tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51932901725160283282024-03-05T03:14:30.939-08:00perdido y alegreOur travels ended and we've settled in lovely city of Tucson in the Sonoran Desert. Bruce is recovering from 7 yrs of rain in the PNW.perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-22619253724179405222011-12-26T18:37:00.000-08:002011-12-26T18:44:01.199-08:00Death Valley Birthday/Getaway TripPat and I had a great trip to Death Valley. Supposedly the trip was to celebrate my upcoming 60th birthday but the real reason was for us to get away from the computers and the telephone. I spend entirely too much time on line and many days we both sit on the computers without really talking. This gave us a chance to just get away without all of the electronic distractions. Plus we really enjoy road trips in van...our second home.<br />
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I had a hard time deciding on this <i>birthday</i> trip. At first I was thinking of hiking the trails of the Napali coast in Kauai...we did a short day hike there years ago and it was beautiful. Bareboat sailing the BVI's is always a great trip also. But I was dreading the long air travel to those places. Plus it's hard for me to leave our Tucson desert home since this is like being on vacation every day. So we decided on a quick trip to Death Valley via an over night stay in Las Vegas.<br />
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Our first stop on the way to Vegas was the Hoover Dam. Am amazing feat building that dam. We went on the full tour ($30 each) that lasted about an hour. It was interesting but a little over-priced since a lot of the tour is just walking from Point A to Point B. Also the high price probably kept the crowds down as it was pretty crowded anyway. We still had about 40 people in our group. We were glad we did it.<br />
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Then we spent the night in Las Vegas and just ate dinner and saw the sights. The water fountain show at the Belagio was pretty amazing. What really sticks in my mind is the city lights as we topped the hill then drove down into LV. The place is lit up like a huge Christmas tree. Pat and I try to be conscious of our water and electricity use on a daily basis but when I saw all of the lights and water usage in Vegas I figured our efforts are pretty useless. We ate dinner, seated outside, across from the Belagio and watched the show.<br />
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The next morning we were off on a 3-hour drive to Death Valley. The mountain range we crossed was snow-covered and slightly icy. Made for an interesting trip.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The desert is an amazing place. So desolate but so beautiful at the same time. The views from Zambriski Point are breathtaking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">From there we were on to the Furnace Creek Ranch where we had a room booked for 2 days. We did some exploring around the area and then played a few sets of tennis...of course Pat beat me as always.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day we rented mountain bikes and rode the West Side Road which is a gravel road cut through the bottom of Death Valley. Our route was around 25 miles and winded through the salt flats past Shorty's grave and ended at the abandoned Eagle Borax Mine works.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The only restaurants at Furnace Creek are at the Ranch and the FC Inn. The Inn is a 5-star hotel with all of the amenities. The Ranch is more basic but great accomodations and the restaurant was good. There is also a grill at the FC golf course. We had the best hamburger cooked by Justin on the second day. Perfecto!<br />
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The next day we did a 14 mile bike ride around Artist's Drive which is a one-way scenic drive up into the mountains on the road to Badwater. We didn't think it would be as strenuous as it was. The first 4 miles was a steady uphill climb against a 15 mph wind. We both struggled to get up there to the top. I'm not sure what the elevation change is but it is very steep. Coming down the mountain was a lot of fun though...and fast.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">After our ride we set out for Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the USA at 282 feet below sea level. The salt flats look like snow. Hard packed and you can easily walk on it. Lots of foreigners here...Asians and Dutch.<br />
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We wanted to make some headway getting home so we drove the rest of the day only stopping at Shoshone, CA to eat at this great little cafe...my kind of place. Gas was $5.00+ at the small gas station! Luckily we had plenty. Later on we drove through 1,000's of Joshua trees in the Mojave Desert Preserve.<br />
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We spent the night sleeping in the van at a roadside stop. Comfortable but cold...had to be in the mid 30's! Pat wakes up in the middle of the night and wants to put her sleeping bag (with her in it) inside my sleeping bag. Needless to say I didn't sleep that well but she was snug as a bug in a rug.<br />
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The next day we drove home and the only memorable thing that happened that day was meeting Richard Radstone and his family at a rest stop. I guess a link to his <a href="http://richardradstoneblog.com/2011/12/22/365-day-104-were-living-the-dream/" target="_blank">blog</a> will suffice to explain.<br />
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</div></div>bbordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07152655535088791002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-52367617042699326782011-12-12T17:53:00.000-08:002011-12-13T07:16:46.834-08:00Redemption Mountain. Someone was repenting.Bruce here.<br />
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About a mile from our house, high in the West Tucson Mountains on what I named Redemption Mountain, is a very strange place. Whenever I go up there I feel like I am intruding onto someone's sacred ground. Someone long ago was making a pledge to Jesus. It is spooky.<br />
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The little used hiking trail doesn't make it easy getting up there as some of the hike is actually rock climbing. In fact I have never met another person on that trail since we moved here in 2009. Our neighbor says that the writings were there when he moved here 21 years ago.<br />
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Recessed into the side of an outcropping at the top of the mountain is a rock wall with the pained writings of a troubled soul...or maybe a formerly troubled soul. I can't decide which one. It's obvious that the writings are old because of the condition of the rocks and also the paint. One of the large rocks appears to have naturally tumbled onto it side many years ago.<br />
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Here is a picture of Redemption Mountain from our back deck:<br />
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Following are pictures of the paintings.<br />
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"Jesus, I, Owen Brosam, Am Going to Work for You the Balance of my Life". I'm not sure about his last name spelling:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzYcxzGO_b4qtO_JYuzhywwLIj9dZSCNXkCBItIIngeKRqqBfIPmuIpZyjsW8W253YJe2Hf6yVy32CPW4DVUtX43XdQmFG1hyphenhyphendfFCPIrpR8IVs8r0JO31Ws7f2fnxW4_KVUuSwUPE9kc/s1600/AMBA0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzYcxzGO_b4qtO_JYuzhywwLIj9dZSCNXkCBItIIngeKRqqBfIPmuIpZyjsW8W253YJe2Hf6yVy32CPW4DVUtX43XdQmFG1hyphenhyphendfFCPIrpR8IVs8r0JO31Ws7f2fnxW4_KVUuSwUPE9kc/s320/AMBA0064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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"Jesus I Will Never Give Up". This rock looks like it tumbled here a long time ago.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnSm5XywQ11Jz758ftLTZu94qqvs_ItXGVnVMEj_3GFfMrqrpIPLUfFkjpvVABD-P3lKXyO2LdvFUolslGAz-GVK99bBBijiZKsn4UMIaFMNSLRy2DIdHl1wKTk76aw6eZUCp5RRdQbQ/s1600/AMBA0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnSm5XywQ11Jz758ftLTZu94qqvs_ItXGVnVMEj_3GFfMrqrpIPLUfFkjpvVABD-P3lKXyO2LdvFUolslGAz-GVK99bBBijiZKsn4UMIaFMNSLRy2DIdHl1wKTk76aw6eZUCp5RRdQbQ/s320/AMBA0054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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"He Is the One and Only Savior":<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FKFYAElpC0uTX-7xRX0Rhd9yF8LH9jxpe7jGCEBsQneZy4WX-mqTQzBePFbQB3i0Ku-tHOl55xCxFzzkYzqbhQj9x7FOqFBdsKxebBs8v6mujQhcB5qpxvhanVwqZ7Y-CS_XMPibt88/s1600/AMBA0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FKFYAElpC0uTX-7xRX0Rhd9yF8LH9jxpe7jGCEBsQneZy4WX-mqTQzBePFbQB3i0Ku-tHOl55xCxFzzkYzqbhQj9x7FOqFBdsKxebBs8v6mujQhcB5qpxvhanVwqZ7Y-CS_XMPibt88/s320/AMBA0060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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"Have Faith in Jesus":<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjRoTgQT9FLP6PuH9XY8B57I28CoFHuJRt_f25cuJxr-HsuUdC6L6C3xg-DoEhryznBnGE618916MojZ_BzMph4ECT7wnabJ60ERTOxoq5AvV57xEbqQ1icyyb0wJ9s1LSEWneutz3VI/s1600/AMBA0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjRoTgQT9FLP6PuH9XY8B57I28CoFHuJRt_f25cuJxr-HsuUdC6L6C3xg-DoEhryznBnGE618916MojZ_BzMph4ECT7wnabJ60ERTOxoq5AvV57xEbqQ1icyyb0wJ9s1LSEWneutz3VI/s320/AMBA0061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The following video will show the strange pile of rocks under the writings. It looks like the rocks were purposefully pulled down from the side of the rock outcropping and thrown in a pile. I wonder what's under those rocks? Meh, probably nothing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx36wye_QkIjmQF5f0qtXNMBxGkCwkOQKi3zm3CbLLqaXKVorL4wbH2PtW5TyY1QMyT1PufKSOvO4XaMGx1bg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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A web search of Owen Brosam found only one possible link. A marriage announcement to a <a href="http://www.newspaperarchive.com/SiteMap/FreePdfPreview.aspx?img=114705358">Sara Lynn Sanders</a> from Tucson. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiNfZmodhbbSGf5T_KTkvoW-uEDFLwF7Rf1-sPGw81jvg1HmRIecHQITGDiLvI6B2SugelhkiXChc-4iCNgvPX3DB_t8sCE1eLMSBvp4ntTd5tSTQhLgp2hBDa2RlbZvzX_P0YUdfp7c/s1600/Brosam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiNfZmodhbbSGf5T_KTkvoW-uEDFLwF7Rf1-sPGw81jvg1HmRIecHQITGDiLvI6B2SugelhkiXChc-4iCNgvPX3DB_t8sCE1eLMSBvp4ntTd5tSTQhLgp2hBDa2RlbZvzX_P0YUdfp7c/s320/Brosam.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Anyway, FWIW, I find this intriguing.bbordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07152655535088791002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-46909744945851399822010-05-23T16:17:00.001-07:002010-05-23T16:40:43.296-07:00Casa del Padre Flora and Fauna May 2010May 23, 2010<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp33f4DH1IB5j0QAtoLlNO4NnsgDhr_QDUqxhXhR91XCMRut18Mi-7pJzC8C0T1nBHb-Ytrac2L7SXJiduVdJqfbtePha15V7TFntwqDpe9van3PbmPqF3u2JTiA18J1ce5kzw6aeZsRn/s1600/Tree+bloom.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp33f4DH1IB5j0QAtoLlNO4NnsgDhr_QDUqxhXhR91XCMRut18Mi-7pJzC8C0T1nBHb-Ytrac2L7SXJiduVdJqfbtePha15V7TFntwqDpe9van3PbmPqF3u2JTiA18J1ce5kzw6aeZsRn/s320/Tree+bloom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474609531919064274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This being our first Spring it has been a treat watching the variety of plant blooms. They seem long lived and attract birds (hummingbirds) and the bees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QjnvLjVPOQz8TASNQ5FcbXGLPOv7diUxGn4qDx5ff3DFkI0iT5vEaf0Ti-n-GailNUvmhWvChtprE1Oi6-h3Bew8-kOFeD6PvoD-qEQ7iE_bYssGZPO7trFot5kBq8J2RtIhI5l8tnYP/s1600/Saguaro+blooms.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QjnvLjVPOQz8TASNQ5FcbXGLPOv7diUxGn4qDx5ff3DFkI0iT5vEaf0Ti-n-GailNUvmhWvChtprE1Oi6-h3Bew8-kOFeD6PvoD-qEQ7iE_bYssGZPO7trFot5kBq8J2RtIhI5l8tnYP/s320/Saguaro+blooms.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474609530815554162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4sweSDBPki2-6GMdT-s9Hrnv8b2C7IZ-RV1ph_H5tQa6I5IreJayKcqvD4Nsz35vATe8pnYkSlh73-sdIg54IlcCe5PKoV1C8gum2bZvp8jxkuO3tOMfc3thbjXSSQOP2nTwjivaoFT-/s1600/Saguaro+blooming.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4sweSDBPki2-6GMdT-s9Hrnv8b2C7IZ-RV1ph_H5tQa6I5IreJayKcqvD4Nsz35vATe8pnYkSlh73-sdIg54IlcCe5PKoV1C8gum2bZvp8jxkuO3tOMfc3thbjXSSQOP2nTwjivaoFT-/s320/Saguaro+blooming.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474609523087512930" border="0" /></a><br />The giant saguaro off our back porch is putting out flowers on both limbs and central trunk.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnLWczM8lUJAgR4HMLeRmHfAM7cUHMABLHMDMuDbdopwBtEd1MIgQfjaTj92X6OH8jla2mQcDNmCBgGTJF42LlU8WyvskYnsT3MF49UhTqrG7LxrbrPcyLHami6x7iVRFBhJqpKeBrXwO/s1600/Mexican+Palo+Verde.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnLWczM8lUJAgR4HMLeRmHfAM7cUHMABLHMDMuDbdopwBtEd1MIgQfjaTj92X6OH8jla2mQcDNmCBgGTJF42LlU8WyvskYnsT3MF49UhTqrG7LxrbrPcyLHami6x7iVRFBhJqpKeBrXwO/s320/Mexican+Palo+Verde.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474608796033023938" border="0" /></a>Mexican Palo Verde with bright yellow blooms.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8js6_ugWM5lxxboTf8Dfp24rzunkQY74wg8HWfEakTigT8hG4-_PJ0WiWdmaZnsa91I6ebo4xUstLFaEIPn2b6aJOui4h5pnARe5KPINPT862ud0SBVd1ccHAprhcsENoww4oE0h6un70/s1600/Ocotillo+tip.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8js6_ugWM5lxxboTf8Dfp24rzunkQY74wg8HWfEakTigT8hG4-_PJ0WiWdmaZnsa91I6ebo4xUstLFaEIPn2b6aJOui4h5pnARe5KPINPT862ud0SBVd1ccHAprhcsENoww4oE0h6un70/s320/Ocotillo+tip.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474608791947033714" border="0" /></a><br />Tip of an Ocotillo. These plants look dead late in the year but bloom dark green leaves directly from their branches (hiding their thorns) and put out a cluster of red trumpet flowers..the hummingbirds love them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0aimzbCpW0YnCoQrWuZsyOzEJEOGMAf8TIvQ8AodMoEMUIfWU1IlA86KGbm3BChx4ggzTVXR9JWS2ygFdWWnmYwfQe9zSVpfw-tEZAo2uQrX2GsbsyW4Tgr9Q_LmspBjciancBmkNp3R/s1600/Gila+Monster.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0aimzbCpW0YnCoQrWuZsyOzEJEOGMAf8TIvQ8AodMoEMUIfWU1IlA86KGbm3BChx4ggzTVXR9JWS2ygFdWWnmYwfQe9zSVpfw-tEZAo2uQrX2GsbsyW4Tgr9Q_LmspBjciancBmkNp3R/s320/Gila+Monster.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474608786458060114" border="0" /></a>Brucito spotted this critter searching for a way out. Gila Monster....many tell us we were lucky to see this venomous lizard.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZmVFKJmKXB1R1_QZrHzyXShMf22tmuYlPz_sGTpYdZ8oF30YCe9nD3nz_yVz0IPf3oWSUf7SQx6aoZWd_NdSGzoC0e5fvJxCe6dGuJA1zF_IoYrhw47C4WSUva9wG0RJ8axRj6BY7yfJ/s1600/Creosote+Bush.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZmVFKJmKXB1R1_QZrHzyXShMf22tmuYlPz_sGTpYdZ8oF30YCe9nD3nz_yVz0IPf3oWSUf7SQx6aoZWd_NdSGzoC0e5fvJxCe6dGuJA1zF_IoYrhw47C4WSUva9wG0RJ8axRj6BY7yfJ/s320/Creosote+Bush.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474608772147575234" border="0" /></a>Woolly seeds from blooming creosote bush<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwWRtVn7kJoataTwakiZMHtOU5NtJTklPedjnMpK0Zvi34uz7v5Uf0Oxw9NjmAZg-eGxoaj8asgFdWksekcMG96uBQD_9szJr1ecefa-vPYmIrM6RMu7ML0-6x377oGG2ukRsXQGXcP4m/s1600/Cape+Honey+suckle.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwWRtVn7kJoataTwakiZMHtOU5NtJTklPedjnMpK0Zvi34uz7v5Uf0Oxw9NjmAZg-eGxoaj8asgFdWksekcMG96uBQD_9szJr1ecefa-vPYmIrM6RMu7ML0-6x377oGG2ukRsXQGXcP4m/s320/Cape+Honey+suckle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474608768288694962" border="0" /></a>Cape Honeysuckle came back to life to attract the hummingbirds.<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-60116465560460832692010-04-17T17:37:00.000-07:002010-04-17T20:36:14.818-07:00Nephews, veggies and a swamp coolerApril 17, 2010<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe3ax9RhKY6fyineQOqgVDEVaRLFY4fYHsSmYhfxRvW3Qbrs3ADTYC0pQvZ8rIjUaIx-j-HeYIG7CRz3LqTvM7hxtHmr0rb30VR7ltA2qo4g0MwCZX6KdGbBbNKXV1MXqY84Xk9PbPeUn/s1600/BrucePattySean+Mex+Dinner.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe3ax9RhKY6fyineQOqgVDEVaRLFY4fYHsSmYhfxRvW3Qbrs3ADTYC0pQvZ8rIjUaIx-j-HeYIG7CRz3LqTvM7hxtHmr0rb30VR7ltA2qo4g0MwCZX6KdGbBbNKXV1MXqY84Xk9PbPeUn/s320/BrucePattySean+Mex+Dinner.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461294227527687314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The last two visitors of the season were two of my little sister's children: Sean and Ethan, who came out at separate times. Sean, 19 y/o, was a blast with his college-learned political innocence and highly creative non-fiction story telling. We took him to Colossal Caves, the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum and a 2 mile desert hike. For those who know Sean, hiking is something he does not usually request but with the accessibility (out our back door) he was game. The highlight for Sean was taking him to Tucson Studios. Sean is a film buff and seeing where the old westerns were made was a treat. We enjoyed it immensely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvokyX6Lzn69gdovyDTblYd-Un8N0kan7vN7CIc3ja0FVMmCpEP0zJ1goEbtpiMlWtnpCqWrIBOd8ahAWeR8o2MtJ9JUeeExysRhRU6TaE56N1QdE23UvTYZ6iZVzMK8HkDm_nJxW7nYT/s1600/Tucson+Mtn+Hike9.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvokyX6Lzn69gdovyDTblYd-Un8N0kan7vN7CIc3ja0FVMmCpEP0zJ1goEbtpiMlWtnpCqWrIBOd8ahAWeR8o2MtJ9JUeeExysRhRU6TaE56N1QdE23UvTYZ6iZVzMK8HkDm_nJxW7nYT/s320/Tucson+Mtn+Hike9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461294239922035618" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bruce and Sean awaiting the "Can-Can Girls" at Tucson Studios.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_bPk7n6F0PoPafm6ASuwZaKe9Z0cWkrMjdFkfvJpubFtF7Th-Sx-DOetH6aMUD0cdn_3-vnGQIIYNFqQcxdJAM8YvoS-m3gBkaBTIZkiXCAMoDE7eFzKRBzFJstOx4aVmLb_Lp-0m9-2/s1600/Old+Tucson+BruceSean+waiting+for+CanCan.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_bPk7n6F0PoPafm6ASuwZaKe9Z0cWkrMjdFkfvJpubFtF7Th-Sx-DOetH6aMUD0cdn_3-vnGQIIYNFqQcxdJAM8YvoS-m3gBkaBTIZkiXCAMoDE7eFzKRBzFJstOx4aVmLb_Lp-0m9-2/s320/Old+Tucson+BruceSean+waiting+for+CanCan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461295282467731346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sean with local Western Actors.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo151O1EMEroYUnXz5qQhKQ2LuyjxDbaD_Rp6HB3UgmaVR3n_XDYbPLmSeiu9G-nvos4jXBhsLo7tBWyh8MztCi6FakbCDSHsXRP8I-g0d2QzSX_OQBCXVwqekOehXvIOAYm6YgsV-EYNY/s1600/Old+Tucson+Sean+wActors.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo151O1EMEroYUnXz5qQhKQ2LuyjxDbaD_Rp6HB3UgmaVR3n_XDYbPLmSeiu9G-nvos4jXBhsLo7tBWyh8MztCi6FakbCDSHsXRP8I-g0d2QzSX_OQBCXVwqekOehXvIOAYm6YgsV-EYNY/s320/Old+Tucson+Sean+wActors.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461294658967112130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A week later his earthy, philosophical and musical brother Ethan (16 y/o) comes out. Lucky for me Ethan wanted to earn some dough and doesn't mind doing manual labor (I think it's the Mexican in him). He and I laid out a modified "flagstone patio"...we call it a "Patty-io" which turned out better than I imagined. He became familiar with a caliche bar (a 25# iron bar used to break up tightly compacted rock and buried calcium carbonate layers) and helped plant some low-water plants, move rocks, hauled dirt and gravel. He also entertained us with performing a couple of balladeer songs at "open mic night" at the Sky Bar on 4th Ave (every town has one).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ethan poses with rare Crested Saguaro on McCain Loop.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-eG_Mc1T_wTJjnE1CjaWKQH5lkOEhh01Wv9cki9rCgJ0J8LOF9C2SWG8lomOVLMcEpmoYFelsC3yXsaPQOGr622SOpm9O5lXTiVibV54KZeCP5Dn638V9rtdSxDCv5cOcQFeDB1PAhar/s1600/Ethan+w+crested+Giant+Saguaro.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-eG_Mc1T_wTJjnE1CjaWKQH5lkOEhh01Wv9cki9rCgJ0J8LOF9C2SWG8lomOVLMcEpmoYFelsC3yXsaPQOGr622SOpm9O5lXTiVibV54KZeCP5Dn638V9rtdSxDCv5cOcQFeDB1PAhar/s320/Ethan+w+crested+Giant+Saguaro.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461299827508379538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM-KS1gw5XRjFgY1I_Dq-7wAMGTSKt9_qobLXb7UOtRAZEtLRo8NZ5aWHN_lMwQy5YnFxfE5a5vyK-c_z5u19RzDEZHgT_UWwWGnfShvMh0wBBREXkdIGPjfsF4NyLPfuxbRXQC1YIbQL/s1600/Ethan+shoveling+dirt.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM-KS1gw5XRjFgY1I_Dq-7wAMGTSKt9_qobLXb7UOtRAZEtLRo8NZ5aWHN_lMwQy5YnFxfE5a5vyK-c_z5u19RzDEZHgT_UWwWGnfShvMh0wBBREXkdIGPjfsF4NyLPfuxbRXQC1YIbQL/s320/Ethan+shoveling+dirt.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461299832452492722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliSvhc5c7P56kWY-MZOu0pMFZZTR19_wPa5vE7YTRSAOs8O2RThdCHeVpPU7KzXTDqvJjfU5DvojFVeknRKIOQ14tMgz7x-FlImzbEp-kNIxTpUv4imGAreopJZgsMAzvHsqpbD4rSmmg/s1600/Ethan+flagstone.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliSvhc5c7P56kWY-MZOu0pMFZZTR19_wPa5vE7YTRSAOs8O2RThdCHeVpPU7KzXTDqvJjfU5DvojFVeknRKIOQ14tMgz7x-FlImzbEp-kNIxTpUv4imGAreopJZgsMAzvHsqpbD4rSmmg/s320/Ethan+flagstone.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461299841207275938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp5yR4QYYs_bd9sNry_g0yXhH6cf_zsvY2tJssN_eJ1rZfhEdDC2K22uUyv9IPDSYlLJ14qeydPIGQOwtQkBon2KLDsgKGXBgi8SS8K5XvZMADnUjD_Lkak3wRUFZjTC10cVeGMGhkJSX/s1600/Ethan+performing+SkyBar.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp5yR4QYYs_bd9sNry_g0yXhH6cf_zsvY2tJssN_eJ1rZfhEdDC2K22uUyv9IPDSYlLJ14qeydPIGQOwtQkBon2KLDsgKGXBgi8SS8K5XvZMADnUjD_Lkak3wRUFZjTC10cVeGMGhkJSX/s320/Ethan+performing+SkyBar.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461307774353959922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They both seemed to enjoy the house with it's charm and the uniqueness of Tucson. Bruce and I agreed to make this an annual visit for both of them.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Before and after of back patio.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMKvMVUXZBePhyphenhyphenvC1w3oP04R9904sPykxJqamO11Tb-SZYX7-pzd6GQmbpDWeRkCAKfnPhoE7AZhtL0_SYLV0TCCpbtp2sl7tFvIX6IMl_0Enn3k6ucIY7mcCSLFl0zLFbwIbIXYA1-No/s1600/Patio+before.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMKvMVUXZBePhyphenhyphenvC1w3oP04R9904sPykxJqamO11Tb-SZYX7-pzd6GQmbpDWeRkCAKfnPhoE7AZhtL0_SYLV0TCCpbtp2sl7tFvIX6IMl_0Enn3k6ucIY7mcCSLFl0zLFbwIbIXYA1-No/s320/Patio+before.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461300099786425794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtGmQQzKAXoCzRPodSO7c4gux_2O2VNRUmMdKUA6lJW79ovkAvkUoaRD6sSiaNK9cN9V-6O4fAWlVGzu1lO5JcnNCpYByxSPsgJQGhyphenhyphenE_Dnhqg9miVfzhAnSSrEkUqJncP-zFOnIEaa8w/s1600/Patio+after.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtGmQQzKAXoCzRPodSO7c4gux_2O2VNRUmMdKUA6lJW79ovkAvkUoaRD6sSiaNK9cN9V-6O4fAWlVGzu1lO5JcnNCpYByxSPsgJQGhyphenhyphenE_Dnhqg9miVfzhAnSSrEkUqJncP-zFOnIEaa8w/s320/Patio+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461300106187854354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Meanwhile, the rehab work continues. I've been landscaping the north and east side in addition to my hand at veggie gardening. I've spent hours learning all about xeriscaping: choice of plants, water/rain harvesting needs, sun, soil quality, etc.....and days doing the prep and planting...all fun work.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Veggie garden on east side, beets and carrots should be ready for harvest early May.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Srj9ruvSaH_gYfbe7CrbahNHB7Fm8aUpa4KXfuhENkkKRY4aa8bZLamXnQGgPM9emjniBPdLq-Alz3e5ph0Hazt7wIKmCa_dUbP9h4kEMWp7EbObzZ4UeglaO2r8sqaEYzQxUZz0lwEU/s1600/My+east+side+sitting+area.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Srj9ruvSaH_gYfbe7CrbahNHB7Fm8aUpa4KXfuhENkkKRY4aa8bZLamXnQGgPM9emjniBPdLq-Alz3e5ph0Hazt7wIKmCa_dUbP9h4kEMWp7EbObzZ4UeglaO2r8sqaEYzQxUZz0lwEU/s320/My+east+side+sitting+area.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461301694354365106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">North side of house looking east...lots of dirt moving and rock work.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfRrgScoz8VMlanI_YdgHZj41_wjeVfWuMcggF8OlC27xB76nNM5Yl56BRQEjbxkmxfbUn1qtLxRb8oF_MuRia_FdgeyFScSOWvUGt1f_32Gi3YMI3xomS2xvkpzkT_cJFVqCLlfxmX6P/s1600/North+side+looking+east.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfRrgScoz8VMlanI_YdgHZj41_wjeVfWuMcggF8OlC27xB76nNM5Yl56BRQEjbxkmxfbUn1qtLxRb8oF_MuRia_FdgeyFScSOWvUGt1f_32Gi3YMI3xomS2xvkpzkT_cJFVqCLlfxmX6P/s320/North+side+looking+east.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461301697085271522" border="0" /></a><br />Bruce took on a major project of installing an evaporative cooler in prep for the summer.....he was quoted 2400USDs by a local air conditioning business but could not fathom paying that amount when the unit cost on 800 USDs. While Ethan (someone with muscles) was here he bought the unit and had Ethan help him with put it on the roof. He then requested a quote for the ducting (evaporative cooler to be hooked into the heat pump ducting) and was given a price of 375USDs by a small business minded Mexicans but he felt he could do it cheaper....and yes he could..he's saving 150 bucks.....but after 5 days of work (hard work)..he reluctantly admits.."I should have hired the Mexicans". For me, it would be a no brainer...I would like an 18" deep hole dug (4x8 ft) on the west side (sun-beaten side) in rocky hard and sandy loam.....$50 USDs will get the job done by an expert Mexican and I'd gladly pay! But then again, there is nothing more satisfying than giving yourself a challenge (if you have the time) and accomplishing something you wouldn't normally do. So kudos to you Brucie! Your determination to "do-it-yourself" amazes me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bruce bought a 4x8ft thick gauged sheet of galvanized metal, a strip of flashing and ordered these specialized vents online, cut it with a jig saw and modified this connecting duct work for our newly purchased swamp cooler. </span> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqEmG_1nRbYbtBV4TCULOcEtOOoL0rpt9ds4bwuGhfloJYuJ3yBSFAc3g7hTdNsWdDbcZZiEJHb48MzIwULFqr3QxLjJvy6P01bmg_nN0NGqKJdzTBV9NazlbAeF2ghlToySEUniVVkKp/s1600/Ducting+1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqEmG_1nRbYbtBV4TCULOcEtOOoL0rpt9ds4bwuGhfloJYuJ3yBSFAc3g7hTdNsWdDbcZZiEJHb48MzIwULFqr3QxLjJvy6P01bmg_nN0NGqKJdzTBV9NazlbAeF2ghlToySEUniVVkKp/s320/Ducting+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461310522057595474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGrK0Aa9OfjYH2N9gch_inFo2eObZps7MZwYoponcReKBl9YQGr1PH3ZUwRlnPShO9E2cXPq0hk42cbpHj5V8jftVV9Oy7FRfEGu8BM17j-oAn9Dd3bxFce2pIxlXfQlCBO-qSvV6HnhM/s1600/Almost+finished+ducting.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGrK0Aa9OfjYH2N9gch_inFo2eObZps7MZwYoponcReKBl9YQGr1PH3ZUwRlnPShO9E2cXPq0hk42cbpHj5V8jftVV9Oy7FRfEGu8BM17j-oAn9Dd3bxFce2pIxlXfQlCBO-qSvV6HnhM/s320/Almost+finished+ducting.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461310534235932418" border="0" /></a><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-79500848526405757992010-03-10T18:05:00.000-08:002010-03-10T20:08:29.150-08:00Spring in TucsonMarch 9, 2010<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfFB_Pz9wg-98yjwwYq8xqvjf03LBC_t4UwEK9U-xUiTXjLYd8xCJ2XamHewy_45jbtV55fqOn4zYCoOy6b_r_y_tnyNy-cN0MEOUWHU83y54x5GZwWmZ576co80OoiFXV-uHSP3Gyk-c/s1600-h/deer+out+door.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfFB_Pz9wg-98yjwwYq8xqvjf03LBC_t4UwEK9U-xUiTXjLYd8xCJ2XamHewy_45jbtV55fqOn4zYCoOy6b_r_y_tnyNy-cN0MEOUWHU83y54x5GZwWmZ576co80OoiFXV-uHSP3Gyk-c/s320/deer+out+door.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215346063576690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvEqqYcTMV15Kn44DRAYaWsHfbLA9xZ1tUGiANDyeQ43NTVXQn7yY7eoL8RbI-m-jk34jZrysYCK8Qfq3HybMsRFOEgkq_VnPO3YJtGTqCQhakqI5dwOjm1S_RUOfAUVb3eqoZ0v2QKhB/s1600-h/Desert+quote.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvEqqYcTMV15Kn44DRAYaWsHfbLA9xZ1tUGiANDyeQ43NTVXQn7yY7eoL8RbI-m-jk34jZrysYCK8Qfq3HybMsRFOEgkq_VnPO3YJtGTqCQhakqI5dwOjm1S_RUOfAUVb3eqoZ0v2QKhB/s320/Desert+quote.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215361121818050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We've had several visitors out since the end January: my sister from Boulder, CO; the Gildenhar's from Tacoma, WA, Bruce's Mom and Steppin Daddy from Cedar Hill, TX and a nephew from Cape Coral, Florida. It's been a lot of fun visiting with our friends and family and sharing our desert home. We've gone to all local tourist attractions, sometimes more than once: Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum (being our #1), the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tohono Chul Park, San Xavier del Bac, and the International Wildlife Museum...the first and last ones being within a 5 miles from our home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtmeXKj1OOe1amhAFcRFeuBRlqa_24ypYyW_p9Qal_erWFMeEyKXkflyfDSlqomaTxsFd1YdlsmLfrv0BDyJey5P-Z-a38ezcoTd9NMRb399su5OTREzEBcRCUc0JgSrBeTwwxKwiIISW/s1600-h/BruceRosemaryMike.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtmeXKj1OOe1amhAFcRFeuBRlqa_24ypYyW_p9Qal_erWFMeEyKXkflyfDSlqomaTxsFd1YdlsmLfrv0BDyJey5P-Z-a38ezcoTd9NMRb399su5OTREzEBcRCUc0JgSrBeTwwxKwiIISW/s320/BruceRosemaryMike.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215181023515842" border="0" />Bruce, his Mom and Step-Padre Mike</a><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXsGUl0QUn1YspDcQDrHjI3huDvif-hLZBtS1FlQ3cCLZlGdjkjV-bt0NtZz2q_nVnYj8-38fWoVn1d69IW67wJGqqnsgi3D0Yq92QJPpHXlJWz9tASD2Z9zBxzliuaCkUF3_8jBOYeQN/s1600-h/sanxavier.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXsGUl0QUn1YspDcQDrHjI3huDvif-hLZBtS1FlQ3cCLZlGdjkjV-bt0NtZz2q_nVnYj8-38fWoVn1d69IW67wJGqqnsgi3D0Yq92QJPpHXlJWz9tASD2Z9zBxzliuaCkUF3_8jBOYeQN/s320/sanxavier.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215548664057890" border="0" /></a>San Xavier del Bac<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgs2unnVVRlJYzDb9rkUuDpqOP0IlRkTPznB9Fmj2okrSRfvEKyU1ZmMDjOsbJbBlI81Y3Qp1wMIDbafDsyANPHlz2bKIGGsVHwSbvP_Hwk-dG3OJIqfM1lssqfbIhzi3qnjWt8iPNOsn/s1600-h/sanxavier2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgs2unnVVRlJYzDb9rkUuDpqOP0IlRkTPznB9Fmj2okrSRfvEKyU1ZmMDjOsbJbBlI81Y3Qp1wMIDbafDsyANPHlz2bKIGGsVHwSbvP_Hwk-dG3OJIqfM1lssqfbIhzi3qnjWt8iPNOsn/s320/sanxavier2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215546163923826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My sister gave me her expensive old mountain and road bikes so I can enjoy the more physical activities (other than tennis) that Tucson is suited for. She's exposed me to another sport I'm thoroughly enjoying: road cycling. Our first time out was 14 miles, our second was an advanced 30 miler and I have since ridden this path every Friday and shortened the path time. There's something about being <leo_highlight style="border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(255, 255, 150); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; display: inline; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" id="leoHighlights_Underline_0" onclick="leoHighlightsHandleClick('leoHighlights_Underline_0')" onmouseover="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOver('leoHighlights_Underline_0')" onmouseout="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOut('leoHighlights_Underline_0')" leohighlights_keywords="on%20the%20road" leohighlights_url_top="http%3A//shortcuts.thebrowserhighlighter.com/leonardo/plugin/highlights/3_1/tbh_highlightsTop.jsp?keywords%3Don%2520the%2520road%26domain%3Dwww.blogger.com" leohighlights_url_bottom="http%3A//shortcuts.thebrowserhighlighter.com/leonardo/plugin/highlights/3_1/tbh_highlightsBottom.jsp?keywords%3Don%2520the%2520road%26domain%3Dwww.blogger.com" leohighlights_underline="true">on the road</leo_highlight> that makes your body feel good and your mind clear. Bruce even bought a road bike to join me. Just out our door we have easy access to some of the best road biking on the edge of Tucson.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxwsi3CP8O3isboVQQyaIJzueKbAJ2bePqY2tvLtdj4ciBuO1us5h-S83nPd1SqrPrXjht7WFY_6ug8untu4aXWlzDErIKwKafLdKx6WMiy1iqCQ2vOjocgKUPyF7FP08DPz0w58Dp4VY/s1600-h/pattycynthiabruce.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxwsi3CP8O3isboVQQyaIJzueKbAJ2bePqY2tvLtdj4ciBuO1us5h-S83nPd1SqrPrXjht7WFY_6ug8untu4aXWlzDErIKwKafLdKx6WMiy1iqCQ2vOjocgKUPyF7FP08DPz0w58Dp4VY/s320/pattycynthiabruce.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215157776360850" border="0" />My sis, Cynthia.....love you woman!</a><br /></div><br />The desert gardening is still in progress as we've planted a blood and navel orange tree, the pomagranate tree is doing well and we've added a fig and avocado tree as well as started some container gardening. I have not had to water much as the rain seems to come once every 5 -8 days at this time. I'm learning more about xeriscaping, plants, propagation, soil and planting in the desert as I try to spruce up the landscape....keeping in mind to make things low maintenance.....minimal effort, maximum results. The only thing we've been able to harvest is the cilantro for our guacamole....more to come in April..I hope.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgER_i_KskQPTuTDc2SThXH9bkUKT-i80AFro8UjlxacNnbtSKcUb8Hwf6qTv29BIJK4KhQ-8CH2sBoOax9vCExhKq5cwiqilaGH4aw7FmbUH5GQNE7fbAUY4FHpkiYfcDyvgSNDOS1TF1v/s1600-h/planting+pomagranate.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgER_i_KskQPTuTDc2SThXH9bkUKT-i80AFro8UjlxacNnbtSKcUb8Hwf6qTv29BIJK4KhQ-8CH2sBoOax9vCExhKq5cwiqilaGH4aw7FmbUH5GQNE7fbAUY4FHpkiYfcDyvgSNDOS1TF1v/s320/planting+pomagranate.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447216550953111682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS8TkwMT5TQpyenahgu1u8zMH1ioXyjREyMSxdalOMR2mYvPbx8m6vKlFw5gHQPJKWQS0jP2Juv37ewJm1XyIc0EUybeyozGFVemrAlfRCDJcHN4gvHoYYoJWJhKCWohKYmF5zK42znFf/s1600-h/fruit+trees.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS8TkwMT5TQpyenahgu1u8zMH1ioXyjREyMSxdalOMR2mYvPbx8m6vKlFw5gHQPJKWQS0jP2Juv37ewJm1XyIc0EUybeyozGFVemrAlfRCDJcHN4gvHoYYoJWJhKCWohKYmF5zK42znFf/s320/fruit+trees.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215367311117714" border="0" /></a>Our twiggy pomagranate behind the blood orange and WA navel to the right....in their infant stage.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7OvbcO3XOsXjmy5aSbPY1b1VUDbboY2f4EGOK0iok019pyKZFcHVg0Tmyblk_PuSPSPq1Vl9I0mCorfJdekgmtUuobsFmE_vG_7XqrUt3Jq7yMe6NMuN1tEYBSlnAGBCkCpkKjhTpC-j/s1600-h/janet.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7OvbcO3XOsXjmy5aSbPY1b1VUDbboY2f4EGOK0iok019pyKZFcHVg0Tmyblk_PuSPSPq1Vl9I0mCorfJdekgmtUuobsFmE_vG_7XqrUt3Jq7yMe6NMuN1tEYBSlnAGBCkCpkKjhTpC-j/s320/janet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215541846847538" border="0" />My literary friend Janet....a woman of infinite wisdom and words.</a><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGslUpB7xXhARRwT3yIbreuAu9QjPICafJdSvDyIdrx351j10dbMIl4mUSib-IMWyi8rcQOW1gkgE1-TMxYGzEnQV9EZo1fygXcfuUkZ3JlmTVeGp9j3wJ8UrJjznN47D0n2AY5DQu48C9/s1600-h/balloon.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGslUpB7xXhARRwT3yIbreuAu9QjPICafJdSvDyIdrx351j10dbMIl4mUSib-IMWyi8rcQOW1gkgE1-TMxYGzEnQV9EZo1fygXcfuUkZ3JlmTVeGp9j3wJ8UrJjznN47D0n2AY5DQu48C9/s320/balloon.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215152083414242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishqqmUuA4RJJodVMaZn-1ZxMtt0i-K6VmyAPPyS5mcS49KD8G3VW71DXg8IHZ08AORFJiVjRAj3tK85ohhmP-twCmT9bI02AcScdm4dXGw-q_iuejLTrSLH0RJmUXIThp0Bh_HzG4M978/s1600-h/Gildenhars.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishqqmUuA4RJJodVMaZn-1ZxMtt0i-K6VmyAPPyS5mcS49KD8G3VW71DXg8IHZ08AORFJiVjRAj3tK85ohhmP-twCmT9bI02AcScdm4dXGw-q_iuejLTrSLH0RJmUXIThp0Bh_HzG4M978/s320/Gildenhars.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447215537575139410" border="0" /></a>Janet and Mark from Tacoma WA....oh how we don't miss the chronic rain....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRe65ZD6PNyuLWeKBfzCoMO_SgBkZ3dQgL5ADnt3n6gRMd9wKPj3R55mOHM7adP0uNp6vcnO9vq6lE4d3hqwMvl-SL_jMrmwVBWGvhQ_L8lLKXU7BnqrpmJgDN0Wwst1dK8XlGDP5wajB/s1600-h/Rainbow+Tucson+2010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" 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</script> </span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-29124775826764848252010-01-25T07:33:00.000-08:002010-01-26T06:33:46.367-08:00January 2010January 25, 2010<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzo1HUTxWObqVPNQBJok3BHIJgg7FM3VszhBd22KwQRHZTQL9n6anY3hiifiFpBq_WM9G0L7CjjnHWcOW1kzZNp1nrtnZjil3h2Yj11niMHHACW_fSR9IG4Uxz-fRHM2rX22S-_Itp5Yv/s1600-h/Cardinal+on+bath.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzo1HUTxWObqVPNQBJok3BHIJgg7FM3VszhBd22KwQRHZTQL9n6anY3hiifiFpBq_WM9G0L7CjjnHWcOW1kzZNp1nrtnZjil3h2Yj11niMHHACW_fSR9IG4Uxz-fRHM2rX22S-_Itp5Yv/s320/Cardinal+on+bath.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430894439044439234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now that the house is livable that's exactly what we've been doing...living. Not working so hard and enjoying the Sonoran Desert and Tucson. We've hiked the trail out our back door that takes us to spectacular views throughout Tucson Mountain Park. We also found that we're 10 minutes from central downtown and 15 minutes from a strip of local restaurants and shops near the university. Plus, one of the best places to buy produce is in a Mexican influenced area minutes away and a small farmers market nearby.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvrAjw1U6iXorEqvQkXcmrLgqTskY1mCoAkEZJSi5fsTTE5IKKc1safYqQ8oByr2Q0XNgAg1zFd80h6yczkSGlIg-Ju_6FFdY1BXuEMvQ7hOwl84VyogrMhI_qkNbyPA85mlFLteG3d0Y/s1600-h/Tucson+rain.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvrAjw1U6iXorEqvQkXcmrLgqTskY1mCoAkEZJSi5fsTTE5IKKc1safYqQ8oByr2Q0XNgAg1zFd80h6yczkSGlIg-Ju_6FFdY1BXuEMvQ7hOwl84VyogrMhI_qkNbyPA85mlFLteG3d0Y/s320/Tucson+rain.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430891568670689298" border="0" /></a><br />Over the past week some wet and windy weather has moved in and we've been deluged with rain....a treat in the desert. Our rain barrels fill rapidly and we were glad to see that there is no standing water in the atrium. I've spent the last two weeks repaving and improving the atrium and it's beginning to look like a restaurant......I guess I'll add the tiki torches and Bruce can serenade our visitors with his guitar.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPemXktMThLb_IdEsC2ojFjDe90HJcOudzYvdPzt1uUNzfPf47BZkd3_-q4ctEavaIK488hsBI-itZxgDk4XefDDZgfhIMjlaT_kDGQBmD8CnN1wRVsyOYVBreVzcWdCeGdwOjHtlQJABv/s1600-h/Atrium+restaurant.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPemXktMThLb_IdEsC2ojFjDe90HJcOudzYvdPzt1uUNzfPf47BZkd3_-q4ctEavaIK488hsBI-itZxgDk4XefDDZgfhIMjlaT_kDGQBmD8CnN1wRVsyOYVBreVzcWdCeGdwOjHtlQJABv/s320/Atrium+restaurant.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430891544287666770" border="0" /></a><br />We bought a couple of bird feeders and I started an herb garden on the east side. This is in addition to the wine barrel halves we bought to try my hand at vegetable gardening. Next, adding some desert plants to our east and NW side (xeriscaping) to attract more birds....fortunately after they're planted it will be low maintenance.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwH9oCWCn9QjbT5tSlA0LWJO-vJ74G24FgOxf58O2FtrVHJ_o4puSNjbWRO3NdMDh_kQUv7WRxedTv0scVSioc_6k4Rx4G_eomkIV8uVqrutB9bWjcu1s8FjgXBWYAZ2asAAllmkwsRar/s1600-h/Eastside+herb+and+veg.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwH9oCWCn9QjbT5tSlA0LWJO-vJ74G24FgOxf58O2FtrVHJ_o4puSNjbWRO3NdMDh_kQUv7WRxedTv0scVSioc_6k4Rx4G_eomkIV8uVqrutB9bWjcu1s8FjgXBWYAZ2asAAllmkwsRar/s320/Eastside+herb+and+veg.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430891561783826882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZGicoTwGwJlQagMcI1Xb-VT2zqYgYB0-JXGLQtJbK9u7rWHfvmPiIysdbBJcmTHiS4lLHH5h7XeHwLn6Vw5PnMAxK2g6B0PBkoqo0Sb6zGvIPgxn2-XbIq0jqLscRUzBGOFlQIGemb_6/s1600-h/Chasing+javalina.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZGicoTwGwJlQagMcI1Xb-VT2zqYgYB0-JXGLQtJbK9u7rWHfvmPiIysdbBJcmTHiS4lLHH5h7XeHwLn6Vw5PnMAxK2g6B0PBkoqo0Sb6zGvIPgxn2-XbIq0jqLscRUzBGOFlQIGemb_6/s320/Chasing+javalina.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430891553891926594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Chasing the javalina from our yard...these guys are brave and pesky.</span><br /><br />Our first visitor of 2010 was my long lost friend Shannon. She came out for 5 days....during the time of the rain. At night the wind howled so strongly it caused the windows to whistle....she slept right through it. The wind force and angle blew rain into our master bedroom window driving rain inside pouring on the floor....this window and the wall under it will be removed to make way for a french door to a balcony facing west to the Mountain Park.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kWXX4gW1KV4h7Ieg5lT0eKKSPK_N_udKZiVtYhJdhWAx1VmMf-sgDRCKJQ5c8zt9fC44Xtj5uClk3HVAkbyjn_tgagBOvP2qJ9DoepQK0YQ0r2Da5oslReaJZCK9j8_GAIF3Y9S2LDB-/s1600-h/Catalina+snow.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kWXX4gW1KV4h7Ieg5lT0eKKSPK_N_udKZiVtYhJdhWAx1VmMf-sgDRCKJQ5c8zt9fC44Xtj5uClk3HVAkbyjn_tgagBOvP2qJ9DoepQK0YQ0r2Da5oslReaJZCK9j8_GAIF3Y9S2LDB-/s320/Catalina+snow.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430891547877805842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Snow on the Catalina Mountains after the rain clouds moved through.</span><br /><br />We've continued to buy our furniture and tools on Craigslist and have had great success as long as we're patient. There are very few things we buy new..including clothing. This town is loaded with consignment and resale stores. The house is now well set and we're both equally content and found its a lot of fun starting over....especially with a project like this.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubdzTUJRxjNEibW-PZ7uWtj5GaKI9V_1AWA3bfcFPrnwryS4uF3SLvSUEY2J8C-K5Q4S01NN468ZFrnVPL_0608bnfjGdL4Edsm6AV1zzUDnMjDqoKzocPdD6nK9Aul98P-0It9-O0aBw/s1600-h/Bruce+painting+bdrm+window.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubdzTUJRxjNEibW-PZ7uWtj5GaKI9V_1AWA3bfcFPrnwryS4uF3SLvSUEY2J8C-K5Q4S01NN468ZFrnVPL_0608bnfjGdL4Edsm6AV1zzUDnMjDqoKzocPdD6nK9Aul98P-0It9-O0aBw/s320/Bruce+painting+bdrm+window.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430894427697458018" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">The last bit of exterior painting.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwTs5NPIgCfRsoxS_A54TJBPzg9RDDavpacgUOSKB4Z0ObD4ZvlQulFMcRUeiQi_9LkdeZpRyPwZ5Z6HpBbwS1scOARs4i6rYI90QIxfEvRmZcwD0nt7JNrZxOeskX1sF-jf30qP6Ug1j/s1600-h/West+side+working+on+ramada.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwTs5NPIgCfRsoxS_A54TJBPzg9RDDavpacgUOSKB4Z0ObD4ZvlQulFMcRUeiQi_9LkdeZpRyPwZ5Z6HpBbwS1scOARs4i6rYI90QIxfEvRmZcwD0nt7JNrZxOeskX1sF-jf30qP6Ug1j/s320/West+side+working+on+ramada.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430893253967979938" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Preparing to animal proof the ramada in the chicken coop.</span>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-56793002925319190482009-12-24T18:47:00.000-08:002009-12-26T09:18:27.345-08:00Happy Holidays 2009!!December 26, 2009<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ryUfE9fYUOX2o586jXfNmko3k9H-zMSePpXu1DsbiURgXjFeChBzEuN0qp0Z9_RRvOIDfuRytIMcd6nWloHu4eW25SBBMlVdNQvvkDkX4oCavGNJ0joetdUIQTEag2N4OTFYH3PEzKs/s1600-h/Javalina+in+patio.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ryUfE9fYUOX2o586jXfNmko3k9H-zMSePpXu1DsbiURgXjFeChBzEuN0qp0Z9_RRvOIDfuRytIMcd6nWloHu4eW25SBBMlVdNQvvkDkX4oCavGNJ0joetdUIQTEag2N4OTFYH3PEzKs/s320/Javalina+in+patio.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586883905115042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We hope everyone has a great holiday and a better 2010. 2009 has been a special year for us. It just keeps getting better.<br /><br />Almost 3 months of fixing up the "fixer upper" and the major items have all been tackled. After we sold most all of our possessions in June 2008 to travel we had no furniture when we bought his house. Craigslist is our furniture store of choice, so if you come to visit don't expect matching style or color of furniture....however it will be functional and comfortable.<br /><br />Here is what we have done so far:<br /><br />Purchase Toyota pickup for Pat - Done (2001 Tacoma).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwyDP63i0hLlSYxT8D16sXmoAJpPpWZgOjYvJn57iRcOBer3oL0j4tLKHWkLpPTm6czj1hHKWzCfbjXQ3jarBqauXuv2vzTrYPhhTfMwG3UerlOzTVdY4JvTWpcKodtkEUZ6mkdlYjj_O/s1600-h/Pats+Toyota.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwyDP63i0hLlSYxT8D16sXmoAJpPpWZgOjYvJn57iRcOBer3oL0j4tLKHWkLpPTm6czj1hHKWzCfbjXQ3jarBqauXuv2vzTrYPhhTfMwG3UerlOzTVdY4JvTWpcKodtkEUZ6mkdlYjj_O/s320/Pats+Toyota.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419587059978679490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Scraped the popcorn off of the ceiling, then texturing and painting - Done.<br /><br />Tear out the old carpet, cleaning and acid etching the concrete floor, scoring lines in the concrete with an angle grinder, then staining and sealing the floor - Done.<br /><br />Paint the interior drywall after repairs and texturing the walls - Done.<br /><br />Paint the interior brick - Done.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm3m-J4k0xLoCE5tD-ab_srk9kNoTPRfVG_r8UDGofkghjl1Xp3x3gKBbGshSblLNGbXUQql35UI2HzWwH_yt9sYer0y_UyZCzSbOP9bYkNFe5HtefDxcp2rosioj6VqruLpHJOGbNT3J/s1600-h/living+room+fireplace+before+remodel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm3m-J4k0xLoCE5tD-ab_srk9kNoTPRfVG_r8UDGofkghjl1Xp3x3gKBbGshSblLNGbXUQql35UI2HzWwH_yt9sYer0y_UyZCzSbOP9bYkNFe5HtefDxcp2rosioj6VqruLpHJOGbNT3J/s320/living+room+fireplace+before+remodel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419020984943699666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IBexa61C3D8kHcUvdyZHSnR34pOiDZZugggwWzOkKuJ-9keGi5QQmtQuC4Kvckmdd7e9UD0GV2XPxXh28vybSFhw3J825spSpA0Ju0W-_bqHIoAplu4E9w5_un2gECr4AKjrlznH26FB/s1600-h/lvrm+after.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IBexa61C3D8kHcUvdyZHSnR34pOiDZZugggwWzOkKuJ-9keGi5QQmtQuC4Kvckmdd7e9UD0GV2XPxXh28vybSFhw3J825spSpA0Ju0W-_bqHIoAplu4E9w5_un2gECr4AKjrlznH26FB/s320/lvrm+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586904938642690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAU7XvqOgZX2cUNAPtB1INkVIm3oJPFFdHhP7E79W9VInV0z4TmWz_g0XKnNYcgh5TFXqkQEzAMtVn0HLQ78iPqgcl8Kml_w4U9ZXCH6bc1nrt9VOt0W2IvRvNqc71FhFnOScb7jPzZxU/s1600-h/living+room+left+side+before+remodel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAU7XvqOgZX2cUNAPtB1INkVIm3oJPFFdHhP7E79W9VInV0z4TmWz_g0XKnNYcgh5TFXqkQEzAMtVn0HLQ78iPqgcl8Kml_w4U9ZXCH6bc1nrt9VOt0W2IvRvNqc71FhFnOScb7jPzZxU/s320/living+room+left+side+before+remodel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419020986255128994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhnkUtOJPopAAvOO_ZfTGvAyOquIONffAUW0JwHb09sV8sM9DzvsucFiydGembUixYRErUdsLXXlY55uQh4-oASYvKU9sEKWZ9xrY3xthaAZWXmK21SLsLt0D1qPNZQldZ0mr5o9HHMPq/s1600-h/lv+rm+area+after.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhnkUtOJPopAAvOO_ZfTGvAyOquIONffAUW0JwHb09sV8sM9DzvsucFiydGembUixYRErUdsLXXlY55uQh4-oASYvKU9sEKWZ9xrY3xthaAZWXmK21SLsLt0D1qPNZQldZ0mr5o9HHMPq/s320/lv+rm+area+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586901272285026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Scrape and paint the exterior (after changing colors!) - Done.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnssW8BXhvU0rFnG6eGNB5qordL-VjZ16XZeT5K7EEptzNureftnrbuZ3cIBM6CjoECMPMzkcU-mMZyfQ505H-USCkl50mdrXIJN1gJLeOdcPxsJvIt2oSv4ugbiY3T8ZN_SwletycboZc/s1600-h/front+porch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnssW8BXhvU0rFnG6eGNB5qordL-VjZ16XZeT5K7EEptzNureftnrbuZ3cIBM6CjoECMPMzkcU-mMZyfQ505H-USCkl50mdrXIJN1gJLeOdcPxsJvIt2oSv4ugbiY3T8ZN_SwletycboZc/s320/front+porch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419582193609939826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrstDs0WtPsvl3YmP_XNGTxM045ZEHseTqyybxOPANc4dNPZi5j_MmsSOPyporn8NMP5Wcc0yNR455kp9D8WxtJbQcdehAmtj3Z98hD607HGQSFfv0jVByBCMSW8IvsQc9iogaMnRjgBpC/s1600-h/front+porch+after.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrstDs0WtPsvl3YmP_XNGTxM045ZEHseTqyybxOPANc4dNPZi5j_MmsSOPyporn8NMP5Wcc0yNR455kp9D8WxtJbQcdehAmtj3Z98hD607HGQSFfv0jVByBCMSW8IvsQc9iogaMnRjgBpC/s320/front+porch+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586680567380114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr06VN09m00hNq1QXfmJ9-HbMITxu_e6zKr-Nqv0T7xw2crmxN95fslO8rw6pPZFL3SWFntPwjW6Avw5__9QDVwy8OU_lkD2SftfzyWsppx1eInzGbI__h1SMVoNXWXqBokuLq0r9dcAjc/s1600-h/front+of+house+before+red+paint.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr06VN09m00hNq1QXfmJ9-HbMITxu_e6zKr-Nqv0T7xw2crmxN95fslO8rw6pPZFL3SWFntPwjW6Avw5__9QDVwy8OU_lkD2SftfzyWsppx1eInzGbI__h1SMVoNXWXqBokuLq0r9dcAjc/s320/front+of+house+before+red+paint.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419589611249362162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2cG4E5dXvYl8B45oRwPnxsetSkLYpomOkboBfsfaYj62oSmiSd-4o5_R6dABcgWpbfT9uN6P5h8IvPlOwwsICwlORnZjfv8FXSKf0CTcR16aPpFhJCwZsrTAWhV9ryKxLaSijNe85dXF/s1600-h/front+view+after+red+paint.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2cG4E5dXvYl8B45oRwPnxsetSkLYpomOkboBfsfaYj62oSmiSd-4o5_R6dABcgWpbfT9uN6P5h8IvPlOwwsICwlORnZjfv8FXSKf0CTcR16aPpFhJCwZsrTAWhV9ryKxLaSijNe85dXF/s320/front+view+after+red+paint.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586685669172402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Install 3 ceiling fans after fishing electrical wires through the walls and ceiling - Done.<br /><br />New roof - Done.<br /><br />Termite extermination - Done.<br /><br />Clean the disgusting, pack-rat infested shed! - Done.<br /><br />Ten city dump runs! - Done.<br /><br />DSL and DirecTV (with 52" LCD/LED TV)- Done.<br /><br />Heat pump repaired - Done.<br /><br />Strangler fig tree stump in atrium removed - Done (see previous posting).<br /><br />Furniture for all of the rooms from Craigslist and estate sales - Done (almost).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1V8aSR7wggCndQaw7AcZ9uYLDZ6gYTyDWIFXyZIMiyhHlTEksSQp_jlmrXlxejQOf4Qk0tdK_hPA10Foy88T2XSjXPGep8_EVjZKpFUh4KUHH44Ls4rnIs4ZrL6i_XSzt3wpDtsBE5VG/s1600-h/mstr+bdrm+better+before+photo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1V8aSR7wggCndQaw7AcZ9uYLDZ6gYTyDWIFXyZIMiyhHlTEksSQp_jlmrXlxejQOf4Qk0tdK_hPA10Foy88T2XSjXPGep8_EVjZKpFUh4KUHH44Ls4rnIs4ZrL6i_XSzt3wpDtsBE5VG/s320/mstr+bdrm+better+before+photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419579953952837922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkG8OB1D87mcXf1DnsaimZiziBEMsMYefYietzbdyT8vde88QiRkoQwziydHNu8U57DBAzfnrNeYfKQXroBo0ZsMgf7wumG-AHo5frkGBXQRBPdvKb1Z52fu3HDpo7ZFpw06IDUsEXsVHg/s1600-h/mstr+bdrm+after.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkG8OB1D87mcXf1DnsaimZiziBEMsMYefYietzbdyT8vde88QiRkoQwziydHNu8U57DBAzfnrNeYfKQXroBo0ZsMgf7wumG-AHo5frkGBXQRBPdvKb1Z52fu3HDpo7ZFpw06IDUsEXsVHg/s320/mstr+bdrm+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419587055634815522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7412EYOEkTJOYEmHHWKYHXGxMnuczwFqOquNOMSPtXtFTyegiWCpErgPWmWbLf8jaD4oeURRxH-WOpO1y8U_ipa99wtNWgfX38-bf7hHSz9-w3FDejZP1prMQa_kId4Hkb9tBX7IPwttd/s1600-h/mstr+bdrm+before+fur+teardown.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7412EYOEkTJOYEmHHWKYHXGxMnuczwFqOquNOMSPtXtFTyegiWCpErgPWmWbLf8jaD4oeURRxH-WOpO1y8U_ipa99wtNWgfX38-bf7hHSz9-w3FDejZP1prMQa_kId4Hkb9tBX7IPwttd/s320/mstr+bdrm+before+fur+teardown.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419579958550127762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYERTzIZU7MlbBl948JXgvQ-sK10cglwfEPRdFn6NArtONIrxVPPaqo3kSOkjPjQYjLFcdpOXEvcxSMGxKtbLHyx4lJNpytHdFzsrc6w30LBv9XNseTgxiUxNE0Lx9Bsvgl-GzVvMAYPif/s1600-h/mstr+bdrm+after+fur+removal.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYERTzIZU7MlbBl948JXgvQ-sK10cglwfEPRdFn6NArtONIrxVPPaqo3kSOkjPjQYjLFcdpOXEvcxSMGxKtbLHyx4lJNpytHdFzsrc6w30LBv9XNseTgxiUxNE0Lx9Bsvgl-GzVvMAYPif/s320/mstr+bdrm+after+fur+removal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419587052791180914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinypUgkkH07FenqjNGI63TasR1NhYIHR8iF5zWIgg96jMSmtKgIc1v0SBf8Sq7bT3j_PTrzyvDDSpYIRix16ZPxKQWMBcii68jwqn_jtnVDKvT4zMfm9PlktstFg_6pRG3NLKYcCvgAm9E/s1600-h/stove+and+counter+before.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinypUgkkH07FenqjNGI63TasR1NhYIHR8iF5zWIgg96jMSmtKgIc1v0SBf8Sq7bT3j_PTrzyvDDSpYIRix16ZPxKQWMBcii68jwqn_jtnVDKvT4zMfm9PlktstFg_6pRG3NLKYcCvgAm9E/s320/stove+and+counter+before.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419579967179939794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceaFRKNHkg83QWK0V33mI37iALeHNTV_cLGFX2vPFKlCQZ2XctH89tF-fHmoOW4FxSmOtMo2IgHx2MBPheVkgDPafxlb48ASjSlbWrAsvhII2UmTcOzN8oMtHJ8d8iUbaxzmRoSytEprt/s1600-h/kitchen+stove+area+after.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceaFRKNHkg83QWK0V33mI37iALeHNTV_cLGFX2vPFKlCQZ2XctH89tF-fHmoOW4FxSmOtMo2IgHx2MBPheVkgDPafxlb48ASjSlbWrAsvhII2UmTcOzN8oMtHJ8d8iUbaxzmRoSytEprt/s320/kitchen+stove+area+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586892426098498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdypmx4D_6cir_AdtYt7qejGQwYAw8LT-8YvzNY7zavziW-eGGSlxrw263TDokwy8aQT_JI2CIYl3-YqvR592F75PIcdLefDFRKmBCo3S5Cjbi_qDhYowHcif1ZEhzbHkIhkSFTgGbvV1D/s1600-h/Kitchen+before+remodel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdypmx4D_6cir_AdtYt7qejGQwYAw8LT-8YvzNY7zavziW-eGGSlxrw263TDokwy8aQT_JI2CIYl3-YqvR592F75PIcdLefDFRKmBCo3S5Cjbi_qDhYowHcif1ZEhzbHkIhkSFTgGbvV1D/s320/Kitchen+before+remodel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419020978487653282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZxLW67SIKkH3Kmin-uRsvyVp_GDZaRwIX70D89gpLfy1pWsCCYBhMjj9S2wS9S3L0p8MMa8M8IR0OJrrFqE5ohTSEJW781YKda1EEBwqdfv6nHE-jrpoTPgUrdPMyTbXLpMdcRq_Y6WH/s1600-h/kitchen+after+from+garage+hall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZxLW67SIKkH3Kmin-uRsvyVp_GDZaRwIX70D89gpLfy1pWsCCYBhMjj9S2wS9S3L0p8MMa8M8IR0OJrrFqE5ohTSEJW781YKda1EEBwqdfv6nHE-jrpoTPgUrdPMyTbXLpMdcRq_Y6WH/s320/kitchen+after+from+garage+hall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586889472396594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yard work galore - Done (almost).<br /><br />Left to be done:<br /><br />Repair outside deck and paint.<br /><br />Build outside deck off of master bedroom.<br /><br />Atrium paving, potting and central fountain.<br /><br />Building kitchen counter.<br /><br />Pat's garden.<br /><br />Eventual flag-stoning small outdoor areas.<br /><br />We didn't think we could ever have neighbors as kind and friendly as our Puyallup neighbors but our Tucson neighbors are right there. They have been very welcoming.<br /><br />This is a very special home and now we can relax a bit and enjoy it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU7xiePRznZg0DKvZevaV4jBmBoee0XdybodHvQrve6mYvI-ZjB-KTbSQ1JRKZuEzqhWxmDJiawGtvELILea8H9vM2SrvdkZ5F27shLJ5AdsiHjTrncBR1YrOrdJeRiZBODhEnWBrHwFx/s1600-h/hallway+before.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU7xiePRznZg0DKvZevaV4jBmBoee0XdybodHvQrve6mYvI-ZjB-KTbSQ1JRKZuEzqhWxmDJiawGtvELILea8H9vM2SrvdkZ5F27shLJ5AdsiHjTrncBR1YrOrdJeRiZBODhEnWBrHwFx/s320/hallway+before.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419582203726690786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DGY1BlhC8FQ8T-bU5zz1z7JOtUK0lYilkmmmmEBbDh6ags9k8cSWu9xjjPva04W5CJGN5Jf9HoBE2qJvjBbLo2AfBbJEGJ1Bsc2ahNwbkhKuKX-XXrkofFNXxe2HPALXCNPk0wGes0Zq/s1600-h/hallway+after.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DGY1BlhC8FQ8T-bU5zz1z7JOtUK0lYilkmmmmEBbDh6ags9k8cSWu9xjjPva04W5CJGN5Jf9HoBE2qJvjBbLo2AfBbJEGJ1Bsc2ahNwbkhKuKX-XXrkofFNXxe2HPALXCNPk0wGes0Zq/s320/hallway+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586702529711170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GTWhDT7FeJSTUK0sX2O-q0Xl3E6f8gRxxX_gjYqzajqYdR6A7Iw8Gr3TzPL-1x3lgXMtroBq0kc3aorYAlX_EQPvBV7ESEPkehKLbJbf0pLOT56xm7DnV4dYAbCIx81ORKybRmNXO8D-/s1600-h/hall+bath+before.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GTWhDT7FeJSTUK0sX2O-q0Xl3E6f8gRxxX_gjYqzajqYdR6A7Iw8Gr3TzPL-1x3lgXMtroBq0kc3aorYAlX_EQPvBV7ESEPkehKLbJbf0pLOT56xm7DnV4dYAbCIx81ORKybRmNXO8D-/s320/hall+bath+before.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419582198733612466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAC_6Fod7dtoE-slJ6i2zZKXClC8fZLYKV9JuRPVwYBNgq_OhwLIy9yF62FaIvlP_5OLwxZnYuB_CzIz1Q6xUWrGXEEAuLY_2ueMwawIdOX10FjGZQqHBSIvWYBkym9GTwiNEuPHeheh0/s1600-h/hall+bath+after.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAC_6Fod7dtoE-slJ6i2zZKXClC8fZLYKV9JuRPVwYBNgq_OhwLIy9yF62FaIvlP_5OLwxZnYuB_CzIz1Q6xUWrGXEEAuLY_2ueMwawIdOX10FjGZQqHBSIvWYBkym9GTwiNEuPHeheh0/s320/hall+bath+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586690818346434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYak4o29B_YTaPmDsWZivlEjaeNgManppv3UExpcar6tElX3Lbx3Ofzs50jBQ-hmbp866U8XnvdGQJspeh1xGVSs0Ie7NPJ-b1tz5i0JhMRFLGf4DIQNs2ycbJ3tPnEZEwcYRwQC8RWa2i/s1600-h/2nd+bdrm+before+remodel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYak4o29B_YTaPmDsWZivlEjaeNgManppv3UExpcar6tElX3Lbx3Ofzs50jBQ-hmbp866U8XnvdGQJspeh1xGVSs0Ie7NPJ-b1tz5i0JhMRFLGf4DIQNs2ycbJ3tPnEZEwcYRwQC8RWa2i/s320/2nd+bdrm+before+remodel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419020970465395938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6lqiZEtlEBsvwKLN1n3E4tIStM__obV0RelUra5vLw1cKhI7phCWMqOZF-yGq4Wf8WUHV9XDk28wf9YG-YIjrTKctlcQ4zUH9m-0PEIb7p1xz9gv-J0Gfi8hEtpuGuDYMopmgbjL7VhC/s1600-h/2n+bdrm+after.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6lqiZEtlEBsvwKLN1n3E4tIStM__obV0RelUra5vLw1cKhI7phCWMqOZF-yGq4Wf8WUHV9XDk28wf9YG-YIjrTKctlcQ4zUH9m-0PEIb7p1xz9gv-J0Gfi8hEtpuGuDYMopmgbjL7VhC/s320/2n+bdrm+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419586676292473538" border="0" /></a><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>bbordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07152655535088791002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-70096170751889748672009-12-01T17:30:00.000-08:002009-12-03T08:44:31.944-08:00Dos Meses y continuacion mucho trabajoDecember 3, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDi2WCUQ36shyphenhyphenMTUqXb04AJyc5QBC74gvhWbOhxOOWt16lyGBwyWkWaunPggCOFfLo2sYlrLgySPE2IxKSU3FoX599tSEaUqnjOeE8q6I8Es4kQLy21io2ftCvTN5-2ZaSNtEs8-Cdnag/s1600-h/deer+side+of+house.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDi2WCUQ36shyphenhyphenMTUqXb04AJyc5QBC74gvhWbOhxOOWt16lyGBwyWkWaunPggCOFfLo2sYlrLgySPE2IxKSU3FoX599tSEaUqnjOeE8q6I8Es4kQLy21io2ftCvTN5-2ZaSNtEs8-Cdnag/s320/deer+side+of+house.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411038080657652802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bruce here: Well we have been working every day for 2 months now and the house is really coming together. It almost feels like a home.<br /><br />Since the last post a month ago we have finished the interior painting and texturing, finished the floor(big job), installed 3 ceiling fans(no electrical outlets in ceiling), completely clean out the storage shed(pack rat city!), had the fig tree removed(major surgery), finally got Qwest DSL(what a nightmare!), got our 52" Sharp LED HDTV(Sweeeet!), bought a big sectional sofa, coffee table, guest bed, dining room table and chairs (Craigslist), finished the bathrooms and made numerous trips to the city dump.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPcihjX6Ohp7F_o0VP73om0NlZRlNTpac7uLjakznMUyc-yrd7W7lsj0U19Zlas2700fvTgoD6eIOJ5LZJj29W-nkmbyajFr1wrbcrl9QUdFXXqd6b_eO6Wj-uF00j09xkmXsmbXSMVlT/s1600-h/Shed+clean+out+Bruce.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPcihjX6Ohp7F_o0VP73om0NlZRlNTpac7uLjakznMUyc-yrd7W7lsj0U19Zlas2700fvTgoD6eIOJ5LZJj29W-nkmbyajFr1wrbcrl9QUdFXXqd6b_eO6Wj-uF00j09xkmXsmbXSMVlT/s320/Shed+clean+out+Bruce.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411038068773549506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBkbOXXvMZnxA9yU0nxIrLlbIIdqgu5iuiQUlYMCswlhO6RY_1_LxnA0GA1bxDuyr80gl9eppzcHw4tIHJwvsnC2EoQC-5zWHfyeLeDsm6zMM0Ohea0N9QHky9KIjlCAMhtgaigd1LIrb/s1600-h/Shed+rat+house.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBkbOXXvMZnxA9yU0nxIrLlbIIdqgu5iuiQUlYMCswlhO6RY_1_LxnA0GA1bxDuyr80gl9eppzcHw4tIHJwvsnC2EoQC-5zWHfyeLeDsm6zMM0Ohea0N9QHky9KIjlCAMhtgaigd1LIrb/s320/Shed+rat+house.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411037619295503538" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Trash piled in rat doo-doo.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcBIlptRjMcaVxkHeUBdNFHeTEanB8NODKvtIyZGzf37_nYVst-4rSSpFp-xXOXS_C2_wQn6vjkjv51re3DmohzKw4IDPCB16XS1R2bQNw32VMKANSR_RiITF8vDm-ds8Yi7SQND4dJ1e/s1600-h/Shed+after+clean+up.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcBIlptRjMcaVxkHeUBdNFHeTEanB8NODKvtIyZGzf37_nYVst-4rSSpFp-xXOXS_C2_wQn6vjkjv51re3DmohzKw4IDPCB16XS1R2bQNw32VMKANSR_RiITF8vDm-ds8Yi7SQND4dJ1e/s320/Shed+after+clean+up.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411037624042994162" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Shed after clean up.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMdn3akAbpoAgRcuOMGaNeCDZOfFjL8he2q_hghwVi5t2CsxwyKm4vDxpMd2asrnMea0QBiiW3b9DWlswTNEDod8cHX8Uavy2F-2P49Xq_VTSOVIiZWhMbiya8sBWQ5wwiJdtEkeZPygS/s1600-h/dump+run.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMdn3akAbpoAgRcuOMGaNeCDZOfFjL8he2q_hghwVi5t2CsxwyKm4vDxpMd2asrnMea0QBiiW3b9DWlswTNEDod8cHX8Uavy2F-2P49Xq_VTSOVIiZWhMbiya8sBWQ5wwiJdtEkeZPygS/s320/dump+run.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411037612712356578" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Resembles the Clampetts.<span><span></span></span></span><br /><br /><br />We have been invited to dinner by several of our Mountain Garden Estates neighbors(Thanks Vicki, Floria and Brian, and Sue and Jerome) and all were great meals. This is a very pro-active neighborhood of about 40 individual-style homes on one acre lots and all cherish their view and natural surroundings. The neighborhood watch group meets twice a year to discuss neighborhood business and plan cleanup days and buffel grass squads.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4E9qnD6HhGlJsa9L-RqZZDbqnniiaFYJD4xVT4ZaMyIG0USojhxp0dqZO9O3xzkUY1RzvInWTZ2_wg1XCgSEzkwL3fgmNvtTZEwi44OdkksBSj3uvkMoS8SrtmvkXrZx-uMNI-AkcDzO/s1600-h/fig+tree+stump+faucet+circled.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4E9qnD6HhGlJsa9L-RqZZDbqnniiaFYJD4xVT4ZaMyIG0USojhxp0dqZO9O3xzkUY1RzvInWTZ2_wg1XCgSEzkwL3fgmNvtTZEwi44OdkksBSj3uvkMoS8SrtmvkXrZx-uMNI-AkcDzO/s320/fig+tree+stump+faucet+circled.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411051423736853858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We hired a pro-stump remover, named Zach, and we're glad we did. To our surprise there were several large rocks imbedded in the roots underneath we could not see. An anticipated 1 hour job turned in to a 3 hour job. The theme of a remodel. </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX66WlgGNKdBfv5aiqjJA6_XJDrDq-UT2KC0qXi8ci1PVKQnoEYWRbZxcPlPGYfY3YeYVk15h1ZamjfDhwoJvLMNeoHsEI_FwIREAYqv4_4FaUwbeeZwGVURfKqlZ_GbKlYIRafxiX4jeO/s1600-h/atrium+facet+after.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX66WlgGNKdBfv5aiqjJA6_XJDrDq-UT2KC0qXi8ci1PVKQnoEYWRbZxcPlPGYfY3YeYVk15h1ZamjfDhwoJvLMNeoHsEI_FwIREAYqv4_4FaUwbeeZwGVURfKqlZ_GbKlYIRafxiX4jeO/s320/atrium+facet+after.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411038076887930226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Zach used his stump grinder and chainsaw as surgical tools. You can barely see the faucet in the previous photo. This is what remains of the "strangler fig tree"...had we'd left it the roots would have continued to seek out and possibly destroy the plumbing.</span><br /><br />Our friend Tami came to stay with us for a few days while she gets ready to move back to Mexico. She prepared a Thanksgiving meal for us and we had a great time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7y36pYWj17AlxTX0CdK3jKNM1K3Ts9VHfiYzll1lihJu965RIE7vzAY0tTy9hyphenhyphenhtr-MkoJAuynuQuFSCG7znkS68Go9Qtxy33DGzR3LpvArd2cjq2-tzQe1HR36776TojQOBlGe5EaLyP/s1600-h/thxgvg+bruce+y+tami.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7y36pYWj17AlxTX0CdK3jKNM1K3Ts9VHfiYzll1lihJu965RIE7vzAY0tTy9hyphenhyphenhtr-MkoJAuynuQuFSCG7znkS68Go9Qtxy33DGzR3LpvArd2cjq2-tzQe1HR36776TojQOBlGe5EaLyP/s320/thxgvg+bruce+y+tami.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411044281067809474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy1K8eDkqSr9D3ohEqQmYd5r_QweIJTYgqAVvtMgXCfmFPKCLQcJCoS5Mkb4CZmcTGeduuylnBVD9ATBzhhc0ko70_6B-fXxM_NJCI0pChal-3L9lPNszxjeaymf31qccm2_NDKUm1Tq2/s1600-h/thxgvg+pat+y+tami.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy1K8eDkqSr9D3ohEqQmYd5r_QweIJTYgqAVvtMgXCfmFPKCLQcJCoS5Mkb4CZmcTGeduuylnBVD9ATBzhhc0ko70_6B-fXxM_NJCI0pChal-3L9lPNszxjeaymf31qccm2_NDKUm1Tq2/s320/thxgvg+pat+y+tami.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411044152499444514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa254ACS_aMUHw41UFjxTuVLKlM7FnhvUVWWQcrgq_ywbTYnhZgCiHtibQlGoYDAPtJfJKWSF5yijTYHUhluBRdCAfw-elZqjffssv8TGY_7gDr1xAAZzEAwYOgSvPP0Njls9Ky5nj-Bj/s1600-h/sleeping+in+garage.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa254ACS_aMUHw41UFjxTuVLKlM7FnhvUVWWQcrgq_ywbTYnhZgCiHtibQlGoYDAPtJfJKWSF5yijTYHUhluBRdCAfw-elZqjffssv8TGY_7gDr1xAAZzEAwYOgSvPP0Njls9Ky5nj-Bj/s320/sleeping+in+garage.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411044147050824738" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">We've had to move the bed from room to room as we prep the floors. Our last stop prior to completion was the garage.....we slept there for a week.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSwGS8Su25qczAVUEheeL6uy6azmpYX4fsYNVr1hMAThZRy8EmzlBahZZ0zEAItdvAohaLdKrzp2xl7oE2yGL8ighTjbFF0cJIfjp8ohKopx_gsigkXq5FojoA7b0LDKMd1FLCUrUQ-6T/s1600-h/mstr+bedroom+floor+prep.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSwGS8Su25qczAVUEheeL6uy6azmpYX4fsYNVr1hMAThZRy8EmzlBahZZ0zEAItdvAohaLdKrzp2xl7oE2yGL8ighTjbFF0cJIfjp8ohKopx_gsigkXq5FojoA7b0LDKMd1FLCUrUQ-6T/s320/mstr+bedroom+floor+prep.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411038094399519938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRNTg20Hdv7F7LSG0NZM_LAZ6fWv7I247RNXwjXgdnNTUeklq4el6pSU2prDcteZHlV08CGFmS8AHMmGD28ndwTr9-6u_4wz58QjucqR5QqOm0Xu3aDH-Tu12z-nlwPb42AUVNv5FLSMK/s1600-h/floor+prep+lvrm+y+kitchen+bruce.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRNTg20Hdv7F7LSG0NZM_LAZ6fWv7I247RNXwjXgdnNTUeklq4el6pSU2prDcteZHlV08CGFmS8AHMmGD28ndwTr9-6u_4wz58QjucqR5QqOm0Xu3aDH-Tu12z-nlwPb42AUVNv5FLSMK/s320/floor+prep+lvrm+y+kitchen+bruce.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411038089292687874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawdjl8RPGw5_bvynJ1bBcP7wnUwR-wHjXFgYCkNNlZXBMBnLZCcKG30009AS-3y29EfIhXvLJPmL3Xi_hBXIEIuDLX7rQGvgal1SWSSNVInJYBqErWN0k09ed0eKuNnGLmy9KIGtuo52E/s1600-h/brm+2+floor+semtransparent+stain.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawdjl8RPGw5_bvynJ1bBcP7wnUwR-wHjXFgYCkNNlZXBMBnLZCcKG30009AS-3y29EfIhXvLJPmL3Xi_hBXIEIuDLX7rQGvgal1SWSSNVInJYBqErWN0k09ed0eKuNnGLmy9KIGtuo52E/s320/brm+2+floor+semtransparent+stain.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411044142987268098" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">I scored the floors with a small angle-grinder</span>.<br /><br />We have had a few missteps. We didn't like the master bath wall paint and changed colors. The kitchen counter grout job had to be redone. We had originally planned to use transparent stain on the floors but this concrete is just too old so we were forced to use a solid stain which is basically paint.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MCoLnIM3dHxmVPoZ1CvfrItzsdDT-K9kFsstfY4rYVzmlGr-52_oyCncXOfAM8j0XGhtf9XVfKEX2g6UCYjgEipx35mZiNE6m8YuUtvS74TB0EHxsorB7HmsoIS0epYgTnxQHFZriB3i/s1600-h/finished+floor+lvrm.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MCoLnIM3dHxmVPoZ1CvfrItzsdDT-K9kFsstfY4rYVzmlGr-52_oyCncXOfAM8j0XGhtf9XVfKEX2g6UCYjgEipx35mZiNE6m8YuUtvS74TB0EHxsorB7HmsoIS0epYgTnxQHFZriB3i/s320/finished+floor+lvrm.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411038513850557778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We still have lot to do but at least now we can relax a bit since we have the basic house necessities in place. Pat is released to play tennis twice a week now.<br /><br />The deer visit on a regular basis sometimes jumping our back yard fence.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOemVY3i5O67qovIvHPSVpgKnaLlGx1zie3sYact_P9C_60ghj1Hz0lLRHjIpdptM0HIrbv0hG1D9IhjkZdh6MM5nbJRKblmnZ4wqPagcqpK33Q4tCdg3C9-uAA-Mg_JEcWXizmwNJlEjH/s1600-h/deer+in+back+yard.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOemVY3i5O67qovIvHPSVpgKnaLlGx1zie3sYact_P9C_60ghj1Hz0lLRHjIpdptM0HIrbv0hG1D9IhjkZdh6MM5nbJRKblmnZ4wqPagcqpK33Q4tCdg3C9-uAA-Mg_JEcWXizmwNJlEjH/s320/deer+in+back+yard.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411047085577694226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have bought all of our furniture on Craigslist and estate sales...and sold a few things also. When we sold the Washington house we sold most of our "things" on Craigslist and now we are buying them all back. What a great idea that website is - the inventor should win the Nobel Prize. Has to kill the retail furniture stores though.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIayglI2j6Jxy40AkwGrCI1JiKoG34sa916Cj1nPyIqawGMf_s3gMOA7AJAHfb8TKXLAf26Ni7RTstSYVmxYSutrVnu0j6FzntoGqQGDvkG8-b8FsiIq4ZV-XQdNiNvfXDprJNACvZ_NAO/s1600-h/Buffel+grass+removal.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIayglI2j6Jxy40AkwGrCI1JiKoG34sa916Cj1nPyIqawGMf_s3gMOA7AJAHfb8TKXLAf26Ni7RTstSYVmxYSutrVnu0j6FzntoGqQGDvkG8-b8FsiIq4ZV-XQdNiNvfXDprJNACvZ_NAO/s320/Buffel+grass+removal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411037608704291410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Buffel grass removal....you can be fined by the city if you have bufflegrass on your property. Its invasive noxious weed and damages the Sonoran Desert.</span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>bbordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07152655535088791002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-57180696452991509342009-10-29T08:58:00.000-07:002009-11-01T20:32:49.079-08:0028 days later....October 29, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj_GoTHI-bQzszWamM-2KtyI-C-8Uz1PgkEEG6ZPLmjFktCACWyl1gvyWVOhYbHVgdR0HSg4-xEXeyU2gG_CYqX8c7r2vs5GAU_ql4AC9xlcNn20y9cSm5YqvIOjelXxQdPIXYA_2ETXE/s1600-h/our+house+driving+up.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj_GoTHI-bQzszWamM-2KtyI-C-8Uz1PgkEEG6ZPLmjFktCACWyl1gvyWVOhYbHVgdR0HSg4-xEXeyU2gG_CYqX8c7r2vs5GAU_ql4AC9xlcNn20y9cSm5YqvIOjelXxQdPIXYA_2ETXE/s320/our+house+driving+up.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399346739899536098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Steadily working for the past 28 days has been gratifying. This place is starting to look more modern than we expected. However, that will be toned down by the used furniture, the home's original light fixtures and hardware.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPOuQFLdJcs0yP50xfGkPWbsIKZeH5eqZZszB03Tpwqtp9T-Ixux_POTVrUywJRGqiGFzaT4gNvrxnNv8Zqx_5P-kXoLkOQJZ6Sxnu-acO7h9JV1phGMtg0YZG_MGyZ5ZUjf2oQ08ctXF/s1600-h/bruce+painting+brick.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPOuQFLdJcs0yP50xfGkPWbsIKZeH5eqZZszB03Tpwqtp9T-Ixux_POTVrUywJRGqiGFzaT4gNvrxnNv8Zqx_5P-kXoLkOQJZ6Sxnu-acO7h9JV1phGMtg0YZG_MGyZ5ZUjf2oQ08ctXF/s320/bruce+painting+brick.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399346717009843010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58Iu2e6NbSUgwh6m_kZDyTSaGw5xihI5OZXHCuTc5YXgGlHWoPsfkKJ-f-IZyNPzNs2E_29YWS3WGPx58vtHPYezbGs-RTadXXQ1dVUx8nmXJhdWfrO31Z7agzZujoV7Be12ybKiezQm2/s1600-h/LR+after+painting+brick.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58Iu2e6NbSUgwh6m_kZDyTSaGw5xihI5OZXHCuTc5YXgGlHWoPsfkKJ-f-IZyNPzNs2E_29YWS3WGPx58vtHPYezbGs-RTadXXQ1dVUx8nmXJhdWfrO31Z7agzZujoV7Be12ybKiezQm2/s320/LR+after+painting+brick.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399346729876885906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />At first we thought we'd change out the kitchen cabinetry but we've found it solid and well done that we can't bear to part with it..a little staining enhancement is all it needs. Also the appliances from the 1970s are functioning, unique, and of quality we don't want to exchange them (with the exception of deceased microwave Bruce tried to salvage). The counter and shower ceramic tile we thought we'd have to replace - no way, just over grout it and viola. A process that took much longer than we expected.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0T-D-x8xA9rIwPXjIBuibVxLss03wlPEdOAvc8Q_C7QjQdpU52vVhqRw-2YyX5tyxhr5N1amgm702V0D9sudZQwiQT7azcIYtriH9cm1tHpcBuWiR-PyeXlE5PiipspcWUz1EfupdHYa/s1600-h/pat+grouting+shower.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0T-D-x8xA9rIwPXjIBuibVxLss03wlPEdOAvc8Q_C7QjQdpU52vVhqRw-2YyX5tyxhr5N1amgm702V0D9sudZQwiQT7azcIYtriH9cm1tHpcBuWiR-PyeXlE5PiipspcWUz1EfupdHYa/s320/pat+grouting+shower.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399347001876268386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As for the windows, the home had a few windows and the patio sliders/wall-of-windows replaced with Pella brand....which are VERY nice and VERY expensive. The remaining windows are aluminum-frame double paned. It took 2 days to clean the tracks and the inner frame has the remnants of duck tape that is impossible to remove. Bruce and I have locked horns in whether to "make due" or get new windows.....a decision, we've agreed, to finalize in a year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Our new roof, atrium removed.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtj_TBKTYHfwvcR0XYsrbTmh4M4v2xfjmke2Xm9jdxHzfF1UvpXn-dxnDsN4nfDMSCX4ZEiBUp5dUm-j6eNepJKsCNFIaLx0DONVCkPwDx2KCtp_XL30evDHC2kOQko6D5ioXxoyEUVc4/s1600-h/new+roof.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtj_TBKTYHfwvcR0XYsrbTmh4M4v2xfjmke2Xm9jdxHzfF1UvpXn-dxnDsN4nfDMSCX4ZEiBUp5dUm-j6eNepJKsCNFIaLx0DONVCkPwDx2KCtp_XL30evDHC2kOQko6D5ioXxoyEUVc4/s320/new+roof.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399346736045108402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The fig tree in the courtyard, we've decided, has to go. This plant will search out water and destroy the plumbing...it's a surprise it has not already done so.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd6Pp7zsN0jUJNQP7o3tCprkUuh5vdUIEL3ImekbgdvA6zB36Bl2-u9vBnGY7ojBHXf41sbRNBp9M3QL95Hq1PVnt4IJgSNQo8iNHNvVvwSVpFfzAx2f0G544VelNcpvgTKF2AZX16PEW/s1600-h/fig+tree+stump.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd6Pp7zsN0jUJNQP7o3tCprkUuh5vdUIEL3ImekbgdvA6zB36Bl2-u9vBnGY7ojBHXf41sbRNBp9M3QL95Hq1PVnt4IJgSNQo8iNHNvVvwSVpFfzAx2f0G544VelNcpvgTKF2AZX16PEW/s320/fig+tree+stump.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399353269577663650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our most difficult task will be the concrete floors. We plan to dye the floors but there are many cracks, divots and imperfections that we will have to repair the best we can.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwzeMKssp1cf-SAIUnWL2aMxx_0CtOvy7wbcXa0mPIOYC8C2RH66yj6zauB4SD8NKLEv_KmlCxoDZ04wZEvBycp7YtnuFeiCPTdK0ULBN2Xwh3yg0MIUpfhMSxZNpSJD_Gfi29bdvFkOL/s1600-h/Pat+scrubbing+floor.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwzeMKssp1cf-SAIUnWL2aMxx_0CtOvy7wbcXa0mPIOYC8C2RH66yj6zauB4SD8NKLEv_KmlCxoDZ04wZEvBycp7YtnuFeiCPTdK0ULBN2Xwh3yg0MIUpfhMSxZNpSJD_Gfi29bdvFkOL/s320/Pat+scrubbing+floor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399347003755491170" border="0" /></a><br />Meanwhile, we're so pleased with the quality, location, size and simplicity of the home even our toughest days are good and our good days even better. We are doing our best to avoid the "having stuff craze" that has dominated the American culture. So far our furniture (bed, table, couch) is all used and our dishes and cookware from Goodwill/thrift stores.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Deer and javalina are our neighbors.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfU1WhRUJlAFdB4EJK8GSaNjDuJU1TywkZPPopZ_R0mgdfzs-HDUVFzaW1mJflE9VCQDdsycJsx3ePS9Z4g026cyd7HbSbS8lS79yg6x6CWTXmgqWFlkbm0DiiFKjk-FPv_MIBo_bUWiE/s1600-h/roaming+deer.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfU1WhRUJlAFdB4EJK8GSaNjDuJU1TywkZPPopZ_R0mgdfzs-HDUVFzaW1mJflE9VCQDdsycJsx3ePS9Z4g026cyd7HbSbS8lS79yg6x6CWTXmgqWFlkbm0DiiFKjk-FPv_MIBo_bUWiE/s320/roaming+deer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399347010398563442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nYfnOjyfekaQHKn6Kaxc76sQIsXrHDMxb1GOdkcSQpnRQxhrKE2uL1_JIafFhVOpi0tfZmFryL94LrVyHLEtqlaqxgTxhi2XYIILsee5VtkV9EWZbz2VFT_dsZthbt4RXgbCEsplxbsY/s1600-h/front+porch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nYfnOjyfekaQHKn6Kaxc76sQIsXrHDMxb1GOdkcSQpnRQxhrKE2uL1_JIafFhVOpi0tfZmFryL94LrVyHLEtqlaqxgTxhi2XYIILsee5VtkV9EWZbz2VFT_dsZthbt4RXgbCEsplxbsY/s320/front+porch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399346725097662482" border="0" /></a><object id="BLOG_video-FAILED" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="FAILED" width="320" height="266"></object>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-89284789684919900762009-10-20T20:27:00.000-07:002009-10-21T21:43:05.203-07:00Por fin, internet!October 20, 2009<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0zvD9MxwUZ1gTVt7_Nf5eoeYzCsn8YUKQ3uUE5mLH90SwgUUWk-UwsISsjIVQpxtTKuw7soiO9S62i_uqjI38WDSaIW8UMpMFEJRrhba6iKnXQU-cLpQ27DOWHAf6-NoZmK3JyeDtuK4/s1600-h/Toasting+our+new+house.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0zvD9MxwUZ1gTVt7_Nf5eoeYzCsn8YUKQ3uUE5mLH90SwgUUWk-UwsISsjIVQpxtTKuw7soiO9S62i_uqjI38WDSaIW8UMpMFEJRrhba6iKnXQU-cLpQ27DOWHAf6-NoZmK3JyeDtuK4/s320/Toasting+our+new+house.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394893608618280130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The most difficult part of moving into our newly purchased property was dealing with Qwest and getting our internet service. After 3 wks and hours on the phone with yes and no service we finally have our own connection. Hence, this latest posting.<br /><br />Over the last 3 wks we've removed the green carpet, tacking strips, popcorn ceiling, fixed all leaks, had the roof replaced, killed the termites, repaired old drywall, busted out tile, and grouted any remaining tile surface. We are now beginning the build up phase, which includes re-texturing walls and painting. We're putting in 6-9 hours per day and it's amazing how some days you see progress and others, very little. All in all, it's coming together nicely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw_u4QnRPGwmGTZvXvTvOdhDvZeLQ-I4_Vi6iDsg9Mq0JNMl1dX1E-bR-4DiLacuOMYe617JWLHL2KqXboScSwX7zoMUgHdR5mbIShNlLtpuGgQ4F88sZ9Y5V-NHA2Pwzu-NzXeYikIi9/s1600-h/Bruce+removing+popcorn.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw_u4QnRPGwmGTZvXvTvOdhDvZeLQ-I4_Vi6iDsg9Mq0JNMl1dX1E-bR-4DiLacuOMYe617JWLHL2KqXboScSwX7zoMUgHdR5mbIShNlLtpuGgQ4F88sZ9Y5V-NHA2Pwzu-NzXeYikIi9/s320/Bruce+removing+popcorn.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394893598230517570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We are doing as much of the work ourselves and obviously we left the roof replacement up to the pros.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBox67UcdnVQA4YYuwAUhbHgEqprC-nf0vDeuQFANBgrM5LCNsrurVaozskJ9bakdhW7edzV8lbO99AJadaXdIzzkRimsvzINi9HVNjHtdgkfxh4lSvuHeO4dencCoB_TpTaA2hxc3ph3M/s1600-h/Roof+being+replaced.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBox67UcdnVQA4YYuwAUhbHgEqprC-nf0vDeuQFANBgrM5LCNsrurVaozskJ9bakdhW7edzV8lbO99AJadaXdIzzkRimsvzINi9HVNjHtdgkfxh4lSvuHeO4dencCoB_TpTaA2hxc3ph3M/s320/Roof+being+replaced.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394893614661833970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bruce has taken on the plumbing, appliance repair and electrical duties and I, the drywall repair, texturing and painting. We've both shared in the tearing out tasks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-El9VNxKJ57xMmmSMOH_7V7GyB6oRmWADaMDdOFBiR6TaMZNvWTOBc6tfwtukXvHbRe3y0F3hwLkxnjYoitVFwj9zwQopih875f5J7Yta3q1QGzHoEN-qpMAc0QgvyQa3kVK5YLH3Nps/s1600-h/reparing+drywall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-El9VNxKJ57xMmmSMOH_7V7GyB6oRmWADaMDdOFBiR6TaMZNvWTOBc6tfwtukXvHbRe3y0F3hwLkxnjYoitVFwj9zwQopih875f5J7Yta3q1QGzHoEN-qpMAc0QgvyQa3kVK5YLH3Nps/s320/reparing+drywall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394893602140368418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our first and easiest task was carpet removal. Not sure about the pink padding underneath. It was no thicker than 1/8th of an inch and part of it disintegrated upon human physical contact.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuj3Udl9e9YGcUJ_6sIFUfbcSwpJSs4FUIzPrAWLKjx5KU25u6IJ3W_712b4ZV_PG3uu_A0pmu0RKOqZi9C82OoHp8hgya2rNz8MyfwBwJBXXgR5AVScQMBFxUQ_NbWIcR1Cr6dFD6aRj/s1600-h/goodbye+astroturf.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuj3Udl9e9YGcUJ_6sIFUfbcSwpJSs4FUIzPrAWLKjx5KU25u6IJ3W_712b4ZV_PG3uu_A0pmu0RKOqZi9C82OoHp8hgya2rNz8MyfwBwJBXXgR5AVScQMBFxUQ_NbWIcR1Cr6dFD6aRj/s320/goodbye+astroturf.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394896685246979874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our second day on our way to Loew's, the van blew off the transmission hose, spewing transmission fluid on a busy street. Luckily for us there was a transmission repair shop within walking distance. Unlucky for us, they could not sell us transmission oil since we had no container with us. We couldn't help but think, "in Mexico, they would have found something"...but, luck was with us in that the close by Cirle K sold transmission fluid. The van was spared!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2MKObyfn2Yx_m8ydhndnE5ty0_lBY7yziYoUQF93FJ8PyetNpxAj3GPsTD1Z-QDGKpi5pRFZcGybrhPM_IStTbt5UQ1hqUoI1pmgnROCTudV5KT3GWY2FY7TwK2Z_FFYsb5TwX2Jw02q/s1600-h/Bruce+fixing+van.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2MKObyfn2Yx_m8ydhndnE5ty0_lBY7yziYoUQF93FJ8PyetNpxAj3GPsTD1Z-QDGKpi5pRFZcGybrhPM_IStTbt5UQ1hqUoI1pmgnROCTudV5KT3GWY2FY7TwK2Z_FFYsb5TwX2Jw02q/s320/Bruce+fixing+van.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394896676550173666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The home appliances (and other hardware) were made in the day when planned obsolescence wasn't yet.....well, planned. Although, Bruce saved the 30 y/o monster 45# 1970s microwave for a couple of weeks it finally gave up the ghost and we bid it farewell at the city dump and picked up another one at Walmart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Kols_XY5k7t2sORk7TfSEyZqirFJ9FnUUJCQj4FZw7ATHGiDZE18maxldMN4V47G5Td-y9Ma3CM7J9WVlufNPuu4FHxgCFVF5QtgnLOlHi5S_JNVmwBqC1lgCfs1eZeXmbR7KqT0iVk/s1600-h/Bruce+saving+Amanda+Microwave.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Kols_XY5k7t2sORk7TfSEyZqirFJ9FnUUJCQj4FZw7ATHGiDZE18maxldMN4V47G5Td-y9Ma3CM7J9WVlufNPuu4FHxgCFVF5QtgnLOlHi5S_JNVmwBqC1lgCfs1eZeXmbR7KqT0iVk/s320/Bruce+saving+Amanda+Microwave.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394896666940659778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One day, this atrium will hold a beautiful Mexican fountain...for now, our garbage.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5_mQrvwPPgkgJUQbvN7CXDZPHKL6gCuDaiM-UlxY_32UWEzH_6qsDcwkJz5aXcgJ-TuOeUyq5rBL2cIFQ8KbbpKOss6hrKDZiY3nLs40wExQchg1hi7BoAZh_bwSobDf2fg2dWxTMPJU/s1600-h/atrium+holding+carpet.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5_mQrvwPPgkgJUQbvN7CXDZPHKL6gCuDaiM-UlxY_32UWEzH_6qsDcwkJz5aXcgJ-TuOeUyq5rBL2cIFQ8KbbpKOss6hrKDZiY3nLs40wExQchg1hi7BoAZh_bwSobDf2fg2dWxTMPJU/s320/atrium+holding+carpet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394896659650707090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our south and west view is of the Tucson Mountain preserve. We receive no direct sunset or sunrise, but enjoy watching the day begin and end with the tangential sunlight in the Sonoran Desert.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIV81sdBVVJ3xwLoWrUVVBV3akQdiA-lSNFSBDwpujxu4EMxqGaOFOQUmobIYTy6LEk0OxxwP_-NBszkSyu68ywjMVice1O1GJytL64Ube3TaxEPh4bUK4su_m1WNiddYkI03-l1-Iesj/s1600-h/Our+backyard+sunset.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIV81sdBVVJ3xwLoWrUVVBV3akQdiA-lSNFSBDwpujxu4EMxqGaOFOQUmobIYTy6LEk0OxxwP_-NBszkSyu68ywjMVice1O1GJytL64Ube3TaxEPh4bUK4su_m1WNiddYkI03-l1-Iesj/s320/Our+backyard+sunset.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394896794609789698" border="0" /></a>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-84715155010163978882009-10-03T05:40:00.001-07:002009-10-03T07:01:39.665-07:00Home Sweet HomeOctober 3,2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFjEsN5AbmsnQgPG0SntB5-Nicv01gldxF4TEf7LanUJ8WUrJqcwCZK80JWQymyiAbA9ctD2vblGC-0Y3k1GiMmoyLlJtMitepHoQmTGZEpuTRsrGdp2u_BSZ76pUkuDhwcvLTET_epFI/s1600-h/front+door.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFjEsN5AbmsnQgPG0SntB5-Nicv01gldxF4TEf7LanUJ8WUrJqcwCZK80JWQymyiAbA9ctD2vblGC-0Y3k1GiMmoyLlJtMitepHoQmTGZEpuTRsrGdp2u_BSZ76pUkuDhwcvLTET_epFI/s320/front+door.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388366417776527074" border="0" /></a><br />It was one of those times in life when it all feels so right the moment you walk in. The home we purchased was an estate sale. It was built in 1978 by a Catholic priest and was the first home in a small subdivsion on the flanks of the Tucson Mountains near Gates Pass in west Tucson. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcYCcUTzWPn53j5ej5-h-fBkHVxQ-J_lP_lMCt_fbTgCGY3j_ihwzcTmsgoYHlVSxqSf_eWFh5XP5xx94C_ZzQWWE22HxFBRn6ad0ey5YKAZ0hQEhSEwOT2XhX7HRSdxGmpb1T3jXije-/s1600-h/view+from+back+porch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcYCcUTzWPn53j5ej5-h-fBkHVxQ-J_lP_lMCt_fbTgCGY3j_ihwzcTmsgoYHlVSxqSf_eWFh5XP5xx94C_ZzQWWE22HxFBRn6ad0ey5YKAZ0hQEhSEwOT2XhX7HRSdxGmpb1T3jXije-/s320/view+from+back+porch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388364479710316338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Father Grenwald built the home to take advantage of the natural surroundings and views of the Oro Valley, Catalina Mtns and city. According to Bruce, the lot is worth more than the home; just what we were looking for! To me, the charm of the home is priceless. It's 1676 sq.ft., a 3 bd, 2 bth, 2 car garage, small kitchen and great room..that's it....well, one added feature is it's central atrium/courtyard. The great room faces the best views with large glass doors and all rooms have a view. This home was built to let the outside in and to live inside and outside.....kinda like the homes in Mexico. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGODtbKIewTSwKeYmeeCRw9aCy72TInt3gWVHCnOBMekZhc4QpTWMpaViheWYdfAjf2UkbMqcNUnpHI1MUT5LUBfckAovDUFf5g9Iq8vOanMqxrGnpCkiCrZceEmwWpmPeKhVcG9EXWKzh/s1600-h/front+porch+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGODtbKIewTSwKeYmeeCRw9aCy72TInt3gWVHCnOBMekZhc4QpTWMpaViheWYdfAjf2UkbMqcNUnpHI1MUT5LUBfckAovDUFf5g9Iq8vOanMqxrGnpCkiCrZceEmwWpmPeKhVcG9EXWKzh/s320/front+porch+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388364461440994754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GY9wKyKBr8LuDCJE1RiE1picOc2Od-tx8vBhRANks0ykgkn-GiI_xZnmCyAMZA-pX-d9C9ZiJutyG1qKnLEs16xR7WzFUjiBxH438CluewcLHBQc-vb4ahX49NUE71XC0HrNC-Y1dqO9/s1600-h/atrium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GY9wKyKBr8LuDCJE1RiE1picOc2Od-tx8vBhRANks0ykgkn-GiI_xZnmCyAMZA-pX-d9C9ZiJutyG1qKnLEs16xR7WzFUjiBxH438CluewcLHBQc-vb4ahX49NUE71XC0HrNC-Y1dqO9/s320/atrium.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388366412482067810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It had been on the market for over a year, 63 ppl looked at the home, a few offers came in but the sellers wouldn't accept. Turns out we made the same offer 2 mos later and they accepted....right time, right place, right ppl. This home is a fixer-upper and fortunately we have the time, energy and desire to bring it back to life and augment its full character. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZlEmZwFer4gg8HdgkD1f1FEyCb7s71MhoCQVwGFj0lJqiYUbiwhCR41ZR4LcJ-Lry5AfwWMWuwI0VMLcDXCsxuT6s7vUzvx2-A-qCEmjdSs5pLpiX1KXjuYbatNYx_zwBmGWQOfTsz3Y/s1600-h/living+room+fire+place.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZlEmZwFer4gg8HdgkD1f1FEyCb7s71MhoCQVwGFj0lJqiYUbiwhCR41ZR4LcJ-Lry5AfwWMWuwI0VMLcDXCsxuT6s7vUzvx2-A-qCEmjdSs5pLpiX1KXjuYbatNYx_zwBmGWQOfTsz3Y/s320/living+room+fire+place.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388366425667802930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our first task is to make it livable as it's been vacant for a year and neglected for several. We have to clean it thoroughly, tear out the AstroTurf-looking carpet and get some furniture. We sold all our stuff on Craigslist and now we're buying it back. We should be spending the night in our new home by Monday. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-G-Osxr09fGJDCnL4haX8DAhD4THdL_5E7keOobVYyBOYjXgHil5CxaulMyjGBY2YErTq1LYY1wI2bwNTkeRhrSnLj-iBE9mS0t2RZjV68Gro0I6neI_0ea1NlS89Qta-gYSKutHu84k/s1600-h/back+porch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-G-Osxr09fGJDCnL4haX8DAhD4THdL_5E7keOobVYyBOYjXgHil5CxaulMyjGBY2YErTq1LYY1wI2bwNTkeRhrSnLj-iBE9mS0t2RZjV68Gro0I6neI_0ea1NlS89Qta-gYSKutHu84k/s320/back+porch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388369105027349826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i2_dlXCNc5RVgIojiQnhGiFF4Caajo41ABJdNDxLPaDpE8X9MkWgIG-d3bR3vugRGK2ajwjlKecFaCgJRPKxHmrFAXubWhTSJdNjH2WOwpHZ1uzTUt55kcVK60DMJQOe_Go1c-00TBdx/s1600-h/View+from+front+of+atrium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i2_dlXCNc5RVgIojiQnhGiFF4Caajo41ABJdNDxLPaDpE8X9MkWgIG-d3bR3vugRGK2ajwjlKecFaCgJRPKxHmrFAXubWhTSJdNjH2WOwpHZ1uzTUt55kcVK60DMJQOe_Go1c-00TBdx/s320/View+from+front+of+atrium.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388371870341456450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MvegP4WaXrvo4CtqekTm5WtfDMn_D_CMdQegWSbqsYcv_J0bv9bTYNn407BlVS6ucgwmdre5cJEZNDEzzZUZKHX50iXuykGkO9fWkjsz0N6RY_Wi5FFwBYr7rMdKvB8xEOkLd4vZGFGM/s1600-h/west+side+view.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MvegP4WaXrvo4CtqekTm5WtfDMn_D_CMdQegWSbqsYcv_J0bv9bTYNn407BlVS6ucgwmdre5cJEZNDEzzZUZKHX50iXuykGkO9fWkjsz0N6RY_Wi5FFwBYr7rMdKvB8xEOkLd4vZGFGM/s320/west+side+view.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388364486678271858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1s6o6Y28N-rb-Bkt0nCXpaz5I4_agUH84OOIAEzR58vLC2bSSfXqzWRzmOzZ5H7xrKhiEmsDW7M8MQqXMEdhU9rE2Cbnj-8WKxSbD_leOszrmP1kRCSvvzMnx0rvzjzb4L6cdeuegcJL/s1600-h/off+deck+w+view+poss+expand.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1s6o6Y28N-rb-Bkt0nCXpaz5I4_agUH84OOIAEzR58vLC2bSSfXqzWRzmOzZ5H7xrKhiEmsDW7M8MQqXMEdhU9rE2Cbnj-8WKxSbD_leOszrmP1kRCSvvzMnx0rvzjzb4L6cdeuegcJL/s320/off+deck+w+view+poss+expand.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388364471188413602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b5CPLRK63m2tIq4w8TBJ76XIrxMjdeAm0z8hsuHaAPYMNl5d3vsL7IqlwcGvQ0_2Z1xAsRvQq3cPgtbQ9txcWVjsfn999ohu9weu6VyBLTu20URjYeGxkP7c8NgHcjThY4nRd83yeEcc/s1600-h/back+of+the+west+side.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b5CPLRK63m2tIq4w8TBJ76XIrxMjdeAm0z8hsuHaAPYMNl5d3vsL7IqlwcGvQ0_2Z1xAsRvQq3cPgtbQ9txcWVjsfn999ohu9weu6VyBLTu20URjYeGxkP7c8NgHcjThY4nRd83yeEcc/s320/back+of+the+west+side.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388364467011613298" border="0" /></a>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-75377800398323223422009-09-21T18:28:00.000-07:002009-09-26T13:12:59.832-07:00House Hunting in Tucson AZ...are there really good deals out there?Sept 21, 2009<br /><br />Bruce and I have looked at more than 20 homes over the last two weeks here in Tucson and yes there are deals to be had, but most of these need work or they are high-end homes, >600K now being sold at 400K or lower. The homes in the 200K range are being gobbled up pretty fast but the homes over 400K are now in the 200K range and really need work so they are sitting...and sitting. These bank repos, short sales and foreclosure homes may have been previously occupied by irresponsible owners that got into a home for $500USDs and had no problem walking way....from what we hear sometimes with the fixtures.<br /><br />We've seen large 2500sq.ft homes with pools badly neglected, floors stained, doors falling off and the roofs....some need total replacing. We've visited homes that were on the market for 800K in 2006 - 2007 and now the banks are asking 400K. We saw <a href="http://tarmls.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Tucson&PRGNAME=MLSPropertyDetail&ARGUMENTS=-N521616233,-N459741,-N,-A,-N34403427">one home today and they wanted 1.2 mil in 2006</a>, someone took out a loan for 840K in 2007, the bank bought it at auction in Jan 2009 for 577K. It's a straw bale home with shoddy workmanship, Formica counter tops and cheap cabinets on one of the most beautiful 5 acre lots in west Tucson. If they would take 100K for it, I'd have to think about it. We have seem some high-end homes with multiple loans that are in good shape and well cared for but you can't help but feel sorry for the owners that got themselves in the "slave-to-your-home" mess in the 2005-2007 time-frame and now they have to step down with a new bad credit history.<br /><br />For Bruce and I, steppin' down is easy...we rent nice places and in the interim, live out of the van...if the weather is cool enough.<br /><br />On a lighter note. This is actual raw, archived footage from our Soul Train days.<br /><br /><div style=""><object id="'A64060'" quality="'high'" data="'http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=" service="sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=" jibjab="" pluginspage="'http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer'" type="'application/x-shockwave-flash'" wmode="'transparent'" width="'425'" height="'319'"><param name="'wmode'" value="'transparent'"><param name="'movie'" value="'http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=" service="sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=" jibjab=""><param name="'scaleMode'" value="'showAll'"><param name="'quality'" value="'high'"><param name="'allowNetworking'" value="'all'"><param name="'allowFullScreen'" value="'true'"><param name="'FlashVars'" value="'external_make_id=" service="sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=" jibjab=""><param name="'allowScriptAccess'" value="'always'"></object><div style=""><div style="background-color: rgb(233, 233, 233); width: 425px;"><object id="A64060" quality="high" data="http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=qlhOSFGfMAcz2EoS&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="319"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="movie" value="http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=qlhOSFGfMAcz2EoS&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab"><param name="scaleMode" value="showAll"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="FlashVars" value="external_make_id=qlhOSFGfMAcz2EoS&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></object><div style="text-align: center; width: 435px; margin-top: 6px;">Try JibJab Sendables® <a href="http://sendables.jibjab.com/ecards">eCards</a> today!</div></div><br /></div></div><br /><br />And more rare dancing footage. Hey, we had to make a living:<br /><br /><div style='background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 425px;'><object id='A64060' quality='high' data='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=fM8occfDv6XN4rZG&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' height='319' width='425'><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=fM8occfDv6XN4rZG&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=fM8occfDv6XN4rZG&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object><div style='text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;'>Try JibJab Sendables® <a href='http://sendables.jibjab.com/ecards'>eCards</a> today!</div></div>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-18720696915602960012009-09-10T16:12:00.000-07:002009-09-12T20:08:22.558-07:00Heading West Once Again....Sept 10, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52-qTcg5H_rhn17S4elPBlpboqru3ybDhTuznGi-4m3cfffTk9PIQQ3AiGq4AmMnfgmih7h6nIeNQTk62WZl2noiwKUKmyZDeKl-_XyVp3_d4ymmL-mgPe2RMNgl77t88GZJ0-r7tXAFw/s1600-h/Roy+and+me+on+the+cerro.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52-qTcg5H_rhn17S4elPBlpboqru3ybDhTuznGi-4m3cfffTk9PIQQ3AiGq4AmMnfgmih7h6nIeNQTk62WZl2noiwKUKmyZDeKl-_XyVp3_d4ymmL-mgPe2RMNgl77t88GZJ0-r7tXAFw/s320/Roy+and+me+on+the+cerro.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380708928846244642" border="0" /></a><br />The last week in San Cristobal was spent with my cousin Roy. He brought two large suitcases of medical supplies for Sergio with a street value of over $1000USDs. <a href="http://www.medshare.org/">MedShare</a> collects unused medical supplies from various hospitals, ambulatory surgery facilities and clinics. For a $75 donation Roy packed 50# of supplies. The mother load overwhelmed me with joy, plus Roy was not charged by the airlines for this treasure he hauled from SFO. Muchissimas gracias mi primo!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMsJ3DP2kXBjw8MzAt6qfLdbZjdbe0iHd_VdGVNnBB0w7W-bP9qD9WfVCeuZs9j7_hrHPB6o6Ge94k-NGlyGLgkztvRT-FL639kDC4yaOApZPX0dMOJDk3hduLJTCULjNRXftPByZu2WH/s1600-h/Sun+rain+through+clouds.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMsJ3DP2kXBjw8MzAt6qfLdbZjdbe0iHd_VdGVNnBB0w7W-bP9qD9WfVCeuZs9j7_hrHPB6o6Ge94k-NGlyGLgkztvRT-FL639kDC4yaOApZPX0dMOJDk3hduLJTCULjNRXftPByZu2WH/s320/Sun+rain+through+clouds.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380708932823102738" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />West Texas.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcC0_ESjQsOgPTHKDXxjNzIRS7z3J_JArZlq_uG25FdxKQNJq1ONfsWsNu4KTFPLcuq3So3jImlJ3lsYV_embth68qr4d_O007MnkZdETIRDGSc6x_KlD2aYGUSyoN2T6qS6bRqkJg0VR/s1600-h/home+sweet+home.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcC0_ESjQsOgPTHKDXxjNzIRS7z3J_JArZlq_uG25FdxKQNJq1ONfsWsNu4KTFPLcuq3So3jImlJ3lsYV_embth68qr4d_O007MnkZdETIRDGSc6x_KlD2aYGUSyoN2T6qS6bRqkJg0VR/s320/home+sweet+home.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380708631663229074" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Home sweet home.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKyTjmHKy47bJWIfy6ic0ckNz3IF4yFfqFzWpwwnY2VNhLa3f6JiKsYydr8PY0JFjy9nMvmXNr1x4jf8T4lSAuudzXRVqZemMLluSKoMIey5hygoLZcjmPe8R5nBOFDy4USa693yrn7YT/s1600-h/Hauling+our+stuff.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKyTjmHKy47bJWIfy6ic0ckNz3IF4yFfqFzWpwwnY2VNhLa3f6JiKsYydr8PY0JFjy9nMvmXNr1x4jf8T4lSAuudzXRVqZemMLluSKoMIey5hygoLZcjmPe8R5nBOFDy4USa693yrn7YT/s320/Hauling+our+stuff.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380708625938543186" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Possibly contains unwanted guests.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bruce had been waiting for my return to Dallas for 10 days. Hence, 60 hours later after brief family visits, we loaded up the smallest U-Haul trailer and headed west. Even with the small amount we stored (4x4x3')we wondered why do we have so much stuff??...I felt better knowing I kept most of my medical books, photos, slides, tennis clothing and our favorite cooking pots. Of course golf clubs and the 3rd captains' chair from the van took up space too. The stuff would have fit in the van but our storage space was shared with a few Texas roaches...so they may have hitched a ride to the desert and we'll softly put them to sleep the next storage space.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxvdKHXmDvlrsNgSGhn5dA87UdKdylcXuFgMyXOFZpqXWOasie8W1AZ75y0KsBaPPDH29Xwz2PIVkNBfIiLO1vkm9gtBknyYNI-EG7j2qktd56RJVSCtwKcF_0JzIi4j8QLiweJizDkGn/s1600-h/Moon+rise+in+las+Cruces.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxvdKHXmDvlrsNgSGhn5dA87UdKdylcXuFgMyXOFZpqXWOasie8W1AZ75y0KsBaPPDH29Xwz2PIVkNBfIiLO1vkm9gtBknyYNI-EG7j2qktd56RJVSCtwKcF_0JzIi4j8QLiweJizDkGn/s320/Moon+rise+in+las+Cruces.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380708636831572050" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Moonrise Las Cruces, NM.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So, we're now in Tucson and once again luck found us a paradise in the desert to rent until the end of December...pending finding a home, <span style="font-style: italic;">if</span> this is where we want to live for the next several years. Bruce has always loved the desert and wanted to live here, I however, have always resisted. But after keeping him in the PNW w/9 mos of rain/yr - for 7 years - it's his turn to choose a place w/9mos of good weather/yr. Another factor is my desire to return to work......albeit part-time. My US medical networks and skills will benefit greatly in Chiapas.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftmBYCgbJZZbwBq1rSoiEvGkegqmpvUfGn0Zc68bJWmufv1hh79olCEfLEXg8IlnVmDAGzxwh1gxmQdNqKwZmyxozJ-bWhCOoOo5W-NB3LyByP1tb6Tv29jp4VVpdYSDNGisaW5Ovqtlz/s1600-h/Bruce+reunites+with+Flowbee.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftmBYCgbJZZbwBq1rSoiEvGkegqmpvUfGn0Zc68bJWmufv1hh79olCEfLEXg8IlnVmDAGzxwh1gxmQdNqKwZmyxozJ-bWhCOoOo5W-NB3LyByP1tb6Tv29jp4VVpdYSDNGisaW5Ovqtlz/s320/Bruce+reunites+with+Flowbee.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380708389451342034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />One of Bruce's most prized possessions is his <a href="http://www.flowbee.com/">FlowBee</a>. <span style="font-style: italic;">He swears he's saved hundreds of thousands of pesos with this magical invention.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt5hndDRYT5OliGrFAAi5duvcF-WbCiqFZBOt3AUuLs-mBWZiuyiOudDo2nLEPtXNql18WIwIf8Kn52vz_gAIKyBC9d3g0kMafwUEFKaNKF5Rq_JrtcRus46i09UnL4RD-IOC9JWaH4T_/s1600-h/Barbaras+rental+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt5hndDRYT5OliGrFAAi5duvcF-WbCiqFZBOt3AUuLs-mBWZiuyiOudDo2nLEPtXNql18WIwIf8Kn52vz_gAIKyBC9d3g0kMafwUEFKaNKF5Rq_JrtcRus46i09UnL4RD-IOC9JWaH4T_/s320/Barbaras+rental+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380708377151441554" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We found a 1bd/1bth home w/pool, backs up to a wash with hiking trails nearby...views of sunrise and sunset.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Before arriving to Tucson (again), and Bruce educated on the economy data w/real estate, the financial state of many ppl and the country, we figured we're in the drivers seat and we can pick and choose the desert home of our dreams. Either the country is in denial about the debt/financial crisis or we're in denial. Ppl are still asking 2005-2007 prices for their homes. There are foreclosures and a huge inventory but what they are asking seems too high for mediocre homes. It's looking like we'll need to spend close to 400K for the home we want....for just the 2 of us! Nothing fancy, just a 2bd/bath open air home with a view on an acre of land.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei3IPPWcRD86mOskNwxLG4ljMH0hgbIGAFaQvX7dddmbtteMMYBg12ca3Jz-ySuSeCnkr5U_K-_kGqqr5JHzX2U-u_DyLpnrAREXdtjj9FrAX2JLB7afqt2L1wYH6LimQT65EVrdb5Ae1/s1600-h/morning+in+the+back+yard.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei3IPPWcRD86mOskNwxLG4ljMH0hgbIGAFaQvX7dddmbtteMMYBg12ca3Jz-ySuSeCnkr5U_K-_kGqqr5JHzX2U-u_DyLpnrAREXdtjj9FrAX2JLB7afqt2L1wYH6LimQT65EVrdb5Ae1/s320/morning+in+the+back+yard.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380708920531772946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pool and mountain views from the back porch of our rental</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQaMML_dLBbvJ2L3s2exOivYPH_NuDQh-1EziZvlXA_4RmnlMK92nU3fDCV6Fx9GrDldoWX_Ti85soZQokANv3h-nNzwocDiX0Tlz-BEVhBzFPXhj-pAV7D26Y9oFaIQKeE5c9lD-kKHQ/s1600-h/Evening+visitor.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQaMML_dLBbvJ2L3s2exOivYPH_NuDQh-1EziZvlXA_4RmnlMK92nU3fDCV6Fx9GrDldoWX_Ti85soZQokANv3h-nNzwocDiX0Tlz-BEVhBzFPXhj-pAV7D26Y9oFaIQKeE5c9lD-kKHQ/s320/Evening+visitor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380708399371309442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Our rental backs up to Agua Caliente Wash where lots of animals roam</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Fortunately, we're in no hurry to do anything and don't mind just hanging out. We'll enjoy the weather, sunsets/sunrises, the views, hiking, tennis and sitting under the patio with the beckoning pool...til the end of the year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO-Aj1ohAMRgw7QSww9u2zftB9rE1grUjvbNqsbbcDhKOyJ4KlPWQytNxd2oM5eD0UONkfk5r3Kg9VTlBCfc5Jd4Cyc24z5WaXnKzrBy8FjoWhvwTTCtfd5swXXiK5b-z1eV6xyxZDwMc/s1600-h/Bruce+and+Domingo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO-Aj1ohAMRgw7QSww9u2zftB9rE1grUjvbNqsbbcDhKOyJ4KlPWQytNxd2oM5eD0UONkfk5r3Kg9VTlBCfc5Jd4Cyc24z5WaXnKzrBy8FjoWhvwTTCtfd5swXXiK5b-z1eV6xyxZDwMc/s320/Bruce+and+Domingo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380714533477809890" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Pet sitting for the land lady is a plus.</span>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-44335095761786096072009-08-30T07:38:00.000-07:002009-08-30T21:37:39.648-07:00Photos from Mexico<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErfSsv74xBdUJLoFrfh8o5a5Xqqpi4DqkZ-P6oPk2woI_-RTedos5DMipcvKe89BHvk23z_Vz36N4SaMksWG5EXuevyWcwdf4Tmg3TA74XxLFZaiD1rgIyeZe1mPK0aDTgwJw_3qEPGOt/s1600-h/boy+in+window.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErfSsv74xBdUJLoFrfh8o5a5Xqqpi4DqkZ-P6oPk2woI_-RTedos5DMipcvKe89BHvk23z_Vz36N4SaMksWG5EXuevyWcwdf4Tmg3TA74XxLFZaiD1rgIyeZe1mPK0aDTgwJw_3qEPGOt/s320/boy+in+window.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375973477935180242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuwnp-lsvDxMmSW8ejesNRLU_5hq89xAlD9aTTZQmZttW5CcknWaTRxXwTYUlFHE7h8WlLpO4kOtXhwE4XPanZPSJ_g95b-KuuwW537RhIvAbwGWBLqNRxnHqnJJEcAvCD5LOwy9K2Ml4/s1600-h/Catedral.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuwnp-lsvDxMmSW8ejesNRLU_5hq89xAlD9aTTZQmZttW5CcknWaTRxXwTYUlFHE7h8WlLpO4kOtXhwE4XPanZPSJ_g95b-KuuwW537RhIvAbwGWBLqNRxnHqnJJEcAvCD5LOwy9K2Ml4/s320/Catedral.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375973484861385074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwOwEFAWrBGtJyTb8cn2CCFl_NeLog-YUxMFcBXFGmdDakgkTh8biDhru8jafgX9xWFjovy3YlLAXxtGxsmLMmzK7sdZNhSwKYB_r9WLjjfHx77gNeifEfGtqLPrAuMZoXwb9Ytp37mMX/s1600-h/Ana+Sergio+and+Jaalboc.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwOwEFAWrBGtJyTb8cn2CCFl_NeLog-YUxMFcBXFGmdDakgkTh8biDhru8jafgX9xWFjovy3YlLAXxtGxsmLMmzK7sdZNhSwKYB_r9WLjjfHx77gNeifEfGtqLPrAuMZoXwb9Ytp37mMX/s320/Ana+Sergio+and+Jaalboc.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375973474636238946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx18uim9aIqrNWqOu1k_Wz8QH2pRASLP-JLivi9X9tZ5IxCseKluYaaRC5KIo8d38jkk_t78XqsgyFVDlhscUmENPt-KH8vwA9WUxeatOuxuD6ryonq259y_vRvoeFNMpO6UdKWYKzr0wt/s1600-h/Hotel+patio.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx18uim9aIqrNWqOu1k_Wz8QH2pRASLP-JLivi9X9tZ5IxCseKluYaaRC5KIo8d38jkk_t78XqsgyFVDlhscUmENPt-KH8vwA9WUxeatOuxuD6ryonq259y_vRvoeFNMpO6UdKWYKzr0wt/s320/Hotel+patio.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375973487569652402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWa5Iwy93RhoNclbHogj8drNtimXfglhDgywZQaMGm4uzT4tQSrFo4TtRCehtgSLsrmvFSLf1XM_MVsMsdcuJTDcbi1ztal2FW6_r-rIbmquLt-HqBS9toAnQTB4He4lYmaxLFdq7TlWJT/s1600-h/Truck+o+ppl.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWa5Iwy93RhoNclbHogj8drNtimXfglhDgywZQaMGm4uzT4tQSrFo4TtRCehtgSLsrmvFSLf1XM_MVsMsdcuJTDcbi1ztal2FW6_r-rIbmquLt-HqBS9toAnQTB4He4lYmaxLFdq7TlWJT/s320/Truck+o+ppl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375973858020618738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRTnojva44GXzn_o3tMfYPq2dGnhIYBOgFeiPLqtslJBZHFM2wTnbcAZQbdQp7evugdvCATCmbzrZNjzLPi9WZ453e1J-7uLTVUTf1qQLH0OeaXksnIYyUaGmVy8VSS36VxWY79q-_oEZ/s1600-h/Mayan+heroglyphics.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRTnojva44GXzn_o3tMfYPq2dGnhIYBOgFeiPLqtslJBZHFM2wTnbcAZQbdQp7evugdvCATCmbzrZNjzLPi9WZ453e1J-7uLTVUTf1qQLH0OeaXksnIYyUaGmVy8VSS36VxWY79q-_oEZ/s320/Mayan+heroglyphics.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375973845741488962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOmrEjb04duLAS_oc3TVa2IkeovgB7vB-tGhNnDXDLKvfp63gL-bd1sCtbBO1lcDVLbxrjxZLz-sFqdWXVv_oCf1dAWBK6WMyqgk3Vr5BXnHuRRx5uz0BvAp2YuTBEUNI1mN7gfkeXIGk/s1600-h/Well+preserved+dodge+dart.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOmrEjb04duLAS_oc3TVa2IkeovgB7vB-tGhNnDXDLKvfp63gL-bd1sCtbBO1lcDVLbxrjxZLz-sFqdWXVv_oCf1dAWBK6WMyqgk3Vr5BXnHuRRx5uz0BvAp2YuTBEUNI1mN7gfkeXIGk/s320/Well+preserved+dodge+dart.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375973861875349298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVinooWVSQW5Y7m6Jp_gsacpWCyW7ybNWWpSc2-FE4HJSo5oCSbx3cl_ZQ-UrBaV2zJBBQ8jb71CvGEqcetXceutvGgyF_F1xfGDkVmDNoXLEPiIprm8PYdEkxTkE1Jnf-NKYbgDAL2kx5/s1600-h/Pat+tennis+in+SC.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVinooWVSQW5Y7m6Jp_gsacpWCyW7ybNWWpSc2-FE4HJSo5oCSbx3cl_ZQ-UrBaV2zJBBQ8jb71CvGEqcetXceutvGgyF_F1xfGDkVmDNoXLEPiIprm8PYdEkxTkE1Jnf-NKYbgDAL2kx5/s320/Pat+tennis+in+SC.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375973848728209026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcN3f-kkweKHDvBOERe_VRhGyCn_Elqs1w33d8P9d_7OLFBqDI9ebEFzYu2OTjTdQj6aAruTsU1TaGfmI_fVVv1kG9Wtq9ReUz7FgAvaNQ58Gbg4EonIz0v1CbFgLmIGEN622Wu8VZ2sG/s1600-h/kittens.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcN3f-kkweKHDvBOERe_VRhGyCn_Elqs1w33d8P9d_7OLFBqDI9ebEFzYu2OTjTdQj6aAruTsU1TaGfmI_fVVv1kG9Wtq9ReUz7FgAvaNQ58Gbg4EonIz0v1CbFgLmIGEN622Wu8VZ2sG/s320/kittens.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375973840176258578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWWXiLZdbPyplEE4iI4Eb5Oyc9Cp2rQXFV49SpP2_Excbx6J4glNwT0KEvClmUFPEsULwbvdF56MmJxSAjbFS5G9JERV7nHugBqU8cajkwjM8VuXFkLsfbmCxwP1WPMiJRlnQIRO6_9x4/s1600-h/Me+and+Roy.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWWXiLZdbPyplEE4iI4Eb5Oyc9Cp2rQXFV49SpP2_Excbx6J4glNwT0KEvClmUFPEsULwbvdF56MmJxSAjbFS5G9JERV7nHugBqU8cajkwjM8VuXFkLsfbmCxwP1WPMiJRlnQIRO6_9x4/s320/Me+and+Roy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375982239832118946" /></a>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-1680307223321988572009-08-23T13:13:00.000-07:002009-08-23T19:25:19.014-07:00Chiapas MexicoAugust 22, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yjUiN6bHtSOrpcnfTw354VRqMVpI7N33P1TJ1GIAfpko6skYotCQvK3ltlKF5oN_90HfUfAomouMUYWw5JoP9NhRUUKqoFWWM7-OuyGpt-RsyYbWVPuDePzmLkkqEz2yfnRPz5Z5X_1S/s1600-h/Interesting+cock.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yjUiN6bHtSOrpcnfTw354VRqMVpI7N33P1TJ1GIAfpko6skYotCQvK3ltlKF5oN_90HfUfAomouMUYWw5JoP9NhRUUKqoFWWM7-OuyGpt-RsyYbWVPuDePzmLkkqEz2yfnRPz5Z5X_1S/s320/Interesting+cock.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373262208173349730" border="0" /></a><br />As Bruce completes his East Coast Golfing With Friends Tour I'm finishing up my last week in San Cristobal, Chiapas. It has been fun and interesting to return to Mexico after being in the US for a couple of months. There is so much to love about Mexico and the people, just as there is much to love about the US. Life is not always easy in Mexico, but that is what makes it so interesting, fun and adventurous....you just have to be alert, cautious, flexible and keep an open mind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V6Uzdp9JWLwHwOYDg-GEPmrjpLf3TQJVUGLZq62z35etFgf_Gv_HC4emLZ1HZGs2XinFygRMSqQ2eS5eyl1lNedsslve53LvdBGaTdYmzRCwFw8ZYSQrtOk85lg85Uj6jGo7IJNTiDl5/s1600-h/Cats+and+dogs+in+Jaalboc.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V6Uzdp9JWLwHwOYDg-GEPmrjpLf3TQJVUGLZq62z35etFgf_Gv_HC4emLZ1HZGs2XinFygRMSqQ2eS5eyl1lNedsslve53LvdBGaTdYmzRCwFw8ZYSQrtOk85lg85Uj6jGo7IJNTiDl5/s320/Cats+and+dogs+in+Jaalboc.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373259302710669602" border="0" /></a><br />For those interested, I've included <a href="http://cid-23a7b166612684a3.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/Burn%20and%20Wound%20Care%20in%20Chiapas%20%E2%80%93Aug%2009.ppt">my latest power point photos </a>while working with humanitarian Sergio Castro. Be forewarned these medically "impressive" photos are not for the faint of heart.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODF422Y32lZlu3SzIIowmpU8wUa8LuAg9WGGJgWNo8XW7m5R8pmsmiIWr09-iRMCEdjTR4SY3N1D0TMzMRe9XADAw7t95Ack3L9uZf87fstpA1fI1yxsx6UzWP7nUwo0TAeKq5wrC76Xd/s1600-h/Sergios+cats.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODF422Y32lZlu3SzIIowmpU8wUa8LuAg9WGGJgWNo8XW7m5R8pmsmiIWr09-iRMCEdjTR4SY3N1D0TMzMRe9XADAw7t95Ack3L9uZf87fstpA1fI1yxsx6UzWP7nUwo0TAeKq5wrC76Xd/s320/Sergios+cats.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373262211669426450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">If you would like to donate funds to help Sergio feed his cats (and support his humanitarian work) please click on the donate button in the right column of this blog. Muchissimos gracias!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7uWH4XUHNQRzGz9wSFPVBzceyzjl2oBp4J1JrcchMsNm-hqgqZnRGaZYcFlW-nxIZ67BBH4xNrerbUgY5gapfl-SEVsu-Ean9eJ1xfSMO5w4fz8LP2xxXZlRM1ZdwlNfajY1Z5tD5s_Q/s1600-h/Jalbooc+puppy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7uWH4XUHNQRzGz9wSFPVBzceyzjl2oBp4J1JrcchMsNm-hqgqZnRGaZYcFlW-nxIZ67BBH4xNrerbUgY5gapfl-SEVsu-Ean9eJ1xfSMO5w4fz8LP2xxXZlRM1ZdwlNfajY1Z5tD5s_Q/s320/Jalbooc+puppy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373259307722637554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Zinacatlan women make corn tortillas, the guide tells us they are high in calcium..hence no osteoporosis. I think also the weight-bearing work may also have something to do with it. ...we've seen women carry more than 100# of wood on their backs. The tortillas were delicious!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBdFeN82nupCUx3gn-qlcNTGB9ufmlH70tDE8G6YKRnfuwqeKzVkK6IH2pBW_pGJQSUQXnqYxHcxPMt4REmAowIs1u7SEpzRvm5T_NhNnjm3FP4W8zr0pA0F2pzw9nm6kIkTQ-eehmxnE/s1600-h/Cooking+w+open+fire.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBdFeN82nupCUx3gn-qlcNTGB9ufmlH70tDE8G6YKRnfuwqeKzVkK6IH2pBW_pGJQSUQXnqYxHcxPMt4REmAowIs1u7SEpzRvm5T_NhNnjm3FP4W8zr0pA0F2pzw9nm6kIkTQ-eehmxnE/s320/Cooking+w+open+fire.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373262195048459986" border="0" /></a>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-26500925593606361622009-08-14T06:15:00.000-07:002009-08-16T12:09:12.579-07:00Regrese a MexicoAugust 14, 2009<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Open brotherly displays of affection.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBIsoW9J9yekEp_wUbzShN2aZZ0qctl6xA9yUHsoNFhkQN4cA8JuYnHWLw5702lpKFdD4iLYuzPcwLD1-eWRll9JD5pL2P1DWrLGRxOEc8t7SjWp1UlbFkkfM9caghQb7R7wk1AWqRtGg/s1600-h/Brothers+arm+in+arm.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBIsoW9J9yekEp_wUbzShN2aZZ0qctl6xA9yUHsoNFhkQN4cA8JuYnHWLw5702lpKFdD4iLYuzPcwLD1-eWRll9JD5pL2P1DWrLGRxOEc8t7SjWp1UlbFkkfM9caghQb7R7wk1AWqRtGg/s320/Brothers+arm+in+arm.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369808346588236706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Decorative flowers we buy in the US grow wild in Mexico.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0CuHT5tw-x3ICxAw6cyHP4IA4C0QFbz8BlxKbEVr2VPtY5r_huKXi4v50RMbaNHpIfWK7p0tulIRixqtT9gbwPYrbfhJryZrlmZbS1npllRNZHNnjKXBSpiUan9NZybdlmJ2sUEzENkP/s1600-h/Espanolas+flores.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0CuHT5tw-x3ICxAw6cyHP4IA4C0QFbz8BlxKbEVr2VPtY5r_huKXi4v50RMbaNHpIfWK7p0tulIRixqtT9gbwPYrbfhJryZrlmZbS1npllRNZHNnjKXBSpiUan9NZybdlmJ2sUEzENkP/s320/Espanolas+flores.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369808356616900722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Organic without trying.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPRELyrASpS2hNW-Bc-chd3VeNvQ7ftoklOTx6OOJbt7m4rMjwKj_Xk_MMnMjGz6VljY1sagHPlX8o6hwJeEjSuh-MI24nrDbLsid7dvWiAHFSSqkoSbYcbslFfEeBag4hiQJTkYzf7wY/s1600-h/Crops.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPRELyrASpS2hNW-Bc-chd3VeNvQ7ftoklOTx6OOJbt7m4rMjwKj_Xk_MMnMjGz6VljY1sagHPlX8o6hwJeEjSuh-MI24nrDbLsid7dvWiAHFSSqkoSbYcbslFfEeBag4hiQJTkYzf7wY/s320/Crops.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369808333978433938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Natural center pieces in almost every living arrangement.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZCGGW-D3n9uifSp-UiiR8FToxTP6w71R-0JpeHgCW8NYsEPxRp4MvAskV67ogYhvm8Doge7BKPu_e5iYE5u4Z1k3xe03EdiISJXWTOmUTDM80mr4XgR12g7tVyEKRMMMKkLOQRpzGK0O/s1600-h/Apt+center+piece.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZCGGW-D3n9uifSp-UiiR8FToxTP6w71R-0JpeHgCW8NYsEPxRp4MvAskV67ogYhvm8Doge7BKPu_e5iYE5u4Z1k3xe03EdiISJXWTOmUTDM80mr4XgR12g7tVyEKRMMMKkLOQRpzGK0O/s320/Apt+center+piece.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369808329512466194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sling babies...efficient and a natural way to carry your children....mas economico tambien!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8geOFlAjU6welta88kUGuMIe1LASsaS0Px-IU6c3gpNkUDklSGkHHheQAs_Y_bxQ-eqOACcQiCWXVSCl_tqj94sgOWQ824Yn-A6p3w-HLvkpYbefe4MnMzUpNzYwLEdQd2f_fHWiDn2Cr/s1600-h/Sling+baby.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8geOFlAjU6welta88kUGuMIe1LASsaS0Px-IU6c3gpNkUDklSGkHHheQAs_Y_bxQ-eqOACcQiCWXVSCl_tqj94sgOWQ824Yn-A6p3w-HLvkpYbefe4MnMzUpNzYwLEdQd2f_fHWiDn2Cr/s320/Sling+baby.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370398704981295938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sergio and God-daughter Anita.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZph2JHvjlYr2-6lRxD6T2uwfkP5_cKi8D4UPZUCh6ZXSmvxDh24_w5vJo_v66NGcR1K3ijtHNysstUCpJAi7iw5oaYL77uVfwXEoLmspL3qR0gwH8pGDTMykGleBc8pULiLV_9t9mpDr/s1600-h/Sergio+and+Anita.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZph2JHvjlYr2-6lRxD6T2uwfkP5_cKi8D4UPZUCh6ZXSmvxDh24_w5vJo_v66NGcR1K3ijtHNysstUCpJAi7iw5oaYL77uVfwXEoLmspL3qR0gwH8pGDTMykGleBc8pULiLV_9t9mpDr/s320/Sergio+and+Anita.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370398711973538786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Tenis maestro, Luis y su novia, Flaviola...desayuno en sus casa.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7NIkGzXx1VGQxq7GC5oj_iazGcBY1vmMPPs-NdecM7pw3Yo9lEatmKbt77Nphwk1ZJF1GiRa_NOV5jHMpXi6XsdJL835ZmeMsKAWuhSsfZtQHA9T-GIGFDwVmF-8YWM3lJa7sNm811ql/s1600-h/Luis+and+Flaviola+a+la+casa.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7NIkGzXx1VGQxq7GC5oj_iazGcBY1vmMPPs-NdecM7pw3Yo9lEatmKbt77Nphwk1ZJF1GiRa_NOV5jHMpXi6XsdJL835ZmeMsKAWuhSsfZtQHA9T-GIGFDwVmF-8YWM3lJa7sNm811ql/s320/Luis+and+Flaviola+a+la+casa.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370638621659493842" /></a>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-7408499429466662552009-07-30T09:18:00.000-07:002009-08-07T21:01:47.975-07:00Getting ready to split Big D.July 30, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJ5smkH4ElFmL98lzUR4ovouybrstu89oMV-5x8aPnxYuh0sn0SesR9HM6sjxAA8G97hFQEvjCvWdmHEPcW6l1b6KS25bnNr0NFzbKHnYPFoXDKBbjYLJerNO22-6x18dbN6vq-mXHxWd/s1600-h/Scruffy+lounging+at+the+pool.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJ5smkH4ElFmL98lzUR4ovouybrstu89oMV-5x8aPnxYuh0sn0SesR9HM6sjxAA8G97hFQEvjCvWdmHEPcW6l1b6KS25bnNr0NFzbKHnYPFoXDKBbjYLJerNO22-6x18dbN6vq-mXHxWd/s320/Scruffy+lounging+at+the+pool.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367433136287735682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our month in Dallas is coming to an end. Bruce will be heading to the east coast to visit friends and play golf...anticipating his shoulder and neck will hold up. I will be going back to San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas for the month of August and my cousin Roy will be joining me at the end of the month. Bruce and I will meet back in Big D early Sept and figure out where to go and what to do next.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Scruff likes to lounge pool side..he's missing his margarita.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9CQQNi0NFy7PPpEyRkocgTrLgiTex47vZPHzkgDkrGD2Pd5Rxoovz9jsPtRb1Z4XAG_EzBPowZxcJwjvfr-A3ysSHhgnf29I0bhqo4MCSdQZXJ1gt0y9m2clZJ9qjR5iXtiVY0oGrFmr/s1600-h/Bruce+Mom+and+Mike.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9CQQNi0NFy7PPpEyRkocgTrLgiTex47vZPHzkgDkrGD2Pd5Rxoovz9jsPtRb1Z4XAG_EzBPowZxcJwjvfr-A3ysSHhgnf29I0bhqo4MCSdQZXJ1gt0y9m2clZJ9qjR5iXtiVY0oGrFmr/s320/Bruce+Mom+and+Mike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367433136829713026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bruce's Steppin Daddy Mike and Momma Rosemary.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBjbO31qVrzh6eIf6BOaiX4w8IpBqlLPugBvvX0UPMUkUoeZLFS5XCtEhyAvIdQJ2SWD_ff46KMjhppiNiXHhH478c8YP3pUpIRGvuJm7sEGaNP-b0r2uGfCGbEqfGfc0gPvXfc_i1M4V/s1600-h/Texas+Dining+Decor.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBjbO31qVrzh6eIf6BOaiX4w8IpBqlLPugBvvX0UPMUkUoeZLFS5XCtEhyAvIdQJ2SWD_ff46KMjhppiNiXHhH478c8YP3pUpIRGvuJm7sEGaNP-b0r2uGfCGbEqfGfc0gPvXfc_i1M4V/s320/Texas+Dining+Decor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367433141707695682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Texas restaurant decor...see how kind they are to animals, these are wood carved! </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We've enjoyed the Texas hospitality and all the grandness here. Texans, at least the ones we know and meet, are an independent sort and take full advantage of all the opportunities the US has to offer....they seem to be anti-government assistance and prefer little government intrusion. The cost of living in the DFW Metroplex is incredibly inexpensive compared to the PNW, but man is it hot!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncyG2fVswMXG3eljHujrq4DXJDAQE5_ogUo16ZbWYwQqewhGydKIppAdDIeqJ07lwti5x6IVEi0HPfucr6xUceuByx4F7NFmpRDAn3hNJ8CLq6gmidzEozeO6LvBenWfEPmHRyAroLJ6c/s1600-h/Legends+of+Surf+Music.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncyG2fVswMXG3eljHujrq4DXJDAQE5_ogUo16ZbWYwQqewhGydKIppAdDIeqJ07lwti5x6IVEi0HPfucr6xUceuByx4F7NFmpRDAn3hNJ8CLq6gmidzEozeO6LvBenWfEPmHRyAroLJ6c/s320/Legends+of+Surf+Music.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367433146185029346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Went to see Legends of Surf Music at the Bass Performance Hall in Ft. Worth. Dean Torrence and Al Jardin performing with All Star City Surf Band. Al Jardin's son Matt sang most of Brian Wilson's parts and sounded just like him.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Although we've always loved the restaurants here, for some reason we've had little desire to eat out..unless it's sushi....for some reason the food we've always raved about is not that appealing. Mexico exposed us to fresh locally grown foods and boy howdy, is there a difference!<br /><br />We've visited many old and dear friends, and lots of family. I've played tennis often at the one of the best private tennis clubs in the nation and managed to give myself a black eye (accidentally hit myself with my tennis racket)..and Bruce has managed to extend his losing streak playing the market. Stuff happens, life is so good! <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A night out with my buddy Debra, my brother Tim and sister-in-law Karen.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Below my brother-in-law John testing out my 3rd trial of peanut butter cookies.....my quest for the perfect cookie eludes me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Last photo: Friends from the 90s reconnect and reminisce of old times, nice to be back in touch....Joan, Pat and Sheri.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0oiE7sY2cwYkvt4mG3hQb0-mwZqced989DORGqNkpFgtwEBd_hA9uwBFzNILbCuSq209fElsmJuHEf9j1YRIi4n5X4vZE54gOQgY08D9ZnQGH0hzMdl1ccjBMdEBia76ym1w59KwPP5-/s1600-h/Lewisville+Debra+Tim+and+Karen.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0oiE7sY2cwYkvt4mG3hQb0-mwZqced989DORGqNkpFgtwEBd_hA9uwBFzNILbCuSq209fElsmJuHEf9j1YRIi4n5X4vZE54gOQgY08D9ZnQGH0hzMdl1ccjBMdEBia76ym1w59KwPP5-/s320/Lewisville+Debra+Tim+and+Karen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367433787501710210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WqTqHBsULChSmrlFP5JdW0xqKsxKCDXwK6m4YZx7kECeNsWQw7XA_qhCpL33oZI4piPt2X2ffs4cWyNPv2J7JWzwjRGvBhOtuFg4Fs3PPfVR30Qf0o2doPd2O0P7jsXRiCJr-QLpyXna/s1600-h/Brother+in+law+testing+my+peanutbutter+cookies.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WqTqHBsULChSmrlFP5JdW0xqKsxKCDXwK6m4YZx7kECeNsWQw7XA_qhCpL33oZI4piPt2X2ffs4cWyNPv2J7JWzwjRGvBhOtuFg4Fs3PPfVR30Qf0o2doPd2O0P7jsXRiCJr-QLpyXna/s320/Brother+in+law+testing+my+peanutbutter+cookies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367433785197328082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBW0m-76wVnvQBQAh0rB6u2g5nrVIvYx7-W3p0GCaJcmxXHkw5Jzmy6qTx0cOzR1dxZdRCX48KnT7ot5ae_P32fLAyPjoau9_GHsfFUMOSjOIcpTPURcUp_RKtDpPQ0hTvfKHHTppoIe1/s1600-h/Joan+Pat+and+Sheri.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBW0m-76wVnvQBQAh0rB6u2g5nrVIvYx7-W3p0GCaJcmxXHkw5Jzmy6qTx0cOzR1dxZdRCX48KnT7ot5ae_P32fLAyPjoau9_GHsfFUMOSjOIcpTPURcUp_RKtDpPQ0hTvfKHHTppoIe1/s320/Joan+Pat+and+Sheri.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367433779574085314" border="0" /></a>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-15467003453246913022009-07-18T13:57:00.000-07:002009-07-20T11:50:04.339-07:00The Joys of Pet SittingJuly 18, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc95X4uEjwPr02r6wi9ah-1Y_hCdHcn-042jg8kbwFfIETIwDu9QtfIwf5sNVfJ3CvTkr_q-s-0511USNaLMmn5KeGLAx_gt_ZpDXfn8i4wpw3oSvBaXLPxPPP5ybPmR3kzaRbevc4_YGq/s1600-h/Lizard+on+porch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc95X4uEjwPr02r6wi9ah-1Y_hCdHcn-042jg8kbwFfIETIwDu9QtfIwf5sNVfJ3CvTkr_q-s-0511USNaLMmn5KeGLAx_gt_ZpDXfn8i4wpw3oSvBaXLPxPPP5ybPmR3kzaRbevc4_YGq/s320/Lizard+on+porch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359911263340642866" border="0" /></a><br />Our pet sitting services are in demand for friends and family while in the Dallas Metroplex. Bruce and I are split between two homes now: he cares for a dog named Homer....but lovingly calls him Homer-sapian; and I am the slave of the two cow cats - Jillato and Scruffy. We pet, we play, we feed, we clean after them and we sleep with them. Caring for these animals adds quality to our stay in Big D.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bruce and Homey taking an their afternoon nap.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtwY2gNncV9kBm1TICRSxzCZoiqXrt_XLn-XUP2mNCiWwqZ8B5klCtbLYaCVDZVPz1uzD_oc8bk0BPcoI_j1UD8c86Vvly0pHCWEk42R5Q3td-v1Yv-7DQCMKIMsmRPK11fbbaxdPa3M7/s1600-h/Homer+and+Bruce+sleeping+on+couch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtwY2gNncV9kBm1TICRSxzCZoiqXrt_XLn-XUP2mNCiWwqZ8B5klCtbLYaCVDZVPz1uzD_oc8bk0BPcoI_j1UD8c86Vvly0pHCWEk42R5Q3td-v1Yv-7DQCMKIMsmRPK11fbbaxdPa3M7/s320/Homer+and+Bruce+sleeping+on+couch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359911254108151858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLjKS4B-B9OWHbYQ3vcy_3B86n_PiL9vWu6XJHdzv1I_Eifph0-P8mo9l8J5cL7JZwk22tdTKYKgft37iRWWSZaJvsNWZ7cKwh2PzBrrPj9lAW4IK4Tw6o8NuMixEwdtA-n8HhAL1MK3c/s1600-h/Homer+and+Bruce+on+porch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLjKS4B-B9OWHbYQ3vcy_3B86n_PiL9vWu6XJHdzv1I_Eifph0-P8mo9l8J5cL7JZwk22tdTKYKgft37iRWWSZaJvsNWZ7cKwh2PzBrrPj9lAW4IK4Tw6o8NuMixEwdtA-n8HhAL1MK3c/s320/Homer+and+Bruce+on+porch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359911246216379458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Homer's a lover not a fighter.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jwdSUTfg6Wl5QUxmoT5Uftkttn50ZGR8usiBGiyaLNlII-AUh5mBs2X3RjBKLJFj9G2Bs5HW9fCCRcGrsjnVw74JjbYOUMPu7kLwU7xXZK9nHYqkSd9WUVSCv3iY4BcSir0Kk5vSt46W/s1600-h/Jillato+Debra+and+Pat.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jwdSUTfg6Wl5QUxmoT5Uftkttn50ZGR8usiBGiyaLNlII-AUh5mBs2X3RjBKLJFj9G2Bs5HW9fCCRcGrsjnVw74JjbYOUMPu7kLwU7xXZK9nHYqkSd9WUVSCv3iY4BcSir0Kk5vSt46W/s320/Jillato+Debra+and+Pat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359911260943852994" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Friends, pets and a kitchen...life is good!</span>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-12447547930513470692009-07-10T05:13:00.001-07:002009-07-10T05:56:22.054-07:00Couch Camping in Big DJuly 10, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNg_cR5vOuLYTi67y6VN_RUr9XbfZ8tPIfpZtiT6A5i4YR0jSuRn2p-tBjHAxaXqbvD34Av6PBP3tnaNRkQyD2C5mfaVvLgz-GZp9QYD9gUmb28v_KwasNQ7AXfDF7k_-acxOT36i8HyG/s1600-h/Jillato.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNg_cR5vOuLYTi67y6VN_RUr9XbfZ8tPIfpZtiT6A5i4YR0jSuRn2p-tBjHAxaXqbvD34Av6PBP3tnaNRkQyD2C5mfaVvLgz-GZp9QYD9gUmb28v_KwasNQ7AXfDF7k_-acxOT36i8HyG/s320/Jillato.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356808959948869506" border="0" /></a><br />We are now on babysitting assignment for my sister during the month of July in Dallas Texas. Yes, it's hotter than h_ll and we're glad not be sleeping in the van. My sister is on vacation in China and has left the care of her 2 cats in our hands. It's been tough.........but we've managed. Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex of 6.5 million population is not exactly a vacation destination, for us at least. Thank goodness there's a great tennis club nearby with indoor air-conditioned courts.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Jillato (above) and Scruffy (with Bruce) are known as "cow" cats. Scruffy is a major lover, he was found as a stray 15 years ago and is now in his golden years. Jillato likes to play, bite on cords and help with the cooking.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBOdIXZAzI982FvYDEy0kvmXO_qKOiEk_tssU8o6naQ5Vgtxoc6XTVnDZhw_NdiQ8k_sHSPcUDHuG_wK3VGqO88fU8VRJoslZQBgAhw4BOfGnsE3WZue4ykkeWTxdegA4XpfMLHPDUdmo/s1600-h/Jillato+and+juice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBOdIXZAzI982FvYDEy0kvmXO_qKOiEk_tssU8o6naQ5Vgtxoc6XTVnDZhw_NdiQ8k_sHSPcUDHuG_wK3VGqO88fU8VRJoslZQBgAhw4BOfGnsE3WZue4ykkeWTxdegA4XpfMLHPDUdmo/s320/Jillato+and+juice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356808967985263474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggwMuyZRlO8V5FbPRqlV__Iwr8HBUDjSheklPpZavVO7KEQMY8-TkRnz-tTJCeozPCsd_FCVVNEWWxD94a3Ox62s35FDcD0XDu7m11vNpWlkOjTdE5x1L0By_6QNsGPNgsIAp5Rmyy8vc/s1600-h/Bruce+and+Scrufffy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggwMuyZRlO8V5FbPRqlV__Iwr8HBUDjSheklPpZavVO7KEQMY8-TkRnz-tTJCeozPCsd_FCVVNEWWxD94a3Ox62s35FDcD0XDu7m11vNpWlkOjTdE5x1L0By_6QNsGPNgsIAp5Rmyy8vc/s320/Bruce+and+Scrufffy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356808957026838882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44oGksfGAEzuzzromyuNV84_ZDdto-UPOEHiqjTp29z6avdoYVmEXL84DbxuEdwDNwMFNlzNHtaiabBII76ApK6mrVreP3LA0E-iHvxdCfgxzr1qQ1WO9sgPyAb4aCM1gVo-6toKiSpip/s1600-h/Dallas+traffick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44oGksfGAEzuzzromyuNV84_ZDdto-UPOEHiqjTp29z6avdoYVmEXL84DbxuEdwDNwMFNlzNHtaiabBII76ApK6mrVreP3LA0E-iHvxdCfgxzr1qQ1WO9sgPyAb4aCM1gVo-6toKiSpip/s320/Dallas+traffick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356808971028208850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The DFW Metroplex encompasses 12 counties, 9286 sq.miles, (larger than Rhode Is. and Connecticut combined), and the 4th largest metropolitan area by population in the US, hence Big D. Above photo is just a sampling of traffic in The Metroplex at 4pm. </span>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-1644549337735651152009-06-30T10:44:00.000-07:002009-07-01T12:03:35.278-07:00Hill Country of TexasJune 28, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZo4tirZocmYtGW4_Tj6IcmE6pnhI5MZ4dIYcNzZTiU4s9eaxHN5N81KeK5VCotRgaFUVLVMAMzKZeFZaBIO-TjJ2ZBWnWRDQpUwaJ8g_0R3kNzVI-kXNQ_WQ27v-yYDxiBRDSVEoYEkY/s1600-h/Ranch+Hammock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZo4tirZocmYtGW4_Tj6IcmE6pnhI5MZ4dIYcNzZTiU4s9eaxHN5N81KeK5VCotRgaFUVLVMAMzKZeFZaBIO-TjJ2ZBWnWRDQpUwaJ8g_0R3kNzVI-kXNQ_WQ27v-yYDxiBRDSVEoYEkY/s320/Ranch+Hammock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353178454472377714" border="0" /></a>We had the good fortune of our friends Kenny and Kathy’s offering us their Hill Country ranch near Junction, Texas. After acclimating to the Texas heat we visited San Antonio for a couple of days, New Braunsfel, and Georgetown seeing long-time friends along the way. Bruce and I ate at one of our favorite TexMex food chains, Pappasitos and stuffed ourselves.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CrUUvjyZWCQ1JfHTpN6OgYycN81jKQahUJKcg1w1mef7EwNAQRR_rqAJvZYrQ4D6Uo1T0KCoUFqMMAH3s4OZcFFoYiyQoRmhKdTNHZwqJf7I-oWtyNi_1aN_aLjLzi8OyrsVSRSftaOa/s1600-h/BBQ+in+Blanco.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CrUUvjyZWCQ1JfHTpN6OgYycN81jKQahUJKcg1w1mef7EwNAQRR_rqAJvZYrQ4D6Uo1T0KCoUFqMMAH3s4OZcFFoYiyQoRmhKdTNHZwqJf7I-oWtyNi_1aN_aLjLzi8OyrsVSRSftaOa/s320/BBQ+in+Blanco.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353180515707506146" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />BBQ in Blanco, Texas.</span><br /><br />Eating-wise it seems I have discovered BBQ, blackberry cobbler and Texas ice tea. When we lived in Texas I rarely ate BBQ (only at Bruce’s request) and now it seems I can’t get enough, same with the ice tea.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGD8owLupAnTJaNvF4f9_JWpGVNM8uO8B1wRp3ccGn-gYYH3Mv83JMVyQnvOjvbtsSvUZ9qqVA7Ti6B9_fOe8uuihid1Ljz5JTaUYAWcI40D379yv9LrrBKlKw5jMIwLePE3-Y3-smPNg/s1600-h/Ranch+road.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGD8owLupAnTJaNvF4f9_JWpGVNM8uO8B1wRp3ccGn-gYYH3Mv83JMVyQnvOjvbtsSvUZ9qqVA7Ti6B9_fOe8uuihid1Ljz5JTaUYAWcI40D379yv9LrrBKlKw5jMIwLePE3-Y3-smPNg/s320/Ranch+road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353185419977884610" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Gravel roads on ranch property.</span><br /><br />Meanwhile, we returned to the ranch for a week of total relaxation of reading and indulging in watching the Wimbledon Championships. There are no cars, no air traffic noise just the viewing of exotic game roaming during morning and evening walks, the Milkyway and Hill Country scenery: total peace and quiet. I would call this Texas Heaven.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9M1z4pLwKgk70zi1DuWRD3dawmxiscK5aCFn0Ju1vyZBkYHmE4RrwTZ26hdSPy-XyCq_ExXeNek_5euY1678zgqxwcyv13J3jvaZrbaYj5Fnxp-pLczXB3eJGHqBu7UtSEZMmV7IDs-u/s1600-h/Starburger+Texas+Pride.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9M1z4pLwKgk70zi1DuWRD3dawmxiscK5aCFn0Ju1vyZBkYHmE4RrwTZ26hdSPy-XyCq_ExXeNek_5euY1678zgqxwcyv13J3jvaZrbaYj5Fnxp-pLczXB3eJGHqBu7UtSEZMmV7IDs-u/s320/Starburger+Texas+Pride.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353178620465717666" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br />You can't help but appreciate the outrageous Texas Pride.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSEFh92McRgjHQE8Fg4_PuQrpvq2TNZ9cz_FaBNY87sJaDey9F8vWBcBS2xdMgE4q73Q-jC8iaLoTDqAtDkxiMz-nWRuV5bDk9YL8S3o1GnVOhIXcAjtcSWp8oujN-xcU6VdqsfWIKk9k/s1600-h/San+Anton+Riverwalk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSEFh92McRgjHQE8Fg4_PuQrpvq2TNZ9cz_FaBNY87sJaDey9F8vWBcBS2xdMgE4q73Q-jC8iaLoTDqAtDkxiMz-nWRuV5bDk9YL8S3o1GnVOhIXcAjtcSWp8oujN-xcU6VdqsfWIKk9k/s320/San+Anton+Riverwalk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353178614102911074" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />After pigging-out at Pappasitos we walked along the famous San Antonio Riverwalk, we found it lovely but very crowded. This, and the Alamo, is the most frequented spot in San Antonio.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvwyOuVdMVzE0e4EotUe7mgm3OimsYqNj6FVx960dKsIjHztKn7FZGHpQ1EKOtas_EET_5RARYFxsV89aG5TkRDlb8vogxhHXCa2h4vppy_IH88KHHsvhRZpE3I3pXEFfw63xxEHIiSnq/s1600-h/Llano+Tx+wwi+memorial.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvwyOuVdMVzE0e4EotUe7mgm3OimsYqNj6FVx960dKsIjHztKn7FZGHpQ1EKOtas_EET_5RARYFxsV89aG5TkRDlb8vogxhHXCa2h4vppy_IH88KHHsvhRZpE3I3pXEFfw63xxEHIiSnq/s320/Llano+Tx+wwi+memorial.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353178449681226434" border="0" /></a></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Llano, Texas memorializes WWI heroes.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBPAFOA1V_pDnbJG15EetTcXTOOg6yaVXLRy5ulGKJNsH7Xvic4O66KVIhxcucL5lEMgRoKjiKS11jqKnVrPNSmab9pmncGqVPNZzcF_5A6reKfGyU0-xo4DNS3RNi76O6C-BsXEs-3EC/s1600-h/Kelleys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBPAFOA1V_pDnbJG15EetTcXTOOg6yaVXLRy5ulGKJNsH7Xvic4O66KVIhxcucL5lEMgRoKjiKS11jqKnVrPNSmab9pmncGqVPNZzcF_5A6reKfGyU0-xo4DNS3RNi76O6C-BsXEs-3EC/s320/Kelleys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353178451723940946" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br />Our good friends John and Sharon Kelley, we've sailed across the gulf a couple of times in their 52' Endeavor, Ariel Star.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZqBHg7F7UjfH2-MrxyQJS1JUJAdF0ys0TR5LILhy78YTX1zl8Sfb3q0DRV9T8U0B5cKSuee1xwgn0A85Gf2jvIjF9i0lRePbeMt8ChXxD5VQ3KTduA9BsMdjRUptWuF-PZXdvjBjY4tp/s1600-h/Fredericksburg+church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZqBHg7F7UjfH2-MrxyQJS1JUJAdF0ys0TR5LILhy78YTX1zl8Sfb3q0DRV9T8U0B5cKSuee1xwgn0A85Gf2jvIjF9i0lRePbeMt8ChXxD5VQ3KTduA9BsMdjRUptWuF-PZXdvjBjY4tp/s320/Fredericksburg+church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353178445861162578" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Walking around Fredericksburg we found ourselves at an old Lutheran Church, unlike the churches in Mexico, the doors were closed to the public.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FsPcfbPoo7r3pz9bHQOW2UQOabKLuCf_dIO2dqIsHgF7Z4qXltk6REUT3vklzXs11WXAoMzLvCeW4OgsctGqVAxTHex-g-QQBIr6_oBBjh_CKOMJl48xl7OFhaGRdkMdFO2WjDprs4uG/s1600-h/Etnyres.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FsPcfbPoo7r3pz9bHQOW2UQOabKLuCf_dIO2dqIsHgF7Z4qXltk6REUT3vklzXs11WXAoMzLvCeW4OgsctGqVAxTHex-g-QQBIr6_oBBjh_CKOMJl48xl7OFhaGRdkMdFO2WjDprs4uG/s320/Etnyres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353178447619952514" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My girlfriends of 25 years...wow, we're ageless!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC78XfsB0ymmXWZX4eVJ3mLDyQOsuIcXDmzzPWSs5SQsGKClhCruylVJS-PoX6lvz-Ud8iS3ZpDt2Qv6cf-9-EQ4EA0kY86L83TsJPn6UzPFNI6iU0-OkfuBzkDCGcYLggBA_6J5RoPLiS/s1600-h/Texas+Acorns.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC78XfsB0ymmXWZX4eVJ3mLDyQOsuIcXDmzzPWSs5SQsGKClhCruylVJS-PoX6lvz-Ud8iS3ZpDt2Qv6cf-9-EQ4EA0kY86L83TsJPn6UzPFNI6iU0-OkfuBzkDCGcYLggBA_6J5RoPLiS/s320/Texas+Acorns.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353178624956578930" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br />Everythang is big in Texas.</span>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-62109130030461929662009-06-22T14:04:00.000-07:002009-06-22T14:28:35.499-07:00Somewhere in West TexasJune 19, 2009<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEyKIps3W-adeHVLrJu5Z9LLp7OIDwHdL5VJPJ9Nyj1rIrss2yRqG8fKXQ4PjKsK5RTropdw2MFlcSSSKSqAjwNXOaxMg3gW-S7dfmwsb29rQyMjB0dAWaoYyOcAUQ_9h-5K4cmatcM-r/s1600-h/NM+outside+TX+canyon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEyKIps3W-adeHVLrJu5Z9LLp7OIDwHdL5VJPJ9Nyj1rIrss2yRqG8fKXQ4PjKsK5RTropdw2MFlcSSSKSqAjwNXOaxMg3gW-S7dfmwsb29rQyMjB0dAWaoYyOcAUQ_9h-5K4cmatcM-r/s320/NM+outside+TX+canyon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350261542224203106" border="0" /></a><br />The great thing about traveling via roadway is you get to see the topography change out your window: the evolutionary changes of certain plants and the subtle progression of territorial formations. Also the economy: certain areas produce certain things depending on the local resources; this is the case for Mexico, Guatemala and the US. We see wealthy and prosperous communities and the fallen and downtrodden that at one time had prosperity. In the US it seems the smaller towns are becoming sparser.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQfLHm3IKO8ZxOJHnPSg08p_5omYkOkt1eUmmtKi2jXiQ2yyS4wGEmCPsstiiYVfElPXezlBHmtkTbcvASsamQo9QOM_gbDiaQTrsMsM3d8U3PbAvotComwyUxmk2sZTK6wyw4-nSdsFd/s1600-h/WT+desserted+town.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQfLHm3IKO8ZxOJHnPSg08p_5omYkOkt1eUmmtKi2jXiQ2yyS4wGEmCPsstiiYVfElPXezlBHmtkTbcvASsamQo9QOM_gbDiaQTrsMsM3d8U3PbAvotComwyUxmk2sZTK6wyw4-nSdsFd/s320/WT+desserted+town.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350263704996718402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfdL7zy5SCozmw_MtUPYrDfTZVrcu5Go3NHJgNKbui93RQYEY6-hX6CV5Z4O2VpjanVtdfllV4npR6gVetsnKW9yJS0_LlJZmgbwptCirtUuHtE9EZstF5KEZeVvKzO9iK32EsUt3RK3p/s1600-h/NM+farm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfdL7zy5SCozmw_MtUPYrDfTZVrcu5Go3NHJgNKbui93RQYEY6-hX6CV5Z4O2VpjanVtdfllV4npR6gVetsnKW9yJS0_LlJZmgbwptCirtUuHtE9EZstF5KEZeVvKzO9iK32EsUt3RK3p/s320/NM+farm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350261547297885010" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have recently learned it is a much “greener” lifestyle to live in a populated area as oppose to the countryside. Supposedly, city dwellers have less of a carbon foot print. In cities, resources are funneled to support a larger populous compared to resources being diverted to homes outside a metropolis as it would take more piping, laying of electrical lines, cutting of roads, and land occupation. In the city less space is taken up to house people and the countryside is left alone to support whatever flora and fauna that may still exist. However, the ideal situation would be to have a self-contained home non-dependent on any community resource divergence….kinda like the Chiapaneca indigenous…humm..to hard of a life for us. What we would do without electricity, potable water and internet?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQoFXceOGobyvdF8HZprwgovoaNkdUbQxHjQf4ENfHy0OdU3PqquGthyd4d4okcSMQoDMj7JYVPDGZYEvs1LVgFXzglLmMbJ111ALYefqGLt7NuvuvXdk-10XLpQBBXUxV2J4UPOR_ixS/s1600-h/WT+Rain+cloud.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQoFXceOGobyvdF8HZprwgovoaNkdUbQxHjQf4ENfHy0OdU3PqquGthyd4d4okcSMQoDMj7JYVPDGZYEvs1LVgFXzglLmMbJ111ALYefqGLt7NuvuvXdk-10XLpQBBXUxV2J4UPOR_ixS/s320/WT+Rain+cloud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350261551387221890" border="0" /></a><br />Before returning to the States I thought it would be easy to know where we wanted to live. The Mexican lifestyle (at least in Oaxaca and Chiapas) seems much healthier in terms of fresh food, having to be alert while driving, being in places that promote walking more than riding and forcing habitual conservation as a way of life. Electricity is outrageously expensive and tap water is not safe for consumption and in some areas you never know when a pipe may break or a bribed official may cut off the water. The Mexican culture promotes politeness, family closeness, a naturally strong work ethic starting from birth (resulting in independence), and the cleanest floors I’ve ever seen in my life. For the American-born, the Mexicans teach you patience…..albeit unintentionally. Vive Mexico!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhHc_g6HNPchyphenhyphen8aUba-y0UlyoOMxc95LqUf1xJWNmX9fxJ5rJyZfdPzqlK1e4oaUgQz-NAUxLPRU0DWVi0AvdVcPu5TKOy1RiYoXwKBkL_MF8sJL5SUV2vd-pC2O0sytzZQ9nhsWIsjcf/s1600-h/CC+Natural+Entrance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhHc_g6HNPchyphenhyphen8aUba-y0UlyoOMxc95LqUf1xJWNmX9fxJ5rJyZfdPzqlK1e4oaUgQz-NAUxLPRU0DWVi0AvdVcPu5TKOy1RiYoXwKBkL_MF8sJL5SUV2vd-pC2O0sytzZQ9nhsWIsjcf/s320/CC+Natural+Entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350262726217122018" border="0" /></a><br />However, upon our return to the US I see the simple things in our country as a luxury: wide, smooth, well-maintained and well-signage roads, stop lights you don’t have to guess at and water…..sweet-potable-tap-water. I will never buy bottled water again…..unless I’m in Florida (tap water grows algae in a matter of hours). The roads are litter free, doors open automatically, bikes are for recreation and we haven’t seen a car yet that is older than 20 years (unless it’s spruced up). However, the over consumption and wastefulness is mind-boggling. Life seems easy in US. USA!! USA!!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Carlsbad Cavern decorations.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VKFKKtioLE1963PIbPXWvTHu8I27qdAFYRgZeDzgVy5yD0FudPMULyqF7i2b_iBvuEA3yjLu9ORxtNAfF922KmLi4D7IWWmO6gJqcalxa689u5cvxv_oUqiociGY5roP5duwqKl-L2-G/s1600-h/CC+lions+tail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VKFKKtioLE1963PIbPXWvTHu8I27qdAFYRgZeDzgVy5yD0FudPMULyqF7i2b_iBvuEA3yjLu9ORxtNAfF922KmLi4D7IWWmO6gJqcalxa689u5cvxv_oUqiociGY5roP5duwqKl-L2-G/s320/CC+lions+tail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350262732249394962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gBU5fVfRBPWHodKef896qmBR9QMWogf1ULcyIya-pEDjipT7sYXkAPGYeNJjl5gcbgWFIv9smVBA93Xs5Xd4rHNlBZS_MYj6ckHUANV90LR5AwXhCLlJiNn-e7KogO8847H9ivUFjlLZ/s1600-h/CC+decorations.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gBU5fVfRBPWHodKef896qmBR9QMWogf1ULcyIya-pEDjipT7sYXkAPGYeNJjl5gcbgWFIv9smVBA93Xs5Xd4rHNlBZS_MYj6ckHUANV90LR5AwXhCLlJiNn-e7KogO8847H9ivUFjlLZ/s320/CC+decorations.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350262729278370754" border="0" /></a><br />Traveling eastward we stopped at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. For any child or family this is a must see, as is the Grand Canyon. The USA’s National Parks are a fabulous recreational resource and they are here for the people of the world….beats Disney World hands down…es mas economico, tambien.<br /><br />We ended up staying in Ozona, Texas on our way to the Hill Country. This West Texas town is off I-10 and has 3 hotels, the cheapest being Travelodge - $77 USDs. Compared to Mexico, this place is a dive for the price, but it beats sleeping in van in oppressive humidity. A good night’s sleep has it’s price.perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-72708771034669323902009-06-17T12:14:00.000-07:002009-07-02T20:05:28.100-07:00Life in the SouthwestJune 16, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwjDNKHxguX9OfWpz6h_vSwxt00rs2IKOHJNcWVPUq91MoaXqDXkXMfxWpCYVjAY6wd9PSMiF0S7qi-rb4EqB280mifIXOKpsIHpDB66JIQVOEJ9jf6g2GT8TPIK-PnWaStH0fMycZN4Q/s1600-h/Tucson+Colorful+lizard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwjDNKHxguX9OfWpz6h_vSwxt00rs2IKOHJNcWVPUq91MoaXqDXkXMfxWpCYVjAY6wd9PSMiF0S7qi-rb4EqB280mifIXOKpsIHpDB66JIQVOEJ9jf6g2GT8TPIK-PnWaStH0fMycZN4Q/s320/Tucson+Colorful+lizard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348381131239549122" border="0" /></a><br />The more we explore Tucson, the more we like it. This area has so much to offer: hiking, biking, excellent tennis clubs, golfing, easily accessible national and state parks, Mt. Lemmon's pine forest which offers skiing in the winter (I'll believe it when I see it). If you want to get in shape and enjoy the outdoors doing so, this is the place to be. The one negative is the relentless sun...although my PNW friends would disagree. The dry heat is surprisingly tolerable as long as you're in the shade with a fan, but to stand or sit in the sun can be life-threatening: immediate by heat stroke or delayed by skin cancer. The intensity makes you run for shade. Hence the best parts of the day are before 9am and after 5pm. For a city of 1 mil (in the area) it is amazingly quiet and their street lights seem muted. This is a sleepy desert town and most residents appreciate the colorful sunset displays as noted by the prevalence of patios.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-UIVCgdGBfqgB6AFcw_yrknOviCI-UrVmnfj4_Naqi17rVZSj2ugsY62FL-UaTeW5gB3lJ2t6f1HTR27PIjH7pfwLOUZMUs0xLRZttKNK9BksAkX4w-znf25BEMqkvoV-sUNUY179weU/s1600-h/Tucson+Giant+Jack+Rabbit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-UIVCgdGBfqgB6AFcw_yrknOviCI-UrVmnfj4_Naqi17rVZSj2ugsY62FL-UaTeW5gB3lJ2t6f1HTR27PIjH7pfwLOUZMUs0xLRZttKNK9BksAkX4w-znf25BEMqkvoV-sUNUY179weU/s320/Tucson+Giant+Jack+Rabbit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348381133968431410" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">While hiking we saw 2 giant jack rabbits, they had to be at least 1.5 ft tall, I thought they were kangaroos.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tomorrow we head to Texas to check out the Hill Country around San Antonio, a year of traveling has us longing for a place to settle....unsure of when and where....Mexico or the US?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqP5BJlXmfz9KvSZeAYc5LmlRYlrCtV8-3sMVFxgUWKDI5fI4n59Qj0Dn2MMfNpSmPOonJ55RPYwcdyAGg0EKjdw6tzun2gkJ_NGheuowK7QamFYy6u-wkm5yD6OYc6Wn-gK-0-nlXTXu/s1600-h/Tucson+Skeletal+Remains+of+Cactus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqP5BJlXmfz9KvSZeAYc5LmlRYlrCtV8-3sMVFxgUWKDI5fI4n59Qj0Dn2MMfNpSmPOonJ55RPYwcdyAGg0EKjdw6tzun2gkJ_NGheuowK7QamFYy6u-wkm5yD6OYc6Wn-gK-0-nlXTXu/s320/Tucson+Skeletal+Remains+of+Cactus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348381303075244866" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br />Skeletal remains of Saguaro cactus.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bQO7Fbt-oGqgzUWCBg1RmOB9gZtAIyz758sCXOQfGscurIA-FZkz7JxGN_JcBRjLwpq_UEfR8NzEBmC2dTGSj_7cn4Ot_wowDcftfumg_gZjLRzUuGFN158K2BoA2Bp4Drx-bXc5IT-d/s1600-h/Tucson+Mt+Lemmon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bQO7Fbt-oGqgzUWCBg1RmOB9gZtAIyz758sCXOQfGscurIA-FZkz7JxGN_JcBRjLwpq_UEfR8NzEBmC2dTGSj_7cn4Ot_wowDcftfumg_gZjLRzUuGFN158K2BoA2Bp4Drx-bXc5IT-d/s320/Tucson+Mt+Lemmon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348381308777083570" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Cool Mt Lemmon, at 9,000 feet, is one a hour drive from the hot desert floor.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxLV0rGbKHyKgc8IG3truz8JfE2su0J_zoAYqN1AjE-ThIsdWf3aS-OFwB3_qzEwQ3p9fEtUCNzAIZUkpVm1W7kUd0Y35n3Tzqcnqs2nJ9exVk460EYFmQICab6478UvY9qZLYGohunAC/s1600-h/Tucson+Brown+Lizard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxLV0rGbKHyKgc8IG3truz8JfE2su0J_zoAYqN1AjE-ThIsdWf3aS-OFwB3_qzEwQ3p9fEtUCNzAIZUkpVm1W7kUd0Y35n3Tzqcnqs2nJ9exVk460EYFmQICab6478UvY9qZLYGohunAC/s320/Tucson+Brown+Lizard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348380955899647042" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Desert lizards are everywhere.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OvOlLYXbLJhzpRvO5jdk__2m5LfRKJJn7z3ZcaU8z800NjpbSAhZudnuR74B9vfQRalrNMTfPQTPPhYomI14ADJU56BNDDX-qZM1_somXtjF2mty1mY4t9yjZdw44X3Lue1Ghww5LrY6/s1600-h/Tucson+Blacketts+trail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OvOlLYXbLJhzpRvO5jdk__2m5LfRKJJn7z3ZcaU8z800NjpbSAhZudnuR74B9vfQRalrNMTfPQTPPhYomI14ADJU56BNDDX-qZM1_somXtjF2mty1mY4t9yjZdw44X3Lue1Ghww5LrY6/s320/Tucson+Blacketts+trail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348380953592957154" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Short, strenuous trail gives beautiful city<br />views.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKiyzyQgLeJwm9klau4kdx0leT9KM_kG6oULBJyZa1KAuE6eabJCzBNF0yte13Gu2DWdqRKz9kC9lGD6n2B_OOOMjm6PT__5dDTwUdWaAdNW5JyopmPugQlu28aIcP9iPNEoGmE2Lkj3S/s1600-h/Tucson+AZ+National.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKiyzyQgLeJwm9klau4kdx0leT9KM_kG6oULBJyZa1KAuE6eabJCzBNF0yte13Gu2DWdqRKz9kC9lGD6n2B_OOOMjm6PT__5dDTwUdWaAdNW5JyopmPugQlu28aIcP9iPNEoGmE2Lkj3S/s320/Tucson+AZ+National.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348380947446611202" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Arizona National Golf Course in the foothills. One of Bruce's favorite golf courses<br /></span>perdido y alegrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827430319741286571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-88092551459962167922009-06-02T18:12:00.000-07:002009-06-06T20:58:07.984-07:00Tucson TimeJune 6, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSTMAZyLM7_qqZCImWGLACQU6JABauilE2eLxdDYS2XMyC8E_O2mw9PPFPcZv-6yF_FynN6aVIpY1qg99pla2fJGoE_sNl2QWaULmbJLUN3ccE8v6wk08r8V6_KQuvFqtM981BeUYhvUb/s1600-h/Sedona+lizard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSTMAZyLM7_qqZCImWGLACQU6JABauilE2eLxdDYS2XMyC8E_O2mw9PPFPcZv-6yF_FynN6aVIpY1qg99pla2fJGoE_sNl2QWaULmbJLUN3ccE8v6wk08r8V6_KQuvFqtM981BeUYhvUb/s320/Sedona+lizard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344422359905371042" border="0" /></a> <br />On our way from Flagstaff to Tucson with a stop in Sedona for a hike in the Red Rocks and BBQ lunch. Sedona is a beautiful city and obviously very affluent. It reminded us of Aspen. Porsches, Jaguars and Mercedes everywhere...and huge houses on huge lots. Many tourists here and the streets were very crowded. No recession here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1cxBhTG4nThBtFvH6LeGdXEg7sAfoIOTw3xomS3gSQZXqIzgp5zqpGSLXwPK7EqTKfaGXC1qII-UwOkH2a8xjsjILVNpOZmPJUZ587n0qB3AH67rydmp3bCe-7JQVk0HFQ_g0KokLUmo/s1600-h/Sedona+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1cxBhTG4nThBtFvH6LeGdXEg7sAfoIOTw3xomS3gSQZXqIzgp5zqpGSLXwPK7EqTKfaGXC1qII-UwOkH2a8xjsjILVNpOZmPJUZ587n0qB3AH67rydmp3bCe-7JQVk0HFQ_g0KokLUmo/s320/Sedona+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344419146022583170" border="0" /></a><br />We hiked the 5-mile, Brin Mesa trail along with a couple of other trails that equated into a loop which was quite a treat. A moderately difficult trail, it wound through the forests, buttes and mesas northwest of Sedona. The red rock formations and desert shrubbery really adds to the place's uniqueness, plus the 4k foot elevation keeps the temps down a bit. It's easy to see why this is such a desirable place to live.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Sdgv40HkGPN9e5pPo-O-cciRAV9uzebwyKVBoid3VkyJWBtkcAq3ygo-lec9fL7J6jJMJV06QhAXLiigVL11He1nKTWNOwpb-zaXphx0T7_25kyuNDSemU7yoAg-wj77xgT5M_w6fBE1/s1600-h/Tucson+Saguaro+cacti+y+Brucelee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Sdgv40HkGPN9e5pPo-O-cciRAV9uzebwyKVBoid3VkyJWBtkcAq3ygo-lec9fL7J6jJMJV06QhAXLiigVL11He1nKTWNOwpb-zaXphx0T7_25kyuNDSemU7yoAg-wj77xgT5M_w6fBE1/s320/Tucson+Saguaro+cacti+y+Brucelee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344418593969074322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Back in Tucson, we settled into a casita at the La Posada Inn on Oracle. Very nice place to live for a couple of weeks. Small, private backyard that overlooks a par-3 golf course and rabbits, squirrels and birds everywhere.<br /><br />Surprisingly, we have been talking about possibly buying a house here. I have always loved Tucson but Pat has had reservations about the sun and heat. My master plan to lure her into wanting to move here seems to be working. Home prices have been beat up pretty bad in Arizona. I suspect the prices will be even better next summer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWSeaDwaRc-3zqyFn_M4ntj-K5auFiUJi5xkN95KVHwTWGivozaPLU4aRI0kS7__sqHRkiztBUjW3GWE3Ni-_zrLlmAy3OvR1ylKL2QXL50wwThbWDDADuJKO5ko_i7jhTpXBQoLMA8LN/s1600-h/Tucson+birds+on+cactus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWSeaDwaRc-3zqyFn_M4ntj-K5auFiUJi5xkN95KVHwTWGivozaPLU4aRI0kS7__sqHRkiztBUjW3GWE3Ni-_zrLlmAy3OvR1ylKL2QXL50wwThbWDDADuJKO5ko_i7jhTpXBQoLMA8LN/s320/Tucson+birds+on+cactus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344418604908093634" border="0" /></a><br />This morning we hiked to the 7 Falls in the Sabino Canyon Park; 8 miles of a moderate and beautiful hike through Bear Canyon and saguaro cacti. Pictures are better than words.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc55z6GPyYs0FD3Mn8Jj2pTyiW6wzouzoTU450WqI9w3wV-HLlk8GtcPjjAQnilSyAT0Knh06YkvHCbcuvraCc0ju-iPqCrCrZ0Eo5yMQQn8JxFIqmc_qSEh2c3TxS2fIX3htga9bO6iN0/s1600-h/Tucson+birds+nest+in+fuzzy+cactus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc55z6GPyYs0FD3Mn8Jj2pTyiW6wzouzoTU450WqI9w3wV-HLlk8GtcPjjAQnilSyAT0Knh06YkvHCbcuvraCc0ju-iPqCrCrZ0Eo5yMQQn8JxFIqmc_qSEh2c3TxS2fIX3htga9bO6iN0/s320/Tucson+birds+nest+in+fuzzy+cactus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344418601894835666" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Photo right: large birds' nest in fuzzy cactus.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaJUeBGalso97GF562NU2cm_-Qns4noSvR_09XkKkNa2wlSwy3ELPX9RY-cHNiDJjOK2HeST2xsaXFsbaXf_RUSu-_auE8evBjY5qaUDLJS8v8Vcf4kWJtC3CC-y5OoT51OyXlkCQqyAK/s1600-h/Tucson+desert+flora.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaJUeBGalso97GF562NU2cm_-Qns4noSvR_09XkKkNa2wlSwy3ELPX9RY-cHNiDJjOK2HeST2xsaXFsbaXf_RUSu-_auE8evBjY5qaUDLJS8v8Vcf4kWJtC3CC-y5OoT51OyXlkCQqyAK/s320/Tucson+desert+flora.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344418601620192610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8QpRTlFZgH0xQTqsps62y9_LvzYu2_cd1AJRjWdWUTQUALwhJhnb06D-GpyrvDkqUfv4oF6ixlkA9FAD9-Hoqms5a8yjSMO8tZkDl5KYvNnVWNDumSr65mvDoi_4leD8NugQqQ7n9cc2/s1600-h/Tucson+from+7+falls+hike.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8QpRTlFZgH0xQTqsps62y9_LvzYu2_cd1AJRjWdWUTQUALwhJhnb06D-GpyrvDkqUfv4oF6ixlkA9FAD9-Hoqms5a8yjSMO8tZkDl5KYvNnVWNDumSr65mvDoi_4leD8NugQqQ7n9cc2/s320/Tucson+from+7+falls+hike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344418601496461394" border="0" /></a>bbordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07152655535088791002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-53576156512328716662009-05-29T18:42:00.001-07:002009-05-31T12:19:45.472-07:00Payson, AZ, the Grand Canyon and Bright Angel TrailMay 29, 2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfor_pdU9fMzTuEXC_f_qLc93PENu2FShOOJ4B8PWr-VsUoHfnyO_nm5HIJEJHUm7vJ5elW3teLvE_vOYDu7qhHFPd4fVn41aDNXWC1UG4ODKqeduX3FLoOFiMaIW76wS-55AN5_HRCd1/s1600-h/Driving+North+in+AZ.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfor_pdU9fMzTuEXC_f_qLc93PENu2FShOOJ4B8PWr-VsUoHfnyO_nm5HIJEJHUm7vJ5elW3teLvE_vOYDu7qhHFPd4fVn41aDNXWC1UG4ODKqeduX3FLoOFiMaIW76wS-55AN5_HRCd1/s320/Driving+North+in+AZ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341639840353463410" border="0" /></a><br />We decided to leave Tucson for a quick trip to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">G</span>rand <span style="font-weight: bold;">C</span>anyon. On the way we stopped for the night in Payson, AZ. That part of Arizona is where the high desert and the forest meet. They call it the Rim Country because of the beautiful rock formation of the high plateau. The weather was cool so we decided to camp at Payson RV Campground. One strange thing about Payson in the 24/7 Elvis radio station. I mean, Elvis' music is good but not 24/7 good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-Ol4QPbtwVisKTSy9qskN1K6JwblKppe25VYb6gu2k6f5UlAvL0bmCo5KfYbnh0-fDpN6nsvWvOiLL-HHtmQVOJT6I3vvqz3yzusTDhNXCez2FOuaY0yeB_Hg5S70L4QtPJKcqWGn7P6/s1600-h/Payson+AZ.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-Ol4QPbtwVisKTSy9qskN1K6JwblKppe25VYb6gu2k6f5UlAvL0bmCo5KfYbnh0-fDpN6nsvWvOiLL-HHtmQVOJT6I3vvqz3yzusTDhNXCez2FOuaY0yeB_Hg5S70L4QtPJKcqWGn7P6/s320/Payson+AZ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341640449267064706" border="0" /></a><br />The next morning we headed for the GC not knowing if we would get a campsite inside the park. We shouldn't have worried because it was not as busy as we've seen it in the past. The main reason we traveled to the GC was to hike the <span style="font-weight: bold;">B</span>right <span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span>ngel Trail.<br /><br />Anyone who has done that hike knows it is tough. We hike the 4.6 miles, 3,000 ft elevation change, down to Indian Gardens campground and had breakfast (yogurt & bananas) then hike back up to the top. We lucked out this time with cloud cover. It can get brutally hot down in the canyon and make the trip back up almost unbearable. We were at the trailhead at 5am. It took us 2 hours to hike down, then a 20 minute breakfast, then 2 hours 40 minutes to the top. Much better than last time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8gVH4G7n1GvffRgJyXN2gwlyULPF8rtMt6_yceXpaUGZnT-OZq16daUPa-HZDCVyau5IVaIolBWTq9bPUOV0zNDzdA7HIq4_U05PwEXJ8hm7xvg43_gFmAkuN_64Hojh1xFP2re2s-x4/s1600-h/Bright+Angel+trail+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8gVH4G7n1GvffRgJyXN2gwlyULPF8rtMt6_yceXpaUGZnT-OZq16daUPa-HZDCVyau5IVaIolBWTq9bPUOV0zNDzdA7HIq4_U05PwEXJ8hm7xvg43_gFmAkuN_64Hojh1xFP2re2s-x4/s320/Bright+Angel+trail+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341639842772716786" border="0" /></a><br />I wanted to get my revenge on the trail. In 1992 we hiked the BA Trail and it almost killed me. Pat handled it well, but it was very hot and I struggled the last couple of miles. When we finished we headed for the McDonalds where I happily paid $3 for ice cream cone. I would've paid a $100. I slept for the rest of the day.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BzFiiujK3Zeex2dBTfDQwrVhzMRSJRIVGlbZ8bPJnpcZXdzNqAPlwujXHJbnl4Ckg885idsuQ9dbPcTwsBXMdF5wDu4f9C1Wvl37igt_gjFJt1GYnNMcv26M4LMEyjqBRT66MjSgyOxb/s1600-h/Hiking+into+the+canyon+in+AM.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BzFiiujK3Zeex2dBTfDQwrVhzMRSJRIVGlbZ8bPJnpcZXdzNqAPlwujXHJbnl4Ckg885idsuQ9dbPcTwsBXMdF5wDu4f9C1Wvl37igt_gjFJt1GYnNMcv26M4LMEyjqBRT66MjSgyOxb/s320/Hiking+into+the+canyon+in+AM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341640443912000402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Looking down on to the Bright Angel trail.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pRybU8bngu3zxDfaFuziiGp_IKoRYkGriBgV7JjMaBkW_mBM988xYdq-tgev66xVjB8A-SKybunvQdVWfhmUln5sfKYTqSvIfICgaLh0QOwGRk1wxw4G6cvLlRnDzLUn3JotKbakk1yd/s1600-h/The+BA+trail+GC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pRybU8bngu3zxDfaFuziiGp_IKoRYkGriBgV7JjMaBkW_mBM988xYdq-tgev66xVjB8A-SKybunvQdVWfhmUln5sfKYTqSvIfICgaLh0QOwGRk1wxw4G6cvLlRnDzLUn3JotKbakk1yd/s320/The+BA+trail+GC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341640452311924642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We have been to the GC 4 times and each time we can't believe how breathtaking it is.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sunrise in the canyon.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrKAWBe3m0QmfZvtWNuzg9IBeUqOHu2Ri6S5jnDR484WVakRD9QMVpHgjuHuR6eSmPwZdexLdOxz6V7Yqn46uUp4vB8zaKCOTCRlEpJWLhtiELqw-Bk8uLc53E-eCgcWScUeNKbHYe8O0/s1600-h/Peering+out+from+ledge+GC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrKAWBe3m0QmfZvtWNuzg9IBeUqOHu2Ri6S5jnDR484WVakRD9QMVpHgjuHuR6eSmPwZdexLdOxz6V7Yqn46uUp4vB8zaKCOTCRlEpJWLhtiELqw-Bk8uLc53E-eCgcWScUeNKbHYe8O0/s320/Peering+out+from+ledge+GC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341640447547493282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br />Pictures can never do the Canyon justice, to experience it's enormity and beauty you have to see it for yourself. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We staying are in Flagstaff tonight. Technology is wonderful. We pull into a town and find a coffee shop and internet connection...then I use Priceline or some other website to book a hotel room cheap...we put the address into our GPS...then a few minutes later pull up to the hotel and get our room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-elTYXdgqWgtf-Iy8a8XtDoOwqIuLXY8L-9JaxUIc_PfdVAtvNuuywGP2cjjCbi_FKH6fNkHRtHrrH9w74Q6pMmujiNYk8og0v6fp6BtZsZnW4RirOM3W7NjSaYRIhaJ28DeJK-MrP4Bg/s1600-h/Grand+Canyon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-elTYXdgqWgtf-Iy8a8XtDoOwqIuLXY8L-9JaxUIc_PfdVAtvNuuywGP2cjjCbi_FKH6fNkHRtHrrH9w74Q6pMmujiNYk8og0v6fp6BtZsZnW4RirOM3W7NjSaYRIhaJ28DeJK-MrP4Bg/s320/Grand+Canyon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341639846236223186" border="0" /></a>bbordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07152655535088791002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193290172516028328.post-37346025488756474402009-05-25T19:40:00.000-07:002009-05-29T13:31:00.143-07:00Back in the StatesMay 25, 2009<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXTVxUPFHCfrQi0uYzb_AwzIccjkg9FK7VBTSkVzZWbMIhNFsNyrs8Lm4JtwcP7zQl2F-SZ1aQUp5kxlGqsEePBSVakvoyI_xGm70gczcnT3e1b2h9hgFl4BJu0YfTvs09Slg8uQ1Dyk-/s1600-h/San+Carlos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXTVxUPFHCfrQi0uYzb_AwzIccjkg9FK7VBTSkVzZWbMIhNFsNyrs8Lm4JtwcP7zQl2F-SZ1aQUp5kxlGqsEePBSVakvoyI_xGm70gczcnT3e1b2h9hgFl4BJu0YfTvs09Slg8uQ1Dyk-/s320/San+Carlos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340346891431328146" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">San Carlos, Sonora has mostly American boating community.<br /></span><br />We crossed into Arizona at the Nogales, Mexico frontera on May 23rd but we actually felt that we were in the USA at least 450 miles south of the border. It is amazing how the United States culture has spread into Mexico. Culiacan and San Carlos are like any American town. In fact there were many more foreigners in San Carlos than native Mexicans. The price of food and lodging were increasing accordingly the closer we got to the border. Restaurants were even charging sales tax on the bills. We never saw tax charged in southern Mexico.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzMTYUSYcTR7Aox80kpwh0wxM38TpOvauMMmurECLvQ11YolRDPunHNA9SuOqutYBqXFSHgy67ZDB5ibR4BDVUqJLhUUf-PX02XF-kCEJWwGqIcQcPj7Qi0A_Wo8Yr1r2ocuPinkhaeqL/s1600-h/Vehicle+hassle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzMTYUSYcTR7Aox80kpwh0wxM38TpOvauMMmurECLvQ11YolRDPunHNA9SuOqutYBqXFSHgy67ZDB5ibR4BDVUqJLhUUf-PX02XF-kCEJWwGqIcQcPj7Qi0A_Wo8Yr1r2ocuPinkhaeqL/s320/Vehicle+hassle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340346897148069554" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">This sign was posted along the Mexican hwy, the hassle zone began just inside the US.</span><br /><br />Of course we were searched by US Customs. I thought it interesting that as we were being searched, car after car of Mexicans were streaming into the US. I guess we looked like big time drug dealers. These customs guys were not a very happy group. Apparently they didn't care for their line of profession much. On the other hand, the Mexican customs were pretty much non- existent. We checked the van out of Mexico with no problem but when it came time to turn in our tourist visas there was no one there. We found out later that this is not unusual at the Nogales border crossing. Now we have to find a way to let the Mexicans know that we have indeed left their wonderful country...it ends up being more difficult than we thought.<br /><br />We made our way to the La Posada Inn in Tucson. I have stayed here many times with my golf buddies and it is still my favorite. While in Tucson we went to the Mexican Consulate to ask how we go about returning our tourist visas and they told us to drive back to the border....yeah, right...that's Mexico.......even the Mexicans have told us they are not the most efficient when it comes to government duties.<br /><br />Arizona is a beautiful state and the desert is one of my favorite places to be. Even Pat is starting to like it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL_V3txNTwAXx1Sd1OuN8A4toOqLeMMvpYOl2V0cr5h9P3bWW2CzBCooDbxkOgTKxCWQ4Xvr6AZCC_ynP-dPCsNeMUZjj2Ekuj70pYUnn58MwSPz3doq9pC4kQgIniWRHLOSR_MyHZZin/s1600-h/Desert+Flower+yellow+orange.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL_V3txNTwAXx1Sd1OuN8A4toOqLeMMvpYOl2V0cr5h9P3bWW2CzBCooDbxkOgTKxCWQ4Xvr6AZCC_ynP-dPCsNeMUZjj2Ekuj70pYUnn58MwSPz3doq9pC4kQgIniWRHLOSR_MyHZZin/s320/Desert+Flower+yellow+orange.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340346593730160370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC7CrDRhL_URRzIe1i70n0tXigB3i6S6SZL7HKhH-N5h4S5K00GxjmPI0kwPh2RTvbXT3tKRGRXMytiRSXGUKJbim6mn2uUp7Gwxhsw7fsjz9ONQwOf_sfIbtSUrHY_JFTsUtSVHpBw6a/s1600-h/Desert+flower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC7CrDRhL_URRzIe1i70n0tXigB3i6S6SZL7HKhH-N5h4S5K00GxjmPI0kwPh2RTvbXT3tKRGRXMytiRSXGUKJbim6mn2uUp7Gwxhsw7fsjz9ONQwOf_sfIbtSUrHY_JFTsUtSVHpBw6a/s320/Desert+flower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340346590756039874" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Flora and fauna of the desert.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbPNOD9_Qbhm-h_g0p14NpKbTTiZlkNLctA12lOqQFP2mrp3Y_2jf2YfoUIacKDoDCl1Yjkg2ghhxVvwM8npW563F5cQsnaYmBI4obx6zPIJ4YEp8Db2i9MhOoOxxRQmjA864uhikocLZ/s1600-h/Desert+cats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbPNOD9_Qbhm-h_g0p14NpKbTTiZlkNLctA12lOqQFP2mrp3Y_2jf2YfoUIacKDoDCl1Yjkg2ghhxVvwM8npW563F5cQsnaYmBI4obx6zPIJ4YEp8Db2i9MhOoOxxRQmjA864uhikocLZ/s320/Desert+cats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340348818292546338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSmYi7j0BOmgYN4AH1kdWk17-BLtjIG7zGOpjyyZ2Lj8QEJxvNT67mpDndUVA7-TlLlZ8YrlemYeCJEwCzjg_gJtwbmbX9xwd2GF6rF8oWJiePP3nLs55_wTgf24HbdYfAH1uBhH006-H/s1600-h/AZ+scrubbery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSmYi7j0BOmgYN4AH1kdWk17-BLtjIG7zGOpjyyZ2Lj8QEJxvNT67mpDndUVA7-TlLlZ8YrlemYeCJEwCzjg_gJtwbmbX9xwd2GF6rF8oWJiePP3nLs55_wTgf24HbdYfAH1uBhH006-H/s320/AZ+scrubbery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340346590323067826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPiqS6296F136iYC3HC1Fq-EX-xKpskhNf_18r4yF1hUr88YBF9-4Cl9SyLoXnJ0UIDxaDFuomyTDkoU6suChMrrjKlpKBgmn9xtXL12ir9IGgUmAMYPccosYZYdOSb2QJy5qHDjyRxyI/s1600-h/Desert+bird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPiqS6296F136iYC3HC1Fq-EX-xKpskhNf_18r4yF1hUr88YBF9-4Cl9SyLoXnJ0UIDxaDFuomyTDkoU6suChMrrjKlpKBgmn9xtXL12ir9IGgUmAMYPccosYZYdOSb2QJy5qHDjyRxyI/s320/Desert+bird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340348816256680386" border="0" /></a>bbordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07152655535088791002noreply@blogger.com1