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‘life in Scottsdale’ Category

A Trip to Paris

January 26, 2012 by Karen of Scottsdale

A few days ago we celebrated 13 years of marriage! Norm took me to Paris for lunch. Well, not really, but it sure seems like we went to Paris. We visited Au Petit Four which is a French café and bakery newly located in Old Town Scottsdale. We happen to discover it last week while making a quick trip to the bank, which is right across the street. I told Norm that’s where I wanted to go for our anniversary.

It was a delightful lunch and it felt like we were in Paris because the owners and staff were speaking to each other in French and French music played the whole time we were there. Norm had a quiche and a field greens salad and I had a Panini and a simple pasta salad. All of it was quite tasty and fresh made. Then we splurged and had some kind of chocolate ganache dessert from the bakery. I don’t remember what it was called, but it was rich and tasty!

Check them out yourself!

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Welcome to the Neighborhood

January 13, 2012 by Karen of Scottsdale

It seems we will be getting new neighbors this weekend. I met the family last weekend when they were doing some work on the house. It’s a rental property and the previous renters had to be evicted. The owner, who used to live in the house, had to get quite a bit of work done getting the place ready for new tenants. Apparently, it wasn’t finished and so the new tenants are doing some of the work themselves. I don’t blame them for wanting to thoroughly clean the place before they move in.

They seem like a nice family with five children. The youngest seems to be a toddler and the oldest is probably around 13. All boys and one young girl. I’ve never been in the backyard but I know there is a pool. I hope, for the sake of the children, that the owner has a cover pool or at least a fence with a lock.

I know one thing for sure, it’s going to be a lot noisier around here. I don’t mind if kids are nice and the parents don’t scream at them. So far from what I’ve observed they seem to be a happy family.

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Not So Close Please

December 30, 2011 by Karen of Scottsdale

This afternoon we were at the grocery store getting items for a few meals. Right up front they put seasonal items and today I noticed something completely different. Fireworks! That’s right, you can now buy fireworks at the local grocery store. Of course there was a prominently displayed sign that posted a notice that it is illegal to shoot fireworks within the Scottsdale city limits. Now, I enjoy watching fireworks from afar but I would never light one myself. I would have to wear a welding helmet along with complete fire protection clothing. Ever since I was a young child I have had a deathly fear of sparks and fireworks ashes. It probably is because when I was a toddler I got ashes in my face from a backyard fireworks episode. I can’t even hold one of those sparklers or get near one without a panic attack. It’s a wonder I made it past the grocery store display!

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Finally!

December 30, 2011 by Karen of Scottsdale

After two years of pondering and searching for the right e-reader I finally got one! Thanks to a generous gift from my father for my birthday. It’s a Kindle touch and I really enjoy using it. I like it because you can read outdoors and there’s no glare on the screen. These days I’m using reading glasses so my next purchase will probably end up being Reading Glasses Sunglasses. I can use my regular reading glasses and wear a hat to block the sun from my eyes, but some days I just don’t like wearing a hat because then I end up with hat hair. Can not be seen around Scottsdale with hat hair!

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Double Take

December 30, 2011 by Karen of Scottsdale

So the other day were driving through old town Scottsdale and I see a young woman riding a bicycle. Lots of people ride bicycles around here. She was sporting one of those hiking backpacks, and upon first glance I thought she had a teddy bear stuffed in the opening of her backpack. After a double take I realized it wasn’t her teddy bear, but rather her terrier puppy dog. He was quite content and seemed to be enjoying the ride.

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The Arabians are Coming

December 28, 2011 by Karen of Scottsdale

Arabian horses are a big deal in Scottsdale. Horses are a prominent part of the history in the Southwest, but especially here in Scottsdale. All over Old Town you find life-size horse statues that are magnificent creations. I have a friend who’s really into horses and she owns a couple, but I don’t think there Arabians. She just loves horses. And anything having to do with horses, like what you feed them and how to ride them and especially horse equipment, are easily brought up in conversation with her. I haven’t seen her for a couple of years, but whenever I run into her we always talk about horses, and I don’t even own one! However, I must admit that part of me would really love to go see the Arabian horse show in February. Horses are so beautiful to watch and Arabians are among some of the most gorgeous.

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Merry Christmas

December 28, 2011 by Karen of Scottsdale

Okay, so Christmas was a few days ago. We had a very quiet Christmas this year – just me and Norm. Neither of us bothered to buy a gift for the other one because we’re both too lazy to go shopping. We went to church in the morning and then had a late lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s with Norm’s brother. The rest of the day we watched movies on TV. It was nice not to be in the hospital this year for Christmas.

I missed my family and playing games. Oh well, maybe next year?

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Why not end the Week with Me?

October 14, 2011 by azNorm

I have one great idea for all of you, end the week reading the ramblings of a Senior from Arizona who is blessed with a beautiful young wife.

Karen and I like to spend time driving around the metro Phoenix area and have been know to go outside the state on the occasional trip. That is made easier thanks to using the garmin trucking gps in our van.

I have all ways been one who enjoys driving and even as I get older that likely seems to continue. My training behind the wheel of an Arizona Highway Patrol Car, is etched in my head. So far my reaction times haven’t slowed down, he says, as yet. So I feel safe behind the wheel.

When driving, to be honest, I’m more concerned about other drivers who think nothing of making right turns from the far left lane, not using their turn signals, apparently thinking that you know there intentions.

Or the others who are conducting business on their cell phones driving at 15 to 20 miles over the posted speed limit. I’m being generous. If I had a radar gun, I bet it would be a lot more.

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