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

Merry Christmas Day! 2006

It's Christmas morning and "The Judge boys" are laying around in the living room, drinking coffee and talking cook shows, and I think from the computer room I am hearing a bit of "reminiscing" -- - Ralph/Grandpa/G.G Papa - is in the kitchen close by, making Grandma Jamiesons Americanized version of "Trifle" - - YUM! he has already made the newly introduced Gingerbread trifle, the Scottish shortbread - and his mothers (grandma Judge ,the other one) - cut out Christmas cookies with colored sugar frosting! Plates of those tied with pretty bows, have been given to neighbors - and two more platters will be taken to the family gathering this afternoon at 3!
Here in Arizona, there is no snow - but the temperature this a.m. IS down in the low 50's - although it is to rise to 65o by mid-day. The sun is shining - and I love it! I don't miss "A White Christmas" at all! Besides - last I heard, it was raining in Buffalo - so there!:)
It's time to go and join in, in the kitchen living room - just thought I'd check in for Christmas morning!
Grandma, Mom, G.G Joni

It's Friday the 22nd day of December - - and feeling about as wintery as it gets here in Arizona. The day began in sunshine - but suddenly the clouds moved in and an unexpected and unannounced rain began!!! We need it! and it feels very cozy to be in the house with candles lit - and lights twinkling. We had a yummy, hot fish stew for supper (shrimp and scallops) Grandpa Ralph is in a cooking mood - for sure! And even I worked alongside him doing a little thing of my own.
Ran to Sprouts for several things and was so happy that I wasn't running around all frantic as so many around me were!!! Nothing I needed was earthshaking , (well maybe a little - but baking things aren't usually what the stores are out of.) and it was comforting to go only 1/2 mile away - no traffic jams!
All is well here - and we hope it is with all of our loved ones too!

One more for today !

The hint on this one is: He's a daddy !