Author: Rudy

Slept in a bit today. Sue finally woke me because she wanted her morning coffee and wouldn’t make it unless I was up too. We sat at our ipads and read the news. We vacuumed and dusted the house. Then lunch. Then at 1pm the first of today’s 2 division championship NFL games began.
Since I really didn’t have a horse in the race — the Giants didn’t make the playoffs and the Vikings lost in the first round — I had to pick the teams to cheer for. I decided to cheer for the Broncos over the Ravens because: I really don’t like Flaco, the QB for the Ravens; Peyton is a Manning, just like the Giants’ QB; Elway got rid of Tebow and brought in Peyton, a ‘real’ quarterback. Well, anyway, it was a great game, but in the end, and I mean really the end — it took double overtime for Baltimore to upset Denver. Okay, so far my record sucks.
Skyped with the kids — Tim’s feeling a bit better. Max is eating like a horse. Alex is feeling better. Everyone’s ‘stormed in’ at home. Hey, it’s kind of cold here too, although not THAT cold.
Sue had to do the golf course walk on her own tonight — I had me some football to watch.

Next game, which started at 5pm local time, featured the 49ers hosting the Packers. It would be pretty sweet if the Packers would lose this game. And boy, was that ever a good game. We ate our leftover pizza and enchiladas in front of the TV and I was pretty much jumping out of my seat as the second half of the game was even better than the first half! In the end, San Francisco beat Green Bay 45-31.
After football we watched a bit of news. Sue went to bed early — tired. I stayed up until 1, working on my web project and watching an old BeeGee’s concert video. Tomorrow: more football — I think it starts at 9am!

When I woke up this morning radio said it was going to be cold today and colder tomorrow. I had coffee and took a few photos of the sprinklers going full blast on the 13th hole outside our patio.



After scrambled eggs and toast, we skyped with Alex a bit — it’s a blizzard at home, schools are closed, Tim’s got Alex’s flu now and is sick at home in bed. I worked on the web project a bit.


After lunch we put on our mittens and took the bikes out for a spin. Since there were 2 cards in the mailbox (and a ton of flyers and even a parcel from Amazon (wisk for Sue from the condo owners) we had to get to the post office on Hovley. Our Canadian Tire Mastercard had arrived in the mail. Whoopee! We continued our ride east until we got to a big corner complex, including a UPS print shop and an Albertson’s grocery store. I printed out all of Sue’s Holiday Travel reports from my USB flash drive — and the Oscar and Golden Globe ballots for me. Sue picked up some lettuce from the grocery store. We cycled back to our place. Cold, but the slight incline on the route got the heart rate going and we warmed up quickly.


We were not home long when there was a loud rap on the door — UPS, parcel for Sue. Her iPad mini arrived. Yippee. So while I started it up and configured it (not so hard, since all we had to do was connect to the network, and install apps from the iCloud backup! — took about 15 minutes) Alex skyped again. Max was cooing and laughing and bouncing around in his lounger.
Then at around 5 we left again, this time in the van. Went down to the California Pizza place on El Paseo. Good place. Way better pizza than what we had last week.
After supper we went to the Westfield Theatre to see the 7:15 showing of “The Impossible” — a movie based on a true story about the 2004 tsunami disaster in Thailand. A very good movie — very well done. We got home and watched some oscar discussion on Charlie Rose before going to bed.

I mean, REALLY windy! As we had our breakfast we watched the ladies golfing on our course hang on to their caps and try their best to hit the ball against the wind. And it got worse as the morning went on. I saw women with ear muffs, even scarves over their faces, but determined to have their golf game.
After a skype with JP and lunch, Sue and I went for a long walk. It really wasn’t all that cold, but the wind was terrible. We went down to the Westfield Mall, about 4 miles from our place, to see a matinee. Because the Oscar nominations were announced today (and I had saved the ballot to a flash drive, hoping to print out a couple so I could play along at home), there was quite a line-up at the movie ticket office. In fact, our theatre filled right up by the time the movie began. Well, we DID take our camera along with us, but it stayed in Sue’s purse, so no photo from the walk. I guess I could pilfer a photo from the “Lincoln” movie promo images — but I’ll let you go and look that up on your own. The movie was pretty good — and although it didn’t seem like it while we were watching it, the movie was quite long. So by the time we exited the theatre it was totally dark outside! It was 6:00pm. We went to the Walgreens to pick up some sour cream, but decided to leave the printing of our oscar ballots, etc. at the UPS store for another day. Now we had to walk all the way back to our place, and although the sidewalk was very dark (not too many street lights here — makes the evening seem even darker than at home) at least we were now ‘with wind’. Got home at around 7. Sue made some great chicken fajitas. I watched the Daily Show and Colbert. After supper we watched another movie on TV, “My Idiot Brother”. Boring. Sue went to bed. I worked on my web project for a couple of hours and watched the late night talk shows.

Sue got up just in time to see the sun rise over the golf course outside on our patio. We had breakfast out there and watched some early golfers tee off.
After breakfast I went online to GuitarOnline.com and ordered a cheap Yamaha classical guitar. It’s supposed to arrive in a few days. Sue read her book, 419, by Will Ferguson. She’s close to being done — she’ll finish it today. Sue talked to Alex by phone. I did some computer work.
After lunch we got in the van and headed off to Cathedral City. I wanted to stop along the way at a golf store to buy a retriever — we’d heard the course had a lot of water — but the Garmin led us to a location where there MAY have been a golf shop, but if there was, it’s moved. Oh well. We went to the Cathedral Canyon golf course (we’d booked it online yesterday). Although we were a bit early, once we’d paid we were told that we were up next. We got on our cart and headed out to the first tee. The course is a bit worn — greens are a bit rough. But the day was perfect. The course wasn’t busy — we barely ever had to wait for the couple ahead of us, and we ‘lost’ the couple behind us a few holes in. The mountains seem so close. Our pace was quick — but not rushed. We wondered if we would be able to finish 18 holes before it got dark — but we did, just barely.
After golf we headed back towards home — stopped at the Monterey Albertson’s for groceries and more cash. Then home. Sue quickly rustled up some supper. Sue read a bit more. We watched the Daily Show and Colbert at around 7pm, then a bit more computing and reading and TV. Tough to stay awake tonight — I think all that fresh air and exercise has plum tuckered me out. Goodnight.

Slept in this morning — the radio alarm was already on by the time we got out of bed. Coffee, toast. Worked on the computer for a while. Dave Driedger skyped — new golf passes, new used bike for MaryLou, planning a hike to the petraglyphs on Superstition. By 10 we were off to the clubhouse to sign our ‘residence’ cards and get our driving range passes for the day (all you can hit, all day, for $10). It was warm today. By 11:30 I was wiped and hungry for lunch.

After lunch we hung around the house until 2pm, when we went back to the range. Hit some more balls, until I got blisters on my right hand. But at least my shots were going straight. Not so for Sue. She was winging them to the left pretty regularly. Well, except when she shanked one to the right and hit the guy to the right of her with an errant shot. Twice! Yikes. Hope these people have glass insurance, never mind medical coverage.
After 3pm we went to the clubhouse and had a cool beer on the patio, overlooking the 1st and 18th holes. Spectacular scenery. Should have taken a photo.

When we got back to our house we got serious about booking some real golf — and we did. Tomorrow afternoon at Cathedral Country Club. Hope my sore muscles and blisters are healed by then.
At four o’clock we got the laptop all set up on the dining room table. Sue then skyped with a reporter from the Albuquerque ABC TV station — while a cameraman filmed her. They’re doing a story about our purse snatching incident.
After that was over we skyped with Tim and Alex about their holiday plans. Looks like THEIR passport issues are about to be resolved — Max now has the proper birth certificate and his passport should be arriving in the next few days.
The FedEx delivery person knocked on the door and delivered Sue’s new iPad mini — cover! The iPad is supposed to arrive later this week.
Then it was time to make supper. Sue roasted potatoes and I barbecued cheeseburgers. Got to use the new barbecue tools (ordered by our ‘landlord’ from Amazon, they arrived yesterday).
After supper we watched a bit of TV and I continued my computer work. The kids skyped that they have booked their plane tickets for mid-February — so that’s good. We’re all set.

Got up just before the alarm went off (at 7am). We had our morning toast and then Sue did some laundry while I continued to work on my website. We thought about going to our driving range, but it closes at 10 on Monday, so we’ll probably go tomorrow.

Skyped with Koop about some computer work at lunch time — just before we hopped into the van to go to Cathedral City — to the ‘cheap’ theatre for a movie. The movie, “Cloud Atlas”, began at 12:15. We got there just in time. The movie was almost 3 hours of drivel — really not at all interesting and nothing to say. But at least it was cheap! $1.25 each!

After the movie we headed back towards home. Stopped at Costco to see if they had any good restaurant cards for sale — thought maybe we would buy that for our friendly Albuquerque cop to say thanks. Sue was ready to go ahead with it but I argued that cash would be a way better gift. Sue gave in, although not willingly, and we left without buying anything. On the way out of there we passed a post office store. We quickly made a stop and sent a quick note and cash to the Albuquerque address. So at least that little deed is done and taken care of.

Got home and had to hurry out the back to go for our walk. Just like last night, we started a bit too late. It gets dark so early here that you pretty much have to start the walk at 3:30 or you won’t finish it in daylight. Gives a whole new meaning to ‘twilight golf’ too.

Back at the house Sue got the shrimp and broccoli going while I took a look at a college football game on TV. Then Alex and Max skyped — they’re off to get passports tomorrow. All good at home. That means all is good here too.

We watched an Oliver North ‘anti-Bush’ documentary on Showtime on TV. I continued to make progress on my WordPress theme project on the computer.

Oops, forgot to write in my journal — so this is being written on Monday.

Woke up and watched a couple of our favorite Sunday Morning News shows — Fareed on CNN and Reliable Sources. Then at 10 it was time to focus on football again. First game up: the Colts in Baltimore. Pretty good side story here — Ray Lewis’s announced retirement made this his last home game. I was cheering for the Colts, but in the end they lost 24-9. Oh well, so far this wildcard weekend has left me at 0 for 3.

Next game, starting at 1:30, featured the Seahawks in Washington. RG3 was playing hurt, and that was a big reason why the Seahawks won 24-14. Finally I had picked the right side to cheer for!

Sue and I went for a quick walk around our community — along the golf cart path — just as the sun was setting. In fact, by the time we got home it was dark. We had leftover pizza for supper.

I had been working on the SteinbachApartments website during the morning game, and finally made a bit of headway. Still not quite there, but I’m getting close. That’s encouraging.

Alex and Tim skyped — Alex was sick and feeling poorly, and that made us feel bad for her. Sue went to bed early. I worked on the computer for a few extra hours, then went to bed too.

No photo today — we should have taken the camera along on our walk, but we didn’t. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Saturday morning. Woke up early again. The good thing is that the sun comes up early too, and we get some nice sunshine in our kitchen and dining room. We read our emails and stuff, and then Sue made bacon and eggs. Great.

Sue did her morning exercises. I ordered that white iPad mini for Sue online — it’ll only arrive here in 2 weeks or so. Tim and Alex and Max skyped us — updates on THEIR passport problems, etc. At around 11 we got on our bikes to go for a ride. Just as we left our driveway the Fedex truck pulled up. Here comes our package. I took it inside, opened it just to make sure — yep, it’s Sue’s purse and contents, arrived from Albuquerque. Locked the door behind me and got back on the bike. We cycled north out of our complex, and up to Country Club Drive. Stopped at the Bristol Farms grocery store — kind of like Trader Joe’s but more ‘organic’. Nice. We noodled around the mall parking lots at the Monterey corner, then meandered our way back to our place. We checked out some of the small bays on the way. Once we got back inside our gate, Sue checked out an Open House — nice home, bigger than ours, well-appointed, $269,000. We tried to buy a local paper from the newstand near the clubhouse but it didn’t work. Oh well, we try again another day — want to check out the ads for local golf courses.

Back at our house, we watched the golfers in our backyard while we had lunch. Then at 1:00 it was time to tune in to the first NFL wildcard game of the season. I watched the Texans defeat the Bengals while Sue wrote an email to the Albuquerque constable to let him know we had our purse back and to thank him.

At 5pm the game between the Vikings and Packers began. It was getting dark outside, and I could see TVs in some of the surrounding homes also tuned into the game. Sue ordered in pizza from Papa Don’s (we’d picked up a menu there on our morning bike ride). The pizza arrived a little after 7, by which time the Packers had the game under control.

Tomorrow we have 2 more games, starting at 10 in the morning! Ah, these are great weekends!

Got up this morning feeling like my inner clock was adjusted to Pacific Time. We had coffee and sat around in the living room for a while, reading our emails and news and stuff. Sue had a big shopping list going. I went into the garage and worked on putting our bikes together — and once that was done I took a spin around the neighbourhood. It’s cool in the morning and most walkers have jackets or sweaters on. I cycled over to the driving range, which is down in the creek bed next to our place. $10 for all you care to hit all day. Hmmmm.. not bad. That’s probably what we should do before we venture out on the course, especially our course, where the fairways are so narrow and lined with breakable windows on either side!

We took the van back up to the big Walmart up on Monterey and bought some plates and kitchen things. Then down to Albertsons for to buy some groceries. And then down to Trader Joes for even more groceries. It was 12:30 by the time we were home — high time for lunch (soup and sandwiches).

After lunch I played with our Google phone system again. I cancelled my phone number and signed Sue up for one (same BABYMAX number, but with a different area code at the front of it). Tried it. I think it works, finally.

Then we went out for a walk around our community. A long walk. Sun was out, and although it started out as jacket weather by the time we were half way around we were carrying our jackets. We stopped at the Country Club office — to register and ask about golf memberships and so on. We’ll probably try golfing here once in a while, but we hope to find a golf course nearby that’s more our speed: less challenging and more open to ‘walkers’ who are just learning to play.

When we got back to our place it was time for happy hour. Out on our back patio, watching all the golfers go by, sun setting on the Santa Rosa Mountains. Sue phoned with her sister Mary and brother Dave. Then we had supper and headed out to the Westfield Mall Cinema for a 7pm movie: Argo. A pretty good movie. We hurried home to watch the 2-hour Paul Simon’s Graceland special on PBS. A good way to end the day.

Woke up early, before dawn. Sue made coffee, a first with our coffee maker. We watched the sun come up on the 13th fairway, just outside our window. Bacon and eggs for breakfast. I skyped with Koop and started working on a project for him. I think I finally figured out how to use our TracFone to make local and international calls. I’m not sure I’ve got Google Voice connecting to it, but we did finally receive and make calls. Alex called on FaceTime so we could visit with Max. Ingrid called (hi Ingrid). Linda, the property owner, also called. Sue did a few loads of laundry, since none of the towels have been washed (they’re all new) and won’t dry properly until they’re washed. We had sandwiches for lunch. Sue sat on the patio and did her nails and chatted with the ladies who were golfing today. We barbecued steak for supper. Then Sue read, and we watched a bit of TV before bed.