WHERE HAVE I BEEN??????

Wow, the time has just flown by.  I’ve been back from my trip to Wisconsin for Aunts funeral for a couple of weeks now.  Glad that I went, and flying was not too bad, hand carried my luggage as I had to change planes 3 times and sure wanted a change of clothes while I was there.  Those people that live there are hardy souls.  They go out in below zero weather, cut a hole in the ice and fish for hours and then call it fun!  Brings real meaning to flash frozen.  The fish are sure good though.

Nothing much has happened in the past few weeks, a few get together with the Dreamers, who are fixing to leave us in a few days.  We did have a Girls day out the other day and it was a real kick. There were 8 of us and we first hit the restaurant supply, then it was off to a Vintage Tea Room.

  Must say from the outside it did not look to promising, but……..we had a great time. Moral of the story, never judge a book by the cover.    

It was a funky eclectic atmosphere  and we were invited to get in the spirit of the times by dressing in the clothing that was found through out the rooms.

Netters looking good.Love hats, hate hat hair                                       

                                         Arlene, hats suit you!

                                     

                        Dortha, hmmmmm

Our lunch decision was very easy too, chicken salad or chicken salad sandwich.  Peach tea, iced or hot.  But the laughs we had were continuous..

Putting the Tea Room in the rear window, we headed for a Rio Grande experience, a ROPA.   Where these clothes come from I have no idea, but they are baled….yes….just like hay.  People do go there and dig, sift, sort and all the rest looking for a bargain.  We did spot one thing, but just left it lay.

Neiman Marcus bag

Actually we were very careful not to touch anything. Note the two women in the pile.

ROPA,  it is 10 cents a pound, over priced by a dime.

 

We did do a little shopping, but everything was on a hangar.  After arriving back at Netters RV, waited for the guys to get back from the golf course and once they did, the biggest swarm of mosquitoes followed them that we had to make a run for the truck.

This is one Olympia match you will not be able to see on TV.

   But they were 2nd in pinochle…(card game) in the Senior Olympics.

Sure hope that the weather we had today is what we are going to see more of from here on, it was wonderful, low 80’s, just what we have come to expect here, unfortunately there has been very little of it this year.

We are still trying to get to Mexico one last time, but the weather and the gun fights have made it nigh impossible up to now, but we will play it by ear, if we make fine, if not, oh well.

Feel like I’ve caught this blog up some what, life is good. 

Off Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Bridge has taken over for us these past few days, think that we have played almost every day in some form or another. But the rain has kept us indoors most of the time too, and it did rain buckets on Wednesday.

Tonight we went to “Taste of the Valley” along with 10,000 other people. It was so crowded that it was a total failure as far as I’m concerned. You could not move, sure will be checking that off the bucket list! Did run into the other “Dreamers” and they gave up on the event and went some place else. We were with some other friends and we just came home.

Tomorrow I have to run around and get a few things done as I’m having to fly to Wisconsin for a funeral. My Aunt passed away last night, and during our visit this summer she asked me to promise that I would attend her funeral no matter what. One thing I will be much more appreciative of this “bad” weather we are having here in Texas. Checked the weather for up there….nothing over 19 degrees. So, I’m off.

Wow!!! Time Fly's

We have been so busy chasing our tails, opps, no that was the cat, but we have been going in circles. Having a great time doing it though.

Last Saturday, 23rd, we had bridge in the morning, and Chuck was sweating bullets trying to remember all that he had learned in the lessons. Then we met up with “the dreamers” for lunch at the Chicken House Opry. Must say that we are eating at some high end places lately. Here we lined up and got our lunch and basically stood at tables to eat. But for 5 dollars it covered lunch for two, and included drinks, yeah, not a complaint was heard. Show was okay, but not nearly as good as the time we went last year.

Our dining tables

Boudrou, one of the entertainers

My new man

Sunday, we met up at Mac & Netters for a Mexican feast. And everyone was surprised at the appearance of Rod and Deb. They decided that they would just drop down a few hundred miles on their way to San Antonio for a few weeks of D&D. (Dine and Drink) What RV’ers are pro’s at. When we first started full timing I laughed and said my goal was to eat my way across the USA. Well, been there, done that! Now I’m paying the price with carrots sticks and celery.

Monday, took us to Mexico, with Donna & Nolan, lunch at the Red Snapper, I had a great shrimp cocktail, while the others had fried or garlic shrimp. Then we wondered off to find a place for pedicures and a barber for Nolan. Poor Chuck, his feet are so sensitive that he laughed the whole time they were working on him. We made it back to the RV in time to get to the clubhouse and play up & down the river. Fast game, Lots of fun.

Wednesday we had bridge lessons in the morning. Turned the truck in for some warranty work. Thursday, we had a golf tournament for the Senior Olympics, which started, as far as I was concerned, late Tuesday. We had to be at the course by 7:15, which meant leaving here at a quarter till. And of course the weather man got it wrong again, it was raining, well, at least a heavy mist, and windy. But with a 140 players there was no way it would be cancelled, but the rain did go away, where as the wind only increased through out the day. It got so bad that one of the carts in our group actually had there roof blow off! Some how we did have a good time, did not place among the winners, but we all have a t-shirt saying we are Olympians.

Friday was spent doing nothing, waiting on the truck they had promised would be ready the day before. Finally about 6 we got to pick it up, run to the store and that ends the week.

Senior Road Trip
While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, and resumed their trip. When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table, and she didn't miss them until they had been driving for about forty minutes. By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around, in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses.
All the way back, the elderly husband became the classic grouchy old man. He fussed and complained, and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive. The more he chided her, the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up for a single minute. To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant. As the woman got out of the car, and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the old geezer yelled to her, "While you're in there, you might as well get my hat and the credit card."

Back to the Future.......

AND THIS IS WHAT I ATE

There is a small “burger joint” not too far from where we we staying, although for the rest it is a little drive.

But this place proves the point of give them great burgers and they will come.  They have no outside signs, only a open sign in the window, and their  are hours are according to how long the meat holds out.  They bring in 2-3 hundred pounds a day, and when it is gone, they turn the sign to closed.  Pretty simple, but when you see it, it is truly amazing.

And the line goes on

and out the door!

 

Chucks lunch

My lunch

Mac & Netter sharing

Dortha giving it her full attention while Mark is waiting patiently for his half.

Once again, Donna & Nolan managed to evade the camera. 

Really loving the new computer, know that it is waaaay more computer than I need, but better more than less, right?  The weather is absolutely wonderful, think it calls for a trip to the pool, so I’m off.

I’M BACK

Did not fall off a cliff, get eaten by a giant grasshopper or been spending time in rehab. Got my new computer the other day and then comes the fun part of setting it up. The only real problem that I had was my air card would not work on Windows 7. Got a new one today, but not working like advertized. The good news is we have very good wi-fi here, so can just hop on it.

For a few days there Mitilda was looking to head out for warmer places. We were going through propane like no ones business. We pay for our own electric here so there is no choice of what we heat with. But it has been wonderful the last few days.

We have been busy doing a whole lot of nothing……well, getting reconnected with a lot of people we have met along the way the last few years. And that is great, it is amazing how so much time can pass yet it is like we have just seen each other last week. Roger & Barb are not far from us and we went to an Escapees luncheon. The next day we met up with the “Dreamers”.

There was Mark & Dortha

Mac & LaNette

Roger & Barb

Ed & Marilyn

Jessie & Ginger

Also there were Donna and Nolan, but there were no pictures of them, The Best Half of Our Life just have to check them out. Everyone is here in the valley for a few months or more, before going different routes again.

I really twisted Chucks arm and we are taking bridge lessons. I’m surprised how much bridge has changed, and that he is enjoying the lessons very much. Now we will see if we can actually play together.

Saturday was a golf tournament, and as usual the weather did not cooperate, cold and windy, but the day before and the day after, wonderful. Plus we had to be there ready to tee off by 8:00AM. I actually gave some thought to getting ready the night before and sleeping sitting up. Early morning and I are not on friendly terms. Getting up is not the problem, getting going is!

We did attend a Pressure Pro seminar put on by the McFalls, and we now own a unit. I’m feeling better already. Felt like we were pushing our luck, and the third time might just do us in. Also got the Bose system installed and a flat panel TV for the bedroom. We installed it so it can also go outside, which will be wonderful when our grandson is with us this summer for the wii. Course we can we can use it out there now too. Just a little close inside to golf on the wii. One project to go yet and that is installing a shelf under the desk for the printer. Chuck will be one Happy Camper when it is all behind him. Carpentry is not a high point for him.

Using livewriter (thanks Dortha) it is wonderful.

Life is Good.

SMELLING the ROSES

That is what we are doing.

Actually I'm having computer woes,

and there isn't any way

that I could post using this

computer.

All is fine, life is good.

Santa, Do You Hear Me Now?

The big day is fast approaching, and I'm awishing that we would be with the little ones. It is always such a joy to see the look on their faces. We will just have to rile on memories and our imagination.

We have just been staying busy around the resort. Did play in the golf tournament Friday, and the course was very playable after all the rain we had. In fact it was in great shape, and a very challenging course. I played with 3 men, and I'm sure the first few holes they were wondering "why them"? I had not played in a few months so I was just hoping not to whiff the ball, but after a bit my game came back and I could hold my head up. And my team did come in first. There were so many birds in the lakes it was hard to keep your mind on the game. On one of the lakes there was a flock of the huge white pelicans and it was like watching a ballet. They all swam together, stop, and all stick there heads in the water, butts in the air, just like it was all choreographed. Then they would do it all over again. And no I did not have a camera. The next time I play that course I surely will.

Did make a batch of fudge, so have all these plates made up to pass to the neighbors, and to take to the parties that are going on. Every activity has its own party, so there are plenty. We are meeting a couple we met this summer for lunch tomorrow, which we are looking forward to.

Wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Christmas in the Air

When you haul me all around the country,

I don't complain. Never leaving the RV to

play outside, all part of the bargain.

BUT

this is too much, I have limits!

(she actually wore that collar for days)

The weather sure is different this year compared to last. It has been wet, maybe not to the point that you would say it is raining, but certainly a heavy wet fog, which usually turns into a brief break through of sun, in the afternoon. Now today that did not even happen, and tomorrow is promising to be more of the same. But, there is no snow, the wind has been a gentle breeze, so I'm not complaining.

Okay now I'm complaining, three inches of rain in the last day.

Should have finished this post the other day. LOL

All this week is having to do with getting all the Christmas food baskets together, presents wrapped, getting ready for delivery to the homes of the less fortunate. They have 100 families on the receiving end of this project. The year round residents work on this the whole year, so this is just the end result of a lot of dedication from many truly caring people.

They told us this was something that you could only truly appreciate by seeing it come

together. Unbelievable! I had thought it was like a few things for Christmas dinner and gifts

for the children. Well, it was boxes and boxes of food for each family plus the gifts.

Chuck packed for a family of 5 and there were 11 boxes of food, plus sacks of

oranges and grapefruit. The way they had this organized was wonderful.

Each family's boxes had tape of different color

so it was easy to see that a family entire donation

was all there when you were loading.

They would bring a cart with the food

and give each allotment according to

the number in the family.

All boxed, now just to load them up.

Took at least one car/truck for each load.

Teachers from the schools that coordinated the lists of needy families were on hand, along with the local police, and they led us to the families. They asked that no pictures be taken of this, which was understandable. It was an uplifting experience, yet at the same time so sad.

Our humongous site!

But this is a great park, we have extended for another month, just hope the weather gets better, we liked it so much better last year. Tomorrow we are playing golf in a tournament, and I'm not playing with Chuck. Not sure who my team is, but hope they have a sense of humor as I have not played for a couple of months. Can't imagine what the course will be like after all the rain we had the other day. Could be they will change it to water polo.

Christmas is all taken care of. They are having a big dinner with small potlucks of tables of 20, with the park furnishing the ham and turkey. The people at our table are a hoot, so know that we will have a great time. We have done this before and it works so good. There are two large club houses here, so they can easily accommodate everyone.

Merry Christmas to all, we are so lucky to be where we are, doing what we want, when we want, but best of all with who we want. God Bless.

Warm Days & Hearts

Matilda playing Santa

We have gotten settled right in. Have met a lot of nice people already. A very happy

friendly resort atmosphere. We are already thinking that

we will be extending our stay here. Other than our day to day to

day activities, which I'm not that big on writing about,

days are just going by. Golf, cards, pool and even going to try our hand at shuffleboard.

We are planning to help with the food baskets

and the delivery of them. Plus there are

several parties in the plans. Have not been into Mexico yet. There was

a serious shoot out there a few days ago, and they are telling

the people that cross over to do volunteer work to give it

some time before coming over. Works for me, they use

real bullets over there! So when we do go

will be sure and leave word where we have

went, you know, just in case.

Got my Christmas packages in the mail

yesterday, and beginning to think

it would be cheaper to send them first class, especially

to California. Cost as much to mail them as buy them!

Well, this is all for now, big hugs, remember to smell

the roses, especially during the "season".

Inhale............Exhale

My Hard Work in One Picture

Everything in it's place, which took me hours, hope it all don't

come crashing down.

(click to enlarge)

It Can't Be December!

Where did the time go? I swear we were not that busy and although we were under the weather for a few days, there just is no excuse for my being so remiss in up dating the blog.

Okay, enough.

We spent our time in Victoria mostly checking out the restaurants. Did find a few that were quite good, and seen a couple of great movies. The Blind Side is fabulous, and Old Dogs, was a good laugh out loud movie. It did not have good reviews, but I've come to the conclusion when that is the case it will be a good movie for us average.......well maybe below average people. Speaking for myself only.

Gator

We went with Donna and Nolan one day to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to see the whopping cranes as they migrate to that area. Actually the only cranes we seen were in the learning center/gift shop. But we did come across some gators and a wild hog with three little ones. Getting out of the truck was not an option as the mosquitoes were flying in hordes. When the truck stopped they covered the windows just drooling. Only place I've seen them like this was in Alaska.

We had planned to move the first of the month to Choke Canyon State Park for a few days, and being it is only about 50 miles from San Antonio, we could do the night lights and still drive back to the RV. But the weather just did not want to

cooperate. We had lots of rain for a few days, nice over Thanksgiving, but the forecast

for the days we had plans, just were miserable.

And looking in the rear view mirror, we made

the right choice, as they are even having snow.

So we are settled down in the Rio Grande Valley, and

the weather is still not all that good. But

it is looking up starting tomorrow.

Today I worked on Christmas decorations. Hung a 18 foot garland over the living room

slide, and will hang my ornaments on it. Christmas has always been my

passion, I would decorate for days, but all those are in storage. So one of

my little indulgences has been buying an ornament from different areas we have

spent time in. Being as we have been on the road for almost 3 years I have

acquired quite a few. And they all have memories of

our new life.

Beautiful pavilion

We decided to stay at Alamo Palms here in the valley, and although the site are

on the small side, think it will do us just fine. Lots of activities and we are close to everything.

But we only booked for a month, that way

if it does not suit us

we are off.

Hope that every ones Thanksgiving

was wonderful.

Sunshine and Good Times

Matilda Awaits

Thanksgiving

Stopping in Victoria our plans were for a week, but we have extended that to a few more weeks. We wanted (well "I") to see the Christmas lights on the river in San Antonio. But I had not realized that they did not light up till after Thanksgiving. So instead of taking the RV to that area, we are planning to spend the night in a hotel and take in all the holiday sights. Driving at night is not something we do any more. But that is all a few weeks off.
Our site at the
Lazy Longhorn



As for now we are enjoying our time here, have met some of our neighbors, and Donna & Nolan are here for a few more weeks too. We took a ride the other day to Rockport, and checked out some of the RV parks and had lunch at the Big Fisherman. It was a perfect day, sunny with just a light breeze.
Nolan

2Bits

What did you bring me?

Yesterday was a day of what to do, what to do. Ended up making a HEB run and had lunch at a restaurant with down home cooking. They did have homemade rolls that were outstanding. Sure that we will be making a return visit. Donna and I decided that we would start a puzzle, and once we got started we became determined that we would finish. And we did! But today my neck was rather stiff. Chuck found some golfing pardners and they went out today. Guess it was not a good day as they were talking about having to go back tomorrow to plant the corn as they dug up the course.

Life is good, all is well, God Bless.

Behind Door Number Two

Well, they do say you can't have

too much truck!
Our microwave door finally arrived.....12 days from Colorado Springs, guess the postal service is fixing the unemployment problem by hiring bicycle carriers. Once we replaced the door, we were back on the road the next day. Seems like our life revolves around doors.
First the refrigerator, then microwave, luckily we discovered
the opening latch on the front door before it fell
off. And don't you know that it would have happened when we
were locked out.

The Escapees park was a great stop, there was a lot going on and the time just flew. We felt like we were looking into our future, most of the people living there full time were once doing what we are now. It is not a pretty picture, yet a very happy one, everyone was totally glad they did what they did. And no one regretted having given it all up. Plus they are still living the good life surrounded by friends, and the travelers stopping in sort of keeps them in the loop. We are now in a lovely park, situated not too far from a railroad crossing, (but then aren't most) in Victoria. Actually it is a nice park, the railroad being the only drawback. We plan to be here for at least a week before continuing down the road.



Yesterday we went to Sams Club, and they asked if Chuck was a veteran, and having made a career of the Air Force, his answer of yes, got him a gift of a folding cane. Not kidding, we laughed so hard, plus there were coupons for the hugo walker, bengay, gas-x and more. Guess the thought was nice, but hey???

The "old" man is out on the golf course today, the smile on his face was pretty big. Bless his heart, it has been almost a month, what with the rain and all. Nothing much in Livingston in the way of golf, but his prospects are much better here. Nolan and Donna are here in the park and are coming over later. Glad they are back out here again now that Nolans heart problems are taken care of, aka curve in the road.

Our granddaughter (mother of those two great babies) who
was in the finals for Wheel of Fortune did not make the
final cut. She was really bummed, but it did have
everyone excited for a while there. Oh well, back to the real world.

That about does it for now, life is good.

Miss you both, Kylee is growing so fast.

Roinn the big brother is

doing a great job.

HOME

We are actually home....well, at least at the address we get our mail. The Escapees park in Livingston, Texas. Been here since Saturday, waiting on a package, which contains a new door for the microwave, to catch up with us, and it must be coming by wagon train. The glass turntable came loose during travel and slammed into the glass of the door breaking it. Was surprised that getting a new one was so simple, and they said it would take a couple of weeks to get it, but it was at our daughters house in a just a few days. Thought that this would be a good place for it to catch up with us, but it was sent by the postal service 9 days ago, and the only thing we are sure of is it arrived in Dallas a week ago. Oh well, it will be here someday (fingers crossed) and we will be on our way. We have no reservations any where and our time frame is totally up to us.

Take that USPS.

Like they care, all there numbers are answered by robots, and some are not

that good, they just ring and ring some more.

We drove up to Lufkin, which is about 45 miles, and had dinner with Keith and Donna last night at a great Mexican restaurant. It was great to spend time with these super people who a few months ago we first met. And the food was very good too.

Our great grand children

Roinn & Kylee

Roinn made this almost by him self


Ready to terrorize

Kylee ready to charm all the treats into her bag