#40 dear 2020...Just be done already

Kind of hard to write a totally happy blog when all you do is sit in your house, but you know me... I don’t give up lol.
















Fortunately I control this page... unlike Facebook, lol.  Been spending time in FB jail for posting funny non political pictures.  I guess making people laugh is a no no.  Oh Facebook..where art thou sense of humor..

So If I disappear, I've been incarcerated...again...

Today (7/17) would be our 3rd RVaversary had we continued on our journey.  Kinda bittersweet.

We still talk about what our plans were and how they got sidetracked by the cancer demon.  On the one hand it's sad we didn't get to do exactly what we had planned.  Should have done it years ago.  So live, learn and don’t procrastinate, people!  You only get one shot at this life.  On the other hand,  I am still a firm believer that things happen for a reason.  We don't always know immediately what that reason is, but we will eventually.


2020 was going to be our "Happy to be alive!  Enjoy life!" year.  We thought by now we'd be doing that.  But... Covid, riots and elections.  The dumpster fire that never ends.  So ready for 2021.

I think I mentioned before our kids were supposed to come visit from England, but not this year thanks to the virus.  Sucks, but it is what it is.  Granddaughter Alaina keeps me well stocked in pictures and videos of little Noah.  I talked to him on FaceTime the other day.  He smiled, but looked at me like who the hell is that old person.  I think Andy and Rachelle are enjoying being grandparents.  The happiness in seeing the wonder in a little one's eyes;  the joy of them learning something new, giving them sugar and then sending them home with mom.

Since the kids aren't visiting, we talked about traveling this summer when the virus settled down and things start opening back up.   In fact, like I said last time, we scheduled a trip to Reno in June but then the riots started.  Covid still has a lot shut down in California.  Even with things gradually opening up in Nevada, the restrictions that never end  in California make it next to impossible to visit family and friends while we are there.  So we decided to hold off and try again in September.  And now, because Arizona has had an uptick in cases (due to the increase in testing and protesting, but we'll just ignore that), we Arizonans are persona non grata everywhere.  So here we are.  Still home and still thankful not to be "stuck" in a 400 sf house on wheels with no where to go (see... here’s one of those aforementioned “reasons”)

Scooter wants a mask

Fortunately, all the stores in AZ are still open so I can go shopping if I want.  Unfortunately you must wear a mask and I'll be honest.  The heat in AZ does not bother me at all...except it's miserable covering your face with a hot mask.  So, I put it on just before I go into the store and take it off immediately upon exiting like 99% of the rest of the people.  There’s always that one person who wears it in the car.  Fine.  I was in the car but wanted a picture of Scooter looking at me like...well like that →
He’s mastered LJ’s WTF look 🤣







Masks...no longer voluntary.  It's a requirement in our county, now.  Everyone has one.  You know, for protection.  And yet, I see folks wearing it under their nose.  I see people lifting it to sneeze or cough.  I actually saw a lady lift it to talk.  🙅 One guy's mask looked like he had stomped on it, run over it and dropped it in the toilet, but by golly he was wearing one! ...insert eye roll here...  And don't get me started on kids wearing masks.  Such sad little eyes.  Putting it on their heads.  Crying because they don't want to wear it.  Snotty masks.  Taking it on and off.  Well, you have probably seen it too.  Be glad when this passes.

I won't get into an argument on wearing them because there are many good points on both sides.  Just suffice it to say I'm on the side of fine I'll wear it, but I'm not convinced.  LJ wears his religiously but he has gone through enough, so he figures err on the side of caution.  Plus he never goes anywhere except the doctor, so there's that.  He's required to wear them there and I get that.  Smart to wear one.  Like I said, he stays home.  Well, there was that one day he went gun shopping.

Speaking of gun shopping, he came back empty handed.  No one... really, no one has anything in stock.  They said the run on guns is unbelievable.  He did order one on line.  He was supposed to pick it up yesterday but he got an email that they are still looking for one.  This was at Sportsman's.  Said it could be up to six weeks before they can get their hands on the AR he is looking for.  And nobody has shotguns, either.  They have no idea when they will see those again.  Manufacturers can't keep up with the demand.  Hmmmmmmmm Wonder why.  But back to the mask thing.

We manage to go out to eat once a week...Taco Tuesday.  Who doesn't like $2 tacos.  Plus, it's one of the few places LJ can eat.  Lets be honest.  We go mainly because I refuse to cook and LJ will starve.  We find the current restaurant rules hilarious.  We understand the reasoning but it's still amusing.  Masks are required to enter any restaurant.  So we wear it into the restaurant and all the way to the table like the rules say.  Once at the table we are allowed to remove it.  So we talk for a bit.  Use the provided throw away menu or QR code menu on the phone.  Well actually we always know what we want so really we do neither.   I showed LJ how to do the QR scan for the menu.  I'm pretty sure he said ok, that's cool and moved on.  Paper menu for him, please.  We laugh.  We eat.  We drink.  We breathe the restaurant air as do all the other customers properly seated at every other table (social distancing).  But by golly, go to the bathroom you better have that puppy on.  So we comply.  Don't feel like fighting the battle of absurdity on a full stomach.  Need salt and pepper?  Here it is in a bowl because we don't want to clean the shakers.  Some places will only give you plastic utensils, but glasses are ok.  I finally started taking my own salt just so I don't have to ask for it.  I really hope this isn't the "new normal", but I fear it is.

Back to shopping.  I really don't go.  I'll get up and think "I'm going to such and such today".  Then I put on my grubbies.  I just don't feel like going.  Maybe it's because the one day I did go, all the shelves were empty.  Are you going out of business TJMaxx, Burlington and Ross?  “No... we just didn't stock our shelves because business was slow.  But we are working on it!  See!  There's signs at every aisle saying so.”  Ok.  You do that.  I'll wait until August.  Let's give them a chance to fill up the shelves with crap I really don't need but absolutely have to have.  I'm running low on garage sale stuff.  (If we ever get to do those again).  Maybe by then I'll be in the mood.  So I spend my days swimming with the dog, watching tv and occasionally talking to LJ (he can only take so much of me talking 😂).

I did buy a big ol Wine Barrel.  A neighbor had one and I've always wanted
one.  No reason.  I just think they are cool.  Plus it will go well in the "no longer a formal dining room" once I get it styled the way I want.  Anyway, I was driving home from the groomer and I saw a side of the road seller.  He had tons of them from Napa.  Nice ones, too!  So I got one for $80 and brought it home.  I asked LJ to help me get it from the car.  I was happy then greeted with "What are you going to do with that?"  and the LJ look.  “It's decor, LJ....decor.  I've always wanted one.  Now if I can, one day, find a real carousel horse my dreams are complete”.  Insert a broader, more WTF LJ look here.

In case you haven't seen "the look"

I admit, I have actually have done real shopping a teeeeeeny bit, though.  Shopping from home is fun!  I can do it in my pajamas with no makeup on.  I didn't join the retailers boycott.  LJ and I decided almost every major business was making us mad by their support of BLM.  But, if we boycotted everything and everyone that pissed us off by the politics of their owners and parent companies, we'd be naked and starving.  No one wants to see that...the naked part.  I could afford to starve...a little.  And, let's be honest.   I'm all about convenience for me.  Yes, it's true.  It's all about me.  I have a sign in my craft room that says so.

Plus Michaels, JoAnns, Walmart: everybody delivers😂.  I'm a keyboard spender lol.  One thing about deliveries tho.  Check the boxes for scorpions 😱🦂.  They aren’t prevalent in our particular neighborhood so when you see one it’s outward screams lol.  Found one dead one after a delivery.  It was squished on the floor where the heavy box sat.  And found one live one just sitting there staring at me after a delivery.  Again, where the box had been.  Other than that, no signs of them anywhere.  And we regularly treat for them, so they came in from the warehouse.  New delivery protocol: now we open boxes outside, lol.  Well, LJ does 😂

Oh!  We got new shades for the necessary windows!  Finally!  We've only lived here a year, lol.  Our kitchen and nook windows don't need anything, so I have left them uncovered.  As for the shades, I love them.  We got fancy roller shades instead of blinds this time.  Easy to clean.  Push of a button on the main ones.  Manual on the unused ones.  We had a very nice lady (Nancy), recommended to us by the Roloff's, design them for us.   She was so helpful and didn't try to upsell us stuff.  We got exactly what we wanted and for an excellent price.  Half of what Home Depot and the other window coverings stores wanted.  And they are Hunter Douglas brand.  This place is becoming more and more like our home and not just the model we live in lol.


Since so many ask (thank you) Larry is doing well.  He has another minor medical issue we have to address.  He had an ultrasound and goes to see a gastro doc next week.  Looks like he decided cancer wasn't enough drama so lets get a little hernia in the lower abdomen to keep things interesting.  We will know more next week about the treatment.  It does bother him, though, so I don't think it's going to be a lets wait and see thing.  But you never know with this Covid stuff what the plan will be.  At least alllllll of his cancer tests are now done and the results are fantastic.  He kicked it's ass.  He’s now on the six month test plan.  He still continues to struggle swallowing some foods.  It really isn't improving, but the docs have told him where they radiated caused significant damage and he is probably where he is going to be for life.  His taste buds are weird.  Some things taste normal.  Some things taste off or bad.  And there is no rhyme or reason to it.  It is the one thing that makes him sad.  He loves different foods and loves to eat.  And that has been taken away from him.  He really misses sandwiches, of all things.  He can't get the bread down, even with copious amounts of liquid.  But he's here and healthy and back to being Larry so we'll take it.  It’s hard though hearing him gag a little when eating.  I don’t know if it’s the food getting stuck or the taste of my cooking. I’m going with it's stuck.

As for me, I am fantastic.  Could afford to be thinner, but that's been going on for 20 years hahahah.  It's hard to diet when LJ needs high calorie meals.  Why are you laughing?  I also found a great chiropractor.  I see him once a week (thank you lifetime work comp benefit).  My knees and neck are much better now.  I turn 65 in August and finally get Medicare.  My insurance is going from $900 a month ($1200 when we were in Nevada)  for crappy, only in my state, coverage down to $200 a month (medicare cost) for nationwide coverage.  My nationwide Medicare supplemental is $0.  Nada..nothing.  Nice $700 a month raise!  Plus now I have the same great coverage LJ has.  Not that I want to get sick or anything, but at least if I do I will get taken care of!

I've been crafting a little.  I started a crochet blanket for LJ back in April....2019.  I'll finish it eventually.  Currently working on a heart with a combo Union Jack flag and US flag for Andy and Rachelle.  They'll probably get it at Christmas since the UK is hesitant to take anything from the US right now.  The grandgirls have asked for a box of American goodies, but I have to wait.  Things shipped from here sit in customs forever... virus you know.

I am still doing my Deadbolt Mystery Society boxes.  I love them.  If you are bored, go to their website and order one.  They are challenging and fun.  Puzzles and solving mysteries, all in one.  I also have a few 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles.  I read, play iPad games.  Oh, and I spend a lot of time in the pool.  I am so happy to have a pool.  Did I mention we have a pool?   It came with the house.  But then, so did the kitchen.  At least one of those is getting used..a lot..🤣.

Little Scooter is enjoying life.  He got to go with me to Walmart grocery pickup.  He was so excited to go somewhere, lol.  He has decided he now has a summer routine.  He definitely lets me know if I am not following the rules.  Precisely at 5 am (the sun is up),  I am to let him out to pee, provide him with a good boy cookie and then follow him to his room.  Once there, he gets tucked in and wants me to lay on the bed for awhile.  So, of course I do... for a bit.  Then I go read or futz around because he and dad are sleeping.  Then precisely at 9:30 he finds me and stares at me with a tiny little whine.  It's time for our morning swim session.  I swim.  He gets wet then searches for lizards.  Then it's breakfast.  And don't forget to put chicken in it, mom.

The rest of the day he lounges around until our 1pm swim.  He floats in the pool with me for a minute, gets wet then chases birds and lizard hunts.  Then, of course, it's nap until our "right after dinner" swim/play with the ball time.  By that time the backyard is completely in the shade.  He's not happy if that schedule is deviated from and he pouts.  It’s amazing how to the minute he is.  It’s like he can tell time.  If I miss the time and ignore him,  he'll walk by me three or four times.  If that doesn't work, he sits in front of me.  If that fails, he puts his paw on my leg, whines, stomps his feet, barks...whatever it takes to get me off my ass.  It's hysterical.  Half the time I do it just to see what he does.  And yes... I am well trained.  I love that little dog so much.  He's really into giving a lot of doggie kisses lately.  I think he loves me, too.  A friend asked if he sleeps with us.  He used to.  All the time.  Now he does until we fall asleep.  Then he goes to his room for the night, until 5.  He loves his room. That or we just snore too loud lol.




With all the social rules the world is living under, it can sometimes be a little depressing.  I was looking forward to having people over for red solo cups in the pool and BBQ.  Maybe by fall we can at least hang out at the backyard bar.  But, hopefully all of 2020 is not lost.  We are planning our annual ATV trip for October to Utah.  I don't think anything (except hernia surgery) is going to stop LJ from making that one.  Our group is great and it's such a fun time.  Three weeks of good company, shenanigans and beautiful scenery.  That trip will hold us until our February Yuma, Quartzite ATV trip.  On a side note, I did meet a nice neighbor who's significant other is a Phoenix PD officer.  Plus she's a crafter, too!  I bought a No Soliciting sign from her.  They love to ATV, so this fall we hope to get together and ride the local area.  Looking forward to that!   New friends, new adventures!







Voted for the first time in AZ.  You can do it in person ..WITH ID or by mail.  We did it by mail.  Thought we would see how that goes.  It's been common here for awhile, I guess.  There's still checks and balances so a little more up and up than some states.  lol, They even send you a sticker with your ballot.




Lastly, yes, people, it's hot in Arizona in the summer.  If I was just visiting,  I'm pretty sure I'd die.  But it's so strange how quickly you adapt to your environment when you live here.  The heat does not stop us from doing anything.  When we say it is a dry heat, it is.  You just plan your day a little differently.  Go early.  Go after dusk.  Most of the time there is a breeze.  I actually sat out in the Cabana/Ramada whatever you call it, when it was 110.  It was in the shade, the ceiling fans were on and it was actually comfortable. But even in the heat of the day, it's 78 in the house.  The car has A/C and so do the stores.  I'll take the inconvenience of the hot summer for the other nine months of beautiful weather.  While everyone else is cold, I'm in flip flops lol.  We love it here.

Can't help it.. I love him

So, soon, once the world reopens we will be able to share our adventures.  Actual adventures, lol.  If it hadn't been for that little cancer fight and the fact that LJ is considered elderly (hahahahahahahhaa) we'd probably buck the system and move about the country now.  But we won't.  We'll be good and follow the rules.  We may not be full time RV'ing any more, but dang it.. we can still travel!  And we will.

KOA Richfield Utah

So that's it.  Nothing really new.  I probably won't update again for awhile till we start living again.  You can only read stayed home, swam, blah blah blah so many times lol.  Stay safe, healthy and if you are in town once the virus goes away, please stop by say hi.  We have two guests rooms so you are always welcome!  We aren't that far from baseball fields for spring training.  The area truly is a great place to visit.  So, 'Til next Time!