It seems to have been awhile since we chatted. Jan., Feb. and March are the busy months while everyone is here. This year we were only at 95% capacity, most parks are at 60% capacity or less, a sign of the times?? The economy of course is a major cause, high fuel costs is another, but the one the parks are concerned about is that as the older generation passes on they are not being replaced by the younger generation. Not sure what or where the younger retirees are doing/going?
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| Jane recuperating |
The last post was Feb. 8th, on Feb. 9th at 2:30AM we had an emergency with Jane, persistant severe chest pains, we as 1st responders called the 1st responders for help. Within minutes we had a team at our door as well as a couple of retired nurses, the ambulance arrived shortly thereafter and off to McAllen Heart Hospital. The test showed a deficiency of manganese (who would of guessed), thus causing muscle spasms in her chest. They administered liquid manganese and finally after 2 1/2 hours the pain subsided and once stabilized we were released at 6AM. We found a local Doctor for followup and everything seems to be back to normal. Jane was quit weak with a bruised type feeling in her chest. We didn't know how important manganese is to our heath, apparently it controls muscle action and a deficiency could cause death if not treated immediately.
I wish I could say, on to better news, but we had a further financial setback with this car that we bought. One thing after another, a new battery, a new tire and the last one was ball joints. When they pulled the wheels they found that both front coil springs are broken. We repaired the ball joints and are being careful on our short trips. I made a deal with our lawn maintenance contractor, the car 'as is' for 12 months of lawn care. We will bite the bullet, take the loss and bring down Jane's PT Cruiser in the Fall and just leave it here.
Now onto better news.
We worked the Valentines Day Dinner/Dance for our admittance and it was worth it. Great food, entertainment and fellowship. I have bum knees so dancing was at a minimum. As it turned out Jane was still recuperating so we left early.
The next day we were off to our annual bike to breakfast picnic at Edinburgh Municipal Park where we did some biking, damaged a whole bunch of donuts and coffee.
On Sat. the Park had it's second 'Yard Sale' but we played low key and stayed close to home so we didn't have to buy that 'thing' that we can't live without but never would use it. Been there, done that too, right, aye!!!!
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| Daisy, Jane, Paul & Marco Polo |
We have to buy our special dog food from the vet. that contains medication/pain control for Polo's #5 hip dysplasia. (Thank goodness for spell check) We pay $77 per bag here, in Canada, the same bag is $106 and it lasts about 3 weeks. That is the typical 'Cost of Living' ratio down here, at least 30+%.
The Park sponsored a NASCAR party in the Rec Centre using their big screen but unfortunately only had about a dozen people show up. There seemed to be lots of private parties going on throughout the park. May need a little more promotion next year.
On Feb. 25th they had their annual 'Quilt' Show, quilting is very popular here in the park and they produce beautiful quilts.
The Texas Grandmas donate small quilts to the 1st Responders to give to patients that have to go to the (cold) hospital in a (cold) ambulance. PS: I think that's why Jane got sick; shush, don't tell her I said that. Instead of going to the Quilt Show we had to rush to Mexico to get Jane's medicine that she ran out of....it was her 'stay nice' medication so there was no argument on my part, off we went immediately, to save the marriage, lol!
Most meds are cheap in Mexico, but this one wasn't one of them. We searched for $64 and couldn't make it and offered to try to get some from my debit card out of Canada. He gave us the meds and said to pay him on our next visit...can you believe that, I guess we looked desperate and honest OR he knew what these pills were for and wanted to save my life, lol!
We have a group of people from our old Canadian Park (Alpine Resort) that stay at "Victoria Palms RV Resort", it is huge, 2200 sites (we have 400), and we were invited to join them for their Pot Luck get to gather at Al and Laura's. It was on this trip where I picked up a screw and ruined a tire. Another couple Ken and Joan have a site over in Mission, Texas and they were having a CDN get together next weekend. It seems that our major activity is 'Eating' and my expanding waistline can verify that.
On March 1st our park sponsored a new activity
'Ice cream social' and it was FREE! With 'FREE' comes a major turnout, the place was packed, all for an ice cream carton with a cookie. Of course we were there because it was 'FREE' and we like ice cream. It was fun too!
March 3rd was a full day, we took Alex and Mary (visting at Victoria Palms) from Lindsay to the local Mexican Flea Market at 9AM, at 12:30 we had our annual Canadian Pot Luck lunch and at 3PM we were of to Ken and Joan's in Mission for their Pot Luck. I know this may be hard to believe but I did not touch a morsel of food for fear of exploding. My freshly baked bread went over well and I had one slice left over for breakfast.
Our 1st Responders Leader that got this organization on the road is a nurse and she also offers blood pressure testing for us at 7AM on Tuesdays. Jane should be monitoring her BP as it has been known to be erratic and still is. We stayed for 'pancakes and bacon' which also is available for $3 on Tues. AND I love pancakes down here. I never eat them at home, I even cook my own down here????
March 5th was our second organized trip to see the local NBA basketball farm team 'The Vipers'. They picked us up, fed us, played bingo for us with great prizes, great seats and drove us home just-in-time for our 10PM curfew, some couldn't make it and napped on the bus, one guy we call 'Big Richard' actually was Zzzzzing during the game.
March 6th was a fun start, my front wheel collapsed and had to tow the vehicle to an auto repair shop. What I originally thought was a brake problem turned out to be ball joints and broken coil springS. I patched it up for the rest of the season. At 11:30 AM was the annual 'Style (fashion) Show', Jane was one of six models. It broke her heart to have to give back the clothes that she chose to fashion, everyone said she looked good too!
We are seeing more and more of 'Last of the Season' functions, March 7th was our last 'Baked stuffed potato', these are to kill for and will be missed by these flavour buds in my mouth.
On the 8th was our last official 'Bike to Breakfast' trip, which is our annual BBQ, where we trailer the bikes to Memorial Park, coffee and treats, do some biking to and from Edinburgh Municipal Park and then pig out with the best sausage on a bun and hamburgs ever. The ladies bring salads and deserts and there are lots of cold drinks.
March 9th we received our very 1st response to a medical emergency. This nice lady has had some ongoing medical issues, Jane held her hand and gave her some warm words of encouragement until the ambulance arrived.
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| Pat, Vic, Bob and Betty |
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| Russel & Dee |
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| Violet |
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| More FOOD |
On the 12th, our good friends from Kentucky (Who decided to sell everything and move here permanently) had their annual departure party which they decided to call their 2nd annual 'Hacienda Night'. It was a nice gathering of close friends and of course a ton of awesome home cooked 'FOOD'. I should mention that our dear 94 year old friend Violet was out and about on her own after missing most of the winter from a fractured pelvis. So glad she is back in the kitchen too, her chicken was out of this world.
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| Progresso Mexico |
On the 13th we went back to Mexico to pay off our debt with thanks and get 'Heart-worm' medicine for the dogs. We did a quick walk, mistake, as Jane blew her last $5 on a green too-too that fell apart and went into the garbage when we got home.
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| Flag Presentation |
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| Canadian Corner |
On the 14th we had the 'BIG' even of the year, the parks 'Appreciation Day Event' (FREE) with a total turnout. Always a fun day with lots of laughs and food of course. This year it was 'pulled pork' instead of greasy Churches Chicken. The presentation of your State/Province/Country is always a heart warming experience
'All for one and One for all'.
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| Daisy McNulty |
All this was followed with entertainment until tired.
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Bruce on the right is a professional entertainer
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Today was our annual St. Patrick's Day Dog Show. There were roughly 30 dogs and 1 cat. They were all dressed up in their 'GREENS' for the day. Always fun and amazed at how well behave they all where, including the brave cat. We even had a huge but friendly Bouvier and his Dad Pierre from Sherbrooke Quebec.
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| Pierre and Theo |
Tomorrow will be another fun filled day with our annual decorated bike, golf cart, motor scooter parade. In the afternoon Jane are going to visit friends back at Victoria Palms that will be departing soon.
As the say down here
Adios Amigos, until we meet again!
Paul & Jane
It is that time of the year to say 'Goodbye' to our Winter Playground. Our departure date is next Wed. April 24th, subject to weather conditions (Hurricane Season). Our route pretty well has to follow 'our plan' as we have to rely on 'Pilot Flying J Service Centres' as our means of fuel and food.
