Desert Doggy Days

Woof! Here are some pictures of the three dogs (plus Lacey) that we are watching this week. Lacey watching her friends.

ANOTHER WONDERFUL DAY IN THE DESERT

 

What do you see in this morning picture of the desert? We see elbow room and nature.

Today's temps are going to be the mid to high seventies. Tonight, well, close to 40.
We are still house sitting/dog sitting for our friend, Jan's 3 dogs. Hopefully by the 30th (Friday)we can close on our new home and have the movers come with our things. Still haven't seen the house in person, but we feel confident it is just what God intended for us.

I am still coughing and hoping to get past this "whatever" allergy. No more falls, from either one of us. Lacey is learning to share her toys and be a part of a family with more than one dog.

Today we had homemade tamales for lunch, and enjoyed every bit, including the spicy beef one and the sweet tamale, also. Olay!

  MERRY CHRISTMAS WORLD
PEACE...LOVE...TO..ALL. The sweet pine scent fills the air; the Christmas tree sparkles with lights and bulbs.
  PALM TREES GREETING CHRISTMAS MORNING
WITH MOUNTAINS IN BACKGROUND When I awakened this Christmas morning, God's presence was everywhere.
    PAINTED MURAL
OUTSIDE ON DECK, with sunlight showing it off. Done by friend, Sally.
  VIEW OF BACK PORCH GARDEN (bring in your plants when frost is due
 

How can we tell you what being in the Mohave Desert in Southern California is like?
Borrego Springs to be exact?
Let's see...a few words come to mind: peaceful, quiet, spiritual, uplifting, healing,consumed by beauty of the desert and mountains. It's like looking out a window and feeling "I am home, this is where my heart is, close to God.
Friday, the 23rd of December 2011 (today) Jan, our friend was off work and we went with her to visit a mutual friend in an alzhiemer's care home nearby. Took Lacey and let her do pet therapy. Then, we went to the town center of this 3,000 plus population town to a Farmer's outdoor market on the grass. Lacey, on a leash, checked out the other dogs passing by and was such a good little girl. After that we picked up mail from Jan's p.o box and went back to her house for lunch of homemade fresh tamales that her housekeeper gave her for Christmas. A friend brought over our mutual friend from the home to join us for lunch. She opened her gifts after. Later, we went to the only Market in the town to pick up food for our Christmas dinner, pork chops, not turkey. We invited our friend from Cathedral City for dinner Sunday, as Jan will be at her son's with her family on Christmas in San Francisco. We are house sitting and taking care of her three dogs, her one cat and Lacey. The temp was in the 70's for awhile.
Our house closing isn't until Dec. 30th so we'll be here till then. May stay the New Year week end also as we may go to a NY Eve party with Jan. In this small town, she has many friends, especially as she works as a Physician Assistant. Last evening some of her friends came by and helped her bring in wood for the fireplace; another came by to take supplies to the needy. Then later another friend came by to meet us and eat chocolates. Yummy!
So we have been very busy. My "allergies" are still bad and I'm on prednisone tabs, and Jan got me some cough medicine so I can suppress the coughing and sleep at night. But, my mind is at peace and my heart is happy.




 
 
 
 
 

Today's pics are of Jan's back yard and back of house. The last one is a pic of the inside of her back room with a water falls and wooden walk way surrounded by plants.
One is a long shot of the in ground pool and gazebo. Take a look at the odd tree growth in her yard. Wish you could see the mountains better. I'll try harder to capture them. Hope you realize Christmas in your hearts this year and feel the peace. Love, Carol and Marty

 

It's a dog's life

Here's the new doggies Lacey met at Jan's in Borrego Sprins, CA. Scruffy one is Yoda; tan poodle is Harley; black and white is Mya; and white shorty is Lacey. Quite a bit of adjustment for her, trying to be top dog and in their home! She is adjusting tho.



Today, Thursday, we went to a local thrift storn in Borrego Springs, looking for used sweat shirts and so on. Oh, so nice and toasty after a quick wash and spin dry. We went also to the one grocer in town today and food was HIGH. Eggs were 1.29 large size.
The mohave desert is soothing and that makes people more mellow. Meeting lots of new people with small town courtesy and friendliness. Oh, by the way, the lady in the post office had green and red hair today. Reminded me of a friend from Claudia's , Marliyn who died her hair green for St. Pat's day. Fond memories in creation now, too.

Sunset over the mountains looking west down the road in California.

This is Lacey waiting to get on the road, the last morning of our Journey West. What a trooper! We were in Deming, New Mexico. They Said two weeks ago they had a bad snow storm and there were guests sleeping everywhere at the hotel, in the hallways, kitchen and lobby. Another one was in northern NM. this week, and one due in Deming, as of today, Thursday. Blessed to be through there in between storms.



Here are several window shots of the AZ. desert and Saguaro cactus growing on the side of the road.

IT'S WINTER HERE

It all plays like an old movie, with the snow off in the distance and space all around. Someone might say, "It's too bare, too lonely." But we say, "Here God can be seen in the massive mountains and vast landscapes and rather than making us feel small, it assures us that God is with us everywhere; His Spirit is here in our American West.







Arrived today in Deming, New Mexico amid blizzards to the north part of the state, and mixed sun and huge clouds. Very cold. In the 40's! This is a picture welcoming us to N.M. So windy Marty couldn't get the car door opened. And, Lacey walked very few steps leaning sideways, so it was a short walk. She is such a good little traveler. Even wearing her red sweater in the cold. Tomorrow we drive to Tucson,AZ
and Wed. the 21st, we drive our final day to California. More pictures to follow..

Second Day in Big Texas

Driving from Columbus,TX to Fort Stockton, TX was a long, dark day with huge gray clouds low over the plain of Texas into the hills of west Texas. It misted on and off, we never saw the sun all day. Marty took these two pics out the car window. Very cold and dreary. We kept our spirits up by pretending we were part of Mary and Joseph's group going to Bethlehem. There we plenty of cattle and sheep now also along the way in pastures so it was easy to imagine. Must have been a long hard day for them too, what with Mary due to have her baby soon.
Well, we laughed a little too. Question: " How many seniors does it take to open a new water bottle?" Answer: "Two. One to hold the bottle and the other to twist the top off." (true story) One more for your laugh a day: When we got close to Fort Stockton and were looking for the exit off I-10 it was dark and rainy. I told Marty if it got any worse outside we'd have to use Braille to find the Hotel!" Smile a little today and remember it's Christmas week. Be Blessed!



After a long 7 hours of driving we arrived at the LaQuinta Inn at Fort Stockton,TX and found this lovely lobby all decorated for Christmas! What a wonderful holiday spirit it gave us, like home away from home.

Texas Welcome Center, December 17th. Cold here, jeans and sweatshirts! Weather overcast, gray. Making good time, and no mishaps today.

This happens to be one of my previous computer drawings, which reminds me of Texas Missions. Also, alot can be written about the attributes of Texas, but I think the Missions tell a story of Texas Spirit. If you are reading this on Sunday, the 18th, Happy Christmas Week. God Bless Texas and our heros.

Finally a picture of our baby Lacey in her car kennel, which she loves! She even has Christmas bags about her and blankies, for warmth. A pillow too. She feels safe and secure, and loved. We are FAMILY. Bless your family this week.

Claudia's Christmas Party on December 11, 2011. We started this week at Kojak's in Palmetto, FL. with a great group of friends and their "dates". The place was done up for Christmas and the food was delish, ribs and chicken. Their was even live music by "Dutch", who was part of our office, also. Jim and Jeanne Hoey, who own Claudia's are such good people. They even got in a farewell to us as we move to California.

Our last view of our home in Florida December 15, 2011. Sad, but expectantly looking forward to life again in the Mohave Desert. BUT! This departure was at 12 noon, not 8 a.m. I already wrote an earlier blog about the BIG FALL I took previously. I woke up Thursday a.m. stiff and sore all over. But, mush! Stuff those last minute items in more suitcases and bags and rearrange them four times while visiting with well meaning neighbors, who bought two pieces of furniture we were leaving and showed us their newest grand baby pictures; and some who had advice on how to repack the car. In the meantime, Marty is busy with her own ideas of how bags should be packed to make more room, and trying to keep herself an me and Lacey calm. Next thing I knew, I was in the bathroom hurling up my big diet bar breakfast and soaked in sweat. (Doesn't that sound nice?) We all recover, shut the car doors and finally departed at noon. Whew! Who knew moving at our age was so much fun?

Our first stop was in Tallahassee. Here we are leaving the Red Roof Inn, December 16th, 2011. Earlier when we had checked in the night before, Lacey was adamant she would not stay in the place we had checked into. Too many other dogs on the grounds, too many smells in our room of other pets, and who is that talking outside OUR place? Finally we all fell asleep and had a good night! Lacey is a great traveler. She snuggles up in her crate in the back seat and sleeps, takes her potty breaks with us and plays when she can. So tonight we rest. Oh, by the way, we made it to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. It's been a 10 hr. day, with misting rain, and spilling cappicino coffee on my purse and tonight last night they said it got to 2, I said Two Degrees here. Darn, and I forgot my antifreeze and window scraper. Lucky I kept the gloves in the car. Nighty night!

CAROL'S BIG FALL

December 14th, 2011

Last day to spend in our home here in Florida. Tomorrow we're on our way to California.
Fondly recalling last Sunday at Kojak's BBQ in Palmetto, Florida. It was a great Christmas Party for Claudia's Real Estate, of which I am an associate. Great food, great friends and that warm fuzzy feeling being with friends, as they wish us well on our move.
Busy days since then. Monday got a new RX for this bronchitis, and its working on my cough. Tuesday noon, the movers came and loaded us up in 2 1/2hrs. See you in California furniture. Wednesday, today, lots of cleaning home for renters who arrive Jan. 1st. Tired. Tired. Neighbors and friends and family stopping in to say goodbye.
Thanks, everyone. We will miss you all.
Biggest news is that I took a big FALL in the kitchen at dinnertime when my brother and his wife stopped in for pizza. One minute the pizza was in my hands and the next minute I was down on the floor hitting my shoulder and head on a cabinet.
Doing ok now but bruising on my shoulder and aches and pains. Bet I'm sore in the a.m!
So good to get in bed tonight and wake rested on Thursday for our big move.
Lacey and Marty and I will be missing our friends and family, but looking forward
to seeing our new home and good friends. More later. xoxo

And today....

Today is Friday, the 2nd of December. Today we spent time filling out address change forms. We bought our last groceries in Florida. Trying to empty and clean out the fridge and cupboards, but run out of milk, bread, etc.
Odd how you have to keep buying and trying to use up what you buy before you move.

Tomorrow we'll try to reserve the rooms along our route, with 5 nights somewhere along I-10. Hope the winds are gone by the 15th! Oh, and forgot to say there are many hotels out there which now allow pets. Yea! Just look online. Red Roof Inns don't have a charge for pets.

Lacey, has her own soft sided suitcase for all her "stuff". Her toys included.
Her records, her treats, her sweater, and blankey also.

Traveling as a family is a real positive thing. There is love on the way, and a new home awaits. Thank you Lord. WESTWARD WE GO!

OPPOSITE COASTS... by Calico Carol

Moving day looms nearby,
In mid-December, winter's sky;
Clouds float o'er, this Florida house,
And, clear blue heavens, await out west.

Here I sing of tropic pleasures,
Lakes, and rivers, gulf bay fishes;
Mountains surrounded by desert sands,
There,lift my voice in hallelujahs.

This peninsula, hot and humid,
Threatening hurricanes, and alligators;
While California shakes and bakes,
My songs praise God, everywhere.