Day by Day

This week passed by very fast, seems like as we get closer to leaving it seems to do that. About the only thing that we did differently this week was take in a movie, The Kings Speech. We both thought it was very good, which surprised me, as it was not Chucks kind of movie. Thought he might catch a nap but he didn’t. We also had a Red Hat lunch in the park, and the entertainment was Auntie Kreamsaugen. She was very funny, the family puts on a show in the Jasper Theater in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Defiantly worth checking out if ever in that part of the world. Quite a large group of Red Hatters, almost 200, think everyone had a good time. Know that I did. Also been putting together our taxes, which is not hard to do, using Turbo tax, can even get away with the free edition. But glad to get it out of the way.

The weather has turned fairly hot, the other day actually hit 96, too early for that. Thankfully it was only one day. Kind of sad though the freeze we had for a few days last month killed all the flowers, so unlike the last few years we have no bougainvillea, or anything else. But the blue bonnets are starting to show there flowers, so it won’t be long.

Saturdays are busy days here, first breakfast at the club house, then duplicate bridge, Chuck and I play together, after, usually we run to the flea market, for fruits and veggies, then pegs and jokers tonight. Anything to keep us off the streets. Chuck had an accident free round of golf yesterday, yippee! That about does it for another week, thanks for looking in on us, know that we sound like we are in a boring rut, but actually having a great time, spending our kids inheritance.

Life is Good

Accidental Golf

Anyone know where I can get one of these outfits? Seems like Chuck needs one of these for when he plays golf. Friday he got hit with a golf ball, luckily his arm was across his chest, so it took the blow. Huge black and blue area. Then Sunday he is out again, and manages to get tangled in some weeds, brush, shoe laces, and falls on his face. Fat lip, skinned knees, just to name a few of the booboo’s. Glad that both incidents had plenty of witnesses or I could lose a case of spousal abuse.

,

An A-OK Week

That about says it all.  All Chucks tests turned out fine, which was a big relief.  So glad that we are past the “what if” stage, and can at least start thinking of making some summer plans.  Do not think they will include the Escapees Rally though, and that makes us sad, especially since our friends, Bob & Molly have taken on the job as head cat herders, but we know that a lot of our friends that will be there supporting them.  Maybe we can send some proxy stand-ins. 

This week has literally flown by, what with golf, bridge, cards, lunch in Mexico, seems like every day was full.  Today we are having a get together wishing some new friends, Dave & Bev, bon voyage/farewell.  They are leaving for a cruise through the Panama Canal, and then returning to Iowa.  It was their first year here and they purchased a park model, so looks like they will be back next year.  We are storing our golf cart in their car port, which keeps us from having come up with other plans for it.  And if for some reason we don’t make it back next year, they will have a cart to use, works for us.

Our park has a big party celebrating St Patrick’s Day, and after that it tends to empty out fairly fast over the next month.  Not sure if we will be leaving here then, but if we do we will probably not go further than either Rockport or Fredericksburg.  Do not want to make the mistake of thinking that all the weather has become spring time.  We did that the first few years, and dealt with snow.  Not leaving Texas till the middle of April.  But the way diesel is going up, we may be in trouble, been here 2 months and seen it rise 60 cents a gallon. Funny, does not seem to be a subject the media thinks relevant. Not going there, not saying another word, won’t  let them ruin my wonderful day, living in this fabulous place with marshmallow clouds and pink sky. 

Life Is Good, Life In A RV Is Even Better

Rent A Tire

Seen a store this week called Rent a Tire, maybe it is just me, but think this is about the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard of. But then maybe not. Our park had a yard sale this morning and there were some interesting items for sale. When the permanent homes sell in the park, they usually come with everything in them, which a lot of probably has been there since the first purchaser, so there are some oldies and everything was selling. Chuck was having a great time, he got rid of a few things, but for him it is all in the sale. He loved his sales job, maybe that is why he was so good at it.

We made our run to San Antonio again this week, had the truck detailed the day before we went, and we just happened to have a slight rain for a few miles, so back to square one. It sure got cold on us, temps dropped about 25 degrees in 10 miles. It had been so nice, didn’t think to check the weather for up there, so I didn’t even have a jacket with me. Spent the night on the base again, and back here the next day. We are hoping the next trip will be when we are leaving Texas, spend a few days there making sure that his hearing aids are doing good, and we will be off to……some where. Missed our parks craft sale, they have one once a month, and a big quilt show the next day. Seen pictures and there were some fabulous quilts. Bev and I played bridge in the Olympics, but did not bring home a medal…..darn.

Finally getting our doctors, dentists & tests out of the way. Chuck goes in the hospital Tuesday to see if he needs to have any stents put in. If he does they will do it right away and he will spend the night other wise he gets to come home the same day. Slowly but surely checking all the boxes.

RETIRE to WHERE?

You can retire to Phoenix , Arizona where...
1. You are willing to park 3 blocks away because you found shade.
2. You've experienced condensation on your hiney from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
3. You can drive for 4 hours in one direction and never leave town.
4. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.
5. You know that "dry heat" is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door.
6. The 4 seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!
OR
You can retire to Southern California where...
1. You make over $250,000 and you still can't afford to buy a house.
2. The fastest part of your commute is going down your driveway.
3. You know how to eat an artichoke.
4. You drive your rented Mercedes to your neighborhood block party.
5. When someone asks you how far something is, you tell them how long it will take to get there rather than how many miles away it is.
6. The 4 seasons are: Fire, Flood, Mud and Drought.
OR
You can retire to New York City where...
1. You say "the city" and expect everyone to know you mean Manhattan .
2. You can get into a four-hour argument about how to get from Columbus Circle to Battery Park, but can't find Wisconsin on a map.
3. You think Central Park is "nature."
4. You believe that being able to swear at people in their own language makes you multi-lingual.
5. You've worn out a car horn. (Ed. Note-if you have a car).
6. You think eye contact is an act of aggression.
OR
You can retire to Minnesota where...
1. You only have four spices: salt, pepper, ketchup and Tabasco .
2. Halloween costumes fit over parkas.
3. You have more than one recipe for casserole.
4. Sexy lingerie is anything flannel with less than eight buttons.
5. The four seasons are: winter, still winter, almost winter and construction.

6. You've never met any celebrities, but the mayor knows your name.

7. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor.
8. You have had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" on the same day.
9. You end sentences with a preposition: "Where's my coat at?"
10. When asked how your trip was to any exotic place, you say, "It was different!"

OR
You can retire to the Deep South where...
1. You can rent a movie and buy bait in the same store.
2. "Y'all" is singular and "all y'all" is plural.
3. "He needed killin" is a valid defense.
4. Everyone has 2 first names: Billy Bob, Jimmy Bob, Mary Sue, Betty Jean, Mary Beth, etc.
5. Everything is either "in yonder," "over yonder" or "out yonder."
It's important to know the difference, too.
OR
You can retire to Colorado where...
1. You carry your $3,000 mountain bike atop your $500 car.
2. You tell your husband to pick up Granola on his way home, so he stops at the day care center to pick up his daughter, Granola.
3. A pass does not involve football or dating.
4. The top of your head is bald, but you still have a pony tail.
OR
FINALLY You can retire to Florida where...
1. You eat dinner at 3:15 in the afternoon.
2. All purchases include a coupon of some kind -- even houses and cars.
3. Everyone can recommend an excellent dermatologist.
4. Road construction never ends anywhere in the state.
5. Cars in front of you often appear to be driven by headless people or Q-tips.

That could be the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, too!

Now I'm off to rent a tire. Yes Sirree, Life is Good.

When It’s Cold, It’s Really Really Cold

A week of extremes, weather wise that is.  We have run the air conditioner, and the heater, both at full blast in same week.  But makes us appreciate the great weather when it returns.  Glad we only had a few days of winter, feel for all who endure months of it. 

Wednesday we met up with Mark & Dortha, and Roger & Barb for a charity show that was being put on by Bernie & Red.  They are a couple that have been coming to the valley for quite some years, and have a fabulous singing, comedy act. Red came out in this outrageous red outfit, and out of six of us we had all forgotten to bring a camera.  Tried to have a photographer e-mail me a picture, but none have arrived.  Guess I should have slipped him a picture of Ben Franklin, might have had better luck.  We left there and had dinner at Rudy’s, it was so good getting together. 

The cold weather caused the electric use to become so great that they were doing rolling black outs, unfortunately we had one hit us, but when they went to turn it back on, everything went south fast.  The electric company was out here most of the day replacing transformers.  We had heat cause the heater fan ran off the battery, and we got power back before it went dead.  We used to have rolling blackouts in California but they were in the summer when air conditioner use was high.  The cold sure hits the cactus hard, all the flowers that were getting ready to bloom are no more.  They are saying most of the oranges and grapefruit have been picked.  Although there are a lot left on the trees, but that is because the powers that be (aka government) will only allow them to meet certain quotas and rest goes to waste.

Saturday the weather was back to normal, we had been holding off doing the laundry, so took off to get that taken care of.  Later in the day was talking to Barb and we decided to give the kite festival a try, on Sunday, and we couldn’t had better weather.

Pictures of a Christmas sand sculpture in the visitor center at South Padre Island.

We took our little portable picnic table and a lunch and had a marvelous time watching kites and eating. And yes, we did have cameras.

Some were huge.

This week we have another road trip to San Antonio for Chuck to get fitted for his hearing aids.  Hope that the next visit can be worked in around the time we are leaving the valley.  Not a drive that we look forward to, okay if you are on to new adventures. 

Where Did Saturday Go?

Well so much for that resolution of posting every Saturday. But have an excuse, it was on my schedule, only got a call for a visit with some friends who have bought a winter home here in the park, so just had to check out their new hideaway. The main impression that comes to mind is BIG. Sure that they will have a lot of good times there, and also extra room for their kids and families to visit.

We did a quick road trip to San Antonio this week. Chuck finally got the process started on his hearing aids, though not through the VA. This is a program where he will get them at cost, which is good. We drove up one day, spent the night in the BOQ, which is temp housing on the base. Then in the morning he had his tests, and we left after that. The drive is 250 miles of flat, sage brush covered, wide open nothingness.

That the roads are good is about the only thing to say about it. Was also a week for doctors, but that too was frustrating. The cardiologist thinks that the fluid in the lungs was caused by something other than the heart, where as the lung specialist insists it likely to be the heart. A decision was made to have a cath done of the heart to see if any stints might be needed and CT scan done in a month on the lungs, and then go from there. Otherwise he is in good shape for the shape he is in.

The first winter we spent here, we did a lot of sight seeing and tours, the following year not as much, and this year…nothing. The flea market and Mexico don’t count. Have not been to South Padre Island, although we are going to try to get over there for the kite festival next week. The weather has been pretty good so far, and hate to say it cause might jinx it, the wind has not blown hardly at all. Also planning to meet up with Mark & Dortha, Roger & Barb, later this week. Everyone is so busy doing their own thing that it has not come together, so I just threw out a plan and we got it on the calendar. Looking forward to it, be great seeing seeing Mark & Dortha, it has been awhile. Have met up with Barb & Roger a few times, in Louisiana and now here.

We are at the half way mark of the time we planned to spend here, and starting to look forward to getting the wheels turning. Still have not made our definite summer plans, but we are leaning to Florida, then up the east coast. Think we will move from here to Rockport for at least a week or two. Gee, a plan is taking hold!

Charlie's wife, Lucy, had been after him for several weeks to paint the seat on their toilet. Finally, he got around to doing it while Lucy was out.. After finishing, he left to take care of another matter before she returned.She came in and undressed to take a shower. Before getting in the shower, she sat on the toilet. As she tried to stand up, she realized that the not-quite-dry epoxy paint had glued her to the toilet seat.About that time, Charlie got home and realized her predicament. They both pushed and pulled without any success whatsoever. Finally, in desperation, Charlie undid the toilet seat bolts Lucy wrapped a sheet around herself and Charlie drove her to the hospital emergency room.The ER Doctor got her into a position where he could study how to free her (Try to get a mental picture of this.).Lucy tried to lighten the embarrassment of it all by saying, "Well, Doctor,I'll bet you've neverseen anything like this before."The Doctor replied, "Actually, I've seen lots of them. I just never saw one mounted and framed."

Week Two: Check

Life is Good

Week One

I’ve made the commitment to update the blog at least once a week, and would hate to go back on that resolution right away. The week went by soooo fast, it was almost a blur.  Monday, was one of Chucks golf days, and he was not too happy with his score, but it must have been that everyone else played worst as he came in second.  Something about winning when you know it wasn’t your best that sort of takes the glow off the win.

Then Chuck also had some tests run, this week coming up we will find out the results of everything, we are hoping for the best.  As for me it was a trip on the other side of the border to the dentist, to finish up the bridge work.  The price was about a tenth of what it would have been here, and very happy with the looks and feel.  Always joked that I had a Cadillac parked in my mouth, was afraid that it would now become a Yugo.  But think I did okay.  Chuck did get new glasses too, but he choose to do that in town here, the price was better than he was quoted in Mexico, plus he got a second pair of single vision sunglasses for golf for next to nothing. 

We did meet with Roger and Barb one day, and took a trip with a group of Escapees from Louisiana, and went to Harlingen for a fun time at a soda joint/bar/dancehall.  This musical family used to play a PePe’s, but the hurricane that came through here this past summer, along with the river flooding, wiped them out.  So they are trying to start the same type of place away from the river.  Must say the music was great, the food not so much, but could be fun place to go, hope they can make it.  Times are hard though.  Did actually take the camera, and never got one picture, battery was completely dead, have not been taking any pictures, and still have not.  Today we had bridge in the morning, then Bev and Dave went with us to the flea market.  I had been wanting a magnetic necklace and one of the vendors called to say she had gotten some.  But it was so hard to choose, wish she had only gotten one style, would have made it easier, but finally selected one.  Lun-dinner  was at the market, and dessert was a dollar banana split from Stars Drive-In.  The Saturday special, and just the right size.

Weather wise has been okay, could be a little warmer at times, but the afternoons are great.  Well, that brings an end to another week in the life of two ole fools farting their way through life.  Yep, the golden years!

Life is Good 

Warning From Roswell

 

WARNING! FB now automatically scans your brain through your monitor. To BLOCK, go to your kitchen cabinet & remove the box of aluminum foil. Wrap foil around your head, stay calm & breathe through your left nostril. This is a serious problem & has been confirmed by my cousin's girlfriend's neighbor's son's baby's step-mamas uncle's pet Chihuahua. SAVE YOUR FRIENDS.

Life Gets In the Way

We have been to the doctors, dentist, glasses ordered, blood drawn, bottles peed in, x-rayed, poked, tested and retested.  But at this point the only thing we have made no head way on is Chucks hearing aids.  The ONE thing that brought us here.  We are certainly using this time to get everything taken care of, which is good, hopefully we can leave here patched up and high stepping.

Our wonderful weather left the other day and it got flat out cold, not down to freezing, but to have it in the 80’s and then the very next day 40, was  bit of a big change.  Was only suppose to last for a few days but we are on day 4 now and though it has warmed up we have this drizzling rain/mist.  Glad all our friends that are in Arizona and California are not having the same problem.  If it can’t be me, glad it is them.

We have been beyond busy doing nothing, but having a good time, cards, golf, even trying a bit of line dancing.  Last Sunday we went to see a show at a another park, Bernie & Red.  They do a comedy routine with some singing thrown in.  Funny, funny, funny, we have seen them before and hope to see another routine they do while they are here before they move on to Arizona. Just when I decided that water exercise could be fit in the weather flipped. All though the water is heated, still have to get back to the RV. Bev and I are playing bridge in the Winter Texan Senior Olympics next month. Chuck is playing pinochle. Last year he got a silver medal, for real. I’ve made the decision that while we are not moving, I’ll try to post on Saturdays only, unless there is something that just has to be put to paper.  Got to go, Pegs & Jokers night.

Life is Good!

Busy, Busy, Busy

We seem to have been going non-stop since we got settled here, but on the other hand have accomplished very little. but on the other hand, we sure have been enjoying ourselves, which makes us put both hands together and say a little thank you prayer.

We have been busy with cards, and all the games they play here, plus golf a couple of times a week. I also have a new bridge partner, and we played with the “Big Dogs”, Wednesday, and came in first in our section and second over-all. We were happy happy. We are scheduled to play again tomorrow, hope it isn’t beginner luck, but no matter, just love to play the game.

Met up with out friends Barb and Roger for dinner last night, and convinced them that they wanted to go into Mexico and take us to the dentist they have used and are very happy with. After that we stopped and had lunch at the Old Town restaurant, which we had never tried before, but they had. It was very good, we had combo plates, an order of guacamole, margaritas (2-4-1) and cokes all for 16.50. Which probably led us to purchase 2 gallons of tequila to bring home.

We were told that that was what we could bring back into the US. So far so good, but only one liter is duty free! So our bargain was taxed by the feds and by Texas. Have a feeling it may have not been such a good buy after all. Does look like a life time supply of Jose Cuevo though….LOL.

The weather has been just wonderful, but there is word out that is all coming to an end tonight, predicting thunderstorms and much cooler weather. Well they really need the rain, so hopefully it will only be for a few days.

Chuck and I are both doing the doctor thing, him much more than me. We are both fine for the shape we are in, but guaranteed there will not be a test that hasn’t been run by the time we leave here. Still haven’t started on the hearing aids though. Guess we will have to make a trip back to San Antonio for that.

All in all…..Life is Good.

It”s Almost Gone

The Beginning of the Eclipse

Yes, the year 2010 is on it’s last days. We have made good use of the the year. Our wheels were rolling most of the time, although we managed to spend plenty of time seeing friends and the sights.

We left the RGV last year about the middle of March and made our way up the coast spending time in Corpus Christi and Rockport. From there we went to Bourne where we met a group of the Class of 07. After a fun filled time we traveled to Colorado Springs, home of our daughter and her family. Chuck had a repair job done, and a not so successful try at cataract surgery. We had planned to fly our grandson from California out to the Springs, but there were no longer nonstop flights, so we decided that we would pick him up in Vegas. We headed into the southern part of Utah, seeing the Arches, Brice's Canyon and Mount Zion. Wow, we think those should be on everyone's ”bucket list”.

Come to find out there were no direct flights from Sacramento to Vegas either. Our son and DIL decided that they could use a little road trip and drove him down. About that time the weather decided to heat up big time…..110 to 115. The air conditioner never quit. Then it was on to San Diego, where we camped right on the beach on Camp Pendleton. We figured we had about 2 weeks with our grandson before he had to be back for all-star baseball practice. But after buying tickets for 3 different attractions, we were notified that he had to be back in 5 days. Marine World, San Diego Zoo, and Animal Kingdom in 3 days, we were done in, but he made it back in time for practice in the afternoon. We spent a few weeks visiting friends and family. Then several couples joined us in going to southern Oregon for a week.

Friends Barb and Bob/Chuck live in southern Idaho, which was our next destination. Sun Valley is in their back yard, gorgeous country. We left there planning on seeing some of Yellowstone that we had not taken in the last time we were there, but the weather played a large part in making the campgrounds unable to accommodate us due to the large amount of rain, and parking being all grass. But we did make an unexpected stop that was a real treat in Medora, North Dakota. Each summer they put on a first class musical and we took that in. Then it was on to Wisconsin, a visit with a few relatives and we were off to Elkhart. We spent 2 months in that area, taking in Nick’s Rally, the Escapee’s Rally, and yes a third, the Montana Rally. Each one was great in it’s own way.

A “Gathering”, Lisa’s, was happening in Tennessee at Defeated Creek! What a great campground, but the locals love it too, it is pretty much reserved up for the weekends well in advance. Then it was down into the panhandle of Florida where we caught up with Kevin and Arlene who were work camping at the Topsail State Park. Once again a beautiful park. We left there for the infamous Betty’s, where we were meeting a few other couples for Thanksgiving. Great, great, great. Finished off our stay in Louisiana by popping into Kinder, for a last casino fix. Texas has none, so it is a long time between dues paying, which is just as well. We hit San Antonio, and after a few weeks we finally made it back to the Rio Grand Valley. And dagnabit, just writing about it made me tired, but it was a great year. Can’t wait and see what next year holds in store, as we have no plans that are not written in Jell-O.

We are getting settled in, doctor appointments for both of us. Told Chuck we are in the repair, replace or discard part of our lives. Big card party tomorrow night, also a dance, but think we are more for the cards. Bought a golf cart so we can tool around the park, either sell it in the spring or store it.

Have to share, our great-grandbabies, Roinn & Kylee

HAPPY NEW YEARS

LIFE IS GOOD

It Feels Like Home

Unlike a lot of full timers we have no place other than a mail box in Livingston Texas, that we can call our home base.  This is our second year at Alamo Palms and the welcome we have received from so many of the people that we met last year, and all our new neighbors, gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling.  This has to be one of the friendliest parks in the valley, and the busiest.  There is so much going on, there is no way you could not have a good time. 

Today is Chucks birthday, make that his 74th one, wow, how did we get so old so fast.  We don’t think we are any where close to what our bodies seem to be, which at times, is at the bottom of that famous hill.   As long as we stay away from “boot hill”, all is well.  The park is having a viewing of the lights tonight, and they are having hay rides and breaking out all the golf carts so everyone can partake.  After wards one of our neighbors has invited a group over for a get together.  Sure that it will be fun and we will get to meet more of the neighbors.  I’m going to sneak over a cake for birthday boy. 

Yesterday was our first trip to the flea market.  Ordered a outside roller shade for the back window, and to have the fabric replaced on the awning.  Can not touch the price here, so get’er done.  Wonderful to buy huge bags of oranges and grape fruit for 3 dollars each. Plus got the ingredients for Chuck salsa.  Nothing else interested us.  The market was really very empty compared to last year, but maybe after Christmas.  Can’t say the same for the restaurants, they are full from 4:30 on.  We usually have linner (lunch/dinner) before 4, that way we beat the crowd and pay lunch prices.  Nothing cheap about us, I’ll have water with lemon, please, add a sweetener and whala….lemonade, group.

Well, I’m off to play bridge, Chuck had a doctors appointment this morning, and he has not made it back yet.  Hope they are not holding him hostage again. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL 

Find the Pickle

It was a tradition in our family to hide a pickle in the tree, come Christmas Eve it was a great joy to be the one to discover it.  Can you find the pickle?

Did get the decorations up in time to be able to enjoy them.  Do love the memories of all the places they were acquired from.

The Great Escape

Our stop over in San Antonio was for one reason, for Chuck to get fitted for new hearing aids at Audey Murphy VA Hospital.  In the process of doing the mandatory physical they found fluid in his lungs, especially one of them.  After a few more tests they decided that he should be admitted and the fluid removed.  Once that had taken place they scheduled several other tests, but after two days of waiting, Chuck decided it was time to make a jail break and head for the border. He will get in touch with our doctor here ad get things started next week.  Right now he is so tickled to be here, actually he is playing cards as I type, he does love his games.

As of now we are in the resort that we spent last year at, Alamo Palms.  We really enjoyed our time here last year with the exception of the size of site.  So this year we booked one that is in an area that is mostly mobile homes, and we do have space.  Room for another RV with space to spare.  Not complaining though, oh no.

Getting the decorations up now, they don’t consist of all that much.  I have limited my keepsakes to an occasional ornament, and over the years they have grown to quite a collection.  But they also take very little space.  I hang a long lighted garland over the big slide and use that to display them.  Brings back many memories of the places we have been.  And I love the new side board, five feet of display space.  Pictures will follow, once it is all done tomorrow.

Life is good, no it is great! 

Love’n Texas

We have been in San Antonio, at the Lackland AFB famcamp for a few days now.  The weather was absolutely lovely the first few days, but it has cooled of some.  Still very comfy. Today we decided to take in the lights at the Riverwalk, better than fighting the crowds of the week ends.  And it was mission accomplished, there were very few people there.  We had a very nice dinner at Tony Romas, which actually cost us nothing but an hour of our time.  Yep, one of those freebies for listening to a time share spiel. We got way laid on the way to the Riverwalk and “offered” a 75 dollars credit card just to listen,  we decided we had time to kill, so why not.  Well, when  they offered this time share for the low buy in of 68,000, and we laughed they basically couldn’t get us out of there fast enough.  Ah sucks, guess we are just trailer trash, on the other hand we get to go every and any place, and sleep in our own bed.  Hard to beat that. 

Oh, back to the lights, I personally, thought they were disappointing. 

Pretty yes, but I had read about all the luminaries and there were none, it was just lights streaming down from the trees.  Worth seeing, yes, glad we did it, yes, but the margarita at dinner, priceless.

Being officially Texans we must have our truck put through a safety inspection when we enter back into Texas.  After searching on the internet I got a few address where this could take place, but they were erroneous.  So we just went in search driving the vehicle repair area, and came upon one. 

I certainly feel safer now that I know that everyone has to go through this procedure. He basically took our money, scraped the old sticker off, put the new one on, done, finished, have a good day.  By the looks of the building we shouldn’t have expected much more? 

Chucks appointment with the VA is early Thursday, and he had hoped to get fitted and tested for new hearing aids, but now it seems that first he has to have a physical.  Have a feeling we will be coming back for his testing and all.  Know that it won’t hurt to have another physical but he did have one in California this spring.  Oh well, it is what it is.

                     Life is Good.

Cut Loose of Betty’s Web

What a great time we had, the friends, the food, the laughter, and the card games, that unfortunately were won entirely by the men.  Not once did the women emerge victorious……but we are plotting revenge as I write. 

We took a tour of the Tabasco factory one day which was very interesting.  The plant was not running, instead  there was a short movie, and then we walked through the plant.  And of course the country store, my oh my, there were a lot of Tabasco items to taste, even ice cream, and of course we had to make several purchases.  Thanks for the tour Denny and Suzie, we really enjoyed it. 

Barb and Roger came by for a short visit, and we went to a restaurant that Betty said was her favorite.  Very good food, unique wall décor, and great margaritas.  What more could you ask for.

Thanksgiving we all made a dish or two, and someone even did a turduckin.  Can’t honestly say that I would buy one, it was interesting to try it though.

                          

                       

Hey, they have only the best in Louisiana.

We had food and more food, what a feast.

The next day Bob and Molly were off to Red Bay to try and get the repairs completed on their motorhome.

The Little Green Man behind the wheel of their toad.  Looks like he has a new job.

Sunday afternoon We went with Keith and Donna to the play, Tuna Christmas, and it was fantastic.  Two men played all the parts, and did a awesome performance, it was  laugh till you………..well at my age, let’s just leave it at that.

Monday we left Betty’s and followed the Greens to the casino at Kinder.  It was a short 80 mile jaunt, and we settled in a very nice park here at the casino.  Good time yesterday, slots seemed to be very loose, today, no so much.  But today was seniors day and they were bringing them in by the bus load.  Played blackjack and pleased to say that we are leaving here winners.  Not buy a new RV winner, more like a new bumper sticker, spare no cost , winner.  But a winner none the less.

Tomorrow we will be rolling down the road, headed for San Antonio, almost 400 miles, looks to be a good 2 day trip.

                       Life is Good.

Enjoying Betty’s RV Park

We had planned to arrive at Betty’s, in Abbeville, Louisiana,  on the 23rd, but heard from Molly that there was a swamp tour scheduled for that day, so cancelled some plans, pulled in the slides, and were rolling down the road ASAP on Monday. 

Bye Biloxi

The 220 mile trip was uneventful, although traffic seems quite heavy.  We arrived at Betty’s about 3, and after squeezing in we were ready for the daily “happy hour”.  Great seeing old friends, and making new acquaintances.  If you have been here you know what it is like, if not, you must put it on your bucket list.  Of course after happy hour, we were off to eat at Suire’s, a local restaurant that is a real treat, very good food.

Interesting contrast of the white herons and fall foliage. Tuesday we were off for the swamp tour, there were 16 in our group, and our guide and boat were waiting for us.  http://champagnesswamptours.com  So very glad that we made the decision to take this tour.

It was Awesome!

Words are not sufficient to describe what we saw.   Even though a lot of the trees look like they are dead or dying, they were quite healthy. Bryan, (our guide) was very knowledgeable and made the tour so interesting. 

Would love to take this tour again at another time of the year, as the changes would be drastic with all the plants in bloom and the changes in the trees.  The beauty was so unexpected to me, the unusual shape of the trees due to the way that have adapted to survive.  In our travels there are so many places that I’ve just been blown away by.  How lucky we are to be able to see and enjoy it all.  Gives a new meaning to stopping and smelling the roses, and do so appreciate that we have been lucky enough to do it.

Natural man-made duck blinds.

And then it was off to find some food.  Being as we were to be spending a few hours with out restrooms, most of us had limited our in take and were starving.  Okay, those of you know that Escapees never starve, we travel on our stomachs. But it was a good excuse.

We have not been in this area, so a lot of the menu was strange to me, but Bob tried a combination platter, (crawfish boulette, crawfish macque choux, crawfish pie, fried alligator were just a few items on the platter) and Molly and I managed to taste almost everything, and it was so good, even though we weren’t too sure of what we were eating.  Most of us went for the fried catfish and it was also very good. 

Right now we are waiting on Roger & Barb, http://recesstimeontheroad.blogspot.com as they are coming for a visit, and we are……..what else…….going out to eat.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we are having a huge dinner at the campground with everyone bringing a dish or two  or maybe even three.  Old habits die hard, and seems everyone has their family favorites.

Also have made reservations for a local play on Sunday, Christmas Tuna, which the reviews are raving about.  Should be fun.Monday we will be making our way to San Antonio, where we will park for a few weeks, while hopefully Chuck can get new hearing aids ordered.

Happy Thanksgiving, Life is Good.

Biloxi Days

Having just done a grocery run at the commissary, I have to do a little rant. Do the companies think we are just totally STUPID? I just bought a pound of bacon, (14 ounces) 4 pound bag of sugar, 1/2 gallon of ice cream, (11/2 quarts)and please tell me, how do they put 34 ounces of coffee in a 3 lb can and make it completely full? The darn can did not get smaller, just the contents. Oh, and then we are told there is zero inflation. Yeah, I guess we are that dumb, especially my home state of California. Starting to thread in that forbidden territory in blog land here, so thanks for letting me rant. Had thought that the cost of living in the south was less costly, but seems that everything is much higher than up north. We took in a casino last night, and they have no freebies here, actually they even make you buy the clip cord for your players card. NOT! We did not stay all that long, winning was not happening anywhere we could see or hear. Didn’t take us long to get over getting our dues paid.

Thursday night we went out for pizza with Darrell & Judy. http://wanderingamerica.com Great getting to spend time with them, they have a ERUP lot at the Plantation, so guess you could say they are our future neighbors.

We left the Rainbow Plantation yesterday, and the ride was only about 100 miles, so it was no time till we were here. Our daughter had called and I was yakking and Chuck missed the turn and it took us a bit of a hassle to get back on track, but turning around when your as long as we are is a hassle no matter what. We are staying at Keesler AFB and they are full. We got the last site. Nice campground, river and lake across the road. Will bet no one lets their dogs or cats run loose here.

Same beautiful white beaches, love them.

We will be here till Tuesday morning at which time we will be making our way to Betty’s RV park. Can’t wait to see everyone again, it was the Escapees rally that our paths last crossed.

Happy Thanksgiving to All.

Lunch At Roadkill Cafe

What a great time we had at the See’ya farewell lunch.  Those of you who know us from the RV Dreams, know that our nickname is Roadkill, so we couldn’t get enough pictures.  Actually the food was good, there hours are their own, when they run out of food, they close.  Seems to work, they were pretty full and it was early for lunch.

Last night there was a soup’er supper at the campground.  They had 23 different kinds of soup, and for a few dollars you could have a sample of as many as you wanted.  There were some wonderful soups, and I only tasted four.  My favorite was a curry, pumpkin mushroom.  It was so good.  After that it was followed with the weekly ice cream social.  Today it was all about rain, just a slow steady but wet rain.  A do-nothing day.  Life is Good.

Life As I Now Know It

I  would never trade my amazing friends, my  wonderful  life, my loving  family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.  As  I've aged, I've become  kinder to myself, and less critical of   myself. I've become my own  friend. I don't chide myself for eating   that extra cookie, or for not  making my bed, or for buying that silly  pink flamingo that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde in front of the RV.  I am entitled to a treat, to be   messy, to be  extravagant.

I  have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon;  before they  understood the great freedom that comes with  aging.

Whose  business is it if I choose to read or play on the  computer until 4 AM and  sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to  those wonderful tunes of the 50 &60’s, and if I, at the same time,  wish  to weep over a lost love  ..... I will.


I  will walk the beach in a swim suit that  is stretched over a bulging body, and  will dive into the waves  with  abandon if I choose to, despite the  pitying glances from the  jet set.  They, too, will get  old.

I  know I am sometimes forgetful.   But there again, some of life is just as  well forgotten. And I   eventually remember the important  things.

Sure,  over the years my heart has been broken.  How can  your heart not   break when you lose a loved one, or when a child  suffers, or even when  somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car?   But broken  hearts are  what give us strength and understanding and  compassion.   A heart  never broken is pristine and sterile and  will  never know the joy of  being imperfect.


I  am so blessed to have lived long enough  to have my hair turning gray, and to  have my youthful laughs be forever  etched into deep grooves on my  face.

So  many  have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn   silver.


As  you get older, it is easier to be positive.  You care  less about   what other people think..  I don't question myself  anymore.   I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So,  to  answer your question, I like being old.  It has set me free.   I  like the person I have become.  I am not going to live forever,  but while  I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what  could  have been,  or worrying about what will be.  And I shall  eat dessert every single day  (if I feel like it).

Author Unknown