Two Weeks At Home

Tuesday was more of putting things away plus four loads of laundry. I don't think I sat down all day!   The shredding and filing are still sitting there though.  I put a roasting chicken in the Instant Pot for dinner and finally gave up the ghost and sat down in early evening.  The Ford dealer called and said the computer found no code so they put my car in line for the Major Engine computer readout.  The problem is there are others in front of me. In have no idea when I will get my car back.  I was looking at buying a new Ford Edge next fall but that may happen sooner than I thought!

Wednesday morning I spent the early hours of the day locating and printing all the reservations and confirmations I received for Greece and Hawaii over the last three months.  I had no printer with us so I just kept saving and/or taking screenshots until I could get a file together.  Our Greece group is meeting to finalize some transportation plans.  We need "airport to hotel" and "hotel to ship" reservations.  We all agreed to use Royal Caribbean "ship to airport" transport at the end of the cruise because they control flow off the ship. It will be in their best interest to be sure we leave early enough to catch our flights home.  For Hawaii I am good except for the Honolulu to Kona and return flight.  We are booked on United into and out of Honolulu so we need an inter-island flight.  The condos on Kona, our hotel in Honolulu and New Year's reservation at Disney's Aulani are all in order.   I have a lot of car reservations and need to cancel some.  We kept finding better prices!  Whew!  That all took awhile.

We went to the grocery and eventually I used the broth and leftover chicken from Tuesday to make chicken noodle soup in the Instant Pot.  It turned out really good.  I sautéed onions, celery and carrots in the chicken fat off the top of the saved drippings.  Then added the drippings minus the fat, some additional broth, cut up chicken, spices and a handful of noodles and set it for Soup, 4 minutes!  Voila!  Homemade chicken soup.  Very tasty.  

Another thing I did was put my stained glass table and the two new chairs on the porch.  I have the old peacock chair and table plus six cushions all ready to go out in April when the Paralyzed Veterans come to pick it up.  It turned out to fit just fine.

Thursday was Shanghai day.  I hadn't seen anyone in 3 months so it was a good afternoon filled with laughter.  We have the same problem playing cards as playing mahjongg - whose turn is it?  And I won!  Great start to getting back into playing cards.

We watched the Buddy Holly story on TV for a change of pace.  The cars in NY during the 50s looked like old time movies to us and we were in school then!  We both enjoyed it and talked of the songs that didn't get written because of his untimely death.  He was so talented as singer, musician, lyricist and producer.  Such a sad ending to such a promising life.  

On Friday Ted worked at the gun club and I stayed home and cleaned.  By dinner time I was pooped so an easy dinner of coconut shrimp in the air fryer and salad was all I could muster.  Saturday was more of the same with putting plants on the courtyard wall and removal of much pollen from the deck and furniture.  John and Irene invited us to dinner at Spring Creek BBQ and then we played cards at our house.  I came in second.  My dime purse runneth over.

The bad news of the week is my car needs $2200 of "powertrain" work.  That's what the little wrench on the display means.  It has something to do with modules in the transmission plus other stuff.  It is 8 years old with 61,000 miles.  It has never given me any trouble in all that time.  It looks brand new (no food, kids or dogs) transported.  We had the tires, new last year, rotated while in the valley, the oil changed and the inside and outside detailed.  I think the Ford Edge may have to wait until 2019 so I get some use out of my new $2200 whatevers!  

Today is Easter.  We went to Mass at 9:00 and will join Terry, Carol, Irene and John for brunch at their country club.  And maybe more cards.  My dimes are hot!

Happy Easter everyone. 

Pack Up and Out

Friday we were invited for muffins and coffee at Steve and Maresa's to look at the atlas and determine if their farm is close enough on the way north towards North Dakota to stop and stay a day or two this summer.  We learned I had chosen a campground just a bit beyond so it would be a perfect place to stop instead.  There were 4 RV hookups when they bought the place and they kept them for just this reason.

When we came back it was time to put all the furniture from under the pergola back into the coach house.  It all fits like a puzzle and we got it just right.  Ted had already been doing some outside things getting ready to leave on Saturday morning.

I went to play mahjongg and won 3 games with two games just a tile away.  I checked and can play on Wednesdays at home.  We went to Cracker Barrel for trout for me and shrimp for Ted then came back to relax before our travel day that was coming up.  

We were up by 7:00 Saturday and ready to head out by 8:30.  We gave a few hugs and left with me following Ted.  We made it several miles down the expressway and Ted called to say his Drain Water Separator light had come on.  This happened when we left Sikeston, MO last year!  We knew what needed to be done but finding a place to pull in with truck and trailer is a bit tricky.  We decided to go north on 281 and pull into Flying J which was on our way.  Ted went around the back, I parked in front.  I saw a Flying J Road Service Assistance truck so I called the phone number.  The tech said he would be right over.  I called Coach Net to get authorization only to learn their records show our contract was up!  I will be checking this with my records when I get home!  With our mail forwarding I guess anything can fall through the cracks.  

The tech, who is used to semis, didn't know quite what to do so I read from the manual about the petcock being on the frame rail, next to the transmission, under the driver's seat that needs to be drained of 60-75 ml of water until fuel flows.  Ted had gotten a cup from inside so the tech slid under (that's the part that Ted can't do) and turned the petcock (what I can't do) and drained the module.  We asked what we owed him and he said nothing because he really didn't do any repair but we could give him $20 if we wanted!  So we did.  From now on, before any trip, the truck is going up on the lift and getting that module drained while the trailer isn't attached!

Having a problem while driving an RV where you get parked safely, get back on the road in under an hour for $20, you have a WIN!  I stopped at the Border Patrol checkpoint at Fulfurrias where I was waved through without even one question and then one stop at the rest area.  I enjoyed the bluebonnets and primrose blooming all along the way.

We got set up in the campground in Victoria by 3:00 and left to find the church.  Once we did that we went to Mumphord's BBQ.  We were warned about the outside appearance but were told not to let it deter us. The recommendation was right on!  I had turkey but Ted had ribs, brisket and sausage which we declared all excellent.  

We had enough time to stop at the store for Dawn and Pledge that I needed before heading back to the church.  Despite the long Palm Sunday service we were out before 6:45.  We stopped by Dairy Queen for an ice cream before coming home for the evening.

We were up and on our way by 8:30 Sunday morning and had an easy drive into Houston.  The further north we went, the bigger the blankets of wild flowers got.  So pretty!  Once in Houston we entered the I-610 circle from the SW, proceeded north then east to pick up I-45 north.  Just as the two 6 lane highways merge I heard a boom and my car went into limp mode.  I was losing speed and just barely moved to the far right lane when it stopped.  I put on my flashers and called Ted who was ahead of me.  I told him to continue on and get the trailer dropped at the campground and I would stay in touch.  I called Coach Net to see if they could at least send someone even though I knew I would have to pay.  She was more concerned with getting me to a safe place and said she was calling 911.  Just then I saw a wrecker making its way to me.  The man stopped traffic to get pulled up behind me, helped me to his truck to be safe and loaded the car on.  I asked him to take me to the nearest Ford dealer.  Houston has a Safe Clear law and if you are blocking traffic, and I was, they will safely tow you 20 miles for $167, you have no choice.  I frankly was delighted to be rescued.  

Because it was Sunday we could not get onto the first dealer's property so he took me to the next one closer to my home.  They too were closed but their Quick Lane oil change business was open and said we could drop the car there and to call Service first thing Monday and they would come over to get it.  

Once off the wrecker bed, the car started, went in gear and moved forward and reverse.  He said sometimes the transport will get just enough fuel to start the motor but he was of the opinion it was something to do with the fuel pump, maybe a belt or hose.  We shall see.  The good news was I checked our auto insurance and we have $150 towing coverage!  It is just hard to believe we have had no trouble with either vehicle and then pow!, both of them one right after the other.

I called Ted who had dropped the trailer and set it up. He left immediately to come get me.  His brother told us to come by and take their Lexus to use.  So we stopped there to do that.  I also gave my sister-in-law the eye drops we had brought back for her.

Finally we made it to the campground and packed the truck and Lexus and moved stuff home.  Monday Ted emptied the refrigerator and cleaned it.  We leave it open to totally dry out.  The bathroom was next and then normal dusting, vacuuming and floors.  We had until Tuesday to move the trailer to storage but did it Monday evening.

I had been working non stop on all the mail and paperwork waiting for me.  I did my sister-in-law's taxes.  Because she has to file a Schedule D, the free filings are not free.  First one I tried was $26, the second $46!  I just went to .gov, filled out her forms, printed them and sent them with an addressed envelope to her to sign and send.  Then I did ours and we have an $800 refund instead of having to pay, welcome news.  I went through all the mail, sent a wedding RSVP, ordered the gift, got checks ready for deposit, sent a birthday card to my brother, emailed our window washer's name to my friend who had requested it and now I have a huge stack of filing and one for shredding.

I also called our insurance and filed a claim for my towing.  No problem.  When I contacted Coach Net about our expired membership I was informed the billing was emailed to - wait for it - trogers! who promptly replied he didn't get an email bill (in October 2016!).  Some things just aren't worth arguing about!  

My car is being looked at today.  They were able to drive it from the oil change area to the Service area so we are thinking it is not the motor or transmission.  Ted said maybe the catalytic converter!  

Last Week of the 2018 Season

There will be a lot of "lasts for this year" this week.  We already did our last trip to Mexico.  Saturday we attended our last Mass with Fr. Roy.  Because it was St. Paddy's Day we were greeted with bagpipes, Danny Boy and When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.  The gospel was the reading of raising Lazarus from the dead.  After a terrific sermon on the end of life to a very captive audience of senior citizens, Fr. Roy chose Brooks and Dunn's I Believe to complete his message.  One of the lines is "you can't tell me it ends in a slow ride in a hearse."  Very thought provoking!  Our departing song was Happy Trails To You to say goodbye to the winter Texans, most of whom will leave this week to be home for Easter, us included.  We will certainly miss this part of our months in the valley.

Sunday afternoon was more of the same.  Skeet for Ted, laundry for me.  I said goodbye to my laundromat amigos.  They know me as the Sunday morning gringo!  Everyone there has been friendly and helpful.  I must admit I am looking forward to my own washer and dryer at home though!

When I returned, I played mahjongg. The "veteran" players from next door came over and I played with three of them and won two games. They all pronounced me totally ready to play with anyone.  Two were surprised I had only learned last year.  Now I need to join a group back home.

I had a pork loin in the crockpot so we had pulled pork for dinner then watched TV.  The programs ran late because of the March Madness games.  

Richard was scheduled at 3 pm Monday to wash and wax the RV.  We have it done every year to help protect the finish.  Lord knows Ted has to wash the front each time we travel to get the bugs off but the wax helps keep the rest easy to keep clean with minimal effort.  It is still 38 feet on two sides and almost 9 feet across the front and back so just wiping it down takes quite a bit of time.  But Richard came before lunch.  Ah Mañana!  Whenever!  It actually turned out better because it was a bit cloudy and later on the sun came out. I was held hostage inside while they washed it.

It was a delightful afternoon and we sat out under the pergola for awhile.  

Eventually we had dinner and a quick trip to Dairy Queen.  We ran into Jack and Margaret who had come because he needed a burger and she wanted ice cream!  We had a nice chat with them before coming home for the evening.

We took my car to the detailer on Tuesday morning after Ted went to the gun range.  We were invited to Niles and Sue's on Wednesday so I sent Ted off to the grocery when I went to play mahjongg.  Dinner was to be at the clubhouse courtesy of the Landscape Company Tuesday night so I didn't have to concern myself with that.  While I was at the clubhouse Ted switched cars so they could detail his truck and when I finished I went to hold a table out on the patio.  We had a nice dinner of fish, tater tots and really good cole slaw.  The only problem was they ran out of cooked food and the last people had to wait a long time until the pans were refilled.  Afterwards we went to pick up Ted's truck.  All vehicles are cleaned and waxed!

I offered to make baked beans for dinner at Sue and Niles.  Mine calls for chopped green pepper and onions and half cooked bacon.  I got that all ready to go and about 2:00 I sautéed the peppers and onions in the bacon grease and then put in all the other ingredients, mixed it up, put the half cooked cut up bacon on top and popped it in the convection oven.  Then we both left to get much needed haircuts.  When we returned we took our beans and drinks down the street for a burger, slaw, green beans, baked beans and chocolate square cookies dinner!  It was another "last neighbor dinner" for this year.

Thursday Sue and I went to the Mexican flea market at the foot of the bridge into Reynosa.  That is a city most of us will not go to because it is dangerous.  That and Matamoras both have highways from Mexico's interior leading into the city and the drug cartel is a problem.  I thought Sue was going to jump out of the car because we had to drive to the last street before going across the bridge.  I assured her I was not going to go into Mexico.  She said I was much braver than she is!  

We were looking for an Air Fryer for her.  We looked around and found several.  One was a nice clean stall, the gentleman spoke perfect English, the appliance was still packed in its box surrounded by styrofoam and had a direction/cookbook.  She bought it for $20.  It was a JCP brand and she looked it up in their catalogue on the way back.  It was originally $100, on sale for $60 plus shipping and tax.  Good buy!

We stopped for a "last Thursday lunch" at Olive Garden.  Coming from out in the country in Minnesota this was only her second visit to an Olive Garden!  We will miss our time together but we may see each other this summer.  We have offers to stop at several of our Retama friends who live north and west.  Just have to decide where we are going!  Glacier National Park is a good possibility.

  

Two Weeks and Counting

When it gets this close to departure time I start getting anxious.  Things are piling up in my To Do column - our mail, taxes, end of fiscal year volunteer wrap ups, print out and organize our September cruise and Hawaii vacation info and receipts.  We go to a nearby campground for two nights to give us time to empty the trailer, then clean it inside and out before returning it to storage.  Then we get to tackle all the stuff we have taken home that needs to be put away!  We leave most things in the RV but the clothes closet, pantry, refrigerator and freezer need to be emptied and then there are Ted's "toys" and what I have purchased while gone!  It amazes me how a 38 foot trailer partial contents can mess up a whole house!

Sunday Ted went shooting and I played mahjongg.  We had such a good time because we were all slap happy for some reason and every mistake just got funnier and funnier.  Ted ordered a pizza for dinner so we wouldn't have clean up before going up to the pool patio to see the show.

Rainie, from Thunder Bay, ON is a Patsy Cline legend singer and puts on a great show.  It was very hot all day (record high of 101) but the wind whipped up cooling it off and I thought we would all be blown away!  Rainie was a trooper and didn't let the wind bother her too much!  She did have to stay put at the big mic and not walk among the audience to insure the wind didn't drown her out.  It was certainly enjoyable.

On Monday we had dentist appointments to have our teeth cleaned at 9:00 a.m. in Progreso so we were up and out by 8 a.m.  All I know is it is really dark at 7:15 CDT!   We were taken right away and heading to the pedicure place in no time,  Ted has two pedicures a year.  One when we arrive and one right before we leave.  Don't ask!  I don't know.  The guy spent a lot of time taking care of him.  

From there we stopped for coffee at Rene's and also bought the last of the meds on our list.  We were finished with our last trip to Mexico for this year.  Since we were so close we went to Premium Outlets for a few things I wanted to look at.  I found what I wanted and we were on our way in record time.  It was going on 3:00 so we stayed in the rest of the afternoon, had dinner and then watched TV.

Ted went clay bird shooting Tuesday morning and I cleaned up a bit while talking to Kara on the phone.  She is so like me and wants to get these plane tickets for Hawaii put to bed.  I have told everyone to make their own reservations because it would be like herding cats for someone other than a professional to navigate those waters.  I know there is plenty of time but told her to do whatever she is comfortable with.

In the afternoon I played mahjongg and Ted ran to Sam's and HEB.  We are doing pretty good with getting the freezer empty, so-so on the fridge and the pantry looks like we haven't used a thing.  I did have rice when Vicki rushed over Sunday asking for some to put her hearing aid in since she dropped it somewhere wet!  Today we asked if it worked and she said not the first day but it did the second.  So happy we could help and that it worked!  

We had dinner and watched TV.  It is so nice to have some new episodes instead of all the repeats!

I picked up Marisa at 9:00 on Wednesday morning to go to the beauty school for a facial.  It has been years since I had one but I agreed to go.  I was glad to hear that I should continue doing whatever I am because my skin is in great condition for someone my age.  Marisa was sold some creams but my lady declared I should just continue with my own products.  You can only expect so much out of a jar I suspect!  We had nice chats coming and going and she invited us to stay on their farm as we pass through Nebraska this summer.  We just might do that!

We had made plans for Karen and me to go shopping while Ted, Dave and Glenn shot skeet.  After they were finished we were to meet them at Cheddar's.  Our first stop was Dillard's, then Macy's and last stop TJ Maxx as we made our way west to Cheddar's.  I bought a dress to wear to Morgan's Confirmation, 3 tops and a pair of shoes.  Karen bought two dresses.  Not a shopping marathon but enough to keep us happy.

After a nice dinner we parted company with Karen and Dave heading to Llano Grande to the east and we came home west to Retama!  The March Madness screwed up our normal TV programming so we had to make do with Me TV for the evening.

Mimi lives across the street and hosts a Muffins with Mimi morning each year and it was held on Friday.  There were about 40 ladies present and everyone had a good time eating all the delicious muffins Mimi made.  The amazing thing is Mimi has to eat gluten free and is still one of the best bakers in our Village.

We played our usual games of mahjongg in the afternoon but ladies from next door joined us so we had a bigger crowd.  I won one game.  I was close a couple of times and in left field on occasion.  Sometimes the tiles just don't come together.  

At 6:00 Niles and Sue picked us up to go out to dinner.  We had a coupon for B1G1F fish and chips.  Since it was Friday we thought it a good day to use it.  They had brisket and chicken and were  pleased with the food and the prices.  We then gave them our coupon book since we will be leaving and they are here for another six weeks.  We bought it at the Expo in January and certainly got our money's worth.  I hope they get more value out of it before leaving.  I told them to pass it on to Mark and Dortha if they wanted.  We spent the balance of the evening watching TV.

One week from today we will be hooking up and heading out. It will be good to get back home.

Making Appointments

Sunday Ted and the fellows went to Coyote to shoot sporting clays instead of skeet.  I, on the other hand, got to do laundry!  I will probably have one more trip before I get home to my own washer and dryer.  I have it down to a science now to minimize time and expense.  Three washers for whites, colors and darks, then two dryers splitting up the three for 20 minutes.  Then I pull out what is dry from both, consolidate what wasn't dried and do another 10 minutes.  Down to 1.5 hours and under $8!

I was home in time to make up a tray of sausage, cheese and crackers to take to our Mahjong party.  Rosie had invited our next door campground neighbors over for the afternoon.  There were 20 women in all and a bar full of food and drinks.  I held my own against these veteran players but didn't win.  The last thing to learn is determining what other hands are being played and what you need to do to stop them.  I still have lots to learn.  I did keep two ladies from winning by not throwing what I figured out they needed.  

On Monday Ted made dentist appointments for both of us, reserved our campground spot for our trip home, and for at home while unloading and cleaning.  He scheduled Richard to wash and wax the trailer the Monday before we leave and will have the truck and car detailed that same week.  I still need a hair appointment too.  We plan to stop in Victoria Saturday night so we can gas up my car, go to church and have dinner out.  Then we can drive through Houston Sunday morning before traffic gets too bad.  

Monday was also our ladies lunch and there were about 30 in attendance.  I rode with four other ladies and had as much fun coming and going as I did at the restaurant.  On the way home we stopped by our Activity Director for all of us to purchase our tickets for the Patsy Cline legend singer who is appearing here Sunday evening on the patio around the pool.

I was home only long enough to change shoes before heading to the nail salon and grocery.  When I returned we cut up orange, green and red peppers and onions and stir fried them with fajita meat.  I made some barrocho beans and warmed tortillas.  Who knew we would turn into locals when it came to eating?

Not too much went on Tuesday.  Ted received a call from Gary early and asked him to report to the range as safety officer for clay birds since I guess he couldn't for some reason.  While he was gone I colored my hair and then cleaned.  After lunch I played Mahjong winning one game and being a tile away on two others. 

For dinner I experimented with my Instant Pot.  A problem I constantly have is a freezer full of frozen food so nothing is available to cook for dinner.  I took a 3# frozen Butterball turkey breast roast (I had to run it under warm water to detach the pouch with gravy fixings), left the netting on, rubbed it with oil and seasonings and put it on the trivet in the Pot with two cups of broth.  I set it for 60 minutes after it pressurized.

Voila!  Perfect turkey breast.  I let it set while I dumped the gravy mixings into the broth, set the pot to Brown/Sear while I put Stove Top in the microwave.  That and applesauce was dinner.  The turkey was moist, tender and flavorful.  I took half the cooked turkey to Sue who had complained she had nothing to fix for dinner and included one of the three meat loaves I still have in the freezer for another day.  It is time to start emptying the pantry and refrigerator/freezer.  Ted and I both proclaimed the turkey attempt a success.

Wednesday we didn't do much of anything except for a nice visit with Ed and Marilyn next door.  We sort of crashed their patio where they had another couple visiting.  We laughed at some really funny stories!  

Thursday Ted went shooting at Mission and Sue and I shopped and had lunch at Zoe's Kitchen.  It was quite good!!  In the afternoon, three of us played impromptu mahjongg in the afternoon.  We had breakfast for dinner, my go to when nothing else is available (that frozen thing again).

Friday was more shooting and mahjong.  The weather hasn't been bad but the sun must be on vacation.  It is just easier to go to the clubhouse to play mahjongg than hang around outside.  It was after 5:00 when I came home so we hit McDonald's for Friday fish sandwiches.  

So many people are departing and things are starting to look empty with many rigs gone.  We only have two weeks left because we are leaving a week early.  I would rather be home than on the road on Easter.  We went to church, ate dinner at Cowboy Chicken and then played card bingo.  Next week is the St. Patrick's party so that was our last time to play until next year!  

God never ends anything on a negative; God always ends on a positive. Because what is negative about going home?” ~ Shannon Ald

Quiet Week

I have finished the weaving on my table runner and will now turn it over to my teacher to decide how the sides and ends should be finished.  I haven't a clue what to do on the ends but we both sort of agreed on fringe on the sides.  She has her sewing machine here and I don't so we need to work together.

I am doing really well in mahjong.  Even if I don't win because my tiles just don't come available I am pleased that I have played a specific hand without being lost.  Now I need to work on shifting gears when a hand goes dead.  That's a biggee!

Monday was a rainy day so we invited Niles, Sue, Mark and Dortha to Cowboy Chicken for dinner since it had just opened nearby.  We had three coupons for B1G1F so we all climbed into my Expedition for the ride over and had an enjoyable meal.  The food is great and the waitstaff couldn't have been more attentive.  

Tuesday was a bit busy.  I had offered to take dinner to one of our neighbors who has broken her leg.  Also, Niles had requested some more apple crisp like I had sent down to him awhile back.  I put the apple crisp on in my Instant Pot on the Slow Cook setting and told Ted what to do when it finished.  I headed out to mahjong.  I came back to a nice aroma and divided the contents into thirds - Ginger, Niles and Ted.  I washed the liner, tossed in a bit of oil and sautéed my beef cubes.  Then I added the rest of the things needed for beef stew and closed the pot.  In the 35 minutes that it cooked I put a Kaiser roll and butter in a plastic bag, a salad in a container, the apple crisp in a container and eventually a container of stew. 

Ted drove me to the next street so I could hold all the food but there was a street party so we turned around and came in the other way.  When we arrived everyone was telling us Ginger was at the party in her wheelchair!  I just put it all inside on her counter because I didn't want to interrupt her chance to be out in the nice weather among friends.  I hope she enjoyed her dinner.

On Wednesday Ted helped  Mark with his shotgun shooting and when he returned we drove to the flea market looking for an oversized card holder for Irene.  We struck out so Ted stopped at a construction site, picked up an adequate piece of scrap wood and plans to take it to the wood shop to see if anyone is interested in making one from the photo she sent me.

When we came home I checked on plane tickets and chose our flights to Hawaii.  There is a nonstop coming and going from Houston and that interested us so we bought them and upgraded to Plus which allowed us to choose exit row seats in the front of the plane.  I still need to get an interisland flight back and forth to Kona.  

I thought we were going to take flight Thursday morning because the wind was gusting big time.  I didn't think Ted would shoot but that group didn't let a little wind keep them away.  While they were gone Sue, Dortha and I visited Hobby Lobby, Target and then Olive Garden for lunch.  I finally caught Beverly at home and we spent a long time together finishing the edges of my Christmas table runner.

On my way home I cut through Don and Trudy's place and she was cooking a big pan of something outside.  I jokingly asked "What's for dinner?"  She said "stir fry" and "why don't you and Ted come."  I demurred but Don tried to call Ted and got Voicemail.  I had no idea where Ted was.  Don told me to find him and come back for dinner.  I found Ted next door chatting with Ed and Friends.  He called Don and accepted their kind invitation.  We had a lovely serendipity dinner - no plans, things just fell into place and it was after 10 when we got home.  They are leaving next week and even though Don and Ted shoot twice a week, my seeing Trudy had been limited to the fashion show.  She kept insisting she owed us dinner because we had them to the RV when we were all in Santa Fe!  

Jay stopped by Friday and we had a nice chat out back around the table.  They are leaving next week.  I heard 60 rigs left next door on 3/1.  The last party this month will be what is called The Tail Light Party in honor of all the tail lights of everyone heading out.  

Ted left to talk to Danny about a javelina hunt and I went to the Clubhouse to play mahjong.  I won two games!  When I came home I talked to Kristin and my sister Karen on the phone before Ted went for a cheese pizza for dinner.  Love those easy Friday dinners in Lent.  

Ted shot in a skeet tournament Saturday and tied with two others for first place breaking 97 out of 100.  However, he didn't want to hang around for a shoot off (with no money involved!) and came home.  He stopped at the wood shop before coming home and had slits cut in to the board to see if it will work to hold cards.  Irene will be the judge.

We went to church at 4:00, then to Outback for dinner and finished the evening enjoying the entertainment of Wade Landry and his wife Theresa.  Another nice day in the valley.

Alone!

It seems we have had visitors in the area since Day One.  Including Tom and Eileen who were at the park next door, we have!  It is fun to run here and there with folks but down time is nice too.  I plan on doing a bit of that this week.  We will see how that turns out!  

My first "down time" activity was a trip to the laundromat.  I had three huge loads to do.  I love those big washers and dryers.  Ted was running errands and stopped by to take my car to be washed and then returned it for me to get home.  We had been invited to Niles and Sue's for pulled pork that Ted taught Niles how to make last year.  I made an onion, tomato, cucumber salad and since Gerre had left a half container of strawberries, I dipped them in chocolate and took them too.  Two other couples were there and we had a nice meal and visit with lots of laughs. 

Tuesday was going to be our Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras celebration since we were rained out last week.  I used my time to write some cards, pay some bills, balance the checkbook and do another row of Swedish Weaving.  At 2:00 I went to play mahjong and got back too late to see the parade!  But you can count on someone to post a few photos. 

Lots of decorated golf carts.

My Swedish Weaving instructor decked out in her beads.

This person will remain anonymous!

We went to the clubhouse for our dinner and joined 5 others at our table out around the pool.  We sat with a couple who are booking their first Grand Circle Tour and had lots of questions for us.  I gave her my blog address and the four years and months we took 4 of our 5 GCT trips.  I never wrote about the first one in 2006.  I hope she enjoys reading about the places we have been and looks forward to her trip even more.

We planned to go to the flea market on Wednesday to pick up our shade that has been restrung but when the lady called yesterday she said her husband would deliver it to us.  Great!  Except I didn't get a time so one of us had to stay home all day, or at least until 2:30 when it was delivered.  I did some preliminary work concerning our RMD and income taxes, paid the electric bill and did another row of Swedish weaving.  It takes awhile and I am just about cross eyed by then so I have to stop for awhile after each row.

Our shade was delivered and believe it or not I clicked it in place, Ted tightened the strings and screwed the little plastic things into the wood frame and I put the valance back up with an extended screwdriver while Ted held a flashlight so I could see the holes.  Success!!  We aren't the handiest pair out there so we celebrate little things!  

Wednesday's 90 degree temps turned into 50 degrees Thursday morning when Sue and  I left wearing sweaters and Ted left to shoot skeet.  It didn't warm up much in the afternoon.  Talk about waiting just 5 minutes for the weather to change!!

After lunch we went to the movies to see 15:10 to Paris since there wasn't much going on and no one was out and about.  After 5 horrendous "previews" complete with mostly gratuitous gun violence which Hollywood seems to thrive on despite their screaming "gun control," we very much enjoyed the movie.  I liked it because it was a true story, made me proud of our three American young men and it was a trip down memory lane for both of us.  Everywhere the fellows went on their European trip, except Venice, we have been to including all the train stations.  We stopped at Cracker Barrel for dinner before coming home. 

I had a bit of a raspy throat and took some meds.  We didn't do much Friday morning.  I left for mahjong a little before 2:00.  Ted went to Sam's.  I had a mahjong and good hands but got left in the cold when my tiles went dead on two other games.  We had coconut shrimp,  cooked in our air fryer, for dinner.  I wasn't feeling well enough to go out and was pleased with our shrimp so it turned out okay.  There is a second bag of the shrimp so it will get eaten during Lent.

Saturday was a long day!  Up and out at 8:15 we headed to the Smokin' on the Rio BBQ Cooking Compettions.  First up at 10 am, we had to try 22 bites of different beef fajita meat.  I cut small pieces but was stuffed after that was done.  Of course eating dill pickles and drinking water in between doesn't help.  There are lots of instructions like using a clean fork each time, don't stick your nose in the container to smell, eat pickles, crackers and/or water between bites, make sure you are giving the right grade for the right box, etc.  

When we left there we hung around with the folks we had met up with.  Most were from our first years here when we stayed next door at Bentsen Palms and then a few new couples from Llano Grande.  We sat inside the arena listening to music and at 1:00 we walked over to judge ribs.  And who would we run into but the Franz's from Retama who are the couple going on the Grand Circle Trip!  Small world.

We only had to taste 13 bites but it is hard to cut a bite off a rib.  We were warned not to pick up a rib and not to even discard empty bones.  I am glad there wasn't any more than 13 to eat.  After that we headed home.  Ted stopped for shooting coins for Dave and then we went right to church.  

We had just a bit of down time at home before heading to the clubhouse for card bingo.  Neither Ted nor I ever got down to one card but we had 3 winners at our table.  Helen won $15.75 in quarters so Ted who only had a $20 bill bought 20 singles from Bonnie who won $66 so I could buy $15 in quarters for the laundry.  Such high finance!  

We have four more weeks down here before heading home.  After all the rain and a week of freezing temperatures, I am apprehensive about our yard.  Last year it was a nightmare because someone had turned our sprinklers off all of February and March that had high temps and not much rain.  That, coupled with a negligent lawn service that left oak leaves pile up on the grass, things were a mess.  We had the whole lawn done then lost about half of it to all the Harvey rain and replaced it again.  I am keeping my fingers crossed but too much rain can be as bad as not enough.

Que sera!  I will worry about that another day!

Company #5, the last that we know of!

Kristin was leaving Thursday so Sue, Gerre, she and I went out for a bit in the morning. When we came home she gathered up her things and was on her way about noon.  She would spend a night in Houston and one other one on the road.  She called early evening to say she had arrived in Houston safely.

Gerre and Barry came over after lunch and spent the afternoon with us out under the pergola in nice, but windy, weather.  We have yet to put the cushions out except for the open houses.  We haven't sat out there and only used the table once for Mexican train with Tom and Eileen.  They stayed for dinner as planned and then we visited with Susan and Teri when they came by.  We still have Tucker with us so Ted walked him before we called it a night.

We spent all day Friday in Progreso, Mexico.  

We started with a coffee and a bite at Rene's followed by a lot of shopping for Gerre.  She bought several Christmas gifts and a few colorful mariposas (butterflies) for their backyard fence.  We spent time looking for a red pendant for me but there are no true red semi precious stones I guess.  Too burgundy or too orange were constant problems.  I left without one.  We ended up at Pancho's where Gerre and I spent most of the time shopping in the attached store.  The fellows enjoyed margaritas and listened to music.  We returned back to the U.S. and eventually went to dinner.  We still have Tucker and we came home to spend some time with him after feeding and walking him.  

Saturday Ted was feeling poorly from a cold so the three of us went to Pioneer Days at the Museum of South Texas.  We enjoyed some bluegrass music and Mexican folk dancing.  

Dancing with filled trays on their heads.  There was water in the glasses but no casualties!

The children in their colorful costumes.

The littlest one who performed alone and did a great job

There were demonstrations of cooking, weaving, churning, etc. outside and the museum was open inside.  It didn't take too long to see it all and we came home.  We decided to go to Cheddar's to eat and while we were waiting, Jay and Stella arrived with friends.  I guess we are on the Winter Texan Trail for sure!

From there we went to church where we learned Newlie, Fr. Roy's little dog (one of many), died on Ash Wednesday.  He was distraught but gave us insight into how such relationships teach us to love.  We checked on Veladora and she is growing and looks just fine.

At home we took down our front shade that needs restringing.  Ed next door came over when we couldn't get it unclipped after we took the valance down.  Not hard when you know how to do it!  Thanks, Ed!

After such a busy day, we ended up at the clubhouse playing card bingo.   We all got down to one card at times but none of us won.  Since we were all very tired, everyone went right home.

On Sunday Gerre and I took the shade to the flea market to get it restrung and buy some fruit for her to take home.  Ted went shooting and I'm not sure what Barry did.  We all met back at our place where Sue and Kathy were waiting for us to play Mahjong and Barry and Ted were heading to the gun range for Ted to do some instructing with Barry.  

By 5:00 everyone was finished with their afternoon activities and Ted grilled steaks for our dinner.  It was our last night together and we sat around a bit before they headed back to the hotel.

Monday morning I couldn't get dressed because the gray tank was full and I have a sneaky suspicion the black one wasn't far behind.  Ted was doing his "outside" duties when they arrived to pick up Tucker and get on the road.  We wished them safe travels!

Here is a photo of the principal of the elementary school accepting our Fashion Show proceeds.  Many children do not have warm clothes because they are seldom needed down here.  This latest cold snap saw children shivering in their lightweight clothing and the teachers want to build a supply of warm things for such times.  They were ever so grateful.  My friend Mimi is in yellow, Trudy in black.  

So Busy!

I thought we had to show the coach house on Sunday for the open house but the owner had made arrangements for Bonnie to do it so we made other plans.  It turned into a cold, windy day and I was more than happy not to have to hang around here.  But while it was still warm, we and our newest arrivals Tommy and Susan plus their friends Teri and Les, plus Les's mother, all went to the DonWes flea market.  Teri and Les are in the same casita John and Vivienne were in next door and Les's mother lives down here.  Everyone found a few things they couldn't live without and we left when the wind got strong and cold.  We all had lunch at Freddy's before heading home.

Kristin and I put our purchases in the trailer and left in her car to shop at one of the stores that showed clothes at the fashion show.  We got Kristin 3 slacks and top sets that are very nice.  We didn't eat much after our lunch at Freddy's.  

Monday I had to be at the clubhouse at 9:30 to help Dale prepare for a luncheon she and Coco were hosting.  At the last minute Coco had to have a stress test so Dale needed help with preparations.  I set the tables, cut up the vegetables for the salad and made Arnold Palmers to drink.  Kristin and I helped serve and clean up a very delicious lunch!

After that we went to get manicures and pedicures.  It was late when we got back home so I used my instant pot to make chicken soup.  Then we stayed in for the night.

Tuesday was a cool, misty, crappy day.  We are promised more normal weather for the next week.  I will let you know how that turns out!  Since Ted was unable to shoot, we left about 10:00 and headed to Mexico.  Kristin wants to see all the places we go to when we are down in the valley.  I get tickled at everyone's reaction when we park, walk across the bridge over the Rio Grande River and voila!  We are in Mexico and walk right in.  Immediately you are coaxed to take dentists' cards or encouraged to enter a myriad of pharmacies.  Ted took off for Renee's pastry shop while Kristin and I perused the El Disco store then eventually met up with him for a cup of coffee.  We continued walking down the street for awhile and then back up the other side eventually stopping at Pancho's Bar.  We had a bit of lunch and then proceeded to Jessica's to get some medicine and a free margarita while listening to music.  Our last stop was another pharmacy to get some Voltaren analgesic cream requested by a friend.  This is good stuff for arthritis, muscle aches and pains.  Then we made our way across the bridge.

Kristin wanted to see a Ropa, a place where lots of your clothing donations end up along with dry cleaner clothes not picked up, overruns, distress jobber inventory, etc.  What she wanted to see was the huge mountain of clothes, pushed around by a forklift, and the many ladies sitting on it sorting clothes.  They will buy good condition clothes for 30 cents a pound, launder and iron them, then hang them on their chain link fence for sale for a few dollars.  It is a sight to see.  We even posed for a photo!  They have other things besides the pile and we saw little girls' uniform shirts still in packages for 50 cents instead of $7.  

We made our way home and Ted and I left immediately for haircuts.  We were both way overdue.  Then we watched Shaun White win a gold medal for the USA.  Too bad in the excitement he dragged our flag around, stepping on it.  He meant no disrespect I don't think.  He was just so emotional he didn't realize where the flag was but he caught hell on FB!

Wednesday we were expecting Gerre and Barry so we hung around waiting for them.  It was nice having a day to stay home some.  As soon as they arrived we left with Tommy, Susan, Jay, Stella and Kristin heading to Red Lobster.  The combination of Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday (no meat for us) resulted in a 1-1.5 hour wait for a table.  None of us were up for that so we headed next door to Furr's Buffet where there was no wait and a big run on the fried shrimp.  I chose the catfish!

After we dropped Barry and Gerre off at the motel we came home and visited outside with Susan until fairly late.  Ted took Tucker for a walk before bedtime and we called it a day!

Company #2, #3, #4

I skipped  mahjong on Sunday and used my winnings of those 92 quarters to hit the lavatoria, Tex Mex for laundromat.  I needed three washers because of all the bedclothes I was washing from stripping the bed and replacing the blanket.  Two ran properly, I dried and folded those clothes and the third was taking forever.  Eventually it said Final Spin, I listened and it sounded right but a few minutes later the only light said Lid Locked.  I called the attendant who got the lid open and my clothes were in the rinse water.  She wrung them by hand and moved them to another washer.  By the time I got them spun, dried and folded I had spent an additional hour.  Such is life!

It was 88 at 4 o'clock when I drove home.  We were having spaghetti and meatballs for dinner so that was pretty much ready except for boiling the spaghetti.  Ted was watching TV and I put the clothes away.  He watched the ballgame but I paid no attention (what else is new!) and looked online for a new quilt or coverlet for the bed.  After the game went off we watched our regular programming, the news and Perry Mason on ME TV!  Old TV is so much more enjoyable than the vulgarity or blood and guts of today's programming.  Not having cable doesn't bother me at all!

Monday I went with Echo and Belinda to select our outfits for the fashion show.  I am in black leggings and sleeveless top with lace appliqués at the bottom of both with several jackets, capes, ponchos, etc. to create different looks.  I am ok with all of that.  My second outfit I call the Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Coat Dress.  It is skinny stripes of many colors made like a tent!  I said "This is a definite NO!"  But Sandy added a very wide black and silver belt, my own black boots, a black cowgirl hat and she said she will add festive jewelry.  It is cute in its own way but nothing I would normally wear.  Anything for a fund raiser!  

Sherida and John arrived around dinner time and we eventually went to grab a sandwich.  We told them we would pick them up at 10 the next morning.  John's dentist appointment was at 1:00 pm.  We picked them up and drove to the bridge with very overcast skies but the closer we got to Mexico, the better the weather got and it turned out to be a beautiful day.  

We stopped at our first pharmacy to check prices and then proceeded to Renee's for coffee accompanied by live mariachi music.  We meandered down the sidewalks buying a few do-dads here and there.  We had lunch at Pancho's (preceded by margaritas) and then John left for the dentist.  We ran into half a dozen people we know including Jay and Stella.  They went to Jessica's with us where we all bought what we needed and then had more margaritas while folks danced.  Sherida left to go see what was what at the dentist and when Jay and Stella left we went to the dentist too.  It was after 4:00 when John was finished and we headed home.  

Dee and Dan had invited us to a margarita hour to celebrate the finish of their outdoor patio and pergola.  We arrived late with the bottle of tequila we had purchased in Mexico since I knew I could not make anything to take.  There was a pretty good crowd and we stayed until a little past 7:30.  It had been a full day.

Sue and I went to lunch and shopping on Thursday while Ted joined Niles and Bonnie for lunch after shooting with his Skeet Club friends.  He had gathered up some of our things because the coach house will be open on Sunday.  We were waiting for our daughter Kristin to arrive that evening.

Monday was the fashion show and Kristin was able to attend.  It went well, everyone had a good time, and I didn't trip or fall.

Here is part of the 100 person crowd.

Our only male model

Me, in what I called my Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Coat Dress.  Not something I would wear but this is what was picked out for me.  The boots are mine but the dress, belt, hat and jewelry were from Lionel's.

This is the basic black leggings and shell I wore with the rhinestone jacket.  I also paired it with a gray/black/white scarf and then a green lace poncho.

In the evening we went to see Wonder which was a really good movie.  No blood or guts!  And it taught a lesson on how to treat people, especially those different from yourself.

Susan and Tommy arrived around noon and we got them all settled in two spots down from us.  Kristin, Susan and I went to HEB for groceries and then went to church.

We have a new baby llama girl named Veladora!  Apparently Philamena was pregnant and delivered the newest addition to the menagerie last Sunday.  

After church we three met Susan, Tommy, Les, Teri, Jay and Stella at Cracker Barrel for dinner.  Afterwards we came home to play card bingo.  I won 66 dimes and Ted won $66!  We are becoming persona non-gratis at Card Bingo!

We are awaiting Company #5 on Wednesday!  Tucker is coming!

A Week Off Before More Company

On Sunday Ted took John to Mission Skeet Club and met up with a half dozen others to shoot skeet. When they came back we went to the Riverside Club on the Rio Grande for lunch and then headed east to show them what else is around here.  We visited Victoria Palms and while getting out of my car I slipped off the running board, twisted my ankle and down I went.  I broke my own rule "Stay Upright."

I skinned my elbow which wasn't bad but my ankle puffed up pretty good.  When we got home I iced it and on Monday I stayed off it and kept the ice on it.  It didn't really hurt except a little when I came down stairs.  Going up "toddler style" was no problem.  If it didn't go down by Tuesday I planned to go to Urgent Care for an X-ray though I thought it was just a sprain.  

Ted fixed dinner making chicken tenderloins and French fries in our new Farberware air fryer.  Before I took my spill we had gone to the Mexican flea market and bought it for $25.  Apparently they buy Service Center returns.  I don't know if the Center refurbishes them or just passes them along with notations of what was reported as being wrong.  The first one we had them plug in and it didn't work.  The second one had a basket a little hard to get out at first but it worked fine once you knew there was a lever to push.  All the notation said was "Doesn't work."   We plugged it in and it passed the test! The food was awesome with no grease and easiest clean up ever!  That and my Instant Pot are revolutionizing the kitchen.  

Tuesday I kept my foot up and iced it with great results.  When the time came for mahjong I was able to walk to the clubhouse with no problem.  Later in the evening we headed to Greengate Grove park to see Goldwing Express.  They are here for just six weeks because the rest of the year they work in Branson, MO at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and The Baldnobber's show.  Texas Boomers from Missouri recognized us and came over to say hello.  What great memories these folks have!  The show was great and we took some chances on a beautiful quilt.  It would work well in the RV.

Ted shot in a competition on Wednesday.  He tied with a fellow who then bought a second sheet and tried a second time, beating Ted.  Whoever heard of giving a Mulligan in shooting?  

 I chose to work on my Swedish weaving.  Beverly came over after mahjong and helped me get back on track.  I have ripped out more yarn than I have left in!  We went to Sam's, had dinner and then watched TV.

Ted's brother Tom and my brother-in-law Ron both had surgeries on the 31st.  Preliminarily they have both been given a thumbs up.  We pray things stay that way.

Thursday Ted went shooting at Mission Skeet Range and Sue and I took off.  I ended up replacing the blanket on our bed.  The old one was one of those thermal loose weave ones and it kept growing!  It was dragging the floor on both sides!  Sue found a pair of pillows for her couch.  We stopped at Chick Fil A for lunch and had a nice, long conversation before heading home.  

Tom called from Phoenix saying he was home and feeling fine.  Ron's daughter said he was feeling pretty good that day too though he was still in the hospital.  Ted fixed dinner and we went for a DQ ice cream and watched TV in the evening.

I played mahjong on Friday and had two mahjongs but should have had three.  I had to change hands when my 8 Dot went dead and lost my concentration.  I was late on a call for a tile, threw away a tile I needed then threw a tile I could have changed for a joker.  I told them I didn't deserve to win that game and they agreed! 

That evening we went to Bentsen Grove for a dance, there were about 40 or so from our park in attendance.  Ted calls it American Bandstand For Old Folks!  Everyone had a good time.

I was up early Saturday to make my homework, apple crisp.  We had to make something using the slow cooker setting on the instant pot.  I didn't want to get up at 2 am so used a recipe that only took 3 hours.  All in all, once I had it all together, I wondered why anyone wouldn't just put it in the oven for one hour instead of 3 hours in the slow cooker.  

We went to Mass, grabbed a pizza on the way home and eventually went to the clubhouse to play Card Bingo.  We are not allowed to go next door to play anymore so the social committee decided to do our own.  They weren't sure how well it would be attended.  The count was 92 people.

We went on time which translates to "you are on time so you are late and most seats are taken" in old folk language.  But it was a success, I had a good night winning two games for a total of about $25.  They only play 11 games so winning twice was something.  The first game I had to split with Bonnie but I was the only winner in the second.

Our company is arriving Monday so I have laundry and other things to do on Sunday to get ready.