Slow Going

Back To Arizona

Blue skies with stark white clouds lacing across horizon. It's a beautiful sight and comforting to know that Arizona is a short plane ride home.

Mike picked me up from the airport and we went out for lunch.

There was an accident across from the restaurant when we left. I was reminded of Kate's words, "We're all one mis-step, one accident, one medical error away from being diabled." She had said that to some able-bodied person who was complaining about the inconvenience of waiting for someone in a wheelchair.

And, I got to spend time with this little darling when I got back out to San Tan Valley. She was eating berries and keeping an eye on Grandma. :)

Reserved Seating

Maybe it's something I'm more aware of because of where I've ben for th past week. I couldn't help but notice the sign across the way and wonder just how many of those people are disabled.

There's a closer look at the sign...

On The Road Again

Cheryl Leitner backs up onto the shuttle lift.

Scott Winkler came over to give Zena a "lift" when he took over the controls.

All aboard and on the road heading for the airport.

Olympic Training Center

Zena likes this photograph. I like it, too. There's many reasons for me to like it:

1. I was there! It was awesome to be there at the Olympic Training Center with Zena.
2. The weather was beautiful.
3. Zena has the "club" in her lap. I finally get to see and hold it, figure out what it is.
4. Zena is using a blanket that my dear friend, Rosemary Hunt made. I had gone to Rosemary and told her I wanted a special blanket for my sister. This is the blanket she made.
5. There was an amazing smile on Zena's face. Not for any reason, just a smile. 

I made do with the fruits and veggies; they were great. Zena didn't eat much while we were there! :)

And, there's her technique for launching that club. Push it girl, gotta get more distance on that thing. You're looking so amazingly good though!

Some of the other competitors on the team. They're awesome, too. TeamUSA!

Again, just enjoying being there.

Near Miss

Today is the day! Off to the airport to catch a flight to San Diego and meet up with Zena for eight days at the Olympic Training Center! woohoo! I am so amazingly excited to be making this trip (thanks Mike) and spending this time with Zena. So excited in fact that I left my phone laying in Kelly's vehicle when she dropped me at the airport. =(

I was frantically looking for a phone to call and let Kelly know I'd left my phone, and beg her to turn and come back so I could get it from her. Then it dawned on me, with cell phones also came the lack of instilling phone numbers into the non-electronic memory. Numbers go into the cell phone memory and then are forgotten about because they're called up so easily from the contacts list!~ Ack, whose number do I know from memory? Mine, I know my number. So I dial it using the courtesy phone the airlines clerk directed me to.
After a couple rings someone answered the phone, only it wasn't Kelly. hmmm Making a long story short, Kelly had realized my phone was in her vehicle and had dropped it at the curbside check-in where she had dropped me off. The valet there remembered the two of us and said he would come find me. He had answered the phone when I called and was now standing in front of the kiosk counter waving his arms around so I could see him to get my phone. What a guy! I gave him a tip. :)

I got this bright green purse specifically for this trip. Not sure why but it makes me smile. :)

As I was about to board the plane for San Diego I realized the keys for the car were still in my purse. Oh boy, had to get a note off to Quentin. I mailed the keys to him after arrival in San Diego.

The young lady above is Kristin. I met her at baggage claim while waiting for Zena. When I saw her in a chair, towing along a racing chair, I just had a hunch she was part of TeamUSA and heading for the training camp. Sure enough, my hunch was right. I helped her get her chair to the shuttle area. :)

The young lady below is Robyn. I met her at baggage claim too after I'd gone back inside the terminal. She's the one who let me know Zena's chair was broken down and she was stuck at the gate. :(  I offered to help Robyn get her gear over to the shuttle while waiting on Zena. Robyn laughed at me, right about the time I reached down to pick up her small bag on the floor. Sheesh! It was loaded with shot put balls! That puppy was heavy and didn't budge when I grabbed the handles!!! Yep, she laughed. Within minutes of meeting me she laughed at me. It was funny though, even I have to admit that. I took the throwing chair, Robyn took the bag. :)

Dang! Maybe it's time I cut back on the Pepsi.~not~ But maybe I should.

Alright! There she is, she's escaped Gate 11 afterall. :)

And she's all smiles as she loads up onto the shuttle which will take us to the Olympic Training Center. :) How exciting!

Oh yeah, the near miss...while preparing to take-off from Phoenix, our plane was on a runway and preparing to depart. Suddenly, the plane accellerated and made a quick left turn and then flipped a U back to where we had been. Apparently, another plane was coming in for a landing on the same runway we were trying to use for a departure. Not good. A fellow sitting two seats over commented, "That was their one mistake they were allowed today." Everyone around agreed, no more errors.

The Valley

Mike and I drove to the valley so we could visit the boys and their families for the holidays. John and Kelly will be in Utah for Christmas and Mike has to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so we decided to go down a couple days early and just have a brief visit.

We had planned to get to the valley a bit earlier than our actual arrival time...Kelly had invited us for dinner. Fortunately she had plenty of leftovers to feed us when we actually arrived. Kelly is such a good cook! Mike really liked the pot roast she had prepared and he told her it was one of the best he's ever had. It really was good.

Quentin and Philip were at John's when we arrived. They had been there for dinner, too. Baylee and TJei gave one another enthusiastic Cuz Hugz and then dashed off to the bedroom to play.

We stayed there at John and Kelly's place during our visit to the valley. It was fun being there again and they went the extra mile to make us at home in their home.

Communications

John and Kelly returned from Florida late last night.

I had been talking on the phone with Kelly and she handed the phone to John so he could tell me about a parking ticket incident at the airport last night. When all was said and done, I'd mentioned to John that he was lucky and told him about a recent incident of a driver in Utah being tasered by an officer when he became argumentative over a minor infraction.

John said, "I should have known" and hung up the phone.

Late Nights

Mike and I used to leave out from the valley very late at night and seemed to do quite well with the drive and being able to function the next day. Somewhere along the way things have changed. We left out from the valley just about dusk and arrived home dead tired at 10:00pm and we're still dragging today after a good night's rest. :-(

Visiting Grandpa

When they were little, the kids used to love visiting in Cottonwood and spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma has been gone for a long time and Grandpa has been alone most of this time. The valley is so green and pretty most of the year. The house looks out over a gorgeous pasture where cows graze lazily on long summer days. Boarded horses stride through the pasture and small orchard at the side and back of the house. The tall cottonwood trees shelter a path to the river bordering along the edge of the property. It is a quiet place - until people visit, then it comes to life. Grandpa enjoys having visitors. He isn't feeling well enough to travel much these days. It's been so long since any of the kids have gone to visit. John and Kelly and Jacob and Maria were there to celebrate Grandpa's 80th birthday with other family members. That was more than a year ago, in August. I don't believe any of them have visited since then.

I don't think Quentin has gone up to Cottonwood since returning from his mission in February. It's been a long, long time since Jodie has visited. Jodie's little TJei has visited a couple times - we have taken her and Great-Grandpa has had wonderful visits with her. She especially likes riding Great-Grandpa's quad with her Grandpa. Great-Grandpa enjoys watching her play on the hammock suspended between the trees in his front yard. He says that hammock has been a pretty good investment. All the little kids have enjoyed playing on that thing. He's enjoyed her visits and has gotten a proud little twinkle in his eyes when she cries, "I want to stay with Great-Grandpa!" when it's time to leave.

He hasn't met little Baylee born in August nor little Mia born just this past October. I'm sure he'd enjoy visits with them. It would sure be nice if the kids could go up and visit, spend some time with him. I know he would enjoy the visit and learning about the events of their lives these days.

Happy Anniversary

Today is Jacob and Maria's first anniversary. They are so sweet together and I am so very happy that Jacob and Maria found one another and are building a life together.

Jacob stopped by for a brief visit earlier ... I actually suspect he wanted to visit his Dad's new vehicle since he eagerly drove out to the plant to trade vehicles and bring the new one back into town. He and Maria will be celebrating their anniversary next week, after Thanksgiving, when they take a cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico.

Jacob and Maria are in town celebrating the marriage (reception) of their good friend, Carrie Bond who is also from SJ.

I am so grateful to have Maria in our family. She is a sweet, sweet young lady and she works hard to support Jacob in his educational pursuits. They are a great team! I love them both.