Sunday, January 16 through Saturday, February 12, 2022: Home Repairs, Injuries, New E-Bike and Healing Appointments

Sunday morning brought another beautiful sunrise.

In the afternoon, Jon came by and helped Tom finalize the master bathroom toilet repair.

It is nice to have a strong hand from Jon on hand!

Monday, five of us played pickleball in the Rodeo Barn. Fortunately, the City Maintenance folks moved the trailer to the other court.

That afternoon, Tom and I went to lunch at Nanys Tacos. It is a small restaurant with good food reviews. Tom had a bowl of menudo and we each had a quesabirria. Yummy!

Tuesday afternoon, on one of my neighborhood walks with the dogs, we came across a small herd of deer.

Wednesday morning, Jesse from Atomic Pest Control came to do his thing. It is nice having this service every other month

Six of us played pickleball in the Rodeo Barn at 1:00 p.m. During one game, Jon and I were partners. Jon fell while dodging a ball going outside the court. He fell and hurt his right elbow

Fortunately, Jon applied ice packets on the nodule overnight and it shrank. That same evening, I lost balance taking off my jeans, and I fell, and hit my head. Clumsy me! It was a small cut, but there was a lot of blood.

 

Thursday, I had a full body scan appointment with my dermatologist, Dr Sara Risner. While at that appointment, she noticed my head cut and wanted to drain the resulting hematoma. What was supposed to be a fifteen minute appointment turned into several hours. She had to work me into her current schedule of patients. Dr. Risner and her staff confirmed that skull cuts were notorious for excessive bleeding Several stitches were needed to reduce the bleeding.

I came home with the "wounded warrior" look.

Later in the day, my sister Wendy texted me a photo of her and my sister Kim. Wendy was visiting her friend, Beverly Blize Nickerson. While there, she and Kim had lunch together in Palm Desert. Neat!

Our DirecTV has not been working for almost a week. I contacted DirecTV earlier in the week and the technician tried to resolve the problem over the phone. With no luck, someone from DirecTV was scheduled to come to our house on Saturday. On Friday, another technician called to see if he could resolve the issue. He worked magic and yes, it was fixed. 😃😃😃

Tom has begun looking for a smaller-framed e-bike. The Aventon bike he purchased in September is just a little too big for him. Coincidentally, he saw on the Internet a Rad bike for sale in Flagstaff. It was new and had never been ridden. The bike was too large for the original owner. Tom contacted the seller and offered cash for the e-bike. We went to the bank and then drove to Flagstaff. Before our appointment to see the bike, we had lunch at the Toasted Owl.

Tom met with Joyce and Don. The Rad e-bike was great!

We transported the bike home. What a great find at a great price! Tom's son Jon is going to take the Aventon bike. He is a lot taller than Tom.

On Saturday, I received a Christmas card from my Polish friends, Joanna and Karol. They worked with me at Zion National Park in 2004. The Paradowsy family live in Warsaw with a son Bartek and a daughter Kalina. I know that Kalina was the artist of this special card!

The next day, Tom and I rode our e-bikes in the neighborhood.

Tom's new bike is vary handsome and suits him better. Our two e-bikes look very nice together!

On Monday, January 24, I had a 11:30 a.m. appointment in Flagstaff with Amy Aranda at Junto Skin & Laser. I arrived in Flagstaff a little early, so I went to Cal Ranch to look at some revolvers. Tom has a number of guns and my sister Wendy has a a Ruger double action revolver. Although I have never been around guns, I have been talking to Tom about getting a 22 revolver. It is a gun, but not a "killer" gun variety. The ammunition is not expensive and  I could learn to use it at a gun range. I looked at two.

I texted Tom. He suggested that I wait, as he is doing more research.

There are a number of folks in the Williams community who want to learn pickleball, or are novice and want to get better. Tom has decided to run some clinics for these people. Our neighbor Gus Beatty also volunteered to help Tom. There were three women who attended the first clinic.

Tuesday was a beautiful day for a walk in the Highland Meadows neighborhood. While up in the " North 40" part, I took a very nice photo of Bill Williams Mountain.

Wednesday, Tom had a 1:00 p.m. appointment in Prescott at Alliance Home Care. The technician is trying to improve the fit of Tom's bipap breathing device mask. Our friends, Stephanie and Joe Hap, have been telling us about a really good restaurant, Farm Provision. So, we had lunch there.  It was a small restaurant --- very busy --- but the food was very good. I had deep-fried deviled eggs and crab cakes appetizers for lunch. Tom had a mushroom bisque and walleye fish tacos.

Of course, they had a triple berry dessert that begged us to try! Yummy, yummy!

After Tom's appointment at Alliance Home Care, we went across the street to Affinity RV. Tom and I thought that it would be fun to took at some 5th wheels and some motorhomes. The real estate market has been surging in value. Part of me thinks: "sell my home, take the money and run." But, where would we run? Maybe live in an RV at an RV Resort part-time in Northern Arizona for some of the year and then warmer places in the winter??? We met salesperson Chris.

We ruled out motorhomes --- not enough living space. There were some very nice 5th wheels. If I were ever to live in a 5th wheel again, it would have to have a different floor plan from the two Richard and I owned.

Thursday, I took the dogs for a walk in town. They always like posing with Smokey the Bear!

Friday morning, I woke up and came into the living room. Both dogs were enjoying the couch!

Six of us played pickleball in the Rodeo Barn. Unfortunately, it was pretty much a "slam-fest." Many tennis players get out of the rhythm of pickleball.

Later in the afternoon, I picked up some fresh raw honey from my friend, Natanya Nagy. Tom likes honey and he was pleased that I was able to find excellent local honey.

Saturday, we had a wonderful sixsome of pickleball players. We are well matched and we had many fun and challenging games.

Jon spent the night at our house, as he and Tom played poker at our neighbor Gus Beatty's home. Before Jon left, he gave Tom some pointers on some pickleball drills for the beginner and novice group of folks that Tom is coaching.

Sunday morning, I found the dogs once again on the couch. I am glad that I purchased the sofa cover several months ago!

A little later in the morning, Tom and I watched some deer passing by our house.

On Facebook, one of our neighbors captured a beautiful photo at Cataract Lake!

On the final day of January, I had a pedicure and nail fill with Tori at Lush Beatty Bar. Yes!

I also kept an appointment with Vitalant to donate blood. The blood drive was at the Williams High School. I try to donate blood this every 10-12 weeks.

 

Tuesday morning, Tom and Jon went to Flagstaff. Tom had an appointment with Dr. Pico's nurse. Tom has been looking to trade in a gun for another revolver. He and Jon found the right one at Ruff's Sporting Goods. It is the kind of gun that you would see James Bond carry.

Tuesday afternoon, I had a 3:00 p.m. appointment at the Williams Veterinary Wellness Clinic for Kelsey and Jamie's anal glands.

Every day, I walk in the neighborhood. With all the homes being built, I have not been able to make a walking loop by the KC Hilites building. But, I found a fence section that was in disrepair and I stepped over the barbed wire. It was on this walk that I noticed the new sign. Very nice!

On Friday, I had an appointment in Flagstaff at Northland Eye Care. It was for my annual eye exam with Dr. Thomas. I also needed to order a new pair of glasses.

On Saturday afternoon, the dogs and I wanted to walk in the national forest. So, Tom drove us to Holden Lake and we walked home. I was concerned that it might be a muddy walk, but we found ways around the melted snow patches.

Sunday, our friends Priscilla and Roger Lasch came for a visit. In 2006, we all worked together at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Priscilla and Roger live about 1 1/2 hours from us in Dewey, Arizona. Unfortunately, a malignant tumor was recently found in Roger's left lung. It is too close to his heart for surgery to be an option and he wants nothing to do with chemotherapy or radiation.

Tom has been very close to Priscilla and Roger over the past sixteen years. Roger brought Tom a shotgun that he has had since 1974 --- and he was not the original owner! Roger showed Tom how to clean the gun.

It was a very nice visit. Tom and I will go to Dewey and see them sometime next month.

There was no pickleball on Monday. So, I took a walk around Elephant Rock Golf Course. I had never walked the perimeter of the north side of the golf course. There were some beautiful views. The course closes for winter --- from November to Mid March.

The Canadian geese enjoy the golf course this time of year too.

Tuesday afternoon, I took Kelsey to her monthly acupuncture treatment at Canyon Pet Hospital in Flagstaff.

Wednesday greeted us with Colleen Hatton. Colleen cleans our house once a month. She is very thorough, she is our friend, and she is a keeper!

Tom and I had an early lunch at Gateway Sandwich Company. Tom had a pastrami sandwich and I enjoyed their egg sandwich named Oh Ah --- after a point on the South Kaibab Trail.

Later in the day, I drove to Kaibab Lake and walked the three miles around the lake. It was a beautiful day and I almost had the park to myself.

The sofa cover I bought for our new couch is reversible. I turned over the red side and applied the cream color. It is a nice change. Jamie is happy with both sides 😁😁😁

On Friday, I played pickleball in the Rodeo Barn and Tom went to the woods near Devil Dog Road. His afternoon pickleball clinic was cancelled due to not enough participants.

Later in the afternoon, I went to Flagstaff for my monthly massage appointment with Emily Johnson.

After pickleball on Saturday, Jon, Tom and I went to Perrin Ranch for some shed (antler) hunting.

Tom and I went up one side of the saddle of two hills. Jon went on another side of the saddle of two other hills. Tom and I were looking for 45 minutes --- very little Elk scat present and no luck. Jon was out for several hours and came by the house to show us his victory!

Jon is a champion shed hunter once again!!!

Saturday January 1 through Saturday January 15: Ushering in the New Year and Enjoying Life in Northern Arizona

Happy New Year!

 New Year's Day morning, we got three more inches of snow. And, the sky was clear and blue!

At about noon, Tom dutifully took the snowblower out of the garage and cleared the driveway.

In the evening, Tom and I enjoyed a bottle of Prosecco.

On Sunday, a group of us played pickleball in the Rodeo Barn.

Donna and David took a New Years road trip to Santa Fe. On the way, they stopped at Monument Valley!

Carrie and Brent went snowshoeing.

On Monday, I had a nail appointment with Tori at Lush Beauty Bar in Williams. Tom had an appointment at Dr. Pico's office in Flagstaff. On his way home, he stopped at Sam's Club. This is what happens when you go shopping on an empty stomach!

Tuesday morning, I played pickleball in the Rodeo Barn. For lunch, I joined the Highland Meadows Ladies for lunch at El Corral on 66 Restaurant.

In the afternoon, I took a walk around the golf course and enjoyed views of Mt. Humphreys.

 

Later in the afternoon, Kelsey and Jamie had 4:00 p.m. appointments with the new veterinarian, Dr. Patrick Ryan.

Dr. Ryan bought the Williams Veterinary practice from Dr. Jacoby. The office was a bit unorganized as this was their second day of operation.

Wednesday, I made an appointment with Jennipher Nichols to have Jamie's toe nails clipped. She came to our home and trimmed Jamie's nails in our living room area. Thanks, Jen!

On an afternoon walk with the dogs, I saw Jeremy, the handyman, stopped on the side of the road in his truck. Jeremy has been doing work for our neighbor Gus. I asked him if he might be able to took at our florescent light fixture. He said that he had time. The ceiling in the laundry room is quite high. But, Jeremy was able to reach the fixture. We handed him new lights and it seemed to fix the matter.

Our Master Bathroom toilet was making a noise that seemed like the flushing system was not sealing properly. Tom investigated the issue --- the toilet is 20 years old --- and the inside mechanisms were rotted out. Tom found a replacement part on the internet, but the toilet will be out of commission until the part is received.

This must be our week for repairs. Tom's sink was leaking at the base of the facet. This has happened twice before. Fortunately, Amazon has a replacement part that arrived fairly quickly. Tom succeeded in fixing the facet. I'm impressed!

Friday, I had a morning massage appointment in Flagstaff with Emily Johnson. She added a hot stones treatment --- probably one of the best massages in my life! 😊😊😊 In the evening, Tom and I went to Gus Beatty's home for Game Night with Jon and pickleball friends Gary Nansen and Jan and Joe Chumley. We played Mexican Train Dominoes.

Saturday morning, we went to the Rodeo Barn to play pickleball and found a huge trailer parked over one of our courts. Thanks, City of Williams. 😑😑😑

My friend Annie Evans lost her husband, Brian, four months ago.  I was contacted by pickleball friend Sue Hadley. Sue asked that I check on Annie. She has been in a bad state and has been drinking heavily. I called Annie and tried to set-up a meeting. She was not receptive. Later, I received a call from Annie's oldest sister. Jeanne Jeffery. I met Jeanne at Brian's memorial service. She clarified that Annie's drinking problem has been long-term and chronic. So sad. Here is a photo of Annie and Brian on their wedding day.

Jon is staying with with us for several nights. He was working on his Jeep Rubicon again. Both Jon and Tom enjoy bourbon. Whenever Jon visits, he brings a variety of bourbon to enjoy.

Jon also brought several board games. That afternoon, Gus Beatty came over and we played a board game called Catan. We also played the Euchre card game.

Sunday morning, Jon made chorizo sausage and eggs for breakfast. Yum!

Tom bought a new work bench and some equipment to better organize the garage. During the day, Tom and Jon assembled the units.

Monday morning, five of us played pickleball in the Rodeo Barn. The trailer was still blocking our better court, so we played on the other court that has a ceiling beam.  It still was good play.

In the early afternoon, I had to take Kelsey to Flagstaff for her Canyon Pet Hospital acupuncture appointment. Mt. Humphreys was very picturesque!

Kelsey's appointment was with Dr. Miller. She and her husband own Canyon Pet Hospital. So, Kelsey was in good hands!

There was a very nice sunrise Tuesday morning.

In the afternoon, I returned from a neighborhood walk and was greeted by Kelsey and Jamie.

Wednesday morning, Tom and I had breakfast at Pine Country Restaurant.

The weather has been wonderful, so we decided to play pickleball on the outdoor racquet courts. So, five of us met for some good play at 11:00 a.m.

Thursday brought another magnificent sunrise!

Later in the morning, we played pickleball once more on the outdoor courts.

On Friday, we had two full courts of pickleball players. How nice the January weather has been!

Saturday was a nice day to enjoy the spa.

Donald J. Trump held a rally here in Arizona --- in the town of Florence. I didn't go, but I listened to bits and pieces of it.