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.

Weekend in Corpus Christi

Saturday we drove to Kingsville to visit the King Ranch.  We have driven through this area every year for 7 years and vowed each time to stop "next time."  Well this year we did.

The King Ranch was founded on two Spanish land grants in the area of the Wild Horse Desert by Richard King.  He and his wife had 5 children but only the youngest, Alice, produced grandchildren, the Kleburg family.  These descendents are instrumental in running the ranch today.  The huge family home is maintained for the sole purpose of the family while visiting either for business or pleasure.

Their greatest claim to fame is the breeding and establishment of the Santa Gertrudis line of beef cattle, far superior to the Texas longhorn.  The ranch was initially called Santa Gertrudis after the creek by that name.  It was the first fresh water Richard King found after leaving Brownsville, which today is a 3 hour drive.

Today the ranch is over 850,000 acres including 75,000 acres in Bellglade FL where they grow citrus, milo (a feed grain) and sod.  They also breed and train cutting horses and have had one Triple Crown Winner in Assault in 1946.

An artesian well was discovered on the ranch in 1899 and was instrumental in its growth.  A bronze sculpture in the Visitor's Center depicts this event.

We then went to the museum which contained lots of photographs of the family and life on the ranch.  This is a Buick Eight made into a hunting car.  I am standing beside a horse blanket woven on the ranch from wool of sheep also raised there.

Next we went to the Saddle Shop where I found this longhorn as part of the decorative display.

No one was working on the handmade saddles but I did take a few photos of the work area.

The disappointing thing was that virtually every item in the shop outside of the saddles,  though marked with the "Running W" brand was made in China.  Needless to say, I didn't buy anything.

Where Is The Sun?

Where is Al Gore and his global warming when you need him?  I have been in jeans and sweat shirts all of December!  It's enough to make me consider moving back to Florida.

Tom and Eileen arrived safely and Sunday night we went to dinner with them, Gerre and Barry before taking in the local light shows.  We had lots to see but we had to sit in the car and listen to the music over the radio when it got too cold to stand outside.

Monday our visitors did some visiting of their own with long time friends who live in the area.  That gave me a chance to continue preparing for the holiday festivities.  On Christmas Eve we went to church at 4:00.  Despite Mass in the church and the gym, it was SRO but we were able to find seats in the front rows.  At the theater, people pay higher prices for these seats but they remain empty until the end at church.  Their loss, our gain.

We opened some presents afterwards, looked at some more lights and then we all met Gerre and Barry for dinner at Fleming's.  The food was excellent but it is very noisy for a nice restaurant.  I think I prefer Perry's for better ambience.

I was up at 5:30 on Christmas Day preparing dinner and mentally getting ready for our imminent departure.  Two of our guests took ill so there were 10 of us for dinner.  Talk about food!  I am not sure where it all came from.  There was shrimp, stuffed mushrooms, cheese plate, fruit, sausage and crackers as appetizers.  Then pork, rice, sweet potatoes, green beans, cauliflower, baked apples and corn casserole for our meal.  We polished that off with pecan and pumpkin pie, cookies and candy.  We are still eating leftovers!  It was an enjoyable day and I was happy to share it with my friends.

The next day was crunch time.  I laundered the linens from the tables, put away the Christmas decorations, gathered up the last minute personal items for the RV, rechecked that I had the info I would need while gone and freshened Chris's room in anticipation of his arrival.  Meanwhile Ted and Tom were moving the trailer to the campground where Tom and Eileen were staying.  Once we got situated, Tommy, Susan, Warren, Judy, Rita and Jim all came over to see our new digs.  It was a ready made party and I was pushing leftovers!  When that didn't work we ate some for dinner.

The next morning we pulled out and drove through downtown Houston and headed SW arriving in Corpus Christi mid afternoon.  It is still cold!  Our only stop was at Buccee's for a pit stop and some coffee.  We settled in, sliced the pork thin, added BBQ sauce, cole slaw and chips for one more go at the leftovers.

Today we are driving to Kingsville to tour the King Ranch.  If the sun comes out tomorrow we hope to visit Aransass Pass, Rockport and Mustang Island.  Monday we head to Mission where it is FINALLY supposed to be sunny and in the 70s,  let's hope they are right.

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.   ~ Helen Keller

The Parties Are Over

We have been making runs to the trailer as often as we can to get the rest of the things put away. Next  comes the loading of our personal things we will use over the next 2.5 months.  We are getting close to being done.

Saturday night we played Shanghai at Sherida and John's.  Their house is decorated from floor to ceiling in every room!  It all looks lovely and I admire people who are wiling to take the time and make the effort to do this.  After all, I did put a wreath on my door!  She had an entire island of hearty appetizers and sweets.  Ted won at his table with the men and I won at mine with the ladies.  They are going to stop asking us to sub if we keep winning.

Monday was our bunco Christmas luncheon.  Mary's tables were set so beautifully and the food was outstanding.  We had our Christmas gift exchange which is always a lot of fun.  Another thing we do is donate food to the local food pantry.  We filled the entire back of my Expedition with food and Ted drove it to church the next day.

Tuesday was the big push to get most of the stuff back into the trailer.  It is unbelievable all that we keep in there on a regular basis.  I don't know how long it would have taken us in Chanute if we did it all at once.  At least we are getting things put away neatly and with a degree of organization.

Carol and Terry invited us to dinner at the country club with John and Irene on Wednesday night.  They were having their big holiday buffet and it was the only time we had to spend together for the holidays. We saw several other friends and it was an enjoyable evening.

Tonight was our neighborhood get together and we are delghted with Wanda's progress with her chemo.  She looked and felt fantastic.  What a wonderful answer to our prayers.  I laughed until I cried when we talked about forgetting the most basic words.  It seems we all have had incidents and one was funnier than the other.

Eileen and Tom will start their trip to here tomorrow.  We expect them to arrive on Sunday.  I will be busy getting ready for their arrival, finishing up the trailer packing, a visit to the lighted musical house, church and Christmas Eve dinner at Fleming's followed by a Christmas dinner for a dozen people here at our house.

That leaves me one day to tie up loose ends and put the wreath away.  Chris doesn't want to look at the few things sitting out until March and I don't want to put Christmas decorations away just when I am digging around for my St. Pat leprauchan or the Easter Bunny!

Our (Un)Excellent Adventure

Last Wednesday I attended our Forum Holiday Party.  It was held close to home this year which made it even nicer for me.  Afterwards, I separated all the gifts donated into piles of "one for you, one for me" until we had two equal (as best we could) piles to be loaded into vans to be taken to two local charities.

The next morning I worked at the Nursing Home Christmas party and afterwards intended to take the gifts from the night before to one of the proper places.  Judy was taking the others.  While Sandra and I were blowing up balloons, she said she would just take them since they were all in her SUV and she lives down that way and I don't.  It made sense, so I agreed.

Our Merry Melodies sang lots of Christmas Carols to entertain the folks.  It is so interesting to watch those residents that do not communicate normally mouth the words to the songs.  I had lots of fun with one lady who took great pride in singing along with me showing me that she remembered all the words.  When I looked up from bending over her wheelchair I noticed everyone standing against the walls and I was the only one standing among the residents during the performance.  One of our singers came over afterwards and thanked me for singing along.  Good thing she couldn't really hear me!

We intended to head to Chanute, KS on Saturday but the weather was really bad with the ice storm so we waited until Sunday.  Well the weather was OK by then but what was on the ground north of Dallas wasn't.  I have my doubts that there is a snow plow in NE Texas!  The road from Richardson to Sherman was all ice and overpasses were the worst.  We saw tractor trailers off the road, a Greyhound bus and numerous cars scattered hither and yon.  It took us two hours to go 7 miles at one point.  Ted did a fantastic job of driving ... considering he was pulling our RV!

We reached Durant OK and found the casino campground covered in about 3 inches of ice.  We sort of slid into our spot.  Ted hooked up the electric, fired up the propane furnace and we ate our lunch leftovers for dinner.  We were on our way to pick up our new 2014 Mobile Suites 5th wheel and had emptied the old trailer to minimize time switching things out.  This was supposed to be a quick trip up and back!  So we found ourselves stuck with no extra blankets, no space heater if the propane ran out and only some canned food.  We were afraid to unhook for fear of not being able to back up to hook up to leave.

The campground between our spot and the office.

We knew we were not going anywhere on Monday so we thought we would call the casino shuttle and go to eat at the casino.  Wrong!  The shuttles were not running.  Lucky for us the manager of the KOA campground took us in his SUV to the casino, came back to pick us up and even took us to the Valero to pick up a few things to tide us over.  Our other problem was we had no water because the hose would freeze and Ted had winterized our tanks.  I was unable to negotiate the ice so Ted had to keep walking me to the office to the bathroom!  Fun! 

Tuesday Ted spread about 100 lbs. of de-icer in the path we needed to leave the campground.  Major roads were cleared but getting to them could have been tricky.  When we tried to leave, the wheels just spun!  So he put de-icer around our tires and we were able to get a running start and didn't stop until we were on the cleared road.

The trip into Kansas was uneventful and we were able to do the paperwork and pay for our purchase in just a few minutes.  Then we spent about two hours going over the unit and moving some things we had with us.

We chose to spend the night in a motel and the next morning spent three hours finishing up learning the ins and outs of the trailer, moved our dishes and were on our way.  We spent Wednesday night back in Durant and the ice was gone!  I did write KOA praising their manager for going Above and Beyond for us.

Here are some photos of the inside.  The refrigerator blows my mind.  It is bigger and fancier than mine at home!  The improvements are Independent suspension, body paint, bigger TV that stows behind the fireplace and raises up to watch, a way fancier kitchen, beautiful storage in the bedroom.  So far we are really pleased.

On the right is a fireplace you can't see and the space above is where the 46 inch TV comes up.

 

Behind those mirrored doors is a cedar lined walk in closet.

We arrived home mid-afternoon and parked the RV at the storage facility.  It is so dirty on the outside!  We are busy this next week but when Tom and Eileen arrive we will join them at the campground where Ted will wash it and I will put away the rest of our things that are sitting in a bedroom and the garage right now.

Thank you, Santa!  And praise to our Savior for the blessings he has bestowed on us.  

Just Coasting 'Til Christmas

We had a lovely Thanksgiving at Irene and John's.  John's son and his family were there as well as another couple, Wayne and Pam, that we are friends with.  The 11 of us enjoyed a terrific meal and then the adults played cards.  Ted was with three women, I was with three men!  Not sure how that happened.  Anyway, I had terrific cards, got a Shanghai on the last hand and won with just 8 points for the entire set.

We stopped at Ulta on the way home and bought the sale items.  It was a long wait to check out but parking and crowds were no problem.

We joined Sherida, John, Gerre and Barry for dinner prior to seeing the play It's A Wonderful Life on Friday evening.  We learned this classic did not become popular as a holiday movie until the early 70s.  We all thought it was an instant Christmas hit.  Not so.

Our weather has improved and we are back in the 70s but another storm is heading this way and cold temps and wintry mix north of us is predicted for the weekend.  Then things warm up again.  Crazy weather!

I did my minimal decorating- sideboard in the breakfast area, front porch and my Texas Christmas tree.  That's it folks!  Chris will be back in residence as we head out 12/27 and putting decorations away before I go just isn't on my radar!  The stable was made circa 1930 by my grandfather out of a wooden Werk's Tag Soap box.  The tree was a departing gift from my best friend when we left Florida for Texas.  

Ted headed back to Dallas and I finished up packing the boxes that need to be shipped.  I need one more box and thought I could use the one I was expecting from UPS yesterday, but it never arrived.  Their records indicate it was delivered just before 7:00 last night but we were both home, the doorbell did not ring and there is no box!  I sent an email to Customer Service so we will see what today brings. 

I did work the Senior's Christmas luncheon yesterday.  About 200 were in attendance.  I always see our old friend Joanne who attends.  She and her husband were camping friends until he had a stroke.  She is now walking with a cane.  They played bingo, had lunch and were entertained by a singer.  He had a thick Cajun accent and a bad sound system which made hearing difficult.  He was having a hard time getting the audience to sing along because they couldn't understand him.  We all decided to form a chorus line to sing and dance to help him out which the audience enjoyed very much.  I never knew I could follow so many impromptu dance steps!  What a fun time we all had.  

I brought home a dozen tablecloths that are all laundered and on hangers ready to go back already.  Tonight is our holiday party and I will hand off the tablecloths to Linda so they have them for next time.  After the party I will load up half the donated toys for delivery tomorrow to the Assistance Ministries.  Sandy and I are both working at the nursing home in the morning and will leave from there to deliver the toys.  

By Friday I will be ready to put my feet up.  I am just hoping that box shows up and I can use it to mail that one last gift box!

Brrrrrr

Nothing much to report here.  Ted went to Dallas last week on business and I worked at a huge funeral luncheon at church.  I did my Christmas shopping, some at the mall and some on the computer, and as soon as two packages arrive I can pack it all up and send it off and I'm done!   I made our Christmas cards using amazingmail.com and they will mail them out in about two weeks.  Decorations will be minimal.  Only Tom and Eileen will be here and she is on the same page with me on decorating.

It turned very cold and rainy for several days and I just stayed home doing laundry and stuff.  I don't think I left the house for three straight days at one point.  That may be a record.  Today dawned with blue sky and sunshine but in the 30s!  Enough is enough.  We are due to get our 70s back by next week thank goodness.

I am making a pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes to take to Irene's tomorrow.  We are playing cards after dinner and we may try to get into Ulta after 8 pm for some hair care products on sale.  I won't fight crowds so if it is too busy, I will just skip it.

I have a busy schedule next week and Ted has to return to Dallas.  Hopefully, we will have a more exciting post next time.

Oops!

I was trying to make one post using photos from the I-Pad and the camera and it wouldn't let me, i.e., I don't know how!  So here is the rest of the story.

Sunday Ted and I went to our old parish for early Mass.  Kelly said the girls could go to evening Mass when they got home.  We were delighted to see our old next door neighbors, a family from the next street, the church secretary, the education director and the past president of St. Ann's Council of Catholic Women.  Lots of hugs going around.  It was nice to be welcomed back.

The girls were up getting ready and packing up when we got back.  Their two day whirlwind trip to Florida was coming to a close.  We met the rest at Spice Restaurant on Lake Eola in downtown Orlando for brunch.  The weather was perfect and we sat outside in beautiful foliage surroundings watching the swan boats on the lake.  

There was an unusual visitor at the outdoor tables.  A kangaroo!  We thought maybe it was a wallaby but the owner said no.

Then it was off to the airport for Sheetal, Cassie and Ally.  Kara and Bill returned to Disney and after the airport run we headed to Larry's to fix dinner for and meet the best man and his wife.  Cooking in a bachelor's kitchen is not fun.  Two oven mitts but no other potholders, no baking dishes, no matching dishes, etc.  We made do and ended up with a pretty good dinner and a nice visit.  I made a list of kitchen items Kristin needs to add to her registry!  Her kitchen is only slightly better equipped than his.  

Larry's house is beautiful with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a pool.  Kristin will have no problem making this her home because she will be able to use most of her decorative items since there aren't many.  He does have a signed and numbered Andy Warhol print that caught Ted's eye right away.

I was exhausted by the time we got home and wasn't up for long.  Kristin came back home with the hair dryer but she doesn't have a curling iron so I decided to get my hair done as soon as I could get an appointment.

Monday we went to lunch at the Swamp House Grill on the St. John's River then decided to ride through the campground.  It has always been too tight for us to use but lo and behold they had used part of their storage area to put in a half dozen super sites that we will fit into.  They are not wide side to side but we would have a concrete patio surrounded by some low growing greenery.  We booked a spot for February and cancelled the one we had in Orange City.  We had stopped by to see that and it is all dirt, no asphalt or gravel.  We are just down the road from Kristin now.  We will have lots to do when we return in getting her moved and the house ready for sale.

Tuesday was a lazy day as we prepared to leave.  I had my hair done first thing by my old hairdresser.  Kristin was at work and we eventually let ourselves out and headed to the airport.  It was an easy flight home and I was glad to be back.  We are so used to staying in our RV that being away without it produces what I believe most others experience all the time while traveling.  People ask us if we are glad to be home but a trip in the RV with our home with us doesn't produce that sentiment.  It is hard to explain.

So now we move on to the holidays!

To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us...and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.  Thomas Merton quotes

Bob Jackson Show and Heading Home

After the shower on Saturday, we all went down to Disney to the Port Orleans Resort.  There are two sides, French Quarter and Riverside, but we were headed to the Roost River Lounge in the Riverside portion.  Bob Jackson has two shows and we wanted to get a good location for his 8:30 show.  We took three tables in the front and then had a drink.  Some went to the food court and brought their purchases back, others ordered from the somewhat limited appetizer menu in the lounge.  I was not hungry and just had my one glass of Riesling.

A bit before the show Bob came out to meet his audience.  He picked up on our two engaged couples Larry & Kristin and Bill & Kara, but somewhere along the way they became Mike and Tara!  He remembered Ted and "the two girls from Michigan" Cassie and Ally.

His show is ragtime piano playing and audience participation.  He would invite people up and then call for Larry & Kristin, Mike & Tara, the girls from Michigan to come up to join him.  I don't think he did one participation portion without inviting them all up.  Poor Larry even got a part where he had to run up and down in front of the bar for some reason, holding his fingers around his eyes like binoculars.

The show was an hour and a half and the most fun we have had in a long time.  We all joined in doing the hokey pokey, conga line, YMCA, Rockettes kicking line up, etc.  Bob is one heck of an entertainer.

I would recommend this show to anyone visiting Disney.  It is family friendly and fun for young and old alike.  There is no cover charge and prices are not bad.  My glass of Riesling was $9, in line with the standard Disney upcharge for what you get.  But it was worth it!!!

Bob with Ally looking on.

Bill, Kara and Cassie turning themselves around during the Hokey Pokey.

Larry getting ready for his "binocular run."

Kristin, Cassie, Kara, Ally, Me, Sheetal getting ready to do the famous Rockette kick.  Right!

Ted, Larry and Bill doing YMCA