Days 1-6 Quarantined

I have not been out of the house since I cleaned and waxed the front door.  Ted has gone out to the store most days looking for what we could not find - yeast, alcohol and bleach.  He has everything now but alcohol.  I have lots of very well aged Jim Beam if push comes to shove!

Once everything was put away and the desk in my office was cleared, I started in on my closets.  The guest rooms and linen closets were pretty much ok, just a bit of straightening but my clothes needed a going through.  I now have a bag and box for Paralyzed Vets and a big bag to take to Michigan for my daughter’s friend.   Irene cleaned out some of her things and John brought over a box of toiletries, lotions, hair products, etc. that had accumulated without being opened.  My granddaughters will have fun going through it.  The new Kate Spade make up bag may cause a firestorm!

After eating our roast Thursday and grilled cheese Friday, we opted to "buy locally" at the Mexican restaurant to help them out.  They even included a bag of chips plus styrofoam cups of both red and green salsa like you would receive if eating in the restaurant.  Tonight we are having ham.

We are watching Netflix, keeping in touch with our kids, playing games on our IPads, etc.

This morning we watched 11 o’clock Mass streamed live from our parish and it was beautiful.  The message was "the building is closed, the church is not, because we are the church."  Since we have been gone since before Christmas I had many weeks of offerings to make up for.  I wrote two checks and mailed them to the office.  We are good through the end of March!

We received this photo today from our friends who took us out for dinner on their last night in the valley.  I am pretty sure this is the only time I got dressed up in the 3 months we were gone.

Not much else to write.  I personally don’t know anyone that has Covid 19 but the NJ family that has lost 3 members and has 4 still ill after a big Italian dinner is the family of a friend who has moved away but keeps in touch on FB.  What a heartbreaking and loathsome outcome to befall one family.  Keep all in your prayers please.

Instead of singing Happy Birthday when you wash your hands as suggested, try praying the Lord’s Prayer for all of us.  It takes about the same amount of time and we all need it!

Home Again Jiggidy Jig

We were home around noon Sunday, but once again we got separated and ended up arriving separately at the campground.  Ted was parked and hooking up the electric and water when I arrived shortly after him.

I immediately started unpacking the refrigerator and freezer so I could leave it open to dry out.  We loaded both vehicles and took it all home and put it away.  Nancy brought our mail and then followed me to the campground because she has never seen our rig.  I gave her the thank you gift (she refuses to take money) I bought for her.  She has taken mahjong lessons but she and her friends have been using others’ games at the community center to play and had talked about going in together to get a set just for their use.  She was so tickled and I was tickled she was.  After she left we loaded up one more time and came home once again where we stayed put.  I got most things put away and did four loads of laundry.

Ted left Monday to rewash our freshly washed and waxed rig AGAIN.  We drove home at one point in misty rain so he didn’t want to put it away dirty.  I went out a little later and brought the rest of the things home that needed to be.  So much stays there but our clothes, medicines, some toiletries, paperwork plus pantry and refrigerator items can turn into a lot of “stuff.”

Our cedar closet doors are mirrored and a strip of wood that allows the second door to catch the other had worked loose.  So going down the road, one was locked to the floor and the other was freewheeling!  We stopped at Camper World and they fixed it for no charge! Then we put it back in storage.

I was glad Tuesday morning that we had the RV put away and I could concentrate on just finishing up     around the house and start our taxes.  I spent all of Tuesday working on the taxes but I could not figure out how to post Ted’s 1099 for consulting.  I have used Turbo Tax for years with no problems but it couldn’t seem to decide if the amount should go on Self Employment or 1099 Misc.  It either appeared in both spots or went away altogether. No matter how I moved it around it wasn’t working.  I finally signed on to talk to a CPA who agreed that it was confusing. We determined though the amount was appearing in two spots on the worksheet, it was only appearing once on the 1040.  He said they really need to put an explanation on that.  Then he insisted upon staying on the phone until my taxes were finished!  What a relief to have that done.

Wednesday we worked outside removing black mold and yellow pollen.  The deck and furniture Ted washed, the front porch furniture and door I washed and waxed.  Then Ted tackled the courtyard.  The slate was absolutely black!  He spent a long time trying to buy bleach and or alcohol to no avail.  So he tried vinegar which many posts said works well.  I made a roast for dinner but we ate sandwiches instead so it will be tonight’s dinner.

So we finally felt like we were in a good spot.  I tackled the rest of the mail - my sister in law’s taxes and Christmas cards!  I always do my SIL’s taxes for her and the packet was waiting for me.  I think it is awful for someone with one mutual fund and a SS 1099 has to file 8 pages.  And free tax preparation is not free!  Ask for that Schedule B and up pops a $50 charge.  She doesn’t know this, I just pay it.

Then I sat for a long time looking through all the Christmas cards that had come in after we left, which was a few days before Christmas.  I had several addresses to change in my data base but I took a good amount of time to look at the photos, read the letters and note the greetings written in the bottom, it was nice!  When they all come in December and everything is so rushed they get a quick glance so I really enjoyed taking more time with them this year and I will do so from now on.

Ted went shooting today with Tal, his shooting buddy.  It is outside, using his own personal equipment and they agreed to stay 6 feet apart.  Not too much left to do around the house.  I washed my combs, brushes and mirrors.  I guess closets are up next tomorrow.  I am not sure how much more time I can spend doing these types of things!  This too shall pass.

Our Last Retama Week

We kept our calendar clear because we had several last minute things to get done.  We returned to Mexico on Monday for our teeth cleaning appointment, our appointment was at 2:00 but we didn’t get in until 3:15.  Then we had a few things to pick up so I grabbed 8 rolls of TP because the rumblings had started.  When I opened my bag at Customs the guy said “really?” so I told him Costco was out!  I bet he realizes now I was ahead of the curve!

I received a message from Paul that the Hitchhikers group was meeting Tuesday at Mr. Gatti’s so we told him we would come.  We immediately ran into Ken and Susan Wilson before the others arrived.  We had a decent crowd but again you only get to talk to those right by you!  We returned home in time for me to play mahjong.

Richard was supposed to wash and wax our RV on Wednesday but he had his calendar mixed up, happens every year, so he was coming Friday at 2:00.  When we set up the Mobile Suites luncheon at Smoked Oak, the owners gave us a gift certificate for two meals and drinks.  We didn’t think we would have time to use it so when Wednesday opened up we took advantage and headed to Mercedes for brisket.  

Thursday is a blur.  Ted was packing up the coach house things, checking tires, caulking, etc.  I have no recollection of what I did!

I took off for the grocery early Friday because once they start on the washing of the RV, I can’t get out or in.  I only spent $114 so I didn’t do any hoarding but I know we stripped our kitchen when we left so there isn’t anything we are going home to.  Lo and behold there was Richard washing the RV when I returned.  I had groceries that needed to be put in the refrigerator so I insisted he stop until I had them inside.  We are pretty much used to the “manana” attitude but I just put my foot down (nicely of course).  

I played mahjong and Sue said Niles wanted us all to go to pizzeria.  I explained we had 4:45 haircut appointments and planned to go to the fish fry after because it was Friday.  When I got home she texted the fish fry was good with them and they would meet us.  We were on our mahjong thread so Linda jumped in and said they would like to come too which was fine.  When we arrived Peg and Mel saw us and motioned us over to a table they were at so 8 of us shared our farewell dinner. 

Saturday we pulled out about 8:30.  I missed the east turn off 281 because Ted left the rest area before me and I never did catch up to him.  So we were separated for about a half hour while I continued on and then went east into Kingsville.  I saw Ted go by overhead as I waited to turn on to the ramp to 77, so I caught up with him right away.  

We stopped in Victoria so we could go through Houston early Sunday morning instead of late Saturday afternoon.  We were told not to go to church because we are over 60 (way over!) but we did go out to dinner.

Victoria is the hardest city to get around.  It has 59 BR and 59 plus 77BR and 77 all neatly wrapped in a loop that I can’t remember the number.  We left with neither telephone so I got my GPS out to find gas at Walmart. Then we used it to find a Mexican restaurant because we hadn’t had it but once in 3 months.  I had nothing to go on except name and distance so chose the closest that was not a bar.  We pulled up to a Valero station and I was already looking at our next option when Ted noticed it was a full restaurant at the back of the property.  And it was very good!  We would certainly go back.

We spent the night quietly and we leave this morning for the campground close to home.  

Starting to say So Long!

Our weather continues to be most pleasant as we took a scenic ride aboard The Dreamer from the Riverside Club on the Rio Grande.  There were about 30 Retama ladies so we pretty much filled the boat.  Unlike my last trip northbound, this one traveled southbound toward the dam and highlighted many entertainment venues on the Mexico side. I was delighted when as we returned it passed up Riverside and proceeded to travel north along the new wall up to the pump station.  I knew immediately that I had to make a reservation for Irene and John.  We thought there were no trips available in the weekend that included the wall.

After we all placed our lunch order I went to the bar and was able to book seats on a 1:00 trip for Saturday for John and Irene.  Since we have both taken various trips on the Dreamer we elected not to go because seats are hard to come by due to the interest in the wall, so we left space for others.

Monday evening we were invited to Sue’s to welcome Dortha and Mark back visiting. I made a Waldorf salad when I returned from the boat ride.  The first spot we rented in Retama was Mark’s back in 2012 or so.  They subsequently bought a port home, eventually sold it to Sue and Niles and moved to Fort Worth.  We moved across the street to 4012 and except for one year down the street, that has been our winter home.

Tuesday was mahjong and I won two games!  Jokers are such a blessing.  When I arrived home my phone started dinging with a group message.  Niles wanted to go to Pizzeria for dinner.  Ted had not started anything and I hadn’t given dinner too much thought, so we piled 6 of us in the Expedition and met the other 6 for another gathering.

Wednesday I intended to do laundry and had it all sorted but Ted wanted to go shopping for shorts.  So we left and the laundry would wait.  We were invited to dinner by Trudy and Don to thank us for all the rides and the shooting instruction Ted has given Don so we had to get dressed for dinner as soon as we returned.  They took us to LaCosta, an upscale Mexican place that did not specialize in Tex-Mex but rather upscale cuisine. They ordered Shrimp/octopus/fish in sauce.  Presentation was beautiful but I didn’t want to order something I had no idea if I would like.  So I had grilled tilapia, green beans and red cabbage.  A terrific WW selection.  My meal was pointless!  Ted, of course, had a ribeye steak that he said was excellent with green beans and onion rings.   To celebrate the end of another Retama season because Don and Trudy were leaving Thursday morning, we finally stopped at the Homemade ice cream place.  I had one scoop of cheesecake with raspberries ice cream in a cup which made my pointless dinner right about on target.

Thursday I was picked up by Teresa and Mimi to go to breakfast.  There were 10 of us but you only can talk to those right next to you and across from you.  When we returned Ted had left to go shooting so I packed up my soap, quarters and laundry and headed to the washateria for the last time. By the time I returned in an hour and a half Ted was home washing his truck and waiting for my car so he could wash it too.

Friday we stayed close to home waiting for John and Irene.  Ted was shooting at the range and I was at the clubhouse playing mahjong.  Ted had returned before I did and our company came in right behind me.  They had checked into the Hampton Inn already so we left for the fish fry at Mission West.  We had a bit of a wait but we all agreed it was worth it.  We told them we were going to do exactly what we normally do while down here so they got a flavor of our winters.  So we stopped at the ice cream place again! Afterwards Ted drove us down to the wall so they could see it up close.  We drove through Bentsen Palms next door and around Retama.  After visiting they headed for the hotel, we had a full day planned for Saturday and after their drive they were tired.

We picked them up Saturday morning and headed to DonWes flea market.  John wanted a leather wallet, Irene wanted playing card racks for her many card groups and I bought a mahjong set as a thank you for our neighbor who takes care of our house.  After strolling around a bit we headed back to our place where we had lunch I had prepared and visited until it was time for the boat ride.  We drove them to Riverside and used the hour they were gone to go to Walgreen’s.  We were back right before they returned.

We all left for church at 4:00 and Fr. Roy was in rare form because directives had come down on changes due to the coronavirus.  The first thing I noticed was the holy water fonts were empty.  He said he was going to fill them with Jose Cuervo tequila since the alcohol would kill any germs but he was afraid the neighbors might want to come bless themselves too much.  No holding hands at the Lord’s Prayer, no hand shaking at the sign of peace and no wine at Communion.  Fr. Roy said he was just glad there was no Lone Star or Shiner virus!

After Mass, we had two hours until show time so we drove to Alton, TX to Golden Chick.  We love the chicken there and I can have a roasted breast and fresh fruit!  Another pointless meal except I eat their yeast roll for probably 4 points but it is worth it.  We all enjoyed our meal.

Our entertainment was Spittin’ Image, a set of identical twin men who were hilarious.  Their music was very good and varied but their jokes and interaction with the audience was outstanding.  I have never seen John and Irene laugh so hard.  She said she would love to hire them for a private party!  They continued laughing just talking about it all the way home.

Sunday morning we headed to Mexico.  First up was my weekend concession, a cinnamon roll from Renee’s bakery with coffee.  We split up walking there because John was looking for a wallet and we ladies were just browsing.  By the time we met up at the restaurant, Ted had eaten his pastry.  John and Irene had eaten breakfast at their hotel so just had a drink.  The mariachi band was playing too; we didn’t know if they would on Sunday.

We left, but our stopping and looking was too much for the guys so they went to pick up John’s wallet.  He had his whole name put on it!  Then they went to Poncho’s and were on their second beer and margarita by the time we girls wandered in.  Irene bought two slide and earring sets, one for each of us.  I told her that was not necessary but she insisted.

We came home and looked at two coach house lots for sale, both belonging to our friends, Niles and Mark.  Irene calls them she sheds!  Mark has his lot rented to Mitzi and Ron and now lives in Fort Worth though he was here visiting last week.  Niles bought Mark’s house so now his lot and motorhome are for sale.  It seems there is a lot of “musical housing” going on!

Then we played a game of Shanghai.  Despite getting a Shanghai, I lost, coming in third in a race of four!  We had a B1G1F credit in our pizzaria account so we opted for hand tossed pizza for dinner.  We visited a bit more when we got back from the restaurant before our guests left to get a good night’s sleep before heading home.

It was a terrific weekend and I know they had a great time because when they got in the car John said they would come back next year!

No Company This Week

Wednesday morning Gerre called to say they were unable to come because through the night their daughter in law was taken by ambulance to the Philadelphia Medical Center Hospital to be put on an oxygenator to add oxygen to her blood.  It was getting touchy!  We told them not to give it another thought and just go to their son.  I have not heard from them with an update.

So Tom, Eileen, Ted and I went to church for Ash Wednesday then to London Grille for fish and chips.  It was really good!

Thursday we had free since our trip to Mexico wouldn’t happen.  Our garbage can cabinet soft closing glides decided to break and wouldn’t stay closed so we did a lot of research, bought a replacement, it didn’t fit so we went on line and are expecting what we think will do the trick.  It arrives Thursday.

Friday I played mahjong and we went to Golden Chick for their shrimp and catfish dinner with Eileen and Tom.

Smoking on the Rio was Saturday and we left at 8 am to arrive early to get in with enough time for the 10 am fajita meat judging.  We ran into Dave and Karen who had friends with them but they were assigned a different table so we really didn’t spend any time with them.  We walked around and were offered ribs, fajita, chicken, sausage and Tito’s vodka!  We eventually decided we were too full to do the 2:00 rib judging so we headed home.  We had a chance to regroup before church, followed by dinner, followed by a show at another park.  It was a Dolly Parton Tribute and most enjoyable.

Sunday was Wine and Cheese on the Patio for the ladies of Bentsen Palms as guests of the ladies of Retama.   We were all asked to bring a bottle of wine and a finger food.  I took Moscato so
I would have a wine I liked and a tray of chicken salad in puff pastry.  It turned out really, really well.

Tomorrow is ladies lunch preceded by a boat ride on the Rio Grande.

Disappointing News

Tuesday night we went out to eat with Sue and Niles.  We have spent very little time with just them. We all enjoyed our time together and talked of us stopping at their Minnesota home this summer.  We came back to a bad evening,  A camping and Words With Friends lady wrote to say her 53 year old daughter had a heart attack.  They put a stent in a 100% blocked artery and she is stable.  Then I saw some info on FB and called our friend Jay and he confirmed another camping couple had lost their 36 year old son.  He was found dead in bed and there were no results yet of the autopsy.  Then Gerre wrote and said her daughter in law was hospitalized with pneumonia and was seriously ill and on a respirator.  They called this morning to say they cannot come because she was taken to a Philadelphia hospital to be put on a machine to put oxygen into her bloodstream.  It is touch and go.  They have no children so her son could use some moral support.  I was afraid to answer the phone or open my IPad.    Please keep all these folks in your prayers.  Parents losing a child at any age is a tremendous loss to bear.

Last Saturday we went to another show after church and dinner.  On the way home we were stopped on the entrance ramp by a Mission policeman.  Tom pulled into the safety zone and the cop knocked on the back window next to me.  I couldn't get the window down because Tom had to unlock it.  When I did get it open he asked me if everything was ok.  Then he asked where we were coming from and we told him and that we were on our way home.  He ran Tom’s license and then said he made an improper lane change.  He came to a full stop at the entrance to the frontage road because two cars went by.  Then he pulled out, put his blinker on, then entered the left lane and onto the entrance ramp.  Whatever!  Everyone said they were probably looking for a red Jeep and he made up something to stop us.  That was The excitement for the night.

Sunday I did laundry and played mahjong.  Monday night we went to Mission West for their burger night.  Ted doesn’t have to ask me twice.

Tuesday after mahjong there was a Mardi Gras parade.  It normally comes down Lark Drive but they changed the route this year.  So a friendly (?) little snake showed up in the middle of the street to entertain us all.  Richard, the critter control guy, was in the parade so we had to keep an eye on where the snake went until he could come back to relocate him.

Some Cool Weather

I am not sure what we did the first part of the week but I did play mahjong on Tuesday.  Wednesday was our DRV owners luncheon at Smoked Oak BBQ in Mercedes.  We had 37 in attendance and feel it was successful. The food was excellent and we were given a large room just for us.  Hopefully new people will check us out on Facebook and join the group.

We went to Mexico afterwards  to pick up some more meds to finish up what we will need between now and the beginning of next year.

Thursday I joined the ladies for our weekly breakfast.  It is hard to be up and out by 8 but when you return at 10 dressed and fed you are set to get a lot of things done, especially errands, with such an early start.  Mahjong was Friday in our coach house since the clubhouse was being used for a fundraiser for Cinderella Pet Rescue.  I have been having a dry spell and not winning.

After church on Saturday we ate at Saltgrass with Tom and Eileen before going to Fiesta Village to see Dave and Daphne.  We knew nothing about them but boy were we fans by the time we left.  Great entertainers with big voices and so much talent.  We love the patriotism of these shows.  They start with the Pledge of Allegiance and end with singing the National Anthem, with gospel songs interspersed through their program.  There is always a salute to the Veterans in attendance.  You just come out feeling good with hope for our country.  Their music covers a range of all genres and is so fun to experience.

Sunday was another program at the clubhouse and knocked us out of playing mahjong. Maybe my ju-ju will be back when I finally get to play again and I will win!

A group of us went to Weslaco shopping on Tuesday.  I bought a dress and bathing bathing suit (both for Cancun) and an Easter outfit for Cece.  We had lunch at a NY deli restaurant before coming home.    Marissa and I had facials on Wednesday, something we do together each year.  Thursday Eileen was not feeling well but I had a very busy day.  I had 4 women to pick up for breakfast, when I got home I had a few minutes before picking up Trudy to go to Macy’s where I bought a pair of slacks, two tops and a blouse. I am done shopping!  I returned home and then left to get my nails done followed by grocery shopping.  It was dinner time before I got home.  The whole day was filled!

Friday I had another leather craft class and made a card holder.  I am not sure how well it will work, time will tell.  It was Eileen’s birthday so we took them to Mama Mia’s for dinner.  Ted picked up two Nothing Bundt Cake cupcakes that we took to the restaurant.  There was a large group of teenagers behind us attending a birthday get together.  They had a huge balloon on a stand right behind me.  I asked them if I could  borrow the balloon so we could sing to Eileen.  The table next to us joined in and then I returned the balloon.  Crazy old people!

Tomorrow is the village garage sale so we will wander around to visit more than anything.  I doubt there is anything for sale that we need.  We will go to church, out to eat and pick out a show to see afterwards.

Gerre and Barry arrive from Willis on Wednesday.  They are staying until Monday.  It will be another busy week!

Our Time Is Passing Quickly

We had a potluck before the Super Bowl and since I had bought three dozen eggs, I made half of them into deviled eggs and they all disappeared.  People seem to enjoy them.  We watched the first half of the game in the clubhouse, used half time to walk home (which I heard was a good thing to miss), and finished watching the second half at home.  I was glad Kansas City won.  I have never forgiven San Francisco for beating our Bengals back in the 1982 Super Bowl!  I can hold a grudge for a l-o-n-g time!

Monday was the ladies lunch at Buddy V’s, a very nice Italian restaurant.  The lunch special was soup or salad, a pasta and a cannoli.  I had tomato bisque soup since salads and I don’t get along, ravioli and a chocolate cannoli that I took home to Ted.  I thought the food and service were great And Ted really liked the cannoli.

I played mahjong on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, Trudy, Eileen and I went to Weslaco to visit the stores that provided the clothes for the fashion show.  Using my model’s discount I bought a pair of shoes, a Christmas gift, 3 tops, 2 capris and a baby book for Cece because she doesn’t have one yet.

I needed a day to take it easy so I skipped the weekly breakfast and just stayed close to home on Thursday except to take the baby book and DVD for Sam to the post office.  Friday we both got haircuts and I played mahjong.

We decided to go to the Don Wes flea market on Saturday.  But before that I got up early and drove to the Weight Watcher meeting and got weighed but didn’t stay.  I am back to the weight noted on 11/1 which was before Ireland, Michigan and the holidays so I again have my small cushion under goal.  I will not have to go again until we get home in March.  My 19 month record of staying within 2# under to 2# over stands!  An entertainer we enjoy was performing at the pavilion so we sat down for a bit in the sunshine.  Ted bought a mopping brush to clean the cars and RV and I bought racks to hold dominoes because I keep knocking mine over, plus two greeting cards.

We came home for a bit and then went to Mass.  The crowd has increased since the second wave of visitors arrived 2/1.  Starting 3/1 the exodus will begin.  The further north you live, the longer you hang out down here.  Minnesota folks are the last to leave.  Canadians can only be gone for six months or lose their medical coverage so they watch the calendar closely.  We plan to get home around 3/23 or so.

We headed to our new pizza place where they hand toss a custom made pizza allowing you to choose your crust, sauce, cheese and toppings.  Then it goes in the oven called the Beast and circles around until baked.  When we got up to leave Ted addressed an older Hispanic man who had arrived with his family in tow.  When the man said yes they were his children and grandchildren Ted told him they were going to stick him with the bill.  He laughed and said they already had.  They asked where we were from and what we do while here in Mission.  After chatting he gave us his card in case we ever had a problem or needed help.  He was the mayor!  We kept the card.

Then we were off to see Jason Coleman, the piano playing grandson of Floyd Kramer, Nashville’s most famous pianist.  We met John and Vivienne, plus John’s brother and sister-in-law at Bentsen Grove along with Tom and Eileen. Jason does such a great show that we have enjoyed it three years in a row.  I will happily see him again next year God willing.

I finally went to the laundromat on Sunday.  There are large washers and dryers so I can use three for white, colors and darks, all washing at the same time.  I do the same with three dryers.  When the first stops, if I have something not completely dry, I toss it into the last one that has an extra 10 minutes on it.  The second one stops just as the folding of the first is done.  If I find something damp, it goes in the last dryer.  Anything like bath mats or jeans that still aren’t dry get taken home and laid on the table in the coach house to finish drying.  Then I am done for two weeks!

This week we have our DRV Mobile Suites luncheon at Smoking Oaks BBQ in Mercedes.  We will go to Mexico after lunch to pick up Ted’s eyedrops.  We probably won’t go back then until Gerre and Barry come down.

Catching Up!

Saturday we went out to eat, then to church and eventually to see a husband and wife duo who were very accomplished guitarists and entertainers.  They sang songs from Hank Williams to The Carpenters to the Eagles.  It was quite entertaining and I bought their instructional DVD for our grandson who plays the cello and is teaching himself to play guitar.

Sunday we finally returned to play mahjong but this week we  missed  Tuesday and will not have the clubhouse available on Friday due to the fashion show and Sunday because of the Super Bowl party.  So a forced respite of sorts.

Monday was our day to get outfitted for the fashion show.  I am wearing brown boots, legging type sparkly jeans with a pink rusched tank top, pink suede fringed jacket and a straw colored hat along with turquoise necklace, earrings and hat decoration.  Not my normal wardrobe!  Ted will wear his own jeans, belt and boots since he is so hard to fit along with their plaid shirt and beige felt cowboy hat.  Our second outfits are a bit dressier.  I have a black ensemble with rhinestones up the side of the slacks legs, tank top covered in rhinestones and a 3/4 coat with rhinestones on the lapels.  My black boots are decorated with silver ankle bracelets and I will have a silver necklace and earrings plus a black hat.  Again, not my normal attire.  Ted will wear their black dress pants with his own black boots, their fancy cowboy belt and black and grey embroidered shirt and his own black hat.  If anyone shares photos of us I will post them.

Eileen and Tom’s friends came in from Florida and they wanted to take them to Gonzales Burgers and then over to Mexico.  The burgers are huge and I finally got Ted to agree to a 1/3-2/3 share until it came to the condiments.  We couldn’t agree so I ordered my own burger and nothing else,  He got his with nothing but onions and ordered fries.  I gave it the old college try but got about 2/3s through it then took the remaining meat and gave it to him, he ate it all as did everyone else but they all ate fries and onion rings too.  A lady came in by herself and told us she had lost 100# on WW, had waited seven years to come back to Gonzales Burgers and came alone so she didn’t have to share.  She was such a delight and found she could only eat half her burger and hardly touched her combo fries and onion rings!  We talked about maintenance and how hard it is down here with the constant food onslaught.  I wish her well!

The day was absolutely gorgeous and it was a pleasure walking around Progresso as both Eileen1 and Eileen2  checked prices on Voltaren that so many use for aches and pains.  We stopped in dozens of drug stores until my head was swimming.  All I needed was hairspray and toothpaste so I bought it there rather than stopping on the way home.  Finally she said to take Jim and Tom to Poncho’s Bar and get then a margarita while both Eileens and Ted pursued the best price!

Eventually they made their purchase, joined us for a drink and we came home.  Our street was hosting an outdoor meet and greet (bring your own chair and drink) so we grabbed chairs and water and headed to the corner.  We met folks visiting from Cincinnati and the man went to Elder!  We talked to them for a long time plus Marissa, just in from Nebraska,  

Wednesday the other four visited the Basilica of our Lady of San Juan, a beautiful church and grounds with life size sculptures sprinkled throughout of the Way of the Cross.  They went back to Mexico then visited the Iwo Jima  Memorial in Harlingen.  It is the original casting for the one in Washington.  We took the day off and went to card bingo in the evening.  We had just started when the four of them came in.  They missed the first game but got set up for the rest.  I won a quarter game and got $11!  Good laundromat money.

Ted shoots on Thursday so the five of us went to Riverside Club to catch the boat ride that would take us upriver where we could view the wall from the side facing the river.  They were finishing up the last half mile that day.

That evening we went to Cheddars for dinner and we said our goodbyes because their friends were flying back to Florida Friday morning.

The big day arrived to a sold out fashion show crowd.  Red plates, black napkins and rose petals graced the tables while the models scurried around getting into their selections.  Ted had to use the men’s bathroom at the pool because the one in the clubhouse was blocked by a table.  It was a lot of fun and he was a good sport.

I think everyone had a great time.  The delicacies served on platters at the tables were exceptional.  We raised $1,050 to be used at the elementary school for such things as jackets, warmer clothing, tennis shoes, socks, etc.  Many children have flip flops, T shirts and shorts.  When the cooler, and sometimes cold, weather arrives they are unable to dress properly.  Despite the poverty in the school it is a designated Blue Ribbon School with very high test scores.

And today is 2/1/2020!  I have started working on our summer travels.  Some dates have been finalized so I can move along now.

Oh oh! Behind Big Time.

Tom, Eileen and I did go to Mexico and had a good time.  We went to Jessica’s to order our meds.  Arturo invited us to have a margarita while they gathered them up.  We decided to have a bit of lunch while we waited.  I ordered lonches and they ordered a taco plate to share.  We were brought chips and salsa with our margaritas, Tom ordered a second drink and after our food was delivered and consumed, they brought a concha roll and two cinnamon rolls.  Total cost $12!  We were entertained by a couple doing Mexican native dances in various beautiful costumes.

Ted came home Thursday after Eileen and I had breakfast with the ladies.  I don’t remember all we did but I do remember telling him I was busy the whole time he was gone.  We played mahjong on Friday and Saturday night we went to Golden Chick for dinner.  After church we took in a show by the Punch Family.  It was a good show and we enjoyed it.  Sunday was another round of mahjong.

Karen and Dave were heading this way Monday and asked us to meet them at BJ’s for lunch.  Dave comes to shoot twice a week but this was my first opportunity to see them.  I certainly haven’t done much cooking!

Tuesday Ted went shooting and we played mahjong as usual.  That evening Eileen and I went to Rowe High School to see “Into the Woods.”  The scenery, costumes, acting and singing were terrific but it is kind of a weird Disney composition of many fairy tales.  I had read that the Disney movie of the story has been panned and I think I understand.  Younger children would miss a lot of the message and probably get confused.  There were a lot of Retama folks there.

We missed another dance class Wednesday when we met Dorsianne and Gary at Smoked Oak to check its suitability for a DRV Meet and Greet in February.  We were very impressed and chose 2/12 for the group meet.  Now we need to get the word out.

Here is HALF a chicken plate.  It was 5 pieces.  I ate two, Ted ate the leg and then finished the other two pieces for dinner Thursday night.  I never saw such a big chicken ever, anywhere!

From there we headed back over to Mexico for the last of all our med orders and mine.  The only ones left now are Ted’s eye drops and his analgesic cream he puts on his back and knees.  I got to feeling poorly so we didn’t stay there long.

Thursday I felt a whole lot better and used my time to go to the laundromat and do three loads of laundry.  I made three different kinds of treats for our Fashion Show Tea.  I filled three 8 x 8 foil pans that came with lids with peanut butter and lemon crinkle cookies and haystack candies.  I then wrapped them in foil and put them in the freezer until 1/31.  Friends of Eileen and Tom are coming next week and I wanted to get the baking out of the way so we are available to run.  Monday is our day to get our outfits for modeling and then three days of visitors and Friday will be the fashion show.

I forgot to mention I finally weighed in for January at WW and just made it!  A .2 more would have had me paying for being over.  Now I have until the end of February to get that 3# cushion back so I don’t have to be so concerned about being over goal.

I probably won’t write again until after the Fashion Show!

The Blustery Day

Tuesday was a mahjong day while Ted shot at the Mission Skeet Club.  Wednesday was our first dance class!  Oh my!  It was fun but teaching Ted the basic steps is a challenge.  The teachers are very good and explain so much.  How the gentleman leads the lady, invites her into the next step, etc. Now getting lead feet to slide gracefully is a lot harder!  He is excited to be missing next week’s class while he is in San Antonio!  I may get to dance with the teacher!  That evening we played card bingo and 5 of 11 games were won at our table, but not by us!

Lorraine, Mimi and I rode together to Cracker Barrel for our Thursday morning breakfast.  We had over 20 ladies, way more than our 8 the previous week.

After I dropped my two riders off I changed clothes and Mimi and I went shopping.  I bought a few pairs of capris and a blouse.  She was looking for some kitchen mugs.  We had an enjoyable time discussing the  two books of Maccabees that are in the Catholic bible but not King James.  We both had to come home and Google who the Maccabees people were.  Even after all our research we are still in the dark.

We met Jay and Stella Friday at Ron Hoover RV for their customer appreciation day.  We looked around at some of their stock but they had nothing that was of interest to us.  We had a hot dog, chips and Coke before parting company and heading back home so I would be in time for mahjong.  I won a game but last week I was winning more!

We had dinner and accepted an invitation to “burgers on the patio” at Sue and Niles for Saturday night after church.  I had to take a dish so I made a grape salad since I couldn’t cook and be in church at the same time.  We appreciate our friends being considerate of us on Saturday night and setting their activity times to give us time to return from church.  We will just grab what we need to take and go right over.

The weather around the country was bad for traveling last weekend.  Tom and Eileen had to hold up in the FL panhandle so didn’t come in on Sunday.  Ted went shooting and I played mahjong.  Monday  I took Ted to Enterprise to rent a car to drive to San Antonio and Houston then I went to a leather craft class.  It isn’t perfect but my credit cards and license fit fine.
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When I returned, Tom and Eileen had arrived and were parked across the street.  They were both so tired I think they were asleep before 8:00.

Wednesday we three attended the Winter Texan Expo.  We collected all the pens, sunglasses, HEB coupons, hand sanitizer, tape measure, coffee mug, pillbox, cutting board, drinks, candy, etc. that are passed out with lots of shopping bags and ads plus had our photo taken.

When we returned, Eileen and I played mahjong and afterwards we took a walk to the mailbox and then returned to our own RVs.  Our plan is after my Fashion Show refreshment planning meeting on Wednesday, we will head to Mexico for the day.  Ted will be home some time on Thursday.

Enjoying Great Weather

We bailed on the NYE party and just came home after our dinner out.  We must be getting old,  our couches sounded too good to pass up.  It rained all day New Years Day and we stayed in.  It was a very nice New Years holiday after the pace of November and December.

Thursday was ladies breakfast out and I picked up Joanne.  There were only 8 of us so
I guess others were still recuperating from partying.  Afterwards I decided to go to the laundromat because Ted was shooting.  I hope to be able to go just once every two weeks.  Hopefully we have brought enough clothes to make that work.

Friday I put a rump roast in the crockpot with celery, potatoes, onions and carrots planning to eat it for dinner.  I played mahjong in the afternoon and we all discussed dinner.  Linda said they were going out for pizza and Sue was having tuna something.  When I came home the roast was not nearly done!  So I wrote to Linda and asked if they were still going out and she said no.  Then she wrote back and said yes.  We got in our car, got as far as the front gate and Sue wrote “is it too late to go too” so Ted turned around and the six of us went for pizza!

Saturday was so pretty and Ted worked with Niles getting things moved from their coach house across the street to their new house down the street.  Tom and Eileen are coming next week and parking on their site.  So they have to move their motor home, it will be taken to a dealer to be sold on consignment.  We ended up with a set of shelves for our coach house.  So now we have a patio set, two folding tables and the shelves.

We went to church for the Epiphany celebration.  The kings and camel (llama) followed the star moving down the aisle high above.  They were a little heavy on the incense!  When I got up to go to Communion, a man in the pew in front of us was looking at the football scores.  I whispered “who is winning.”  At that time it was Buffalo!  We came home, ate the pot roast that finally got done late Friday night and watched the rest of the football game with Houston winning!

We met Vivienne and John at Mission West Park to see a newcomer to the valley entertainment scene.  Advertised as the yodelin’ cowgirl,  Naomi Bristow was a mere slip of a girl with a big voice and a guitar.  She was terrific and we thoroughly enjoyed her performance.

Sunday was so sunny and warm I didn’t know if I wanted to spend my afternoon in the clubhouse playing mahjong.  But Ted was checking my car’s fuses and relays because the front blower is not working.  The A/C works but only the back fans are working.  The fuses were OK so the relay is suspected but no one had the #3 relay he needed.  He will take it to Ford Monday morning to hopefully get a new relay and that will fix the problem.  So I played mahjong and won one game.

Ted got up bright and early and went to Ford.  He told the guy what was happening so he banged under the dash and the blower came on.  It needs to be replaced but I needed the car so he came home.  We will need to get an appointment to get that taken care of. When I left to pick up my lunch dates it was still blowing!

I picked up four ladies with the fifth not going because she didn’t feel well.  What a crowd we had, about 25 people!  The day was beautiful and when I came home Ted had washed most of the trailer and emptied the tanks.

We had just finished  our dinner and I was giving the inside of the microwave a good cleaning when Sue and Niles stopped to see if we had eaten and if not did we want to go to Cowboy Chicken.  I thanked her but said we had eaten, maybe next time.

The Bachelor is back on but these girls are getting so mean and aggressive that I may stop watching.  It seems to be just a competition that they won’t know what to do with the prize!

Last Week of 2019

We had a fairly quiet weekend after the week of activity getting here.

Sunset looking out our RV door,

I was anxious to play mahjong again but I had not even looked at the new card for 2019 that arrived at home on April 1 let alone actually played in our Newcomers group.  So Friday was my first attempt - and I won two games!  What a confidence builder!

We had a list of some meds for our friend and our daughter so we headed to Mexico.  The reports have been to not cross into Reynosa or Matamoras and Progresso was iffy.  I read about the incident in the parking lot and determined it was a local encounter of young folks so we went ahead.  If the parking lot was empty or things felt strange when we crossed the bridge, we would duck into the first pharmacy, get what we needed and come right home.

The parking lot was full, people were walking across the bridge, the streets were crowded and all appeared normal.  We stopped in Jessica’s and gave our list to Arturo and went into the restaurant for free coffee while we waited.  Later in the day it becomes free margaritas!

The coffee cup they served Ted’s coffee in!  He didn’t see it until I started laughing.

They had all we needed except for a fourth box of what our friend needed.  Also he had not given me enough to buy four.  I texted him and we agreed I would buy the three, mail them to him and float him a loan to buy the fourth box when it became available and we could bring it home before he needed it.  So that’s what we did.

Ted wanted a pedicure so I walked the entire town stopping at every pharmacy, and there are many, but could not find a fourth box of pills.  I did stop at El Disco to buy a painted glass set of salt and pepper shakers to replace the ones my niece left in her cabin in Nashville during the family reunion.  I brought them along with the 5 dozen scrambled eggs I made but she didn’t realize they were mine.

Our last stop was at Rene’s where we normally have coffee and cinnamon rolls but it was late so I chose lonches for lunch instead.  They brought us chips covered with white and yellow melted cheese while I waited and Ted ate his roll in front of me!  I am dealing with less than a pound over goal and need to make it go away.

My plate came with four (!) sandwiches.  I took the tomato, avocado and grilled onions off then made two meat and onion sandwiches for Ted and put the tomato back on mine.  Neither of us eat avocados.  They are small so two was just right!  And Ted ate breakfast and lunch in succession!

When we crossed the bridge to come home, people were being stopped on the bridge at the actual border.  In years gone by everyone could cross into the US, half a bridge length, before arriving at Customs, but no more.  We had our passports in our hands and were waved through.  I tell Ted we look like Joe and Josephine Tourist so they don’t waste time getting us out of the way.

We stopped at Dickies to return my jeans.  They had the tiny 3 inch zipper and sat too low.  They were just uncomfortable.  I got two tops and Ted a new jacket instead.  We went to church at 5:00 and came home.

Sunday Ted went shooting and I played mahjong again.  I won three games!  Getting jokers certainly helps!  I made three 8 x 8 trays of lasagna for dinner.  Two I stuck in the freezer for another time.

The only thing we did Monday was drive to the post office in Penitas to mail the two boxes of drugs - one to Texas, the other to Michigan.  We still need to get Ted’s eye drops, his analgesic back cream and my two boxes of Eliquis to stay out of the donut hole next November and December!

Tonight is New Year’s Eve.  Our plans are to go to church at 6 pm, eat out somewhere then check in on the 6 hour party at the clubhouse.  I doubt we stay until midnight, but maybe the 11 pm CST ball drop in NYC on TV will do.

Merry Christmas

The weather was warm and the holidays beautiful but Christmas attire was out of the question because I would have been very warm.  We were invited to Nile’s and Susan’s for heavy appetizers and drinks Christmas Eve.  I made deviled eggs because they are hearty and easy and they were not cheese spreads, sausage and crackers.  They have bought a house so are no longer across the street from us, just a short walk though.  

We had called church to find out Mass times and we both had 8:00 in our heads.  The lady giving out the info was not a great English speaker so just maybe she said it wrong versus us hearing wrong.  So we left the gathering and arrived to see people leaving!  This didn’t bode well.  Ted parked and I went to read the sign in front.  There had been a 6:30 Mass that was just letting out and another at 8:30!  So we went back to Walgreen’s to pick up some things and still returned in time to get a good parking spot and seat in church.  

Fr. Roy did not disappoint.  Mary and Joseph came down the aisle with the donkey, Jesus magically appeared from under Mary’s cloak, the angel of the Lord rose above the group, opening her wings to show gold lights outlining the underside and shepherds appeared from the right.  When they got to the heavenly host of angels part, two dozen children dressed in white robes and silver tinsel halos ran down the center aisle to the manger ringing bells all the way.  What fun!  When we left, the beautiful church bells were playing Christmas carols, all the grounds were dressed in colored lights and despite the temperature and palm trees, it felt like Christmas!  

Christmas Day I made sweet potatoes and raw cranberry relish to contribute to the clubhouse potluck. John and Vivienne who had been work camping next door came over to join us.  She had made a chocolate pie and vodka soaked cherries dipped in chocolate.  There were four long tables of food plus two tables of desserts.  The ham and rolls were supplied and everything else was home made.  I did not see one thing that looked store bought.  There was a great turnout and everything went very smoothly.  Kudos to the committee!

We returned to the RV and had a few hours until our very good friends that we had not seen in some time, Jay and Stella, came to visit.  I prepared a plate of sausage, cheese, crackers and some candy and cookies.  We had such a nice visit for a few hours before we called it a night.  It was so good to see them and I know we will see them some more.  

The day after Christmas was the off site ladies breakfast.  I was to pick up three ladies, actually got four, and joined another group at the Griffin Grille.  I ended up taking five home!  They are glad my Expedition is back!

Just to be sure I didn’t sit down too long, we received a text from Niles:  3 o’clock wall tour, 4:00 o’clock leftover Christmas food and drinks on the patio.

This is a wall being built on private property with private funds and will be 3.5 miles long.  It borders sugar cane fields that were a perfect place for illegals to hide as soon as they came off the Rio Grande River.  There has been very few crossings since 24 hour guards are on the worksite and sensors turn on lights if tripped.  

This is how they are staged in preparation for placement.

Then they are “picked up” by this heavy equipment.  The horizontal bars are the lifters, not part of the fence.

Then they are set in these troughs and set in concrete.

The ground between the river and fence has already been hydro seeded, gets watered on a consistent basis and trees are being planted.  The other side will continue to be planted in sugar cane.  It is a massive undertaking but it pushes crossings into fewer areas and allows the Border Patrol to more easily apprehend them.  

Upon our return I took a big platter and did just what Niles said.  I put small remaining amounts of cheese, sausage, cookies, fruit cake and candy, plus a basket of crackers together and headed to their patio.  We all had to share a memory from days gone by.  We shared our story of riding the bus in Strasberg, France and almost getting caught without a ticket.  

Breakfast, House Tour, Lunch

I agreed to take Esther (age 8o something) to the Newcomers December meeting that was a continental breakfast at the country club, house tours to see five decorated homes, then back to the country club for lunch.  There was a sing along, a visit from Santa with a small gift for all and a raffle.  I only took a few photos because I had my phone set up with the addresses and kept forgetting to take it in with me.

Friday our granddaughter and her in-laws arrived for the weekend.  Because we needed to take the RV to the campground to get loaded up, we moved it a day early so we could give them the house since there were five of them plus the baby.

They arrived at 5:15 and we had to leave for a dinner at 5:30.  We warned them of this and they were fine because they were all tired from the long trip from Michigan.  We gave them a few instructions on using things and left for dinner at Irene’s plus an evening of cards.  I was winning until the last hand, and though I got down, it was too little too late!

We spent Saturday with just the kids while the others visited their family.  Then we met at our favorite Mexican restaurant.  I don’t know who was more excited, the staff who were happy to have Mexicans ordering stuff we didn’t even recognize or our guests who were delighted to find real Mexican cuisine.

Ally joined us for church on Sunday and once the van was all loaded up, the others left for the family AirBnB that had been rented and we took our kids to breakfast/lunch then dropped them off to join the others.  We went back home, laundered the linens and took down what few decorations I had up then retreated to the RV in preparation for our Monday morning departure.

We had an uneventful travel day and made the trip to Mission in 7 hours.  We were set up in no time (thank you, Niles, for the parking assist).  We spent time unloading stuff into the coach house and settling the inside.  Our evening was quiet.