Local Legends and Outdoor Fun

It’s another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. My grandkids may be coming for a visit in the upcoming holiday season.  It made me start thinking about what I could do to keep them busy. They have all kinds of electronic devices at their disposal which is nice is for a little while but I’d rather they disconnect from the virtual world and take in some of the real world. One of the places we used to go when my boys were still young was the Superstition Mountains; a range of mountains just east of Phoenix where local legend has it that an old Dutchman buried his gold.

There they have rock climbing, nature trails, picnic areas and a whole slew of outdoor activities designed to keep any young mind busy. Throw in the fact that the kids may think they can find a horde of gold buried beneath them and you’ll have imaginations running wild for days!

Just be sure that if you go, like we plan to, you bring a lot of water, maybe a lunch and an active imagination.  Maybe we’ll get lucky and stumble across the Lost Dutchman’s Mine.  

As always if you’re looking for a home to call your own please contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Homecoming

            It’s another beautiful day in sunny Arizona.  It’s been a long nine months. This weekend my husband and I took a road trip to Ft. Bliss to see our son back from Afghanistan.   I was happy to see him home and  no small amount of stress relief.   I have to admit, I cried.

            It was a joyous if bittersweet occasion. He left right before Christmas.  I know that Bre and Kiera missed him.   He missed them as well.  There are some moments in a child’s life that happen but once.  Baby’s first steps, first words, first hugs and yes, first tantrum; things that every father wants to see and he missed all of those.  When he left she was 3 months old.  He told us that to him she’s still 3 months old.  He has a lot of catching up to do.

            My husband and I are proud of our son.  He’s become a strong man, far removed from the boy we knew and sometimes try to keep. We have photos of him and the rest of our boys around the house.  We would catch ourselves staring at these photographs while he was overseas and praying that he got home safely. Our prayers were answered.

            We had an interesting trip along the way.   We had a flat.   I’m not exactly sure how long we were driving on it.  My husband said he couldn’t tell we had a problem.  If he hadn’t pulled off for gas in Wilcox we might have been stuck for hours out on the freeway.  Luckily we had no other problems getting there. We got to hug our youngest son and watch the happy reunion with his wife and daughter.   

Reunions are what happy families are all about.        

            As always if you’re looking for a home to call your own please contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Cooking and Bonding

            It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. My husband loves to cook, which is great because I don’t. This is normal nowadays where gender roles aren’t as “Leave it to Beaver” as everyone wanted you to believe back when we first got married. It’s not that I’m a bad cook, it’s just that my husband seems to enjoy coming up with more delicious new meals, and putting a new spin on some of our old favorites. I swear he could probably be on a cooking show; it’s not just me either. When my sons come over for a visit they often ask him to make their favorite meals from their childhood.  When he does it gets the house smelling like it did when I had four pairs of feet running around.  It gets me thinking about my kids. It is a vicious yet wonderful circle.

            I believe it rubbed off on my kids as well.  My sons know how to cook, and they seem to enjoy doing it.  Some of them have even brought a few recipes back from their overseas trips to add to the family recipe box. Paella from my son who was in the Navy, it’s his wife’s favorite dish.  He’s also pretty adept at most Hispanic foods. My son that was stationed in Germany has brought over a large collection of European cuisine that I had never heard of but enjoy trying.

            I bring this up because cooking, and sharing meals is a way to bring the family closer. Eating something your parents have cooked all your life is a small trip back in time, to days when you could be carefree, or to memories of the perfect date with your soon to be husband.

Regardless these meals we share are important, it creates a bond in the family that will last a lifetime.

As always if you’re looking for a place to cook your masterpieces contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Murals and Personalization

            It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. I was going through a house the other day making a “to do” list for the homeowner before I put it on the market.  It was hot and the homeowner had left the AC blasting in the house, I was actually shivering.

            You could tell there were children in this home:  a slight patch in the wall badly hidden by a fresh coat of paint on only one spot; a few hand prints on the glass that led to a sandbox out back; and the Pièce de résistance, a playroom with a mural that would delight any young kid and possibly embarrass anyone over the age of nine. The mural was well done and it was something that made the house standout, but not necessarily in a good way. 

            As a parent I can see the value of painting a room to entice your kids.  A playroom for my boys while in grade school would have looked like a cross between GI Joe and Transformers with some assorted superheroes thrown into the mix. The same room years later would have had a different look with cars, posters, gaming consoles and computers. I couldn't help but think while looking at this mural, that while it did add a sense of uniqueness to the home, it would probably limit the salability.  I recommended Kilz and fresh paint.  It broke my heart, but they needed top dollar to move to a larger home for the new baby on the way.

As always if you’re looking for a unique place to call your own contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Getting Away.

            It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. I was visiting with a young couple who were thinking about selling their home and buying another more suited to their lifestyle.  They didn’t have any children and didn’t want any.  They had a four bedroom house.   There was a den/game room for the husband and an exercise room for his wife.  It seems more couples each year are buying larger homes and using the extra rooms to have their own private hideaway.   My husband and I have a den and exercise room that we share.  (That is until the kids come home for a visit, then they’re guest rooms.)  I have my private space where I can go and be me.  I pray or read or sometimes just day dream.  My husband has his garage.  Often when he’s having a rough day or needs to get out and think, he’ll go into the garage and work on projects.

            These are things that I think are important when buying a home.  You need to ensure you have a place to call your own, a zen garden so to speak.

As always if you’re looking for a place to relax and unwind contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

VA Loans

It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. I love helping veterans.  I am proud of the time I spent in the military. I loved the feeling of camaraderie and accomplishment I got every day I wore the uniform, and I’m not alone.

Each day hundreds of thousands of people don the uniform and do their duty for our country.  When a service member gets out of the military they are eligible for a home loan through the VA.  It’s a guarantee that is not based on credit.  The loans are offered by most lenders, who have their own specifications that they follow, and closing costs are generally removed paid for by the seller.  The house has to be approved by a VA appraiser in order for the service member to purchase it with their VA guarantee, so some homes may not qualify for a variety of reasons usually condition issues.

Many service members, lenders and the general public have a lot of misconceptions about these loans.  I frequently have to educate people about what is and isn’t true when it comes to these loans.  For example, many veterans don’t know that the amount of qualification on their VA is NOT the same as the amount they can actually borrow under this program. If you, or someone you know is a veteran who hasn’t used their GI Bill, and is wondering if they could qualify to buy a home, call me.  I will explain how it works, and put you in touch with a lender who knows the system. It’s an honor to help a veteran get into a new home.

As always if you’re looking for a place to put down roots contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

A Horse of Course

            It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. While driving down a seemingly desolate strip of land this afternoon, I saw something you wouldn’t normally see in a major metro area. There was a couple on horseback:  a father and daughter, who was probably eight or nine.  The girl was talking to her horse, telling it how much fun they were going to be having today.  The horse seemed to be enjoying the conversation; it was prancing around carefully, fully aware of the fragile cargo on its back. It was lightly kicking up dust and a lopsided pink cowboy hat was just bouncing around on top of the girls head as she rode.  She had to be the envy of every other little horsewoman in the area. 

           

 If you’re from out of town seeing people riding on horses may seem a little odd outside of the ranch or country club.  There are plenty of homes that allow horses to be raised on the property in our area, some even in Scottsdale and the Central Corridor in Phoenix.

My husband and I had a home in Texas where we had a fairly large amount of farm animals.  My sons seemed to always bring something new to the house: ducks and chickens, mules, and even a pair donkeys. (The mules were not something you would expect to follow a teenage boy home, but there they were in our backyard.).  We just added them to the menagerie. 

            In many of my blogs I mention I have a small community of animals.  They are nothing compared to the ones we used to have, but I don’t want to leave these important parts of the family out either. To many people their horses and ducks are as much pets and loved ones as a dog or a cat.  Animals can be costly to maintain, but are worth every penny, especially when they put a smile on a child’s face.  I’m happy I can help clients find homes that allow these kinds of relationships.

As always if you’re looking for a place for your whole family, four legged or otherwise contact

Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Too early?

          It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. As I was walking down the aisles at the local store here something caught my eye. Costumes? Candy? Decorations? Either I’ve walked through some kind of space time bubble, or Halloween items are coming out earlier and earlier each year. While I enjoy Halloween; we have a party every year with the grandkids and neighbors, I did think it odd to see these things in the store so early. But here they were, with a half dozen kids pawing at bags of candy, and trying to figure out which super hero they wanted to be this year.

I half way miss that, but on the other hand, not having to buy four costumes, or hear the kids argue about which one got to be the better superman was a blessing. As they grew older times changed, their tastes were different, and they all had different ideas of what to wear, which for me was a blessing. I do miss seeing them in costume sometimes, but don’t tell them I said that.

Maybe in October I’ll post some Halloween safety ideas, but for now let’s try and dwell on the fact that summer is almost over, the snow birds are coming and the traffic patterns are going to adjust accordingly. It’s never a dull day in our fair city, which I love.

As always if you’re looking for a new place to enjoy some ghoulish nights for the young ones contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

The Great Outdoors

            It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. One of my favorite things to do is watch the stars. Tim and I will sit on the back patio, talk for a while then look up and just take in the night sky. It’s what I love about not living in the city, I can see what’s up there and it’s beautiful.

           

            If your home is less rural and more city then it can be almost impossible to take in the stars like we do, but don’t despair. Outside of the city are literally dozens of parks, trails, and camp sites that you can use to get away, even if just for a weekend. Even if you’re interests are less stellar and more local, many of these parks offer history, fishing, hiking, biking, …. I could go on but I think you get the idea. While buying a home is great, what’s even better is returning to your home after you’ve been out exploring nature for a weekend. You don’t really appreciate that bed until you’ve slept on the ground all weekend long.

            What’s even better is that it is fun for the kids!   It takes them out of their element and away from the constant computers and consoles and into reality. The computer will always be there when they get back, but how many times has a comet flown past the planet, or when will your young one learn how to make a perfect smore? Getting away builds memories, and the outdoors has some of the most breathtaking views, both from above and below to enjoy. I highly recommend it.

As always if you’re looking for a new place to count your coins Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Budgeting Continued

            It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. Earlier this week we talked a bit about money.  It’s important for every household to have a budget.  For years, Tim and I ran without one, and we often paid for it in a less than happy way.

Raising four boys on Army pay was a challenge.  We weren’t able to keep a lot in savings, but we have no regrets.  Finding things to do that were inexpensive or free for a family of six was difficult, but it can be done!  We often would play games, watch TV as a family or go fishing.  Looking back, I sometimes don’t know how we managed, but we not only did, we actually had a lot of fun doing it!   Some of the times I remember as the most difficult, the boys remember as the most fun. 

Start with a firm idea of what you have coming in.  Then figure out what you have going out.  Prioritize everything.  Listen to Dave Ramsey.  I highly recommend his books.

And remember, most challenges can be overcome. 

As always if you’re looking for a new place to count your coins Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Budgeting

It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona. We were going over our finances the other day. As you can imagine, knowing where every penny is going isn’t just good to know, it’s required. It got me to thinking about our budget. Every house has one whether they know it or not. Bills come and go. If they don’t get paid you are going to lose something, credit, power, a car, or even a house. While this is never good, things sometimes happen that cause bills to lag behind.


Take my son for instance, his wife had to have emergency surgery a couple of weks ago. They had some money tucked away but like things often do, it seemed everything hit them all at once. Vehicles broke down, school supplies were needed, and a birthday was coming up. Add their normal bills on top of the unexpected repairs, the birthday gifts, his wife’s medical bills combined with her loss of income, and their savings quickly diminished.


This is why it’s so important to budget, and to save. My son took a second job as quickly as he could, knowing they would need money while his wife was home. They also had to hire a sitter for a few days, which cost him half of his hourly wages. Luckily, his wife was able to watch the kids within a few days after her surgery. He was also able to get a few odd jobs in addition to his hourly paying work, and they had some money saved for emergencies.


If they had not had money in savings and family to fall back on for a short period, they would have drowned in their bills. When paying your bills it’s always best to contact the company you owe to set the due date to a day that corresponds to a payday. Once you receive the bill you can submit the payment right away, since you should have just received an influx of cash. Make sure you save money for emergencies, but also save money for yourself. At least two months of your combined paychecks should be set aside for emergencies. It may take some time to build that up but it’s worth it when the unthinkable happens.


As always if you’re looking for a new place to call home contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Living in the Wild?

It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona.   We get a lot of visitors during the nights.   A rabbit seems to have made her home in the side yard. Thankfully our dogs can’t get to where she seems to be nesting, and it makes me wonder exactly how much wildlife happen to visit our yard.  Tim insisted on putting a small Koi pond in our backyard shortly after we moved in, and it is amazing what a little fresh water will draw in the desert!

We have frogs and toads that appeared as if by magic almost instantly.  Tim can tell the difference, but don’t ask me!  In a moment of insanity we purchased a pair of water turtles a few years back.  Then there are the really interesting visitors.  A migrating Heron almost decimated the fish last year!  A desert swift appears occasionally, Tim thinks he shows up more often than we think, as he’s nocturnal.  A couple of years back, a couple of adult Javelina trotted down the street followed by a half dozen or so little ones.  Tim hangs bird feeders for both humming birds and regular birds out in the front yard.  It’s actually pretty active around our house.   We’ve seen coyote once or twice in the front yard, thankfully Sarge and Sheba keep them out of the back yard!

Speaking of Sarge and Sheba, when looking at a new house, it’s always important to make sure that it’s not only good for you but for your four legged family as well. If you have a large or giant breed dog you’re going to want a large fenced in yard.  You also want to check the HOA rules regarding pets before putting any offers down.   Finding out your best friend isn’t welcome after you have contracted to buy a home  is never good. Remember, I’m here to help make sure that EVERY member of your family enjoys your new home.  

As always if you’re looking for a new place to call home contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Returning to School

It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona, I went shopping this morning. From the looks of things school is starting up. Paper and pencils, binders and new clothes are all on sale nearly everywhere you go. Having raised four sons I can tell you that school shopping was always an adventure!

As a mom, I couldn’t wait for summer to be over. My sons were generally restless by the end of summer.  They liked school and enjoyed learning, although homework was not their favorite activity.

When we moved into a new area, we tried to ensure the home we purchased was close to the best schools.   This was pre-Google, and finding the best schools took creative research. Most of the time we did well in our home and school selections.  There were some bumps in the road.  As a military family, we were transferred often.  Each of our four sons has attended 12 different schools before college.  In spite of that our sons have managed to do well and have all grown into successful men that I’m very proud of.  Our eldest son even earned his doctorate this year.

As always if you’re looking for a place to help teach your kids reading, writing or arithmetic, contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Houses Old and New.

It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona.   My son recently moved into a house in upstate New York.   The home is over 100 years old and he tells me he enjoys living in such a historic place. No one famous has ever lived there,  at least not to his knowledge, but seeing how places have changed over the years has given him a sense of curiosity.

The master bedroom is small compared to what we see in newer homes. He tells me the queen size bed he and his wife share barely fits into the room without blocking the closet. There’s only one bathroom, a challenge for a family of four, combined with the fact that it’s barely wide enough for a tub and you’ve got cramped quarters for sure. They don’t mind the size so much, though it does take some getting used to.

While straitening up the basement he found an old set of newspapers. Some were from over fifty years ago!   They had been sitting between some support beams, were covered in decades of dust and were very fragile, but he was able to read headlines on things like Woodstock, the Moon Landings and other events that took place during my generation.

I bring this up because when you buy a new place, you get a fresh start.   You could be one of the first people to live there and could end up living there for a long time. There are a lot of homes out there that are filled with history. Most times we don’t think about what went on in a house before it became our home. You may never get any answers, but I find it interesting to think about.

As always if you’re looking for place to leave your own historical footprint, no matter how small or large contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Curb Appeal and Safety

It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona, I was looking at the landscaping around my home.   It reminded me of a website I saw a few years ago, about a man who used his landscaping to help keep away intruders. I thought I would share a few things with you that I picked up.

Anyone who has ever locked themselves out of their home knows that windows are the easiest way into a house if the doors are all locked. This is true for both you and an intruder. Planting cacti outside of windows can help keep unwanted people out, but it can also keep you in if there’s a fire. This is something that must be weighed before planting, but it’s good if you feel like you want that little bit of extra protection around the home.

Another easy way to keep your home safe is to ensure there are no large plants blocking the doorways or windows where people could hide. Some websites state bushes and shrubs should be cut to 30-40 inches with a foot between the ground the foliage. This should offer a clear line of sight of the property, if you’re looking from the house to the street or from the street to the house. Not allowing anywhere that anyone could hide.

Automatic lighting either through motion detectors or lights that come on when it gets dark are useful deterrents. This could help you locate an intruder if someone or something has come onto your property.

One of the best things for home protection is a dog.  Regardless of size most dogs will bark non-stop if someone on the property doesn’t announce themselves. Large dogs are better for defense, but small dogs can be useful as they tend to bark a lot. If you feel like adopting a pet, there are rescues and shelters that would love to help make a match for you.

Keeping the property maintained and safe will also allow your neighbors to enjoy your hard work, increase curb appeal and make you the envy of the neighborhood.

As always if you’re looking for a safe place for you or your loved ones contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

The Best Room in the House

It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona, I was doing a little spring cleaning the other day, and living in the desert does require you to dust at least once a week before it gets out of hand, when I started thinking how my homes have changed over the years. It may be no surprise that Tim and I were in the Army. It’s where we met, we got married in the Chapel on the Presidio of Monterrey, and three of our children were born on Army bases.   Each time we moved was a change, a new address, a new street, and a new home.

It got me thinking about what part of our home did we enjoy the most? What was it about the house that made it a home? There were the bedrooms which were always full of toys, clothes and the constant echoes of me trying to get four boys to keep their rooms clean. That was much like to herding cats. Those were safe havens for the kids.  Our bedroom was the one place where we could go and try to be alone. The bedrooms weren’t my favorite rooms in the house, however.

Next, I thought about the living room.  Every night we would sit together as a family, Tim in his rocking chair, me on the couch with one of the boys next to me and the other three boys sitting on the floor in front of the TV.  The lights would be out and the soft glow of the television would halo their faces as they sat enraptured over which ever show we were watching that night.  It was close, and maybe we felt like this is what made the living room a home, but that wasn’t it for me.

To me, it was the dining room, more specifically the dinner table. After Tim had finished cooking dinner, which he loves to do, he would set it on the table and yell out “Let’s Eat!” the sound of four pairs of feet would clatter through the entire house as four boys raced to sit at the table, say grace, and begin to enjoy that evenings meal.

It was there that we would talk, share news of the day, talk about what their friends were doing, what they did in school, what girls they liked, what dances were going to be held at school.   We would talk about work, about plans for the future and about everything under the sun. It connected us, so much more than watching TV ever did. Nowadays we sit at the table and look at four empty chairs hoping each of our sons are enjoying meals with their families, getting those same feelings we had when we raised them.

As always if you’re looking for a place to share a meal with your loved ones please contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Knowing your neighbors

It's another beautiful day in sunny Arizona, what a busy week it's been! While helping a family friend move into their new home this weekend, I was reminded of the many moves we made while serving in the Army. One of the things that sticks out most is all the new neighbors we met each time we arrived at a new place. 

Meeting new neighbors can be a little awkward. All too often in this digital age it seems almost alien to make contact with the people next door, but it is a great opportunity to make new friends. Befriending your neighbors has a lot of benefits.  From being able to borrow a mower to asking them to collect your paper and mail if you go out of town but forgot to stop delivery, neighbors can be a great help.  One of our neighbors across the street has a teenage son (Nick) who routinely feeds Sarge whenever we have to leave for a few days.  We get the peace of mind in knowing Sarge is being looked after, and Nick gets to make some money.  It’s a classic win-win!

It is also good for safety reasons.  Every year there are dozens of stories of neighbors calling police when they noticed suspicious behavior outside a home, stopping thefts.  Neighbors have often saved a life when they’ve called the police to check on an elderly neighbor or noticed a small child wandering the street in their neighborhood.

In the end, knowing your neighbors and becoming active in your neighborhood has more benefits than you might think. You may end up surprised at how close you and your neighbors could be. 

As always if you're interested in making some new neighbors please contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

A Great Night

It’s another beautiful day in Sunny Arizona.  Last night millions of Americans were awed and inspired by patriotic music, and a fireworks show in their home town that was no doubt the highlight of the day.  I can remember being stationed on several army bases where they used to haul out some very amazing cannons and fire them right at the end of The Star Spangled Banner.

I wanted to ask those of you who are reading my blog what is your favorite memory of a Fourth of July celebration.  Do you have just one or many?  How did the celebration last night compare to those you’ve witnessed before?  When I asked my grand kids about it they told me they preferred one that was in North Carolina.  Buying fireworks was legal there they could “help” with setting them off , under supervision of course.

As always, if you’re looking for a professional team to help you find the home of your dreams please contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Happy Independence Day everyone!

It’s another beautiful day in Sunny Arizona, what an amazing day it is!  The United States of America is the land I served while in the Army.   It’s the land my children have served, my youngest son is now serving, and which so many other friends and family continue to serve.  Our great country is now reaching its two hundred and thirty seventh birthday.

It’s an amazing thing to behold.  This great country of ours was founded on liberty and freedom for every man, woman and child.  It’s a great Constitutional Republic that has lasted for nearly two and a half centuries. We can’t forget those that made this happen: Patriots, both famous and unknown, who decided a tyrannical government shouldn’t rule. Men and women of class and wealth joined farmers and laymen and sought to create a better country.  They established a more perfect union by creating one of the best countries in history.

On a more personal note, some of my fondest childhood memories are of warm summer days catching fireflies at my parents’ home.  Driving down  the dirt road past the pond to buy fireworks. The sulfur smell of fireworks exploding mingling with the smell of grilled hotdogs and burgers.  It makes me smile thinking so many families out there will be repeating this tradition.

If you’re looking to make a more perfect union with your own home and maybe light up a grill to make family memories please contact Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, look us up at www.AZWestre.com on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or stop by and see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/

Things that go "Bug" in the night.

      It’s another beautiful day in Sunny Arizona. I sat down to write last night trying to come up with something interesting and meaningful to say, when an idea fell into my lap. I let out a very un-adult like yelp when it did, too.  If you’ve never experienced a centipede falling into your lap late at night I envy you, it’ll undoubtedly get your heart racing and make going to bed an adventure as you search the dark corners of the room for creepy crawlies. This guy was about six or eight inches long and ugly orange with a bit of yellowish thrown in just for good measure. I have no idea if he was venomous but I knew I didn’t want him in my house, near my family or pets. I didn’t want to kill him, so I grabbed a jar, scooped him up with a combination of terror and forced bravery and let him go across the street in a patch of undeveloped desert.
            This isn’t the first time we’ve had surprise visitors in our house.  When my son was fifteen he went to go lie down in bed for the night.   It had been raining most of the day and was very humid. As he put his feet under the covers he felt a sharp pain in his foot and let out a semi-panicked “Mom, Dad!”  When I rushed to his room I saw a little brown scorpion crawling around the end of his bed. Apparently my son had disturbed it while it was trying to sleep in a nice comfortable bed. After rushing him to the ER,  we were told by a very annoyed nurse to give him Benadryl and not worry about the sting; it wasn’t poisonous unless he was allergic to them and he wouldn’t lose any appendages.
            Living in the desert you get to see all kinds of beautiful and sometimes scary critters. From Vinegaroons  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelyphonida for those who don’t know what they are) to tarantulas, black widows to killer bees, and any number of pests will lead you to believe that mother nature has it out for you for living in the desert.  But there is beauty here as well. Saguaro, which only grow in this part of the world, gorgeous sunsets and multitudes of cactus flowers, not to mention the incredible array of birds and wildlife that call the desert home. I wouldn’t trade any of this beauty for anything.
            I bring this up because when you’re buying a house you need to be aware of what kinds of creepy crawlies and critters could invade your home, and also need to keep the number to a good exterminator handy. If you don’t know one, give us a call, we have one we work with exclusively that is great!
            As always if you’re looking for a home to call your own, you can call Tim or Gayle Kendrick at 602-819-6300, see us on our website on www.AZWestre.com visit on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/AZHomes or see our blog at http://azwestre.blogspot.com/