Road Trip

Today we went to Tucson. Our neighbors were kind enough to watch Izzie for the day and so we spent the day in Tucson. It was an interesting trip to say the least. On the way we went through Florence which has several Federal prisons. One of them had an execution scheduled today, at 10:00 a m to be exact, which was about 20 minutes before we drove by it. Needless to say there was quiet a bit of traffic due to all the TV networks that were there.  Then on the way home we got caught in a roadblock, set up because of an armed bank robbery, it took forever to get home. But we had a good time in between. Went to lunch at one of our favorite places and did a bit of shopping, then we drove around the historical district. We were talking about how much that area of Tucson looks so much like New Orleans when we realized that both areas were settled by the Spanish so it makes some sense that they are similar. 

Except for the plants, the colors, the style makes me think of New Orleans.

We had lunch at La Placita, one of our favorites.

I had carne seca and J had flautas at La Placita

I love the flora and fauna here

This is the courtyard at Plaza de Palmino

It was a nice road trip, then when we came home we sat out under the stars talking with our neighbors who will be leaving on Thursday.

Tomorrow is perfect for a " Joycie day" neither of us has any plans, so I hope it will be a lazy day. It will be in the 90"s, so I think it will be too hot to do anything.  Hope you all are having a good week.


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Monday Morning Blues

We had another baby in our family last week. Can't put his picture up 'cause his Daddy doesn't want his babies pictures on the internet and I have to respect that. But oh he is a beautiful big boy. He is my oldest sisters latest grandchild. And I wasn't there, and I haven't seen him (just pictures) and I am sad. This is the down side of this wonderful life J and I live. This is the second baby born in my family that I wasn't there for. I miss my family, I want to go home, I am homesick ( am I making my point?). I miss my sisters, I want to go bumming with them, I want to give them hugs. I even miss you Heidi ( my sister Louise's dog!). If we didn't have to have the RV in Red Bay on 5/12 for warranty work, I swear I would throw a hissy fit and make Jay go home tomorrow. Don't care how cold it is I MISS MY FAMILY!!!

I am getting ready to give Izzy a bath, she has to go to the vet today for  her one year shots. Hope they don't make her sick.

Tonight we are going to have a final fire with our neighbors who are moving. Think that is making me sad too. They will not be to far away, but I won't be able to run across the street to borrow a cup of something any more.  But this is the life of RVer's, people come and people go and if you are lucky you make some good friends along the way. We have been very lucky this year.

So I guess I will stop looking at pictures of my family of facebook and get up and start Iz's bath ( she does not like bathes so I am sure she will be thrilled)

Thank you for allowing me this Monday self pity party!




Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

To God Be The Glory

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Barn Raising, Arizona style.

We finally got the gazebo finished. With the neighbors help we got the frame up, the top on and the tiles for the floor laid. We planted some small cactus and aloe plants.(hope they live)   I also found another Hummingbird nest.

the finished gazebo

can you see her?

slightly better shot

Now we are looking for a lighted palm tree and flamingo and a bar, then we will be set. We are running out of time though, everyone is starting to leave for the summer. We are thinking of leaving early and going by San Antonio and the Gulf.




Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Memories grow sweeter...

Four years ago today our Mama went to heaven.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss here still. My brothers Jr's oldest daughter just had his first grandchild, a little boy. My Mom would have been over the moon about that. And his youngest one is expecting her first in September. And my sister's son is expecting his second child any day. My Mom loved babies, just loved them, she would be thrilled with this baby explosion in our family. I makes me very happy to see our family grow in numbers and in love. I think I told you before, Mama's biggest fear was that without her we would drift away from each other and become disconnected. I am sure she is laughing at herself in heaven, saying "what in the world was I worrying about, those kids are doing just fine". And we are Mom, we are all just fine, because of the love you showed us. Miss you always.

Mama and her "kids"

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

This and That

We spent the weekend putting up a gazebo. Actually I supervised as J and some of the neighbor guys put it up. It still needs a few finishing touches, so when it is completely done I will post pictures. It is raining here today. It always surprises me when it does, because it happens so infrequently. Going to meet my ?new? Dr. today. We spend so much time out here, I think my Dr. at home is getting tired of all the calls and fax requests. Hope I like him, I usually know during the first visit if we are going to "click" or not. Not many Dr.'s practicing now that have treated someone with post polio. I am hoping for the best.

Though I would share some pictures I took when Iz and I went for a walk yesterday. I love taking close pictures. I tried so hard to get a good picture of the hummingbird who has a nest just outside the gate, but I couldn't quite get close enough.  I will share with you anyway.

Palo Verde tree trunk, the most beautiful trees

I really like this shot

Can you see her?

See her little beak?

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

                                Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
                                O what a foretaste of glory divine!
                                Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
                                Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. 




                                This is my story, this is my song,
                                Praising my Savior, all the day long;
                                This is my story, this is my song,
                                Praising my Savior, all the day long




Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

What I've been up to....

I got an email from my sister yesterday asking what I have been up to , well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. So, here's what I have been up to....

So far my friends and I have made 20 sets of two dishcloths to donate to the American Cancer Relay for Life, which I will participate in later this year at home. We still have enough to make about three more sets and then I am going to stop. We have been doing this almost non stop the last month.

I did however find a little time to go to the pool the last two days. The temp is now up in the low 90's and the pool is so nice.

Today will be a work day for us. Two of my friends have bought homes in the area and are packing up to move, silly me, I offered to help. So we will be packing all day and wise women that we are have scheduled a massage tonight at 8 p.m. I am not sure I will be able to stay up that late.

And of course throughout the day , I will offer up my thoughts and prayers to all the families in Japan.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Good Byes are starting..

Last night we had our first "going home" party at our place. Two of the couples we visit with are leaving this week. It was a kinda open house with people coming and going. We have only been RVing for three years and I am not used to making such good friends and saying good bye so quickly. This year is especially tough, as my two favorite girl friends have bought mobile homes in the area and will not be returning to this park. A few of the other couples we have hung with are going to different states to "winter" next year.  But as J says we will have new neighbors next year and make new friends. I thought I would post a few pictures and include some of Izzie's friends. 

I wish I had taken a better picture I wouldn't have cut off Tanis. Tanis,  Brenda  and I formed the "knit whits club"  and they have taught me so much this year. If you had told me at the beginning of the winter I would be knitting, I would have said no way.

Jean and Betty, Jean is a lovely lady from Canada and Betty was our neighbor last year. 

Can't leave out the guys! Do you notice a trend? When we get together we put the guys on one side and the gals on the other. 

Matty, Izzie loves to play with her. They are the same age and have so much fun.

Chloe, she is a sweetheart. But she is older and Izzie bugs her constantly. I don't think Chloe will miss Izzie!

And this is Tango, the party was partly in his honor because he graduated from puppy training yesterday.  This picture does not do him justice. I should have taken a better shot. He was catching an empty chip bag that blew off the table. 

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Somebody has to do it.

Jay and Izzie, doing what they do best!!


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?



Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

This and That

I can't believe it has been almost a week since my last post, I don't know where the time goes. For some reason I think I have to have new pictures with every post and I haven't taken any worth showing lately.

I did a little self pampering this week, had a wonderful massage and went on a "mini" shopping spree. I knew we were going out to dinner with our trust guy from the bank so I thought , what the heck, I will get a new top. Went to my very most excellent favorite shopping mall here. It is an outside mall, sort of a mini Oakbrook. It has Chico's , JJill's, ColdwaterCreek, Black and White, Antropoligie , Borders and a great upscale food store. I got some really cute linen shorts a JJill's and they were are really good price. A top and pair of shorts at Chico's and two tops at ColdwaterCreek.  This is the one and only shopping binge I have allowed myself this year.

Oh, and I got my hair cut, short, really short, maybe too short. I am not going to show you a picture till it grows our a few weeks, I am afraid one of my sisters might have a heart attack if they see how short it is now. But I think I like it, I have always wanted to cut it short but I was too afraid.

I am starting to feel a real pull to go home. I want to see my family. I get really weepy after I talk with one of them. We have about six weeks left till we will be there. The winter has gone so quickly for us. I have not accomplished half of what I had planned to do, but then I did not count on learning to knit. I spend every spare moment with my knitting needles. Past winters I have read a ton of books, so before we left I loaded up my Kindle with about 40 books to read. I have read maybe 5.

This afternoon we are going out to eat with a group of friends. Most of them will be leaving in the next two weeks, so I will have much more time to my self. Maybe I can check a few things off my list.

It is 83 here right now, might have to break down and turn the air on this afternoon.

Love you all.


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

Matthew 5:3-12

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Another side of Arizona

I have posted many beautiful pictures of Arizona on my blog. This is what you see when you look at the mountains around Globe and Miami.

Not so pretty, huh. It's a gorgeous day here today, sunny, warm, a nice breeze. Couldn't ask for more.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt