BUSY! BUSY! BUSY!

Howdy Folks,

So scary, many of our new friends are starting to make plans to return home. Our good friends Vic and Pat will be returning to Kentucky next week, they will cause a void in our lives and be missed by many others in the Park. They, like us, decided to buy a place and return in the Fall.

Since my last offering, when it was freezing, now it's very HOT in the 90's, we prefer the 90's.

We have been taking advantage of tours to local historical sites and current events. A tour through the 'Border Patrol' facility was an enlightenment of how big an operation it really is and the serious need of border protection. The 'Cartel' in Mexico seems to be more powerful than the Mexican Government in money, men and power. Illegal entry of poor Mexicans doesn't seem to be the major problem. Just recently an American agent was killed at a 'Cartel' road block. More and more visitors and locals are avoiding entry into Mexico to do their shopping.

Alamo, Texas is known as 'Two Summers' and cater to us 'Winter Texans' in a big way. The Town and the Chamber of Commerce sponsored an outside Winter Texan Appreciation Day BBQ/Entertainment party. We, Jane and I, even won a 10lb bag of oranges, as well as being fed and entertained for 4 hours.

We went on a 'Trolly Tour' through Rio Grande City and had lunch in a completely restored historical hotel, La Borge House circa 1887. I made a Photo presentation on my Picasa Site, (picasaweb.google.com/mcnpaul) hope you had a chance to view it.

We have been maintaining our Friday morning 'Bicycle to Breakfast' trips. Jane has graduated from a 'Car' member to a 'Biker' member, congratulations Babe. Last night a group called 'The Texas Grandma's' sponsored a fund raising dinner to support local underprivileged children and there are many along the Rio Grande Valley. They 'The Grandmas' put on a great meal and we all felt that we were able to give back something to the local communities that actually welcomes us "Winter Texans' who come and invade their territory.

Until next time....keep the rubber side on the road!

New owners

Yes, it's true, our money finally arrived, certified and paid. Just have to transfer and received title. This was one hassle that I would not want to live through again. Of course we did not plan on buying this year so that caught us off guard and unprepared, receiving bad advice, Amex screwing things up and the RV Park not accepting our Amex Card all worked out to confusion and chaos. Those involve turned out to be very helpful, sympathetic and patient.

The weather has not been terrific, we had a deep freeze and many plants, shrubs and trees where damaged. Some public landscaped parks where wiped out. We had every towel/blanket out on our plants and shrubs and still got some damage. Gave me the incentive to do some overdue thinning of the front garden.

I was able to hook up a google phone so much of my calling to CDN banks was free. Much of my time during the past couple of weeks was trying to settle this financial mess. I spent some time getting quotes for truck repairs and going back and forth to Farmers Mutual in Lindsay, that project is still a work in progress.

We took a tour of the original pump house that irrigated the Rio Grande Valley, that helped to bring in the new settlers to farm, the rest is history. Hidalgo County is surrounded with history and the County is dedicated to recondition the few remaining 'original' buildings. I sent out a notice to view pics on Picaso, let me know if you didn't see them and I'll send you a link.

The old shed has been torn down, debris removed and the newer shed has been moved to it's new home. Next year we will build a raised deck under the awning.

Jane fell off her bicycle 4 times and we finally bought her a 3 wheel trike B4 she hurt herself.

We made a visit to Victoria Palms RV Resort in Donna, Tx (10 miles) where most of our neighbours from our Lindsay RV Park go for the Winter. We had a bonus of having another Park neighbour visiting from Florida where they have a Park trailer.

Another visit to our favourite flea market found us coming home with a large salt lamp and more magnetic necklaces and pocket bullets, no more arthritis but a sore back from all this extra weight, LOL!

On Feb. 1st we took a trip over to Mexico via Progreso, where we parked the vehicle and walk over the bridge. We picked up some blankets and medication. Most Winter Texans go there for medications, dentistry and eyewear, plus the usual booze and smokes. Military personnel are very visible for our protection from their banditos. There are not to many safe crossings anymore. Last week was a bad disturbance by Brownsville, Tx which was unusual.

On Feb. 2nd we went to San Padre Island, the holiday place to be while in Texas but is $$$ expensive. It was a Snow Bird convention oriented towards Canadians and was a good show with all Canadian talent including Ronnie Profit, Rich Little and Rita O'Neil were cancelled. Unfortunately it was a terrible cold and overcast day so we had to use our imagination on the 'Fun of a Resort Island', temp never got over +1F. The Interstate hwy was closed that evening from freezing rain. It got as low as 25F overnight and many trees, shrubs and plants were lost from the frost.

On Feb. 3rd was the final shipment of our new leather living-room furniture and 50" TV so now we don't go anywhere, LOL! The Fri. Bike to Breakfast trip (Fri 4th) was cancelled as the roads were still to slippery. Sat. 5th I trimmed our shrubs and plants of the frost damage even though we covered everything with every available blanket and towel. I just did the same tonight (Feb. 9th), expecting 28F as a low.

Monday the 7th we made contact with a local Vet, Marco Polo needed medication for his hip displachia, the Vet we chose more than met our expectations.

Yesterday we finally paid for this home with a certified cheque so everyone is happy and a major monkey is off my back.

Till next time, stay warm and fuzzy