Hello 2015

2014

2014 Has been a very different year for me. Learning to live as a single has been the biggest change. I know lots of people do this, however this was not my choice. Learning how much stronger not as much physically but more mentally that I am and especially knowing your true friends. Lot of emotions over the year. Not only in my home life but also my work life. I have worked all of my life beginning at high school graduation. I feel I have always been a very dedicated employee. The last twenty years I have worked with Banner Health System. They are a great organization with a lot of growing pains and changes. The changes, especially in the electronic world can be very overwhelming. So, the BIG news for the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 is that I, Donna Fischer, am actually going to retire! I know, it is a bit unbelievable for me too. Ron would be proud of me and I hear his encouragement all the time. Yep, a little scary too. Another change, Jennifer and her family have moved to Chicago (NW side of). I miss them more than words can say. It is good for them and I am happy for them. AND, of course, vacation location in the HOT summer!!! I am pleased that Matt and his family are here with me and I will be able to visit with them more. They might get tired of seeing me! :) I don't feel old and when I address myself as an ole lady and I always say not OLD but OLE! So, 2015 is coming in strong with a lot more changes happening in my life. I am looking at possibly selling the home. It will be very difficult leaving this place. Ron and I both worked very hard on it and every time I sit on the patio and look over everything I...well you know. However, there is lots to be done before that can happen so I will be busy. I am going to enjoy visits from family in the Spring and am really looking forward to that. I won't be as good a tourist guide as Ron was but there is so much to see in Arizona that is so different from Indiana and I think I will be ok. I look forward to spending more time with friends (lots who are also retiring) that I couldn't while working. Maybe a little travel, however, again, Ron was the traveler and driver. Think I might be flying, not driving! I also look forward, at least for a while, to no time frame/limits. Maybe even sleep in sometimes and not worry about being Late! AND, I am really going to blog more. I know I said that last time, however....I should have more time. Well that is it for 2014. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

First Class....Coach

OMG...night and day. Well maybe not that extreme. I have never flown first class and was able to via the miles collected by my son-in-law from all of his travels. My daughter, Jennifer and Jon sent me a first class ticket to visit them in Chicago from Phoenix last weekend...the end of October. OK, first boarding...great! Why yes, I would love a glass of wine. Definitely the beef with the appetizer and nuts and roll and OMG it was wonderful...wait...I am talking about Airline Food here...it was wonderful. (Ron would have been impressed!). Oh, and in glass and china...Oh yeah. I have to admit as I was getting ready to stand in the pre-board line I just felt like "I don't belong here" However...why not...? I was a little disappointed that I sat next to (going and coming) a young (40ish) business man...suite...sit down, connect up and leave me alone type guys. I don't like to chatter a whole flight but come on...hello, I'm so and so. Oh well. It was great...TSA special security...a quick line...pre boarding...food...lots of room...wonderful and I just can't say thank you JJ and Jon enough. Yep...Coach will never be the same again!

This and That

Not the post I started. It was bit of a whine so erased and doing something different. The weather has started cooling off and it is outdoor time. Cleaning out the front of the house where all the tea roses were. Been there too long and needed to be replaced. Took half them out and replanted in the back. Planted two lantana plants which will spread out nicely. Will finish taking out the rest and plant more lantana next weekend. Lot of work and wore me out so doing half at a time. Decided to do more of a flower garden than vegetables for the winter garden. Got my geraniums and plants. Ron and I always had them every year. Might go back and get some more. My spider plants are doing great as well as most of the other flowers. Guess it kind of helps when you water them regularly! HA HA! Love the rain...it has made the grass grow and everything is green. Yep...got to mow more but I keep thinking of it as exercise! Wears me out but that's okay. In fact had to buy a new spade...oh my word...how old was ours? Might have to buy a new wheelbarrel too...might just buy a new tire...so many decisions!!!! Got to get after the big tree in the front yard too. It is really overgrown and I need to cut some large limbs so will have a lot of work in not just cutting them but getting them cut up and either pitched or burned. Well, that's it for now.

AIR

AIR CONDITIONING....definitely a MUST in Arizona especially in July and August. How in the world can your AC be frozen over when it is encased in metal, on the top of your roof with the temperature of 106 and the Sun beating down on it? Is that really possible??? Well it is. So I had to put a new AC/Heat unit on my roof. WOW...it should be made of gold or at least have gold in it somewhere. And the best part is I now have a new thermostat that I can actually utilize. It even has a light that comes on so I can check it at night without turning lights on. I love it. However, the silver lining is that it is replaced, and I should have no problems again for a long time. That is piece of mind if nothing else. AND, of course the cool air when I walk inside from the heat!

HOME

I was so excited to come home and visit everyone.  The grass, trees...everything so green.  Weather great...not too hot, almost cool.  Seeing family and friends, visiting and seeing the old roads, homes, businesses and all of the new.  Walking thru the cemetary, checking out the family graves, remembering dates, going thru lots of memories.
However, I found out something.  This "was" home and Arizona is home now.  I am thankful for the past, that is what got me here today.  I love seeing and being with family, however I am missing Arizona too.  It's a different lifestyle, and color!  So I think I am a bit homesick.
Not really going anywhere with this, just needed to express it.

Let Me Fly

Let Me Fly Donna was what I was hearing as the wind picked up and blew strongly thru the pines.
Ron wanted his ashes spread in the mountains above Strawberry where he camped and picked wild red blackberries.
After looking at the berry patch I decided on the perfect spot where he always camped.  A stump that later I noticed looked just like a chair with young scrub oaks protecting it on all sides.  We had put together a time box to be buried with the ashes.  I pounded into the ground a long pipe to help recognize the location, planted the box and put a rock over it.  And, put his plaque into the ground down low.  Although later I thought he might enjoy the bullet holes that probably would happen in years to come if it had been high in the air. :)
All the prep had been done and I kept hearing as the wind rose Let Me Fly and I did.  Of course ashes fell to the ground but many flew thru the air, covering where he had camped, where he had hiked and picked berries.  He was and is at peace.
I got the coordinates so that in the future we all have a place to go and visit, although he is not really at one place....he is flying.

Welcome Sectional

Finally it has arrived. I LOVE the sectional and it was definitely worth the wait. Bought it on March 28th...was to be delivered April 11...then April 18...then April 22, 23 and finally 24th...yesterday! The funny story behind all of this is that Jennifer and I were walking thru MOR Furniture and Jennifer said how about this one? I LOVED it. I sat on it and looked it over and Jennifer says..."Mom, this is your couch." I said "Yep, I think this is the one." Jennifer says..."No Mom, I mean this is just like your current ones only it has the center corner that makes them into a sectional and a different color." She was right...the two ends are just the same as what I had. I am so "Vanilla"!!!! Anyway, I sold our couches before the 11th and we have been sitting in/on recliners and the floor till last night. I was at a point of having to clean or recover the current couches. And I really believe that if I cleaned them I would have to recover anyway. So, hopefully this will be the last furniture I will have to buy. The color is a rich stripped brown and changes the whole look of the living room. Going to have to do some table changes and probably will lose a recliner. However, another change in my new life. I promise photos will be coming.

TAXES ARE DONE!!!!!

Yeah, the taxes are done. I knew this was somehting that I just could not do by myself, especially for last year. I was so worried that I would have to pay a lot. I was fortunate to have a dear friend who has a wonderful CPA and was able to get with her and she did a great job of putting everything together. Getting back a little bit from State and paying very little to Federal. Not saying I could do them myself next year, but it will (should) be a lot easier. Another square checked off my list! :)

Good Weekend in the Garden

I have pictures to show all the work.  Moto Moto, Joe'sTortise, is not happy about his home being fenced off.  He has figured out how to get over the edging stones so had to put up fencing with lots of stakes to hold it down and him out.

So, we now have lots of peas, sunflowers, flowers, tomatoes, lettuce, green beans, replacing the broccoli HE ate, and corn should go in next weekend.

Jennifer is so knowlegable about everything gardening and is teaching me lots.

I have never done strawberries and these are doing great.

Spider plant always start out great but just die out.  I have two hanging and they too are doing great.

And here are the latest garden photos.....all they need is time and lots of water.

  

And of course we have lots of seedings growing as well.  I love sitting on the swing on the back porch just looking at all the growth.

Exhausted and happy...definitely need a shower!

Next weekend...got to trim and mow the yard.

BEEN BUSY AND MORE TO DO

I guess a lot of water really helps everything grow...go figure!!!  I think our lillies are going to bloom big time this year and the red velvet snap dragons are beautiful.

Lillies and Red Velvet Snap Dragons

Jennifer came up with a great idea utilizing concrete blocks.  As you can see, the herb garden is doing great.

Just bought a new lawn mower...self propelled.  I was all ready to put it together and when I opened the huge box it was together.  All I had to do was put the handle on.

Next project...changing the tube in my bicycle's front tire.  I know....how hard could it be?  However I did goggle it and watched a how to and plan to do this next.

It is the 1st day of March and we are actually getting rain, lots of rain.  Doors are opened and listening to it.  Day started out as very gloomy with no rain, just sprinkles.  Kind of a downer.  Now, listening to rain, no more gloom.

AND, it's NOT snow and ice! :):):):)

I THINK I MIGHT BE OVER IT?

Going on 5 days...in and out.  Just like the system is supposed to work but definitely not as fast.  I guess I have what a lot of others have and are getting and hope not to have again this season whatever it is!!!

Usually when you are in bed for a few days your back hurts and you are just tired of laying.  But, this time it just did not matter. 

For those that know me well you know that of course I went into work on Monday to do the time cards and be sure everything was working.  However, you know I am ill when I did not stay.  Back home and back to bed.  Oh, and of course a "short" trip to the doctor as a walk in.  Hummmm, let's see, wait in the ER or the doctor's office for hours???  I opped for the doctor's office...5 hours later!  And, go home and sleep.  Best to just not say anything else about the medical world today!

I am feeling better and feel like I am definitely going to live and I actually went home yesterday and did not go directly to bed.  Things might just start getting back to normal!

So, for all of you out there with this "stuff"...hang in there.....

A Fun and Busy Weekend

I love it when at the end of a weekend you feel you have accomplished so much...maybe even feel a bit like you have to go back to work to rest!  I know I drive some crazy but just have to get out and be busy especially with outside projects.  Love a little garage selling too.

We're getting ready for a garage sale next weekend so had lots of stuff to gather (still gathering) and will need to clean and dust things off and put on tables and be ready to go early on Saturday.

Had a wonderful dinner and hot tub dip with friends Saturday night.  Definitely enjoyed the dip...good for the joints, muscles... and of course good conversation...well everything was good!

I started the weekend out with babysitting my little guys and staying over and waking up with them Saturday morning.  They were so much fun and enjoyed just visiting first thing in the morning. Ron and I and the kids used to all end of on our king size bed just laughing and talking the same way.  And, I didn't have to make breakfast! :)

Well, more to come...just had to talk about a great weekend!

I Rode a Segway!

Today I took riding a segway off my bucket list. And, hopefully, will do more of it later. I was so apprehensive watching everyone getting trained and riding off like little birds leaving their nest.

It was my turn and I have to say the guide was an excellent teacher. I was up on it and riding off, another bird out of the nest. It was amazing how you, it stays upright. It goes where you want it to go with very little effort. Before long I was out there with the other seven flying along, taking the curves and having a ball. I went to the tour at Desert Ridge instead of Tempe Lake because they go thru the desert, not just thru the walkways in the neighborhoods. And I enjoyed that.

Jennifer and Jon and the kids got me a Groupon at a very reasonable cost for Christmas. Jennifer went with me and took some photos. Hopefully I can upload/download them so you can see how much I enjoyed it. I highly recommend doing this to everyone.

Hi Hi Hi Hi!

Devin, my sweet instructor was great!

"Am I really doing this?"

"Sure"

"Okay, I CAN do this!"

And I'm off...

"THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!"

Part of the trail out in the desert...with hands

Look, Ron...no hands!

January 12, 2014

The Gate

I decided there needs to be a gate between the patio/back yard and my attached garage. Especially with Jarvis' ability to walk out when I put my car in the garage and the door is up. So, Sunday I decided to put up a gate. We did have one there at one time but moved it to the garden opening.

We went to Home Depot first, lots of helpers but didn't have what I was looking for. Next we went to Lowe's. Had a problem getting some assistance but found exactly what I wanted. I bought a decorative metal Window Guard, hinges and a 2/2/8 piece of lumber.

 Ron would be so proud of me. I measured (over and over), cut the wood, drilled holes and attached the wood to the metal. Put the hinges on and hung the gate. I have to get the latch completed but I could not believe I did it myself. I now know why you have two drills to use at the same time....one for the drilling and one for the screwing. So helpful.

 I usually have very little patience with things and tend to rush through and mess up a bit. But not with the gate. I knew exactly how I wanted it, did not cut corners and did it. I know....no photos, they are coming, I promise.

Another project completed!!!!

Blog Design

So, as you can tell, I am having a bit of a problem with paragraphs, etc. on this blogging. It has been a year and I am not yet back in the saddle (so to say) on the works of everything. I also have a problem with spelling sometimes being corrected. So, hang in there with me and before long I will have a very pretty and design correct blog.

The Garden

We have a great garden. It is about a 10 x 10 space with a foundation and block walls about 2 feet tall. It is also the home for Moto Moto, Joe's 5 year old tortoise. He was a bit shocked when he came out from behind his shrimp plant (that he calls home) and nothing, well not much, was left. It still has a couple of pepper plants and tomato plants that needed to be cut back (back and down). Jen and I worked on it pretty much all day yesterday. Cleaning out the stuff, starting two plats of seeds. A herb garden created and planted. The big horse tank that Matt (in his single days) used upside down as a coffee table was put on blocks (Moto Moto can walk and hide out underneath) and filled with soil and planted. Also three other long planters planted as well. Cut back the lantana and cleaned up the area. Jennifer is going to take some photos and I'll add them later and then maybe we can kind of keep track of the growth. I have always wanted a garden that was organized, planted in rolls and with a plan in mind and with Jennifer's help and her expertise in gardening, I think I will have it. So now we wait and see what and how it grows!! So excited!!!

Goodbye 2013....Hello 2014

2014...A new year and for me a new life. I know, I did not post anything last year. You could say last year did not lend time for blogging. So my first blog of 2014 is about 2013. I lost Ron on November the 11th to Bladder Cancer. 2013 was a rough year in so many ways. However, our cancer journey began in September of 2012 and I feel we were given another year to be together. I have so many friends and neighbors to thank for helping us thru 2013. You know the saying that if you can't say anything good about someone you shouldn't say anything? Well, I will not discuss the medical world and their part in our journey. It would not be a happy part of this blog. Our family was together and Ron was home when he died and that was an important ending to our journey. We were very fortunate to meet up with again Ron's cousins, Paul and Joe Catt. They were adopted by Ron's Aunt Francis and Uncle Al and grew up with Ron. Life happened and they had not seen each other for almost 40 years. Ron was so happy to get back together and it was so nice meeting Paul's wife Sharon. She was beautiful and so nice. However, she and Paul also had a cancer journey and Sharon lost her battle I believe in late August. Paul was lost and I know exactly how he felt. Even though you are prepared, you are not prepared. Paul and I talk a lot and are helping each other with the holes left in our hearts. Ron was so happy to be able to travel to Indiana the first of October of 2013 to attend his 50th class reunion. He was in so much pain but it was the best trip of his life I think. It was so good seeing everyone. Paul was there as well because they were in the same class. We also got to visit with our Indiana families, not really knowing that that would be the last time Ron would see them or visit Indiana. Who would have guessed that in a little over a month he would be gone. And you know, that is kind of how it feels, that he is just gone for a bit, just not here now...and then it sets in and you just move on with the day. I have my moments, however I am finding that Ron was right, I am much stronger than I thought I was. Before November Ron and I went over everything. I worked and Ron took care of literally everything so there was a lot to discuss. I wrote it all down and am using that template as my plan of attack. I am checking things off the list little by little and I am doing it. I did lock myself out of our bank account and had to have help getting back in and I must say the gals at the bank were wonderful so all is working okay now. I have talked to it seems like a million people. I still have a lot to check out and I must say that the Taxes is what scares the hell out of me. However, I will get through it all...just time... Oh, and in 2013, Matt, Kelley, Brandon and Brody are doing ok. Jen and family are back in AZ from the UK...and life goes on.... I know this is long but I do want to put Ron's obituary in this blog. And, the next blog I promise is going to be about my new life. Ronald Ray Fischer, outdoorsman, lover of food, accomplished traveler, and the best Grandpa EVER, lost his battle with bladder cancer Monday, November 11, 2013. He was loved and admired, and will certainly be missed by his family and numerous friends. Ron was born in Vincennes, Indiana to Loren and Chrystal Fischer (both deceased) on December 12, 1945. Ron is survived by his wife of 46 years, Donna (Urban), daughter Jennifer Hooge (Jon), and son Matthew (Kelley) and four wonderful grandchildren, Joseph, Jocelyn, Brandon and Brody. He leaves a sister Brenda Garver of Lebanon, Indiana and a brother Robert of Missouri. Ron grew up in Vincennes (with a few years spent in Phoenix, Arizona) and moved to Lebanon, Indiana after graduating from Vincennes Lincoln High School. He attended Lincoln Tech and worked in Thorntown and Indianapolis and then owned and operated Fischer's Texaco located at the first northbound Lebanon exit. Lots of stories and memories came out of that station. Ron moved his family to Mesa, Arizona in the spring of 1979. He loved the outdoors and camped and hunted for many years. He would often share stories of his hunting trips...mountain lions eating the deer and javelinas charging him from the back of a limestone cave. There are few roads that he had not traveled throughout Arizona, rarely having to use a map and certainly not a GPS. He loved seeing new places and always wanted to drive there so as not to miss anything in between. Yes, he would have driven 100 miles out of the way to see that big ball of string. Ron reveled in his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a kindred spirit in his love of nature with Joseph, enjoyed receiving squeezers from his little princess Jocelyn, he loved to cook pizza and eggs with Brandon, and would snuggle with Brody, rubbing his little feet while reading a book. Ron will be so very missed by his family and many friends he has made over the years. He based his life upon the golden rule..."Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Well, that's it..goodbye 2013 and hello 2014!!!