Are we having fun yet?...................(martha)

After washing copious loads of wash upon our arrival and again Monday morning, our hot water heater died. (It is almost 16 years old, but could it last just a few weeks longer!!) Tuesday afternoon, we bought a hot water heater. That was the good news. Now, for the bad news.

The plumber (who came to install it the very next day,) could NOT do it. Although the 50 gallon capacity was the same size as our old one, the NEW one was taller. Sigh. Those few extra inches meant it could not be installed in the space we had. Another one (called a 50 gallon short,) was back ordered and will be delivered this coming Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I took very quick COLD (okay, they were cool not cold,) showers. Jeff did not mind as much as me. Thursday, I could not face another cold shampoo, so I skipped washing my hair. Besides, my first cousin, Anita, invited us over for dinner on Friday night (so I could shower before dinner).

Then a miracle happened. Thursday morning (after my COLD shower,) Jeff jumped in the shower. Ten minutes later, he walked into the room with the towel wrapped around his waist and droplets of water still glistening on his chest.

"It's baaaaaaaaack" he said.
"What's back?" I asked.
" The hot water! " he explained. "In fact, it was so scalding hot that I had to turn it down."

Yes, you guessed it. I took another shower and shampooed my hair this time. Go figure.

Now, let me tell you about last night, (way past supper time). Jeff suggested a couple microwave pizzas (frozen entree's from WW) and that sounded good (read easy) to me! Something I could handle while he watched football. I put the first one in the microwave and read that it would be done in 2 minutes 30 seconds. That was great (because I was STARVING and because I hate to cook). The microwave stopped (after 2 seconds). It just died completely. Grrrr.....

70 minutes later, we sat down to eat pasta and marinara sauce (courtesy of Costco). It was already made (so I should be grateful,) but I still had to boil the water and cook it on the stove.

That meant unpacking the pots/pans, finding potholders, etc. etc. The cook top on the stove is NOT right!! That is too loooooooong a story to explain. Are we having fun, yet? Martha is not (in the ill equipped kitchen that does not work correctly). Cooking is my least favorite task (so why bother?!) Grrr.

Tucson - Week 1 (Jeff)

Greetings from Tucson!

Sorry for the delay in posting, but I'm sure you can imagine that we have been a bit busy getting things squared away. It is hard to believe we have only been in the house for seven days, but I can report that every day the house is looking more and more settled.

The two "critical" things that we got done this week are: 1) getting Direct TV hooked up, and 2) getting our Internet setup. I wanted Direct TV so I could watch the Vikings and other MN sports events, so I am thrilled to be able to do that. But, here's the kicker: AZ does NOT observe daylight savings time, so until the "fall back" we are actually on Pacific time. So, the 12 PM Vikings game in MN is broadcast here at 10 AM. Martha found a couple of churches with Sat. evening services, and we will be attending one of them tonight!

I decided to go with the Qwest\Direct TV bundle, so we have high speed DSL with Qwest. I set that up yesterday, and connected the wireless router this morning. So we are online and it is working just fine with very good speeds and performance. This makes Martha very happy because now she no longer has to go to the library to use their 60 minute limit PCs (though those of you who know Martha realize she will definitely continue spending time at the library).

So we keep plodding along. We are waiting on a new water heater which will be installed next Wed. It would have happened this past Wed., but, when the plumber came we discovered the unit we wanted was too large for the space in our garage. We are replacing the water heater because it is 16 years old and a bit temperamental. We have hot water some times, and then sometimes not. It might just be the thermostat, but it is a good idea to replace the old one before it decides to fail/leak at an unexpected time.

I have not golfed yet, but I hope to next week. I will check out the municipal courses (Tucson has five or so), hopefully one a week. I wanted to get a few things setup, esp. Internet, before I start making Martha a golf widow.

We're here....in Tucson..................(martha)

Yes, I know you are eager to hear from Jeff, but he is busy taking care of all those pesky little (and big) chores settling our house. Me? I just want to play and chat with you awhile. Our Internet connection is not yet set up at home, so I am using the free Internet access at the library. You will hear from him later (after it has been set up).

Meanwhile, I will share a few random comments or impressions about our first days in Tucson. By the time we arrived on Sunday evening, we had driven 4,900 miles cross-country since leaving Virginia almost four weeks ago. Next, moving into a new house is stressful.

• Where are the light switches? Which one (of these three switches) turns the light on?
• Why doesn't the fan work? (oh, it is on a separate switch!)
• "Jeff, please come here" (to the shower). "Does this water feel hot to you?" I asked.
  Jeff replied, "It was hot when I showered. Maybe you need to run it longer?"
• After 7 minutes, it was even cooler. So I showered very quickly and we bought another hot water heater this afternoon.
• The desk in "my room" was too big. (The rooms in this house are much smaller). Today, we purchased a new (smaller) desk for me. Those purchases were unexpected.
• Can you see me shopping? Neither can I....but the desk was for me, so I had to go along. After five stops, we finally found one. I was so worn out by that ordeal, I took a nap!
• It has been easier to purchase items (that we already own,) then spend more time opening boxes. Yes, the boxes are labeled but the stack of them is daunting.
• Weather. It is hot. In the past three days, the temp has reached the high 90's (99, 97 and 98 today). However, when the sun sets, it cools off at least 20 degrees.
• It is pitch black by 6:45 pm. Arizona does not participate in Daylight Savings time. Oro Valley (where we live,) is north of Tucson (maybe 10 miles?) and there are no streetlights in our development. I don't even dare walk outside at night unless I am hanging onto Jeff's arm.....my balance for walking is even shaky in the light!

Whoops, my time (on the computer is nearly over, ) so I will sign off for now.

Flagstaff, AZ...........(martha)

It's bedtime. Hmmm. Any idea how to sleep through train whistles? No? Me neither!

Bryce and Zion were similar but different. The huge scale of those parks and the colorful rock formations defy description. It would be like telling you that the Grand Canyon is a deep hole. There were many hiking trails that ranged from easy paths to strenuous ones designed for serious hikers with the proper equipment. We chose the easy, recreational hikes!

The animals we have seen on this trip have been dairy cows or beef cattle. No wild life (unless Jeff counts?)

Today was just a travel day (to Flagstaff) so that our last leg (tomorrow) is an easy half day drive. We arrived early enough to attend the film, Love Happens. Women outnumbered men in the audience but it surpassed Jeff's expectations. It was not a predictable romantic comedy, so I really enjoyed it. The characters in the movie were authentic and adult; it made me laugh despite the serious topic.

This is our final night "on the road".....our trip ends tomorrow with our arrival in Tucson. We will start the next phase of this journey by unpacking all the boxes that are waiting for us.

Jeff is attempting to sleep so I will try too. Good night.

Price, Utah..............(martha)

Since leaving Minnesota last Saturday, our trip has brought a variety of experiences.

From the majestic (Badlands, Rocky Mountains, Garden of the Gods red sandstone rock formations and beautiful prairies,) to the mundane (sitting in the car dealership while our Nissan was serviced). Tonight was filled with memories.

We met another couple, Kathy and Mike Milburn, for dinner (they live in Price). Kathy and I worked together at Yellowstone National Park, but our husbands were together for the first time. Although we now have wrinkles and graying hair, we still have hour glass figures (the sands have slightly shifted). It was a relaxed and enjoyable evening.

They encouraged our idea to work in the National Parks during the summer and described how this all works. Doesn't that sound like a great way to escape the heat of Tucson summers? Next summer is already booked with two family weddings, but we'll explore this idea for the future. Lastly, we discussed a rendezvous with them at Lake Powell. Hopefully, it won't be another 27 years before we see each other again!

Tomorrow we head to Bryce National Park for a two night stay so I'll close for now.

Greetings from Colorado Springs (Jeff)

Well, our westward journey continues. We left MN a little bit ahead of schedule and arrived at Badlands National Park in time to view the spectacular topography in the daylight, as we had hoped to do. We bought a National Park pass for the year, so we are set for Bryce and Zion on Thursday and Friday. After the Badlands we continued on to Mt. Rushmore. We checked in at the Best Western and the front desk person mentioned we should try and see the monument lighting ceremony, and that we should get there early for seats. Thinking it started in about an hour we quickly dropped off our bags and headed for the monument. The joke was on us when we arrived an hour early because we did not realize that this western bit of South Dakota was in Mountain Time.

Anyway, by arriving early we did see the monument in the daylight. We then had time to see the video about the monument and how it came into being. The lighting ceremony began as it was getting dark. It was great. A park ranger gave a short talk about US freedom and democracy. Then we saw a 15 minute video about the four presidents on the monument and what they represented; freedom (Washington), expansion (Jefferson), preservation (Lincoln), and conservation (Roosevelt) of the US. Towards the end of the video, the monument began to light up, so that by the end of the video it was fully lit. Very impressive. The ranger also had a Boy Scout Jamboree troupe perform the flag lowering ceremony. We also sang the Star Spangled Banner.

But the special thing about the lighting ceremony was that the park ranger asked all military service personnel, active, non-active, retired, from all branches to come on the stage. There were 25-30 men and women. He had each one give their name and branch of service. When everyone had given their names, including the ranger, he said to the crowd, "here are the men and women who risked their lives so you could enjoy the freedoms you have." Everyone broke into a spontaneous and sustained applause. It was a very touching moment for all of us.

We had planned on returning to the monument the next morning, but when we got up it was raining lightly and the fog was very thick. The forecast was for more of the same all day. So we decided to head for Fort Collins, CO right away. We drove through 25-30 miles of dense fog before finally getting some clearing. We arrived in Fort Collins and had a nice Italian dinner. We needed to get an oil change and a recall notice done on the Murano, and there was a Nissan dealer in Fort Collins. So, Monday morning we grabbed Starbuck venti coffees and waited about two hours for the service to get done. I was thrilled they we able to fit us in. Colorado Springs is only two hours away, so after the service was done we headed off.

Well, today we are in Colorado Springs. We plan on seeing the US Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods, and Glen Eyrie. Looking outside it is a beautiful clear day and the mountains look spectacular.

The long (MN) goodbye (Jeff)

Well, it has been a great two weeks in MN, visiting family and friends. A big thank you to Jeanine (sister) and Al for hosting our stay, and to everyone who made time in their busy schedules to spend time with us. Our emotional tanks are full, and with a full gas tank, we are now ready to begin the next part of our journey to Tucson.

We leave Hastings, MN at 0800 tomorrow, 9/12, and we will drive all day to Mt. Rushmore. I am looking forward to seeing the "big heads", the Badlands, etc. There are so many great sites in the US, and we will hit several more on our way to Tucson. Places like the Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods, Bryce and Zion National Parks. Martha and I are well aware of how blessed we are to live in the US, and the incredible opportunity we now have to be "professional volunteers." We are excited about what God has in mind for us in the days ahead.

Labor Day Monday......(martha)

This weekend has been a reflective one for me.

Seventeen years ago (1992,) was my final weekend living in Minnesota. Of course, at the time, I did not know it. That Labor Day, I boarded an airplane bound for Frankfurt and then onto Moscow, my final destination. (Jeff joined me three months later.) In my mind, I thought I was leaving for two years followed by a return to Minnesota. Alas, that move changed the direction of our lives; we never returned to MN except for visits.

To celebrate my departure, Jeff and I attended the Minnesota State Fair with John and Jo Ann (my sister,) Bablitch. The highlight was a concert in the grandstand with Steven Curtis Chapman. This coincided with Chapman's album The Great Adventure. Fittingly enough, this became our theme song for the ensuing years. Now, years later, we are poised on the edge of another "Great Adventure".....albeit a domestic one. Attending the State Fair last Friday with Al and Jeanine (Jeff's sister,) and seeing John and Jo Ann on Sat. made us remember that special time.

Since Friday morning, something else has been intruding on my thoughts. I was notified that Dick Mason, my General Manager of the Radisson Slavjanskaya Hotel when I was in Moscow, died suddenly last Wednesday (heart attack.) Life is short.

What is your purpose in life? Where is your final destination? Will you be joining me in heaven?

FAQ(s).........(martha)

1. How do you feel?
   With our fingers.
2. No, I meant how do you feel inside?
   We are taking vitamins, getting rest...
3. Cut it out! ...... just tell me what this is like (since I'll be working until I'm 70) and my 401K is now a 201K. I don't know if I can ever retire. Sigh.
   a) It does not seem real. Neither one of us "feel" retired.
   b) It "feels" like we're on an extended vacation; we won't reach Tucson until 9/20.
   c) We feel blessed and privileged to have this opportunity. Is this real? Pinch me.
4. Why Tucson?
   We own a house there.
5. How did you end up buying a house there?
   (asked with a truly puzzled voice)
   a) In 1992, (seventeen years ago,) we moved from Minnesota to Moscow, Russia for my job. I (and about 15 other ex-pats,) worked for the Radisson Slavjanskaya Hotel (the first American-Russian hotel). So, in 1993 we sold our home in MN.
   b) Then, Jan. 1994, during vacation in Tucson, we bought a home "out there". Why?
   1) Jeff had 15 years left working for the government until he could retire.
   2) Buying a house with a 15 year mortgage meant we could retire.
   3) Jeff feels strongly drawn (called?) to Tucson. Although he cannot adequately explain it, we both believe this is God's next step for us. If fear is the only thing holding me back, that is not a valid reason (excuse) not to go.
6. Are you excited?
   Yes (Jeff) and no (Martha)....until I find my niche, new community and church.
7. Will you miss things back in DC-Virginia? Absolutely.
8. What? Friends, Christ the King (our church,) The Falls Church (former church,) babysitting the Glades (Gracie (5 1/2), Katie Jane (4), Jack (2) and Sara (almost one), the weather (mild winters but four distinct seasons) plus more space than our new home.
9. Will you work? We view ourselves as professional volunteers; working for our community and church but not for a paycheck. Yes, Jeff will golf but not daily.
10. Your home is on a golf course so you will be golfing there, right? Doubtful. He'll be checking out municipal courses first.
11. Do you know anyone there? My first cousin and her husband, who live 4 miles from us, moved there about 8 years ago. Our property manager lives about 25 miles away. Lastly, we have received scores of contact names once we announced that Tucson was our destination. We look forward to connecting with them.
12. How can we be praying for you? A new church home that "fits" both of us. I am traditional, liturgical and less flexible (in my worship style).

Greetings from Hastings, MN (Jeff)

We arrived safely in Hastings, MN last Friday evening and are now enjoying the gracious hospitality of Jeanine (sister) and Al Stangl. Unless we start to smell like old fish, we will rest here until Saturday, 9/12, visiting with family and friends, and then head for points W/SW.

As Martha previously mentioned, on Sunday we attended a memorial mass for Diane Krueger in St. Paul. The interment of her ashes is on Thursday 9/3 and we plan on attending that. It is strange to think of her as gone. Later on Sunday we had a get together, an event she would normally be at, and her absence was definitely felt by us.

Speaking of the get together, it was a birthday (Morgan 8/29, Martha 8/30) and retirement celebration. It was fun to be at a typical Kraus party, eating too much delicious food, playing cards, chatting, and just being together. These events have been too infrequent for me as we have lived away from MN since Fall of 1992, and soon it's off to AZ!

Yesterday we went to the Mall of America to see the new Harry Potter movie. We both enjoyed it but realized how much we had forgotten from the book. I hope they do justice to the last book in the movie which I understand is now being filmed in two episodes. Monday evening we went to Matt (nephew) and Morgan Stangl's for a visit and enjoyed great homemade ice cream, pastry, and playing a new board game for us, Wit and Wagers.

Today, I am relaxing and planning the next legs of our trip. Martha is visiting her sister JoAnn, and taking her to a Dr. appt. JoAnn is doing very well as she continues to recover from brain surgery six weeks ago. It is the same surgery Martha had 12 years ago.

I think Martha and I are discovering how tired we were, and are thankful for this time to sleep a bit longer and recharge our batteries. It may take us a bit of time to decompress from the DC Metro pressure cooker pace of life. I already know that the pace of life in Tucson is slower, which I am looking forward to.