December! Twinkling lights! Candles! Carols!

How have we gotten to this month so quickly?? How did I miss writing in November? The days and weeks slip so swiftly past!
I'm going to try to post pictures of our 9 great grandkids - - "GREAT" in Two ways - :)
lets just see if I can make this work!

been bird watching in the cool Pines

Just spent another few days at our new little "abode" in Show Low.
We're enjoying the antics of all the different birds that we've attracted to our bird feeders!
We needed the airconditioning on for about 2 hours in the afternoon on 2 of the days.
On Friday nite we went to the community building for our 32 units in the over 55 RV section of our park -- to play Mexican train Domino's -- We had been invited on several occasions but this was the first we were able to get there -- we enjoyed it and it was a good opportunity to get to know a few others in our park.
The next morning (Saturday) - we met again there for Coffee and do-nuts - - and met a few more people.
The picture above is of two of our "hairy Woodpeckers" -- these are both Males we believe, since they have red on their heads. The female is really quite pretty, even tho' she doesn't have any red on her. :) I did get a picture of her also -- but 2 birds are enough!
It was very nice to be outside most of the time -- and tend to some flowers I've planted and take a walk etc. -- -
Now we have come back to Mesa and 110o heat -which today matched the record of 28 days of 110 degrees! We are still waiting for our Moving van with our "stuff" from Canada! Wondering if it will eVER get here!
Labor day weekend is upon us and I was hoping that we'd be "settled in" up in Show Low by then -- - for a few weeks! Tomorrow was the last promised day - - we shall see!

Welcome to our world and family - Eden Elizabeth Kellso

Eden Elizabeth Kellso weighed 8 pounds !
She is healthy - -and the family is so happy to have her here with us .

G.G. Papa and GiGi Joni got to see her when she was only about 2 hours old. We took lots of pictures - - and so did everyone else who was there to see her :)

Her Grandma Dara and G.G. Joni finally just had to open up the blankets and look at her chubby little arms and legs and make sure there were 10 fingers and 10 toes!

Her Be-pah Kathy and papa Rick both had to be out of town - but the were sent pictures right away . They would see her soon.

It was so nice to finally be in town for one of the Kellso baby births. !

Goodbye to grandson, Michael!

Mike with his 4 nephews -
Jonathan, Isaiah,Nathan, Noah




Grandma Joni-Michael-Grandpa Ralph


Bye Bye Dear Michael!
Have a great school year! We probably don't even need to tell you how much you are loved and how much and often , you will be in our thoughts and prayers! We can't wait to hear from you!
We send you off with our love and lotsa hugs!

settling in to a new chapter in our lives!

Coming down from our mountains- over the "RIm"
View from our porch-Show Low

While awaiting the very slow arrival of our "stuff" from our Round Lake Cottage, we're enjoying short stays at our new "retreat" cabin in the White Mountains at Show Low.


Just back from 3 wonderful days in the "cool" - - this picture to the right is a picture of what we look out at from our screened porch --and where we see the birds flock to our feeders. Retirement after all, is for such things as birdwatching, isn't it? We've seen one different pair of birds here , to replace the Pileated woodpeckers of our Eastern Canada woods -the Hairy woodpecker - whose male has a red head. We also have great numbers of Goldfinch, who love our niger seed! Nuthatches are here too -- so all of our momento's on which friend Sharon painted nuthatches, will feel right at home.
(When and if they ever get here!) :)


Bears have been visiting in our neighborhood - it seems they enjoy all the contents of the many birdfeeders ! I have yet to spot either of the reportedly two resident bears - - even tho' a neighbor reports that one of them walked right down the road in front of our place after depleting his bird feeders and leaving them on the ground. It happened at about 9:30 P.m. and the dog, Rebel that we are doggie sitting for son Eddy, was acting very jittery so I did look out - but of course looked towards the woods , NOT towards the open road! So! I missed him!


While I don't want to "encounter" the bear or have him invade our inside space - I would get a kick out of "seeing" him. :)

The picture above, to the far left - is the road coming home to Mesa , coming down from "The Mogollan Rim" and the mountains. I don't seem to have found the formula for putting pictures where I want them - - :) Would have liked that picture down here - but , oh well - it gives you a taste of some of our beautiful country here in Arizona.
Our new place can see a drop in temperature as much as 30 degrees in 10 minutes!! it's really quite amazing!
Anyway - we had a wonderfully "resting" time up there and now we're down here to wish Jonathan (Jenna's oldest boy) - a happy 6th birthday, and bid a farewell to 17 yr. old Michael, (Kathy's son) -as he leaves for school in Mississippi, and to await the birth of Jenna's #3 a little girl - which is imminent -and finally , to try to find out where our moving van of "stuff" from Canada is! We hope to retreat to the mountains for at least 6 weeks -- pretty soon.
Meanwhile - we are a bit warm here in the valley of the Sun , at 110 degrees today! But ! we keep comfortable INSIDE in the air conditioning and looking OUT at the sunshine :)

Saying Goodbye - - -

- - - to good friends, Beautiful lake with beautiful sunsets, Loons, birds of many kinds, walks on the country road, picking wildflowers along the way -looking for deer, Eastern Strawberries for Strawberry shortcake - and picking them ourselves!, - Corn on the cob and Wonderful Eastern Tomato's in August - -

We're getting packed! cleaning and throwing away like crazy!

Last Thursday, Friends Joan and Ray Sharp - took us on an excursion to Toronto to find Mt. Dennis - where I spent many a happy holiday as a youngster - -! We found it! and the house on Victoria Blvd. ! We would never have found it without the help of these friends! What a trip down Memory lane!

Another evening we had a most delicious dinner with the Selby family - how kind of them -- and then a yummy dinner with Ev Schill and her son Jim , dtr in law , Joy and grandson , JUstin - -and finally , last Saturday, dinner with the McManns- Orv and Margo. Delicious! all with nice visiting to boot! How we will miss them all!

One evening the sunset treated us to a "lake of fire" -- (above) - - as always - I took LOTS of pictures! None of them showing the real life beauty - but the best I could do.

The moving company will come next Monday - and we will leave here on Tuesday or Wednesday. Then on to another chapter of our lives -- nearer to family, and doctors and with less work - on a small lot and small abode in "Show Low, AZ" for summers. We are very thankful for the 8 summers of having "our dream" - a cottage by a lake - - Beautiful Round Lake, Ontario!

After Memorial Day - -2007

Where did that month go? The Merry month of May is ending today - - it was full of booking flights, car rentals, moving company - - thinking of what to take on our Alaskan cruise - - and finally -- preparing for and enjoying a visit from our great-niece from Buffalo!

During the week she was here we did what we vowed never to do again -- conducted touring to Montezuma castle, Sedona, Oak creek Canyon, Flagstaff - the Grand Canyon (for the umpteenth time in our 31 years here in AZ) - another day thru Salt River Canyon up to Show Low and over the rim to Payson and Pine including quick visits to Connie and Dans place where we enjoyed also seeing Missy and Sophia! (Sophie is growing rapidly! ) - -then to Pine to drop in at Kathy and Ricks cabin -- and enjoy a Memorial day (2 days early) - of hot dogs! SO Americana! Yummy!

- - - - -We finished our sightseeing up on Tuesday the 29th -with our first visit to Kartchner Caverns down near Benson , AZ -- Left at 9 a.m. got home after 6 - -quite ready to begin "normal" living again :)

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Now to tearing the pot gardens apart -the flowers that haven't already been pulled out - are looking stressed in the heat - -and in fact are not usually still out there in their pots , since normally we are out of town by this time! - - so I'll get that done and then get packing for our first plane ride to San Francisco to catch the cruise ship to Alaska.

Doris (one of my bridesmaids 55 years ago - and a lifelong friend) - and Ken Cook from Florida will be with us - all of us celebrating our 55th August Wedding Anniversaries. (I stood up with Doris at her wedding , 2 weeks before ours)- - - -we'll also be with Norma and Blane Petrini - good friends here in Arizona. So! thats about it for now!

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July will find us flying to and from our Canadian cottage -- to clean out and finish up the sale of this "dream come true" on Round Lake - -that we've enjoyed for 8 summers. Some sadness of course -- but we'll return to the White Mountain city of Show Low, AZ to get cool in a little abode (Park Model with screened in porch) No water out in front - but at least National Forest behind and there will be birds to watch there -and maybe even a few Javelina passing thru. :)

Spring Fever Time!

Here it is - - April already! Where did March go? March! the month when the fragrance of citrus blossoms fills the air all around Phoenix! The month when often the doors and windows can be open to let the fragrance and the sunshine in! The month when suddenly the Petunia's and the Geraniums that were looking a bit sparse and straggly -- - suddenly seem to overnight , burst into healthy, full bloom! And surprises happen -- a Daffodil sprouts up under our kitchen window -- and then several yellow Iris -- followed by purple Iris -- and then some more yellows -- Iris that I really dont quite remember planting - but it seems it was years ago - and for several years there were no blooms to be found - and then ! Surprise !
I love this time of year - the birds seems so happy - -and seem to almost begin to accept my drinking my morning coffee near them as they chow down at the multiple feeders we have out for them. I even have a friend or two who are interested in my pictures !!! That's a special gift -- ! Of course they are of my generation - and have time or have made time to also enjoy such things as "birds n blooms" :)
---------------------- Since I last wrote in here - Ralph (Grandpa) - -has had a renewal of energy since a Pacemaker was installed ! And then he had his cataract removed ! Such a pleasure to read with two eyes - instead of with one eye shut :)
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Great Grandchild #8 has joined the family- - Sophia Annabelle Ulm! Mommy Melissa and daddy Dave are enjoying her -- -as are all those who love her. What a gift -- healthy, precious babies!
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Also since I last wrote in here, I have added another year of life to my scoreboard. I am thankful! "Each Day is a GIFT!" (and we now have a sign watching over our living room to remind us of that , JUST in case we forget once in awhile :)
I Note that our family blog is almost as neglected as this one of mine -- - kind of too bad -b ut this is a world of hurry hurry and busy , busy -- and besides that - most of our family keep in touch often with e-mails and/or phone calls - -
But I just thought I'd add a bit now and then - - for ? -- not sure what - - :)
Maybe , just maybe - - someone checks in once in awhile. :)
So! On with the MOnth of April!

Ice in the desert

Phoenix has broken the record of cold, set in 1990! Our Bouganvillia are all black --I didn't heed the freeze warning on Saturday night - so they got frozen - -although nothing else did.
Last night, in preparation -we put lights in the citrus trees and some sheets over plants - and Ralph turned on the watering system to "low" - - It was too late for the Bouganvillia :) and this morning they are even MORE black and sad looking -
We woke up this morning to news of ice on the streets and many accidents.
The poor "Runners" , in town for the big Marathon -and from places North - must be very disappointed. Surely they were all hoping for nice warm weather. It just goes to show -- NOTHING is for sure - either here in Arizona or anywhere. :)
I'm now thinking of all the members of our family who had to be on the roads this morning -
Today is Martin Luther King day --so possibly some have a holiday off - and are snug in their homes - - I hope so!

A Movie - -

Grandpa and me saw the movie today -- - "THe Pursuit of Happyness" -- -with Will Smith and his son - -- great movie!
We went to the new Cinemark -- at the 202 and Dobson - the only business yet completed at the huge new complex. It's going to be quite the area for shoppers!

January - 2007!

Looks like everyone is very busy - - and noone is "guessing" who the ornaments were given by that decorate our tree. -- so - wE'll just move on in to 2007. I have a slide show (CD ) of LOTS , if not all -- of our ornaments - some as old as about 48 years. :)
We have had a wonderful Christmas Season.
Only today have we finished taking down the decorations. (Lot's of dust under those greens! :)
Since I last posted here, we have seen a moving Ultra sound of Sophia Ulm - - and had a fun announcement on Christmas day by Jonathan Kellso, of yet another baby to join our family in this year of 2007! Sophia looked wonderful and healthy - -so that and news of yet another wee one joining the Kellso family are indeed great for starting the New Year.
In case anyone is counting - that will make NINE GREAT-grandchildren for Grandma and Grandpa Judge.!
The newlyweds of the family- David and Jenna, made it home from Chicago for a week --- it was great to see them !
We also got to see an Intown Wrestling Competition in which Michael did very well. GO MIKE!
Love to you all!
Grandma Judge