IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Yes, that is a old song.  The last week it has been raining off and on, and we are spoiled when it comes to wonderful weather. The forecast starting tomorrow is looking up.  The weather has been very different from last year, but still glad Jojoba Hills is where we have decided to do extended stays. 
Last week we made a fast run to Vegas, our daughter, Cyndi, and her hubby, John, were there for a business convention.  We decided it would be a nice, quick trip.  It is only 4 to 5 hours away, depending on the traffic, we put in an audio book and we were off.

The scenery is all the same most of the way, so having the book makes the miles fly.

We stayed at the Flamingo               

and it was lovely.  But the complex was so big!!  We are of the generation that remembers the Vegas of old, and this is not your momma’s Vegas.

Vegas’s idea of art….lol

Gone are the 99 cent street shrimp cocktails, the free shuttle,inexpensive food and cheap drinks.    We had a good time, seen a couple of shows, one of which was Divas.
              
Female impersonators, good show, unlike the second one, which would have only run 30 minutes had they eliminated the “F” word.  Now those of you who know me, know that I’m no prude, but truly, using it 6 times in a 10 word sentence, is total overkill, IMHO.  So be warned his show is Vinnie something or other.  We even managed to squeeze in a quick breakfast visit with Jessie & Ginger before leaving.  Good to get back though, there is no place like home, no matter how humble. 
We have been taking bridge lessons on Mondays for the last few weeks from a very well know pro.  He was willing to come to the resort for a period of 6 weeks, and he is an outstanding teacher, and hopefully we are all understanding more of the conventions that are associated  with bridge.  Tuesday’s has us all trying to put into practice what we have supposedly learned.  Why does it all seem so clear Monday and a blur Tuesday?  Hate the game, love the game.  Either way enjoy it, and glad there are about 20 others here that feel the same way.  We have three more lessons, and then may have him back another time, but will take some time off, trying to get it all to sink in.  Summer is coming. 
We are going to Texas to pick up our little travel trailer, the middle of February, that we bought one out there, mainly because  of the price, saved about 5 grand, but it will also be registered in Texas like the rest of out stuff.  Also will get the car transferred over.  Tried to do it on the internet, but gave up after a few failures.  Been getting the truck refigured to haul a trailer, and it has been a case of one thing leads to another.  First we needed a tailgate, we had a 5th wheel one, found one, now a hitch, stabilizer. ect. done, lock for the tailgate, done, which has left us yet to get a tonneau cover. (cover for the truck bed) The main reason for this trailer is for short trips near here, and the trip to Alaska next year.  Have lots of relatives there, so it will be a lot easier finding places “Little Bit” will fit. Taking “Damnearahouse” was a bit more than we wanted to do.  Fingers crossed we made the right choice.
Matilda has found her long lost relatives and they have been having a ball.  Here they are playing in the snow. There you have it, fake flamingos, playing in fake snow, but brings a real smile to my face, and that what really counts.

If my body was a car, I would be trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps, dents, scratches & my headlights are out of focus. My gearbox is seizing up & it takes me hours to reach maximum speed. I overheat for no reason and every time I sneeze, cough or laugh either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires!  Ain’t it the truth???

Live, Laugh, Love, no one leaves this world alive.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1.. Try everything twice.
On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph:"Tried everything twice. Loved it both times!"
2. Keep only cheerful friends.The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!) 

3. Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever...
Never let the brain get idle.'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
4. Enjoy the simple things. 


5. Laugh often, long and loud.Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER. 

6.. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love:whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever..
Your home is your refuge. 

8. Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips..
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county,to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

I love you, my special friend! 

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance..

HAPPY 2013!!!

Wish it was ours, but it is our grandkitten. 

What a year!  Each one seems to go by just a little faster, hence the name of this blog.  To be truthful if we weren’t going down hill we probably wouldn’t be moving at all.  But the year was good to us.  We took some small trips but mainly recharged our batteries and decided, or tried to map out future plans.  We will not be traveling quite as much, and when we do probably staying closer to “home”.  Then again we are planning a trip to Alaska, which will probably be in 2014.

Quilt that I bought during the Christmas craft sale.  Just had to have it, totally loved it.

Taken at the Christmas bridge group party.  At Jojoba Hills we have a house that houses the office, but also the back part of it is used for smaller gatherings and private family get togethers.  It has a large fully equipped kitchen and a living room/dining room.  Very nice when you want something smaller than the huge hall.

Howard & Linda Payne of RVDreams fame.  They spent a few weeks here, and we gave them a welcome to the park lunch.  Not sure if they brought the cold weather with them, but it hasn’t been the best every since they arrived.  Great seeing them again.

We have had several Texas Hold’em tournaments, and Chuck has placed in both.  Think it was 3rd and 4th.  As for me, not so much.  Never even got to move from the first table, but it was fun.  The buy-ins were only 20 bucks so it is mostly for fun, although winning some of that back is good.  Thank goodness for Chuck, all in all think we are 10 dollars ahead.

                                                                     

                                  

    Took a drive up to a little town of Idlewild a while back and there was this interesting craved tree trunk.  Click to make these larger.  Below is what I think was a real eagle taken from our front door, but it was raining and I didn’t want to venture out to try and get a better and closer picture. 

Santa did bring me an I-pad, but the jury is out on whether I like it to the point that I would do without a computer.  Will take some classes, and we will see.  And we also found our travel rig…………in Texas.  About 80 miles west of Dallas.  We will hopefully be going out to get it the middle or so of February, what with all the doctor appointments and commitments we have until then. Plan to do some visiting and travel the area on the way back here.  There is a large storage lot here, which makes it nice, and it is included with our monthly fee.  We were going to the Price is Right show on the 28th, but Chuck got a notice from the VA that he was scheduled for an appointment then.  And as hard as they are to come by if you try to reschedule it could be forever, and you can bet it will be even less convenient.  At least that has been our experience.

Chuck has become a member of the Temecula Elks, and although they do not have a campground there are some very nice ones in the near by areas.  Two couples along with us did  their monthly steak night last Friday, Chuck’s was free, birthday treat.  Nice group of people, they are trying to raise the money to build their own clubhouse, but it seems like the closer they get the further away they are.  The state needs the money. That along with the military we will have a surplus of options.  The military has upped their rates quite a bit, any place with the ocean view in California,  expect to pay at least 40 dollars a night.

That seems to be a brief look at the “busy” life we have been leading, when your busy doing nothing it is really hard to tell when you are done. or if you have even started.  But we are enjoying it all and wouldn’t change a thing.  Well……..winning the lotto, nooooooo, I’d still keep my job!  Oh, and by the way Santa, you did it again, wrote you a letter and even left you a note. 

Happy New Year, Everyone!