Mass Exodus Under Way!

Mass exodus, but we haven't seen anything yet! On April 1st it will not be safe to walk by the EXIT gates. LOL!

It is getting to that time of the year when we start seeing our new found friends heading home, many have left and many more are leaving soon. Our ETD is on or about April 27th in time to be home for our park opening on May 1st.

Hopefully without the snow!

This will be our 1st year in this park and we are looking forward to it. Especially me as I expect to enjoy a Summer after working 'The Work's' Chip Truck daily over the past 7 years.

Jane is in search of Summer employment, she is hoping to find something closer to Lindsay but Bigley's in Bobcageon , Ont. is her backup.

On March 4th, we had a warm send off of our good friend Anne Marie. I'm sure she was as exhausted as we were after a busy 10 days of 'Fun 'n Sun'.

Paul Pagel and Ben Alexander

On March 6th we had a 1st Response fund raising evening of entertainment, cake and drink. The event was a total success with the help of two local entertainers, Paul Pagel and Ben Alexander who donated their time and talent.

The whole Team

Our group (Monday & Wed. duty days)

Cake for all

Casa del Valle Dancers

On March 8th was the Parks Appreciation Day, we were fed all day with donuts and coffee in the AM and a great Chicken feed for lunch. In between we had the Presentation of each State/Province Flags, loads of prizes, more entertainment by Paul & Ben and the Casa del Valle Line Dancers.

Canadian Paraders (I was busy carrying the Ontario Flag)

On March 11th we celebrated our 2nd annual 'Canadian Pot Luck' Dinner. Most States do the same thing and seems to get more popular each year.

Food for an army

Our Table (I was busy with the camera)

Dr. Jamie Olivares, Dentist
Progresso, Mexico

On March 13th we were back to Mexico to finish Jane's fillings. If I didn't mention it, it was Jane's 1st visit to a dentist in 25 years, She had 15 small fillings and we did it in 2 app't's. Dr. Jamie did well $$$ by us this Winter as we both did some major chair duty, but at a small fraction if we were in Canada, like 75% less.

On March 14th we had our final Park Meeting, concluding with best wishes to all for a safe trip home and an enjoyable Summer with family and friends.

On March 15 to 17th we did multi-tasking for St. Patty's day. Everyone was wearing the 'GREEN', even those 'non-Irish' were GREEN with ENVY. LOL!

On the 15th we had an awesome 'Corn Beef and Cabbage'  Dinner. 

On the 17th at 9:30 AM we had the 'Doggie Parade'. Daisy was the only Irish Setter, I don't know about the cat though??? There were 36 dogs and 1 cat, bless his/her soul and it seemed to fit right in too!

On the 17th at 2:30 PM we had the Cart and Bike Parade, had to be 3 hours long (Just kidding).

For more punishment Don, I, Garry and Dalmar went to the Stock car Races in McAllen.

Our (Green table)

Awesome 'Corn beef and Cabbage'

Just for Laugh's - A Texas Limousine!

Our Daisy

36 dogs and 1 cat were in the competition

Trixie and Daisy

Here they come!

From our driveway!

We had a great display, a great day and a full turn out.

Feast On!

On March 16th, Vic and Pat had a little going away party. It was Pot Luck and I left with a bigger pot than when I arrived, lol! This is as bad as going on a cruise.

Violet and Jane

Lot's of food

 On March 20th, it was a struggle but we made it to the final 8AM Pancakes and Bacon Breakfast.

On March 22nd at noon Jane and my pal Don went for their final message at the message school down the road, both came back like they came from heaven.

At 5PM we had our final soup night as well as a celebration for Sam (Our maintenance man) He's retiring on March 31 and getting married on June 6th. His Bride must be some special gal, the deal was 'Me or the Harley', the silly boy is selling his Harley.

At 6:30PM we played our final beanbag baseball game for the season. My team lost again, each week were draw for red or black team, it DON'T matter which, I still loose. They let me come back and play each week tho! They are such nice people down here.

On Friday we did out final 'Bike to Breakfast' to Martha's Vineyard, a joint venture with a restaurant and a flowers and tree nursery, quit a nice serene spot. 

The Bike Club collects all the park pop cans, cash then in and share the revenue to buy supplies for all the clubs, charities and Christmas stockings for the local kids.

I would like to point out that Janice (Front row centre) will not be returning next years after being "The catalyst" of many functions for many years. She is a loving person and will be missed by all.

Today was the final 'Biscuit and Gravy' morning which I wanted to go to, BUT, 8 AM still found me sleepy bye's, maybe I'll make it to one next year????

Paul without his Camera!!!

It has been a very busy and fun month, we are so sorry to see it come to and end and more sorry to see our friends leave. It would be nice if we were the first to leave, but not so. It seems that we will be having a busy Summer coming up, one wedding and one 50th anniversary so far, plus a long over do visit to my Home Town Ottawa and all my family.

Till next time, stay safe out there my friends!

Paul & Jane

Still enjoying Paradise!

It seems awhile since my last update! Time is flying bye to quickly, that's for sure. We have been here 4 months and it just seems like yesterday and so much more we want to do! Will there be time????

We just finish a 10 day visit with Jane's girlfriend Anne Marie, from Toronto. 

Jane and Anne Marie were room mates many years ago and are still best buddies. I kid them about her being Jane's 'Matron of Honour' so many times that Jane keeps her on 'retainer'. Behaving myself has become a memorable daily chore knowing 'that' threat is hanging in the shadows, lol!

I better get back to where I left off.  Just after the last performance Feb. 24th, the Bronchitis symptoms returned but as a cold. She lost her voice and it still isn't back in full force. All the male campers think I'm the luckiest guy in the compound, lol!

Jane's husband Steve (Jack) (right) is in a neighbouring RV Park and is from Vancouver. Jane agrees that blondes have more fun, at least getting more whistles. I'm a lucky guy, brunette by day, blonde by night, lol!

The cast and their families had a closing dinner/presentation at a local restaurant. All cast members received a plaque depicting 'their' personal talents that were NOT scripted. Jane's was for quick thinking and rhyming words when she lost her place in the script.

Jane kept Anne Marie busy for the 10 days she was with us. We had a lot of fun going to park functions, Christmas House shopping tour, touring, shopping, flea markets, Pizza night, soup night, tea house, ropa, annual bike to breakfast picnic and a trip to Mexico. We drove Anne Marie to the airport at 2:30 this morning, now we all need a rest.

Texas Grandmas Fund raising dinner

Bean Bag Baseball (Fun)

Family walk with Anne Marie

Water Volleyball

Besides having Anne Marie as  a guest, the other highlight for Feb. was a very successful Valenties dinner/dance which people are still talking about.

Jessica's Pharmacy in Mexico

Jane & Paul in Mexico

Amazing store in Mexico

We bought a bread maker machine during the last park garage sale. We sold ours when we broke up our 'stick' home and missed the smell of fresh bread. Feb. always has the garage sale, craft sale and quilt sale. March is the end of all the Winter functions provided by the park, the residences and the community. It is always sad to see the end in sight.

On Feb. 20th we enjoyed lunch with our Lindsay Park neighbours who were spending the month in the RGV. 

Arial view of our lot (unit on left)

Last night was a first for me. A group of us went the McAllen Motorcross race track to see a good old fashion stock car race. Apparently the Racetrack has been closed for 2 years and they are attempting to get it going again. They will be loosing the 'Winter Texans' soon. We wish them luck. We may get there again before we leave.

March is wind down month when many people start heading home. We don't leave until late April, by then the temp. is approaching 90 as an average and then up to 100/105 for the Summer. There are about 50 families that stay in the park. We ask what do they do in the heat. Their simple answer is: The same as you when it's cold 'Stay indoors in air conditioned comfort, rather than our hot air furnaces'.

Till next time.

Take care, stay healthy and drive safely!

PAUL & JANE

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!