Greetings from Casa Grande

Another week has passed and we are starting on Week No.6 – can’t believe how fast the days and weeks are passing. Like they say, time flies when you are having fun!

Last Tuesday afternoon Bob and Judy Howell got back from KC. We were glad to have them back again. They were glad to get back from the cold and snowy Midwest, but they did have a good time with Jason and Dawn and their sweet grandkids. They came over Tuesday afternoon for Happy Hour, and then we had supper together.

On Thursday (1/31/08) Ron and Jan Ford came back through from Bakersfield, CA where they had been spending time with Jan’s sisters and their families. This winter weather kind of played havoc with their travels both going and coming back. They really had to listen to the weather forecasts. They nicknamed their selves “Gloom and Doom” because it seemed like bad weather followed them everywhere they traveled, besides some other unfortunate happenings along the way. We didn’t know if we really wanted them back here. Ha! Ha! Just kidding, Ron and Jan -- we had a great time with you and loved having you here! I had invited Bob and Judy over and we all had supper together here.

Ron and Jan were interested in going to the big flea market in Mesa since they missed going up there with Dave and Jan Legaard and us. We called Cheryl Simms to see if she you like to go with us also. Ron and Jan hadn’t seen Cheryl in a very long time either so we stopped in Gilbert and picked up Cheryl and headed toward Mesa for the flea market. We enjoyed shopping at the flea market and, again, found several bargains that we just couldn’t pass up! After spending about three hours there, we had covered the entire marketplace and had lunch. An orange and grapefruit orchard stand was our next stop. Then we headed out to Scottsdale where Cheryl grew up and she showed us around. It was a very unique area. Being close to Glendale where the Super Bowl was to be held, there were a lot of Super Bowl activities going on in Scottsdale and lots of people on the streets. Cheryl took us to a favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner and the food was fantastic. After dinner we dropped Cheryl off at her home in Gilbert and headed back to Casa Grande. It had been a long day but we all agreed we had a great time!

Saturday (2/2/08) was another busy but fun-filled day. The four of us met up with Bob and we all ate breakfast together at the RV Park’s weekly Saturday breakfast. Judy was going to a Red Hatters breakfast with some ladies from the RV park. After breakfast Judy joined us and the six of us went walking all around the RV park checking out the patio sales that the park was having that day. Each of us found stuff to buy (and probably sell at our next garage sale, ha!). We started out in Bob and Judy’s golf cart, but it was a little too much for the four-seater to handle. It sure did look funny with all six of us hanging out of the golf cart.

Saturday was a beautiful sunny day so for lunch Bob and Judy suggested this café that had a garden patio where you could eat your lunch outside. While we were all sitting outside enjoying our lunch in the sun, we wondered about our family and friends back in Missouri. We have been trying to convince Ron and Jan that they need to get a fifth wheel or a motorhome so we took them to a consignment lot and went through the campers they had. Then we came back to our CAMPER (just for you, Bob) and grilled some hamburgers and Polish sausages for supper.

Sunday morning about 6:00 Ron and Jan headed back towards Missouri. We hated to see them leave but know they were anxious to get back to see their granddaughters besides other family members. It had been a month since they left Smithville. We spent the rest of the day just relaxing and then watching the Super Bowl game. Stopped in to see Bob and Judy for a few minutes when we were out on our walk.

Today we woke up to a cloudy, cold, and rainy day. Decided it would be a good day to eat breakfast out so went to Cracker Barrel and then did some shopping before coming back home. Rained most of the day until about 2:00 this afternoon. It is supposed to clear up and be really nice the rest of the week.

Well, this has brought you up to date on our happenings.

February 5 – Happy Birthday to Kari and Jim!!!

The Snowbirds