1-7-15

Martin: The house we stayed in has the bamboo pots out front on the right. That was one steep hill to walk up and down.

Me: We are one week into the new year (January 7th). Is it wrong that our Christmas tree is still up?! I've been leaving it up for a few reasons…

1) It's pretty and I like to look at it. :-)

2) When do I have time to take it down? Every day is packed with other things.

3) Bob's parents arrive today (for 3 days) and since we didn't see them over the holidays we can have a mini Christmas celebration. Ya know…without the presents, cookies, turkey, stuffing & holiday music.

4) My mom is coming on January 19th and I didn't see her at Christmas either! Is that pushing it?…January 19th & we still have our tree up.

5) Christmas 2015 is only 51 weeks away. Maybe I should just leave our tree up until then. It would save me the hassle of boxing all these decorations up just to take them out again in November.

1-6-15

Me: Bob posted these photos on FB yesterday and I thought they were amazing. Winter operations at the Chicago airport deicing a 737. It looks cold and I'm sure thankful these guys take good care of the planes that Bob flies!

Bob made it back to Dallas safe and sound. Now he's home again. We're looking forward to his parents arrival here tomorrow. They are coming to spend 3 days with us!

1-5-15

Martin: This is the town of Casares, about 12km inland and where a number of Ruth's relatives live. We stayed in Angelita's place for eight days while touring the area. The shot was taken from her roof top. As you can see, there is only one colour that you can paint your house.

Me: Tired Dog! Harley ran errands with me today and all that work wore her out. As we drove around Harley's eyes closed and her head drooped but she wouldn't lay down. She was trying so hard to be strong & the best co-pilot. Good girl, Harley!!

Speaking of co-pilot….Bob's been at work & tonight he flew into Chicago. 3 degrees and snow. Brrrrr (and I think it's cold in Phoenix these days?). :-/

1-4-15

Martin: The town of Sabinillas on the Mediterranean.  

Me: Bob left this morning for 2 days of work. After Harley & I dropped Bob at the airport we met Thor for some mid-day hiking. We summited Shadow Mtn, Lookout Mtn & North Mtn! All short hikes and all located in the the middle of the city near each other.

It was a beautiful day for hiking. Sunny & cool.

Thanks for joining us, Thor!

1-3-15

Martin: From Granada we drove down to the coast where Ruth finally met up with one of her first cousins, Angelita. Last time they were together was back in 1996 when we visited Spain and Adrian was only two years old then.

Me: A night of CURLING! What a great idea by Angie to get a group out for Curling. I've seen the sport in the Olympics but did not understand it. Now we "get it" and it's fun!

Here's one of our instructors throwing the rock while our sweepers (Matt & Amy) get ready to sweep the rock to a good place at the other end of the "sheet". There are 4 people on a team and each game is called an "End". There are 10 Ends in a professional curling match.

We had an hour of instruction (which included some history of Curling) and a couple hours of play. BTW: Curling started in Scotland. In this photo Amy is getting used to the very slick shoe (which you slide on to shoot your rock). The opposite hand has a balancing tool (or you can use a broom) to help yourself balance while you push off the starting block.

Each team member throws 2 rocks. While the one person is throwing the rock, two team members sweep and the 4th directs the thrower's aim and gives instruction to the sweepers. It's actually very exciting! And we became quite competitive. ;-)

Sweeping practice. Sweeping is harder than you'd think. You'd be out of breath after trying to help your rock slide further. "sweep, sweEP, SWEEP!"

Amy & Angie. None of us except Angie had done curling before. Angie grew up in Canada so she had skills. Thank you so much for the great idea to do this, Angie!!

Here's Angie throwing (nice form) and her sweepers Rochelle and Kata getting ready for action.

Team "Let It Go" inspired by you know what movie… FROZEN (haha). :-)

We had a blast & "The cold never bothered us anyway"! Wish that Bob could have been in town. :-( Definitely gonna plan another outing! PS: The Coyote Curling Club facility is only 10 minutes from our house (who knew)!?

1-2-15

Me: Me, Jenn & Heidi at Janet's "Sparkle" New Year's Eve party.

Janet had a house full with so many friends! Anna & I ringing in the new year!

Posting this to show it was cold enough to wear a fur shawl. One of the few nights we get to play dress up! :-)

Around 10:30pm Bob arrived at the party (he landed in PHX on a work layover!). We actually stayed at the party until midnight!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

1-1-15

Happy New Year

from a place where

it's already next year!

Martin: Sent from Australia at 7pm Arizona time on December 31, 2014 :-)

Me:  It's 2 0 1 5 ! 

Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2015 New Year's Day hike around Squaw Peak.

We actually found some snow on the trail. Brrrr!

This photo was borrowed from a friend. The whole valley had a rare but beautiful experience seeing so much of the desert & cacti dusted with snow. The surrounding higher mountains were covered in white. Very pretty! I like seeing it & enjoy the cold but feel sorry for the Phoenix winter visitors. PS: It won't last long. :-)

Bob & I were able to ring in the New Year together since he luckily had a Phoenix layover last night. I'll post photos from our friend's New Year's Eve party tomorrow (we had a lot of fun!). Now the New Year's resolutions are in place with high hopes to keep them ;-) Wishing you health & happiness in 2015!