Another week in review 1-19 to 1-24

We anxiously awaited a call this week from long-time Alaskan friends, Bill & Shari Howard (notice I didn't say "old" friends, we're sensitive to that word now.)  It's been at least 15 years since we've seen them.  Bill & Allan worked together in Fairbanks.   Bill and Shari do it right...get out of Alaska in the winters...they were on their annual "get away from the cold" adventure...on their way to Bullhead City, AZ.  Had drinks at the house then out to dinner at The Crab Pot in LaQuinta.  One of our favorite restaurants. 

If you look hard, you can see the Mud Pie in the center.  Allan always orders one (hoping he gets to eat it by himself), but we all decided to dig in, too.

Bill & Shari are golfers, so the next night we decided to meet them at Arnold Palmer's Restaurant in La Quinta for Happy Hour.  They had spent the day trying out their new golf clubs.  We were supposed to meet @ 3:30...we were there, Bill & Shari weren't yet.  Allan called them, and just when he was talking to them...Arnold Palmer walked out onto the patio.  Allan got off the phone and motioned to Arnold to come have a drink with us.  He said, "I've got to figure out how to make money at this place." 

He was so gracious.  I told him my sister will die when she sees this picture.  He said, "I certainly hope it doesn't kill her."

Allan took the first picture, then Arnie said, "does your husband want one, too."  So this ranks as our most famous person we've met so far.

Bill & Shari finally showed up an hour later...very disappointed that they missed "the man". 

The rest of the week, we've been busy...went to the Indio Performing Arts Center (no, not dancing this time) on Friday evening for the performance of "Sister Robert Anne's Cabaret Class".  A great one-woman show with a collection of songs from the entire NUNSENSE series.    Only 10 of us in the audience...we're trying to support the local theatre, so it will keep going.

Sunday afternoon was our weekly concert at the Palm Desert Community Center...and it was a barbershop group called the Sandblasters.  Loved it!  Once those 30 seniors started singing...everyone had a smile on their faces.  Reminded me of the quartets my Dad sang in at church. 

 That evening we were invited to dinner at a neighbors (Alan & Sally) down the street (winter here, other home in Sacramento).  We met at our annual Homeowner's meeting.  Alan liked Allan, yes, hard to believe, huh?  Sally is quite the gourmet cook...their trips are centered around cooking classes...latest were to Italy and China.  The highlight of the dinner was Sally's homemade Limoncello (which she learned to make in Italy).  Us girls had one small cordial, while the guys finished off the bottle.  Needless to say, Allan didn't move too far off the couch the next day.

Allan's off the couch now and feeling better.  Starting a courtyard project.  Decided we needed something bigger on that wall.

So here is the start of the new fountain...can't wait.  While Allan worked on setting the blocks, I played tennis (I have my priorities), then went to the Senior Center for a free flower pot planting class coordinated by our Indio mayor.  Got to bring a pot home, too.

Life is good...here in the desert!