Leaving Yuma 2015

On 3/15 I signed my contract to work at my next assignment in St Cloud, MN.  This will be about an hour from the girls in Minneapolis, about 5 hours from Mavis, Heather, and Nate and families in Gladbrook, Marshalltown, and Granger, IA, and about 4 hours from Ben and his family in WI.  I was fortunate to have this job as it's in a hospital and has the potential for lasting the entire Summer.

We FINALLY sold our Honda Shadow motorcycle.  A new co worker of mine in Yuma bought it, took the motorcycle driving/safety course and is now hopefully enjoying it as much as we did.  So happy to not have to bring it back to the midwest with us.

On 3/28 Kirk and I went with a few of my co workers on our last visit to Los Algodones, Mexico.  Anna took us to this out of the way place called The Mine.  We met the owner, Ruly (a Regae type of a guy, and very fun).  This place is a "jewelry store".  They make everything they sell (at least that's what they told me).  They do have a beautiful assortment.  Anyway, when you go into this small establishment, you will be greeted by all the help and offered an adult beverage.  They also have shots of other adult liquors lined up on the counter.  Help yourself, it's all free.  Maybe that's why they do so well in their sells.    We walked around the streets visiting all the vendors, went to EL Parisio for lunch and a pitcher of margaritas, and headed home.  It was almost 100' that day.  I did buy a purse while there for a decent price.  All in all, we had a good time.

Thursday, 4/2 was my last day at work.  My co workers had a themed potluck with dishes from their home states/culture.  Remember, no one is from Yuma!   What a fantastic lunch.  I will miss them all terribly.  I'm hoping to return this Fall/Winter as Kirk and I really enjoyed our time in Yuma.  Kirk also finished his last day at Mesa Del Sol Golf Course the week before we left and was able to enjoy playing golf our last week there.  He played on leagues 2 days a week.  I think he even won a little money.

Our last night in Yuma was spent at The Main Squeeze with our wonderful friend, Anna.  As you recall, it was Anna, with whom I worked in Pepin, WI, who told us about Yuma.  So, only fitting we were able to enjoy a glass or two of wine and some appetizers with her before leaving Yuma.  Love you girl!!

 Sarah and Molly Jo, SLP's....they think they are twins.

 Celebrating Martha's (rehab tech, and front left) birthday at Asian Star. (our fav Thai)

 Enjoy Kaitlin!!

 What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico!

 El Parisio...here's to good times and friends.

 Had to throw this pic in of this handsome fellow from back in Iowa!

Friends forever!

Anna, Kirk, Reina....who better to spend our last night in Yuma!

Yuma Fun October - November 2014

Of course, one of the first things we did was find the nearest Costco.  This was in El Centro, CA, just under one hour from Yuma.   A nice surprise on our drive there was seeing the Imperial Sand dunes.  The Dunes are approximately 45 miles long, and 6 miles wide.  These are a huge attraction for bike riders, 3-4 wheelers, razor's, etc.
I started my assignment at Yuma Rehabilitation Hospital (Healthsouth) on 10/20.  This is a 41 bed hospital, yet has 4 FT SLP's, and 2 PRN SLP's.  This is so unusual for me as I'm so used to being the only ST.  It's great!
Kirk and I took our first trip to Los Algondoes, Mexico on 10/25.  We walked around, ate lunch at El Paraiso (and a margarita ), then bought reading contacts for me.  Everything's cheaper in Mexico :).  On our way home, we stopped at Martha's Garden, a date farm with a restaurant, and had our first date shake.  You might want to share one (which we did) as they are very sweet.  Yuma is known for its dates.  They even have a date festival.  You can find just about any kind of date there is.  Who knew there were so many kinds.
Yuma has several large flea markets.  We stopped by one in early October.  It was open, but very few booths were open yet, as all the Winter Visitors were just starting to arrive.  Everything goes full swing around December or after.  Anyway, Kirk did manage to find his "hawaiian shirts" so he could fit in with all the other "winter visitors".   We will (I will) definitely go back.
Well, we all know how Kirk has ALWAYS dreamed of being a Walmart greeter :).   Well, he did apply for a seasonal job at the Walmart down the road from our park here in Yuma, and got a job (after much bantering).  However, it was not the greeter job.  They needed someone for the photo department.  UGH!  Not exactly what he was looking for.  To make a long story short, he lasted about 2 weeks and quit.  His ideal of Walmart will never be the same.  The main reason (but especially not the only one) was that he had to work late hours which kept him and me from seeing each other as much as we liked.  I will let him tell you the rest of his "Walmart experiences" when you  see him.
Toward the end of October, Kirk and I both had medical "procedures" which all turned out well and only requires our regular yearly check ups.....thank you God!!
Our park offers massages.  If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend having one by Lisa.  She is great.   My Gateway computer was just about to give up on me, so Kirk and I decided it was time to buy an early Christmas present.  I decided on the Mac Air.  I'm still getting used to it, but am sure it is all I have ever wanted.  At least I can blog, right?   I had dropped my iPhone face down on the gravel and totally cracked the glass.  Well, screw the insurance I had on the phone.  I found it comes with a $150 deductible.  The INerd here in Yuma, charges only $75 to repair your phone, and comes to you in his mobile unit.  He did a great job, and we were able to pick his brain with all our techy questions.  That is how we decided on the Mac Air laptop.  He's a busy guy this time of year with all the winter visitors here.
On November 22 Kirk and I met a few of my co-workers at the West Wetlands Park very early in the morning (sunrise) for the annual Hot air balloon launch.  Very fun morning.  I had never been to one, so this was a first experience for me.  Loved it!
I had to work on Thanksgiving Day, so Kirk cooked the entire meal, which was awesome!  He's awesome!
Later, that weekend, we put up the few Christmas decorations that we have.  The lights on the inside are the best.

 Kirk hogging the date shake

 Beautiful Imperial Dunes...on the way to Costco, :)

 Yuma Hot Air Balloon Launch

 More balloons!

Love Christmas!!  Decorating done.