Topeka Drive

Goodbye Meadow drive, hello Topeka drive.

Sunday 4/18/1999 update

Having been able to push closing date up one week, Saturday March 20 was the long awaited moving day. All went reasonably well, with a few noteworthy items: 1) Despite much planning (and raving), Dads garage ended up full of boxes, leaving no room for parking. 2) Decision was made that old ratty couches should never even enter new house, they went right to the dump, along with the old fridge. 3) Much mail already received at new address, including countless home decorating offers, and a nice new mortgage payment book.

After a long day hauling boxes (next time will be calling movers), we retired upstairs for a round of nice hot baths. However, no hot water upstairs resulted in family taking turns in downstairs tub. The general air of disorganization was welcomed by Dustin and Danielle, who felt like we were on an outing at the cabin.

Since then, we have managed to unpack most mission critical items ("But it's not my hairbrush!"), and life goes on. We are considering putting a website counter in place, to record the number of days without a spill on the kitchen/family room tile and grout.

Upper right: Jeff and Darlene survey the low maintenance "natural desert" landscaping, complete with nails and other construction materials, as found in the real desert. Below: Jan and Darlene try to figure out what to do with the TBD room. Jeff measures for a TV in the family room, and ponders which child will be sold for down payment.

New car for Darlene

Saturday 9/26/1998 update

After replacing power steering pump twice, high and low pressure power steering lines, master cylinder, fuel pump, alternator, water pump, and noticing that the transmission was slipping badly, we decided that it was time to trade in the Taurus. For some time Jeff had been thinking about getting a smaller, more fuel efficient car, for zipping around town. This was the time.

We took the Taurus down to the Ford dealership Monday, and found a great deal on a sporty new 1998 Escort. Features include: white 4 door, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, alarm, tinted windows, 6 deck CD player, cruise control, antilock breaks, dual airbags, 6 miles on the OD, roadside assistance, 3.9% financing, 1K cash back from Ford. Also contributing to the decision, was the very favorable write-up by Consumer Reports, of this particular model/year.

Darlene is thrilled (there's nothing like that new car smell), the only regret being that we did not make the trade several months ago (the AC on the Taurus was also broken, contributing to a miserable AZ summer). Jeff is also ecstatic, looking forward to all the extra time on the weekends, to spend on the more important things in life, like watching football.

Hard hits at major league batting practice, and on Dustin's noggin

Sunday 9/20/1998 update

Saturday night Dustin, Danielle, Darlene, Jeff, Grandma Webb, Nathan, and Monique enjoyed a great view of the DiamondBacks v.s. Braves game, from the front of the upper deck. Everyone enjoyed batting practice, when the back of the ballpark resembled a pinball machine, with balls smashing into signs, lights, tables, and fans. Unfortunately, thanks to Glavin, the game itself was not as thrilling for AZ fans.

However, the weekend did not end up on a high note. In the course of playing with a neighborhood friend Sunday, Dustin managed to connect the back of his head with the business end of an aluminum window frame. After spending several hours waiting in the hospital emergency room, and 3 staples later, Dustin is still full of energy, hardly having missed a beat. The doctor's recommendation of no hair washings for at least 3 days, to allow the 1/2 inch cut to begin healing, was great news for Dustin. "Sorry Mom, no bath, doctors orders."

Montgomery Drive

Thanksgiving in the desert

Thursday 11/26/1998 update

This year Montgomery drive hosted this fall culinary classic. In attendence were Gene and Jan, Kevin and Jennifer, Jeff and Darlene, Margie, Dustin and Danielle, "B" and Bobby Boyette. Unfortunately, it was difficult to get into the proper Thanksgiving spirit, due to the abnormally high afternoon temperature -- in the mid-80°s. The warm temperatures did make for an ideal hickory smoked charcoal file. The 20lb. smoked turkey was a great success.

From left: Gene, Kevin, Jan, and Darlene.

Granddaughters day, and a snake in the fold (again)

Saturday 10/3/1998 update

While Jeff and Darlene spent the day helping friends move into their new home. Grandma Jan and Danielle took the opportunity to spend the day doing their own thing. This included spending time at Elle's favorite playground (the one with the "rocket" swings), followed by lunch at McDonalds. Later, the girls decided to whip up some treats -- homemade cookies.

A late afternoon trip to the park, joined by Dustin and Darlene, was delayed by the appearance of a Senoran Gopher snake (Pituophis Malanolcucus Affinis) , stretched across the front yard. Grandpa Gene and Jeff quickly assessed the situation, and promptly sought the aid of neighbor, and experienced professional snake handler (a good neighbor to have in the desert surrounding Phoenix) "B" Boyette. B quickly grabbed some wooden poles and proceeded to extract the 6+ foot reptile from the shrubs. The Gopher snake closely resembles a Rattler, without the rattle, bearing very similar markings. Dustin and Danielle took advantage of the opportunity to examine a full-grown wild snake up-close, thanks to the assistance from B. Following the hands-on lesson, our snake friend was released in a gully behind the house.