February 22 - Raining in Phoenix

It rained all day on our first day in Phoenix - so much for the famous Arizona sunshine! It wasn't cold and it wasn't snow, so we didn't mind too much. This queen palm was growing just outside the door of our motel - I love queen palms.

We didn't do much today - rented a car and went out with a realtor at 5:00 and drove around a lot. It's interesting how the city is laid out in 1 mile grids - makes it not so difficult to get around. Our motel is actually in Peoria, which used to be a separate city but is now part of Phoenix.

February 21 - Arrival in Arizona

After two tiring flights, stopping at Denver along the way, Sara, Eloise and I arrived in Phoenix. We were tired and it was late so we got the first ground transportation we saw when we left the airport. It just turned out to be a gorgeous stretch limousine - after 59 years I finally got to ride in a limousine. Sara, of course, has had many such rides...courtesy of Quincey's sense of romance. Eloise, at nearly 3 months old, won't remember her first limousine ride. It was nice to finally get here and relax. Elly was a very good traveller.

February 20 - Missed a Day

I forgot to post last night...and I don't have a new picture for today. I've been really busy trying to get organized for this weekend trip to Phoenix. I'm taking my laptop and camera with me so hopefully I'll take a picture or two down there and put them in a post. In the meantime, I'll find another oldie goldie for today.

Here's a picture that has become a family classic...taken in 1968 with an Instamatic camera. Lloyd is 19 and I'm 20 in this picture. I don't know why my hair is parted in the middle there. I used to wear it parted on the side - still do.

February 18 - The Young Oiler Fan

It was a beautiful day for Family Day today - well above zero temperatures, bright blue sky, lots of snow left to play in... I went with Sara and Quincey and their kids to the kids' favorite restaurant for lunch. Max wore his Edmonton Oilers' jersey and looked so cute. Too bad the green onion cake he's so fond of is partially obscuring the Oilers logo. His dad, who plays goalie on three adult hockey leagues, has fond hopes of Max one day playing with the Oilers.

Only three of our 15 grandchildren don't have blue eyes. Max is one of them.

February 17 - Papa's Girls

I hope I haven't already posted this one. The only picture taken today was my passport picture and you know how bad those always turn out I considered posting it anyway but just couldn't bring myself to humiliate myself that way.

So here's a picture taken last month of two of our granddaughters, Kenzie and Brooklyn, playing with their Papa. It's a mutual admiration society.

February 16 - Crop Day and Night

I went to a crop at Scrap-A-Lot at 10:30 this morning and left at 11:30 tonight. It was great fun and I finished some of the best layouts I've done. The two in black and white were done using materials I got from a new kit-of-the-month club that I joined, Twelve Fridays, and it's the best kit I've ever had. I love the layouts of Layla and Charlie and Brooklyn and got loads of raves about them today... makes me feel good about what I do.

The two page layout of Mary and Layla at Taylor Head, NS is part of an ongoing attempt to finish scrapping last year's holiday It was done using a kit prepared by the the Scrap-A-Lot people. I'm very pleased with how it turned out too.

I missed my dear friend, Micky, who I usually crop with but she couldn't get back from Ontario in time for the crop. Luckily, Emily was able to come scrap with me, and we shared our space with two very nice scrappers who we enjoyed getting to know. It's a great hobby.

February 15 - Sweet Anson

I was able to have some unexpected time with grandson Anson this afternoon. It was a fun time. Anson likes one-on-one time best and we had plenty of that. He lets me play with him and rough house. It's such fun to hear him laugh and respond to me. He can be quite a tease and got a kick out of turning the computer on and off and watching me deliberately over react to him. It was a fun time.

Anson is six years old - my firstborn's firstborn. When he was two he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His parents have devoted themselves to his care and treatment and he's doing well ...a sweet little boy. We love him a lot.