Visit to Arizona

I read in a making-good-habits book about a woman who decided that she would choose one weekend a year to always visit her sister.  I liked that idea and decided right then to make President's Day weekend the time to travel to Arizona to visit all my family - especially my younger sister, Juli.  Even though we had just left Phoenix in July, and even though we didn't have a lot of funds set aside for a trip this year, I did have a Southwest travel voucher that I needed to use so it was decided that just I would go in 2020.  Saturday, February 15th, I drove to Kansas City airport and flew into Phoenix that evening.  I stayed with Amy and Cory.  On Sunday afternoon, we had a cousin gathering at Jerri's care facility in the casita in the back yard.  It was a huge success.  Below are photos of all who attended:

Four of the five siblings - Juli, Jim, Jerri, me

Rob Bowden and his wife Joanne

Brent Bowden with Susette and children  

Neal and Paul Fraedrich

Jerri with Jesse and Juli

After that gathering, Amy and Cory had their two married daughters over for dinner so Juli and I got to hang out with the Ellsworth family for the evening before Juli headed back up to Payson.  

Below is a photo of Cory and Amy and Cory with Atley's twin girls, Sophie (dark hair and Evie (light hair).  They are about 3 1/2 years old.

Monday morning, I borrowed my sister Jerri's Honda Pilot (she hasn't driven it in three years - it just sits parked at Amy and Cory's) and drove to Phoenix.  My first stop was to deliver some belongings to the parents of Elder Chase Pottle who is currently serving in our ward.  His father was VERY helpful to our family about a month ago when my 1st cousin, Jan Winfield, needed help moving heavy furniture out of  the condo of her older sister, Kay, who lived in Sun City and now had to live in assisted living.  He had a massive crew to help so I also wanted to express my gratitude to him for that help.  Below is me with the Pottle family of Peoria...

My next stop was to visit Kay Winfield in her new place.  It is a lot like where my sister Jerri lives - a regular home that has been converted to house elderly people.  It is quite nice and Kay seems happy to be there.  

Then, I visited the Deseret Industries right next to the mission office to look for a new purse and I found two!  Yay for me.  I stopped in at the mission office and it was a Monday so President and Sister Collins were there and we had a nice little visit.

Then, I got gas at our favorite Arco gas station on Deer Valley and had lunch at the Culvers we used to frequent.  Next, I drove up to the Anthem area and I visited Lottie Anderson, my cello student, and her family.

Then to the Harris/Murray family where I did not take a photo because they were sick and in pajamas.  Next it was to see Janet and George Wells (and Mochi) where they fed me a delicious dinner.

Finally, I went to the Lucases to end my day.  Erik was another cello student and his family and Steve and I just hit it off with them right away when we moved up to Anthem.  

It was a long day but a great one.  

The next day was also a LONG day - but not so great.  The morning started out relaxed enough at Amy's.  She drove me to the airport at about noon and I flew out at around 2:00.  The best flight I could find was one that took me first to LAX so that is where I went first.  I knew I would have a 31/2  hour layover but it stretched out another 3 1/2 hours due to mechanical issues.  We finally boarded the plane at 9:30pm and I landed in Kansas City at 2:30.  By the time I got a shuttle out to my car in economy parking, it was 3:00.  I had to make two stops along the way - one for gasoline and one to get peanut M&Ms to help me stay awake so the 2 1/2 hour drive home became 3 hours.  Podcasts and the M&Ms helped me through but the last half hour was still really rough. I didn't pull into my driveway until 6:00 am.  I promptly fell into bed and slept until noon.  I still had to work at Music Suite so I ate and showered and headed to work. 

Next year, President's Day 2021, Steve will join me and hopefully, we will have just as wonderful a visit with no flight issues.