Still Shopping!

 I wanted to go to Charming Charlie's to buy necklaces to go with my new blouses so we three ladies took off again Monday morning for La Plaza mall.  Neither Eileen nor Lee had ever been to Charlie's and they really liked the store.  We hit JCP and Macy's too.  I bought a pair of jeans and two tops besides my two necklaces.  I am more than ready for our big trip.

One thing I noticed was that the spot that hurts when I walk a lot didn't bother me at all.  I was wearing the new Crocs I bought and wondered if foot support and the way I walk was a culprit.  I am going to pay more attention to my footwear in relation to that pain.  The more clues you have for the Doctor the more chance of fixing the problem.

We returned just in time for my yoga class.  We have two more this session and then another three will be added.  I think they are helping me with flexibility and balance.

We were invited to Lee and Ira's for a ribs dinner so I offered to make Cole slaw.  I also used the cheese ball and pretzel crackers from Trudy for a little appetizer.  Ira roasted the peppers he bought at the flea market too.  Some beans, fries and strawberries over ice cream rounded out a great meal.  We sat around his portable firepit until almost 8:30 before heading home.

Tuesday we went on a pontoon ride along the Rio Grande River.  It was 90 degrees so was a gorgeous day for the ride.  These photos are all of the Mexican riverbank.

Goats

Retama palapa on the river.  (US side.)

Baby alligators.  They counted 13 on the mama's back one time. (US side.)

Mexican eagle 

Event center

Family farm

Texas Highway Patrol

The Andaluza Dam, note the gears used to raise and lower it

A private home and grounds

Another home, note the big screen TV

And the yard for the kids

Not sure but I think these are geese though they look like swans swimming.

Our beloved Riverside Club.  We could smell the food!

Here is a photo of our neighbors delivering cookies to the Mission Police Department.  Lots of folks including me baked cookies to make up these trays.

Mission Police Dept. @MissionPoliceTX

Mission Police Department would like to thank Retama Village for the Valentine cookies and all of their support.

Wednesday was a stay at home to catch up day for me.  I changed the linens on the bed and then remade it.  Next up was getting the laundry together and heading next door.  Luckily I didn't experience all the drama of last week.  The change machine had quarters, washers and dryers were available and I finished in a normal amount of time.

Ted had gone skeet shooting in my absence so I had a bit of lunch on my return and checked my email.  Around 5:30 he left with Niles for Shooter's Alley and I went back next door to Margarita Hour.  Lee, Eileen and Ira were there and I needed to go over some things I wanted from Mexico because they were going over the next day before returning home.

Since Survivor started up again I settled onto the couch to learn just who this Kyle is that I have in the pool.  No one seemed to be named Kyle so I googled it after the show.  They call him Sarg, thus the confusion, and is the guy with huge earlobe loops!   I think he'll be around until they turn on the Alpha males!  I made it to the Final Five last season with Keith.

With all the photos, this is getting long so I will sign off with "Adios" until next time.

Three For Three

Thursday evening I went to the clubhouse to play Hand and Foot.  I play Canasta at home and have played H&F once at a HitchHiker rally in Nashville so that plus Linda's explaining the finer points made me ready for play.  Ed was my partner and I did fine but Linda and Darryl beat us.  I had a good time and will go back again.

Friday we went to the Mexican flea market up the highway but didn't stay long.  Unfortunately, none of us need anything but Ira did buy some peppers.  From there we stopped for lunch before going to the Los Ebanos hand pulled ferry.  Last time we rode it across the Rio Grande it was 50 cents each way and down a dirt road to the ferry.  At a Customs shack of sorts, not much bigger than a phone booth, you had to present your passport if you actually road the ferry across and back.

Now there is a huge building, Custom booths, fences, etc.  We were not going to ride but the other four were so only they brought their passports.  We all had to pay $1.25 to just walk in far enough to see the ferry!  They said the owner of the ferry charged that but we were on U.S. Government property!    The others walked down but decided not to ride after all.  It has lost its charm so we won't be taking folks there anymore.

After a stop at Home Depot to pick up that elusive screw starter we finally ordered since we couldn't find one, and getting quarters at the bank, we came home and headed down to the gun range.  Ted shot his AR-15 at the 50 and 100 yard targets and hit them all.  Tom and I shot targets on the 7 yard boards and I shot the steel disks too, hitting all five.  Tom is having a scope added to his rifle.

My target.  I didn't cover the last magazine load so you can see I was getting closer to the bullseye.  I put 8 of 10 shots in the center circle.

We were scheduled to go to the Canada Eh! Party at 4:30 but I was too hot and tired to go.  We planned to attend that, then go next door to play Mexican Train and order pizza.  The heat and running all day wore us out.  We are expecting these temps for the next week and I had to turn the A/C on.  We have skipped the Mardi Gras party, Super Bowl Party and now the Canada Eh! Party.  We are real party poopers this year.

Saturday Ted went to a shoot at Coyote Gun Club.  He left at 7:30 and wasn't coming back until 2:30. Here he is with Niles and Bonnie.

So Eileen, Lee and I went to the Premium Outlets. I am not a shopper but on occasion I have to do just that.  Getting in the right frame of mind, I bought two pairs of shorts, a tank top, three blouses, two Tees and two pairs of shoes plus a new pair of Crocs for Ted.  Lee and Eileen also bought several things.  I guess it was my Valentine's present to myself!  

We all went to church and Fr. Roy did not disappoint.  His message was about temptation and the size of our commitment to our faith.  We had a half dozen cowboy songs plus Amazing Grace!  After Mass he passed out Hershey kisses for all for Valentine 's Day.  Ira gets a big kick out of our church services.  

Eileen wanted BBQ so we headed to Ace's BBQ for dinner.  Everyone liked their dinner and want to go back.  Next door was the Bakery Cafe where we had breakfast on Thursday so we stopped in to show the fellows all the "pan dulce" for sale. We bought a pastry for each of us for breakfast and 

Lee did too.  We came back home to get our money to play card bingo.  More than half the folks there were from Retama and without them the crowd wouldn't produce very big pots.  I did get to stand up once waiting on one card but didn't win.  My record this year remains perfect - no wins.  Lee won again and is 2 for 2!

Ted went to see about his new gun grip but it isn't in yet and he followed that by skeet shooting with Dave and Don.  When he dropped Don off, Trudy gave him a Valentine plate with a cheese ball, crackers and home made cookies.  He brought me a dozen white roses!  

I had gone to the grocery and then went to buy a baby gift with Eileen.  I managed to buy another pair of shoes, a purse and new wallet.  

When we returned, it was time to go to the Fund Raiser Dinner for the dog rescue center nearby.  We all went to the patio of the clubhouse for a spaghetti dinner and some prizes.  More than $3,000 was raised.  We did not win any of the prizes.

When the sun went down it got cool quickly because of the wind so we came back to our coach house to play Mexican Train,  Lee and I tied for first place.  Thus ends another weekend.

I Won in the Super Bowl Pool!

Ted shot with Dave on Sunday morning and when he returned I drove him to the airport to pick up a rental car for his trip to Houston.  On my way home I stopped at the nail salon for a manicure.  When I arrived home I sorted the laundry and headed next door.  Eileen was waiting at the laundry room to visit with me.  The change machine was empty so she went home and got me $5 in quarters.  But then there were no washing machines available.  So we took both bags to the laundry in the back.  When we went back in half an hour there were no dryers so we had to take the wet clothes back to the front!  What a pain. 

After 45 minutes we went back to fold the clothes and there was a dark gray towel, two dark gray washcloths, two beige towels, a red mesh bag and a turban twist in with my dark clothes.  We have no idea where they came from but the added clothes kept some of my clothes from drying.  I threw the stuff that wasn't mine back into the dryer and hope whoever it belongs to finds it.  I had to lay some things out around the RV to finish drying.  What a production!

I was invited to three different places to watch the Super Bowl but was tired and just wanted to stay home. 

However, Ted had bought one $5 square for himself and five $1 squares for me in the pool.  That interested me.  At the end I figured Denver was going to score a point and ruin my last chance but ran it in for two points giving me a $25 win!

I cleaned thoroughly on Monday morning and just as I was heading to the shower there was a knock.  It was Jim with my $25.  After being caught in my PJs previously by Niles and then Robert and now Jim I have decided I need better PJs!

It was Ladies Lunch Out and I was riding with Dale, Coco and Dale's stepdaughter who is visiting from the DC area.  Lunch was at a new restaurant and was very, very good.  The service was excellent and I had a nice time.  We returned at 2:15 and I had to be at yoga at 3:00.  Eva, our instructor, is going to extend our classes into March!

I had Ted's leftover taco for dinner and settled in to watch The Bachelor.  Two drama queens were sent home and now we are getting down to the nitty gritty.  The set up of events is very evident this season and makes the show less interesting, not more.

Ted arrived home about 8:30 and life again was normal.  I accomplished a lot while he was gone but I am glad he is home.

Tuesday we all rode to Rio Grande City.  It is a very old town and dates back to when both sides of the river belonged to Mexico.  In the late 1840's Fort Ringgold was built to protect the new state of Texas.  Today the entire Fort grounds are owned by the school district and is in use as a school.  Amazing!   We were able to visit the restored R. E. Lee house.  From the pictures they had before they started the renovation, they did a marvelous job.  This is the restored chimney and mantelpiece.

We were driven all around the town on a tram and saw the old, the new, the renovated, none of which had much rhyme or reason.  We stopped at a replica of the grotto at Lourdes, France built in 1928.  

There was also a mural painted by a local artist that incorporated the entire town's history.  General Sanchez, a native son, who led the troops that captured Saddam Hussein was prominently displayed.

It was an interesting tour and we all enjoyed it.  

General Sanchez is at the left in the big circle. Next to him is Eisenhower, Johnson and Nixon but only LBJ was recognizable to me.

We were due at a Mardi Gras party at the clubhouse but after another day of being gone, we were tired and opted not to go.  I put our green/gold/purple necklaces away until next year.  I think we are feeling our age!

Since it was Ash Wednesday, we decided it was a good day to drive to South Padre Island and have lunch at Dirty Al's.  We had the Botana which is an entire tray of fish, shrimp and French fries plus a $3 margarita.  Tom and Ira ordered separately.  Ted, Eileen, Lee and I polished the Botana off with no trouble.

Afterwards we drove up the island and stopped at one of the public accesses.  It was a beautiful day and walking the beach was such fun.  We wanted Ira and Lee to see how much the area reminds us of Florida.  

On the way back we stopped in Harlingen so they could see the Iwo Jima memorial and take in the "Capture of Iwo Jima" movie.  It amazes me that in 1944 our 18-20 year olds were storming the beaches of Europe and the South Pacific and today they need Safe Areas because "words hurt."  We are doomed!

Once we arrived home Ted went to Shooters Station while I made cookies for the platters to be made up for the First Responders in our area.  It is a Valentine's Day tradition.  

A little before 7:00, Eileen and Lee picked me up to attend church services and receive ashes.  Lee said she had never seen so many people in church on Ash Wednesday and then to think there were 10 services. 

Thursday morning we joined the ladies for breakfast again.  It was at La Estacion Bakery and was great.  I had 2 scrambled eggs, hash browns, 2 slices of bacon and a huge biscuit.  I figured at $6.99 I could just not eat it all. All I left was half the biscuit.  Then they gave us a 15% off coupon!  The bakery things looked yummy but I didn't buy anything.  Our 15% coupon is good all winter for dine in only so we may go back.  They had a Nativity scene made from woven fibers of sort on display.  Basket weaving at its finest I guess.  It was done really well and looked nice.  

We have a fairly quiet weekend planned but it possibly won't stay that way.

And the Great Weather Continues

We continue to have cold nights, great for sleeping, and really warm days, great for being outside.

I was up early to get dressed for my pick up of the ladies for our breakfast outing.  Joanne, Lenchen, Eileen and Lee were my passengers.  We had a nice breakfast with 5 other ladies and returned home about 10:30.  The dentist had called Ira and told him the piece he needs for his implant has still not arrived so he shouldn't keep his 2 pm appointment.  But we decided to go to Mexico anyway.

Ted drove all of us in my Expedition and we had a lovely time in the sunshine.  We did stop by the dentist to see if there was any news and then continued on meandering the main shopping street of Progreso.  We bought some more meds, mostly analgesic cream that we both use for our aches and pains plus Z Paks for folks back home.  Ted had returned a belt that didn't wear well while Ira bought two belts and a tooled leather purse for his sister they will see as they leave Texas at the end of the month.

We each had a small bag of things as we headed back through Customs.  None of us had any problems re-entering the U.S.  It was late in the afternoon so we all agreed an early dinner was in order.  It was just the right time to get into Chedder's with no waiting.  The food there is really good and reasonably priced.  Except for 3 chicken tenders, everything got eaten.  I had grilled catfish that was really good.

I intended to play cards in the evening but I was just too tired when it came time to go.  So I stayed home.

Friday we had shooting competitions in the afternoon.  The first was a dartboard target and I scored 156 beating Ted's 144.  I was second, he was third!  He used my gun to shoot.

Then we shot at the back of a deck of cards.  Whichever 5 cards you hit made up your hand.  The best poker hand won.  I had a pair of 4s and Ted had a pair of 3s.  But the winner had a straight so neither of us won in that contest.  For my efforts I won $6, the exact amount Ted paid for me to shoot.

We came home and I made a Caesar salad and Ted went for a loaf of French bread.  We were invited next door to Robert and Sherry's for jambalaya.  There were 10 of us in all.  After dinner Robert built a fire in his fireplace and all the ladies started singing songs learned in elementary school, at camp and in Girl Scouts.  It is amazing how many words of those songs we remembered especially since we can all walk into a room and not remember what we went in for.  Eventually the group broke up and we came home.

Saturday morning I was picked up at 10:30 by Sharon, Sherry and Karyl to go to Leisure Time park clubhouse.  We were volunteering two hours to bag meals for Kids Against Hunger.  We donned plastic gloves and hairnets and waited for someone on the four lines to raise their hand indicating they wanted to be replaced.  My first job was to open and place a plastic bag below a funnel.  Then a scoop of protein powder was put in followed by a scoop of dehydrated vegetables.  Next was soy nuggets of some sort and finally a cup of rice.  I then removed the bag and handed it to the man opposite me who passed it to the "weighers."  They added or removed rice to make it an exact weight.  It was then sealed, stacked, packed and taped.  Each package makes a protein rich rice casserole of 6 servings.

I worked 11-12:00 opening the plastic bags (with plastic gloves on!) before putting it under the funnel but I didn't know then if we were signed up for a second hour.  I raised my hand to be replaced so I could check in with my carpool.  Sharon said we were staying for the second hour so my next assignment was to place 18 finished bags on a grid, place a second bag on top of them and when I had 36 ready a gentleman packed them in cartons, called for the taper and we began again.

We filled 5400+ bags they told us.  A little short of the 6000 jars of peanut butter we did back home for third world countries.  The time flew by and by 1:30 I was home.

We picked up Eileen, Tom, Lee and Ira for church at 3:30.  When we arrived there were very few seats available and we sat apart.  Ira does not attend church normally but said he would go every week to hear Fr. Roy.  We went to a Mexican restaurant afterwards and had dinner.  Ira and Lee are not familiar with Mexican menus so I had to help them out.  There were no quesadillas, chimichangas or burritos on the menu.  I remember Jaime, our Mexican exchange student, saying that what we call Mexican food is not what they eat in Mexico.  We get pretty authentic Mexican down here.

We ended up back at their park for Card Bingo.  Lee won $8 in the dime game and our partner, Wendy, won about $30 in the $1 game.  There were three winners so she had to split the pot.  We of course, once again, never even got close!

Ted is driving to Houston today after shooting skeet with David.  Don is helping Bentsen Palm Woodworkers get ready for their pig roast and isn't shooting.  Ted has a Monday morning meeting at the Chronicle followed by a lunch and then will come home.  It is about a 350 mile drive each way.  This happens on occasion and we just do what needs to be done.  I have been left in St. Louis, Albuquerque, Sandestin FL, in the park by the kids in Michigan, etc.  It is usually one night, sometimes two.  It gives me time to clean the rig, do laundry, shop, etc. with no timetable since I only need to take care of myself.  And this time I have my car instead of his big truck!!!

Summer in Texas in January

The weekend sort of got away from me.  I try to write a bit each day but here it is Monday and we are both wracking our brains trying to remember Friday!

We remember having lunch with Sue and Niles one day but can't remember which day!  What we do remember is shooting practice at the range and in the evening attending the performance of Goldwing Express at a neighboring park.  They are quite entertaining and excellent string instrument musicians.  Their featured performer was Ronald Rump twin brother of Donald Trump in a comedy skit.

Saturday was another competition at our gun range.  It took three hours due to the set up of stations, the first of which was 25 consecutive shots.  Most folks don't have enough magazines to shoot 25 straight.  I have three 10s but my gun continues to jam which is frustrating because the clock keeps running.  Until that problem gets resolved I am not shooting in any more timed competition, I will just practice at the gun range.  Ted came in first but he shot his 22 rifle.  Mixing gun types to me is comparing apples to oranges but I'm not in charge!

We learned Fr. Roy's brother died when we went to church Saturday.  He did not say Mass but was participating in the Citrus Fiesta Parade.  The Our Lady of Guadalupe float won second prize.  Fr. Roy rides on horseback, not on the float.  One of these years we are going to watch the parade!

We were invited to join a group going to a Chinese buffet but we don't do Chinese if we can help it.  We begged off, ate at home after church, and then did our usual card bingo at Bentsen Palms and once again won nothing, didn't even get close!  

Sunday was absolutely glorious.  McAllen set a record high of 94!  Ted shot skeet with Don and Dave in the morning and then we drove to Dave and Karen's to go to the flea market with them.  Ted bought a Texas shirt and Grapefruit knife while I bought some cards and preserves.  We then went on a hunt for a screw starter but never did find one.

Eventually we went back to their park and played three games of shuffleboard.  The men won 2 to 1 and I convinced Dave I threw the last game so he would buy me an ice cream.  So off to Dairy Queen we went!  When we dropped them off Ted picked a dozen grapefruits off their tree and then we headed home.  

I went to the grocery on Monday and Eileen, Tom, Lee and Ira arrived next door in my absence.  By the time I returned and put the groceries away it was time for my yoga class.  We always finish in relaxation mode and today I mentally went to the Hilton Waikoloa on the big island because she said go to your favorite happy place.  I really enjoy these classes.

Ted and I were just getting ready to drive next door when the new arrivals pulled into our drive.  We invited them in and after a short visit we took them to see our gun range, the Rio Grande River and ended up at the Riverside Club for dinner.  The service wasn't very good but we didn't mind because the food was good and we were having a good time catching up.  We came home and I was late starting to watch The Bachelor.

Tuesday I had a meeting regarding our upcoming Tapa Hoppa, a progressive cocktail party of sorts.  So far I know we will have two margarita carts, tequila shot bar, Sangria bar, mini tacos, skewer chicken, cheese and crackers and desserts.  There are a couple more groups that did not attend and I don't know what they plan.  The Wild Bunch Women (shooters) are responsible for desserts so JoAnne and I will handle that.

When I got back home we decided to go to Sam's to price desserts because I need to get an estimate to Bonnie within the week.  Eileen and Lee went with us.  Later in the afternoon we were due at the clubhouse for a Happy Hour followed by a Potato Bake.  We ran into Linda, Bruce, Paula and Gary and ended up eating our loaded potato with them.  The desserts were neat!  It was sorbet but the coconut was in a half coconut shell; pineapple sorbet was in a half small pineapple and mango/passion fruit was in a half orange.  I don't know what they did to the "dishes" to keep them hard but the sorbet was good and the presentation great.  They are packaged individually and are sold at Costco.  What a neat dessert for a luau!

Wednesday I thought I was abandoned.  Ted went skeet shooting, Tom and Ira went to the flea market to order an awning shade and Eileen and Lee planned to go to Mah Jong.  My phone rang and it was Stella telling me the Ron Hoover Burger lunch was today and asked if we were going.  I didn't have it on my calendar but I entertained the idea of driving over on my own.  Before I had time to make a decision, Eileen and Lee showed up before Mah Jong started and wanted me to go sign up for the Valentine's dinner and take them to see Trudy's coach house.  After that I drove them home and then went to HEB and Dollar General.  

Ted and I arrived home about the same time.  After a bite for lunch we hit the gun range to see if different bullets and a newly cleaned gun would not jam.  I ran about 60 bullets through.  It jammed a time or two but I was able to clear it and continue on.  Friday's competition is not a timed event so I am going to shoot.  

We were invited to dinner at Eileen's but it was Shooter Alley night.  I told Ted to go on and I would go to Eileen's.  I made ranch roasted potatoes to take over.  Ira lit his propane fire pit and we sat around it after dinner for awhile until I came home.  Ted came in about an hour later just as I was getting in the shower.

Tomorrow is ladies breakfast, trip to Mexico and Hand and Foot cards in the evening.  And the beat goes on.

Annie Oakley Live

Wednesday was rainy so we just hung around the house.  Two ladies came by to ask Ted if he would take them to the gun range and teach them how to shoot clay birds.  They did not know what skeet, trap and sporting clays are.  He explained our gun range is just a clay bird thrower and they agreed that would be enough for them to learn about safety, the gun and taking aim.  He agreed they can go down when Sue and I go and practice and use my gun.

Later we left for Shooter's Alley for a bite to eat before Tactical Shooting started.  I had two good runs but my gun jammed on the first run and by the time I got it unjammed I was over 80 seconds and didn't take the second shot on the target where the jam occurred.  I had 15 "A" shots and a miss.  I didn't miss it, I simply didn't take the shot in the confusion.

My second run went smoothly but I didn't see my scores.  I scored better overall than Ted in hits but came in with two folks behind me (still not last) and Ted's time was way better than mine putting him way in front of me.  My second run was 40 seconds.  I hope my time gets better as I get more comfortable with all the rules and they become second nature.  I still have to tell myself - finger off the trigger, gun ALWAYS pointed down range, never turn around holding the gun, don't wave it around when picking up your magazine, etc.  Ted told me the Safety Officer told Billie to change her magazine after 9 shots so there is one in the chamber and you can start shooting again as soon as the magazine is in instead of having to chamber one.  I will practice that at our gun range first.  

Our first run, probably about 7 yards back.  The second run was more like 15 yards.  You get a penalty if you shoot the black or white.  You can't tell but the white target has the A space in brown in the middle.

Pat videotaping JoAnne during her perfect run of 16 "A" shots.

Our Wild Bunch, some shooting with their fingers (a no no in schools nowadays) and the un-PC "hands up, don't shoot" pose.

And a stop at Dairy Queen finished the night.

Thursday mornings are always Ladies Breakfast.  This week was Cracker Barrel and I drove Marisa and Lenchen.  We had a good crowd and I enjoyed the American breakfast without tortillas, refried beans, migas, etc.  I can always find scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, etc. at the Mexican restaurants but lots of the ladies like the other.

In the afternoon I went to Linda's and she went over the Hand and Foot differences from Canasta.  I play Canasta and played Hand and Foot once at a HitchHiker rally in Nashville.  I think I can join the group here with no problem.

The helicopters are circling which means the Border Patrol is playing Hide and Seek with some illegals who have made it across the river.  Ted thought they were going to land at the end of our street.  He questioned the need to get his AR out to help them out.

I went outside to take a photo of the helicopter and right after this first photo, he landed in the field at the end of our street.

Of course a group gathered.  We saw an agent walking along the fence.  He told us a van of illegals rolled over on a road down the way.  They had all the illegals but the coyote driver got away.  All they want to do when they get this close is to keep on going because we are surrounded by Border Patrol so we don't get too concerned.  And then the helicopter took off.

Our excitement for Thursday.  It will probably be more than exciting than tonight's debate.

Home On The Gun Range

Saturday was rifle and pistol shooting playing tic tac toe.  But the squares were cut diagonally into triangles, one being X and one being O and it was on 8.5 X 11 card stock so it was harder than it sounds at 7 yards.  JoAnne won our coin toss and hit the O triangle in the middle top.  She said she was aiming for the middle box.  So I aimed for the X triangle in the middle box and hit the O which went to her.  She shot the bottom middle O and I was done.  For my efforts of shooting only one shot and being eliminated I won the following special award for my conservation of ammo.

Since we had many more heats, I helped Kathy keep score.  She used binoculars to spot the shots and I recorded them.  It also helped shooters determine where to shoot to get tic tac toe since they couldn't see the shots either.  Many heats were decided by a shooter inadvertantly giving their opponent a score.

When pistols were finished, we had lunch followed by rifles.  Our friend Don won the Overall title for the day.  I picked up a lot of brass off the ground in between heats so I got my exercise in for the day.

We went to church at 4:00 and came home to ribs I had cooking in the crockpot.  Later we went to play card bingo.  We didn't have any luck again but both Linda and Bruce won.  We are having a real dry spell this year in the winning card bingo department!

Sunday as Ted walked out the door to meet Dave and Don at the Mission Skeet Club, he announced we were due at Bonnie's at 4:30 with an appetizer and our drinks!  Luckily I had shrimp in the freezer and cocktail sauce in the pantry so I was covered there.  I went to Walgreen's for hair color and colored my hair before showering and getting ready for our afternoon soirée.

There was a nice group at Bonnie's and only one couple we did not know.  I did learn they own the two lots behind us that they rent out.  Owners are getting a bit antsy about next season's rentals because so many Canadians did not come back or have stated they are not coming back due to the unfavorable exchange rate.  They may also see some Northerners not coming back if the 401s and IRAs don't recover.  Retama is the most expensive park that I know of but that is because you are not getting just a strip to park on.  We have two drives, patio area and a coach house.  This also includes a beautiful large pool, hot tubs, community patio with grills, craft room, pool room, card rooms, TV lounge, laundry room, kitchen, bike trails, gun range and planned activities.  We also have access to the activities next door at Bentsen Palm campground.  That is where we see some shows and play card bingo.  When Eileen arrives we will probably go to Margarita nights too.

Monday was a laid back day.  Ted had to cancel clay target shooting because of work being done in the area.  I had a long phone call with my good friend from home.  At 3:00 I had yoga that I continue to enjoy.  After "breakfast for dinner" I hunkered down to watch The Bachelor.  I have read the spoilers and the girl they say he picks is nowhere near the limelight yet.  If you follow it, Olivia isn't the one!

Tuesday I did some financial things including setting up a link between our brokerage account and our bank account.  This will make it easier to transfer funds when necessary.  The sun was shining and we were both wearing shorts.  I cleaned up around the RV dusting, sweeping and cleaning in the bathroom.  Ted had been out with Niles and they decided we would go to lunch at Firehouse Sub.  A cold front was due to come in and by the time we were finished eating outside, we were all cold.  I had made haircut appointments for both of us so that was about it for our day.  We turned the fireplace on and settled in.  Wednesday is to be cool and rainy so we will just stay home or find an inside place to go during the day.  Tactical Shooting will happen in the evening at Shooters Alley.

Our First Month is Over

It is hard to believe our first month is over already.  We haven't done lots of things we normally do right away.  Shooting has occupied a lot of our time and we are spending a lot of time with another whole group.  We had to turn down an invitation to join the HitchHiker group for a gathering and beg off a BBQ at Niles because we are having dinner with our old Bentsen Palm friends and Ted had a Border Patrol gun seminar to attend.  Our calendar is crazy!

Tuesday we went out with Jay, Stella and two of their friends.  We started at Gonzalas Burgers and thankfully Stella split a burger with me and Ted and I shared an order of fries.  It was a perfect amount and I wasn't hungry the rest of the day.  Nancy and Dave went off on their own while we went checking  out the ropas.  I bought a throw, tablecloth, two scarves, a Christmas decoration and a Fall decoration (bingo prizes).  Total bill $3.05!  Our favorite ones have closed down and we haven't been able to locate really good ones yet.

We took advantage of the tangerine trees and grapefruit tree over at Jay's.  Stella said the oranges were sour so of course I tried one.  Boy was she right!  Our fruit drawers are as full as they can be and that is after Ted shared some with Bob and Niles.

Neither of us wanted dinner so Ted emptied our tanks and then took off to Academy to buy bullets for Bonnie.  She was only allowed two boxes so Niles, Bruce and Ted went with her to buy two each for her.

Wednesday was the Winter Texan Expo and I picked up Jay, Stella and Nancy.  Wednesday and Sunday are Ted's clay shooting days with Don and Dave so he came late and left early.  We enjoyed entertainment by Southern Anthem and Bernie and Red.  Both shows were great.

There were lots of booths and we collected candy, cereal bars, coupons, had our BP taken and eyes checked, etc.  There was something for everyone.

I dropped the group off in the Cottonwood park and came home in time for my yoga class.  I think it is helping my back and teaching me movements to continue exercising it.  I am sure most of us don't look too graceful but we are 70 and moving and stretching and that is good!

Thursday morning I was reading my email when there was a knock at the door.  Lenchen was at the door waiting for a ride to breakfast.  I had completely forgotten!  I clicked to unlock the car door and asked for 5 minutes.  It probably took me 10 but we made it on time.  When I returned, Ted and I went to Mexico.  After coffee and a pastry for Ted at Renee's and a Light Coke (not sold in the US) for me, we went to the salon for pedicures.  Our next stop was the leather shop for two belts for me and lastly our drug store stop.  We will go back a few more times when Eileen gets here.  Ira is having extensive dental work done so that will necessitate several trips.

At 6:00 we met Dave, Karen, Trudy and Don at a local German restaurant.  We have gone here every year for several years but a good many of our other friends who made up our original group have either moved on or aren't here this year due to parental illnesses that require their presence.  The food was good and we all cleaned our plates.  The spätzle and red cabbage are really good but they serve their Getman potato salad cold!  That's a mortal sin in my book.

Today I ate all day for $2.50!  My breakfast was a breakfast bar given to me at the Expo.  Lunch was a Caeser salad from a free Dole salad coupon.  We had a $5 Little Caesar's pizza for dinner but I ate less than half.  My nighttime snack was tangerines from Jay's trees!  I thought it was funny when I realized what I had done.

Friday evening we went next door to see Southern Anthem, the group we saw at the Expo.  It was a great, fun show and Ted won a CD of their Gospel music after identifying The Judds as the singers of the song Why Not Me.

Wish me luck shooting in tic tac toe on Saturday.  I really don't expect to make it past the first round but stranger things have happened.

Expensive Gun Show

Saturday was the gun flea market here in the park.  I went for the coffee and donuts!  Ted bought some ammo and sold a holster.  I don't know how well the others did.  I eventually left to go make copies for Bunco but before I even hit the expressway Ted called and said to go to Firehouse Sub, save seats for 7 and I would be taking Sue home.  Well all right.

Thank goodness for GPS because I would have never found it along the frontage road.  I found it easily enough using it and sat at one table of four and set my purse on another.  It wasn't too crowded but I wanted to be sure no one sat at either of those tables.  We all had some lunch and then everyone but Sue and I went to the gun show at McAllen Convention Center.  She and I stopped at Office Depot then headed home.

In a few hours Ted returned carrying a long gun bag and I knew that infamous knock of Niles had come to fruition.  We were going to church but Ted and Niles had to go over the gun and discovered the bolt was missing.  They are required to remove it to bring it into the convention center and had forgot to replace it.  So we went back to get it and then went on to church.  Because the gospel was the wedding feast at Cana, Fr. Roy spoke about ordinary people having extraordinary love.  With so many Winter Texans there I am sure thousands of years of marriage were represented and confirmed what Father had to say.

Our evening entertainment was seeing The Red Head Express with Jay and Stella.  The performance was great.  We were happy to see Meghan who is a particular favorite of Ted's.  We had a chance to visit with her and their photographer took our picture with her.  Trudy and Don attended too and we all sat together.  It was our first show this season.

Sunday was another gorgeous day.  Ted went early to shoot skeet with Dave and Don.  Dave came home with Ted to hang our pendulum light replacement.  It is 12v and we weren't sure how to hook it up and we wanted to be sure it was done correctly.  Ted had a little bit of time before heading to our gun range to shoot pistols and his new rifle.  He wanted to get the sight set correctly.  I was due at the clubhouse for Bunco at 6:30, though I had received only one phone call about attending, and I stayed behind to have dinner ready early.

Only Diana, who had called me, and I were at the clubhouse so by 6:45 we locked up and went home.  Last year they had a good crowd but it was so disorganized I think it soured people on it.  Oh well, I offered to help Ginger and I did so she will have to decide where to go from here.

We had a couples lunch at Republic of the Rio Grande restaurant on Monday.  About 30 couples took up the entire patio of the restaurant.  We met a new couple who are traveling around the country full time looking for a place to retire.  We had a lot in common and I was sorry to hear they are leaving on the 31st.  She showed me a Verizon app that lets you see at a glance how much data you have used.  I was glad to get that downloaded because we are using our Verizon jet pack as our hotspot while down here.

Ted had moved the clay pigeon shoot to 3:00 from 2:00 so he took off shortly after we came home.  I used the time to go buy a $70 half gallon of milk.  That's what I ended up spending when I went into HEB!  I made a chicken salad sandwich for myself for dinner and Ted ate the leftover ziti from a day or two ago.  Then it was time for The Bachelor.  

We have been here a month already and that doesn't seem possible.  it won't be long until Eileen and group arrive next door at the campground.  Ted may have to curtail some of his gun activities while they are here.  We'll see!

Eyes! Ears! Range is Going HOT!

Wednesday night I competed in my first tactical gun shoot.  My aim is fine, handling the gun quickly and safely is a whole other ball game.  We had 3 scenarios the first round, two the second round.  It wasn't too difficult.  There were good guys (white targets) you don't want to hit being held in front of bad guys.  One station was somewhat around a corner, another through a window.  AND it was 18 shots so you had to remove and replace your magazine after 10 shots.  You are timed and it affects your score a lot.

The Range Officer knew it was my first competition and was very nice and instructive.  I know the first round I got 13 A shots, and 1 C shot.  I only got a glimpse at the sheet so I didn't see anything else.  But at the end of the evening I came in 9th or 10th out of 13 shooters.  Some of the guys are so fast!  Boom, boom, boom in under 10 seconds.  I think Ted was 4th.

All three range employees came up to me to say I did very well for my first time.  My goal was to not embarrass myself or hurt someone and hopefully not be last.  Mission accomplished!

On Thursday Ted went to the Border Patrol gun cleaning seminar while I did my normal chores and some paperwork.  By noon it was time to head to Donna (nice having a city named after me!) for a Skymed appreciation lunch.  On the way we stopped in Pharr to buy tickets for the Moe Bandy concert.  We bought six because Eileen, Tom, Lee and Ira will be here and want to attend too.  

When we arrived at Victoria Palms it was 1:00, starting time was 1:30 and folks were already eating their salads!  It is true about seniors, if you arrive on time you are late.  The lunch was delicious and we enjoyed it.  Then the testimonials and info meeting started.  You are invited to this because you have Skymed insurance!  After an hour and a half of listening to them preach to the choir, we got up and left, giving our door prize tickets to the lady next to me from Iowa.  I hope she won something.

Dave and Karen are in this park and we had promised to stop by which was the biggest reason we left but honestly we had heard enough.  We visited with them for a couple hours, and then headed home.  It was a beautiful sunset we drove into heading west.

Friday was gorgeous.  I wore shorts and eventually turned on the roof fan and even thought about firing up the A/C!  I headed out to get my nails done plus doing a little grocery shopping.  Ted went to play tic tac toe with guns.  He lost to two people shooting red dots.  I don't think it is fair to mix open shooters and red dot shooters but again, I don't make the rules.  We were asked to join our neighbors at Niles' for a shrimp boil but I had dinner started and shrimp isn't our favorite thing.  Ted wandered over to Niles' place after we ate and I eventually went looking for him.  We stayed until it got too cool to sit out and then came home.

In Full Swing

Sunday I fixed breakfast for the first time in a long time.  Ted normally doesn't eat in the morning and I am a bowl of cereal, a yogurt or a half bagel person.  So we had a nice start to the day.  Later we went to the gun range with the group to have a competition that mirrors what we will be doing Wednesday night at Shooters Alley.  I had great accuracy but my time is slower than the others and that lowers my overall score.  I hope I do well on Wednesday!

After shooting, we stopped by the boat dock but didn't see the mama alligator and 8 babies so we decided to stop and see Jay and Stella who just arrived Saturday evening.  I was thirsty and there was a huge tangerine tree in the field across from them so I picked one to eat.  It was so good that before we left we picked a bag and shared them with Kathy, Sue and Bonnie.  There are many trees all over this area laden with fruit that doesn't get picked.  We stripped the orange tree behind our spot.  What was on the ground was thrown away and what came off the tree went into the refrigerator.  Letting it rot on the ground brings unwanted critters around.

I had a chicken in the crockpot so we left for home for dinner and stayed in the rest of the night.  I saved the debris in the crockpot and carcass of the chicken to take to the alligators to see if they will come to the surface to eat it.  We know they like tortillas!

Monday was the present and previous HitchHiker owners' luncheon.  There were 55 in attendance and we knew a good many folks and it was great seeing them all.  We are being strongly encouraged to come to Ingram, TX in April for the Haulin' HitchHiker rally but we may not be able to fit it in.  We are heading to Michigan for our grandson's Confirmation on 4/20.  

We left there to get back in time for Ted to go to the gun range for clay bird shooting.  However, the red flag was up on our way in so we knew there was work being done in the area and shooting is not allowed.  He went down anyway to tell anyone that showed up why there would be no shooting.  In the meantime I changed my clothes to go to my yoga class.  It is doing my hip good in helping extend my range of motion.  Taking the steps in and out of the trailer and up and down to the bedroom also has been helpful.  It was to be part of my PT but we don't have any steps at home!  

That evening Ted had to go back to the clubhouse to see the Alabama-Clemson football game.  He texted me that the couple whose son is visiting was playing the piano and was very good.  I asked if he could hear the TV but he never answered but he never came home either!  I watched The Bachelor.  When he came home he said it was a great game and was glad Alabama won.  Great nephew Michael attends Alabama and nephew Ken covers Alabama for the Dothan Eagle.

Tuesday dawned early with me having a 9:00 meeting about running the Bunco group.  I also needed to give the Powerball pool our $10.  They ended up with 340 tickets.  $1.5 billion divided by 68 is still a great windfall!  I came home and headed next door to the laundromat.  When that was finished I came home to clean.  Eventually I ended up at Linda's and had a visit with her and Sue.  When I got back home it had been decided we were going to Shooters Alley with Niles, Sue and Bonnie.  I did okay but still have trouble pulling the slide on the gun.  I found it easier to load the magazine with it open and then click it closed to load.  Since their cafe was not open we went to eat afterwards at a Mexican restaurant. 

Here is my target of about 60 shots.  Four wayward ones but the one on the forehead was deliberate.  My friend Susan told me she was going to be sure not to p*ss me off!

The Instant Pot, Range Maintenance and Brazilian Steakhouse

Ted went to the gun club on Wednesday with Don and Dave.  The trap shooters were going to be there and he wanted to see if he could sell his original trap gun.  There were no takers but there is a gun garage sale here next week so he will try again.  Otherwise he will put it on consignment at the gun club at home.

While he was doing that I straightened up and made my raspberry cobbler.  At 4 pm we went to Nedra and Al's for frozen chicken cooked in the Instant Pot in 15 minutes.  Nedra made oven crispy potatoes and a salad and voila the chicken was done.  Amazing.  I may be getting one of these pots.  Imagine buying a roast at 3 pm, putting it on at 3:15 and by 4:30 it is fork tender.  Ted left to go to the Shooters Station with Niles and I  stayed since I didn't want to eat and run.  It was a most enjoyable dinner and visit.

Ted finally rolled in about 10 pm.  He was late because he had broken a safety rule so had to buy everyone a DQ ice cream.  His infraction was loading his magazine at the safe table.  I guess no weapons or ammo is allowed there.  So now we both know!  

Thursday is breakfast out with the ladies and I picked up Dale.  It is so nice having my car!  There was a good group and I saw a few more ladies from last year that have recently returned.  I am so thankful for name tags.  When I returned, we opened up the shades and the door to let the sunshine in.  We are scheduled for some nice weather this week and are using the fireplace just for a short while in the morning.

Niles and Sue we're hosting a cookout Thursday late afternoon and I needed to make a dish.  I had frozen a lot of the nut topping from my Christmas sweet potato soufflé and asked if that dish would be okay.  Given the green light, we bought four big sweet potatoes and I got it all ready.  When we went across the street for Happy Hour I put it in the oven.  By the time the grill was eventually up and running, the potatoes were done.  Kathy proclaimed them awesome!  We came home after dark and laughed when we saw it was 7:05 pm.  We are officially old, going to parties at 4:00 and being home 3 hours later.

Our anniversary photo book arrived from Kristin and Larry so I took it over to show Kathy while Ted was gone.  He and Niles bought lumber to replace some of the shooting range backboards since they get shot up quickly.  I guess sawing and drilling was involved.  They also filled sandbags for rifle shooting and finished off with a beer!

Card bingo was moved to Friday because there is a band next door at Bentsen on Saturday night.  We went over and I did get to stand three times with one card remaining but I never won.  Sure hope our luck improves soon.

Saturday was a Charity Shoot that was attended by a lot of our shooting group.  It was very windy and no one did any good except raise money for the Benefit of Children of South Texas Shooters.  It helps the kids pay for their expenses when they go to shoots.

In the evening we went to a Brazilian steakhouse with Kathy, Bob, Niles, Sue, Bonnie and Lex.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it but I didn't think the meat was all that good.  The ribs and Parmesan chicken were the best in my book.  None of the beef was to my liking so I went to the salad bar twice and just didn't say anything.  It was a fun group and we enjoyed spending time with our neighbors and shooting buddies.

Crappy Weather Returns, Then Leaves

Saturday the rain came in earnest.  It was cold, raining and just plain nasty out so we were content to stay inside until we left for a late lunch/early dinner before church at 4:00.  Fr. Roy had his dogs in King clothes complete with crowns, the llama dressed as a camel and a moving star for the Kings to follow to celebrate the Epiphany.  His sermon was about the three kings representing us and seeking God in our loneliness. He feels we all have an emptiness in our heart that we can fill with loneliness, unhappiness, unkindness or fill the void with love, understanding, or kindness.  His cowboy song was Oh Lonesome Me and he asked if there was an engineer who could figure out how to keep the moving star straight instead of sideways as it moved toward the stable.  

Father Roy preaching.  Note the cactus ornament on the tree.  There are also cowboy hats and boots that size.

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.  Our daughter's church n Winter Spring, FL uses a real baby and then invites anyone in the congregation who was the baby Jesus in the past to come forward.  What a lovely tradition.

Nacho the llama substituting for a camel.  He stayed until the end and was very good.  As long as he can see what is going on, he behaves. 

Two of the dogs dressed as kings who slept through the whole service.

We came home for a bit and then went next door to play card bingo.  Again we did not win but our partners won twice.  We need some better luck this year!

Sunday dawned with a bit of blue sky and sunshine so skeet shooting was on.  Karen texted that she wanted to shop if I did so I picked her up at the gun club and we headed to La Plaza.  We hit a couple stores where I bought a Michael Kors blouse and some designer shorts and I can't even remember who right now.  I am such a non-shopper but it is Karen's big thing!  If I was a size 4 I probably would feel differently!  Dave and Ted met us at Cracker Barrel and we had a nice dinner with them.  As soon as we arrived home, the TV went on for Ted to see the rest of the football games.  Another Sunday night shot to h*ll!

Monday dawned with blue sky and sunshine!  Yeah!  I had 5 ladies to pick up at 11:15 for our monthly luncheon at Lemon and Grass, a Mediterranean restaurant.  I needed a cheat sheet to remember who I was getting and where they lived.  There were no problems and we arrived first to the restaurant where 25 were expected.  I had my mind set on souvlaka but it wasn't on the menu.  Since their gyros only said "meat" and not lamb, I ordered an Oriental salad with chicken.  It was very good and everyone seemed to enjoy their selections.

It was just beautiful when we came outside around 2:00 pm.  I dropped everyone off but Ted was shooting clay targets starting at 2:00 and I just missed him.  I knew he wouldn't have my Remington with him, I didn't know about ammo and I dreaded taking my car down the muddy roads, so I stayed put and did a little housework.

He came home for an hour or so then left with Niles for Shooters Station.  They were participating in Tactical Training.  I chose to watch The Bachelor. Tuesday morning there was a seminar on holsters, carrying concealed and open carry.  We both think open carry is just asking for trouble and would never do it without a good cause.  I saw no reason to go with Ted.

When Ted came home we went to the grocery.  There was a Happy Hour at the clubhouse and I wanted to make pizza bundles.  We are also having dinner at Nedra's tomorrow and I am making a raspberry cobbler.  It is hard to keep up with all this socializing especially when you have to bring something!  When we returned, Niles came over with a price on a gun Ted wants before Obama totally tramples on his rights he said!  Thanks Niles, that was an expensive knock!

There was a big crowd at the Clubhouse and so much food no one would ever need to go to dinner afterwards.  We enjoyed catching up with a couple that workamped next door when we stayed over there.  Don and Trudy sat with us and a new renter couple we met for the first time.  It was an enjoyable evening.