TWELVE YEARS! Difficult to believe that much time has passed...and yet again I was just messaging with Samantha about 12:30 a.m. and remembering that she was with us that last night. She picked up Valerie and Genevia from the airport in San Diego and brought them to Escondido. Everyone who loved you wanted to say "bon voyage"...and then you slipped away so quietly, peacefully.
As predicted, I do have a new address for this posting; an Apache Junction listing. I know you will understand what it feels like to return to somewhere you have lived previously but find that the "players" have changed during your absence! I have been here now just over 4 months and am beginning to feel settled, though I have many boxes yet to unpack and an avalanche of paper to process. You know, it's tax time, too.
During these 4 months I have unloaded the 3 U-Haul pods and filled the rooms with furniture--some from California and some inherited from Larry's house (and Peg's). Then it was Christmas--you know how I love the season. I had a tree in the front room window (where it could be viewed from the street) and another in the middle of the family room. While that meant unpacking a bunch of extra boxes, it was a pleasant trip down memory lane because some of them had been in storage for several years.
Nichole and Mary Lou conspired and Christmas-gifted me with rose bushes--because I have always had a rose garden, they said. For the moment the bushes are in oversized flower pots, but with coming spring, I shall have to inter them. One bush already has 3 buds.
Then it was New Years eve... and the memory of spending that evening a year ago with our neighbor Sara. This year she got to spend it with Richard...and with you.
You will remember that January in Apache Junction brings gearing up for Lost Dutchman Days; and as a past Honorary Dutchman, I was catapaulted back into those activities. This year's Dutchman is Donna Flibbert (now married) who worked with rodeo queens in the 1980's.
And it was also the date for celebrating the 50th anniversary of chartering the Soroptimist Club in Apache Junction-- with a party at the Chamber of Commerce building.
In combination of both, I will be riding in the LDD Parade with my new Soroptimist friends in a couple more weeks. (LOL, some things don't change much.)
Then in March I am hosting an evening "Tea" for Soroptimists and guests to celebrate SIA's International Women's Day. THAT is a good motivator to keep me moving forward with getting the house put into "company" condition.
And on the 26th I'm hoping to take Val's "LIttles" to see Terry Haas' train display. Yes, he's still working at Lenharts, and still running model trains.
Back to the topic of plants and flowers-- I have done a prodigious amount of work in the front flower bed--digging out an invasive flowering vine that, while blooming pretty purple, was choking out everything else. The surviving melon-colored Hibiscus is now the centerpiece, underplanted with surviving lavender Verbena and brightened with newly-added Gazanias. Mary Lou sent a pot of bright red Geraniums as a house-warming gift...and they are still blooming at the front door, accented by a solar-lighted lady-bug gifted by Nichole. I'm working with a color palette the includes red brick trim and a RED front door.
Meanwhile, I have bulbs blooming indoors. Remember the glass containers we had for forcing the blooms of tulips? I ran across one at a yard sale and it followed me home. I couldn't find tulip bulbs so started 4 Paperwhite bulbs. Thankfully they didn't all bloom simultaneously, as their flowers have a strong fragrance. So far, only one has bloomed... but it stretched to a full 3-feet from root to blossom. A second one appears to be starting now... and I added 4 daffodil bulbs (probably flower in March). Meanwhile I have been fascinated with a pink Hyacinth that is blooming on the window ledge in my office. I'm not sure how many times one bulb can bloom but we're on the second blossom and it looks like more may be coming. Their flowers have such a delicate scent.
This is becoming a BOOK! Sorry/not-sorry. After having lived in THREE locations during 2021, I have added a lot of friendships and new experiences. I enjoy looking back through the posts.
NEW: Only 2 days old, Colton Fawcett, Chris and Melissa's second son. Anna and Derek have been over there for a week helping with Cason and Soliel; and I expect them to be gone at least one more week.
Gunnar and Anna celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on 02-02-2020. Where have THOSE years gone?
And speaking of that-- Sammers just celebrated his 13th birthday!!
And I can't believe Brantley is about to be 6...and Kailie 5 in June. They are growing and changing so much. Valerie often brings them for dinner on Friday evenings and we enjoy family time. They are fascinated with books. Brantley is just beginning to read on his own. (Remember the Dick & Jane books?)
Leaving a bouquet of yellow roses and happy memories... with love.
(Perhaps by your birthday one of the new bushes will be blooming.)