It has been a while

I know that it has been a while since I have entered anything here, but then I have been very otherwise occupied including health issues, puppy issues and the breakdown of my main PC.

Puppy first: below you will find two pictures, one of Lydia and Spenser take shortly after we picked him up and one of me and Spenser in a similar pose to the first.



The first picture is in Sept 08, the second Jan 09, and he is still growing. He is quite a handful but I enjoy his company.


Of course since his first picture I had two heart attacks and three stents inserted. I had back PT, it helped a little but I am probably looking at another back surgery. I also did Cardio Rehabilitation and it worked out so well I just joined Bally's health club. My first actual day was today and I did pretty well and now it is a matter of keeping up the exercising. Not only is it heart healthy but it has had a positive impact on my diabetes.

So I am doing better but not looking forward to back surgery.

New Member of the Mulholland Household

Welcome our newest family member "Spenser Mulholland" He is a Labrador Retriever and 8 weeks old. He already out weighs Matt and Kelly's Sid and is close to or possibly already does outweigh Fiona as he weighs in at 13 pounds. He has a very friendly personality and is great with kids. Mel just brought all three over for a short visit and they all got along great. Lydia is not entirely sure of him but he seemed to like her. He does not seem to be jumper so that is good as he could knock Liddy over as he is quite strong for such a little guy. We expect him to eventually weigh in at about 80 to 85 pounds.

The first picture below is last night when we picked him up. Jane came along to keep him company in the back seat. After a bit of exploring his limited confines he curled up on Jane and slept pretty much the entire way home, and that included a monsoon thunderstorm that was keeping everyone in the area awake. He also slept through the night and in fact as I am writing this he is on the floor next to me taking a nap. Of course he needs lots of naps because when he is awake he is extremely curious and has to see, paw and taste just about everything he can reach.

Some of you know Jane has been staying with us since my surgery and also we have been working on repainting her kitchen, so we also have Jane's cat Gemini. So far they seem to get along as long as Spenser does not get too close to Gemini, then she kind of hisses and warns him off, but as long as they are about 2 to 3 feet apart they can occupy the same room.

The second picture is from this morning, Spenser is coming around the corner from the kitchen. I am already a bit worried as he has been studying the cupboards to see if he can get into them, but it won't do him much good as we don't keep any food in the lower cabinets.

A Great Treat

Mary and Kate and Peggy were here. They arrived this past Saturday and left on Monday morning (KATE), Wednesday morning and evening (Mary, then Peg) We had an early birthday celebration for me. It was so great to have them here we had a good time and did somethings that Peg had never done or seen before. One of the highlights for Peg and scary parts for Mary was a trip along the Apache Trail which is only partially paved, rather narrow and goes along the Salt River and its three lakes ending up at Roosevelt Dam and lake where you can circle back home on normal paved highway. See some pictures below of the trip.


Here we see Peg picking prickly pear cactus pears, on US Forest land in the Tonto National Forest, however we were fine as no Rangers came along.




We were on the second floor of a building built between 1100 and 1250 AD. Mary, & Chris chose not to enter, but it was much cooler inside and very interesting if for no other reason than the age of the structure. This was at the Besh Ba Gowah Indian Ruins in Globe Arizona.



This is Mary & Kate as they toured the ancient grounds.



This is Peg as she was leaving the building. Up and Down was by ladder, no stairs and the ladders we held together by rope woven from local materials. Those Indians did a great job building.




This is Chris as she toured the site.

July almost over

Well, July is at its end and i go see my Endocrinologist tomorrow to see what more she can tell me. I Can tell you that so far my sugars have not been lowered and while my BP was down for a while it is coming back up to too high. It has been very hot, but not to be unexpected. You cope by spending minimal amounts of time outside right now, but already it is cooler in the mornings. I take Mom to her office and it is only 80 and feels fined. Unfortunately by the time I get home and eat breakfast and then read the paper it is already up to 87. Yet you can drink your morning coffee on the new patio, just not your afternoon drink, but once the sun goes down both the patio and the upper deck become pleasant. Here is a morning picture showing the back of the house in shade.

Just in case you are interested it is hotter today

However, do not mistake the weather report for a complaint. Today I had to change out my trucks license plates and stupidly did it at 10:30 am and the truck is on the east side of the house. So I broiled but I survived and still there was noting to shovel. I should have waited until later this afternoon when the truck would have been in the shade but I will learn and if I get really uncomfortable Mel's pool is always open.
For those who have not seen the back yard for a while I have pictures below of the new deck and patio. The contractor did a great job and when the building inspector came out for its final inspection he commented that you don't often see such good work as we had done.
Enjoy the pictures, come and visit an enjoy the patio. Actually after 7PM, this time of year, is is rather comfortable to sit and sip your favorite libation. I even eat breakfast and drink my morning coffee and read the morning paper out there on some mornings, if I get up before 10am anyway.
Enjoy the pictures!
Pete

First picture is the whole back of the house with patio and deck. We plan on putting a pair of Sunsetter awnings on the deck portion, but not quite yet. In the winter there is really no need as the back faces west and is comfortable without shade during the day when it is cooler. Right now as I am the only one living here I thought we would wait until we move in permanently. Then, on hot days by putting our the awnings they will help keep the house cooler as the deck does now over the patio. the sun does not actually come through the windows until very late in the afternoon.

The whole back of the house



Picture of the Patio 1



Picture of the Patio 2




Picture of the Patio 3



This is a picture of one of the patio fans, there are two, one on each side.

Hot Hot Hot

Oh yeah it is hot here in Arizona. Doing chores or traveling in day is exhausting. Yet the sun shines and you can see a lot of birds even from my back yard. There is a wild rabbit around somewhere but I only saw him once. I miss the squirrels and bunnies but once our yard is finally being landscaped I think it will draw a bit a wild life.
I am doing well. The only reason I am still here is becasue I have an endocrinologist appointment on July 10th and if she is not a total idiot like so many others I may be here a while longer. As much as I miss Chris an opportunity to control or get rid of diabetes makes the wiat worthwhile. we will have to wait and see.

I have pictures below just for fun take a look at my Arizona summer front yard:

In a Month

It has been a month since we lost Logan and it still hurts!
We went to Hawaii and I got so sick we had to go to the hospital!
Monday, June 2 I am having my gall bladder removed here in AZ and Chris is in WI (But I do have Mel and Jane who will watch over my recovery)!

It all seems so sad, yet life goes on and (except for Logan) it is still somehow humorous.
I am looking forward to better days and better times.

Wish me luck on Monday.