying my journal. Hope you have a good day.

Arizona Bound

Saturday July 24 2004 Day 5

Morning... and the rain from last night stopped. What is with this rain? It has been on our tail since leaving Rhode Island. Every night thunder, lightening and rain. Sherlock is a basket case. Last night we did not have the thunder so Sherlock did not need to hide under the blanket. Each day before leaving the motel, I do a room check. Today it was Dennis who did  (or not) the room check and I got the passengers settle into the truck. He left the keys  in the room, forgot the 2 dog nylon chew bones and the gate. The clerk got him keys to get back in but he could only find one bone but we have the gate. Guess there will be only 1 bone in tonight's check in. They can chew on his socks. On our way. The sign says Amarillo Texas 242 miles. The map says Route 40 all the way into Arizona. Dairy cows everywhere. Who gathers them up at night? Dennis doesn't think I should be concerned which means he has no clue either. 9:10 am and the passengers need a walk, and it begins to drizzle. 10:30 am and we stop for gas. When I look at the gauge, it says half full. I ask why we are stopping and Dennis tells me he has been getting the gas each time it is half tank to be sure we have enough gas.
Why I ask, there are a million truck stops! He tells me to get in the truck.... " never going to do this again" he says. On our way again  and we are in Sayre Oklahoma...don't see that on my map, have not a clue. Cloudy now and the clouds seem to touch the ground. I feel as though I can touch them. Eerie. We finally reach Amarillo Texas and it is 1 pm and time for our half hour rest. Everyone does their thing. The passengers get excited because Dennis will join them and stretch out for a bit in the back. They want play, he wants rest and  I want to get there.  Dennis is feeling very tired today and his eyes are bothering him I did offer to drive and he went bonkers. Do I hear him right...never again... you could not pay me to do this drive again!  We are ready to start on our way and rain again. Is this going to be one of those days.Time for gas stop at 2:15 pm, you know, the gas gauge reads half. The passengers do not want to get out to walk in the rain. Which is okay with me. It is quite the project to get them wiped off after the walks. They of course still want a treat, but no walk. Crossing into Albuquerque New Mexico. Once again we gain an hour in our time.  I really do not feel like adding time, I just want to get there. Dennis says pretty soon...tired of him telling me that. It has been a long day already. Dennis thinks one more day...he is just telling me that to shut me up. Sherlock has been a troublesome kid all day. Keeps getting into everything, ripping open packages. He wants a cookie then Zoe wants a cookie, Dennis wants a drink and all I get are more bruises. Time to stop for the night at 6:45 pm We get take out.  Tonight it is a Super 8 Motel and of course it comes with rain, what else is new. I tell Dennis we should have traveled in an Ark.
We should have rented Noah instead of a Penske. He is not amused... no patience and that mumbling just has to stop! Ah, time to stretch out and hopefully the rain will stop and I can sleep.

Blueberries, cherries and Rit Dye

As I was eating some wonderful sweet cherries, I thought to myself, or rather aloud to Mr H, I bet these dye well. So off to the kitchen and I sacrificed some cherries to get...

Luscious pink fabric and on the left Rit Dye  for an ornament I will be doing. I really enjoy these experiments, you never get the same result twice. Mr H went out and pick me some Honeysuckle and I tried that but it was not very good.... somethings work, others do not. Both of these pieces started out white. I also finished stitching Blueberries...

I saw a frame that may work for this at Jo Ann's last week. I will check today. I will tell you a story about blueberries and growing up after it is all completed. For a break I think I will start the ornament using the blue linen. A little more done on Hummingbird Garden. I have so many nice projects waiting in my basket and craft closet, it is hard to chose which to pick up first. One the Hummer Garden is complete I will start Elizabeth, the pricey pincushion. Can't let all that money sit in  a basket.  It is always nice to chat with you, glad we can. Thank you for spending time with me. My Journal resumes below, hope you have time to read it. Have a great day.

Arizona Bound

Friday July 23 2004 Day 4

8 am and the pooches want a walk; Dennis took them and they saw a deer. A cloudy very grey start to the day. I am drinking tea now as I have not found a good cup of coffee anywhere. We will be on Route 44 all the way to Tulsa Oklahoma. The temp is 90 but the humidity makes it feel very hot. The truck starts to move and the passengers find their spot and nap. I wish I could nap. Dennis tells me to go ahead and stretch out in the back. Where I ask, the pooches have done that already and anyway who would read the map? Who would tell him where to go? Who would get the soda refills for him? I am a very important part of this road trip and I do remind him of that. Dennis shakes his head and asks for soda---see what I mean! We are still traveling parallel along  Route 66...just like the series Route 66 and we are George Maharis and Martin Milner traveling in the corvette. Dennis shaking his head again and reminds me we are in in a 15 foot Penske and hauling a car. He has no patience. At 9:45 am we cross into Lebanon Missouri and the rain starts again. Breakfast and walks and back on  the road. A dead Armadillo on the road and Dennis comments that he should have not been out on the road. Crossing into Springfield Missouri and it is 11:17 am another pit stop for the passengers and me. I do have to go sometime. Next stop at 1:15 pm for gas and snacks in Joplin Missouri. A few more dead Armadillos along the way, and yes, he said they should have stayed home like us. I hear "never again" again!  Today it seems like we are not getting too far before someone needs a stop Maybe we should cut down on drinking the water/soda. The pooches are very thirsty today and so is Dennis. Okay, Tulsa Oklahoma. Finally out of Missouri. We are on the highway so we do not see much of the cities we are passing through. It is very hot today and we are sure to drink plenty of fluids. We find a rest stop and a Mc Donald's so the passengers get their hamburgers. No problem with this person understanding what I ask for. Finally time to call it a day at 5 pm in Oklahoma City. We find a Days Inn and some take out and another storm! It does not last too long and Sherlock, Zoe and Dennis are fast asleep. It is good to stretch out on a bed and get out of the truck each night. Our days are long. Dennis did not loose his patience with me too much today...I think I drive him nuts. Oh well, what can I say. Tomorrow is another day.

He waited and now they are gone

As you know if you visit with me enough, Mr H loves his garden and flowers. He once again planted Zinnias and they finally had their buds.... next day they were gone! Looks like someone snipped them off right at the bloom. So, up went the gate.....

so before closing up for the evening, the gate is up. This is the same gate we used for the pooches. There is just enough space beneath the solid gate door for a bunny to squeeze under. And then each morning I open this door and replace the gate....
Bunnies can really get into small spaces.

The lizards can continue to roam in and out but the quail and bunnies cannot. So, until Mr H gets bored with this, or is positive that no one wants his flowers, up goes the gate. I am not sure why we are doing this...all the zinnias are gone! It does not seem that who ever stole them likes the other flowers, they are still there. But, I will continue with this .... for now.
We had a nice relaxing day yesterday. I am so close to finishing the Blueberries and want to get it done so I can look for a frame when I go to work tomorrow. I woke with a little bit of headache today so I did not stitch on Hummingbird Garden at all. Mr H was up during the wee hours not feeling well so I was too. I do not kknow if yu tire of seeing these little sweeties, but this morning this one almost flew into me....

He settled down on a branch about a foot away from me. Yes, I always have camera in hand when I am outside. You just never know what you may see. It is hard to see, but he has beautiful magenta feathers on his shoulders...and his back is iridescent green. Just too cute. As I look out my kitchen slider, he is still on the branch.What a treat to have these darlings around us everyday.
I am so pleased that we have this time to visit. I hope you continue down and follow my journey from 10 years ago..... have a great day.

Arizona Bound

Thursday July 22 2004 Day 3

The pooches have been walked and I forgot to spray my self so all the bugs had breakfast on me. Need I tell you that Dennis had something to say about that. I think he said something about he should have left me home. I should remind him we do not live there anymore! On the road by 8 am and it is raining, so slow we will go. Breakfast stop was at 10:45 and time to gas up, so into the truck stop. Dennis makes a profound statement..."never again", he's got that right. The bruises have really blossomed on me now. Around 2:30 pm we crossed into Illinois and a time change, back one hour. Just what I need another hour added to my day! We make a stop at 3:45 to get the passengers some lunch at a McDonald's. I asked the counter-person for 2 hamburgers, plain. No buns, no condiments. After he repeatedly asks me if I am sure I tell him they are for my 2 dogs, and he asks if they want buns! Remind me if I am ever in Effington Illinois not to go to McDonald's again. Now  it begins to pour and thunder and lightening. Since we were already off the road, we decide to just remain there They pooches are not happy with this. Sherlock is under a blanket shaking and Zoe snuggled so close I can't breathe. It begins to let up a little so wagon ho we are off again. I stay with the passengers for a few miles and they fall asleep. As I re-enter the front I whack my head...I really wish Dennis would stop telling I should be more careful. I have a headache.There are so many rigs on the road. A tightly packed "chicken" rig passes us and Dennis says, "and I just had a chicken sandwich". I should have left him at home! Lots of wind today. Good that Dennis is a careful driver, I could never handle driving this truck and car carrier. Corn fields everywhere. The radio says another storm watch in the area. Terrific. Just what Sherlock needs! They have adjusted so far to the drive. As soon as the truck is in motion they find a spot and settle down. As soon as the truck stops, they are right at the gate. At 5:30 pm we are in Missouri and pass the famous "Arch".  At 6:45 pm we were very tired and found ourselves in Sullivan Missouri. Truck stop again and found a Chinese Restaurant and get take out. We find a Best Western just up the road so we settle in for the night. No sooner are we ready for bed, thunder. This has been a long trip and it is only day 3. We really need a good nights sleep...all of us.

What a guy

Sometimes the plans you think you made are not what happens....Mr H was having a good health day so off we did go to The Attic....

Home with me came my kit for the Elizabethan Pincushion Doll. The hand-painted porcelian doll is beautiful. The chatelaine is really nice; I chose the silver plated ones, much less expensive than the sterling set. The silk threads and ribbons are so pretty and the cut of linen is generous. I can hardly wait to start this. Mr H was sitting waiting for me to pay and overheard the cost.... well part of it. As we sat having lunch a short time later, he asked if he heard right.... I answered yes...but he did not hear the total cost...but I just had to have her and that is why I dug into my special cash. He had to admit it was very pretty. The doll is imported from Italy by a gal who does each one by hand herself. I need a tissue to stop drooling over this! Now, back to some reality. I have a hummer at the feeder!

I must confess something to you. Now If I chose not to mention this, you really would not know, but I want to be open here...the colors for the hummer are incorrect by the direction. I looked at the wrong chart but after having stitched it and outlined it, I am going to leave it. It is not a big deal in the scheme of it all. This is what happens at 3 am! The piece itself is coming along nicely. There are 4 more hummers to do and now that I found the correct color chart, they will be stitched as directed. A little more of the garden  and finish the brick border, then the outlining and it will be finished.
I think my mind was someplace else yesterday, I wanted to post my journal on the date the travel took place...I was a date early yesterday. Shall I continue? I think I will. Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to visit. Have a good day and read on.

Arizona Bound

Wednesday July 21 2004 Day 2

Very little sleep last night. The trucks center part of the roof is an opaque material. Great for letting some light in during the day, but awful during a thunder and lightening storm. The rain did sound nice. Dennis slept but Sherlock who was terrified of thunder kept me awake trying to choke me by snuggling up under my chin all night. Zoe just kept pushing against my back. Last time sleeping in the truck! The day started early -- 7am. Pooches walked and I decided to go into the truck stop restaurant for a much need cup of coffee. Big mistake...I do not know what it was, but it certainly was not coffee.  I talked with a couple of truckers, the ones we parked between. They suggested that we do not drive so long and bed down before dark. Good advice, better than the coffee. Wagons ho...onto the drive through a wall of mist and fog. Hopefully we will all be talking to one another today. Dennis is now saying "never again"...huh?  Breakfast stop at 9 am. All fed and walked and off again. Seeing lots of farmland and rigs, lots of rigs and road construction. Of course this was not on my map. The driver has no patience. By 10:45 we arrived in Dubois PA. More walks and I really needed to stretch my legs. It was gas and snack time. These truck stops are a world unto themselves. Such characters you only see in the movies, or so I thought. Ohio at 1:10pm and time for lunch and tend to the passengers who were very eager to get out of the truck. For saftey reasons, they are wearing their harnesses at all times; license and ID on them. A large cattle truck pulled in beside us...loaded with very big dairy cows.... this upset Zoe. The pooches seemed more settled and I still was adding to my black and blues  getting a few more.  Dennis has no patience. I rememebered I had a small mirror in my purse. I could use it to check on the passengers without giving them total attention. They were playing me for the sucker. Every time I go back it was cookie time. All of a sudden it was 5pm and gas time I checked with the girl behind the counter about any motels where we could bed down with the pooches. She even called ahead for me to be sure. We have decided to stop early each day. We ere now in Gilead Ohio at Knights Inn. I requested a room with 2 full beds; one for Dennis and Zoe and one for me and Sherlock. I am determined to get this headache gone and get a good nights sleep. I am a lovely shade of purple here and there.My favorite color, but not on my body.  All fed and walked and ready to settle down. What?! Thunder and lightening and pouring rain! Okay Sherlock we can cuddle. This is going to be a restless night...again. Oh good, as soon as it started it stopped. Yes, there are Angels watching over us.

  Day three just has to be better. And Dennis is right... we re never doing this again.

H H & PC

Hot Humid and Partly Cloudy....the weather this morning. They predict temps of 103 or so and some rain.  I just went out for a walk and now feel like a wet dishrag! I had thought about taking the drive --- 50 miles and 3/4 of an hour ---- to The Attic, but I think I will call and have them charge and send my items. I do not want to leave the air conditioning today. Oh I know, the car is air conditioned, but I still have to get up and go. Much rather sit comfortable and stitch and watch a movie with Mr H.  Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement for him. I am almost finished stitching Blueberries. and the Delphiniums are all planted and the fence posts are up in the Hummingbird Garden.  Today starts the real journey we took 10 years ago....hope you are enjoying the saga and will return to follow along. In the meantime, glad you stopped by and hope you have a wonderful day.

I am writing these excepts from my journal as I wrote them, as they happened then.

Arizona Bound

Tuesday July 20 2004

The day started early. We packed the very last of our possessions and did the final walk through the house and garden. I will miss this wonderful home. I gathered up the maps which would guide us across the states. We put the pooches in the truck and set up the gate... there would be only one driver and that will be Dennis without the help of the pooches. And it starts; Sherlock yelping because he is not in favor of this arrangement and Zoe looking very confused. Dennis has a look of what are we doing! By 12:30 we were finally on the road. A 15 foot Penske truck with a car carrier and the car loaded on it. "We should have sold the car: was the first thing out of Dennis' mouth and we only drove down the street! I think I have a headache. At 1:30 after an hour driving we stopped for lunch in North Stonington Connecticut. One of my favorite places. ( won't be back here for a while) Zoe refused to eat but could not wait to walk and did not want to get back in the truck, Sherlock ate but refused to walk. By the time we made it to Groton Connecticut, they both settled down a little, Dennis too. Dennis mumbled a lot and I did not dare ask what he was saying. We stopped at 3:30 for gas and the pooches were offered a walk which they accepted. Dennis was mumbling again. He really has no patience. I was beginning to think that this was not going to be easy. We had many miles to go. At this point no one was talking to anyone. Zoe and Sherlock remained as far from each other as possible, Dennis said I was not going to drive . What is he mumbling about? We entered Pennsylvania and there were signs for deer crossing the road. Dennis said he did not want to see any deer and they should stay off the road.  I have lost count as to the many times I  had to undo my set belt to go into the back to tend to the pooches who had not resumed their friendship. Dennis constantly needing another soda. I began to notice a bruise on my left thigh and if I bump my head once more we may be making an emergency room stop! Oh and my left shoulder was very bruised. Dennis could not understand why I had these bruises and said that I should really be more careful. Trying to maneuver through the small pass way while the truck was traveling 60 miles per hour just may have something to do with it. Did I mention Dennis has no patience. I think I have a headache. We entered the Pocono region. Beautiful scenery along the way. It was 7 pm and we were so tired and it was dark. We stopped at yet another truck stop, ( Pilot Travel Center, Drums PA) these were great places for us to stop for food and restroom and walks. We could go no further...too tired and it began to rain. We parked between two rigs and settled down for the night. Did you know that truckers have to take a number to use the showers? These truck stops have been quite the experience. Tomorrow will be interesting, I just know it. Dennis' last words before sleep "What are we doing?"

Day 2 tomorrow.

Someone is watching me......

This will be the first day this week that we are not going to a doctor...the cardio tests are finished and we now wait for results.I feel confident that they will find nothing wrong. Then we move on to the next doctor...and on it goes for now. I am so very lucky. Mr H never ever complains.... but I am seeing him worry and that is hard to see. I am keeping a positive thought at all times.
A little more stitched on Hummingbird Garden...

Delphiniums are almost complete. I really love the colors in this piece. Once some definition of stems and the brick work at the bottom are  in, it will look much better. Of course the hummers will be last.... then the feeder will have a few of them hovering about. While at the doctors these past two days, I began a small...

It is called Blueberries, another lovely design from Diane Williams of LHN. Ele  (Elena) from Busy Hands Craft offered it and I was lucky enough to have her send it to me from Italy. I am stitching it on white as I may hang it in the kitchen with the Clematis and when finished, Hummingbird Garden and white background works better than cream linen. The other thought I had for this is a box top. We shall see. Look who was sitting out my front window watching me yesterday...

What a cutie. His ears are so big and hind feet so large! We have so many bunnies in our courtyards.... this fellow actually lives across the yard from me but likes our flowers...sh, I never tell Mr H when I see him eating them.... I think he knows though. Well, laundry #3 is in the wash, I need a cup of coffee, and backe to my craft table to stitch..... or maybe start that embroidery...still need to stuff the ornie....let's get the coffee first then I will decide. Thank you for sharing time with me and for the kind words for me and Mr H. Hope you have a grand day.

Arizona Bound

Sunday, July 17 & Monday July 18 2004

Sunday--The Brother Alan and his wife Colleen had a wonderful party for us today. The family all came and the food was great. Lots of pictures were taken for my new album. Leaving the party and saying good bye was very hard. Lots of hugs and tears. 

On Monday I had the film developed and became teary looking at all of us together in the group picture...looking at the individual pictures too. I think I will put them into the album and leave them for another day. Monday---So many things to do today...first is to get the moving truck. My friend owns the rental place. He got us a 15 foot Penske with a sliding door between the back and the cab. Perfect. The Brother Alan is coming today to help us with the packing. He has had experience when he worked for Fed EX.  I am so glad I have all the boxes in order. Dennis and I bring them out and Alan stacks them in. First in is the box spring and mattress across the sliding door. While the guys are loading I "make up the bed" for the trip. Plenty of sheets and a quilt on top. This is where the pooches Zoe(pug) and Sherlock(Schnauzer) wille be traveling across the open door I place a doggie gate to prevent them from trying to help us drive. We also want to be prepared in case we need to spend a night or two sleeping in the truck. (advise from my friend at the rental place) It does not take too long. We chat the entire time because we know this is good bye with Alan for a while. He leaves and sits in his truck for a few minutes while we talk to the next door neighbor. When he comes back he  tearfully hands me an envelope..."do not read this until you are on your way" and off he went. The pooches are frantically running about the empty house. Empty except for the quilt on the bedroom floor and a few odds and ends. We remembered to fill the cooler with ice and some food for the night. The last night in our home of 12 years that we have loved. Tomorrow is D-Day...Drive Day.

Storm = stitching time

Yesterday my co-chair for the HOA and I walked the property to check for damage caused by the storm on Thursday evening.

We lost this lovely tree in one of the courtyards and we did find some roof damage here and there. Nothing too major. We did manage to get the tree cleared yesterday. One of our skylights has been lifted slightly due to the shingles around it being lifted. The dust from the dust storm which preceded the rain was everywhere...is still everywhere. It is a fine powder that is hard to sweep away. Today is starting out with clouds and the chance of more rain.... the garden will not need watering again. Speaking of the garden, we did loose one plant because of the 45 mile winds... our clay upside down pot with a rose bush. The miniature rose bush has been re-potted the broken pot now rests in the garden here and there. I am not sure we could even get another as the landscaping business where we found it closed a couple of years ago.
I have kept busy with stitching and finishing. My Round Robin piece is ready to be mailed, an embroidery for my sis Lynowl is ready to mail, and I have started a small project. Then I framed Clematis and Mr H hung it for me.......

I found a nice simple frame at Jo Ann's and voila.... I am pleased. I will gladly send this pattern to someone interested, just leave a comment on this post. Have you been following my Arizona Bound story. As I include it with my posts, I feel like it was just yesterday and not 10 years ago. If you missed any of it, just find it listed in the  sidebar on the left under Labels.
Thank you for the loving and kind words for Mr H and I... your friendship has been an important part of my life. Hope you have a grand day.

Arizona Bound
2004

A realization; this will be our last 4th of July gathering with the family. The last birthday celebration with our lovely niece Tonya. Such mixed emotions. Happy and sad thoughts all at once. I can not help but feel excited with the thoughts of a new adventure, a new lifestyle. Will Dennis be able to accept retirement has come into my mind. June 30th was his last work day and he has been busy helping me get everything ready. My tasks are the organizing for the move, his are to continue to get the property and house ready for the new buyers. A couple who will be moving here to Rhode Island for a few years while she teaches at Brown Univversity. I have been preparing them a list of things; how to care for the Coi fish and the pond during the winter, how to use the heaters for the pond and birdbath  and just a few other things about the neighborhood. I am already missing my neighborhood...

Oh my aching back-----

I did hear from another "missing" blogger...so happy they have taken time to respond. Three out of six is pretty good. Time just gets in the way some times. Just glad that this gals are okay. We here at the Horton House are back with issues. Mr H is not feeling well and we are off to the doctor today, and I think I twisted the wrong way yesterday lifting a full bolt of Warm and Natural at work. I did manage to get stitching done on the Hummingbird Garden ...Lavender is all planted. Wish my lavender in the garden looked as good! The heat is taking a toll on the garden. Mr H now has asked that I give the garden some water when I open the umbrellas.

Look how green this wall of plants looks. This is as you enter the yard from the back gate, and this is the garage wall. We have many potted plants in the yard. That way Mr H can move them about as the mood strikes him. I picked up more DMC floss yesterday for the projects that I will be doing as well as some Perle cotton for the embroidery project. I no longer plan to wrap the floss on the cards, instead, I will be using the floss bags and then keeping them on rings. Next I will come up with a way to store them.....always trying new ideas. Other than the doctor appointment, my plans are to relax and stitch. Much too hot to go anywhere. We are into our Monsoon season but so far there has been no rain.... just heat. Glad you dropped by today.... hope your day is great.

Arizona Bound
2004

Well it is count down to move day. The Day is July 20. I printed out maps for the best drive from Rhode Island to Phoenix Arizona. Are they for real? Estimated drive time 40 hours and 32 minutes and distance 2668.45 miles! We will be picking up the truck on July 19 and then it will be pack it up time. The boxes are all ready in order. My neighbor Linc bought our dining room set so this room has not been the box room.  It is strange to move about the house and have so many empty places.... wall space that is bare. All the necessary paper work for the move is in the file box. The pooches are always sniffing around the boxes. I have a basket with their toys with the boxes so they will have that to poke around instead of scratching the boxes. A lovely neighbor stopped me the other day when i was walking one of the pooches. She and I have had some nice conversations. She was in concentration camp and often would share her thoughts. I will miss her and she gave me a hug and said she hoped I would never forget her or her stories. I will always remember. There are many things I will remember.....things I will miss, people and places. A new adventure will soon begin. New places and people and memories to be made.

A beautiful morning in the garden

I sat outside for about an hour before it felt too warm for me. It is 86 right now but the Arizona sun always feels hot. The Resident hummingbird spent lots of time chasing away 2 other hummers.... they are very territorial and he does not want to share the feeder.

 This little female got a few sips before He shooed her away. I never tire of watching thee tiny birds.
 So, I put a second one out and I am sure it will not be too long before they discover it. Hopefully he will not think both belong to him!
I began to stitch a must have design from The Primitive Hare...just had to start it as soon as I saw it. I love the way my coffee dyed fabric turned out ...

I plan to stitch on this today...Clematis has waited since 1999 to be finished, a day or two won't be too long. We are so lucky to have such talented designers to tempt us daily! So often they share a freebie. I am so glad to spend time with you today....hope you day is grand.

Arizona Bound
2004

It is somewhat overwhelming... the house sold in just 2 days, for the asking price! My packing and organizing the boxes is going better than I hoped.
The yard sales, well, let me put it to you this way...never more. People asking if they could have instead of buying! To be fair, it has been going well. Some people asked for more than what we put out..."Do you have something more in the house?" We did, and we sold off the walls, out of a room... not bad. Our plan to travel is scheduled for July 20th. I have already made arrangements for a 15 foot Penske truck.  As I look around my lovely home, I will miss so much of it. Dennis is beginning to question this move! What is he thinking?! I have made it clear, we are going, or at least I am. He can have his pug Zoe and find a place to live here, but Sherlock and I are moving! This was his idea in the first place and he convinced me, so there is no going back now.  Everyday he comes in from work and looks at the boxes..... he usually mumbles something... I tune it out. The dogs are very curious. I am increasingly curious on how they will handle a 6 day journey in a moving vehicle.... must get papers for them from the vet.... must gather all our medical info... I bought a file box to take along. The lists continue with every one I cross off as done. Just about a month away now.....

A feel good day

What a lovely morning... the temp is 96 but somehow it is not hot---- yet. Of course the sun is still rising and there are a few clouds overhead. Any morning that I can open the sliders and sit outside is a treat. Yesterday was also such a morning.I took my stitching and music outside and sat for an hour under the turquoise umbrella and this little darling joined me

It looks like he is suspended in air but he is sitting on the very tip of a branch. I am captivated by these tiny birds. They usually are not frightened by us and will come very close.  He sat about 6 feet away with me for a long time. Occasionally he flitted off to get some nectar from a nearby bush... the name of which escapes me.... then right back to his perch. I am still stitching on Clematis and my hands are itching to start another project.

I hope to pick up an oldie that has just a small area to finish. It is sitting on my craft table as a reminder that it is next. My thought is that if I have it in front of me daily, I will pick it up and work on it. I will tell you that it is Christmas and I started it long ago... more on that later. I have not forgotten my posting for our trip out west...first I want to say how lucky I am to have you as friends and enjoy your kind words.Thank you for your visit with me, Have a great day.
Arizona Bound
Well these past weeks have been to pack what is coming and keep boxes labelled and organized. There is an area for what will travel with us, what will be tossed and what will go for the yard sales. I plan to have one each weekend for a couple of weeks. Dennis has filed the retirement papers with the City of Providence for Retirement. His last work day will be June 30. I am glad that I have not been working so that I can really get things organized. On June 1st we signed the papers to sell the house. I have loved this cottage so much as well as the seclude yard. So many family cook-outs and days stitching in the garden. So many wonderful memories connected here. There is still so much to do. How to fit 12 years and 8 rooms of this house into the 3 room apartment in Phoenix. The apartment... how strange it will be to live in an apartment again. I sent all the papers for the apartment lease as well as a check... now I am paying a mortgage and rent! As soon as we have a moving date I will set up for utilities and rental for a truck. One minute I am excited for the adventure that awaits us, the next I have concerns.... then there is the knowledge that we will be saying goodbye to family and friends. I wish Dennis would stop asking where we will put everything, how we will manage this, and I see the look in his eyes when he is continuing the care of his garden that he must leave behind. Life will be different.

A productive weekend

Don't you just love it when you accomplish several things on your list? It is a good feeling to look and see what you did. The top quilt is together, the batting bought and the backing too. As I have mentioned before, this ts the first quilt in 20 years... not perfect, but it is just as I envisioned... so far. Now, what to do with stitching the top! Since some of the blocks are hand embroidered, I do not want to stich on them. I want the back to look as nice, so what to do? I think I will wander around the internet to see what I can find for inspiration. Just when my lit has crossed off lines I add a few more.
Yesterday The Debra and I met up with 3 ladies for tatting lessons....time now for them to practice and hopefully join us next month. Speaking of tatting, I finally washed and blocked Thistle...

A light shade of lavender. I think I may make it into a pincushion...
I may even have the right fabric in one of my bins. Once again, I have the thought now to follow through. There will never be an end to my lists! Do you have lists? There is the market list with all the foods I need, there is the list of other things like paper goods and general items, oh and the list of yard things that Mr H must have , of course we have a list of appointments, and let's not forget the craft list of the must haves for me. Just one big circle around here. I have always been a keeper of lists. They are on the refrigerator, the desk, the computer desk, the craft table.... and when we were planning the big move, they were on the clipboard------

Arizona Bound

May 2004

The month has been productive. We returned from our last vacation in Arizona with an apartment plan. Mr H and I have been going through the house and I have lists of every room and what I think is going with us and what is just going. Mr H has put in for his retirement date as is will take a little time for it to finalize. In stead of me giving my employers a notice, they seem very unhappy about my going so they have given me one! We will soon have a timetable to follow. I have started a file for all the  paperwork. There is a medical folder for Dennis and me, a folder for the pooches; Sherlock and Zoe, one for the banking, the car, utilities and plenty of empty ones to have as needed. We will be driving so I need to secure a truck and a car carrier. We plan to take only one car and sell the other. This is going to be very organized or it will never work. I have to find a way to get EvaP (mom) from stop calling and questioning whether this is a good idea. Sis Lynowl is not so upset anymore. One day at a time.... one day at a time.....
It has been so nice visiting with you today. I will be updating the travel plans for our big move periodically until June...that is when everything really began to move in high gear. Hope you have a great day.

“If you don't know where you are going,
you'll end up someplace else.”
Yogi Berra― 

As the sun sets in the West

I just read through my newest book on Stump-work...ugh.... going to take some learning... but I know I am ready, or will be.... maybe next week I can fit it in... maybe. I just can't help myself. I see all these wonderful needle-crafts and my eyes convince my hands to buy. It's all Ester's fault and that's my story and I am sticking to it! I am still like a kid with the runny nose... it is not a fun way to work. My hands are so dry from all the sanitizing washing. We can't use hand lotion while cutting fabric so as not to stain it, so once home I apply lotion constantly...just a big circle. Mr H is feeling much better since stopping the new medication. He will be seeing an Orthopedic surgeon in a couple of weeks... maybe he will have some answers. It is tough to get old sometimes! Did I hear you ask about the Thistle tatting? I finally figured out what was wrong, so I have started it over and I am taking my time. I have a plan for the 2 pieces that I can not use as a motif...you will see them this weekend if I can do as I am thinking. I have added more to the Doll stitching. I thought about a picture update, but I will wait on that. I am getting ready to mail a Bunny Box gift out to 3 children back in RI. and I am trying to send a few RAKs out too. I make myself tired just typing about it all!

Is this not just a beautiful sun setting picture? This is what we saw as we returned home from dinner last evening..... I am always in awe of the skies here. Oh I know, skies are beautiful everywhere. But sometimes with the mountains or the palm trees they are like picture post cards. I just never tire of looking up day or night. Then there is the wildlife.... just last week, while walking home from our HOA meeting, one of the gentleman called for me to wait so he could walk me home since it was dark. If he had not held me up for that minute, I would have walk right into 2 coyotes who were crossing my path. We were so close, a few more steps and I would be saying excuse me!

Arizona Bound

May something, 2004.

Each time we vacation in Arizona we stay at the Hilton at Tapitio Cliffs. The view from this resort is magnificent. The entire place is built into the side of a mountain. Each time I wanted to stay and not return to RI. This time we are here on business.... need to find an apartment. I had been researching places on the computer so now we just need to visit them to really see them. The first one said the combined weight of our two small pooches was over the limit. Now really, a schnauzer who was 18 lbs and a pug who was 20 lbs.... well we did not really like it there anyway. The receptionist suggested a place we never thought of. The complex which was right next to our lovely resort! They were only too happy to have Sherlock and Zoe move in with us. We picked out 2 possible apartments that were expected to be vacant within our time frame. How easy was that. This all in the first day of looking. Meant to be. The rest of the week was going to be vacation time....yippee. This time we returned to RI knowing that the next time in Arizona would be living there. I will not bore you with all the month... there were the comments that vacationing and living there would be different---how could we be doing this at our age----. My sister Lynowl had one day of hysterics about my leaving. My mother was still in disbelief. Brother Alan was quiet about it. I did not listen because in my heart I knew this was the right thing to do at the right time. Another line to cross off the lists. There were a few new things to add to the lists...when would I stop adding? 
Thanks for following along on our journey. Thank you too, for the kind words. I have learned a very valuable lesson in my life.....

Darn that Esther

It is not an easy day at work after 5 days off....but I made it through the afternoon. My drive home was not too bad either but the temperature was reading 98 and the air conditioner running on high. Mr H wsn't feeling too well when I left for work earlier and was still not feeling well when I returned. He statred a new medication that we think know is not going to agree with him. I am sure today will be a better day for him since he did stop the medication. Before leaving work my MOD---Manager On Duty--- brought a pleasant surprise to me. When a customer is happy with service, they can report it to the MOD and then write a short note and we get a copy of the note and a pin, The Cut Above Award.

Yes, 6 comments! The best one is the one where the customer, not remembering my name, describes me as "the lady with grey hair and an accent".... yup me. I am always being asked "where are you from, you have an accent". So of course the MOD knew it was me! Now I will be known as the grey haired lady with the accent. Eartlier Esther, you know who she is, my book enabler, brought me another of those must have books....

What a beautiful book. I now want to learn this special needlework...I will have to find time...that elusive time. The piece of trim is another of those must have items.... good price on both.
I just may have to set the time to learn all the new things. If truth be known, I sometimes do not use my time wisely.... I let it slip and scatter around me.

Arizona Bound
April 11, 2004
Easter dinner with family was nice. Table being cleared and desserts appearing. Now is the time. Dennis and I have to tell you all something.We are selling the house and moving to Arizona when Dennis retires in June. Whew, that is done. Comments began to fly around, some disbelief a curious looks and much surprise. Questions came next and some we had answers to, others we did not. Once we were back home...home for only a short time. Once again the notes were updated and I could cross off.....Tell the family. Next ups is to book the last "vacation" to Arizona. Time to secure an apartment and then ..... then what? Good thing I have my notes. 
The temps for today are predicted to be around 93.... will this summer be a repeat of last? Too hot too soon for too long? Goodbye to open doors----hello air conditioner and elec$$$tric bill$$. I am happy you stopped by today. See you tomorrow....have a nice day.

“How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” Dr Suess

Days gone by

Another one of those weeks where time escaped me..... I just wished it took me along. No, not really. I have been stitching and relaxing and Mr H has been gardening. I could swear he said there was no more room for any new plants... guess I heard wrong. Which brings us to the Poppy issue. Someone Some-bunny ate the poppy buds.... that is what I said. Mr H bought a lovely yellow poppy plant with almost a dozen buds. One of them did get to open, but the others disappeared! Just recently we have been seeing the most adorable tiny bunnies.... and they are living in the cactus at the end of the cul-de-sac. I know this because I have seen them coming and going from there. Our home is just at this end of the road and Our back gate is very close.... getting the picture? Last year at this time we did have flowers being bitten off at the tip of stems but could not figure out why...different story this time.

Yes my friends, I do believe that this tiny bundle of fluff is one of those responsible for the theft of our poppies. But look at that face.... he/she is only about 7 inches long...and oh such tiny tiny feet. I usually see two of them but they are adventurous enough to wander separately around the courtyard. Back to the poppy. Our back gate has about a 3 inch space beneath it. Mr H has now blocked off access to the yard with a gate. The poppy plant with it's lonely flower sits up on the table out of reach...(a bit too late I think). I should have captured the look on Mr H's face with my camera when he found the lone poppy... too funny.
We are in a heat wave already ... temps are hitting high 80's and low 90's.... I guess Spring has sprung a leak and left town.
Today I will start the story of our journey from RI to AZ ten years ago.

Arizona Bound

April 10, 2004

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and the day we tell the family about our plans. It has been 3 years in the making and a long kept secret. I think my plan is working well. Our return vacations to Arizona have been investigations into the areas we may want to live. One more trip and we will find an apartment to live in for at least one year while we continue to explore our new state. I have so many lists of what to do...  lists of things here and lists of things there. Dennis seems a little apprehensive at times. This was his idea in the first place...from his first trip to Arizona for a Patriot/Cardinal football game in 2000. Didn't he call me the first night there and said "this is where I want to live when I retire". I know this will work out. I think dessert time will be a good time to tell them...or we could wait until the for sale sign is up on the lawn.
Tomorrow is another day in our story.... thanks for stopping by... talk with you again tomorrow...have a good day.