Early January 2008

My calendar is already filling up for January. Several of us went to Prescott to go shopping. Willard just can't figure out how we can shop for 11 hours. We did spend about an hour eating breakfast and lunch. But, the rest of the time we were shopping til we dropped. It was fun.

Last week Willard and I drove over to Laughlin. We had breakfast in Kingman at Cracker Barrel then went on to The Colorado Bell Casino. I played in a Poker Tournament. Didn't do too bad. Willard played nickle Keno. We had lunch at the In and Out Burger place and shopped in the Factory Outlet stores. We got back to Stanton after dark.

Thursday we went to Surprise, AZ and had lunch at Red Lobster. Then we went to Target, Bath & Beyond, Michaels, and of course, Walmart. Got back after dark.

Friday we rode the ATV to Willard's gold claim to move the dirt around so it would dry out for dry washing the next week. It was a nice ride - round trip about 22 miles. I love to ride in the desert.

Today we didn't go to Church. I just layed around watching movies on TV. Willard played Bingo this afternoon while I cleaned the rig. Then we went to a going away party in the Opera House. Mary and Allen are leaving in the morning heading back to East Texas. Tonight I'm trying to catch up on my Blog and plan our Red Hat Outing on Tuesday. We are going to Surprise for lunch and shopping at the Outlet Mall north of Phoenix.

Tomorrow I am going with a group on a bus to Laughlin. We're leaving at 6:00 in the morning and won't get back until about 10:00 pm. Willard is going to work his claim.

On Thursday is my line dancing class. I'm the teacher and there are about 8 ladies that are regulars. We have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Monday nights I usually play Cribbage (but I'll be gone tomorrow). I play Texas Hold'em several nights a week. And Willard and I try to practice at least 10 songs every other day. We now have 55 songs on our Song List. I can't believe Willard knows that many songs from memory. Amazing!

As you can see, we lead very busy lives. I love this lifestyle!!!! JB

2007 - A Whirlwind Year's End

We were so excited about going to Ogden, UT this year for Christmas to be with our family. We had 6 family members missing and we missed them surely. The rest of us had a wonderful holiday. There were 12 of us to enjoy Christmas at Joey's and Beth's home. A blizzard envaded Christmas Eve. But, it didn't slow us down. We spent the day shopping, watching movies, eating, playing games, working jigsaw puzzles, eating, shopping, laughing together, and eating. We each opened a gift on Christmas Eve before bedtime. We all received new PJs. The kids went to bed early. Dan sang Christmas songs to them, as each one entered their own dreamland. The jigsaw puzzle was finished. Then Santa found us. Early Christmas morning, we all gathered into the livingroom where lots of gifts and stuffed stocking were waiting to be claimed. The little ones played with their new toys while their older siblings gathered up their gifts and began packing to
go back to Cedar City. Dan and his family left after breakfast and the rest of us went back to bed. We had a quiet Christmas afternoon and evening. The next morning Willard and I headed back to Stanton, AZ.

The December GPAA Outing was underway when we arrived. Our camp swelled up to about 400 prospectors and family members. Vendors set up their tents, the ladies in the kitchen began cooking, the prospecting equipment was set up and the work began. Rehearsal for the New Year's Eve Melo-drama was well underway. It was cold, but that didn't stop the campfires at night, the auction, light parade, and the New Year's Dance. The gold was divided up amongst those who worked and the camp was soon back to normal.

GOOD BY 2007....HELLO 2008. I wonder what will happen next????