Getting Ready

Getting Ready

Well, yesterday I spent most of the afternoon adding some security to our outbuildings. I put some padlocks on buildings that are usually left unlocked and tried to secure the windows also. I still think that locks only keep out honest people; but the insurance company doesn't seem to agree with this. We live in a fairly crime free area; although it is on the rise here also. Last weekend a home just across from my mother-in-law (in town) was broken into while the owners slept. Nothing was stolen; but I am sure that it has made them very uncomfortable and uneasy. Several weeks ago, a garbage man was held up with a knife against his throat, thankfully he was not injured. This, in a small, rural town of approx. 1400 population. It makes you wonder what is happening in our world.

We are again a 2 dog household, my daughter-in-law picked up her dog yesterday. Her children were really missing him, and now our small dog is missing his buddy. I sent all the food,treats back with her that I had purchased for our little fellows stay with them come September. I had also gotten alot of our information ready for her, just in case she needs it while we are gone, so sent this home with her also. So a couple more things done for our trip. Now just to buy the food,etc. that our large dog will need for her stay with the other daughter-in-law. Purchasing 6 months food, etc. for 2 dogs in advance is a heavy task, I should have done this in the winter when the extra weight in the car would have done some good on our icy roads !! Certainly got some strange looks from the cashier at the store, I am sure she thought I was running a kennel !

Here is the link to another blog about Mexico, that I found from, yet another blog that I read often. This couple intends to move to Durango, Durango, Mexico in February of 2006. http://mexico.xeric.net/

Well, time to get going on this day. Hasta Luego

Google The World

Google The World

Well it's a little cooler this morning. It was hot yesterday, still sitting at 32 celcuis (about 89 F.) at 7 P.M. last night. Then about 9 P.M. the clouds and wind rolled in, with lots of thunder and lightning to go with it. The dogs of course were not impressed with the thunder. This morning they are tired and I'm sure think we are crazy for having to get up at 5 a.m.. As you can see, they look fairly relaxed!

We got just enough rain to stop me from mowing the lawns today, it is beginning to look very unkept around here. We keep getting just enough rain to keep the grass too wet to mow. Yesterday in the heat (when the grass would have been dry enough to mow) I had to pick the raspberries, two hours in the heat, stepping on dogs that kept laying in the shade right in front of my feet, such fun.

Went into town right away in the morning and had a short visit with some of the visiting relatives. They headed out to the city to return the rental car to the airport, and then were continuing on to Idaho with her father for a more extended visit with him, then on to California for more visiting, before returning to Hawaii on the 16th of August. I'm sure by then they will be very tired and glad to be home. Thank you, Sherry for the Macadamia Nuts and chocolates, well my taste buds thank you even if my hips do not! Hope you have a good holiday and trip home.

Last evening we decided to drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Nogales, Arizona. No, not really; but even so in a fascinating way. A couple of months? ago, I learned about a new Google tool. It is called Google Earth and is a free download; although it says that you need a high speed connection, it does work on our dial up service, just much slower coming in. Here is the link if you are interested. http://earth.google.com/ It will show you anything you want to see, including where all the Walmarts, etc. are on your route! Some areas come in closer than others, with it I can see my mother-in-laws home and even her car parked in her driveway; but in the town in Saskatchewan where my mother lives, it won't bring in the houses. It is not in "real time"; but the pictures have been done within the last few years. The ones of our home have been done in the last year, I can tell by different yard improvements.

Anyway,we got out a regular map and chose a route--trying to stay off of the major highways. We prefer to take smaller roads, as they are often more scenic and you can take your time and look around without being stampeded off the road. We then followed this route on Google and are very excited by the terrain that showed up there. One area in particular, winds through a mountainous park with wonderful looking scenery and names. Jesse James Canyon, many springs, very green looking with deep gorges. We decided to travel through towns/cities such as Truth or Consequences, Silver City, and Tombstone to name a few. After we leave Albuquerque, New Mexico we have no time lines so are free to take as long as we want to sightsee, traveling as fast or slow as we wish. What a luxery that will be!! No clock to rush us for 6 months, you cannot believe how lucky we feel to be able to do this. Of course, doing this last evening has only made us want to GET GOING!!! 54 days and counting.

So today it is back to mundane, laundry, house, yard, etc., oh well, soooooon!!!