Sat. March 6

Today we golfed at the Mountain View course just Bob and I. This course is a nice course that is part of the stay and play agreement we have here at Saddlebrook. The tee time was at 8:11 which means it is very cold. This entire visit has been very nice until we went to the golf course this morning. We arrived at the course early and we were asked for our little blue tickets, I said we never had been given them and of course the men behind the desk beg to differ with me. I asked them if we were on the books and they said yes but we couldn't golf unless we had these tickets. After several minutes they contacted a gentleman name Don and he took care of things. They truly were not going to let us golf, this is the 1st bad experience we have had with this whole weekend. In the end we golfed alone and had a nice time.

Sandra invited us to there place for a flag pole dedication I was late and missed all of the celebration but was nice to listen to the band for a short time.

Judy, Denny, Sandra, Pat, John, Erv, Patty, and Steve all came out to the house for taco night. We had a great time playing domino's, drinking brandy alexander's and enjoying a little Mexican fiesta. It is so fun to be with friends, once again we celebrated my BD that is only 1 week away. Saturday night is the last night here in Saddlebrook then on our trek up north.

Friday March 5

Today was another busy day. Bob went golfing with his friends Erv, Steve and Gordon. The car is finally done at Toyota so Patty drove me there to pick that up somehow Bob delegated that job to me because of his golf outing.

Sandra, Pat and I along with Patty Horton (friend of Sandra )played the Pusch Ridge Golf course. This is a short course that is only 9 holes and the hardest most intimidating course I have ever played. I believe that the only reason I keep playing it when I am out here is that I feel I am going to conquer it. Hasn't happened yet and I just keep coming back

We are staying at Saddlebrook as I have said before it is a stay and play community where they try and sell you a house. Friday night we had dinner with a couple Debra and Jimmy Scofield that have lived here for 11 years. The dinner is also part of the weekend package. The Scofield"s were delightful people. It turns out they have lived several places in the US and came here 11 years ago to help take care of the parents. Debra is in sales selling some type of legal services and Jimmy is the groundskeeper for the golf courses here. After dinner we got on the golf cart in the pitch dark and headed to the rental house. They have something here called light pollution so there are no street lights.

Thursday March 4

We have been driving the recalled Toyota for 4 months and finally found time to get in to the dealer in Tucson to get the problem fixed. We also have a tire that needs to be replaced since the blow out a week ago. Bob, Erv and Steve transported and dropped the car and then ran errands that only men would do. Sandra, Patty and I chose to go for a nice hike close to where Sandra lives. I think our excursion was much more fun than dropping off a car.

Several months ago we signed up to stay at a house in Saddlebrook a development not far from Sandra. We will be spending 3 nights here and playing a round of golf at the course. The place is really nice I am sure we will get the full sales pitch on Friday when we meet with the Realtor. The place is very spacious overlooking the golf course and views of the mountains, I could easily see myself spending time here. Details will follow on Sat.

Wed. March 3

We have been here in Florence for 6 days this is the longest stay since visiting Mexico. Bob spent the first part of the day taking apart and attempting to fix the Weber. Back in WB Jim/Bob took a part the Weber put it back to together and it was a success story. That is the the case down here it is all put back together and still doesn't work. After the disappointment of the grill not working we went to the pool to enjoy the Arizona sunshine and heat.

Happy hour down here starts about 4:30 and Phyl and George had the biggest attendance ever. We attended happy hour last night next door at Margo and Jim's. It was fun to be in a smaller group so you could engage in some type of meaningful discussion. Bob and I ended the night watching American Idol. When we arrive back in WB trust me we won't be sharing the same TV.

Tuesday March 2
The golf theory that Bob and Erv have proposed to me seems to work. Bob and I went to Poston Butte 1 hour before the tee time and to my amazement after hitting a bucket of balls, chipping and putting I did feel better on the course. Because I felt better didn't mean I played any better but had a great time. The couple we were paired with were from Owatonna what a small world. Joann and Jerry were very pleasant people and fun to hear about their new home in Anthem the newest development in Florence. By the time we were finished at 6:45 it was dark so the last hole was a difficult one. All ends well .

Monday March 1
It is really hard to believe that it is already the first of March and 12 days from the big birthday. The Links at Queen Creek is a golf course we use to frequent when staying in Florence. George really liked the course because it isn't too long and fairly easy. Bob and I went to the course early just like he does with the boys in hopes of hitting some balls at the driving range. The driving range is gone so we just started golfing right out of the car (just like I do with the girls). My game was ok shot a 105 but the back nine was better then the front nine. Bob's theory came through a warm up would be to my advantage I think I said he was right?
The last episode of the Bachelor was on and I have watched the trash TV for the entire season. I was disappointed by the outcome to say the least. Bob was forced to watch the Bachelor as there is only 1 TV in Florence. He came up with a quote that I thought was even worth writing so perhaps I could remember it in a day. "In making a decision if you do not have to make it immediately and you tell yourself it is a tough decision hold off until the decision is the easiest decision you have ever made". Until you live it you will not understand it. Wow.

Sunday Feb 28

Rainy days and Sundays don't get you down. It rained all night and all day Sunday be we managed to find some fun things today.

We went to the Mesa swap meet. The place is huge not exaggerating miles of stuff for sale some good some really junky. I started to reminisce when Phyl and I would spend a good part of the day walking around and purchasing a few things we had so much fun. Bob was a good sport we didn't do all the aisles as Phyl and I did but he hung in there. I think even Bob was hoping to find the perfect thing (they do have golf stuff). After a short time we left to see the nephew Vito, his wife Lisa and Kaleb.

Pictures here is Bob, Kaleb, Jim and Vito. We spent a few hours visiting and Bob giving advice on what kind of porch they should attach. I am not sure they ever resolved the problem. We left and returned to Florence for a early night. It feels like we are starting to settle in a least for a day or 2 then on the road again. Life is good

Saturday Feb 27
We have been on the road for 4 weeks and this truly is the first time we haven't been moving around. Bob started his day with his last tennis matches in Tuscon and I didn't do much.
The weather has been ok but big rains are approaching as they are everywhere in California. Yesterday was the first time we had talked with Katie and Hannah. They filled us in on there hockey activities, going skiing and just being kids. Of course Bob drilled them about school his favorite subject to talk about. The girls also informed us they have not watered the plants once. Four weeks is usually the death sentence for living plants.
The big rains came through in the night and I thought the whole place was blowing over. The tin roof magnifys the sound of the pounding rain and the wind blows through the breezeway with no ending. Not a restful night. Sunday we have big plans can't wait to start the day.