January 1 - April 30, 2018 – Apache Junction, AZ

Nancy is hiking again with a group from our neighborhood.  We go out once a week and enjoy the desert

We are so lucky to have such beautiful scenery so close.

Saguaro Lake is a favorite hiking spot.

We have to do a very steep climb to reach this double arch but it is definitely worth the effort.

Our house was too quiet and we couldn’t bear it any longer so we intensified our search for another dog.  It didn’t take long before we found our “Tacky”.  His registered name is Star-Vue’s Stuck Like Glue and so... Tacky fits him.  He is 2 ½ years old and a very gently and quiet dog who loves to sit in your lap and snuggle. 

Out on his first hike in the desert.

Tacky definitely fills the empty spot that was in our hearts and brings us a lot of happiness!

We have been talking about replacing our kitchen countertops since we bought the house and finally decided to do it this year.  We spent a lot of time deciding what type of counters to get and then what color.  We went with granite in a color called Giallo and a stacked stone backsplash.  We had the countertops installed by The French Quarry and Rex installed the backsplash.  We also replaced the kitchen sink with one that is deeper. 

Our before picture

Tacky helping Rex install the backsplash

All finished – the lighter counter tops really brighten up the kitchen and Rex and Tacky did a great job on the backsplash!

We love our new kitchen!

The guys were busy getting ready for the Valentine’s Day Program at Golden Sun RV so the “music widows”  (Nancy, Simone, Doris and Susanne) decided to take an overnight trip to Algodones, Mexico.  We had a great time shopping and eating lunch in Algodones and then stayed at the Q Casino outside Yuma where we gambled a little and ate a lot – what a fun trip!

Rex participated in the Valentine’s Day Program at Golden Sun RV Resort again this year – playing his guitar and singing.

He joined our friend Geri in a duet of John Denver’s “Perhaps Love”

It was a wonderful evening with great entertainment and strawberry shortcake.

We have been thinking for a while about getting a car so Nancy could have wheels of her own and not be stuck without transportation when Rex was working.  We went to the Ford dealer in town to look at what they had on their lot and this 2014 Ruby Red Ford Escape followed us home.  We really like it and now Nancy has her freedom!

Nancy’s sister, Carol, visited us in February.  We didn’t do much while Carol was here as she has visited many times but Nancy and Carol had a great time talking and reminiscing.  

Nancy’s son, Chad and his wife, Kim visited us in March.  We took them for a cruise on The Dolly on Canyon Lake and then to Tortilla Flats for lunch.

We had a great visit and they finally got to see our house.  They certainly enjoyed our warmer weather even though it was cloudy during their visit.

One of our neighbors in Meridian Manor has volunteered to take pictures for the community.  We had a new picture taken for the album in the clubhouse and include Tacky in it. She did a great job with the picture.  We also took Tacky to dog training classes at Paws4Life, a non-profit organization that trains service dogs.  They allow anyone who wants to do basic obedience to join the classes – so Tacky trained alongside prospective service dogs.  We did the 6-week (3 times a week) course and he passed with flying colors.  When we get back in the Fall we will start him in the next level class – but we have to keep working with him over the summer so he will be ready.

Nancy’s mom was hospitalized the first week in April with congestive heart failure.  Nancy flew to Colorado on the 11^th and was able to spend time with her mom before she passed on April 13^th.  Nancy felt very blessed that she made it to Colorado before her mom passed and that she was able to be with her mother at the end.  There was a visitation and rosary on April 18^th where Rex gave her eulogy and the next day there was a funeral mass. 

Rest in peace Mom – we love you and miss you very much.

We also kept busy with playing Peg’s and Joker’s with our friends, Larry and Pauline, once a week.  We attended the Arizona Lecture Series every Monday night and Tuesday night was “Burger Night” here at Meridian Manor.  A couple of food trucks came each week and we had great food and good conversation with our neighbors.  We attended many entertainment nights in the clubhouse, including Gordy Crazy Fingers Lindquist, Gary Tyson Comedy Show, Yellow Bird Music & Comedy, The Sun Drops and also the Meridian Manor Revue (a talent show starring our neighbors).  We attended two tribute band concerts – Roy Orbison and The Beach Boys.  We certainly kept busy and thoroughly enjoyed all these fun nights. 

We are working in the Rio Chama RV Park in Chama, NM again this summer and were planning to leave Apache Junction on April 18^th.    Because of Nancy’s mother’s death, Rex and Tacky drove the truck and 5^th wheel to Colorado on the 15^th and 16^th and met up with Nancy.  After the funeral we all drove down to New Mexico and were ready to go to work on the 21^st.  We are the only workers to return from last year so we have had to take a lead role and train our co-workers.  We have been very busy getting the park ready for opening on May 1^st – Nancy in the office and Rex outside.  Tacky loves it up here as there are trees and grass and best of all - a large fenced dog park and other dogs to play with.