December 2014

Kirk and I took a second trip to Los Algodones, MX to pick up a few things for Christmas.  When we got there, we found it was their "Welcome back Winter Visitors" bash.  Parties in the streets, free margaritas and beer, lots of vendors, and free, live entertainment in the streets.  Fun day!!  We had the best fish and shrimp tacos at Lupitos.  Now if we can just remember where this place is when we go back.
The next day (12/7), we took a motorcycle ride to Quartzite.  Not the most scenic bike ride from Yuma, as it's mostly desert, but a good ride anyway.  While in Quartzite, we ate at Silly Al's.  On the ride back, we stopped just outside of Yuma at a place called From The Farm. This is a neat little place, with antiques, gifts, small cafe, interesting owner, and some fresh produce.  Just behind this place, is a non-working bridge called the McPhal.  We were told by the owner, that this bridge was the model for the Golden Gate Bridge back in 1929.  It used to be the only bridge going over the Gila River from and to Yuma.  It is now a bridge to nowhere.  Oh yeah, while there, Kirk and I shared a date shake...yummy!
Lots of Christmas stuff going on in December.  One of my co-workers, Clinton was singing with the choir at the Living Christmas Tree at his church.  This is outside, and is taller than the church.  Very nice evening, and kinda cold.  
On 12/13 Kirk and I drove to Phoenix for the weekend to see Kristy.  I was so excited to have a Kristy and mom weekend.  We picked Kristy up at Camille's (Kristy's longtime friend), had lunch, and a pedicure, and drove to the hotel.  SURPRISE!!!  Open the door to our room and out jumps Robyn, Ady, Bella, and Isaac.  The room was decorated for Christmas (tree, lights, stockings).  Kirk had been in on the surprise all along (for the past month).  Bella even missed her first preschool Christmas concert to see Grandma and PaPa in AZ.  However, on our last day together, she gave us a private showing.  We had a great weekend.  The best Christmas present ever!!!
Yuma Rehab Hospital (YRH) had their employee Christmas party 12/20 at the Pivot Point at the Hilton in downtown Yuma.  Had a great time watching all my co-workers have so much fun.
On Christmas Eve, we were invited to Olga's house (one of our rehab techs, and great lady) to spend the evening with her family.  Sarah (SLP), and Clinton (PT) were also there.  Olga had a very traditional Mexican family Christmas Eve party.  Tons of food, traditional posoli (first time i've had it), a yummy mexican stew/soup, piñata, white elephant exchange, horchata, tamales, bunellos, mama Tina (Olga's mom).  Great night!!   I had to work Christmas day.  Kristy turned 35 years old Christmas Day.  She's a lovely woman, daughter, friend, sister.  My favorite first born child.
Kirk and I stayed home News Years Eve!  We had made reservations at our Park, but somehow there was a "mix up" and our seats were sold to someone else.  Hmmm!!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 The pool area at our park in Yuma...The Palms

 It was free and I couldn't decide...Los Algondones, Mexico

 Clint is in there somewhere singing....The Living Christmas Tree in Yuma

 The beginning of what I was lead to believe was a Kristy and mom weekend

 Selfie with the family, Camryn and Camille

 Our decorated hotel room...perfect!!

 Loving my Christmas presents!!!

 The reason I'm in Yuma....lovely Miss Anna! at YRH Christmas party.

 Posoli....Olga's is the best...Christmas tradition

Our lovely hostess, Señorita Olga!

This piñata was filled with mexican candy and many small bottles of liquor.

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.