Thursday

Awwww......how cute!  This little cactus has sprouted two HUGE eyes!  It looks like he's peeking over the top of the rocks.  Maybe I've watched too many children's stories??  I think it's adorable.  
(That sound you may hear is Don groaning in the background.)

 

Say hello to John Blount from Blount Construction.  This is the company that installs all the new houses here.............and they do an awesome job by the way.  We asked John for advice on how to close up our homes for the summer.  His advice is definitely to keep the AC turned on.  He held up a piece of flooring and explained that the adhesive under flooring can dry out and then the floor tiles come loose.  The manufacturer states that room temperatures should be no higher than 88 degrees or the product is no longer under warranty.  The same holds true for the adhesive under countertops and even in furniture.  The excessive heat can also cause carpeting to expand so it may need to be continually stretched to avoid ripples.  When asked about moisture by leaving water buckets, he suggested just one or two buckets as the air will circulate when the AC is on.  

 
The storage trailer near the dumpsters has been painted to match the wall color.  Now it just blends in. All the wall painting is now completed in and around the resort.  Whew!  Big job!

 
I noticed that the new tennis courts were all covered with plastic.  We didn't see that when they poured the pickleball courts so sought out Jim Dawson to ask.  He explained that the contractor covered the fresh concrete to avoid any hairline cracks due to rapid drying.  He said our humidity level fell to 7% yesterday so they covered the concrete to keep it from drying too fast.  (YES....it is a DRY heat here!)

 
Today the post tension workers are pulling the cables to increase the strength of the courts.  That small machine has a LOT of power to pull those cables.

 

 

 
Cabling for the other two courts is being installed.  The tennis players should really appreciate the new courts.  It took 22 truckloads of concrete just for the first two courts!  The next two courts will be poured Monday night into Tuesday morning.

 

 
AHA!......another beauty spotted at Site 1717....Ray and Cheri Norsted.

 
More blooms to come!

 

This note for the residents that are still here:  Go to the city website to read about the upcoming July 4 activities.
Casa Grande July 4

That's the news for today.  I must go now and get ready to play.  We're gathering to play computer games and complete a couple beading projects this afternoon.  

Sue -- over and out

Wednesday

Okay, daylight has been upon us for several hours now.  It is 11:00.  Temperature went from 77 to 99.  We had our morning coffee in the cool air, did our housewatch rounds, did a couple emails, AND TOOK A NAP.  That's pretty good for one morning.

Thought I'd send you a couple more photos and videos before I head up to the clubhouse to play bridge for the afternoon.

Here is the MAGIC transformer truck that turns into a long legged spider when the stabilizers are stretched out to hold it in place.  That's quite an amazing piece of equipment!


There is a new village home on the golf course.  I believe it is Site 1948.  Anyone know who owns it?  I don't think it's a spec home way out there.

We saw Wendell at the tennis courts.  He was taking video of the screeds as they smoothed over the concrete.

 

 

These are the post tension rods that will get tightened once the concrete sets.  Will try to be there with camera in hand when they do it.

Outside on Cottonwood, we've planted some pine trees along the new north wall.

Here are the courts BEFORE the pour showing all the cables in place.

 

 

Video here of the big screed in action smoothing the concrete.

Video of pouring the concrete.

Finishing touches.

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I've been hearing from some of our Canadian friends about the severe flooding in Alberta.  Now Manitoba has had a very severe storm with flash floods.  Poor Colorado folks are complaining of no rain to put out their forest fires.  The Mid-West states are recovering from their treacherous tornados.  With all that in mind, I will NOT complain about our heat.  I think someone angered Mother Nature or she just got bored and decided to unleash her fury.  

First 2 tennis courts being poured

Good Morning!  These photos are FRESH off the press as I'm typing at 4:30 a.m. and they're still out there pouring the cement for the tennis courts.  It is a fascinating operation to watch!  This is the same company that did the pickleball courts as I recognize the names on the truck and the same workers.  

The big arm that unfolds from the truck and stretches all the way across the courts just amazes me.  The heavy concrete pours steadily through that long arm as it maneuvers back and forth across the courts.

 
One man helps to manually move the tube to direct the pour.  The man behind him in this photo has a remote control that he uses to stretch the arm, move it back and forth, and I imagine turn it on and off.

 
Here is the machine that follows behind and smooths out the cement with laser controlled accuracy to assure the proper slope and depth every inch along the way.

 

 

 
Part of the crew manually smooths out the edges.  As soon as the cement is set enough, they'll be out there with their machines to smooth it all out.

 
I couldn't get enough light to show you the line of cement trucks back here that keep the pouring truck supplied.  It certainly takes efficient organization to make sure the next truck is here ready and waiting.

 

 

 

Okay....that's enough for now.  I'll finish my coffee and wait for daylight.  Then I'll go out for more photos.  As Arnold would say:  "I'll be back!"

Steve Endsley Update

Look who showed up at my door today!!!  Steve Endsley.  This is the resilient young handyman who broke his neck, broke his back in two places, and broke several ribs during an ATV accident a couple months ago. 

 
 Steve and his wife Leticia are so grateful for the outpouring of support they received from all of you readers and residents of Palm Creek.  They want to express their gratitude and thanks for the food, supplies, and funds they received during a GREAT time of need.

 
Steve says his greatest obstacle to overcome during his recovery is boredom!  He is an active person who hates to sit still, doesn't like to watch TV nor read so being an invalid was very difficult.  He is still "supposed" to be wearing his body cast but he has figured out how to get out of it and says he is much more comfortable without it.....and his "turtle shell" as he calls it is HOT.  He, of course, has to be very careful to avoid further injury while his bones mend and is still in sufficient pain with movement so his activity is very limited yet.  His next doctor appointment is July 1 for another cat scan to determine his level of recovery.  He is already praying for some kind of release to active duty.  

Do you know Steve's wife, Leticia?  She has a nursing degree from a university in Mexico but unfortunately none of her credits will transfer to the United States so for employment purposes, she is not credited.  If you need a trained and experienced personal caregiver, she would be a TOP candidate.  Because she too likes to stay active, she cleans and cooks while taking care of her patients.  Sign her up!!  She's looking for work.  Need a housekeeper??  Call her!

Steve finally created an email account and promises to keep tabs on it.  Send him a note to say hello.  He'd love to hear from you.  

Email:  endsleyhandyman@outlook.com
Phone:  520-414-3322

P.S.  Their two youngest daughters (Melanie 7 and Stephanie 6) are going to join Girl Scouts this year so be prepared to buy your Girl Scout cookies when the time comes!

Monday

Happy Monday to you all.  Of course, which day of the week it happens to be isn't really important after we retire.
Question: How many days in a week?
Answer: 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday

 
Say hello to the white wing doves as they pose on the statue.  Do you know the difference between the white wings and the regular mourning doves?

 

The white wing is larger, has a distinctive black mark on or around the neck, and the descriptive white wing feathers which are very noticeable in flight.  They make a much different sound than the mourning doves as well.  The white wings are seen only in southern and southwest states.

(internet photo)

We had fun watching this roadrunner this morning as he sauntered along the line of houses on Oasis.  He would hop from one patio, run across the gravel, up onto the next patio.  I don't know if its because the gravel stones are sharp on his little feet or if he was hoping for a food hand out from a resident.  I took about 15 photos and only these two are worth posting.  

LOTS of activity over in the construction area this morning.  They must be under a deadline to get the roads ready for paving as they even had people here on Saturday.  There were many vehicles here this morning.

Still working on final electrical lines.

 
Lots of digging all over. Here is our crew working on electrical lines for the Palm Park area.

 
Here's the channel to run the electric lines.

 
You seldom see the front of these buildings without any vehicles parked in front.  Looks very nice!

 
Tree trimmers are at work every day for several weeks.

 
Tennis courts are seeing lots of action too.  Here are the cables for the post tension work.  They may be ready to start laying the cabeling today.

 

 

 
GPS units are in place and being used to assure the proper slope and depth.

 
Then there are other details we never think about.  Now that we're adding 5-6 inches to the courts, all these electrical boxes will have to be raised before they get filled in with concrete.  Electricians should be arriving today or tomorrow to raise all the boxes on the light posts.

 
Our weather early this morning was just awesome.  It was 68 degrees at 5:30 for our morning coffee on the patio.  Loved it!!  It is 11:33 now and the temp is already 101 as I sit here typing.  The weatherman is predicting over 110 for a couple days starting Thursday.  Anything over 110 is HOT.  We could certainly use some rain.  I can't remember the last drops of rain we've had.  Maybe Alberta could ship us some as they seem to have plenty to share.

We appreciate the cool mornings when we are out on our rounds rinsing and refilling buckets:

Squishing scorpions we find along our route:

or repairing sprinkler lines....Don had two to work on today.

That's enough post for now.  Don just headed up to the pool room to shoot pool with "the boys" so I'll meander up to the SanTan room to play cards with "the girls".  It's a rough life we lead.

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Question: When is a retiree's bedtime?
Answer: Two hours after he falls asleep on the couch.
Question: How many retirees to change a light bulb?
Answer: Only one, but it might take all day.

Question: What's the biggest gripe of retirees?
Answer: There is not enough time to get everything done.
Question: Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors?
Answer: The term comes with a 10% discount.



Question: Among retirees, what is considered formal attire?
Answer: Tied shoes.
Question: Why do retirees count pennies?
Answer:They are the only ones who have the time.

Question: What is the common term for someone who enjoys work and refuses to retire?
Answer:NUTS!
Question: Why are retirees so slow to clean out the basement, attic or garage?
Ans wer: They know that as soon as they do, one of their adult kids will want to store stuff there.

Question: What do retirees call a long lunch?
Answer: Normal .

Question:What is the best way to describe retirement?
Answer: The never ending Coffee Break.
Question: What's the biggest advantage of going back to school as a retiree?
Answer: If you cut classes, no one calls your parents.

Question: Why does a retiree often say he doesn't miss work, but misses the people he used to work with?
Answer: He is too polite to tell the whole truth.

And, my very favorite....
QUESTION: What do you do all week?
Answer: Monday through Friday, NOTHING..... Saturday & Sunday, I rest.