Neverending Christmas Tree

Unbelievable! Here is the 2020 Valentine tree.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN 2018

The tree in 2017 for Christmas was adorned with the ornaments the kids made and under it were the pillow pets accumulated since the last grandchild was born. It was such a fun tree, and white. Did I mention it was white?

We got that for Christmas 2016. It was trimmed with Larry's ties from his professional past. He'll never use them again but never the less I did not cut them up.

Larry's ties Christmas 2016

2017 Christmas tree in process

Now it's 2018 and I was too busy? Lazy? Uninterested? So the tree is still up. Then it occurred to me I could keep the dang thing up all year by restyling it. Indeed I created more work for myself but the kids helped. The 2 year old was very enthusiastic. So was the 11 and 14 yr old made the most decorations. The 17 year old smiled. Or was that a grimace?

The pillow pets are still out of my hair. It's a great night light. Did I mention it's white? I skipped St. Patrick's Day. Okay I confess that fun day crept up on me and then it was too late. So now it's almost Easter and I'd better get busy.

A visitor we had last week commented, "Oh, you never took down your tree".  They could have said what a nice Valentine tree you have....still have.....

BEST NEWS OF 2015

OUR NEW GRANDSON, ELIAS MICHAEL BOLDUC

GOING HOME

CARLY PHOTOBOMBS

ONE MONTH

EILEEN HAD CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE SURGERY 9 DAYS AGO

IS THIS WHAT THE SURGEON SAW?

 
I'm quite sure the surgeon had a different view when he looked for my median nerve in each hand and cut the transverse carpal ligament to release pressure on the median nerve.  Last Thursday I had the follow-up visit and I have a thumb's up to get on with it.  I asked if physical therapy was necessary and got a negative response.  Hmmm.

So, I'm googling and reading with the intent of doing my own PT.  I found this website. http://www.methodistorthopedics.com/Endoscopic-Carpa-Tunnel-Release
They don't recommend heavy grasping or pinching for 6 weeks.  I must begin with active hand movements and range of motion exercises.  All righty then.

As for my photograph...It's almost a silhouette.  I only appreciate bird silhouettes if you can identify the bird.  That's a teardrop-shaped plume to me and according to my bird book only the Gambel's Quail has that.

Who will argue with me?

HOWARD'S 39TH BIRTHDAY

It was a busy birthday weekend for the family. Sophie had cheer competition and we had visitors. My cousin's wife Jeanette and daughter Stephanie journeyed from California to visit for the weekend.  How wonderful to see them.  I had to work Saturday so I missed the cheer event but everyone else attended.  But first I want to post Howard's first birthday picture. We were in PA. at Grandmother Eunice's house.

Eileen, HP, Steph, Brett

 Here's Steph with us on his 39th birthday.  What a great weekend celebration.

Steph, Jeanette

Snow Globes

Jeanette and Eunie

Luke, HP, Sophie


Our Sophie is growing up!

APRIL IS A BUSY YELLOW MONTH

I just love March and April here in the Phoenix desert and last winter we did not have a frost.  I'm told that's why every bougainvillea bush is so lush. But first the golden sweet Acacia trees bloomed followed now by the Palo Verde trees which are everywhere. Cactus blooms are appearing in pink, red and yellow and the Saguaro white blooms have started to open.

This trees branches are so light they sway without a breeze as if to wave at me when ever I go to work.

The kids came over last Sunday and we sat around the table making charm bottles as I call them.  I've always collected tiny odds and ends in tin cans, kitchen drawers, and small compartment cases.  Everybody got an old canning jar to string and tie items onto.  I think this project was a success.

We'll be working on Howard's birthday and Easter for this month.

MARCH ACTIVITIES

The project for the kids was their mother's birthday cards.  They each signed their own cars and wrote notes to her.  I did 2 projects for them to give her.  The card basket held candies and a birthday candle.  The hoop held the birthday cards.  These photos below are from my magazines and not the finished gift.  My hoop was too little so the cards overwhelmed it.  Then the clothespins fell off.  The basket I made used non seasonal cards and looked a little messy. Eyeyiyi.

She enjoyed the kids cards and that was the important part.



The kids had spring break this month for a week.  On Thursday they spent the night so we could get an early start Friday. Aunt Ellen found a dairy farm tour to start the day.  From there we had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe followed by a trip through SeaLife Aquarium, both at Arizona Mills.  After all that we needed Dairy Queen.

 We started the farm tour with a talk in a classroom along with a bus load of kindergarten kids. Eunice elected to watch our activities from there.

Brayden found a chicken in the corner behind us. She was sitting behind us very quietly.  Another chicken approached her  and shortly they both left.  In her place she left an egg.

While we waited our turn to ride the hay wagon around the long lines of milk cows we sampled their milk.  They make their own flavors to add.  Luke and I had butterscotch. Later I bought a jar for home from the gift shop.
School kids chased the chickens

 

    After the hay ride it was time to feed the goats.                                        
                                                  

 At the cafe Sophie found a mask to scare us with.  She really liked the place and all the animated jungle animals.  Their aquariums are crystal clear and have beautiful fish.

Sea Life was a maze of aquariums and had lots of interactive areas for kids.

To end March activities, Larry, Eunice and I drove to the western AZ border, just over the Colorado River to visit Colorado friends who got tired of snow and parked their motor homes along the river in a park. We had a great visit.  On the drive over I snapped a few shots.  It was a dusty, windy great day.  We had Mexican food for lunch. What could be better than that?  Seeing old friends, that's what.

Peggy Hough and Judy Smith

On highway 10

 

 

Driving over the bridge looking south

Driving over the bridge, looking through the old bridge,  looking north.

  

Cactus Wren