Good morning!  It's Monday morning 2/27.  Just returned from water aerobics and dog walking. Corky was primed to watch the NASCAR race that was weather delayed until this morning; however, continued rain in Daytona had forced another delay until this evening.   We'll have to wait to see if they are able to race or not.

We spent the afternoon yesterday at the Robson Ranch community.  Robson is a developer of 55+ communities in Arizona and Texas.  It's located just about 5 miles from our current location in Casa Grande.  There were 10 models to view--all very nicely appointed, and of course, showed with ALL the possible options one would love to have.  Prices started at $160,000 for the 1,500 sq. ft. model to well over $300,000 for the largest homes.  Here are pics of the two models we preferred:  the Carmel at 1,700 sq. ft. and the Hermosa at 1,500 sq. ft. (these are the two smallest models).

Entry to the Hermosa Model

This Hermosa model had a small office space off main hallway in lieu of a den/study; the laundry area is just beyond this space

Master Bedroom with optional bay window (adds 2 extra feet)

Master Bath was quite nice with large walk in closet off to the right.

Guest Bedroom

Although we like the area and certainly the wonderful weather here, we are not in a position to make any concrete plans to permanently relocate.  However, it is fun to look and learn.  Never hurts to be an educated consumer.  And this is in keeping with our plan to RV for a few years while checking out possible areas where we may like to live in the future.  

Weather will be warmish today (70's), but forecasters are saying we are in for a change.  High winds are expected this evening bringing in cooler temperatures for the rest of the week.

Later.

Well, well, here we are, another week in sunny Arizona under our belts.  Corky's cousins from Oakes who were in Casa Grande enjoying the sunshine came to our place for a jambalaya dinner on Monday the 20th.  A little glitch occurred while preparing the recipe (3 Tablespoons of cajun spice was incorrectly added to the base rather than 3 Teaspoons as the recipe called for).  Hot, hot, hot.  Oh dear.   A quick trip to the grocery for replacement veggies and we repaired the damage.  Our guests seemed to enjoy the meal as there was very little left over in the crock.  I guess we could consider that a measure of it's success.

Tuesday was Cathy's birthday.  When I returned  to the coach after my water aerobics class, the boys were waiting for me with their birthday surprises:  cute, cute cards, a bottle of my favorite cheap wine, some Godiva chocolate bites, Ferrero-Rocher chocolates, Puss in Boots DVD, and turquoise necklace.  Very nice.  That night, Corky took me to Tommy's Bistro, a local Italian restaurant that several neighbors had recommended.  Yummy!

On Friday, we drove to Chandler and spent a few hours with Steve, Kimm, Haley and Jenna.  After Kimm and I returned from our hair appointments, we all went to P. F. Chang's for dinner.  I've had a "yen" for chinese cuisine for months; actually for years as DL is sorely lacking for good Chinese eateries (in my humble opinion).  Anyway, the meal was absolutely DELICIOUS!

Here are a few pics of my birthday surprises and my birthday dinner companions!

From Jenna, Haley, Steve & Kimm 

Haley made the chocolate krispie treats for me; and you know how much I love PEEPS!

Jenna and her beaus

WOW, look a straw worm!

What's my fortune cookie say, daddy?

Miss Jenna now has a big girl bike.

It reached 80 degrees on Saturday!  We spent a couple of hours at the pool.  Tomorrow we are going to check out the model homes at the Robson Ranch community in Eloy, AZ (about 5 miles east of Casa Grande).  But we need to be back in time to watch the end of the Daytona NASCAR race.  

More later.

We had a little rain last night accompanied by rumbling thunder and quite a light show.  We've heard that another area in the park got a dose of hail, but fortunately we were spared.  And by morning, there was no evidence of the rain at all.  As a matter of fact, it is turning out to be a beautiful sunshiny day, again!

The Park's Annual BowWow Dog show was held mid-morning at Palm Park, the carefully manicured expanse of grass near the Registration/Administration area where most big events are staged and are off limits to dogs.

The Park is divided into two sections--one for pet owners and one for those who are not.  The non-pet section is jokingly referred to as the "dark side!"  Of course, our being dog owners, we rarely wander over to the dark side, so it was fun to see the animals in an area of the Park that is taboo to them.  Fifteen canines of various breeds and ages strutted across the stage, stopping to perform their individual talent, before scampering off.  Some took the direct route off the stage, but most accompanied their masters down the steps.  Nearby, an agility course was set up for demonstration, but was not part of the competition.  The Park is considering offering dog agility training if resident pet owners express an interest.

The Humane Society, a Veterinarian, and a local pet groomer set up tables in the area to promote their organizations/services.  Also,  all the proceeds from the "Hot Dog" lunch went to the Humane Society.  It was a really cute event.

Here are a few pics of the cuties on and off stage:

This little guy doesn't compete anymore--he prefers riding the bicycle with dad.

Henry won the "Peoples' Choice" Award

Cosmo was quite entertaining

Cosmo has a rock fetish--loves to push and flip them.

Look at those ears!

Ceasar and his master from North Dakota

Cute Schnauzer won Best Costume Prize

This little cutie loves to dance!

Very pretty Shelty named Bandit

Three's company:  Sharpei, Bassett and Cocapoo

The winners!

Ceasar found a shady spot under the table

Cosmo REALLY likes rocks!

Cosmo takes time out from rock playing to chat with a very pretty little poodle!

All rightie now, back to my rock!

Chauncy, another Cavalier King Charles in the Park

Perhaps next year we'll dress Gus in his blaze orange hunting vest and let him carry a faux pheasant across the stage.  Now that would be a real show stopper, don't ya think!  I'll have to really work with Woody on some unusual trick--maybe I can get him to scoot his little ass across the stage like he does on my carpet!

Later.

Happy Valentine's Day to all our followers.  It's raining this morning--the first rain we've experienced since arriving in mid-December.  And it is supposed to be unseasonably chilly today and for the next couple of days.  Oh well, it's not snowing and there's a warm-up forecast for the weekend, so I'm not complaining.  

The Park is sponsoring their monthly Arts & Crafts Fair today; the weather is certainly going to dampen (LOL) the enthusiasm for rummaging around the vendor booths.  Perhaps there will be a respite between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Yesterday was our wedding anniversary!   Fourteen years!!!!   Time has flown by.  That's what happens when you are having fun.  I look forward to many more years with my best friend as he and I continue our lifetime adventure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARIZONA!!!!

Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912. It was the last of the 48 contiguous states to be admitted to the union.  Here are a few photos of AZ plants and critters I've borrowed from other sites:

Saguaro cactus 

prickly pear cactus

Wiley Coyote!

Woodpecker feeding on Saguaro Cactus bloom

Mohave Rattlesnake--very nasty!

Roadrunner

Tarantula

Burrowing owl

Later.