So when I awoke today, I was greeted with the news that every banking institution I have ever been apart of (with the exception of BoA) no longer exists.  First Union became Wachovia.  Wachovia is becoming Citigroup.  And First Bank of National Arizona was bought by Wells Fargo.  As  Dr. Phil says, if all your relationships end in failure, the only common denominator is you.  Perhaps I am the key to our country’s financial crisis.  Bwhahahahaha!

Life in sunny AZ is still hot as hell.  Last weeks temps soared to 106 and I keep waiting for cooler weather.  My theatre gig is in full swing and I feel like I’m going to lose my mind with all the work I need to do.  I am in the throes of writing two scripts and teaching two classes.  Every moment of the day should be spent doing constructive things, but I’m finding it hard especially when all my favorite shows finally have new episodes.

This past weekend, Chucklebutt and I spent lots of time traveling the Valley doing errands.  When braved Scottsdale and I went shopping at one of my favorite clothing stores.  It’s called Diva and it has great "big girl clothes."  They are way overpriced, but if you can get their sale stuff, it’s not too bad.  I wish my motherr had been there because she really likes their stuff.   So, I spent money I didn’t have in her honor.  😀 

After Diva, we did the rounds of Lowe’s AutoZone and Walmart.  While at Walmart, Chuck injured his finger and he thought he separated the tendons.  Although not that big of a deal to the average bloke, he types all day for a living and was a little worried.  So off we headed to the ER on a Saturday night.  We tried the new hospital right down the road from us and were in and out in thirty minutes.  He hasn’t received the bill yet, and I think he may be in for sticker shock once it comes due.

Here are some shots of our latest escapades and my latest treasures.

What is this you may ask?  This is Chuck’s latest project.  I came home one afternoon last week to find him on the couch stuffing envelopes.  He saves all the junk mail envelopes and stuffs them with trash.

He takes all the solicitations he receives in the mail and tears them up and ships them back to the soliciators on their dime.   Devious, no?

This is not the best picture, but it shows you how many cards I got from all my residents on my birthday.  Again, Scooter had to sit on them.

Chuck took this photo for me of two birthday gifts I received.  The booties where from my Aunt Jean and Uncle Pete and the key chair was from my Aunt Meme and Uncle John.  I love them both!

Finally, pics of my first beeswax project I made with Mike.  He is so cool and I am so glad I took a class with him. 

I started with a variety of images and made a collage using the beeswax.  Then I wrapped the collage in an old sheet and added more beeswax.  Afterwards, we used alcohol inks and stamps around the edging.

Finally, Mike dripped candle wax on the corner and used an old door handle to create the impression.  It was so much fun although I burned the crap out of myself using one of the irons.  A war wound I guess.

I made this posey out of crepe paper and feathers thanks to Sandra Evertson’s instruction.  We also made them at work.

I found this old high school diploma at Good Will for a buck.

The graduate’s name is Lavern Winge and I think I may have found a picture of her family on the web.  There are old class pictures from Lyons High School online and I found one from 1924.  This diploma is from 1935, so the student in the pic would be an older brother or cousin.

I’ve never seen a prettier diploma.

More goodies I found from the local thrift stores. 

The book is dated 1929 and cost me a quarter. 

I love the illustrations.

These are illustrations from another book I bought for a quarter.

I have no idea what this little bird tray is used for but I thought it was precious.

I love old sheet music.

This is an old LP cover for the story of Rapunzel.  Cool eh?

These are a few more pictures from our adventures in Payson a couple of weeks ago.  Gorgeous scenery!

This gives you a better perspective of how high the rocks were.

This picture could be in Asheville instead of AZ.

And of course, what would a blog update be without Remy.  Sorry Mom, I know this freaks you out, but the online community must know about Remy’s antics.  So we haven’t used our grill in about a month.  This is what we found yesterday-

Argh!  And no this photo has not been doctored in any way.  That is exactly how we found the grill when we opened it.  Can you believe the pods are that high?!

Finally, a cute photo of the girls.