Welcome in March 2008! Can you believe that – already!!! We’ve now called Las Vegas HOME for nine months! Amazing!

Might as well start my ramblings with a weather update. We welcomed spring in FEBRUARY! Heat hasn’t kicked on for weeks! Temps are in the 50’s at night and 70’s during the day with bright sunshine peeking in our windows earlier and earlier every morning. Of course – the birds see this and INSIST it is time to get up! LOUDLY insist! Since moving, I’m no longer getting up at 4am for some reason! I try to sleep in till 6……if Tommy will allow it!

A couple of weeks ago – we had two days of rain! Ok…..not RAIN as my friends and family know it in Oregon…more like sprinkles. But with the sprinkles have come the blooming of the desert! Color has arrived and it is beautiful! I’ve included a few pictures of the plants in my yard – coming to life after what I’d call a VERY short winter. Sheesh……..we were still in short sleeves in November! BUT, we did have a winter and it was cold! Getting down into the teens for a couple of weeks. LOL…..and we whined about it to whoever would listen.

I haven’t posted in awhile…… this was due to some kind of depressed state we seemed to be going through after Randall’s accident. It was like a fog of darkness had come over our family. Even though everyone was ok in the end, the impact of the whole situation was horrible. The whole thing made us realize we’ve been so lucky in life for a very long time. We were again, lucky in that no one was hurt. And thankful to have each other and a new day! Having to deal with endless insurance issues for a few weeks afterward didn’t help matters though. But, I’m happy to say that everything is pretty much settled. Thank goodness for a great insurance policy – the car loan was completely paid off.

Randall has already purchased another car. Robert and I encouraged him to find something a little bit bigger then the Honda. Sorry kid – but he looked like a sausage stuffed into a casing sitting behind the wheel of that car. His knees proved my point during the accident. Sometimes the truth hurts and it takes a rude awakening to actually realize that mom SOMETIMES knows what she is taking about……sometimes.

Regarding the new car – Randall chose to research a Ford Mustang as his next vehicle. He really wanted something not-so-brand-new this time. Robert and I helped by surfing the Internet for what was available in the area. We didn’t have to look long.

Randall had rented a car from Enterprise to get him back and forth to work while the accident issues were being settled. We were not aware that Enterprise also had a used car lot. A few days into the rental, a salesperson called and asked about our situation, how the rental was working out, blah, blah, blah….and mentioned that they had the sales lot. Cars only used by Enterprise as rentals. Low mileage and guaranteed to be below bluebook pricing. Not to mention that they offered a warranty plan that was just as good as buying any new car! I told "Anthony" that Randall was looking for a Ford Mustang. They had one on the lot! A beautiful 2007 Silver Mustang with less then 20,000 miles on it! The price was amazing – considerably lower then anything we’d managed to find anywhere else!

Randall and I took an afternoon to check it out…..he did a test drive and we nearly had to drag him away from it just to do the paperwork! Robert met us after work and together we went over the details. Long story short – Randall drove home in his beautiful car, appropriately nicknamed "SILVER"! Hi Ho Silver! Ok……no groaning. A picture is posted.

We are hearing of some changes coming for Robert and his job. He’s carved his niche already. Upper management has already offered him his own property. The Las Vegas Hilton. Nothing has been put into writing yet but he’s pretty much accepted. The most notable change – he will get weekends off! Not that that really matters here in Las Vegas! NOTHING closes. In fact, I rarely know what day it is anyway. We’ll keep you all posted as to what happens.

My work has been keeping me busy too! That and the birds of course. Everyone has been undergoing molts so we’re looking a bit ruffled right now. With the dry climate – bathing is daily for them! Thank goodness for tile floors! Other then molts, everybirdy is happy and healthy……oh, and enjoying the new toy creations that mom has tossed them lately!

For the first time since I can remember – I’m going to shop for a patio set!! LOL…..ok, so maybe that might not be exciting to some but we’ve really never lived someplace that allows for enjoyment of one all year round! Any suggestions? LOL…..Randall asked if a pool would be part of this selection. I’ll get him one of those little above ground things for him to splash around in.

We hope this finds everyone well and looking forward to spring. Call or write when you can. We miss you all.
Hugs
Crystal, Robert, Randall, Bindy, and the Birds.