Looking back from August to November...

I don't know where the time went. 

Weather:  August and September were hot during the day and we ran the AC 24/7.  Finally in October we got a reprieve and I could open the windows :)....Then came the dilemna with the dust...constant, everywhere...How much can you cram in an RV...alot!  I am now cleaning out excess sitting around we don't use on a daily basis to save on cleaning, thank God for the garage for now, but that will have a different ending, not a garage either LOL. 

Dogs:  I am so glad to be here, as I am not an RV park fan in the least, especially with dogs...have to take each one on a leash (separately mind you) outside to do their business several times a day, and guess whose job that was? Right!  Now I can open the door, let them out and they come back, imagine that :)

Heat/Cooking:  Part of the problem of living in a box (RV) is cooking in the heat, even with the AC on it can be a challenge, because it doesn't take much to heat the place up, i.e., oven and even the cooktop creates heat.  I need to use the crockpot more, but that creates heat also so I set up a table outside to put it on, or the deep fryer...We bought a charcoal grill while in the RV park, but it didn't work so well for cooking any longer-cooking foods as it was a pain to take the food off, take the grate off, add charcoal and put it all back together...I am patient, but there are limits...  In October, I think man-guy got tired of listening to it and bought me a wonderful gas grill, so now I can use it as an oven when necessary :) 

Gardening:  We had to stop buying plants, as we need to learn what to grown when, even in the Land of Sun... We have some pepper plants, tomato plants, herbs going...  In the island we put out some solar lights, as well as a couple on the posts for the gate.  They may have to be rearranged a bit, as at night they look like a landing strip for a plane...  We also took out a couple of the bushes that were there and replaced with bougainvilla which are doing great, some hibicus, left the existing aloe, and a Mexican slip pot with geraniums, verbena and pansies.  We have a huge mesquite tree I just love, it's kind of like a southern weeping willow and holds the bird feeder with the hummer feeder nearby.  I need to find a southwest-looking arch or trellis to put between the bougainvillas, but I have time...  I am sure this area will get more attention down the road, but it is so nice to go out in the morning with coffee and see my plants, or to sit out at night and relax...

Okay for now...It is our 17-year anniversary today and need to go find something to cook before man-guy leaves for work....

Arrival...September 7, 2009

Down toward the other end...

The 'island' after some work...around October 1...

Little Bit of History...

After buying a 5th Wheel in MN to move to Alaska, we spent 2 years on the Kenai Peninsula.  Man-guy's job went AWOL, so we decided to come back to the '-48', Arizona (the other end of the country), to be exact!  We brought with what we thought we needed, we being myself, man-guy, granddaughter, and 3 dogs...  We shipped our car to Seattle, GD and I flew down to pick it up, proceeded cross country to visit with my army son and his family until the man-guy made it to AZ with the dogs... 

We arrived in Casa Grande, AZ (1/2 way between Phoenix and Tucson) August 10th...exactly 2 years to the day of arriving in AK!  We spent about a month in an RV park which was not my idea of enjoying life. 

We so lucked out and found 1-1/2 acres (with RV hookups) to rent near the RV Park.  One of the good things is we really like this area!  The whole property is fenced (great for the dogs going in and out), the fence is lined with oleanders (toxic, but dogs leave alone), we have a horse corral (no horse), and it came with some wild chickens, garage with washer/dryer :).  We have now been here since September 7, and settling in. 

Man-guy is now hauling mail for a private company from Phoenix to Grand Junction, CO.  I do medical transcription, so I get to work from home :)...  Granddaughter is home-schooled... Dogs are spoiled...