STOP THE CLOCK!!!

Time is moving to fast. Then again I got a picture from home and I feel much better. Fog, rain, ice, I remember it all to well.

It has been quiet around here of late, perhaps it's because we have stayed close to home. Jane was picked for an acting part at an audition in Pharr, Tx. (A small Town 10 mins away). They had trouble getting actors and Jane was asked to change parts because she had a better singing voice than the other lady. Then Jane got sick as well as some of the other actors. Jane was close to her annual bout of Bronchial Pneumonia, Dr., chest xray and prescriptions to treat Bronchitis. She is still fighting it, making her weak, tired and with all the coughing, the singing is a little shaky too!  They had 4 weeks to prepare and I'll tell you there was major scrambling at the end. One lady broke her leg and another fellow just never showed up. There's show business for you, BUT as the say, the show goes on and damn it did, and damn it, it was good. I saw the full dess rehearsal on Thursday and opening night was Friday. Someone took a video so I will share it with you next time.

Jane and I  are on the 1st responders team and our team got its first call this week. I went and we just kept the area clear so the ambulance medics could do their thing. The lady woke up and couldn't walk, she's back home and walking again and that's good.

I've been helping out around the park by taking tickets and working the concession booth at some of the functions. I get to see the entertainment free so it's a win-win situation for all.

I overloaded my hard drive and lost a lot of stuff. I had a lot on memory chips, current pictures still in the camera and google had my email addresses. Could have been a lot worse, remember to backup, I learned a costly lesson.

Jane's long time friend Anne Marie (Her Maid of Honour) is coming for a 10 day visit, Feb. 23rd to March 4th. We will plan some activities for her (and us) to enjoy. She will be here in time to see Jane's final performance at the theatre.

This afternoon at 2:30 PM a cool front came down from 'The North' and we will be in the mid 60's for this coming week, which is probably seasonal for this time of year here in Texas. In 2004 they were able to make snowmen one day, of course by noon it was all gone. They were like little kids when the snow came. LOL! (sick)

Till next time, stay warm and safe.
Paul & Jane
Today is the first day of the rest of your life, enjoy it!

Damn Canadians!!!

Howdy Y'all!
This cool snap of a windy 70 degrees is coming down from the North. We much prefer the gust of warm weather from Mexico thank you very much!

We have been on the quiet side of late, no tours and pretty well staying close to home. We are limited to the amount of funds to play with this year, being in a cast and paying for staff to run the Chip Truck last Summer, has reduced our 'fun' money to just about zero. We have everything on site to keep us busy 24 hours a day so there is no need to travel to far from home.

Last wednesday was the first time in the pool??? I don't know what took me so long, maybe all the painting at the beginning set me up on a wrong schedule of 'no play and all work' which I have since corrected, lol! I found that the whirlpool (I call the poor mans massage) was wonderful for my aching body. My shoulders seem to be still suffering from my fall when I tore my Achilles tendon. That to, is still not healed completely and is limiting my walking abilities. I hate to even think that all this 'may' be from getting old??? I do tell the ladies that I'm just a young stud trapped in an old body, hee! hee! Doesn't work tho!!
Jane and I are active with the 1st Response Team, we are on call 2 days a week and last Mon we went to a refresher course on CPR. It was more than a refresher for me since it must be close to 25 yrs. since my last training, and there were many changes/improvements. I hope that I don't have to use my new found skills, but if I can help save a life, at least I'm willing, able and prepared.

We have a local clinic come in and do a quick medical check (mostly blood work and blood pressure) every week for those that want it. We check Jane's blood once a month as there is a concern with her red/white blood cell count so it is nice this service is available.

The Park has a monthly General meeting to bring us up to date with the good and bad things that are happening in the park, mostly good. Some people still don't clean up the 'poop' from their dogs!!! Can you believe! Some people try to drive out the 'IN' side of the entrance.  Can you believe! Jane was singled out at the general meeting, as being 'one of our own' having an acting part in a public little theatre in the neighbouring Town of Pharr, Texas. Jane is doing a lot of line and rehearsal training for her up and coming theatrical debut in Feb. She was asked to changed to a larger part because she has a nice singing voice. I will try to create an interest in our park and Carol, the director would be happy to arrange for a presentation of the play, on our stage, in our park.

There are loads of top entertainment every week, usually Tues, Fri. and Sat. and they always get a great turnout.  Where else can you get 2 hours of high end entertainment for $5 a head. Jane and I volunteer wherever we can. Square and Line dancing are also very popular in South Texas.


Luckily I don't have a problem bicycling and look forward to our 'Friday, bike to breakfast trip'. Jane is better on the bike this year and has been out on a few trips or follow with other non bikers in vehicles. We are known as a 'Social Club' not an 'Endurance Club'. Our longest trip is about 4 miles and that's about my limit, especially when bicycling into the wind. The RGV, Rio Grande Valley, is about 85% Hispanic so the menus have a good assortment of Spanish/Mexican dishes, I like to experiment.

In Donna, Texas they converted a  house in to a burger place. They have a limited menu.....burgers, but not just any burgers, these suckers are a full 16 oz's of pure beef, one burger is suggested for two people. Their onion rings are the best I, as a professional burger guy, has ever tasted. I heard that they bring in about 75 lbs of fresh ground lean beef from their farm daily and when it's all sold they close for the day. It was  well worth the trip.

 Our next big even is going to a 'ropa' warehouse. Here they open huge bales of end of line mixed clothing; Mixed, like mixed sizes, type and young and old gender. You fill a bag/pillow case with the treasures you find and cash-out by paying so much per pound, about 30/35 cents a lb.

This month is coming to an end which means that we are 1/2 way through our Winter Retirement. We love it down here and at this point in time are not looking forward to returning home. That could be from the weather reports that we are receiving. LOL!

Our upcoming excitement is of course Jane's play; 'This River is Gold', a visit from Jane's 'Maid of Honour' at our wedding (Anne Marie) and possibly my brother Rick.

Still lots of 'Fun-n-Sun' ahead, so stay tuned!

Paul & Jane

The 'REAPER' is coming

WISHING Y'ALL A 'COOL YULE' FOR 2012

Here it is New Years Eve, a time to reflect on the past 12 months. For me, they have just flown bye, which means that I must be having FUN! This is our second season in sunny Texas without snow, sleet and freezing rain. We love every minute of it too!

 

Things that I remember and want to forget include: A) arriving in Canada last April to be greeted to cold and flooding rain. We blew a wheel bearing somewhere on the return trip and luckily the wheel remained on the 5th wheel, the chrome rim was steel blue from the heat and we didn't even know we were crippled. We are grateful that this didn't result in a serious accident. 

B) Tearing my Achilles Tendon in early July which wiped me out as chief cook and bottle washer at my Chip Truck 'The Works' for the rest of the season.


C) Packing up and moving the 5th wheel to another RV Park with a little longer season. We set up Camp at Riverwood Park mid Oct. and left on Oct. 24th. 
 (They say everything comes in 3's!)

The good news is that we were able to sell both, The chip truck 'The Works' and  the property 'Balsam Station'. This means I am officially retired, although Jane, bless her, is keeping my 'job jar' full.


We arrived at our Park in Texas on Oct. 26th, 3 days at 11 hrs easy driving per day. The weather was awesome as well as the State highways.


The front garden was like a jungle with a Papaya Tree growing up the centre of the garden to over the height of the roof. We cut it down last week after enjoying some of its fruit.


We have renewed friendships and created new friends too! Jane has been enjoying the Park's facilities, water aerobics, line dancing, walking and biking. I have been trying to empty the job jar but have enjoyed some functions, volunteer helper, and biking. We painted the inside of the trailer as well as the outside doors and shutters.  I enclosed a private reading/entertaining area under our awning too.

Jane auditioned for a part in a play (This River is Gold) to be held early Feb. in Pharr, Tx. and she got it (Mabel), what a gal.

We went on a Christmas Tour of Lights last week and it was a great showing.       

Tonight is Christmas Eve and we will be spending the evening at home with the dogs. The locals go crazy with firecrackers and shooting guns, the dogs get so upset we have to care for them all evening. The 'Big Bangs' have started.

We are having a dinner party with our friends tomorrow.

Till next time TTFN!

More Rain in Paradise!!!

I was feeling like this was home until I checked the weather at home in Lindsay, Ontario. I'd rather be here in Texas. It has been quiet with the McNulty's, and that's okay. I have all the 'major' paint areas done and put aside the brush for a bit. Jane painted 2 coats to the outside doors and shutters and I finished it off with a 3rd and final coat. We cut down the Papaya tree and cleaned out the front gardens. We lost 2 nice plants in the lawn garden and may just settle with a nice 3 tier bird bath that doesn't need watering. The Papaya tree was a water obstacle so the plants didn't get enough water and died.

Jane auditioning for Mabel

Jane has been getting 'cabin fever' and has been doing more line dancing and helping the 'Activities' Director on a volunteer basis. Pat, our A.Dir. in a semi-volunteer position. She works about 60 hrs a week but gets min. wage for 20 hours. I guess she has cabin fever too, but gets some pay and is kept busy while hubby, Vic, follows his favourite past time as a pool shark.

Jane auditioned for a acting part in an up coming musical/play at the local arts theater in Pharr, many showed up for 4 parts.........and Jane was successful in being asked to join them as 'Mabel'.


The Bicycle Club is up and running. Last Friday only 4 of us biked and the others went by car/truck to El Rancho Grande in San Juan a small Town about 4. 5 miles from our park. Rain was a threat but the 4 of us gambled and where able to bike both ways, a little misty on the return trip tho, but refreshing too.

Peter Piper Pizza (Wed) is back on stream. We, a group of 5, were going to take the 'Tour of lights' in Hidalgo and when we arrived for the Trolley we were advised that it was running that night so we will have to re-schedule. I did take one picture as we walked from the parking lot.

A nice display as we walked to the trolley

Our friends from Kentucky drove

Peter Piper Pizza w Vic and Jane

Stuffed Bake Potato Nite

Last week, instead of 'Homemade Soup Supper nite' they had a special 'Stuffed Potato Supper nite' with all the trimmings and boy was it ever good, beef brisked and a desert was included.



I should mention that on my final 'Root Canal' trip to Mexico last Wed.  I bumped into my next door neighbours at Alpine RV Resort in Lindsay. Small world, aye!!!!!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Stay tuned for 'More Fun in the Sun' coming to you from ALAMO, Texas along the RGV where  the Sun always shines (NOT).

Paul & Jane

Rain in Paradise

Didn't expect to be back so soon.We are getting flooded with a much needed rain here in Southern Texas where it seems to seldom rain. The locals are pleased and the 'Winter Texans' are taking a day off by catching up on correspondence or curling up with a good book. Me, I'm doing it all, little by little, it's blog time, lol!

 My second trip to the Dentist included the installation of a post and an impression of my mouth. The crown will be read on my next and final visit next Wed. I don't think I did anymore painting since my last sit down here.

L.R. before

I took a few more 'after' photo's of the living room and kitchen areas. I'm almost out of paint as well as incentive to finish once the main area is done. here are a few before and after pics.

Kitchen before

L.R. after

Kitchen after

L.R. after

Jane has booked us on a 'Tour of Christmas lights' in Hidalgo, a small historic town not far from us. Apparently we will be on horse drawn trollies, we hope it will be a nice warm clear evening.  The Park residences are slowly decorating there lots, some quite elegantly considering many are short term residence travelers.

There is a pleasant odour coming from the kitchen so I'd better be off, don't want to miss out on the 'chiken diva'

TTFN

Update from Texas

The weather has been hot and cold with more rain than previous years. This week we even had frost warnings, tomorrow we return back to the 70's.

Since my last blog a few important things have happened. First, Tex, our truck quite on us, all the amateur mechanics narrowed it down to a blocked 'fuel filter'. We had it towed to Bogus Ford, it stayed there for the weekend and it started up and a test run showed no problem?? I had them change the fuel and air filters anyway and we haven't had a problem since. The old Ford F350 (1999) has served us well and we have faith in our travels with 'him'.

We had an 'on site' garage sale and we picked up some trellis privacy screen and we had enough to enclose part of our carport into a private reading/entertainment area.

As mentioned in my last BLOG I promised Jane to paint the inside of the mobile home, it has turned out to be a bigger job than I anticipated and is coming to an end. Thank goodness it is looking nice so making the effort was worthwhile. I will be glad when it is over an I can start enjoying myself. here are a few before and after pictures:

Texas en-suite 'after'

Before and After

M. Bedroom before with queen bed

M. Bedroom after with king air bed

We planned a trip to Mexico and booked a dentist appointment to check my teeth. I had a broken filling that needed repair and just recently I got the start of a tooth ache. The Dentist said I needed a root canal or an extraction, I wanted neither, lol! Since I'm running out of teeth I chose 'root canal. I am 1/2 way through as we speak with my next appointment tomorrow (Fri) AM. I am going with my good friend Don from Ohio who needs some dental work done as well. jane can have a sleep in...maybe!

We have been slowly getting involved with a few things, Bike to breakfast, Jane in lion dancing, Jane helping her friend Pat who is the activities director. Tonight we did bean ball baseball and tomorrow is bingo. There are card games going on every evening and I'm afraid to get involved and 'committed' to an on going structure. Jane feels the same way. She was setting the alarm every morning to go for a walk with some other AM walkers. She gave that up to go walking with Daisy when she woke au natural.

The Park is slowly filling up but still many more to come. The next crowd comes after Christmas at home with the family. Our next door neighbour from Saskatewan will be here for New Years. The Park is having a NY's Dance this year but we have declined to go. First we are not NY's Party people and the dogs go crazy (Marco Polo) with all the fireworks and gun shooting, yes that's correct and real guns too!

Till next time.. have a very Merry Christmas and warm wishes to you and yours.

A New Season a New Reason!

We have been in Texas for 3 weeks and this is my first attempt at our 'BLOG' update. We had and uneventful trip down, the weather was excellent and the roads down here are awesome. We set the GPS and cruise control and away we went. We planned on 3 nights and 4 days but we did 2 nights and 3 days at 11 hours per day, we arrived about 7:30PM on the 3rd day still relaxed and fresh. We did between 60/70 mph (speed limits) and we were able to enjoy the scenery and countryside.
Fortunately we had a thorougher truck inspection before we left and discovered that we needed front ball joints so that avoided a traveling disaster.

On arrival we found that my battery operated water sprinkling system was still working. The front gardens were an overgrown jungle, we basically had to cut our way into the driveway. We had plants that we didn't even know we had, the biggest surprise was a huge Papaya tree overflowing with fruit in our front garden. The fruit trees in the rear yard didn't do do well, somehow the hose got kinked and the trees didn't get water and are not too healthy. Our largest tree (grapefruit) was okay, the other three trees look like they belong to 'Charlie Brown', very little leaves and scrawny fruit. Constant watering is helping...a little.

The Park is slowly filling in, we expect early Dec. will fill in the blanks with the final late arrivals sometime after Christmas.
We haven't been to active yet, Jane has been going on early morning walks with Daisy and a few girlfriends she met last year. Polo and I sleep in until they come home. We have gone to one Bike to breakfast trip and 2 Pizza nights, one bingo and one bean bag baseball game. I haven't been to the pool yet, although yesterday being well into the 90's was tempting. I went to a 'Bill and Bob' meeting with Don and Jane and Sara went shopping. It was even to hot to shop so not much damage to the pocketbook, lol!
I have started to paint the inside of the trailer, I promised Jane that would be the one big job that I will do this Winter, I have the M. Bedroom and the en-suite done so far. I will move to the Living room and Kitchen next and then the nuisance stuff in between later.

Jane's mode of transportation, Daisy just pulls her along.
Next week we will be going to Progreso Mexico for some dental work (me) and heartworm pills for the dogs.

TTFN