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!!!

CONGRATULATIONS

Having read my blogs in the past and if you are a FB friend you know how I feel about being a grandma and grandchildren.....they are absolutely the BEST!

I miss our two little ones (Joe and Joci) in the UK and love, love, love seeing and talking to them on skype. I do not know what I would do if I could not do that. They are changing so much and growing up so fast. And...what an adventure they are having so young in their life. I am so fortunate to have been close to and involved with them while here in the States...being a part of them. I love seeing their eyes when they first see you and know the love.

Brandon too is changing so fast. He got a rough/late start and is busy catching up and doing it quickly. He is such a joy and so loving. He is not stingy with his hugs and kisses either. His smile and his love is priceless and he has me all wrapped up.

Now, welcome to Brody, 10-17-11. How it all comes back when you hold them up against you. The smell, the soft skin and hair. The little noises and movements. The feeling that is just not expressable (is that a word?). Your heart is making adjustments, folding him in with Joe, Joci, and Brandon. He is now part of our group. And I can't wait for him to give those hugs and kisses.

I'm telling you....Grandkids are the BEST!!!!

SUCCESSFUL RETREAT

First of all, just to let everyone know I am having a bit of trouble making corrections to past posts. So I apologize for all the words that are not spelled correctly.

NOW, on to the retreat. New location, a bit small for the staff and events but it worked. Participants were in cabins and were able to bond with their room mates and each other. The food was absolutely GREAT. You would have thought we were in a 5 star restaurant and very healthy too.

The staff always work together to provide a wonderful experience, and this year was no exception to that. The give-a-ways provided by so many individuals, clubs and organizations were so appreciated.

Each year I attend I am amazed by the attitudes of these ladies that have had a major event change their life. They didn't ask for it, they didn't deserve it, it just happened. And, you don't have a lot of choices, but these ladies have fought back and created a new life with it. You know what it is...that big elephant in the room...Cancer. I've been there, am there, and you have to chose life and fight back.

All ages, all stages, all walks of life...a wonderful retreat for 14 wonderful ladies.

The First - Second CFR Retreat for Arizona

That does sound a bit confusing. However this is a big event for Arizona's Casting for Recovery. For those that don't know, CFR is a national non-profit Breast Cancer Survivor Recovery/Health/Wellness program providing no-cost weekend retreats to 14 women who are BC survivors. We have had as many as 81 women apply for these 14 positions and this year we were approved to provide two retreats which will give 28 women the opportunity to attend a retreat.

There are many changes for this first; new location (The Whispering Pines Resort in Pinetop, AZ), new staff in training, and new fishing area/location on Sunday.

It all begins Thursday the 13th with staff arriving and setting everything up and getting ready for our ladies to arrive Friday afternoon. And, of course it all ends on Sunday after the ladies have fished, enjoyed a wonderful luncheon put on by the White Mountain Fly Fishing Club members and head back to their homes.

I will report more after the retreat...can't wait to see and hear the expressions of joy from these ladies and the staff.