Munday's the Arizona Roadrunners

Took a little side trip up to see the "Grand" Canyon with friends Carol and Bill Cooper.  They had not spent any time up there and we just wanted to take a few days off and enjoy this beautiful country we are so blessed to live.   Temps quite a bit cooler up there - Woke up on last morning to 29 degrees where it was 74 in the valley.  Goodness - clean, brisk, thin air!  Had a great time jumping off and on the tram and walking up and down a lot of stairs.  Our legs were pretty well shot for the ride home and will take a few days to recover from our adventure but had a marvelous time.  What is not to like at a place like that with all of God's splendor.  So glad we took that little trip. Thanks again Carol and Bill for a wonderful time.  

Our youngest granddaughter has just celebrated her 7th birthday.  Took a day and went up to Prescott to spend the time with her and son Roy.  A fun time for her with all the extra attention.  The party was at her mother's house - a "glow" party; where there is a lot of glow stuff... the children had a wonderful time.  We spent all day and finally had to leave for the long drive home.  So glad we were able to be there for this exciting time for her though.

Took a little longer than expected, however we are quite happy with the results.  Still a few touchups to be done here and there but all major work done.  Love the higher cabinet and banjo extension.  The old corroded sink is gone - yippee!   Those old terrible shower doors are gone too.  It's a little strange and taking a little bit to get used to but I am so happy.  It's a short shower pan so hopefully no more stubbing of toes.  Although the end result is nice I am NOT looking forward to any more redo's in the house.  Yes, we are still planning some day to re-do kitchen but that will be pricey and I'm not sure we can come to an agreement on what will be what... ha!

Sorry to say that poor little Pitiful who was terribly pathetic with a broken leg and no real momma to look after him passed away.  It about broke our hearts... thought he just might have a fighting chance but never really expected him to make it.  We tried to help and tried not to get too attached but I will admit it was tough on both of us.  Earl was very kind and put a little cross on his grave.  I'm afraid we were both doting on him a bit much.  Animals have a way of worming their little lives right into your hearts and it doesn't take much.

Look what we found.. oh yeah, A week ago tomorrow Earl decided it was time to chop away at Hotel Munday; our palm tree in the front yard.  We knew birds were nesting there and have been for months.  We have seen a variety of birds from the curved bill, to doves to sparrows and grackles and humming birds in that tree.  Of course we don't know what nests are what other than the doves because we could actually see them.   Anyway, after he chopped away at the dead fronds he decided to pull out the other dead stuff and clean it up a big.  While cleaning up his mess from the ground he found Pitiful.  Of course the nest was gone and no idea where it was anyway.. so we left him laying out on the rocks on the ground while we went for a walk and then I could not stand it any longer.. his little chest was just heaving and of course he was crying pitifully.  We thought he would pass away every day but we are now on day 6 and he is still with us.  We started with just giving him a little fr

Before demolition!  Bathroom is small so not good angle for picture taking... have to finish cleaning out before they guys get here.. Partial demolition.. they still have to remove cabinet and toilet but they are working on it.. there are different guys for the different steps... a good outfit and interesting to watch them work - sort of... 

What is this?  Good grief; we started this prickly pear cactus 3 years ago from an ear that had broken off of another one - put 4 broken ears in the ground - watered a little for roots to take hold and next thing you know we have two very large cactus - anyway, have never seen them just droop over like this - decided they do not like these 3 digit temp days and collapsed for lack of water.  Gave them some water but they have not recovered so guess we will have to take some of this off.. what a crazy thing.  The one in our front yard looks a little limp but it gets some residual water from the lemon tree placed so close by... At least we know they are a hearty plant and fast growing so not too sad by the situation.

A picture of our ship the Liberty of the Seas with Royal Caribbean.  Son, Roy called with a deal too good to pass up on so last minute we booked a cruise from Galveston, TX to Roatan, Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.  3 days at sea with the 3 ports.. Roy and Jaylee joined us so that was great. We have now experienced 5 different cruise lines.  It is always fun meeting new folks and chatting it up.  No afternoon high tea on this cruise but we did meet some very nice folks that we kept seeing here and there.  Entertainment was good and the food was good.  One thing different on this cruise from others is assigned seating.  We have had assigned time before but not actual seating; so this time we had assigned seats and the same waiters every evening.  Wanted to pack them up and bring them home with us.  What fun.  Carlos and Wontana were the greatest guys.  Always there with beautiful smiles and anticipating your every wish.  These people really know what service is meant to be.

Here is Early at the bow of the ship..not quite like the did it on the Titanic but then we aren't that young and exuberant any more. ha!  Was nice we could even get out to the bow since not all ships give that luxury.  

Here is Early at the bow of the ship..not quite like the did it on the Titanic but then we aren't that young and exuberant any more. ha!  Was nice we could even get out to the bow since not all ships give that luxury.  

A quail egg?  Really, right out in our back yard on the rock near the water dish and seed block.. all by itself with nothing around it?  That is how we found this little egg.  Wondered what happened and think it must have been time to deliver and mom didn't have time to make it back to the nest.  We left it alone for a few days but in this hot sun did not expect it to live especially without any care from mom or dad... Hoping the rest of the family is doing ok nearby and hoping to see the little critters marching across the yard soon.  We do know one of our neighbors has a pair of quail nesting in their geraniums again this year.  Exciting times seeing the birds darting here and there and have seen a dove on a nest in a cactus.

Ever since we moved in here I have disliked our old shed.  It was right off our very small patio and there was hole in the wooden floor.  So, finally at the time we had the gates installed we had a slab poured to support our new shed.  This little baby came in a kit so Early was happy as a clam for days working on his puzzle shed.  It looks nice and all the tools fit nice and neatly.  Doors close and even has sky lights. ha!  When we took the old shed down a lady came that day to buy it off of craig's list - she did not want the holey floor.  She hauled that baby away and we were left with a dirt mound with a big hole - Earl put the hose down there to drown out what ever was there but nothing came out.  At least that is filled in now and we are hoping our friendly squirrel that likes to eat our garden veggies is gone.  Haven't seen him since so we are hoping.

Always in need of "another" project this spring we installed new gates.  Still a drive through on the west side of house and a new wall with walk through gate on east side of house.  Before it was just a wooden fence with out a gate over there.  Does make it handier to visit with neighbor on that side of the house.  These are nice gates and we are pleased.  Earl had the workmen put a cement base under the opening so if or when we may ever get a pet it won't be able to dig under the fence.  Future planning? 

This year our dear friends Joyce and Dave cooked dinner for us and afterwards we all walked over to the Fremont Hotel in Scottsdale for a tour of their holiday lights and music.  Cold as the devil but oh so pretty.  We did this a few years ago and the hotel has really increased their lights and sets.  Fortunately for us, we were close enough to walk over otherwise the hotel charges $30.00 parking for the night.  Might be worth it and it is nice but a bit on the pricey side.  Think a cup of coffee was $6.00 each.  A little ridiculous but oh well.  A fun time had by all!!

This year our dear friends Joyce and Dave cooked dinner for us and afterwards we all walked over to the Fremont Hotel in Scottsdale for a tour of their holiday lights and music.  Cold as the devil but oh so pretty.  We did this a few years ago and the hotel has really increased their lights and sets.  Fortunately for us, we were close enough to walk over otherwise the hotel charges $30.00 parking for the night.  Might be worth it and it is nice but a bit on the pricey side.  Think a cup of coffee was $6.00 each.  A little ridiculous but oh well.  A fun time had by all!!