Wednesday, Jan 23rd

It as chilly this morning with temps in the 30's through the night, but a promise of the sun warming us up. 
  It was golf morning, so I was up early and ready to go when I got a phone call from Gerry that they were having vehicle problems.  He had a tire problem, it kept losing air and they made attempts at inflating it without success.  Finally they had to pull off the 202 and turn in to a Toyota dealer to get it repaired rather than being stranded on the road.  I had to make a hurried departure a little after 7 AM to pick him up and it required travel in the rush hour traffic.  With golf starting at 8:20, there was no time to lose.  I got there fine, just took about 25 or 30 minutes.  The return trip was good as I could drive the HOV lane and almost all traffic was going toward Phoenix.  I stuck to the freeway turning on to the 60 until Ironwood then headed south to Queen Creek, just in the nick of time.  Fortunately Terri saved us a spot in the second last group going out and we were in time.  The lady who organizes the group was concerned something had happened, but when she called we were almost at the course.  There was frost in the grass, so they were late getting out and the first group just went out as we got our cart.  In typical Arizona fashion the sun warmed the day quickly and it was actually very pleasant on the course.  Everything considered, the game went pretty well and we had a good morning.
  Marg had been doing laundry this morning and had it close to being done, when she went with some of the gals to the Dillard's final call store.  It is a place she has been before and where she finds great prices on quality garments.  For the other ladies with her, it was their first time to this store and they had no difficulty finding great deals and picking up a few things.  It must have been good as Marg even got a few things, so everyone was happy.
  When I got home I went out to get a few things and then did my electrical repairs.  I put in a new smoke detector, god knows how old this one was and they should be replaced as they are important in every home.  The switch is now in good order and we have fully functioning lights again, fingers crossed this should be the end of it.
  Around that time Marg got back from her trip to Dillard's and advised that we were having a few folks for happy today.  This meant a trip to Safeway for a few appies and a bag of ice.  Lynett's daughter is leaving for home back in Michigan tomorrow morning.  We got back just before they arrived, so had to scramble a bit.  When I was getting the tequila out of the cupboard, I noticed the shelf sagging from too much weight.  I could see another job in the offing.  Marg got the ice and tequila in the blender and made mango margarita's.  These and the appies were a big hit and for those of us not partaking we had a few Miller high life's.  In all there were only 8 of us, just a nice size for conversation.
  We had to scramble a bit again as it was turkey soup tonight.  This is an annual tradition and is more like a turkey stew.  A new group made it this year and it was great.  When we got to the hall it was packed, so we had to split up.  I went to take some pictures and Marg accompanied by a golfing friend got our soup.  One of the ladies at our table brought beer bread.  It was great and I highly recommend it.
  We had about an hour and then it was time for poker.  I was tired and having second thoughts about going, but must have got a second wind when I got there.  Anyway I made a little bit, although I was not the big winner at the table.  When I got back Marg had shifted all the liquor bottles to a lower cupboard where the weight is not a problem.  In fairness there are only 4 bottles of scotch, two of Irish whisky, two of Canadian whiskey and the rest is hers, but it seems to have solved the problem of the failing shelf.