Hitting the Road Tomorrow

After our last weekend in Florida, we are heading for home tomorrow.  We haven't been there since 12/26.  We plan to stop in Holt, FL and Breaux Bridge, LA before landing at a campground close to home so we can unload and clean up the trailer.  This new rig is tight as a drum when closed up.  We can reach the right side of the refrigerator and that's about it unless we run the slides out.  Our other ones gave us decent access to the bathroom and kitchen while closed up.  There are trade offs with everything.

Tom and Eileen came over Friday and we went back to Blue Spring.  After living in this area for 20 years they have never been to see the manatees.  

In the next photos look closely to see the baby manatee with its mother.  On the second one she is totally on her back.

We saw a good sized gator swimming in the spring but he was near the other bank and it wasn't possible to get a good shot.  While walking the boardwalk to the spring boil, we encountered this armadillo who was too busy rooting around to pay attention to us.  Most of the ones I see in Texas are road kill. 

Afterwards we went to a Mexican restaurant and then back to the campground.  It was ice cream social and bingo night so Eileen, Ted and I had a scoop of ice cream but only we wanted to stay for bingo so they headed home.  It is almost an hour and a half to their new home and it was already 7:30.  Anyway, we didn't win at bingo!

On Saturday we came to Kristin's to see them open the gifts and envelopes we had brought from the reception.  The lady who had looked at the house called and asked if she could bring her husband by.  She was at her friend's house down the street.  We waited two hours, her car was still there and we all just decided not to wait any longer.  How long can it take to finish a beer?

There was an 800 person half marathon starting at our park gates on Sunday morning.  And of course that was the day we had to be in Port Canaveral by 9:00.  We left at 6:30 and still had to dodge people, orange cones, and drive on the wrong side to get out of the area.  We stopped on I-95 and had breakfast and waited for a call that Karen and Ron had gotten off the ship.  It took three attempts to get where we needed to be which turned out to be through a garage, into their long term parking lot inside a fence.  Of course Karen's description of "we are near the back of the ship" when they were actually mid ship under the name, "we are in the black fenced area" when the entire port is surrounded by black fence and "we are in front of a parking garage" when there are two parking structures, didn't help.  When we finally located them we were told we couldn't load them there and we needed to go through the garage, pull a ticket, load them and leave.  No charge.  Whew!

We brought them back to our campground where our truck was and they left from here but not before we all attended church at 11 o'clock.  They were supposed to go to St. Augustine but decided not to and drove into Georgia heading home.  I think 80 degrees and sunny here sounds better than 14 and snow at home but that's just me!

Today we are battening down the hatches.  Ted checked tires and lug nuts and emptied tanks.  I did a load of laundry at Kristin's and we both got our passport photo taken.  We need to renew before our August trip.  One more thing to put together as soon as we get home.  

See y'all soon!

Our Last Week Here

This certainly has been a doozy of a winter.  It has been cold at home, cold in the Rio Grande Valley and cold in Central Florida.  There have been beautiful, sunny days too but not nearly as many as there usually are.  We are heading home next week to spring hopefully.  My friend Donna (of the 3 Donnas), is coming for a visit at the end of the month.  If the bluebonnets are on schedule that should be a delightful time.

Kelly and family, along with Pat's mother, came for a visit on Tuesday.  We rented a pontoon boat and plied the waters of the St. Johns River up to Blue Spring and back.  We were not allowed to dock at the Spring so didn't see any manatees but we did see three alligators, two sunning themselves and one swimming.  Ally and Kelly took these photos with their phones.

We took them to dinner before they headed back to Disney.  They go home to Michigan on Saturday.

Wednesday morning we headed to the SW coast of Florida to visit my dad and his wife Edna.  They were unable to attend the wedding due to health issues.  They both are frail, riding is uncomfortable and the demands of travel are too much for them.  

We arrived in the early afternoon and had a great visit that included dinner of Skyline chili and a nice salad.  We didn't stay late because they had been up all day with no siestas.  The cleaning people came early and we took up their whole afternoon.  But I know they love our visits and rested up the next day.

In honor of Kristin and Larry, my Dad rang this bell at 2 pm on Saturday.  He was definitely thinking of us all and terribly disappointed he couldn't do the reading from the book of Tobit.

We spent the night in an area motel.  We didn't want to cause used bathrooms and sheets for them to deal with.  Little things can be difficult when your hands and legs have a mind of their own.

We have friends there in Punta Gorda, Ave Maria and Lake Placid but we needed to get home to show the house this morning.  We just didn't have time to spend another night on the road and our route was nowhere near these places except for Faith and Herman in Punta Gorda who probably didn't want visitors at 9 am.

So we left under very cloudy skies, planning a stop at the Plant City Strawberry Festival to see the Redhead Express, the group we watched grow up while performing in the Rio Grande Valley.  LaRae had her baby boy earlier this month, Kendra is getting married next month and Meaghan still has her red cup named Ted for her cup song.  She gave Ted a shout out from the stage.  They sounded really good with a back up drummer and the best of equipment.  Check them out at www.redheadexpress.com.

We are showing the house at 10 am to the friend of a neighbor who learned it was going up for sale at the garage sale.  Who knows?  Anything can happen.  Wish us luck.

Tom and Eileen are coming over today.  I would like to go see the Tiffany windows at Rollins College Chapel if that interests them.

Everyone, stay warm!

Terrific Wedding

Today is the day after!  After all the planning and preparations have played out, for good or bad.

The rehearsal was a hoot!  Instead of me "practicing" walking down the aisle and lighting the unity candle tapers, Fr. John said I knew how to do that and should "park it" in the first bench!  He just blew through it and I applaud the wedding party who knew what to do the next day except for Aunt Maureen.  More on that later.

Kristin with Sam, Morgan and Molly the Bear in her wedding attire after the rehearsal.

There were 65 people at Wildside BBQ in Orlando to begin the festivities after rehearsal.  Kristin ordered a Groom's cake for Larry that incorporated his trade of photography.

The camera looked so real but I was afraid to touch it to make sure.  It was icing over styrofoam.  The "film" along the bottom contained photos of Larry, his family and Kristin.  It was an excellent cake too flavored with Grand Marnier.  There was a second undecorated cake too because of the size of our group.

Saturday morning started off with the first drama of the day when I dropped my dangly diamond earring down the bathroom drain!  I was cleaning them for Kristin to wear.  The maintenance man wasn't answering his radio so the front desk gave me a pliers and phillip head screw driver!  Amazingly Ted got the trap off with the pliers and Bill (son in law to be in July) got the drain thing out and out dropped the earring.  By then the maintenance man arrived and he put it all back together.  Teamwork!

The make up and hair people started on everyone about 7:30.  I said I wanted to look like Liz Taylor and they reminded me she was dead.  So I told them to do whatever.  Once finished I returned to my hotel, dressed and returned with Ted for some early photos.  When it was time for church it was raining bucketsful.  The limo had to back into the valet area to load the wedding party.  We followed it and blew through three tolls because the limo had a SunPass and we didn't.  I may be in stripes soon but I refused to be late.

I prayed the whole way and the rain stopped for the day by the time we arrived.  My other son-in-law Patrick escorted me to light the candle.  We turned around and Aunt Maureen had not lit hers on the other side.  She asked if she should light hers and I nodded yes.  Instead of lighting the candle she was supposed to, she lit the taper Larry was to use and tried to stand it on top of the bigger candle.  When no one came to her rescue, I left my seat, helped her do it correctly and we both "parked it!"

Sam and Morgan starting off the processional.

The ceremony went well except Fr. John read a different gospel than the wedding coordinator had said he would so the program was wrong but no one except me seemed to notice.  There were tears of joy and lots of laughter and finally it was time to kiss the bride.

Granddaugter Ally, granddaughter Cassie, Sheetal, Kristin, Larry, Willie, grandson Sam and Larry's brother, Peter with granddaugter Morgan in the front.

I wasn't taking photos so what I am sharing are some sent to me by others.

It was past 3:30 when we were finished with the six photographers at the church, a result of Larry being a photographer!  Somewhere in there has to be a good photo of me!  This one was taken by my friend Eileen.  I like it!

We were both hungry and dinner was over four hours away so we drove to Steak and Shake.  I believe we were voted best dressed in the drive thru line.  We both got a shake since it was easy to drink and filled us up.  Then it was back to the hotel for more photos.  

A little before six we walked across the street to the Citrus Club to be there to greet the guests.

All those place cards Kristin and I worked on sitting in alphabetical order.  There was a photo booth that everyone seemed to enjoy.  Their photo strip fit into the acrylic frame that housed their place card,  a great idea!  My sister Laurie, Kara and I did a photo strip for Grandpa who was unable to attend.  He wanted so badly to read from the Book of Tobit but felt too frail to make the trip.

The table settings.  There were 17 tables in all, named instead of numbered with different words important to a successful marriage.  Ted and I were at the Friendship table.  The centerpieces were fresh flowers in water filled clear glass cylinders topped off with those elusive floating candles that spent a few days in Louisville during the last snow storm.  The gold boxes of chocolates were placed by the waitstaff on the napkins.

There was a cocktail hour with waitstaff passing hors deuvers followed by dinner, then dancing.

Our three daughters - Kelly, Kristin and Kara.

The wedding cake.

Maid of Honor, Sheetal, Kristin's best friend since age 8.  She did an amazing job on her toast.

Kara, fiancé Bill (another wedding in July!) and Morgan and Sam.

Random shots at church waiting for the photographers to finish up.

The one thing I don't know how to share with you is the video Kara posted on Facebook of me and my brother Dan dancing to Old Time Rock and Roll.  To add insult to injury her caption read "my amazing almost 70 year old mother."  I quickly added "almost 69, not 70."

Sunday morning we thanked everyone at breakfast for coming, checked out of the hotel and drove Karen and Ron to Port Canaveral to start their cruise.  We will pick them up next Sunday.  In the meantime we can use their car instead of our truck and if need be, we can go in separate directions because we have two vehicles.

We are back at the RV, checked on the cats, and delivered the wedding gifts and envelopes to Kristin's house.  It is almost empty now.  My Fathet's Closet is coming Tuesday to clear out the garage sale stuff including tne dining room set.  A woman is interested in seeing the house this week.  We have accomplished a lot in the 3 weeks we have been here.

Happy the bride the sun shines on

Happy the bride the rain falls on

Either way, Kristin is covered.

Less Than A Week Until the Wedding

This time next week I will be sitting with my feet up!  We have been very busy getting this show on the road. 

The first wrinkle in our plans was Ted's need to fly back to Texas from Monday to Wednesday.  That left me without a vehicle because I didn't want to drive the dually to the airport Wednesday night to pick him up so he drove himself.   I went to Kristin's for two nights and used her car one day.

The next problem is the weather up north that has our 48 floating candles being held hostage in Louisville by UPS.  I have shopped around and found some available that will do and if the original ones don't arrive by Wednesday I will be out rounding up 48 new ones.

The bridesmaid dresses were shipped Fed Ex right before the storm and arrived on Thursday as promised.  Now they would have been impossible to replace if they didn't arrive!

We spent Friday getting ready for the garage sale that was held on Saturday.  Clearing out a whole house is no easy task.  With two complete households there is just way too much stuff.  We did sell quite a lot and will call a group to come get the rest.  The king size bed, couch, desk and entertainment center are all that is going to Larry's.  It is all the little things that are so hard to sort out.

In the meantime Ted and I have kept busy with errands, working on the name cards, taking our dance classes, attending a few things here in the park, etc.  I had breakfast with my friend Rita one day while Ted was gone.  Tom and Eileen took me to lunch another day.  

After the garage sale we drove to Disney's All Star Sports Resort to spend the night.  Bill and Kara met us there and we transferred all the things I had for her into their car.  We put our stuff in the room they had booked for us and went to Giordano's for dinner.  They got up at 5:00 to fly down and we were up at 6:00 for the garage sale so it was an early evening as they went to Bonnet Creek to their two bedroom apartment and we returned to our room.

We had brunch with Minnie, Donald and Goofy at Cape May Cafe at Disney Beach Club this morning along with Kara, Bill, Sam and Morgan.  

We went to church in Celebration at noon and then headed to Larry's while they went to the Hollywood Studios park.  We spent hours working on the name cards  and church program.  It was 8:30 this evening when we arrived home.

Hopefully things will calm down as we get more things wrapped up.  When more folks start arriving on Thursday I am sure it will get crazy again.  There are 65 coming to the rehearsal dinner on Friday and 130 for the wedding on Saturday.  

I know this isn't too exciting for you all to read but it is important for me to record the build up to Kristin's wedding.  The weather has been good and hopefully will stay that way for the next few weeks.

P.S.  I just checked and the candles have made it to Longwood, FL.  Hopefully they will be out for delivery today or tomorrow.

In Central Florida

We left Mission on Saturday stopping east of Houston that night, then Slidell LA Sunday night where we had a short visit with Ted's sister-in-law and finally Madison FL for our last night out with Tom and Eileen.  We were less than 50 miles from I-75 where we would turn south and they would continue on I-10 to I-95.  Tom lamented the fact he was going to be on his own to find his way home!  He isn't the first fellow we have traveled with who appreciates my planning and navigation skills, especially when their co-pilot has no interest in reading a map.  

We arrived at our destination for the next month and got settled in.  Kristin came over so we could taste and choose the chocolates to go in the individual boxes placed on the table at the wedding reception.  We nixed the orange and mint flavored ones, too medicinal, and settled on three others.  So there will be two of each.

The next day we took three loads of laundry to Kristin's while she was at work.  Doing one load at a time takes awhile so we spent most of the afternoon there.  Then we met her and Larry at Subway before heading to the Amway Center to see the Magic and Pistons play.  We have lived both places so we couldn't lose but the Pistons played as if they went home after the first quarter.  Basketball games are fun with all the activity and audience participation that goes on.  They give away great prizes too.

Thursday I started cutting and gluing purple and gold strips that are the backdrop of the name cards.  They will have the persons name, table and entrée choice on ivory strips once we have all that figured out.  It will fit into a 6 x 2 inch acrylic frame that will then serve as the frame for people's photo booth pictures they can have taken throughout the night.  That is something new now at all sorts of parties.  I had 80 of 130 finished but had to stop to fix dinner for the three of us.

It was Marriage License day Friday but first we had to stop by the Citrus Club for a check on the details.  We will be able to take the purple table runners, floating candles, table names and name cards (in alphabetical order) to the coordinator the day before.  That was good news.  We are confident they have everything planned well.

I was unable to go to the marriage license office because I had a pic comb in my purse!  Rather than give it up, I waited in the lobby.  I understand they don't want anyone combing someone to death (sarcasm font needed).  We went to lunch at Four Rivers BBQ and I hate to tell you Texas folks but it was the most tender, moist, flavorful brisket I have ever tasted.  I am sure we will go back.

Ted and I took our first dance class that Larry and Kristin purchased for us.  They have taken some classes too and thought it would be fun.  We had a lot of laughs but I'm not sure we accomplished too much.  I don't know if we will have time to get all five of the classes in.  We would like to work on the waltz and two-step but time will tell.  We all came back to the trailer for the evening.

Kristin and I spent the day together on Saturday.  We hit Michael's, Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's to purchase the card box for the gift table, thank you notes and program blanks.  They come with a template so hopefully we can get the info in easily and get them printed out with no problems.  Having a graphic designer (Kristin) and photographer with great equipment (Larry), they have chosen to do a lot themselves.  

We finished the afternoon at the tailor to get my dress hemmed, then went for a massage for Kristin and a facial for me, another gift from her to me.  We had dinner with Larry's sister at Carrabba's.  The day was long, the wait for a table even longer and we were all starving.  We ate so much bread that everyone took half their meal home.  

Yesterday we went to our old church and I only saw two ladies I know.  The area is really growing and there are many more young families with children.  A SunRail station has been built just south of the city and that will open up this bedroom community of Orlando even more.

We went to Larry's house where there were lots of gifts to be opened and recorded.  They have received 11 place settings of china, all but one hostess set of flatware, and all but six wine glasses

so far.  With two households there was no need for so many things couples usually register for but they will easily have a complete set of formal dining dishes, silverware and crystal.

I continued cutting and gluing the name strips while Kristin set up the template for the info.  To identify entrees to the waitstaff, we have chosen decorative squares for chicken, triangles for fish and circles for beef.  We want to work together when we type in the info to be doubly sure we get the right people at the correct table with their chosen entrée.

At her shower, Kristin asked everyone to write three words for a successful marriage.  Instead of table numbers she used these words to create table names.  She typed these words and I put them into 5 x 7 gold frames then alphabitized them.  We will now fill out the schematic so the coordinator can place the frames on the appropriate table.  All these little details!!

Ted grilled burgers while I made fries and corn on the cob.  Because the kitchen table only seats four and Maureen had stayed over at Larry's, we ate in the dining room.  He said it was the first meal he ate in there.

I was certainly ready for bed when we got home.  This has been a whirlwind.  Sorry about only one photo but I will make up for it.

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other.
Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion for the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. 

Go now to your dwelling place to begin the days of your life together.
May your days together be good and long upon the earth.

An Apache Blessing

Fixing the pictures

My IPad cuts off the picture and to see it all you have to click on it.   So I have adjusted my settings and am doing an experiment.

We Got Our Fair Share of the Crazy Weather

On Sunday we visited the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge and took the tram tour.  We saw them feed snakes and something that looked like an eel in an aquarium and stopped to visit a friend of Kara's parents who workamp there but they were not home.  After sharing a dinner with Eileen and Tom, we retired to our individual rigs to watch the Play Off games.

Monday was beautiful and we went to the Open House next door where folks own their double site along with a coach house.  We were interested in touring the facilities further and to check on rentals.  It is amazing what you can do in 200 sq. ft. In the coach houses.  We ended up renting the spot that belongs to one of Ted's shooting buddies.  He will be in Arizona next winter.  We will have a pad for the trailer next to a pad for the truck and a furnished coach house we can use.  It has a full bath, washer and dryer and a refrigerator.  There is also easy chairs and a TV but we won't use it for that.  Now my calendar extends to March 1, 2015!

Tuesday and Wednesday were cold and windy.  Everyone stayed inside for the most part.  Eileen and I did a little shopping.  We attended margarita night and met a few more folks.  We like the size of our park because you can meet most everyone eventually.

 Thursday was our group dinner at Schneider's German restaurant.  Each year Dulce and Berndt arrange this outing.  It gave us a chance to say goodbye to everyone.  

We had purchased Dolphin Watch Tour tickets at the travel show and Friday was our last chance to use them.  The weather cooperated and we drove to South Padre Island.  Tom and Eileen were surprised how much like Florida beach towns it was.  We had lunch at Dirty Al's, after a bit of a tour around town, then boarded our boat.  Turned out we got the dolphin watch combined with the eco tour which turned out to be very interesting.  

I have some photos on my camera but I need to download them.  In the meantime here is a shot of how far I got with my Swedish Weaving class.  I think I know enough to complete the afghan.  Also there are two shots from Friday.  One is a sand castle in front of the Visitor's Center and the other is us at lunch.  I will do a photo entry when I get a chance to download the rest of the photos.

One More Week

Sunday we had a progressive dinner for 250 people.  It had never been done and the Activity Chairs were flying by the seat of their pants but it came off very well.  There were four venues.  The first was appetizers and wine, next was salads.  There were so many to choose from along with more wine.  Our circle was responsible for the potato bar.  Eileen and I went to Sam's and bought butter, sour cream and nacho cheese.  There was also brisket, pulled pork and chili.  Last was desserts, an ice cream bar and a coffee bar complete with Bailey's, Kalua, etc.  Quite a nice meal with lots of socializing with so many people on the move.  I think it will be done again since it was such a success.  We really enjoyed it and met several new people.

Monday we went to Mexico.  Ted, Eileen and I all got our teeth cleaned.  She also had hers whitened.  While we waited for her, Tom, Ted and I went to Rene's for coffee and a pastry.  She still wasn't ready so Ted got a hair cut and a pedicure.  Total bill for the day - $70!  It was such a beautiful day and we enjoyed sitting in the plaza listening to music and watching the people enjoying drinks.  It was another nice day.

Tuesday we had to find a repair place for Tom's fan blower.  We found the dealership but the service wasn't there!  We finally found it and got the car dropped off.

Dave and Karen came over on Wednesday.  Don, Ted and Dave went shooting while Eileen, Karen Trudy and I went to a boutique and restaurant for a girl's day out.  Since Eileen didn't have a car, I had to drive our truck while Dave drove the fellows in his truck.  They picked up Tom afterwards and he joined them for lunch.  I drove the truck fine but it is a PIA to park with those dually wheels!

I have been working on a Swedish Weave afghan to drape over my antique trunk.  I had all my stuff and minimal direction but successfully started and completed a few inches of the center pattern.  Thursday afternoon I made it to class and learned some more things but they said I was doing fine.  That evening  there was an ice cream social at the clubhouse.  We have made many new friends in the absence of our old crowd.

Friday was cold and drizzly and Eileen made another trip to the dentist for a filling and we did laundry.  That evening we enjoyed the Farnum Family Singers.  It was another fun group to see.  I am always amazed at the amount of talent in one family!  You would think one or two talented folks, but six?  There are many families that perform down here so all that talent is not unusual.

Today we visited the Custom Car Show in McAllen, ate lunch at Cheddar's, went to church and came home to play card bingo.  Eileen won so I am the only one who never one at all this trip.  By next Saturday we will hopefully be east of Houston for the night.

We haven't planned out next week but the days seem to fill themselves.  I know Kristin is anxious for me to arrive to help with the last of the arrangements.  First up, contacting those who have missed the 1/25 RSVP date.  Why oh why is it so hard to check yes or no, choose an entree and mail a card that is already addressed and stamped?  I will never understand, but it happens all the time.  

Falling Behind in My Writing

We have been keeping busy here in the sunshine.  We always finish our week with church, dinner out and card bingo at the clubhouse.  Last week both Ted and Tom won.  

On Sunday, the ladies "next door" who own or rent their sites from owners had a wine and cheese party for us ladies.  We picked up Sandy and Betty and Eileen drove us over.  It is only a short walk but too much for Sandy.  Once again I am reminded of how fortunate I am to be in good health and able to get around easily.

We met nice folks and may try to rent there next year.  I ran into Donna from Thunder Bay who switched parks this year.  Her husband worked for the same company as Ted did.  Ted used to travel to Thunder Bay, Ontario frequently.  We laughed about how many Donnas were here last year.

They showed the movie Gravity in our clubhouse that evening and it was not very good in my opinion.    The story line was thinly developed and the outcome preposterous.  So this movie and the one we walked out on, The Wolf of Wall Sreet, are both up for Oscars!  I am trying to figure out if I am old, a prude, stupid or simply out of touch.  I will settle for "hard to please."  

We had a potluck in the clubhouse and I made a chuck roast using a Facebook recipe.  Since they did everything but lick the dish, I think I will use it again.  I love crockpot cooking!  A clubhouse full of hungry folks at a potluck is akin to a hoard of locusts when it comes to eating.  Not much left over.

Trudy and Don encouraged us to visit Quinta Mazatlan, a historical Adobe mansion and nature and birding center located in McAllen, Texas.  During fall and spring the grounds are alive with migrating birds but at this time of the year we had to settle for several chachalacas and a couple Great Kiskadees.  We found the house itself very interesting and beautiful.  We need to stay long enough one year to see the migrating birds.

We had the rig washed and waxed this week.  It gave us a chance to stay put and get caught up on groceries and laundry.  Eileen has a washer and dryer but I opted not to have one.  I would rather go to the laundry and get it all done at once.  Also, you have to be on a sewer to use one or you would fill your gray water tank very quickly.  Many times we are not on a sewer and use the dump on the way out.  Also, I use the closet that a washer/dryer would go in for storing big items.

We have an insurance policy that will fly us home by air ambulance if need be, bring home remains, drive your rig home, fly someone to you, etc. called SkyMed.  It gives us great peace of mind and we know people who have called on them in an emergency.  The proof is in the use and everyone says it was a godsend.  We were invited to their luncheon in Weslaco and were able to take Tom and Eileen as guests.  There was no sales pitch, just a talk by the president on the company and an enjoyable meal.  I thought they would offer to sell us an extension of our existing policy but not a word was said.  It was a nice afternoon.  The interesting statistic for me was that 40% of their evacuations are to get people back to where their Medicare Advantage plans work.  It is the reason we have a Medicare Supplement instead.

Our friends Dave and Karen who moved across town to a different park had a get together on Friday.  They gathered all of us who are now scattered across the valley at a two room house available to them in their new park.  It was good to catch up with old friends and introduce Tom and Eileen to them.  We are invited this summer to a 70th birthday party for Dave while we are in Michigan.  Thank goodness for my calendar.  It is marked up through October.

We saw The Redhead Express perform at our clubhouse that night.  There are four young ladies and their three younger brothers that we have watched grow up these last few years.  They are terrific and have been picked up by a Nashville promoter so this will be their last year performing here in the valley.    We have an opportunity to see them at the Plant City Strawberry Festival in Florida and the Wapakaneta Fair in Ohio if we plan our days right.  We wish them all well and hope we can say "we knew them when."  We ended up on the park's Facebook page!

Yesterday I got my hair cut and we went to church followed by dinner at the Riverside Club.  It was German night and the Oom Pah Band was playing.  It is such a delight to see elderly folks out dancing.  Most of them are very good.  It always reminds me of Cincinnati German wedding receptions I attended as a kid.  Such fun!

We came home for card bingo and Ted won the big pot of $77!  Not a bad way to end this week. We are leaving here in less than two weeks now.  The wedding is just five weeks away.

Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.  Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Finally, the SUN!

We have had a decent week with the sun finally making a strong appearance and the temps making it to 80.  It was a long six weeks of less than desirable weather.  I know we didn't deal with the snow and extreme temperatures like in the north, except for our trip to Kansas, but RVs are not built for below freezing for long periods and lack of suitable clothing got old quick.  My jeans and three sweatshirts got a workout.  We plowed through 40# of propane plus whatever electric we used for the fireplace the first two weeks.  I hope it is over and our normal weather stays.

I don't even remember what we did for most of last week.  Tom had his motorhome washed and waxed and ours will be done Wednesday.  We went to the Iwo Jima memorial (original casting used for the bronze memorial now in Washington) one day.  Every Wednesday is Margarita night and we attended and then stayed to play Mexican Train. 

The water line has been repaired.  When the repairman removed the panel under the bed and Ted turned that line back on, water came gushing out.  Taking the bed apart was the hardest part, fixing the water line was easy.  We grocery shopped and yesterday Eileen and I had manicures and pedicures while Ted and Tom went looking for a new tire for Ted's bike.  

Last night we saw Goldwing Express at our clubhouse.  They were really funny besides playing great music.  They appear in Branson, MO part of the year.  Many Branson entertainers come to the valley or go to Arizona for the winter to entertain and we do enjoy most every one of them.

Each day is spent a lot like at home.  Straightening up, grocery shopping, cooking, doing laundry all needs to be done but on a much smaller scale.  That leaves time for bike riding, projects, walks, entertainment, sightseeing, visiting, etc.  All  in all, it is enjoyable to be here taking life easy.

Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold.  But other times it's essential to take time to make your most important decision of the day which color to slide down on the rainbow. 

  ~ Douglas Pagels

The End of the First Week

On Thursday we decided to drive to the Shrine to show it to Eileen and Tom.  We have never seen it all done up for Christmas and it was decorated beautifully.

Tom said he tried to count the poinsettias but gave up.  They have mariachi bands play at Mass so one Sunday we may go there.  But you know how I hate to miss time with Fr. Roy.

Afterwards we went to the produce market and then stopped to say hello to Dave, Karen, Dulce and Berndt.  We are invited by Karen to a lunch later on this month at their new park.

Yesterday we went to Mexico.  We got some eye drops at the pharmacy and Ted had his two belts reworked reducing them by six inches.  Then he bought another one for his championship belt buckle. Eileen bought a purse and Tom a belt.  I didn't buy anything.  We went right through customs with no problems after having walked several blocks in the market area.

We stopped for lunch and then went to Premium Outlets where Ted and Tom bought new jeans.  Ted's old ones are so big and puddling around his shoes besides.  He found a pair but they only had the one pair in his size so we will go back next week to see if they get in more.

When we returned home we went to the entertainment presented in the clubhouse.  It was Freddie and Sheila on guitar and singing.  We laughed a lot and sang along when instructed to.  I like when the audience gets to participate.

Today Ted went shooting.  I did laundry in the laundromat and came home to find a leak.  Tom and I think we found it to be the line for the washer.  Since I don't have one, I don't know why it was even on.  So we turned both the hot and cold lines off at the manifold and had to mop up the water.  I am glad I found it as soon as it started.  Ted will be on the phone Monday asking who to call for warranty work.  We have a fellow down here we really like and will suggest we be allowed to call him.  Ted feels it is no more than a loose connection.  Maybe because we didn't order a washer, that line wasn't tested properly.

Tommy and Susan want to come here the last week in January.  The park is full but I learned Kathy's private spot was being vacated by her so Eileen and I went to see when she was leaving and if it would be available for Tommy to rent.  She was there in her new Landmark yesterday and today they were gone!  So I put a call into Stella to get a phone number so I can get in touch with her.

We went to Mass tonight where Fr. Roy's llama served as the 3 King's camel.  They created a hump for him under a red cover and he stood next to the crib munching on hay for the rest of Mass after the gospel was read.  The dogs had crowns on but Benito didn't like his.  Fr. Roy said he was in his Terrible Twos and not acting nice.  Tom and Eileen are enjoying attending church with us at Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Tonight was card bingo at the clubhouse and our long table was hot but none of us won anything in our little group.  We are in for the night and heading to the flea market tomorrow.  Eileen and Tom want to get a wooden name sign made plus look around at what else is there.

The last two days have been beautiful but the cold gripping the nation is due to hit here too.  What a wacky winter.

So Tired of the Rain!

Last summer we had quite a bit of rain and everyone in Texas told us to bring it home.  I think we did and still are!  It is in the 40s and raining every day.  We are getting real tired of being cooped up.

Monday we arrived in Mission and got set up in the rain and the flooded patio at our site.  Then we went to WalMart to finish grocery shopping.  Eileen bought a rotsserie chicken and we had that with leftover sweet potatoes and vegetables for dinner.

We decided to not attend the dance here in the park for New Year's Eve and instead planned to go to church, dinner and a show.  Then we learned there was only one Mass at 11:30 pm followed by a potluck dinner.  We knew we would never make it that late so we agreed to a show, then dinner.  Eileen chose The Wolf of Wall Street.  We lasted about 10 minutes in that movie before walking out.  I spoke to the manager about seeing a different movie in place of the garbage being shown.  Based on show times we chose to go to dinner then return for a later showing of Walter Mitty.  

We were able to walk right into Cheddar's and had a real nice dinner.  We returned in time to see the movie which was a whole lot better than that first one.  It was about 11:00 when we returned and retired to our own units.

Today we were able to see the church with its renovations and expansion completed.  It is beautiful!  Fr. Roy is certainly pleased and we were delighted to see him and tell him how much we enjoyed all the changes.  We came back and ate beef stew I had made along with salad and biscuits before going to the Margarita hour followed by an information meeting for the 100+ folks that showed up this week.

The rain is SUPPOSED to be over and the temperaturees are to climb back to normal.  Let's hope the weather guessers are right this time.  

The Beach Loop

Sunday we took the beach loop across the Laguna Madre to the north end of Padre Island.  It was very cloudy but we didn't let that deter us.  I took a photo of Ted taking Tom and Eileen's photo.

We visited the pier a bit south before heading north to Mustang Island.  We drove through the state park campground and ran into our friends Don and Pat!   I don't think I mentioned when we were stuck in Durant, OK we found ourselves parked next to Captain Tom and Donna from the park in Mission.  We love running into our RV friends.

We traveled on to Aransas Pass and took the free ferry over to Port Aransas.  

We traveled up to Rockport and Fulton before stopping for dinner.  These are all coastal towns where boating and fishing are king.  We made our way back to Corpus Christi and stopped at the USS Lexington.  There wasn't enough time left for us to take the tour but we did walk around a bit outside.  Of interest is the Japanese flag on the Lexington where a kamikaze plane hit it during the war.  You can see the airplanes parked on the flight deck where there is room to park 1000 cars.

It had been a very full day and we would be traveling on Monday so we called it a night.