Mellow Last Weekend

I'm feeling sad that I will be leaving this warm, sunny oasis in 2 days. It's been a great experience! While An was home this past weekend, we did a few things, and lazed around a lot too. On Saturday, we had lunch with the RuthLes couple from Zion and their nephew Jason. The food was delicious, and a good time was had by all. Saturday night, we roamed around Old Town, stopping for gelato, Starbucks, good music and pictures by statues. The next day, we headed back downtown for weekly music in the park. It felt like a hot summer day in MN, the kind you spend relaxing with your small community.

Once again, we roamed the streets (and had Starbucks). An decided this is what she wants in her house. She figured it would last a year, year and a half.

The Sugar Bowl. Scottsdales famous little restaurant/ice cream parlor that has been featured in the comic Family Circus.

Instead of the busy weekend full of exciting things I'd hoped for, I got a mellow one instead. However, it was a good way to enjoy my last weekend of sun and fun in Arizona.

1year yesterday

for Mark and I. I get to see him in 4 days!

Arizona All-Nighter

First, An and I decided to get creative. She gifted me this shirt; much too large for me, but I like the colors. Please excuse the nasty, blurry photos.

I took my needle and thread to it, and this is what I got. Was size L, now is size Krista.

I basically just put a whole bunch of tucks in it.

I let the stitches show, in a homemade, I-was-lazy sort of way.

After our creative juices no longer flowed, we went dumpster-diving. Paper cups abounded in the Borders dumpster! If I was holding a party, that would be awesome! We also got some aprons and boxes.

In-N-Out was the next stop, for food. I like their late night workers better than McDonalds. More friendly and they wear these cool red aprons with huge safety pins.

After a Walgreens stop and a long candy eating session, we headed out to the hot tub. This was around 4:45 am.

It kind of made us sleepy, so we hopped in bed afterward. I slept for a while, and now I'm good to go again!

Hey- Listen to my big brother do the color commentary for the MTU girls basketball team from Missouri tonight!

Read Me

This book wasn't like my usual reading material- which is mostly romance (hey, I like it). It opened my eyes to a couple things: post-partum depression and London. I was fascinated. It is so well-written, it seems like a true story.

Ways to Save at Hotels & other things I've learned

• Book early, and through the hotel directly. Our prices have almost doubled for the busy season from when I started in Nov. You might get a better deal through Expedia/Hotels.com if booking closer to your check-in date, but it is also harder to cancel, add days, etc.
• Ask for a better rate when booking on the phone. We can give a 5% discount if we want, and we don't check for AAA cards.
• Make the reservation for one adult. Our price goes up $5 for each additional adult. Some hotels might be picky, but we aren't. We can't keep track of everyone in all the rooms.
• BE NICE. You are more likely to get what you want, like a 5% discount. I don't like to give things to rude guests.
• If you don't care about housekeeping, look for a hotel without the daily service. The rate should hopefully reflect the savings. And you can probably get clean towels, sheets, etc for free from the desk at anytime. You could probably also borrow a vacuum.
• Ask for freebies. We have shampoo, soap, laundry soap, fabric softener, coffee, deodorant, razors and shaving cream, dishwashing liquid, and matches.
• Ask for coupons for nearby restaurants, ideas for things to do and places to see. People in the area give me these things frequently, and guests rarely ask for them.

I've learned so much during my front desk stint, just thought I'd share some of it with you. And I couldn't get spaces between bullets without using another bullet.

Goodbyes

2 girls arrived Monday, we all went out for yogurt, then 3 left Tuesday.

The week rushed by with a whoosh, it's Saturday, and time to say goodbye to 2 girls.

We made Sarah quick sit up from her nap on the floor for this picture...

It's been so much fun getting to know new people, and having old friends visit. We have three days of quiet until 3 more girls arrive from MI on Weds.

I only have 5 days left of work, then a whole 6 days to enjoy AZ to the fullest before I go back to MN.

One day before One PM

We got up early, early to hitch a ride to Echo Canyon with An on her way to work. Up we climbed...

Then down Camelback, and back up. A little bit sunnier on the top this time.

It's tourist time in AZ, so it was a good thing we climbed when we did. Going back down Echo was crowded!

Next, we ran to catch our bus, then made it to the transit station. We got more $ from the bank and waited for our next bus. Jane taught us coolio tricks with the bus fare- $1.75.

Soooo hungry. We walked to NYPD pizza for lunch, and took some pics in front of the strip malls down the street.

Typical sister stuff.

After we scarfed our pizza, we decided to check out the huge culvert under our road. It was creepy, and we only dared go in a little way before hurrying back out. It would actually be an ideal place for the homeless to congregate (unless it rains).

Huh. Good to know.

Spoooooky. So dark, and weird lumps on the ground.

Kayla and I have a fascination with silhouette pictures. I think we took one on our Mississippi River Mini-cation last year....

Then it was out to the pool for their last day in the sun. Cor was already settled in on her lawn chair, with some heat rash protection.

Kayla-bayla.

After a while, we get tired of laying there. Monopoly Deal is the current IN game. We've played multiple times here, and it's always fun. Try it!!

It's been an awesome day, and I will be sad to see these girls leave tomorrow morning. But only about 2 weeks until I join them back in MN. And until then, we've got more guests to hang with (two girls from MI: Tessa A and Hannah K) :)

I hope some of the snow melts before I get there

I'm coming home.
I'm coming home.
Tell the world that I'm coming home.

It's funny how when you get what you've been wishing for, you look back and think that what you had wasn't so bad. My flight to MN is scheduled for March 30, and I am very excited about that. However, I am a little sad to leave this AZ way of life. I'm going to try and enjoy these last few weeks to the fullest!

The company came

Thus far, we've done quite a bit with the two girls who are here.

Heidi and I went to a SF Giants vs CO Rockies spring training game at the new stadium here. We got lawn seats, which were actually pretty nice as far as view and crowds go. It was a HOT day, and we got very sunburned. We hung out by the Rockies bullpen and got free balls from their pitching coach.


An took us to her favorite store- Buffalo Exchange. I love it now too! It's a great mix of vintage and current previously owned clothes. Lots of funky styles.



We went shopping at other stores too. I got a new dress, which I can't wait to wear. Christina, me, and Heidi chillin' in the back seat.

Volleyball! We actually had 3 on 3 (instead of our usual 2 on 2). It felt just like summer during our game.

Out for coffee late at night. Tina being her usual BA self. Haha.

Looking forward to more good times with another girl arriving today, and two more tomorrow.

Picnics, Cabbage Juice and Other Randoms

Sometimes people ride their horses in Paradise Valley parks. Random fun fact. It's kind of neat to see, but I feel sorry for them that they have to ride in the middle of the city.

An makes a mean hummus. It looks yuck, but was delicious on a wrap, and perfect for our picnic.

This woman had never used an orange peeler before I introduced her to one. I know, I know, deprived child! See how happy it makes her?

We got stuck in our apartment the other day. Door would not open, and I didn't want to break it (cheyeah, I'm that strong. ha). The great thing about apartment living is maintenance is one short phone call away. He had to climb in the window (scary that it's that easy) and file a piece of metal down. It was our excitement for the day. Sometimes we're short on entertainment here :)

Cabbage juice. Has anyone ever made it? Drank it? I read online that it's good for the stomach, for ulcers and such. I think I have one, but I really don't want to go to the doctor (even though I have insurance again, whoop!). Plus, seems like it's just something that needs to heal. I'm going to try the cabbage juice thing.

My cutie-pie niece left me a voice message singing Jesus Loves Me. It sounds like hee haw haw haw, but is oh-so-cute. My other cutie-pie niece says "peace" when you shake her hand. I love when kids learn that!

We have guests arriving! Heidi H, Christina K, Alisa R, Coralie, and Kayla are all coming in the next two weeks. Should add some spice to our quiet apartment.