Water volleyball on Dec. 29,2007

Hank and I just finished playing a round robin in pickleball, then the DIE-HARD volleyball players showed up to play a couple of games. People still haven't returned from Christmas Vacation but should be home this weekend. Anyway, Hank came up with hidden camera and took some candid shots. Can you see me return that volley?
Such a pro!!! Yea right!! The weather is becoming warm again, next week in high 60's.

A Stroll down Palm Creek Lane

I think if you double the picture you will see it clearer. Hank and I watched these guys shimmy up those tall palm trees with spikes on their shoes and string lights. There are a couple of hundred of those trees with lights. The park is really pretty during the Holidays. This is just one little area near the golf course with a little stream flowing with gold fish in the bottom of the pond at the end. They have staff that cover all the pansies throughout the park every night while it is freezing! It drops to about 30-32 at night, then warms up during the day.

Thank you family and friends for all the cards and gifts for Christmas. Hank and I just loving hearing from you...we miss you all.

Pickleball

Today Hank and I played pickleball. For those of you whom don't know what that is, it is a West Coast Thingy! To me it is a little tennis, ping-pong and racketball-all in one!
That is my partner, hitting the ball...but if you look in the background you will see Hank playing!

It is a very fun game..so Becky and Jerry..plan on playing this sport when I see you guys in a couple of weeks.

Christmas Night

Christmas night we headed up to the Adobe Room to play some Hand & Foot! Hank and I played on the same team this time with Marilyn. We Won! We played for a couple of hours and had a really good time. It was like what family did at home, played games before or after Christmas meal!
Hank and I are doing fine but we are getting a little homesick-we will be home before you know it.
My entire family call me-and our Sunday School class called too! We miss you all!

Christmas 2007

At 3:00 p.m. we headed up to the Ballroom and we sat with 3 other couple, none of us knew each other. There were about 300 people seated for dinner. We had a great time! Dinner consisted of Ham, carrots, salad, jello-fruit salad, scalloped pototes, rolls, and cheese cake for desert. We sang Christmas carols, opened presents...We ended up having a good Christmas.
The night before we went to Church for service, with singing, The Lord's supper and a candle light ceremony...not like Ridgedale Baptist, but very close to home.
Yesterday wasn't like any Christmas I've ever had in the past. I woke up really early like always on Christmas morning but didn't hear any pitter-patter of little feet. No yelling, no kids laughing or screaming and I started to cry. I missed my family so much! Christmas hasn't been the same since John died 3 years ago-Christmas. Anyway, I got up to fix the coffee and guess what? Santa came to visit me. There was a brand new stocking filled with goodies. A beautiful Christmas card and a box, I-pod nano! I was so excited! Hank got nothing! (Maybe Hank wasn't as good as I was) ho ho !!(I felt horrible) My pottery wasn't done on Monday like they said, it will be done today....oh well!

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Today Hank and I decided to venture out of the resort and visit the nearby ruins. The ruins are over 1,000 years old and the oldest findings of a village in the U.S. This was the Nation's first archeological reserve found in 1892. We had a good time walking around looking at the clay walls and watching the video of this Hohokam Indian Tribe. There were alot of their clay pots, jewelry and different types of tools used for farming and irrigations. It was declared as a National Monument in 1918. So, this was pretty cool.....just like the weather!

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007

Finally, after Hospital visit, follow up Doctor visit, and massage, I am improving. I had to have some test run and should get the results by tomorrow. Hank has been a wonderful husband, spoiling me rotten. We went to the jacuzzi yesterday afternoon and followed it up with dinner and Bingo.
I had some exciting news, my sister Becky and her husband, Jerry are coming to visit us Jan.13. That should be fun! Now my big sister can show off...and be one of those "active" (retired person) like this whole community. She and Jerry want to do some hiking, so Hank is excited.
I am going to the pottery this morning to finish my projects. They have been sitting for a week.
Katherine just got home from Coasta Rico last night. She and Brian had a wonderful week...that was her BD present from her husband.
Rebecca and kids are heading home to Atlanta today. She will get to be with my family for Christmas...I miss you all and enjoy my grandbabies.
Merry Christmas.

Fibromyalgia-Bad Day

Well, the last week hasn't been much fun. My fibromyalgia flared up and knocked me down. Apparently, I thought it only affected the muscles, well it affects the joints too. Anyway, it has been downhill from there! I had to go to the clinic for some immediate relief, and have a follow up with a Rhuematologist next month. I hope by then I will back in remission. Please keep me in your prayers! Thank you, much love,Lillie

Trimming on the wheel-plus pickleball

Today I learned how to trim my bowl on the wheel. I am learning all sorts of new things.

Yesterday, Hank and I took lessons and learned how to play pickleball. Today we put those lessons to test. There was a novice round-robin. Hank and I won the first 2 sets, but lost the last one. We enjoyed it very much and will be playing again after we recover from PHYSICAL exercise. It is like tennis (on a smaller court) and rackets are like racketball (sorta). This is a West Coast thingy!

Craft Fair

The second Tuesday of every month they have a craft fair in the ballroom, outside around the pool and in the parking lot. I have picked up a few cool things! It was a great day for a fair too...it was raining, so it was nice to have an indoors place to go to!

Poker Night

These are some friends of ours, Steve and Anne! Hank and I played them in Hand and foot. Very fun evening!

These are the serious poker players! You pay a limit when you come in, these are the 2 final tables of players soon to be down to one person.

Neighborhood Jive!

I am sure in your neighborhood, you've had some kind of prank go around...this one was a good one. I have gone out of the coach twice this week being hit with Neighborhood Jive...a bag filled with goodies. You then fill the goodie bag, put your site number on it (so you don't get it twice) and send it on.
This was last nights goodie-cute huh? (the Santa Claus, candle)

Where do we go when it is COLD?

It was raining, overcast and just down right dreary day...so Hank and I decided to go to the hot tub and relax. We met some nice people who decided to do the same thing. During this visit, we were talked into taking Pickleball lessons on Monday afternoon. We will let you know how that goes!

Christmas Sing-a-long

Tonight we had a Christmas sing-a-long, we had Christmas cookies, and hot chocolate. It was really a lot of fun...they had the Palm Creek chorus (with the antlers and elf ears.) Santa Claus was there too!
The tables were decorated really nice and everyone was in the spirit.
We also received nice christmas present, a CD and candy.

So, Hank and I are really getting into the Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas!!

Bad Wind Storm Today

Today we had an awful wind storm and the RV was rocking back and forth. I looked under the kitchen table and there were all the animals cuddled together in fear.
The wind sounded awful hitting the awnings outside, and the children did not like the noise....aren't they cute??

Hand and Foot

I am sorry I haven't written much! I am staying so busy and I don't leave the resort. I did 2 new things yesterday. I used the wheel, turned clay and made a bowl.
Second thing I did last night was to learn how to play hand and foot. It is very simular to Canasta, so it didn't take to long to learn.Had a great time and will do this again next week.

We are suppose to have a big wind and rain storm today...talk later

Volleyball Team Pool Party

Today was a little cool at the pool, but it didn't stop us from playing volleyball. After the game, which is from 2-4, we had a snack/dinner party from 4-6pm.
About 30 people showed up, and the food was awesome! Thanks guys! We had a great evening, again!

Pottery Class

Well, today I decided to do something different. So, I went to a pottery class. I made a bowl, kinda like a candy dish. We will see how it turned out tomorrow. I had to go through orientation first, but now I can go in there and make all sorts of things. Be prepared, you may get homemade gifts for Christmas, hahaha!

I am even going to learn how to use the wheel...like Demi Moore used in GHOST!.

Kitty Kitty

Hank and I came home from a walk and found Spanky on the Captains' chair watching TV.
He and Buddy love the Pet channel. We leave it on occasionally so they can watch the animals. Spanky even tried to touch the other cats .

Lillie and I went down to the library at the main building tonight to get a few books and we dropped by the Billiard Room on the way out. I think I got hustled.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving just wasn't the same without my girls and family. The table was decorated very nicely with 8 of us per table. All of the people at our table were fulltimers enjoying their winter here in Arizona, just like us. We ate turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, biscuits, gravy, corn and pumpkin pie for dessert. It was strange not cooking, but even nicer not cleaning up!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...we miss you all!

Getting ready for the Holidays!

When Hank went home last week he retrieved our little Christmas Tree and sent it UPS to us here in Arizona. It arrived yesterday and the kids and I put up the tree today! Spanky sits in the window of the RV and now knocks the ornaments off the tree. Momma Ann gave us some more little bittie ornaments to put on the tree. OHHH also she gave me a space ball which was in my goodie bag....looks who is playing with that???

Monday Night Bingo

As you know, Bingo is a really big thing here at the park on Monday Nights. Over 100 people show up for this, and two of the pots are really big, one is $100 and the other over $200. Well, last night my husband, Hank-got a bingo and won $27. He is really getting good at these games. As you know, earlier in our travels, Hank won a set of plates,glasses and bowls in Alabama!

Today, Hank and I are going to learn Mah Jong. That should be interesting, huh?

Deal or No Deal

Tonight was Deal or No Deal! Husbands in the background, Bud on the right and Mike in the middle took part in holding briefs (instead of brief cases).





The mens' beautiful wives, Donna on the left and Pam on the right, were on the stage tonight helping Howie play Deal or No Deal. It was a fun night of pizza and dancing.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

When Hank and I were driving along the road to Tucsan, a wolf came out of the desert and walk right up to the car. Isn't it amazing how an animal can live in that heat?




This gorgeous owl came flying down to get some food off this tree right in front of me. Isn't it beautiful. It can't move its eyes, but it does move his head around to watch me.


Hank and I had a wonderful drive down to Tucson to visit the Desert Museum.During our visit there, we saw beautiful birds like owls, ravens, roadrunners,hummingbirds and parrots. They also had local animals like black bears, wolves, mountain lions, deer, goats, snakes and pairie dogs.

Last night sunset!

Last night I was sitting outside and thought I would capture the beautiful sunset!
Hank will be home today and I am very excited. It has been a long 4 days without him.
I hope I remember what he looks like and don't miss picking him up.

Happy Thanksgiving

I will have a really Happy Thanksgiving Now..Ansley made me the little Turkey that I put on my little flower arrangement that is going on my table. Thank you so much for remembering Grammie! It is so pretty! You did such a great job Ansley.

Punishment for bad doggies

I know Miz Gizzy misses her daddy, but I told her if she kept up her whinning she was going into the shower, well missy..I had to follow through, bad Gizmo. Waking me up two mornings in a row at 2pm wanting to get in bed with me.

Our Home

This is where our home is located at Palm Creek. As you can tell, we made ourselves at home. We have everything we could possibly need in the little bitty RV.

Palm Creek Update

I delivered Hank to the airport this morning! I have 4 days of freedom . He has already called from the airport to check on Gizzy. Gizzy Who?? Hank Who??

I am going to play water volleyball, then off to play some Euchre.

I found out there is a Mah Jong class on Tuesday and I just happen to have the game with me. Do my sisters' remember that bamboo set from Uncle Paul??

I also found the bridge games...Yea finally.!

So, if you don't hear from me this week, you will know where I am.

Talk later.

Domino's night

Last night Hank and I decided to play domino's, guess who won? Hank! I just knew it! I told you guys he beats me all the time, well, he beat up on other people last night. We had a good time except near the end around 10pm, Hank started feeling sick.
By the time we rode our bikes home, he had a fever, chills and muscle aches. I hope it is not the flu! He seems better this morning, but isn't up yet. That is not like Hank!
I will keep you informed.

Bingo Night

Bingo Night is a really big thing around here! I think everyone in the park attends this event. We had to purchase "dabbers." Basically, this is a big round magic marker. It was really high class with a huge board lit up with the numbers. We had to go early to mark out boards with different patterns. Anyway, we didn't win anything but it was fun. Tomorrow night, it is cocktail hour with prune juice on the menu.
Off we go walking.....talk later.

Is that Hank playing Shuffleboard???

Hank decided to give it go at shuffleboard...now people this takes alot of talent. His first partner was Donna, believe it or not, their two daughters live in Ooltewah, Tn. Wow! Amazing huh? He really enjoyed it and will play again tomorrow.
I went bike riding around the park which is 3 1/2 miles total. We are having a great time. Later

Casa Grande...continues

The golf course is only a par three...but is very nicely kept. We have a calendar to keep our days straight, since we don't know what day or time it is!




You will have a hard time picking me out, because Hank had the camera on another woman he thought was me, . Yea right!



This is the entrance of Casa Grande. Hank and I really feel we are coming home when we enter that gate. Everyone is so friendly! As you drive into the entrance, the flowers and golf course are gorgeous green. It is like an Oasis in the desert.

Palm Creek RV Resort, Casa Grande, Arizona

We arrived in Casa Grande today. The temperature was in the 80's. We rode our bikes around the park and met several new friends. We checked out the activities for the month, the pools, golf course, library, exercise room etc.. Hank and I are going to be very busy right here in the park. Tomorrow water volleyball and social bridge . Anyway...it is late, we are tired but I will have pictures very soon.

Night on the Las Vegas Strip

Hank and I had a wonderful day and night on the strip. We visited the new South Point casino, which was still in progress. Very nice place!
Of course, we walked through the Bellagio. Then watched the water dance across the pond with music, with the Effiel Tower in the background.
The last place we visited was Caesars' Palace, we walked around all the shops, the watched the ceiling with clouds. Very nice evening with my husband.

Rain Forrest Cafe

During our travels last July, we were driving through the Badlands and saw a 2007 Dynasty similar to ours. We introduced ourselves to Vicki and Lee, and they were kind enough to give us a tour of their RV. They too were fulltimers traveling across America. They showed us their cabinets Shaun had made for them, hence the visit to Shaun Cabinets in Oregon.
We have emailed, and they were catching a flight out of Vegas this am. We met them on the strip and went to MGM, to the Rain Forrest Cafe for dinner, then Starbucks for coffee. We had a lovely time with new friends, Fulltiming!

Qualifying Night at the Races

Friday, Hank and I attended the races...the biggest show there were the F-16 & F/A 18 constantly flying over the race track. Nellis Air Force Base is next to the race track. We saw approximately 8 planes in the air at one time and flew into the night time hours. What an enjoyable day!! Hank has been coming out to Vegas about 25yrs. to see these races, I guess we have to continue the tradition. This was my 3yr. year- ROOKIE! We spoke with Chip Ellis, he rides a Buell motorcycle, he ended up #1 with a time of 7.04, which is really awesome! really fast!



This is Melanie Troxel in her top fuel car, she came in 5th. I'm sure today she will be working hard to improve that to #1.


Later at the race track, I found Melanie Troxel on hand to talk and take pictures. She is driving a top fuel race car this year, but is going to switch over to a Funny Car next year! I also talked with Ashley Force, and she said her Dad would be attending the race to watch his team.

Freemont Street NHRA night

Downtown on Freemont Street, the alley was filled with NHRA fans, welcoming the top 4 winners in all classes. They had a really neat ceiling show, just for NHRA fans, complete with a dragster racing upon the ceiling. Very cool. My picture looks bad because it was all the way across the ceiling. The had a great band, of course, gambling and dinner. Looking forward to the races this weekend starting tomorrow night.











Hank having a little bit of fun at the slot machines...25 cents, right??



Kurt Johnson unveiled his new car tonight. Big Deal with AC Delco.

Cirque Du Soleil

Last night Hank and I decided to have a "Night on the Town." We headed down to the Strip. We parked at the MGM and took a stroll with a million other people not really a million but our RV is sitting right under the path of incoming planes and they land atleast every 5mins. all night long. So, you imagine how many people are here in Vegas. Then we did a little gambling, we both won $10. big bucks so we quit while we were ahead (haha). Then we caught a very interesting show, these shows are very hard to watch just one thing, there are so many things going on at one time.
We had a great time! Tonight, we are going down to Freemont Street...stay tuned.

Red Rock Canyon

Today we went to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It had a 13 mile drive around the park that had a lot of bikes and hikers enjoying the place. It was a very pretty drive that took you up through the canyon and over the mountains of the park. It is a place that was well worth the time to see. Very colorful mountains and long valleys.

God has truly watched over us in our travels.

When two weeks after we crossed the 35w, it collapsed! We know God was truly with us. He has so blessed us in our travels. Last week we were in San Diego, right in the path of the Fires. 250,000 people have been evacuated! I just wanted to share with all of you how blessed we are. Everyday Hank and I thank God for being with us during our travels.

Lake Mead and Hoover Dam

Monday-Hank and I decided to pack a picnic and drive over to Hoover Dam. Along the way, I looked out the window and saw a herd of wild sheep. If you enlarge the picture, you will see the huge rams on two of them. We continued our drive and there was new construction going on-a new bridge will go over the water instead driving over the dam itself. We took a picture of the backside of the dam. We were in Arizona!
The last picture is very depressing. That is Lake Mead! The drought has effected this lake tremendously. It is down atleast 100'. What will the people of Nevada and Arizona do if it drys up?? There is nothing but desert out here.
We stopped and had our lunch on the shoreline (which was a long way from water).
We had another beautiful day discovering God's creations.