This journal got its start back in 2005 when we started full-timing in a motorhome and traveling around the country, visiting with family and friends and seeing the sights of America. The focus has changed through the years as we became more stationary and no longer travel by motorhome and continues to evolve through the years. To view entries before June of 2013, go to http://archive.bridgeccs.com
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
December 29 - 31, 2014, AZ
Thursday, December 25, 2014
December 22 - 28, 2014, AZ
I am dog sitting for Louie for a few days - Pat and Roger took a bus trip to Las Vegas with their community. He's a good guy and they are both getting along well.
Yesterday, was my older sister, Rita's, 70th birthday. It is hard to believe that we are getting so old. I wanted it to be special for her, so I made her a lacey Angora scarf - it turned out nice, and she called to thank me and loved it.
I've talked with both sons several times in the last few days. I spent Christmas Eve with Arlene and her family, Connie, Betty and James, and some other friends. We played games, had some wine, and lots of good eats. It was lots of fun.
This morning, I got to see the grandkids opening some of their gifts and I opened my gift from them. It is a beautiful photo book of me and the kids' last year. It is something I will treasure for a long time. Naturally, it drew tears, as did all of the holiday music and memories.
Sunday, December 28. The rest of the weekend has been nice, most of it spent at home. The exception to that was some shopping, as my coffee pot has been slowly declining, I set out on Friday to find a replacement. I had already decided that I wanted to replace it with the exact same pot - guess what - it must be the old version because I couldn't find it anywhere. After about 6 stores, I decided that Amazon was the way to go. I should have just done that from the beginning.
Today I decided that it was time to give my wood furniture a good coating of Liquid Gold and the leather backs and seats on my dining room chairs needed to be conditioned. Everything was looking a little bit dull and it hadn't been done in a while.
The other day, I took all of the knickknacks and glassware out of the cabinet and cleaned it (a new lightbulb showed a covering of dust). Today, I was rearranging something and knocked one of Grandma Bridge's lemonade glasses down, and it broke in lots of pieces. Yes, I yelled out "F*%K"! I feel terrible - have coddled and carried and packed carefully since Mike's parents gave it to me back years ago - and it survived many years before it was handed over to me. I think it belonged to her mother. Well, I now have an incomplete set with only 3 glasses. Let it go, Rose.
I also cleaned out the Gargoyle shelves since I posted it on Craig's List to sell. I'm hoping that since several Auto auctions are going on during January that it might sell. It is a rare and unique piece but it is also big and bulky and masculine - I'm ready to part with it. Hope it sells.
I talked with both of my sons today - and got to see Norah and Camille playing on Facebook. They are getting better about that - and show me things, blow kisses, and are just so cute.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
December 15 - 21, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014
December 8 - 14, 2014 - AZ
Thursday, December 4, 2014
December 1 - 7, 2014 - AZ
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
November 24 - 30, 2014 - AZ
Thursday, November 20, 2014
November 17 - 23, 2014 - AZ
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
November 10 - 16. 2014, AZ
The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of the missing, and the[ir] loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.
A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's [morning’s/day’s] toast.
The chair is empty -- they are missing.
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Wednesday, November 5, 2014
November 3 - 9, 2014, AZ
Sunday, November 2, 2014
November 1 - 2, 2014, AZ
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
October 27 - 31, 2014, AZ
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
October 20 - 26, 2014, AZ
Thursday, October 16, 2014
October 13 - 19, 2014 - AZ
I had my annual vision checkup on Monday and learned some ways to keep my eyes lubricated and also learned that I have cataracts forming, the right eye is worse because of the location of the cataract, but it still doesn't require surgery. I am sick and tired of the frames that I have, so will be shopping for new glasses soon. I am definitely returning to Costco for glasses as I have been 100% satisfied with my last prescription and frame.
Yesterday, I started training for my part-time job at Mesa Spirit RV Resort. They are willing to give me the hours that I want (Monday-Wednesday, 6 hours/day), although I will be paid minimum wage. The convenient location makes it worthwhile in my eyes. Training went well and I think I will be able to learn the new reservation program fairly quickly.
Connie called me this morning to see if I was interested in going to see the movie, "The Judge", with Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall. Five of us went and it was a good but very sad story about a successful lawyer who returns to his hometown when his mother dies, and he discovers that his estranged father, the town's judge, is suspected of murder. He reconnects with his brothers that he walked away from years before, although the relationship with his father is pretty sad.
After the movie, Arlene and I went to Costco so I could look at glasses frames and restock the club house supplies. We had a cocktail together when we got back home.