It was (left to right) Norby, Ray, Chuck, Wayne, Gloria, Merlin, Linda, Martin, (front row) Larry, and Becky.
Rick Brockie, Linda's husband, has been very ill for several months. Fortunately, he is recuperating well. Rick has been the father of all the pickleball activities at this park for many years. While he is not able to play pickleball, he did come out to cheer us on.
Becky made an important decision several days ago. On December 31, the night of New Year's Eve, she took off her wedding ring. On January 1, the morning of New Year's Day, she did not put it back on. Months ago, Becky had used Google to find out if there was a protocol for how long one should continue wearing the wedding ring. There was no protocol. Many comments were that you would know or feel when it was time. Becky decided that it was time to release the wedding ring. In her heart, in her mind, she knew that 2017 was a new year. And, it was a year without her Richard in it.
To make a circle in her life, Becky decided to take the two wedding rings --- from the original wedding in November, 1985, and the renewal of vows in November, 2005, and make some piece of jewelry that she can wear daily. Maybe an infinity ring or bracelet. Becky will reach out to Jeff Karl Jewelers in Flagstaff.
Don and Elaine La Marr, friends of Becky's since the LA Junior Chamber Watts Summer Games, have a second home in La Quinta. Two of their grown daughters were with them, Melissa and Courtney. Becky had a nice dinner with the four of them at Fisherman's Market & Grill on Tuesday. Becky and the La Marr's were all leaving the desert the next morning.
January 3, Becky headed out of the desert with the dogs and the trailer. The next stop was Pueblo El Mirage RV Park and Golf Club, near Phoenix. It was an easy 245 mile drive on Interstate 10.
She arrived at the RV park around 3:30pm, was escorted to a nice pull-thru site near a large off leash dog park, and proceeded to set-up the trailer and the utilities. Of course, the dogs were ready for a nice walk around the new park. That night, Becky snacked on leftovers in the refrigerator.
Becky had been watching the weather forecast in Williams for several days. Rain, snow, and wind were expected Thursday and Friday. While Becky was scheduled to stay at Pueblo El Mirage for two nights, she decided to only stay one night. She preferred to get back to Williams before any weather hit.
Avoiding the long climb on State Highway 17 to Flagstaff, Becky decided to take the route through Prescott Valley up to Ash Fork and Interstate 40. It was uneventful. There was some snow on the ground at her home in Williams, but not much. However, the ground was soft from melting snow and recent rain.
Becky backed the trailer into the yard and lined it up in front of the RV barn.
However, her truck's two back truck tires got stuck in the mud while trying to get the trailer INTO the RV barn. Fortunately, Becky's neighbor, Jay, was home. Jay pulled out his 4 wheel drive truck, hooked up the trailer, and successfully got it into the RV barn.
Friday morning, Becky woke up to a dusting of new snow. She was very happy that she got back to Williams when she did! But, the snow was beautiful.
Becky picked up her "vacation hold" mail. A goal for this month is to make Arizona her permanent residence. The original Ebbert Family Trust checking account and money market portfolio need to be closed out and new accounts opened. Becky began the process in December. Her new checks arrived. She spent most of Friday contacting automatic bill pay companies and automatic direct deposit entities to change her bank account number. Most of the changes were effective immediately, except social security. The change to the bank account for social security will not take place until mid March. Figures.
Becky noticed that the heating system for the kitchen, dining room, and great room was not working properly. The gas heater was not igniting. It was time to call American Home Shield and get an heating expert to make a house call.
Becky invited her neighbors, Connie and Jay Leadebrand, to dinner Saturday night at Kick's on Route 66. The Red Raven is closed for the month of January. Connie and Jay (especially Jay!) have been so helpful. It was her pleasure to host them for dinner! Connie had to go through chemo for breast cancer. But her hair is coming in beautifully.
American Home Shield provided Becky with the name of a local specialist, Gabe's Plumbing and Heating. Gabe contacted Becky and an appointment was set-up Monday morning. It was rather cold throughout the weekend. Sunday morning, Becky found that Libby and Kelsey bungled up together in the same crate! Fortunately, there is has a fully functioning second heater that cover the bedrooms. The fireplace is electric and the heater is on a one hour timer.
Monday morning, Becky had a hair appointment in Flagstaff. It was a rainy day. After her appointment, she drove immediately back to Williams to meet with Gabe, the heating company contact.
Gabe climbed up into the attic from the garage. He did a diagnostic on the heater. He uncovered that the reason the heater was not igniting was that a part needed to be replaced. Gabe contacted American Home Shield and the part was ordered.
Ellen and Mark Burson are friends who have two homes --- a manufactured home in a Malibu mobile park overlooking the ocean and a large home in Oxford, Mississippi, with a number of acres. They used to have just one home in Los Angeles. Mark is now a professor at Ole Miss, University of Mississippi. Several times a year, Ellen and Mark travel between the two homes. They were making their trek from Malibu to Oxford, driving on Interstate 40. Becky's home in Williams was a perfect place to spend the night!
Ellen and Mark have two Australian Shepherds, Sky and Rosie. Their dogs are very protective and are better separated from other dogs. Ramsey, Kelsey, and Libby were put in the master bedroom suite with their dog crates. It was a fun slumber party!
When Ellen and Mark left Tuesday morning, they still had another 1,400 miles to go.
Tuesday, Becky headed back to Flagstaff. She wanted to meet with the Jeff Karl Jewelers. She took all four wedding rings (two from the 1985 wedding, and two from the renewal of vows in 2005 . Perfect timing... Jeff Karl was on the showroom and he talked to Becky about some options. It was decided to make an infinity bracelet. Jeff told Becky that he would work up a design and a cost estimate.
A second stop in Flagstaff was the Verizon store. Becky decided it was time to turn in Richard's flip phone. She held on to it for over four months. The phone no longer had a greeting set-up.
The third stop was the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department. It was time for Becky to become an official Arizona resident. Unfortunately, the MVD requires a passport or birth certificate for issuing a drivers license. Becky had neither with her. She decided to return the next day.
The Arizona Motor Vehicle Department was not able to do anything with the truck's Texas Certificate of Title, as it was still in Richard's name. So, Becky went home and began the process of filling in applications for transferring the truck's title into her name. She mailed the package to the Polk County Tax Office.
On Thursday, Becky stopped by J & J Automotive in Williams. James is a very capable car mechanic and she wanted to get his advice about the "check engine" light and the glow plug relay issue.
James suggested that she save her money. He said that there is a systemic issue with GMC trucks --- when the relay and the glow plugs are not communicating. It is not a safety issue. James said that his GMC tow truck has had the same issue for six years! So, Becky took some black electrical tape and covered over the "check engine" light. 😊😊😊
In July of last year, Richard purchased a wig in Phoenix. His name was Charlie. Richard wanted an additional option for covering all of the surgeries on his head. Becky thought it would be nice to donate Charlie. She sent an email to the wig shop in Phoenix. They recommended a Scottsdale non-profit called Face in the Mirror. Face in the Mirror works with cancer patients by providing services and assistance in boosting patient self-esteem. Becky phoned the non-profit and packed up Charlie and his accessories.
Gabe came back on Friday with the new part for the heater. It took him over an hour to install and test the system. Voila! Heater is fully functioning again.
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