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Showing posts with label casita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label casita. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

March 2021

 Chris and Diana’s stay is coming to an end soon so we have to make a trip or two back to Mexico before they leave. Chris had gotten new glasses a few months ago and he had a little accident and broke one of the lenses. He took his glasses back to get a new lense in and to his surprise they replaced it at no charge. That means there is more shopping to do, right Diana!    


We enjoyed lunch in our normal restaurant. It has just become one of our go to places. 

The line was fairly long getting back over and we experienced a little encounter while waiting. 

We were getting close to the entry area and had been waiting at least an hour by this time. A lady and man just walk up and get in front of us. Absolutely shocked at this Chuck ask them what they were doing jumping the line. The lady turns around and said she had been waiting for her husband to show up and he just arrived. Well that’s all well and good but that means you go to the back of the line. Nope, they seem to think they are entitled to just cut in the line wherever they want. The guy towers over Chuck and he and Chuck have a few choice words between them. At this point I whisper to Chuck to just let it go. You know we are in Mexico, not the USA. What a very disturbing thing has just happened and I think it just shows how people can and are so very rude. Had the lady asked us to jump the line I am quite sure we would have been accommodating to her but their arrogance attitude was just too much for us. The couple in front of us even told them they couldn’t do that but they just stood there. Oh well, I know it takes all kinds to share this world but this is a new one for me. 

We aren't going to let our latest experience in Mexico make us not want to go back, we head back a couple of days later.  I have been having some dental work done so this is really the main reason we have gone back and forth so often ( as if we have to have an excuse).

Of course we have to go to our favorite Coffee shop to start us on the right foot!  

I am happy to report that we had no line cutters and all went well this trip!   



Diana and Chris are getting ready to head back to Oklahoma  I am so sad that I am losing my partner in crime and our neighbor  We have really enjoyed having Diana and the dogs here with us.  Chris has made a few trips back and forth and hopefully he enjoyed his stay as well. 

Diana mentioned the afternoon before they were leaving that she sure wished they could have found something to buy on our street while she was here.

I had no idea she was serious about finding a place and my wheels started turning.  She and I had met a couple that were renting a property a few doors west of our friend Susie's place.  The renter had gone but Cathy tells us that she thinks the owners of the property are from Canada.  With all the Covid most of the Canadians haven’t been able to come to their property this year.  Cathy finds out the peoples name and we go down to another friend and ask them if they know anything about the property  They tell us to go across the street to another neighbor as he is caretaking the property for the owner.  We talk to Jerry and he gives Diana a phone number to call the owner.  We walk back to our property and I had a small errand to do and left for not more that 30 minutes.  Within that time Diana has talked to the owner and has gotten some information on the property.  She text me and tells me they are meeting Jerry at the house to look at it.  Wow!!! As soon as I get back I head down to the house where Diana, Chris and Chuck are checking out the property  The casita is very cute and clean and I think they really like it. 

Diana and Chris leave the next morning  Not extremely early so I know they are going to have a very long day and night of driving back home.  Diana and I speak several times about the casita.  I don’t ask too many questions but I think I see the writing on the wall.  Looks like someone is going to be our neighbors in a month or so!!!! This is a developing story and there will be more to come in further post.  Stay tuned!!!!!!  

Our lot looks really empty when they pull out.  I have some work to do on the front of our courtyard wall.  I want to get it done so I’m able to get the plants in and somewhat established before we leave for the season. 

 



I have another project going as well.  I had been looking for a door to put on the west side by the garage.  The breezeway is just that.  The wind is pretty brisk down the three foot channel that is between the garage and our Mexican brick fence.



 In the past I have used fabric serapes to buffer the whirlwind, but the wind gets so brutal that the tension rods become flying projectiles.  The tension rods are just not suitable for the area.  The door however should do a great job.  I am so excited to get it hung.  

Chuck worked on it to get it attached to the wall and secured  the door.  The door is a perfect fit in my mind.   At first I thought I would leave it the original walnut color but then I decided nope, it's time to paint it red with some turquoise accent.  




Chuck said if I would get a doorknob and lock he could secure it and make it operational.  A quick trip to Walmart and that is checked off the list!  I am so happy with the overall project.  It was fairly easy and gosh the overall look is perfect for our patio area.  The hardest part of the whole thing was finding the perfect door!  

I have got to quit looking on Marketplace.....(sure I do).  A lady had posted some old novelty planters on there and of course I just had to have them.  Just happened to be right by the CVS that Chuck was visiting to get his COVID shot.  As soon as he was finished we drove by and I purchased some cute little planters.  Aren't they cute!  Three little sleeping guys.  I just love them.  :)



  

March 17th, our friends Heike and Pat came to visit us.  We hadn't seen them in quite a while and we had a great time with them.  We showed them around Yuma for a couple of days and like most people they really had no idea that our town was such a big place.  I really believe if they could find a place to live here they would move down here with us.  Planned to go over to Mexico with them but seems that Heike forgot their Passports.  Oh well, that just means they will have to make a return visit in the near future.  



March 21st is my guys Birthday.  Heidi and Tony wanted to take us out to eat today.  We went downtown to The Pint House and had lunch.  It was so much fun to be out and amongst people.  I don't know how it is where you are at but Yuma is starting to wake up and things are starting to return to a somewhat normal pace.  So glad we got to use the excuse of Chucks birthday to get out and have a fun lunch with some of our BFF's.  

March 25th we made another RZR ride over to Wellton, AZ.  The cactus have begun to bloom and it was fun to see all the pretty pink colors on the mountainside.


 Although we have traveled this rode to eat several times, our leaders, Don & Cathy changed it up a bit.  The Railroad is doing some work on the tracks so we had to recalculate a bit.  


Then there was some work being done on the electric grid and we had to take the low road.  Didn't bother any of us at all.  Just to be out seeing nature was great.  











We ate at our usual Ligurta Station and it was good as usual.

 As we made our way back towards Yuma, we once again deviated from our normal route and went a bit scenic.  We followed our leader and he lead us to an area that was a bit more tricky.  Seems we are on a bluff area and there is a pretty severe decent to get to the lower level.  Don has already looked over the edge and he motions for Chuck and I to go first.  

Chuck pulls up there and I look over at Bryan and his friend Mike and I do a quick Catholic crossing (genuflect) with my hand and we are off.  The first second was the worst, and of course the large bolder that we didn't expect to be in the way made the decent a little more tricky, but I am happy to say that Chuck handled it like a pro.




  

Since we were the first ones to go we had a birds eye view to watch everyone else make the ride down.  
I have to say I laughed a whole lot watching it.  If you are looking at the picture and thinking "that doesn't look that steep"......I am here to tell you it really was!  

After all was said and done we heard later that Don could not go that route anymore!  ROFL...what a fun day!  

March 26th we are going to the Foothills of the mountains by our house and have a wiener roast and watch the sun set.  We drove the Jeep and Bronco got to go with us.  The roads were very bumpy in the jeep and Bronco wasn't overly excited about that.  Never have I seen her so quiet when we drive. 

She was sucked up to the back of the drivers seat not moving.  She even tried to lay down to keep from rocking so much.  We made it to our spot and watched the others make their way up the rocky trail. 


 

I can truly say we had a great time sitting around watching the sunset on Yuma.  The food was wonderful and the company was exceptional.  We are going to have to plan another one of these outings. 

I had gotten my covid shot a couple of weeks ago and today March 28th I noticed my arm was very red around the injection site.  Just another sign that its working I guess.  The shot really did kick my butt for a couple of days and the red arm is not uncomfortable but it does get warm.  I have been using ice on it and it seems to help quite a bit.

  

March 29th we met the inspectors over at the place that Diana and Chris are buying for an inspection of the property.  I was excited to get to go back and take another look at the place.  I know Diana wants to keep it secret about them buying it until its a done deal, but its really tough sneaking over there this evening.  I know that the neighbor across the street Marilyn knows as she has talked with me a few times.  I am just trying to keep my excitement down low until they close on the place.  Have I mentioned that I am over the top excited about this little thing that's going on right now! The places around our area are selling like crazy, so that is another reason we have to be on the hush hush.  Have heard about people starting bidding wars, so the best thing to do right now is stay quiet. :(

 March 31st I decide to start working on my latest project.  I had been looking for an oak cabinet to use in the kitchen area.  Found one on craigslist and met the lady and purchased it.  My vision is to have glass fronts on the cabinet.  After a few consults with some of the neighbors I got up the nerve to cut the center portion of the cabinet doors out.



Chuck was gone golfing and I decided to just do it.  I am happy to report that I didn't lose any fingers or have any mishaps.  It was actually fairly easy to do.  Now to paint it to match the other cabinets.  I sure hope I can recreate it once again.  

Fast forward to a few hours later and the cabinet is painted.  I was able to match my faux finish from a year ago.  Wow, that is coming together quite nicely.  I will let it dry and tomorrow I will go to Lowes and see if I can get some glass cut for the cabinet doors.  Plan coming together!!!  

I end March with a happy face.  It has been a great month and I have been able to accomplish some of my projects that I have been wanting to do.  Stay tuned for April.....:)










Thursday, October 31, 2019

October 2019



We are officially residences of Arizona for a few months.
It's still warm, or should I say Hot!




We have had high 90's and even a couple of days it hit 100, but the evenings cool off and it is quite nice.

















It has been fun buying a few new plants for planters that I purchased last season and didn't get planted.
Chuck has been busy putting up our solar lights and making the place presentable.











Little did we know at the time that we will be removing all the stuff we are are putting out so we can have the garage and house (casita) painted.


We had the Taj-Mah-Hauler washed and waxed when we got back.
Lane showed up on the 8th and worked his magic on her.
It was quite busy on our lot that day as the painters were here as well prepping the place to paint.





We were really surprised that Mario could actually start painting the place so quickly, but I guess that is due to us being here early in the season.


The color of the place will be slightly different but I am sure most people wouldn't even notice the color changed.
Pigeon Gray will be the main color and the ceiling on the garage portico and the casita porch will be Mother Earth.
The beams will be painted the Java color that I started using last season.









One of my little projects is to wallpaper the doors on the inside of the casita.
I had used a contact paper last season and I figured it wouldn't survive the heat, and sure enough it was a melted mess when we got here.
I went ahead and chose a little darker barnwood look in the new batch of paper.
Sure hope it survives the harsh summer!










October 10th was to be the day they spray the house but due to the big wind event it was delayed a few days. (Santa Anna winds)





Our windows in the casita are taped off and I have to say that my claustrophobia messed with me a bit.















One day I was sitting inside and I thought they were bagging up our doors so we couldn't get out, and I just about freaked out.
Chuck said for me to go outside and when I did I was fine.











New paint! 






I spoke with one of the painters and he assured me (as best he could in his broken English) he wouldn't close me inside....LOL










October 12th we took a spin out to one of the washes by the house on the RZR.
We have yet to even run a tank full of gas through it, so I am sure it was good to get the gas moving through the machine.
Just can't wait until everyone gets here and we get to take a day trip with a group....should be a lot of fun.

Chuck took Bronco on a trip on the RZR one day while I was out shopping.
He said she did really well, and didn't bark (which is amazing).
The seat is kind of narrow so she wasn't sure where she needed to sit, and when he hit a rough area her lip hit the grab bar.
All in all she did great, and I am sure she will be going on a few more rides with us.
Maybe a harness system would work for her to stay secure.
Will have to work on that!


October 13th we went to our first Howling at the Moon gathering.
It was warm when we got there at 3pm, but the breeze helped us tolerate it. 
The Alton's drove by our place so we followed them to the spot that their friends had staked out.
Fairly close to last seasons location.











We got to meet some new neighbors this evening as well.
Heidi and Tony have moved over by the Alton's and seem to be a really nice couple.
It was a really nice evening with great music and fellow neighbors.
The moon didn't disappoint....it was beautiful when it came up over the mountains.
We came, we saw, and we howled!!!!














October 15th and the painting is pretty much completed.
There are a few things that need touching up, but at least we can start putting stuff back out.
























All in all I think we are going to be happy with the colors that were chosen.








Frida apron...score!!!!



We made a trip to Algadones finally, and I got some special treasures to decorate the inside of the casita.
It really is a fun town, and I can truly say that bargaining with the merchants is just a lot of fun..
Of course the margaritas they were there seem to make it so much easier to spend money....you think they have us American's figured out or what!











Chuck has played plumber on a few more areas by our water systems.
We have come to the conclusion that water drips are going to be a seasonal thing we have to deal with.
At least we know where to go to get parts now!

Our friends Jerry & Konni have come over a few times and we have ridden our bikes over to their place as well.
It is so nice to have those two so close once again.



As if I haven't had enough projects going on, since while the painters were working on the outside of the place, I decided to go ahead and paint the bathroom, I also was searching for a table to put outside for the patio area.
My dream was for it to be tile, or something I could tile, and little did I know it was going to actually happen.
Found a table and went and looked at it and bought it.
It cost me a whole whoppin $20.
It weighs a lot...as there is tile on the table.




Have to say it was needing some TLC and once I got it apart and got the extra screws and washers removed, you could see it had a few broken parts.
Liquid Nails to the rescue.
After a couple of trips to the hardware store, I finally got the right screws to go back in it, it was ready to turn over and place it on the patio.
Still working on the final paint for it, but hey, it IS a project piece.



Now to start looking for chairs for the table.
Well, that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.
Susie our neighbor had bought 12 chairs last season.
She asked me if I thought I would like to buy 6 of her red sling chairs.
We brought a couple of the chairs over and my goodness, it was perfect!
Win, win for both of us.
I have been purchasing some cactus and other plants and getting them potted as well, so it really is looking like someone lives here!
I am so happy with how the patio area is turning out.



Happy hour at the golf course was fun.
We had lived music and they had chili cheese burgers on the menu.
The view from the course was absolutely delightful.
The company was nice as well.






The waitress was Amy from Wheezies, and I asked her who she was using to cut her hair and she gave me "Daniel's" phone number.
I am really in need of a cut.
I called him the next day and he was able to get me in that same day.
Now I am totally happy with that!
Daniel reminded me of Edward Scissorhand.
I can even report that I am impressed with his haircut as well.
Yes, my hair is really short, but there is a method to getting it all spiked and in its rightful place.
Daniel gave me a "hot" razor cut and I really am pleased with all the texture it has added to my hair.


October 25th we took a day trip to Glamis, CA.
You ask what is Glamis....well, other than a lot of sand dunes, not a lot!
Polaris RZR was hosting an event there, so we thought it only fitting to check it out.
I have to say there were a lot of other people that did the same thing.
The line of RZR's to have oil changes etc., was quite long.
We walked around and visited some of the vendors and then drove on west to see some of the machines climbing and playing in the dunes.
We didn't stay around too long but at least we got an idea of what riding the dunes is all about.


















We make our way back to Interstate 8 to find a restaurant that Chuck had heard about.
It was only a few miles up the road we spy "The Duner Diner"......that's the place, but we passed it..
Not to be foiled by an opportunity to eat at this place we make a U-Turn and get off the highway.










There were only maybe 3 vehicles in the parking lot and all the rest were ATV machines.
The open air restaurant was quite spacious and you could tell they were more than ready for big crowds.
Chuck and I got a taco salad for lunch.
I am not sure if it was that I hadn't had one in quite some time or I was just hungry, but I truly thing it was a delicious salad.
The waitstaff were so nice and seemed to be happy to have you join them.
Although the place was quite busy, like I said they could handle it.
Chuck made a good decision for us to try this place out.



October 27th we saw what I hope is our first and last tarantula on our property.
We were sitting watching TV and Bronco started growling like she saw someone walking by.
I told her to stop, and she did for a minute.
She did it again, and Chuck just happened to catch something out of the corner of his eye, and he said "tarantula" and this girl took notice.
I am deathly scared of spiders, and ones that are giants scare me even more....LOL
I got my camera out but the picture I took wasn't very good of the guy.
We let him continue his travels around the outside of the casita.
No harm was done to the monster!
Chuck did find a hole that we are assuming was this creatures home and proceeded to fill it up with dirt....we are hoping this makes the tarantula find another home far away from us.
As far as Bronco goes, I am quite proud of her as she obeyed Chucks "leave it" when command.
Score one for Bronco!



October 29th, was a perfect night to have a little get together with some of the neighbors.

I fixed pulled pork for dinner and we had some wonderful side dishes brought by the others that attended.




All I can say is when we have one of these little get together's we have some good food!













Since it was so close to Halloween I gave everyone a treat.
I filled plastic gloves with candy and decorated them with spider, yes, spider rings!
They were a hit, but I think the margaritas really did make the party all worth while.










I was able to man the bar and whip up some drinks for everyone in their very own "commemorative"
Skull Glass....so much fun!












Thanks to all who were here to participate.












October 31st of course we decide to go over to Mexico.


Doris has a dental appointment so it looks like the group needs to go with her.


















Heidi got new sun glasses :)



We leave at 9am to get Doris to her appointment on time.
We spent the whole day there.










Susie showing us her "pumpkins" :)
We finally crossed back into the United States a little before 6pm.






This group put in quite a day of shopping.









Chuck got us the coolest water fountain for the patio.





I can't even remember all the stuff we all ended up bring back, but gosh we had a blast!



Everything from shrimp tacos to Susie Margaritas were on the menu today.








Chuck making a purchase as MaryEllen and Doris help him
Then to top it all off, we ate dinner and had a wonderful Shrimp Avocado salad.
What a great day to finish off October.













Happy Halloween to everyone.  :)