N insisted that we go for a nice drive before the party started, you know one last calm time together before the chaos of it all. So we head up the San Francisco peaks, N said it was his favorite drive and it is very pretty. So we are driving along and enjoying the scenery. When we get to the lodge we see that the ski lift is running. We have never skied or been on the ski lift so we get tickets and embark on the ride up to the top of the mountain for  one last look at flagstaff before we move away.

He brought the camera and tripod so we could get some photos of the amazing view from the top of the mountain. We posed for a few photos with the view behind the two of us then he says “lets take on last photo”. He sets the camera timer, comes around to pose for the photo and gets down on one knee…

He proposed right there on the mountain and said

“I’ve viewed this mountain, the highest peak in Arizona, as a symbol of our relationship together.  Over the last six years together, we’ve climbed the highest and achieved the most here in our home state together.  There’s many more peaks out there for us to explore and I want to continue doing it together.  Talina, will you marry me?”

Now it is time for us to really to move on to the next phase in life with an engagement and a new beginning. The ring is beautiful and the moment was so thoughtful and special. I got to proudly wear my ring at our going away party and share the news with our pals. It was a very special day for us.

Now we are getting a handle on the fact that we are moving in 7 days. We need to get busy now but we just wanted to share the news with everyone. We are engaged!

The post 7 days to go and we have news! appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

Sometimes renting an actual house is better but finding them is never easy! I thought it would be helpful for others if I complied my rental home resources. This is not a sponsored post but I have had the opportunity to to business with several companies on the list and will link you to the posts made when I lived in homes under the particular company’s management. Hopefully this list is helpful to some and our experiences can aid you in finding the right property management company for you!

Flagstaff, AZ Rental House Resources:

• Pollock Properties (http://www.pollockpropertiesinc.com/rentals.html) – We leased a home out in Kachina Village through them. Ann Pollock was very good to us despite the unfavorable situation we got ourselves into. We rented a home on a month to month basis, it was on the market and we had to show it whenever a Realtor had an interested buyer. The home owners were sneaky and shady but Ann was honest and helped make things right. We lived in one of their managed properties from about September 2007- February 2008. You can read about our experiences by checking the pollock properties tag (click the link).
• Coldwell Banker Narico (http://www.mattbrydenthal.com/ or http://www.flagstaffrentals.com) – Again we leased a home out in Kachina Village through them, we signed a 6 month lease, 3 months later we were told the owners wanted to put the home back on the market and that we would be forced to show the house for the remainder of our lease or until the home sold. We lived in one of their managed properties from February 2008 to September 2008. You can read about our experiences by checking the coldwell banker tag (click the link).
• AZNorth (http://www.aznorth.com/rentals.asp) – We had never used this company.
• The Ginsburg Group (http://www.theginsberggroup.com/rentals.htm) – We had never used this company.
• Levitan Properties (http://www.flaglips.com/) – We had never used this company. Specialized (when we were looking for rentals 2004-2008) in pet friendly apartment communities. No additional pet rent, deposits are fully refundable and often utilities are paid. Great for families with pets looking for apartment living in Flagstaff, AZ.

Evansville, IN Rental House Resources:

• Evansville Homes For Rent (http://www.evansvillehomesforrent.com/search.php) – I called them and they seemed very friendly and accommodating, I told them I had emailed them and would like an email response. I also emailed them prior to calling them to ask if anyone would be able to assist us by taking photos of homes we are considering renting since we wont be able tour the home prior to move in. Nobody has responded to me via email or phone.
• Fetter Property Management (http://www.fprent.com) – I emailed them to ask if anyone would be able to assist us by taking photos of homes we are considering renting since we wont be able tour the home prior to move in. I also called and left a message asking for a returned call or email. Nobody has responded to me via phone or email.
• Lowe Realty, Inc. (http://324125ji.topagentsites.com/all_listings.html) – I emailed them to ask if anyone would be able to assist us by taking photos of homes we are considering renting since we wont be able tour the home prior to move in. Nobody has responded to me.
• Given & Spindler (http://www.given-spindler.com/invenrn1.html) – I emailed them to ask if anyone would be able to assist us by taking photos of homes we are considering renting since we wont be able tour the home prior to move in. Nobody has responded to me.
• Corrier Press Newspaper (http://www.courierpress.com/realestate/) – Displays listings for rental properties and contact info but did not have property photos or extensive property information. Not a good resource for those looking for rentals from outside the state.
• F.C. Tucker Emge (http://www.fctuckeremge.com/propertymanagement/index.htm) – Displays listings and property info on their site. Homes are nice and the staff DOES respond to your emails, they are willing to help.

Hopefully this list provides some help to those searching for rental homes in Flagstaff, Arizona or Evansville, Indiana. If you have a site you want to add please do so in the comments field!

The post Finding rental houses (not apartments) online… appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

Now I just know some of you are moaning and groaning about how I think it is hot here. I am sure it is also quite hot for you but do you have AC? We DON’T! AC is not standard in homes up here in good ole Flagstaff, AZ. That is just th way the cookie crumbles. Usually it is just not warm enough for long enough to justify having an AC.

Today @ 10am it is 83 degrees outside, and 72 indoors.. Sigh, I need to walk around naked or something. So when it does get warmer than usual here we cry, cry, cry and pray for it to cool off. Pitty us okay?

Oh, and I think the warm as temperatures are messing with my body temperature charting. Poo!! Oh, period… are you coming to me? I want to know before I go crazzzzy.

The end.

The post The earth is cooking me! appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

For those who do not know we are actually renting this house on a month to month basis, it’s for sale and at the time we could not commit to a longer lease, you can read more about it here.

Anyway, we got a call from the rental company on Thursday morning regarding the new stove delivery and were also notified that there was a contract on the house, some poor schmuck actually made and offer on the house we are renting. Our certified letter giving us 30 day to vacate the property was on the way…

Now having 30 days to find a new place, pack your crap and move is enough to stress anyone out so with that on top of the stove fire experience I needed to hibernate for the day. That is exactly what I did yesterday. No blogging, no commenting, no nothing… just sewing purses, trying to find a new rental, eating cookie dough and having a glass of champagne before bed…

Today I am happy to announce that my hibernation period has passed and we are steps closer to having a new rental home just blocks away from our current one. We looked at it today and are interesting in going forward. Oh, and the new to us/ used stove was delivered so I can actually cook dinner tonight.

The purse factory is going well also. I have 21 finished purses today and will knock out 4 more by the end of the night…. So, how was your week? Are you as glad as I am that the weekend is here?

The post We can cook again and we will be moving, again… appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

This first photo is of us at Walnut canyon is filled with Indian ruins that line the cliffs of walnut canyon. We hiked a 185 feet climb in 204 steps. It was a great hike going down because gravity worked in our favor.. We practically ran down the 204 stairs because it was easier. After the 204 stairs we walked the path that takes you all the way around the “island” in the middle of walnut canyon. We got to actually go into the rooms of the ruins. The weather was perfect for the hike. We got to walnut canyon (just east of flagstaff) right after a nice rain storm so it was over cast and cool outside. Going back up the 204 steps was a bit harder but we did it. Basically you need to drink water and pace yourself going back up the canyon. Because of the higher altitude it is harder to breath so don’t feel bad if you a toast after the first few sets of stairs. We finished the hike in about 45 min. It was nice!

Earlier that morning we drove out to the sunset crater volcano. It is supposedly the youngest volcano in our area. This hike lets you walk the lava flow path. Along the way you learn about the types of volcanoes in the area and the history behind them. This hike was fairly easy but it was also very interesting. The thing that sticks out in my mind was the temperature change from the moment you stepped onto the cinders. You could feel the heat coming off the cinders from the days sun. Also the dramatic landscape change is amazing!

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