20070211 - Tucson

It has been a long time since I last published this blog. We had been using free WIFI in the RV Park. We started to have some problems accessing the internet through the system, so we decided to order the non-free WIFI. Unfortunately, as soon as we did our ability to access the internet almost completely disappeared. We called the company and after they did some research, they told us that since our RV was relatively far away from the tower, as the park filled up we would be less and less able to connect to the internet with their system. They then returned our money. We could still access the internet if we took the computer closer to the tower. Using that process, I was able to keep current with our EMAIL, but I did not want to do that to publish the blog since publishing photos can take a while. Actually, within a week we discovered that the free access to the internet returned. In the meantime, I got behind, so now I am trying to catch up again..

On January 22, we had snow, a big surprise to all of us. That morning there was a notice that all park activities were cancelled as a woman in the park fell in the snow and broke her hip. I skipped my normal morning activities and when I finally went out Rich actually suggested I take the car (a very rare suggestion as he is always on my case about getting more exercise). Of course, the snow was gone the next day. But here are some photos of the snow in the park:

Our fifth wheel, chairs and picnic table.






The pool - We did not have many swimmers that day.




Or many people hiding from the sun under an umbrella.





I don't think the Palms are much used to that white stuff.





Nor are the Cacti




Quilting: Over the last several weeks I took several quilt classes offered by the Park Quilt Group: Prairie Points, Art Quilts, Kaleidoscope, (including a trip to buy the fabric for the class), EQ 5, and a Continuing education class on the HQ16 (the long arm quilting machine. In addition I worked on several quilt projects for charities and helped organize the quilt room. Several years ago a member of Quilter II made a series of 84 appliqué native American style pots and donated them to QII. The group made a beautiful raffle quilt out of some of the pots but still had many left over. Last year they decided to have small groups of members make challenge quilts out of some of the leftover pots. Below are my photographs of the 5 quilts they made. You can see from these the quality of the work this group of women can produce. They are amazing.













Also below is one of my projects. I designed this quilt using QII fabrics. The pattern is called Turning Twenty… Again by Tricia Cribbs. I call this one Zebra’s in a Box. This is the same pattern I used for the Koi Pond. It is one of my favorites. Because of the way the pattern works, it is very difficult to see the blocks and the fabric choices really make the quilt. Because the quilt is not long enough to turn over a pillow, I made a matching pillow case with an extra block.




I also took a class in putting jewels on Tee Shirts. It was a lot of fun. This a photo of the shirt I made for myself.




And of course it was my birthday (2/10). I am officially eligible for Social Security. Remember when we thought we would never make it? Well Rich made it last year and I will receive my first check next month.

House: And now for the really big news. The house is closing on 02/14 and we are moving in on 02/15. I can’t believe it. Last week we selected paint colors and right after we move in we will begin to paint. This will be the first time I have personally ever painted the interior of a house. Last time we were out to the house the roof was on and the carpeting in. They still have some work left in the kitchen and bathrooms, but it is looking very finished.




With the move, it’s official! We are about to start another new life. It got me to thinking about how many lives I have already had:

1) Army Brat
2) College Student
3) VISTA volunteer
4) Working wife of Law Student
5) Alaska DINK (Double Income No Kids)
6) Nomad
7) Seattle DINK
8) Cancer Victim/Survivor
9) Nomad
10) Desert Rat

The shortest lifespan was 1 year (#3 & #6) and #7, #9, and #10 overlap with #8. You will notice that parent was not on the list. Rich and I were never blessed with children. Still, with such a variety, I’m thinking I have been pretty lucky.