You say Chickens

and they say Silkies.......Oh my word when sister was visiting this past weekend we started our day at the poultry show at the fairgrounds. Don't ask why I have NO idea but it was interesting to say the least. Come to find out these creatures are treated likeany other show animal. Some of them are blowed dried and fluffed.

Here are a few of the furry creatures we viewed. I know kimmy this would not besomething that you would enjoy HA!!!!!!!!


After the Poultry Show we found our way to a few of our favorite antiquing haunts. And low and behold we discovered that there was a glass collectors show that same weekend. How lucky could we be.

I was lucky enough to receive, from sister, a beautiful piece of Heisey glass...as a birthday gift...Woo Hoo thanks again sister. We both collect Depression glass to we ooooh and ahhhh'd all day. Sister also got a couple a bargains at the collector show.

Sister also gave me the nickel tour of Bakersfield and where to go and more important where not to go. That to me is worth a LOT!!! Thanks sister it was fun.

Parade Magazine

In the Sunday paper most of you get a supplement called Parade Magazine. Often it has mostly not necessarily meaty topics. However this morning I came upon the column of Marilyn Vos Savant where she invites readers to send her questions. I am not promoting her column whatsoever. I found this quite an interesting response and a cause to make me wonder. In your opinion, what is the best barometer of a country’s morality? The esteem in which society holds its elderly.

Do we revere our elderly... I wonder... and hold seniors in this country to our highest esteem? I know other countries and cultures do but I am quite hesitant to say the US does. As a side note there is a quite elderly gentleman running for President in this years election

If the answer to that question is true I think our barometer needs a bit of adjusting or tweaking

I heard someone the other day say that the elderly are a drain of the medical system. Are you kidding me!!!

Maybe the elderly in this country should demand more respect. What happened to Gray Power?!?!?!?!!! Just remember senior citizens VOTE!!! And no I am not referring to Mr Doodles and me. So stay tuna'd there be more on that subject

Thank you Seester!!!

for telling us about the Blossom Trail Any of you that live in California, if you haven't been to that area now, right now is the time to go and visit. If you are planning a trip to California make this a stop on your travel agenda.

This is just one of many peach blossoms just bursting with color

Time to see this most awesome area would be now to some time the end of May. So get in your car and get there cause you will not believe the site you will see. Go click on that site the Blossom Trail as there is something for everyone.

In bloom were, peaches, plums, all the assorted nuts like almonds and pistachios. And grape vineyards for miles, literally miles. Must be why Sunmaid Raisins only plant is in the area.

I will be posting photos over on my photo blog

In the meantime here are just a few to wet your whistle.

The OH so beautiful snow capped mountains that borders this agricultural valley.

No Preaching here BUT...

I am gonna remind you again cause this is damned important.

At the bottom of this post click on these two blogs to shed more light on this very serious situation.....PLASTIC BAGS!!!

Back in October on Blog Action Day I posted a similar subject

Yes they sell canvas bags and they make $$$ on the site but get beyond that OK. Start using canvas bags, because it will make a difference. Buy them from your local market. Hell even the greedy company WalMart sells canvas bags to reuse.

A website that explains in detail about plastic bags

I put a counter on my sidebar, see over there on the left <<<<<<<<

http://www.fakeplasticfish.com/ this blog made Blogs of Note and since our PBE made that same honor recently I try to check on Blogs of Note, a good way to find new blogs.

OK I'm thru preaching...............but stay tuna'd

This my friends

is where your table grapes come from. Well maybe not all of you but I would guess a lot of you. There are miles and miles of these vineyards, with an oil derrick thrown in here and there.

Also some of the best oranges, valencia and navel come from this region. The oranges from this region are eating oranges unlike the oranges from my former home state of Florida that are oranges grown for juice.



The RV park we are in right now is a former orange grove and when they built the park they left many trees on grounds. So that means if there were oranges on the tree I could walk out my door and pick oranges. Well unfortunately that is not the case most of the oranges have already been picked. You can see in this photo there is not one speck of orange........grrrrrrrrrr!!! But the fruit stands are close by so I'm not too disappointed.

Spending Diet

Ran across this article in the Miami Herald…found it interesting that a reporter is taking on a challenge of No Spending February. Actually this reporter is attacking the unnecessary spending in her life.

I wonder how many of us could do this? I would like to think I could. Given the price of gas we should all be making fewer trips to here and there, no matter what kind a car/truck you have.

I think cutting out going to the movies would save a couple a bucks, cause dang the price has gone up so much. Even if you are a senior the price isn’t that great anymore. So now I am renting movies online thru my Direct TV and recording them. That means I get to keep them for $3.99 instead or purchasing them.

Manicures and pedicures, I used to get every month. Due to traveling so much I have had to cut that back and I’m finding that’s OK, save BING a savings of sort.

Hair… I usually do my own color (yes I color my hair sorry to disappoint) so I buy the product at the beauty supply shop where it is less expensive than buying the already packaged product at the drugstore.

My biggest expenditure is going to the market, as I’m sure it is for all of you. I’m not good at clipping coupons, but I do read the paper for sales of the area markets. Oh and I try to go food shopping when I am not hungry cause I have found the strangest damn stuff that ends up in my cart.

Would you do this? Should we all try it together? OK I’m gonna go think about this and wait for your response…………..stay tuna’d

My new favorite food

I don't normally post about food on this blog BUT DANG!!!!!!!! Think I'll put this over on PBE too. Must share the news, I'm a caring sorta human.

Run don't walk to this web site just to see if you maybe you can get these jewels in a store near you.

Cara Cara Navel Oranges

not my photo taken from google images

This navel is not your ordinary navel by any stretch of the imagination. It's seems to be a cross between a navel and a red grapefruit. I understand this is a real tree and not a cross pollination.

We came upon these gems yesterday when we stopped at a fruit market that was suggested by sister. You know the kind a place where they have samples for you to try and then buy. Mr Doodles thought he was in Costco going around tasting this and that. He came upon the Cara Cara and said "you gotta try these". Yep their good I'll buy a couple. Came home peeled them for lunch to use in a salad....I thought I was eating a heavenly treat - well no thinking there I was.

Mr Doodles liked them so much he went back this afternoon and bought four more. They will be going out of season soon, so we gotta get em while we can. California Fruit Depot is where we bought them and they do have mail order. No I am not on commission for this business I just had to share my new find.

Stay tuna'd for more finds............

I stumbled on a great blog...

and just wanted to share it with y'all. Like I have nuttin else better to do than cruise the internet for new and interesting blogs. But I do cause it is fun and educational, well it is for me !!!

See over on the left where is says friends and favs? Well click on Made in USA...great site...terrific idea. If ya like it leave her a comment all bloggers like feedback good bad or indifferent.

There could be more cool blogs so..........stay tuna'd !!!

Can ya hear that ???

that sound is the "good olde boys" getting all geared up for the Democratic Convention taking place in Denver, Colorado this August.
Back room, cigar smoking politics is inevitable given the climate of the primaries that have taken place. It is a shame this is going to be held in Denver, cause the tactics that are probably going to take place just reminds me of all the antics that have taken place over the years when the conventions were in Chicago.

You can bet there is "back room politics" going on now. I just hope and pray that Super Delegates are not the ones to choose the candidate. Cause then what were all those primaries for. Get those cigars ready..............and stay tuna'd

Just remember to VOTE!!!

Great news

I will call her SweetPea!!! But she sure is a Princess!!!

Go read this that sister wrote.

OK off to go shopping cause I'm a Great Aunt woohoo!!!

See ya Polaroid

Sadly, technology is changing photography forever.

Polaroid is no longer manufacturing their instant film.

This is the one of many articles I came across. Memories just came flooding back. My Father had a Polaroid and I sure do remember I was just so fascinated by that camera.

I know, I know progress is also an important product, but admit it, this is kinda sad to say See ya Polaroid!!!

A special Greeting...

On the move...

It's Monday morning and we have packed up Grace, the RV, and Louie, the Big A$$ truck, and about to hit the road. Not a very long trip this time heading to Southern California. The unfortunate part of leaving an area after you've been here a few months is I just learned all the short cuts to get to the market, some shopping areas that we frequent, the theater we like to go to, a well as the Casinos.

Oh well on to new adventures!!! First stop will be Tonahpa, AZ then on to a WalMart parking lot in Palm Springs, just to land overnight so we can visit step momma. Then on to sister and brother-in-laws house for a few days. Hope to see lil bird and her handsome husband. That is always an adventure.............stay tuna'd!!

A wonderful walk in the park

10 .5 miles today........

Today we went to Sabino Canyon . Mr Doodles was the one that suggested this day trip. Got up early to pack a lunch along with snacks and some water. Off we go.

What a spectacular area we visited. I honestly think this was a primer for all the hiking my sweet husband wants to do when we go to Alaska. Heck I could be a vision in skinniness once he gets thru with me. Now that would be a welcome site.

The only reason I said I would go on this hike was for the photo opportunity, boy did we get some good pics. Actually this Southern Arizona is just full of wonderful photo opportunities. But then just about every place we have been has been good for taking photos . I posted a couple here and I'll post the rest over on my photo blog here Oh and in case y'all have not been to our food blog lately, drop everything and run right over there. Fun things are happening and I don't want to hear y'all didn't know about it OK!!!

there's Mr Doodles always looking at the map

beautiful Sabino Canyon

Duh!!!

when you make a Lenten pledge, such as the one I made that requires knowing how many steps/miles you walk.

Wouldn't ya think I woulda checked the batteries on my pedometer....well I didn't. But Mr Doodles is pretty good at estimating mileage so I told him the route I was taking and he told me about how far a three mile trek would be.

I'm headed out after my shower to buy a battery for the dern pedometer. But I did take my camera with me and took a couple a snaps along the way........look here.

stay tuna'd...........

for lent I'm

going to walk three miles a day........so that means starting on Ash Wednesday, February 6th to Easter Sunday, March 23rd I will walk at least 129 miles. Let's make it 130 I'm feeling generous tonite. And for every mile I walk I will donate one dollar to Habitat for Humanity, one of my most favorite charities.

We will be leaving Southern Arizona in the next few days headed for Southern California. So while out walking I will document my walks by taking photo's and post them over on my photo blog. I might even try for 150 so stayt tuna'd.........

Let's HOPE

since this is Super Tuesday, and also Fat Tuesday not to be confused folks.

Any way I hope if you are living in one of the 20 some states that held primaries today I hope you voted. If you did stand up and be counted and be proud. If you didn't I don't wanna hear y'all complain.

And if you live in the other states that are going to be holding primaries in the next few weeks please vote, you'll be doing us all a favor.

And yes Mr Doodles and I voted absentee.

Oh and what are y'all giving up for lent? stay tuna'd I'll tell ya what I'm gonna do ;)

Check this out.......

Some of you know sister, niece and I have a Food Blog called PBE.............well we were honored today.

Read about it here......

And as always...............stay tuna'd

I am thrilled!!!

I just received notification that I am a finalist in Cooks Country monthly recipe contest.

Here's what happened..........sister and I are always cooking up something when we are together. And when niece is in the mix it's even better. So sister and I are going thru some of our favorite magazines, Cook's Illustrated, Cook's Country. These are produced by one of my favorite cooking shows, America's Test Kitchen which is shown on your local PBS station.

Anyway sister and I are going thru the mags and I see that Cook's Country has a monthly recipe contest. And the one that caught my eye was that they were asking for your best summer salad recipe. Heck I got one of those. Remember the one I posted on PBE with the cantaloupe? I'm gonna enter that. Oh my I see the deadline is in just a few days. Hop on sisters computer and send that tasty treat to the address provided.

So this a.m. I get an email from the sister publication America's Test Kitchen that I am a finalist in their monthly recipe contest with the subject being your best summer salad. If you care to take a peek here this is what I submitted on our food blog PBE.

I would love to be known and/or published for my photographs but this is kinda fun and exciting.

Being that this is a summer salad food item, I am assuming this won't be published until May or June. Thank you sister for the encouragement. When I find out I'll let y'all know so.........stay tuna'd!!!

Yes I got a shower

Don't want ya to miss out on all the fun we are having. So we wake up yesterday, Sunday wouldn't ya know, and I go to do up the dishes from a lovely brunch I had prepared and I say "Oh Mr Doodles guess what, we have no hot water". I hear this grumble, grumble. Guess those were not the words he was hoping for on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Now many of ya know how handy this man of mine is. He gets out all the manuals and reading stuff you must go thru before finding the danged screwdriver and lifting the lid to see what's going on here folks. Oh I shoulda just got in the truck and went shopping but noooooooo I had to stick around and see the outcome.

I am also quite happy with myself that I keep good records and a neat file system for Mr Doodles to find exactly what he is looking for. This is the same man that opens the fridge and says "where's the butter?" I digress a bit sorry. I am able to put my hands on everything that was needed, well with the exception of a guy to come out right then and there to repair the dern thing.

When we purchased our RV, Grace as I affectionately refer to her as, we purchased a roadside assistance policy, actually they gave it to us when we purchased our sweet thing. So you call this number and a technician calls you right back, walks you thru all the steps that may help repair the problem. That's nice but hell it didn't help us one bit. My I sound crabby.......well I have a sink full of dirty dishes and haven't had a shower. Cause we needed a service guy to fix it and it's SUNDAY!!!

Ya know I think about all the older, even older than us, folks that have these big RV's and coudn't find a screw driver or much else how the heck do they manage. Oh well I guess they must cause there is a large amount of those very same folks on the road..........Lordy help us!!!

Back to the water heater that isn't working. We are lucky, HAR!!!, that we are in an area where there are several RV dealers to work on all of us RV'ers. And three of them service our manufactured model.

Now it's Monday morning and we must hook-up and drive to said RV fix-it place. Yes I called ahead to see if they could fit us in on such a short notice and oh by the way this is warranty work. Bless their little hearts they say "oh yes mam we will swueeze you in as soon as you get here". Okey dokey we will be there shortly. I turn to Mr Doodles and say this I do not believe.

Well folks believe it!!! They got us in ASAP fixed the dern thing and off we went before the traffic got bad on the freeway. I was and still am amazed.

So thank you Beaudry RV Service Center in Tucson, AZ you have made Mr Doodles and me a very happy customer. We have hot water and back up for when it should ever happen again. And also happy not to have to pay since it was warranty work.

I would like to take a moment

to thank the person that invented the DVR aka digital video recorder, or if you have one the TIVO.

Lordy, lordy TV has never been the same since we have gotten one with our satellite system a few years back. Going from our traditional VCR to the DVR was actually easy. We are TV watchers and have quite eclectic taste between the two of us. So recording our favorites is a wonderful invention

Sister and I were discussing this very topic just the other day. How many commercials have you seen lately? Actually none or very few and ya know what I don't miss them at all. Zip thru all the BS and now all those political commercials. Oh my their is a GOD!!!

So I bow to you and thank you dear person, whoever you may be, for inventing this wonderful piece of electronic equiptment I now value as much as my blow dryer or my electric tea pot.

A hike with a few animals to visit.....

Took off early the other day, well early for us, and went on a ten mile hike and then on the way back stopped at the Tucson Zoo. Not the showiest Zoo, but quite sweet with just a few animals. I spotted the tiger cage the minute we walked in, BUT resident tiger was napping. Dang no pictures of tiger. As we were making our loop around the park I heard someone say "the tiger is up and walking". Hmmmmm let's hope the guy is still behind bars. Off I go and look there he is. Bars get in the way of the photo but in a good way don't cha think?!?!!! Such a pretty boy......he was pacing quite a lot and scared the beeeejeeezus outta me when I first walked up and this bad boy jumped up on the cage. Mr Doodles said "he likes you". Let's see if I can find some pics Mr Doodles took. Think he's practicing up for our photo adventure trip to Alaska.
I'm quite fond of giraffe's. One of my all time favorite photo's I have ever taken was of a giraffe at the Washing DC Zoo many years ago.



Llama's are just comical aren't they?










And Zebra's are strickingly beautiful.









But these big guys are King of the Zoo. This old boy was waiting for his sweetie to wake up from her afternoon nap. And I think he was getting a bit impatient cause the growl could be heard all over the zoo.

Paper or Plastic

Referring to gift cards. You may have received some as a gift during the holidays.

California has put in a new law (SB 250) effective January 1, 2008 that require retailers to give cash back for the balance of any gift card worth more than$10. Prior to that no matter whether it was ten cents or ten dollars it remained on the card.

If you are like me I use the card and then any remaining amount I never remember and the card goes back in my wallet. The retailer has already received their monies. Many of these retailers exist on unclaimed discarded gift cards.

Once California does this and it is successful I sure do hope that other states follow. I must admit I don't know of any other state that does this. If they do let me know.

Awwwwwww come on

do we really need the dopes in Washington to tell us we are headed for a recession. Any half-way intelligent adult could have told ya that months ago.
Instead of talking about a stimulus package (I always thought a stimulus package sounded kinda like something that should be on a porn site) shame on me cause this was not meant to offend anyone. Anyway, instead a talking about it.....do something for God sakes. You folks in Washington caused most a this mess..................... now fix it.

Oh wait this is an election year, so now the present government is gonna just talk about it and the candidates are gonna bore us to death about the economy cause they know what to do about this mess we are in. Meanwhile, fuel prices, credit card debt, health costs, to name a few, are skyrocketing. Have you noticed in your city how many people are on the streets pushing shopping carts with all their earthly belongings in that cart. Listen to the news and the new homeless are families with children. Lord what have they created?

If this is my fault tell me now. Did I not spend enough $$$ last year heavens Mr Doodles thinks I did.

Now your job is to read about these candidates. Don't just form an opinion thru sound bites on TV. We cannot allow the media to run the election turnout. And remember just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's true.

I don't care who you vote for just be an informed voter PLEASE!!!

Gypsyies on the move again

Definition of GYPSY = gypsy One inclined to a nomadic, unconventional way of life.

I guess you could call us gypsies, nomads, or even bohemians. All would certainly apply.

Thanks to my friend Bee and her love of quotes, I found this quote I really like - The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine

We have been in Southern Arizona for a few months, and have seen enough to know that we would come back here to build a house someday. That is once we get the gypsy in our soul on to another plane.

So since we need to be heading West to start our trip to the great state of Alaska. Why not head that way now. Plus will be closer to family. I miss Buddy the dog.

I have posted about many of the highway travels over the past few months. We have visited some wonderful towns and cities. Met some fantasticly wonderful people. That said we have not found a town or area we would live in but Tucson. But this city is not for everyone. Oh it has all the amenities Starbucks, shopping, culture, terrific weather, a Zoo, a large University. And speaking of that I get dirty looks when I wear my UCLA shirts. But the weather on a hole is quite nice, well not now cause it's a whopping 27* outside. The weather is wonderful most of the time. But as I said it's not for everyone. Not a lot of greenery unless you consider the cactus as the greenery. Lot's a dirt, little grass.

But there are so many things it doesn't have like hurricanes, mosquitoes, humidity. Now because of the drier climate I am spending a fortune on body lotion.

Like I said this could be the place to hang our hats when the time comes to build. Tucson could just win the lottery for us to set up residency once we get that gypsy outta our souls.

So in the meantime we are going to California in a few days. Just saying that puts a smile on my face and makes my heart very happy.

As always, stay tuna'd..................

Dog Park Buddies

I'm sure y'all know by now my sweet sister and her sweetest have a wonderful dog by the name of Buddy.

Every once in awhile Buddy has his Masters take him to a favorite spot the dog park. I had never had the pleasure of going along for the ride. But this last trip Buddy included me and I got to see what all he was raving about.

It's about 15 minutes away and the closer we get to the Park old Buddy knows just by the turn and corners. My he does enjoy the adventure and can hardly wait to get out of the car to get his leash and go see his Dog Park friends. And many friends he has.



Buddy and two new friends
This young lady was always smiling

Nice to meet ya! Come here often?

This is just a wonderful park. Divided into two sections, one for the under thirty smaller dogs, which Buddy is, and the other side is for those larger animals. You go thru two gates as a security process and then off they go running helter skelter to meet old friends and then of course there is always new friends to hook up with. This place is huge and you would never think there were that many dogs in there. Sometimes they get to running like a freight train. It is very enjoyable to see these animals enjoying themselves. And ya know there is rarely ever a problem.

Take a look at some of these photos and see the smiles on these sweet pups faces


This little fella is just too cute and well dressed.


These boys are jumping for joy!

And thanks Buddy for inviting me on your adventure...................I really enjoyed myself.

Some changes coming up...........in the Tombstone

community.................so stay tuna'd

However I wanted to share this with you.............pee'd me pants when I read this email from a friend. Please feel free to use this on any voice mail you choose.

I dialed a number and got the following recording:
"I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes."

My bus riding skills

They have not been tested in eons, literally eons.

When visiting sister we tend to gas ass a lot. Being the good souls we try to be, sister thought it was a good idea to utilize the Los Angeles transit system. Now some of this she has done before, BUT not this particular trip.

Our one destination was to be Olvera Street Downtown Los Angeles. It just so happens that Los Angeles Union Station is directly across the street from our destination. How Lucky is that. So we travel from sister's house to the Valley to pick up our first leg of the journey. Guess where it takes us. HollyWEIRD!!!! Walk off the train go up the escalator to the famous Hollywood Blvd and there it is the Kodak Theater and right next door to the Grauman's Chinese Theater. You know that place where all the stars have there feet and hands in cement in the entry way. I remember going there as a kid thinking how cool it was to actually witness the foot and hand prints of the likes of Clark Gable and many others. Don't know how they pick and choose who gets to lay their hands and feet in cement but there happened to be some new ones like Will Smith and others like, yep kimmy George Clooney.

Anyway it was pretty cool years ago and just as cool now I guess cause Hollywood Blvd was mobbed with folks. Kodak Theater....very interesting. When watching those award shows I will now look at that red carpet a bit differently. It is a VERRRRRRY long way from the Blvd. to the entrance of the theater. You are not allowed in the Theater unless you pay for a tour...NOT ME!!! But the surroundings are quite unusual, it's an upscale Mall, so we shopped and had a snack.

Back to the train we go and head to Downtown Los Angeles.......look out Olvera Street.
Most of the riders on the Metro are your everyday working people. Sometimes you get a bonus of entertainment with some (how do I put this) street folks. We were entertained and stunned all at the same time. Suffice to say these young people are not the future of this country, THANK GOD!!!

Get off at the absolutely gorgeous Union Station. Have some pictures that I took and I'll post over on my flickr site. But I do love going to Union Station cause I know the next stop is Olvera Street and those tasty taquitos. We, as a family, have been going there since we were younguns. Niece was at Olvera Street a few weeks back and happened to call me from there just to tease. It's one of those places.

Needless to say we did the Olvera Street walk which consisted of popping into a few shops and the small purchase of some wonderful candy another added memory.

OK back to Union Station for the return trip which I must say was quite sane.

Next trip to be Pasadena and the Craftsman Architecture tour....stay tun'd

Neither rain, nor snow or

whatever it is the United States Postal Service says.......I have been really bad about blogging.

It has rained and not rained and rained some more the last few days here. Not only that the weather is truly shitty, bone chilling cause it is so damp. BLEEEEECH!!!

Blogging for me is sort of cathartic, medicinal journey of words. Writing at the end of your day, putting your thoughts together of the last day or so. Well hell sister and I have been just way to busy to do any of that.

stay tuna'd.........

Let's wrap it up...

2007 that is.

It's been a wonderous, special year here for the Doodles trio. Travel was at the top of the agenda, well of course since we sold our house in the blue tarp state.

Here is a quick time line......

• April sold above referenced house Hooooray only on the market 11 months
  
• Purchased Big A$$ truck and RV also in April
• Left the blue tarp state May 17th and never to return another Hooooooray
• Upon completion of above referenced trip of 18,000 + miles and two countries, we landed in Tucson mid November.

Yep we put that many miles on the first leg of the Doodles RV journey. And Buddy, the cat was an absolute wonderful terrific traveler. I am so happy to be able to say that because I know he could have made that trip and absolute nitemare. So extra treats for my Buddy cause he was so good.

We have had some just wonderful memories, met some new friends, met up with some very old friends, and it is unfortunate but lost a few friends along the way.

We both took some memorable photos, saw some new sites and a few old sites, went to several races, had some memorable lip smacking meals and even awarded the worst roads citation to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a side note I wrote to the Governor regarding his road conditions, I received a form letter as a reply. Shame on him.

Best part was being able to be with sister and family three times this year....that's a huge wahoooo!!!

Now 2007 is coming to a close, I look back and think what a fun ride, literally, it was personally. I'm not going to get into the political aspect of the year cause the dopes in Washington give me a headache.

My hope and wish for y'all is to enjoy 2008 as much as we enjoyed 2007!!!

Peace, prosperity and health for you in the coming year.

Now for me let's hope I get boots and a warm hat cause we be going to Alaska.......so stay tuna'd.

ps - thanks for all that stop by you make it fun

From me to you

Now to driving fools

Now remember, if you will, I have a Big A$$ Truck that I drive.

So, you're waiting at a stoplight in a left-turn lane. The light turns green, so you inch out into the intersection. A truck is in the left-turn lane going in the opposite direction, directly in front of you. All's well and good ... except that the truck's blocking your view of oncoming traffic. You can't be sure that a vehicle or three isn't coming, so you--not wanting to get T-boned--decide to wait for either the truck to turn, or for the left-turn light to turn green.

Then the cretin, (I haven't used that word in a very long time) in the car behind you starts honking. Apparently, he, she must certainly be in a hurry, and doesn't care about your hesitance at blindly meandering into oncoming traffic. I could be the truck blocking someones view because of the size, but I doubt it.

These impatient, uncaring, ignorant fools are the lowest of the low. And if they're male, they almost certainly have small whatchacallit. Shame on me for saying that.

These people need to get a life because there's not enough room in in the world for these fools.

Miracles of Miracles

OK I understand that some things are miracles and I accept that. Take for example the miracle of finding the father and his three children after three days of being out there in Northern California where the weather had turned to crap. Story goes that Dad took the kids out to get a Christmas tree and ended up building a snow fort in a culvert cause they got lost, totally lost and stayed warm by hugging for warmth while lost in the wilderness. Now cut to three days later and the news media is having a field day interviewing the rescued family. Man they were so happy to be home and so was their Mom who was waiting for some word from the authorities. As you probably heard the reporters were all over this story BUT asked the most asinine questions. However when speaking with the dudes that finally rescued this fortunate family, a question was asked about "how to avoid having this happen to your family"? The rescue paramedic listed the usual assortment, like cell phone, water and such but when he said carry a GPS, I stopped dead in my tracks. WHAT did he say!!!!!! Now you know a lot of folks right, maybe some of them went trompping thru the woods in search of the perfect Christmas tree. What do ya spose anyone of them had a hand held GPS unit? I am not making fun of this serious event. The freak snow storm that kicked up while they were out caused that family to go thru hell and thank you very much their Christmas will be very Merry. What ya spose Dad might find a GPS under the tree.................NOT!!!

Drive thru fools

One would think it would have been the second coming when an In-N-Out-Burger opened recently in our area.

With much buzz about town and long waits both inside the store and in the drive-thru lane, residents in our area finally had their very own In-N-Out. On the day of the grand opening, the town had to have extra cops on duty to direct traffic, all for a danged hamburger.

For some strange reason, the craze has barely let up. I have no idea how long the wait is, but if the pace inside is any indication, the wait time is tooooo long. The young ens that work there work their butts off I'll tell ya. You don't see workers like that at Mc Donalds or Burger King. No offense if your child happens to work at one of those establishments

I'll admit the burgers are good, actually better than good, but why anyone would want to sit in a line of cars, breathing toxic fumes and with the price of petrol these day for a stinkin' hamburger, is way beyond me. Think of the pollution that is created. I'm no rocket scientist, but it surely has to be a whole buncha polutin.

But it does remind me of when Krispy Kreme doughnuts opened and they turned on their done sign and out of nowhere cars were lined up around the block.

Edited to add: for those of you that live East and North of me you are missing out on a tasty burger.

Southern Arizona

Now when you read that the first thing to come to mind is nice warm temps right.....well not right now. Eeekkk!!!

So we are sitting outside the other afternoon watching the news, local news and the weather dude comes on and says "bundle up Tucson", get our your woolies cause you are gonna need them. Mr Doodles looks at me and says huh? I thought it was gonna go down to the 40's. Guess that's an OK temp for Mr Doodles. Nope 36* my sweet. And rain. Now you know what happens when the temps drop and it rains the cold goes right thru ya.

Well in fact we did wake up to rain in the nite and sure enough it did dip down to the mid 30's, with sleet, a bit of hail and a lot of snow on the mountains that surround us.
Using a fair amount of propane to heat our sweet RV, doubt that this cold snap will last thru February. We'll see how Mr Doodles handles this. One thing I cannot convince him to do is use body cream. He calls it slimy stuff and is convinced I am getting a commission from these lotion companies.....I wish!!!

Mt Lemon is about 9500ft so they got a ton a snow. Makes those skiers here happy, BUT it didn't last long. But it sure looked pretty from a distance. My photo's didn't do it justice. So I think I'll go see some Christmas decorations and see what the dessert looks like deorated for the holidaze..................stay tuna'd

It's called the Storm of the Century

And from what I understand Oklahoma east and north it is brutal. I just pray that there are no deaths or injuries.

Just got a few photos from our friends, the Nutz who live just west of Toronto in Canada.

I can just see the sweet Mrs Nutz standing on the porch in all her warm winter clothing being the good wife and documenting this event. Then running in and fixing the cold soul a nice hot cuppa cocoa.......hahahahaha!!! Don't forget the marshmallows!

Mr Nutz is in there somewhere, but damn he looks cold. And to think all we had here was some heavy frost this a.m.

It's only mid December Sooooooooo, stay tuna'd ; )

Happy Birthday to you

Lorna

December 15, 1922
to
February 5, 2002

We miss you momma!!!

Heard this on NPR

Good site for those that care and one would hope it is each and everyone of you. As they mentioned this is not a doom and gloom but more of a public service to make us all more aware. But being informed is half the battle. What I like is the list of companies that are trying to make a difference. Support those companies once you become more informed.

Go over and read up because maybe, just maybe there is one thing you can do and leave a better world for your family.

http://www.climatecounts.org/about.php

PS..............Mr Doodles was quite happy that his favorite beer company made the top three

Now it's on to Christmas

and I have yet to come in contact with the Christmas spirit. Where does one find that so very important tool?

Maybe I'll get in the truck drive around Tucson in the 75* plus heat, turn the radio to the Sirius station that is playing at Christmas music all the time. Well they did play a few of my favorites such as Johnny Mathis singing my mommas favorite tunes of the season. There's a story to that and I will share it later. Also they played Brian Setzer's very wild Christmas tunes. If you haven't heard his music go pop on over to Amazon and listen to snippets. His music will put ya into the Christmas spirit sorta.

Well the music didn't really send me over the top with the spirit of the holidays BUT I did get an idea!!! A couple of years ago I volunteered at the library to read to little ones. Most of which were pre-school age. And if you have never had the opportunity to read to oh maybe eight or ten preschoolers go do it just once, cause it's a hoot.

So I went to the local library, asked if they needed readers for the little darlings during the day. Well you would have thought I was giving them a winning Lotto ticket. The conversation went a little like this....... "Yes, yes, yes, please when can you read, coulda ya come Monday morning at ten and Wednesday afternoon at three. Well, a I guess, but don't ya wanna know something about me like my name and a little background. Sure go ahead she said, here write down your name and phone number. Do you have a Christmas sweater or a shirt that's festive? We want to read some Holiday stories during the next few weeks. Sure I have something festive I can wear. Good we'll see you on Monday, come early so you can meet the other volunteers and we can have coffee. OK I'll see ya Monday.......thanks."

Now I'm not sure how to take that conversation. I don't want to over analyze so I am keeping an open mind till after Wednesday. I'm gracious, I'll give them two days, actually I'm only giving them a couple a hours..............so stay tuna'd I might just be finding the Christmas spirit within those little pre-schoolers.

Acrophobia

is actually no laughing matter. Oh acrophobia is a fear of heights. And it can be quite debilitating. Most folks that have a fear of heights have no problem whatsoever going up in an airplane. I think it's when said acrophobia person puts two feet off the ground out in the wide open spaces that's when the fear sets in big time.

But now let me tell you about Mr Doodles, my resident acrophobic. Now I know why he never wanted to go up the Eiffel Tower. When visiting our friends in Canada this summer, dear Mr Nutz was kind enough to get up on the roof of our RV to install some needed goodies. I was very grateful for the task, hell Mr Nutz has no fear. Anyway why would Mr Doodles get up on the roof when he has his friend Mr Nutz, the guy wasn't born yesterday ya know.

OK now cut to the rain we had a couple a days ago. We have an enclosed satellite dish on the roof of the RV. The enclosure is plastic and needs to be cleaned. That's coming from the company that makes the satellite system. Ya gotta get up there clean it off with the proper cleaner and then spray this stuff on it used for plastic only. No mam ya can't use RainX that's for glass ya have to use this stuff. Ok, ok I'll go find this stuff. Well low and behold good old WalMart has it I discover. So I get a bottle of this stuff and then some bug and tar remover cleaner. Take it home, share the information with Mr Doodles and his answer was "when the water dries off the roof of the RV I'll go up there". HA!!! Go to bed that nite thinking I can do this right. I know of Mr Doodles hesitant nature when he goes up a ladder more than two rungs.

That morning I'm sitting at the computer and I hear this noise, like someone is throwing something on the roof or walking around. WTH I realized, HOLY SHIT what are you doing up
there? Well I didn't want ya to miss your show tonite............HOLY CRAP!!!

Some days the boy just amazes me!!!

ya just never know what's next so stay tuna'd.......

It's pouring here!!!!

I know a lot of my friends need rain in their areas. Just about now, since it has rained all nite, all day yesterday AND the nite before, I'd be just more than happy to pack you up a bit of this moisture and send it UPS to y'all.

I do know that the much needed areas of Southern California got some sprinkles. I know it wasn't much but every little bit helps. If in fact it rains too hard there in the fire zones guess what, mud slides. Those folks that were so lucky to not lose their home in the fires, one hard rain and their lovely home is sliding down the hill. So keep these good folks in your thoughts and prayers cause a mud slide is NOT what ya want for Christmas.

Hope this doesn't sound selfish BUT while you're saying a prayer remind the dear Lord above that the UCLA Bruins Football Team will be playing their cross town rivals USC today at 1:30 p.m. The Bruins have not had a stellar season this year but sure would be a happy camper if they beat SC. Also just want my dear niece to have a very happy day when the Bruins beat the snot outta SC.

OK we are having an afternoon outing of sorts, that is if the rain holds off. We are headed to the Tamale Festival in South Tucson. Happens to be on an Indian Reservation so this just might be a lot of fun..........stay tuna'd

There are folks that are depending on YOU!!!

The SOB's............OK I don't normally go off like that BUT ya gotta go read what my sister just blogged.......... here>>>>http://frenchbenefits.blogspot.com/2007/11/speak-with-your-wallet-for-those-who.html

We, as human beings, cannot allow big business to treat people in this manner. Come on folks step up, do something. Having lived in Florida for many years with their corporate office in our vicinity, we did hear a lot about BK Corp. It's bad enough we, residents of this fabulous country, allow our government to treat us so very shabbily, I know that's not a word....tough!!!

Do me a favor, don't, just don't contribute to this companies madness. Plus they have crappy commercials.

My favorite Pup

Recently we had the opportunity to spend about ten days with this guy. He is my sister's family dog. And let me say that "Buddy" yes he has the same name as the evil cat that resides with the Doodle clan.
Buddy, the dog is just the sweetest and well behaved animal. I have taken many photos of Buddy but this is just one of my favorites. I took this right before we all left to go our separate ways.

Look at that face is that not the sweetest puppy face.

Living the compact life

I am writing this for me as much as y'all to give an insite as to RV living.

Cleaning...lordy I found dust and dirt in the bottom of drawers and shelves that I have no idea how it got there. I know it probably came from living in plenty of gravel RV Parks around the country, but how it creeps into the RV drawers and such... I must be more diligent when docked around gravel spots. . Anyhow it took lots and lots of cleaning to get rid of the grit and now I have sparkly clean drawers and closets.

For some baby boomers, the RV life has become the new Harley Davidson – a symbol of nomadic/gypsy freedom. In a way it is gypsy like, but there is a bonus you get to meet up with old and new friends while seeing the vistas of this great country. Most of you know we crammed 18,000 miles into a about six months. And yes we will admit we did overdo by a few miles but the sites we saw were just amazing. And there is so much more for us to see. Like the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, DC Zoo, Vietnam Memorial, Atlanta Aquarium all kinds a places to visit and revisit So listen to this...YIKES!!! pray for me please!!!

Mr Doodles has convinced me there is Alaska in our future. Now, just for visiting mind you, but three months. So a plan has been put in place for such a trip. I was hesitant, that's putting it mildly, for a long time, stamping my foot, hell no I won't go, way too remote for me, too far, too long - hell I could go on and on. Till finally Mr Doodles said OK then Buddy, he's the cat, and I will go. I almost said " see ya!!!" Then I thought about it. And then stepmomma relayed her experiences of Alaska and it did sound intriguing, sorta. I even offered stepmomma to take my place. But after the conversation with her I figured what the hell, OK I'll go. Be alert Mr Doodles my Christmas present to you is telling you I'm going to Alaska. Now that means we will delay buying and building anything for at least another year, but what the hell ya only live once and think of the photos I can take. Wonder how much gravel there is in Alaska. I'll let y'all know.

One of the big question that folks making the jump from "sticks and bricks" to a "life on the road" is a good, solid, important one: how to decorate for the holidays..........that is a definite stay tuna'd

don't think I've been slacking

cause I haven't been. I figured out how to cook a turkey breast (almost too large for my teeny oven) with all the trimmings. What a feat that was and I say that with all the smugness I can muster. Use your imagination cause I only took one photo.


But pictured here is the Foster Farms boob I cooked. And I am dead serious when I tell ya it was almost too big for my teeny oven. But roasted Foster Farm boob and all the trimmings were done to perfection even if I do say so myself. Included was my favorite pie........ Pecan from Marie Callender's. I figured if I was doing all the cooking I get to choose the dessert. Attention Mr Doodles, you cook, you can choose the dessert. Oh yeah a dollop of fresh whipped cream on my pie slice, Mr Doodles had a dollop of Cold Stone ice cream in honor of his friend Mr Nutz.

So now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, we all had a good dose of Prilosec, Christmas is coming, you do know that right?!?!? And I must get going..........get a note off to Santa just to let him know that we have re-located to the great SouthWest.

Think I'm gonna go enjoy the wonderful culture here, snap some photo's, so stay tuna'd........

360 degree sunset

you may click on this photo to enlarge for better viewing or you may go look at my other photos at my flickr site
To have a beautiful sunset you need clouds, not a lot of clouds but some. This particular sunset took peoples breath away as it was in total surround. Oh my word it was stunning. I couldn't snap fast enough. Southern Arizona is beginning to surpass the Florida Keys in dynamic sunsets.



I'm on a photo Mission for my friend kimmy ................stay tuna'd

I do believe in omens!!!

While in Southern California we did lot's as I have posted but one day our day started out as a girls shopping day. Ya see I needed to go find a baby present for a friends newly arrived little one. Sister and stepma were happy to accompany me - go figure. We got lucky and found a really nice baby shop in a local store. Wow this is good we say. Now we have to finalize our shopping for our Thanksgiving feast we were to have the following day. More about that later. Waltzed into the market got what we needed and were outta there in no time. Nothing perishable so all was OK in the trunk of Stepma's car. Cool!!! Hmmm who's hungry? Well yes of course we all were but wanted to check in with the husbands and see what they were up to. They oddly enough answered their cell and we discovered they were at an olde air museum and would have lunch later. Super we were still on our own.......let's go have an In and out Burgers. Stepma had not been in awhile and it's a fav of sister and myself. Lunch out of the way and more shopping on the menu I must run to the ladies room first. We get out to the car and I explain that the restroom must have had a very ill person in there so I must find a restroom. Stepmomma says "well we are close to the Casino and they have restrooms". There certainly was not a lot of hesitation when we all said sure why not we'll go for and hour. Sister was glad we did and so was I. Stepma didn't fare quite as well but was still smiling. We walked out of the casino well to the good. And even had more time to shop. Life is good!!! Now about that Thanksgiving we decided to have our Thanksgiving early since most of us were together. We sure did miss my niece and her sweet husband. And I'm telling ya Mr Nutz, ya shoulda stayed. Wander over to PBE for the menu and a couple a photo's.

Mr Doodles and I are now settled in Southern Arizona for the winter months so stay tuna'd cause the sunsets are divine.....photos to follow.

Veterans All ...................We Thank You

Our family albeit small we have several Veterans. My sweet Mr Doodles happens to be one of them. He is a Canadian by birth and came to the states when is was in his early 20's. When he was about to cross the border from Vancouver to travel down to California he was informed of the possibility or being drafted. This man was not about to be drafted so he signed up with the Air Force. Oddly enough ended up with a top secret clearance and not even a citizen. I am grateful that this man is by my side each and everyday.

As I am grateful for my brother-in-law, his wonderful father and my father for their contribution to all of our safety and peace of mind.

And to all of our service men and women serving around the world to make our world a better place thank you.

Maybe you would like to say thanks, go to this site http://www.letssaythanks.com/

And if you care to pass the site address along to friends and family so they can say thanks too.

paid in full.......

Did I happen to mention there are Indian Gaming CASINOS here in the desert?

Well last nite after a lovely dinner sister Moon put together and some rowdy conversation around said dinner table, we all got ready to go back to our respective RV's, when Mr Nutz and I decided we should go see how the construction was going on the local casino. Agua Caliente happens to be in the midst of a very large expansion. Didn't have any takers to come along sooooooooo off we went. Let me just say this I walked away at 12:15 am with enough winnings to pay for the trip to the desert.........hot DAMN!!!

Now I wonder if I should go back tonite to see how the construction is going...............stay tuna'd!!!

PS..........must also mention that I sure do miss having my sweet niece here with the gathering of the clan. Her and her husband a traveling to London for a conference. But lil bird please know we talked about y'all ;)