Sunday Afternoon Jan. 31

I know I have been lax at this blog so I'll try to catch up for those of you who are interested.

Last Sunday, Lela made some oven spaghetti and we went to Paul's house to watch football.  It is always fun to be with the family even though Paul was on call and unable to be home.

Football Sunday

The week was pretty busy as we had great weather all week (temps in the mid to upper 70's),
so we worked on landscaping and screen doors. More on that later.

The Dish technician came and got both TVs working so we are able to get Turner Classic Movies, news channels, sports and local channels.  He actually place a dish in the yard for free.  He called it a temporary install, which means it was up to me to run the cables.  I passed them under the unit and brought them in through the wall the same as he would have done.  So we are happy with our TV situation.  Our AT&T signal, however, is weak so I have been complaining to them on a regular basis.  We'll see if that bears any fruit.

I still am unable to get my mail forwarded.  "John" from my home P.O. and I are becoming fast friends as we talk on a regular basis.  He doesn't know what the problem is as he has changed our address at home from business to residential.  He is doing further research...again, stay tuned.

For this sad story, keep in mind that it is 15 miles to Home Depot.  We bought two screen doors, one for the front and one for the back.  Tuesday I installed the back after carefully reading the direction.  All went well as I took great care to measure twice and cut once.  When it came to mounting the door closer, it did not work properly so it was a trip back to H.D..  They cheerfully gave me one that worked.

Back Screen Door

 

Thursday I opened the package for the front door.  It was damaged by a bad dent in the mounting channel. Back to H.D. for a refund.  We continued on to Lowe's to find a better door.  That was another 8 miles.  Lela didn't find a door there that she liked as well as the one we returned, so we went to another H.D. in Gilbert AZ. another 6 miles. There we found one in an intact package so we bought it and brought it home.  During this journey, Lela was shopping in the nurseries for plants.
All of this took most of the day. On Friday I installed the front door, again being very careful to do it correctly.  The door closer did not work.  Another trip to H.D. where they cheerfully gave me a closer that worked.  So after many hours on the road the doors are installed.

Front screen door

The Tuesday trip resulted in several plants being purchased.  The main plant was a tree to place in front of the West facing window to block the afternoon sun.  It is a Rosewood Sishoo, which we are told is a fast growing shade tree here.  There are several in the park and we like them.

View from west with new tree.

 

  Lela planted some Oleander in the breaks in the rail fence on the South side.while I was playing golf on Wednesday. When I returned I planted the tree. 

Oleander view of backside looking west

 

There was also one Waxleaf Ligustrum, and one Baja Fairy Duster.

Fairy Duster Flower

View north to south along back fence

We put the Texas cactus in the ground.  If you have followed us, this is the one leaf we broke from a plant in LaFeria TX 2 years ago.

 

  Lela also planted some flowers in pots and some seed in the ground.  We also dug up some Agave Chicks from some mature plants in the park and planted them on the South side to match the North side.

North side

North side potted flowers

Lela finished painting the wicker furniture

South side

 

We have had to cover everything today as the Phoenix temps are going to be in the low 30's the next two nights and we are rural so we expect to reach freezing here.  The snow level is expected to reach down to 3500 feet.  We are at 1550' here.

Wednesday I had my regular golf outing at Western Skies Golf Course. 
http://www.westernskiesgolf.com/  I was determined to better last week's score, which I did.  However it was a tale of two courses.  40 on the front which was 49 last week.  then it all went south.  50 on the back nine (46 last week), with four lost balls.  I couldn't hit the ball in the fairway.  My driver exited the premises as I hit four out of bounds.  I've got to do better next week. I did , however, win a skin for $10.00.

On Thursday we went to a Bible Study at a member's home.  It was very informative and the fellowship was great.  Next week I am leading a study on Acts 12.

Yesterday, Saturday we traveled to Tucson to visit with Lela's cousin Glenn and his wife Andrea.  They are staying in her father's home in Saddlebrook, AZ.  It is a beautiful area at the foot of Mount Lemon, on the North side of Tucson.

View of Mt. Lemon coming into Tucson

 

Mount Lemon from Glenn's front door, As kids Lela's parents took them up the mountain just to play in the snow.  Her dad, Air Force, was stationed in Tucson and Glenn came to stay with them for a time for his health.  They had fun in the valley playing in the sand then Mt. Lemon for the snow.  Best of both worlds!

 

  The house overlooks a golf course and is a most beautiful setting.  We had snacks on the patio and then Glenn grilled some chicken for dinner.  It was a great visit and a great day of reminiscing and catching up on everyone's life.

Glenn and Lela (Cousin's Day?)

Lela and Andrea

Paul and Glenn

I could live here!

This morning we went to our regular congregation in Queen Creek.  There are some wonderful folks who worship there.  We met one lady from Kirkwood who went to Cleveland High.  Afterwards we went to Buffalo Wild Wings with three other couples.