Making Friends

Posted on November 24, 2012 by TheJessicaness

Today was great. I made it to Piestewa Peak early enough to find parking. I ate a banana and made my way to the trailhead. There are rock steps most of the way up the intense vertical climb. The view is amazing and makes it worth the 1.2 miles of sweat this hike will bring. After the hike I drove to the Desert Botanical Garden. Admission was $18 and well worth it. I gave myself three hours because I had lunch plans and the lady at the desk said it takes about an hour and a half. I think after three hours I might’ve seen half the park.

I started out on the small loop to the right and heard live music. I enjoyed the cacti, hummingbirds, and sculptures too. I found the source of the sound with a collection of instruments and while listening made new friends, Kim and Therese. We walked the park together and talked and just got along great. We exchanged information and then went our separate ways. They gave me a list of some places to see while in Phoenix and I’m hoping to come back and see it with them.

I was feeling sweaty and wanted a shower before lunch. Caleb called me on the way home and it felt great to tell him about my morning. He had some schedule changes on his side of the world that may affect our communication for a bit, but I’m happy with what we get. I cleaned up and jumped in the car. Lunch was moved from 2:00 pm to 1:30 pm and I made it to California Pizza Kitchen in Tempe Marketplace at 1:40. Grandma and I had the spinach and artichoke pizza, and Amanda had the chimichurri chicken. We split a salted caramel pudding dessert and made it to the theater in plenty of time for Lincoln.

The movie started at 3:15 and is a two and a half hour film. When we first sat down the theater wasn’t that full, but by the start of the movie groups of people were scattered throughout in single seats to watch what they paid for. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but it’s a great biography of President Lincoln’s life. He seemed like a guy that I would want to be friends with or work for. The actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, that portrayed him did wonders. We could use another president with a beard and top hat.

dessert from CPK

After the movie we drove to Grandma’s to say good night and then I followed Amanda to her house and we rode to Tailgaters together. Halfway there Scott calls to let us know that they cancelled trivia night because of the Notre Dame game, but that dinner is on the house because they didn’t call him ahead of time. Amanda and I share a cheese pizza and Scott gets a calzone. I was glad the trivia was cancelled as Scott still had the questions and is more talkative with fewer people. We enjoyed some conversation and then I shared dessert with Amanda. We had warm undercooked cookies with ice cream on top.

Back at the house Amanda’s dogs, Frank and Bella, made friends with me while we talked and looked through her wedding album. Her dress was beautiful and the photos well taken with different lighting and angles. It was after 10:00 pm when I left. I don’t want days like this to end. I got to spend time with family, make new friends, and talk to family far away. I got a call from my dad letting me know his trip was amazing and I called my mom to find out about her holiday events.

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The Morning After

Posted on November 23, 2012 by TheJessicaness

The alarm went off and I went back to sleep. Caleb texted me and I went back to sleep. This morning had come too soon. Caleb texted me again and I got up. I was still full. I walked the dogs. I couldn’t remember what time we agreed to start making cookies so I headed to Grandma’s. She had granola in the oven and stock on the stove. We were just about to start making cookies and Caleb texts me that he can Skype… for an hour.

He tells me that after taking the guy to the store for superglue and band-aids because they didn’t have butterfly stitches he gets to hear about a guy that cheated on his wife. The guys aren’t ready to get him in trouble, but I hope he doesn’t get in trouble for trying to keep a secret. Caleb wishes the guy would’ve kept it away from his roommates, and the crew, so they don’t have to lose respect for him. I tell him a few things I forgot last night and that I’m about to make cookies. He tells me to take pictures and that he’s going to bed.

I help roll the dough out. We cut cookies into bells, trees, stars, poinsettias, and gingerbread men. It’s an old family recipe made with bacon fat – I had more than one. For lunch was a banana, some kiwi, and a slice of pumpkin pie. After the cookies were done I had some chocolate and a slice of fruitcake along with a hot tottie to cure my cough. Dinner was a salad and a glass of wine. Dessert was two pieces of cheesecake with cherries on top. Great food, great conversation, and more to look forward to.

Talking with Dan was fun. He is such a lively spirit and has a great relationship with my grandma. They have been working and living together for 13 years… and still putting up with each other. I’ve had fun and learned some things in the last few days and am glad that I live closer so that I can continue to grow my relationships. I’m happy that I have so much family that I’m able to spend the holidays with, but would be ecstatic if ever we (mine and Caleb’s families – both parents) were all able to share some memories together.

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A Food Baby

Posted on November 22, 2012 by TheJessicaness

Dan eating Mary’s yams

The book I was reading last night started out a bit debatable – to read or not to read, but at some point I chose the former and found my self up later than I had planned so when the alarm went off this morning I thought about sleeping in. Then I remembered I had to walk the dogs, hike a mountain, take a shower, and peel potatoes at Grandma’s at 11:00am. There was also all the driving to be done in between. Today’s hike would be Piestewa – one of top 3 recommended in Phoenix; Camelback and South Mountain being the other two.

All 18 (didn’t actually count them) parking lots were full and cars were parking on the rocks next to the no parking signs. I went back to the empty street to look for parking – not allowed on weekends or holidays. So I went to the next road to find some parking. I found an empty lot and was debating parking or going elsewhere when Caleb called. We talked at least an hour and a half. I drove home and after we got off the phone I got in the shower. I enjoyed the yellow water (thanks Dad – your horse really is amazing) and then drove the 24 miles to Grandma’s house arriving on time.

Peeled potatoes, watched some Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and then Amanda showed up with extra tables and food. I met her husband, not the most social creature, and her friend Melissa, who was nice and very helpful. I started eating appetizers at 1:00 pm. The family was told to arrive by 2:00 pm and most did. I got carried away meeting Dan’s side of the family – sweet and funny, but didn’t have to be told twice to grab a plate at 3:00. I filled it with green beans, potatoes, corn, yams, a roll, cranberry sauce, and a cranberry concoction (note: get yam recipe) with a glass of eggnog to wash it down.

my dinner plate

It would be about three hours before I bring up dessert. There are four pies – pecan, pumpkin, cherry tart, and peach cherry. I sliced them all and then helped myself to a slice of pecan; I should’ve stopped halfway through, but I’m sure to still be stuffed tomorrow when I go back to make cookies – keeping me out of the dough. I heard Grandma promoting my blog and Dan showing it off on his phone to his sister-in-law, Mary, who I got along with so well that we talked outside until the living room lights dimmed and Grandma told us she was ready for bed, but not before some more talking.

I had a great day sans turkey that caused three people to take naps after dinner. I brought back some leftovers for me – bell peppers, radishes, cheese cubes, potatoes, yams; the dogs – stuffing and turkey; and the pecan pie for Caroline, my dad’s wife. Dan kept the turkey and pumpkin pie and the other leftovers were divided amongst others that wanted them. I already brushed my teeth and need to drink water to wash all the food down. I thought I paced myself having only eaten one plate full but I wasn’t the only one with a food baby.

Just about to read and Caleb calls. It’s 9:00 am his time. There was a Thanksgiving dinner on board and some more celebration dinner with Jack Daniels in the barracks. We might’ve talked longer, but Caleb had to take one of the guys to base to get a butterfly stitch for the gash on his hand – he had too much to drink. Caleb has been able to manage his drinking to lessen the stress of being in charge of people who don’t know their job and working with others that are not deserving of their job titles.

Caleb’s dinner table

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The Day Before the Turkey

Posted on November 21, 2012 by TheJessicaness

morning sky at Thunderbird Park

I hit the snooze button this morning. My alarm went off four hours after I laid down; I wasn’t ready to get up. Some fruit for breakfast and I prepare for the morning hike at Thunderbird Park – boots and camera equal ready. I think about using a different lens and upon inspection it looks like a hairy grasshopper has moved on to the sensor in my camera. I thought that only happened to other people, but I remain calm.

yellow-spined cacti

I call around to all the photo and camera places within a 20 mile range. It’s not the starting price of $50 that detoured my decision, but the day or two time frame they said it would take to fix. Luckily for me, I’ve got Photoshop and will just edit out any extra creatures appearing uninvited in my photos, though it might make for a great post – I shall see. With that decision made I drive to the park and am glad I didn’t bring my dogs as almost everyone else did.

budding plant life

There are hikers, cyclists, and horses in nearby stables waiting to be ridden. I had planned on a different trail, but that’s not where I parked so I just followed the crowd up the hill. There are great sun-filled views and mountains in the distant desert. A sweater proves to be a bad idea as 60 degrees is hotter in the desert while hiking. Not a strenuous hike so it made for a great morning walk. I thought I might backtrack, but ended up taking a different trail back to the parking lot by accident. I saw a stink bug on a cacti and a bird on a bush. Perhaps the other animals travel for the turkey season too and are awaiting scraps in the neighborhood.

rocky road to the peak

I drive back to my dad’s place to walk the dogs before going to Grandma’s to help cook and then remember that I need my oil changed. The guys at Econo Lube N’ Tune are friendly and the service fast. I even got a smiley face on my reminder sticker. Then I saw the gas gauge and drove to the pump. I was excited about the $3.35 per gallon price, but noticed I was paying ten cents more without the cash discount. It’s still cheaper than what I’m paying in California.

dusty distant view

At Grandma’s I cut parsley, peppers, and cheese. There will be plenty of food to eat and lots of new faces to meet. I haven’t seen my aunt Amanda in eight years and have yet to meet her husband, Scott. She shows up to help cut celery, garlic, and sausage. Then the three of us enjoy some fridge-cheesecake while Dan, my grandma’s boyfriend, continues to do yard work. Grandma brings up that my cousin Shaun’s wife is having a second baby. I have yet to meet the first and haven’t seen him since I was a teenager.

view from the top

After Grandma’s I walked the dogs and fed them. It was 7:30 and they went to bed so I went out in search of conversation at an undisclosed location. I would like to thank J. for sharing words and food with me – giving me breakfast for tomorrow. It’s 9:30 pm and I’m going to read Makers – The New Industrial Revolution by Chris Anderson for a while. Then I will brush my teeth and attempt to fall asleep in a timely fashion, though I’m not worried about slumber. I’m sure tomorrow’s binge eating will put me in a food-overload coma for a few hours.

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A Late Drive to Note City

Posted on November 20, 2012 by TheJessicaness

I started my trip a little later than I had planned. I would drive away from the sun and into the dark. I had six hours of highway to look forward to. I had enough gas in my tank to make it to Yuma before having to fill up. I grabbed a coffee for me and some water for the dogs to wash their dinner down. I forgot about the time change, but luckily Grandma was woken minutes before I called to let her know I was 20 miles away. I arrive at her house after 11:00 pm to pick up the key to my dad’s place and some more fruit (he wasn’t kidding about an empty fridge).

I get to his house and decide to go in first to pee before walking the dogs. Before I got here I had been told that there would be no food, please water the plants once, and do a blog post – now I know why. I walked in the door and switched on the light. I turned around to close the door and that’s when I noticed the first note ‘Lock door, it’s easy.’ I would make my way to the bathroom and the notes continued on. It was great to be greeted by my dad’s creativity, but sad to miss one of his hugs . He even left a note for the dogs.

I went downstairs and walked them in the wet grass. After Piggy blindly stumbled up the stairs she eagerly searched for signs of the boogie man or any lurking llamas – we had been warned. Pajamas on, teeth brushed, lights off, but no ‘good nights’. It feels different being in someone’s house without them here and I’m worried that my dogs will make me regret bringing them with. I do right now – Sparky just farted. Lucky for me he lacks the thumbs necessary for a Dutch oven. It’s almost 2:00 am and tomorrow will be here soon whether I sleep or not. Grandma recommends I try Thunderbird Park in the morning before going over and helping prepare Thanksgiving dinner.

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