Time rolls on when your having fun

I have this picture as my laptop wallpaper – it looks like a field of snow in the desert instead of white sand. So pretty.

Thank you reader Tom – I followed your directions and got my new watch battery. That is a nice little jewelry store. Also went to Safeway and found my Bernstein’s House Italian Dressing - bought all they had and got another bottle of Chocolate Wine.
Also checked with Verizon (store was right next door) and I can put the MiFi on suspension for at least three months. So will do that the day before we go south. I couldn’t do it at the store have to call Verizon to do it.
Another beautiful day here in the desert. We’ve dug one of the fans out and it kept things almost cool enough. AC was only on for a little while.
Watched the NASCAR nationwide qualifying and race. Pretty good race. Kyle had the pole and finished third, but he did lead 60 some laps. Every week the #54 Monster Energy car gets better and better.
Finished my necklace while watching qualifying. It just needs the catch – think I’ll make one with the beads so it will be completely finished. I didn’t think to bring and extra catches.
I fixed chicken with peppers and noodles for dinner. Turned out pretty good. Got another piece of carrot cake for desert!
Time changed last night and we don’t have to change any of the clocks because we’re in Arizona and they don’t do Daylight Savings Time. Thank goodness I was afraid to touch any of them.
Looks like it will be another beautiful day here. Nothing planned – watch race around noon maybe do laundry and a little cleaning.
Today is my birthday – this one is bothering me a little. I thought I was a couple of years younger…..Crap. I remember asking my Mother “How can you forget how old you are?” Well it’s pretty darn easy. I thought I was about 70 then I realized Bill just turned 76 and I’m only two years younger than him……..makes me 74!!!!!!! Seems like just yesterday I turned 40 while we were in Rio. Where has all that time gone? Next year I’ll be ¾ of a century old!!!! At least I hope I will be. I keep thinking of all the songs: “Yesterday When I Was Young” and “Where have all the flowers gone”  I don’t feel old, don’t usually act my age and hopefully don’t think old. It’s just that once in a while it sneaks up on you and surprises the heck out of you.
Speaking of old – the area of Arizona we’re in has a lot of retirement communities and just shopping in stores is different. While in Safeway I couldn’t help notice that everyone shopping was very polite – excuse me, pardon me, etc – when walking by you with a cart or in front of you if stopped to stare at the shelves. Guess it was part of our generations up bringing that has stayed with us through the years. And in the parking lot instead of creeping right up to you they stop and wave you by. A kinder gentler time. 50 – 60 – 70 years ago.

Mi Casa RV - same as 34 years ago

Kept kind of busy yesterday. We drove south to Nogales, AZ to get our Mexican insurance. Got it from Sanborns again. In fact when we started our trip to South America in 1978 we bought our insurance here and stayed at the Mi Casa RV Park – 34 years ago. The park is a little worse for wear – mostly permanent residents now. We stayed there in 2007 too.

Got the insurance for six months. For the Jeep we have to get the required liability ins and comprehensive cause our US insurance doesn’t cover it in Mexico. It was about $210. For the RV we just need liability as Progressive covers the RV in Mexico for collision etc. About $100. So that is done. Both policies also provide legal aid – which is a necessary thing if you’re in an accident in MX.
Did not exchange any money as we have some Pesos left from last year. We’ll stop in Hermosillo at an ATM – better rates that way. Right now the exchange is 12.8 pesos to 1 dollar.
Went to WalMart while there and got a few more things on our list. And a piece of carrot cake - boy I love that stuff.
Came back home and took a nap and then watched the truck race. Always exciting. The #18 had electrical problems but still managed to get a 4^th place finish. If there had been a late caution he had a chance of winning.
Pulled one of my beading projects out and worked on it a while. Then had to rip part of it out when I noticed a mistake about half way back. It’s a simple design so it goes fast.
Not much else going on…….
Need to remember that the time changes tonight - though as clock challanged as I seem to be lately it might not make any difference to me. So that will put Arizona back on Mountain Time. Need to remember that for the race tomorrow.

Not all changes are for the good

The sun is coming up over the desert turning the sky pink and gold. Always pretty out in the wide open spaces.

For the first night and morning since we left home we didn’t have the little heater on. It gets plenty warm in here during the day. Oops spoke too soon, Bill must be getting up as the furnace just came on. Oh well it will take the chill off quickly.
Had a big disappointment last night. One of the reasons we like this campground is its proximity to a really good restaurant. We look forward to our first night here and going out to dinner. So off we went to the Cow Palace. First thing we noticed – they had redecorated and not for the better. The staff was completely new – not near as down home and friendly as the old staff. The menu was different. Our favorites were no longer available and the prices were way up. Salmon $19.  Ribeye $25….. Bill ordered a Caesar Salad with chicken and had to ask for bread – which used to come with everything. I ordered liver and onions and they were out…so had a hamburger. Coffee and tea and check was $27. So that is our last time there. Shoot. Also noticed the Longhorn steak house/bar across the street was no longer in business. Too bad.
Bill wants to go into Nogales, AZ today to get our Mexican insurance for Willie and Jennie. We will get Sanborns again from the same agent. We were very happy with the way they helped us last year when Willie had his amazing adventure. Of course we hope we don’t ever have to talk to them again but…..
In the next few days we’ll take care of business – talk to Verizon about putting MiFi on suspension till March. And ask about there Nationwide and Mexico plan.  And get a battery for my watch. One of my readers has given me information on where I can get that done around here. Also last trips to WalMart and grocery store. Hunting for egg bagels and Bernstein’s House Italian dressing – things we can’t buy in Indiana either.
Years ago we went in search of Egg Bagels – Bill’s favorite – we finally found some in a bakery and bought six. He ate a couple then we wondered how to save the rest for later. I’m sure most people have seen the device the Food Saver on TV. You put your food in a plastic bag and the machine sucks the air out and vacuum seals the package. Hummmm so we put a bagel in the bag stuck the bag opening in the machine and pushed the button. The air was sucked out of the bag and then the air was sucked out of the bagel. Picture bagel getting smaller, wrinkled and hard as its air was sucked out. Lesson learned do not use Food Saver for bread products unless you want hockey pucks. Was kind of funny though.
Bill is up and about – says his back is much much better – thank goodness.
We talked about where we’re going to go in Mexico this year and have decided to go from Hermosillo to Bahia de Kino – haven’t been here for a couple of years. We have a favorite campground and restaurant there too – hope they haven’t changed. And from there to San Carlos – again we haven’t been there for a couple of years. In Hermosillo we will try to get our TelCel Internet stick up and running. Wonder if we can just reinstate the service or if we'll have to buy a whole new air card.
Something was mentioned on one of the TV shows that we should all think about. In this day and age of Internet, cell phones, the cloud, computers etc. What if you are without power or cell service will you be able to get to or remember the information about people you need to get a hold of? Suggestion was to actually write all important information in a folder so you have actual paper to refer to. Then keep that where you can get to it if you need it.

Still CLOCK challanged!

Finally parked for a little bit – at least until Tuesday. Hooray. We are in Amado, AZ at the Passport America park Mountain View RV - $14.50 a night full hook ups and WiFi and cable. We are using our own Direct TV and MiFi but it is available.

Visited with Lori for a few minutes this morning – she surprised us with delicious just made cinnamon rolls. Left Deming about 9:15.
Bill’s back is a little better but he is still moving pretty careful. Stopped in Lordsburg for gas and breakfast then into Arizona. Only drove 230 miles but for some reason it seemed much loooongeeeer to both of us. Guess because there was so much open space.
Still having problems with clocks/time……now my watch has stopped working. Just needs a new battery I hope. Also the cell phone and the GPS can’t agree on what time it is here in Arizona. Cell phone doesn’t realize AZ doesn’t go on Daylight Savings Time I guess.
We actually got gas today without the credit card calling us – well not yet any way.
Bill is darned if he does and darned if he doesn’t – It is 80 degrees out – so he loves it – but I am cooking in so we have to turn the air conditioning on and then he freezes. Can't wait until evening when we can just open the windows.
What were those people doing out on the ocean in the HMS Bounty just before Sandy hit? They had to know for days that it was coming!
It's now about 5:00 - I spoke too soon - just got the call from the credit card company. I keep telling them we’re traveling and they keep telling me they will make that notation. Don’t know what else to do.