Friday….weekend oncoming

I wasn’t able to post after our return from Mexico yesterday. We had a great time. I bought an embroidered dress in an awesome yet obnoxious bright blue…truly a Mexican inspiration of sorts. I also purchased a puka shell necklace which I have wanted for such a long time. We also saw some adorable Chihuahuas for sale for $200. Grandpa fell in love and wanted to buy all three of ‘em. I told him that Pepe didn’t take kindly to other dogs and the size of the puppy would make Snickers to think it was a mouse and eat it. Plus, there are rules at the park…one pet per household. We are stretching it by keeping Snickers.

After doing some more browsing, I bought those colorful dollar shopping bags. We were also going to get liquor but on the way out so we didn’t have to lug it everywhere. I did want to look at some of the colorful pottery, but I guess that will wait until we come back in November.

Guess what…soon we found ourselves at the Rose Garden! The alley turned cocktail “lounge”. We couldn’t resist. Paulie and I got strawberry margaritas and grandpa a Sol beer. Second round, we got the Sol’s and grandpa had a regular margarita. Such a fun place full of winter Texans enjoying Mexican beer and really cheap strong margaritas.

We continued on after the stop for drinks and kept heading on towards the boarder shops to get our list of booze. We ran into some neighbors who invited us to join them for drinks at the Alamo. We found the place; it was on the fourth floor of the place we buy our $3 tequila. After two for one margaritas we decide to get something to eat. I have the Alamo’s special lunch whitefish grilled in garlic butter….and corn soup…ever had that? Ick. Looked like the stuff from the exorcist…I KNOW corn is yellow NOT green.
Grandpa and Paulie spilt a plate of tamales. Not the tamales we have at home these were great looking beef stuffed things in corn husks. After our late lunch we parted with the neighbors we were off to cross back with our purchases. Grandpa had poured his last margarita in a foam cup and as we walked towards the crossing he was dancing behind us. I was on my scooter thank goodness. All I do when I have a few drinks is go faster…

The line to cross back into the US was going slowly so we had a lot of fun talking with others and watching grandpa polka with his cup of margarita.

Finally across Paul takes grandpa to the car and then he and I go across the street to check out the two for one banana splits. Not much ice cream but at least the bananas were good!

On our way home, we decided to stop at the Llano Grande Golf club to see if Uncle Ben and Bev were there. Nope. So off we head for home. Paulie and I sat outside having a beer. Uncle Ben walked over and joined us. Grandpa had gone into the house to see Pepe. I found him walking on all fours to the bathroom. He eventually joined us outside, but decline to have more to drink thank God.

About seven the wind picked up and it got chilly. Paul took Ben home in the golf cart and grandpa went to watch TV. I read for a while and then finally fell asleep around 11. I never did hear Paulie come to bed.

Today has been quiet. Overcast and spitting a bit of rain. Of course, this brings out the absolute best in me….headache, ears, nausea and all the other Meniere’s goodies. Leftovers for dinner again. Sigh.

Going to the Mexican market for fruit and veggies tomorrow. We are having a shrimp fest at our place on Sunday. Ben, Bev, Dorothy and the three of us and perhaps Leon and his wife from across the street. We will make fried shrimp, boiled shrimp and shrimp dejohne….coleslaw and baked beans. Trying to think what to make for dessert. Something light but good. I was thinking Milnot cake…or pound cake. Hmmmm….

Hugs

dee

Wednesday....

Grandpa had an appointment to have a hearing test today. It appears he has hearing loss. I coulda told him that...he is going to have to get some hearing aides.

Not much going on here...we went to German Fest held at the park yesterday. It was fun watching geezers do egg toss, water balloon toss and walking with grapefruits between their legs. Honest. It was a hoot! We dined on brats with sauerkraut and hot potato salad. Not as good as the Schultz recipe, but adequate. Of course, we had German chocolate cake for dessert.

The weather has been beautiful...today it was about 80 and sunny....a nice cool breeze was welcome sitting out in the sun. Don't worry, I am not becoming a sun worshiper...I sit out there for just a few minutes then drag my chair into the shade. Wrinkles are a fear of mine and I know what sun does to ya.

We are going to Mexico tomorrow...at least that is the plan. We need to buy some liqueur and I promised to bring back some white vanilla for the Cenois Motorhome ladies. Plus I want to look at some of the beautiful and colorful outside pottery jars and lawn ornaments. That'll make Paulie happy, lugging around planters.

Well, as I said not much going on here. I am almost finished with the baby sweater, just the sleeves and then sewing it together.

Will hopefully post tomorrow evening after our jog into Mexico. Ole'!!

hugs

dee

Monday Monday

We have a lunch date in Pharr with the Illinois SKPs Chapter 46. Some place called Zagz. I guess its a pizza buffet. Ick. I just don't understand the appeal of these places...well, I guess its the fact that its cheap for gezzers and you can get a nice salad at the salad bar...

The handy man is here swapping out our old toilets for the higher handicapped ones we purchased. I can't believe how difficult it is to get off a low seat with my hip and knee problems not to mention my dizzies.

Not much else happening today...Grandpa just got back from the Rio Valley Assoc. meeting. Our neighbors had nominated him for a spot on the grounds committee but he lost by one vote. He at first told us he was verrrrrry disappointed and that if we had gotten up early and gone to the meeting he would have won. Oooops. Then he laughed and said he was relieved he didn't win...just wait, they'll nail him for some other position soon. They are always looking for committee members for some freaking thing.

Well, I will post later to tell you about our lunch and the pizza bar. Carbs are the death of me so I better just stick with the soup and salad bars. Unless of course, they have cinnamon dessert pizza....

hugs

dee

Sunday morning from the beautiful Rio Grande Valley....

Greetings...sorry about the little poke there...we are watching the weather channel and boy it sure is nasty up north! Several of the residents here cannot get home(mostly the Iowan's and the Cannuks.) The Minnesota folks ususally state til the end of March and they may be staying longer as well. My butt isn't leaving until its 50 in Springfield so that means we won't be trekking north til mid-April.

We were sitting relaxing in the patio/driveway area. Grandpa decided to clip his toenails. I have tried to be kind when describing my aversion to toenails, and his, at 90 are pretty gross.
Well, he's sitting there clipping away and one shoots off into my HAIR! Man, I let out a screech and Pepe jumped about 6 feet in the air I kid you not. I stood up and frantically started to shake my head and put my hands thru my hair. It fell out. Oh Lord. Now this may seem funny, but it certainly wasn't funny to ME. Paulie almost fell out of his chair. OK, laughing boy, I'll deal with you later.... What if it had gone in my water glass and I didn't see it go there? I know that I would have retched all over the place. Next time I leave the area when he clips or he clips in his own room!

Saturday morning we went to the park pancake breakfast. I am now officially done with pancakes til next year.

Paul went to play cards, grandpa took Pepe to get his butt checked at the vet's(he's been doing the butt scoot on the floor so we know what that means....) and I decided I felt pretty good, felt I could drive so I decided to go to the outlet mall in Mercedes, the town just east of us. No problems getting there...still feel fine. Arrive at 9:10 am thinking I will beat the crowds going early. Boy, what a dunce I am...the stupid mall opens at 10. Great. I go to the Starbucks which is open and indulge in a cappuccino. I return some phone calls and finally get Jen on the phone. We talk for quite a while, catching up on what's been going on in our lives. She certainly leads an exciting life...single, has great job, beautiful house, etc. She did surprise me by telling me she got a dog! I never thought she was a pet person. It should be interesting to hear how this works. Its a little girl taco dog. Must be cute. Not much to see at the mall. The clothes are for 15 year olds in size 0 so that leaves me pretty much outta the loop. I did buy one of the tasty carmel apples from the candy shop for lunch. Yum. So, my day consisted of 1/2 pancake, a $4 coffee and a $3 carmel apple. Geesh.

Not much else happening on Saturday...we stayed in and watched the crap offered on the boobtube. Too bad we didn't get some movies at the video store.

Grandpa is feeling a bit under the weather...sore throat and runny nose. Paul is watching some movie about terrorists. I am writing my update and surfing the net. The closer it comes to us leaving the more nervous about all the stuff we have to do. Still pondering what if anything we need to do in the kitchen. I know kitchens sell houses. New counter tops will cost about $550 not installed. We have already purchased a new white stove top a simple electric counter top drop in. I would think if we retouched up the cabinet paint, and the walls where dear departed Oscar like to put his paws on the wall, decluttered my fat chefs a bit and the new counter tops would make this kitchen more updated. I hate to spend money to just sell but that is what it takes. We are gonna lose our butts on this house. However, we did understand this when we put the addition on...it was invest the money in the house to take care of grandma or throw the money to the nursing home...we chose to keep her home. We knew we couldn't recoup the addition cost, but I'll be dammed if I'll let some smoozing real estate agent tell me the neighborhood comps bring down the value of our property. This is a unique house that has to be marketed without comps ...noway do you compare my place and list it less than the bi-level next door...sure both have 4 bedrooms but that is where the comparison ends. She sold next door for more than the realtor says ours is worth. Crap, the appraiser we called said it was worth 10 grand more and the bank appraiser said 25 grand more. OK so how do you sell the highest price property in the neighborhood? I'm surely open to discussion!

Well, I am going to have some lunch and pick up the baby sweater I am knitting for Mother.

Will post more later if something exciting happens!!!

hugs

dee

Friday Night....

Just got home from a concert. Paulie, grandpa and I went to a late lunch/early dinner at Keno's. I swear I can't believe how much food they serve....catfish or meatloaf, green beans (ugh) corn on the cob, two scoops of mashed potatoes, salad, soup, and a roll that must weight about a pound. Good grief... Paul had a "taste" for catfish so I decided OK, we can go to Keno's and I will have the other Friday special...meatloaf. When we get there... meatloaf is all gone. Crap. I won't eat bottom feeder fish like catfish(they eat POOPIE yanno) so I got the breaded tenderloin with cream gravy. It was OK, but it wasn't meatloaf yanno? When we got home I called Mother and she is home from New York. She said the funeral was sad. SAD? The woman was in her eighties, died of a stroke (never regained consciousness so there was probably no suffering for her which is a blessing) had buku bucks, had homes in Florida or some warm climate and a home in Long Island...I doubt she ever worked a day in her life and it was SAD? SAD is a kid getting hit by a car, a family guy who gets blown up in Iraq, not some old rich bitch who had a wonderful life. Jeesh...

I don't know what came over me and made me write that. I just find it hard to feel sorry for people who have had good lives, never wanted, etc etc who die at an advanced age, quietly go to sleep and everybody cries....

Paul and I went to the movies to see Wild Hogs or Road Hogs or some such movie with John Travolta. It was positively hysterical. I almost wet my pants. It really is funny so put it on your must see list.

After the movie, we were just in time for the Friday night entertainment here at the park. It was a group of barbershop singers. You would think I could have come up with SOME kind of excuse to miss this stellar performance, but since we were in the car, Paul pulled right up to the big hall. No getting away this time. Crap. I tell ya...there were about 30 geezers all nattily dressed in black slacks, red vests with white shirts impeccably wrinkle free and bow ties. Some of them were using walkers or canes, several were in motorized scooters or wheelchairs. I just about peed my pants. Then they started to sing. Well, whats the old saying...."shut my mouth?"....that's me. I was quite entertained. They were not the best chorus I have ever heard but they certainly were the oldest. They sang all the old barbershop favorites, like Sweet Adeline...I guess while I watched and looked at all these old farts up there singing their hearts out and felt kinda glad I was there. Some of these guys had ill fitting rugs...but their smiles lit up their faces. I kept thinking that some of these guys were WWII vets, Korean Vets, retired doctors or lawyers, grandfathers and great grandfathers, and now they were entertainers. Maybe the audience was as old as them, but they sure gave a performance. Gestures, smiles, frowns, pre-practiced jokes...it was a cute in a geezer kinda way show and it was clear from their body language and genuine smiles that they loved doing it. Bless their hearts.

I am not sure what the weekend holds. I would like to go to the flea market and browse around. The weather looks perfect for the next week. I am gonna try and get to the pool...I am still pasty white but I don't want to get burned. I had quite a compliment this week...at the makeup counter the saleswoman remarked that I had really nice skin. Me. Nice skin. Man, these people will say anything to make a commission, LOL!

later....


dee

Thursday Television RERUN night...

You all know I wouldn't be writing anything on a Thursday night because its my TV night...but alas, February is sweeps month so I guess March's offerings are crap. I just HATE that. Repeats. Oh well, we sat outside instead...and the weather is beautiful.

We have hit the jackpot as far a weather goes. Averaging 85 and sunny. Perfect. This is what it is supposed to be here right? There are groves of fruit-laden trees being harvested. Some of the grapefruits and lemons are downright giants. I want a lemon tree and a red grapefruit for our place. The ladies tell me that one lemon from the tree(the biggies I guess) makes a lemon pie. Geesh!

Paulie and I went roaming today. We found the 6th Street Market and checked out the handcut meat...that's what we had at Bev's on Saturday. Then we hit Big Lots to buy a pair of outdoor rockers with a glass topped side table. These are supposed to be grandpa's birthday present. Of course, he says he doesn't like them. OK. I won't say anymore.

Then we went to Wally World, thinking to stock up on some stuff and get something for dinner and some meat. Well, we got the stuff on the list, but no meat! Well, there are some stuffed peppers in the freezer so grandpa can have some dinner. Paulie and I had a chalupa around 2 so we will most likely not be in a dinner mood.

On the way into the park, we stopped at Uncle Ben's and brought him the superglue he asked us get him...he cracked his upper plate and was going to fix them himself. OK, once you stop laughing...a lot of these geezers do their own dental work, I am not kidding. Grandpa uses his remmel tool to shave down his new choppers. Ewwww.

This weekend in McAllen is Boarder Fest...the theme this year is St. Patrick's Day. I am serious. TexMex and Irish. It is stranger than fiction around here.

I am in the middle of making a baby sweater. Mother and Cecils "friend" Joan, the nurse who lives in Long Island, is gonna be a grandma. Her daughter's first kid, a boy. So Mother asked me to knit the kid a sweater. OK, for Mother, I will do it. If it was up to me, I'd pass. This is the lawyer daughter who I think was an influence on Cecil in the past. 'Nough said in this forum.

Well, we were forced to move the motorhome from in front of the house. One of our "new" neighbors told management that he almost had an accident at the end of the street because he couldn't SEE around the motorhome....it blocked the corner view. Yeah. Right. OK. Old fart prolly blew thru the stop sign and almost nailed some geezer on a golf cart and needs to blame someone, so our poor old aluminum asylum on wheels gets the blame. There's always somebody who stirs up sh*t. One now lives about four houses from us. Sigh. I betcha Pepe is next. I told him that somebody was gonna vote him off the island if he didn't stop barking all the time. Little snot didn't believe me. So, I got a squirt bottle filled with water and each and every time he toots that little yip yip I squirt his ass. Works like a charm. He sees me reach for the bottle and he runs under my chair. Smarty pants.

OK, well, there really isn't too much going on around here. I seem to have a problem with my cell...certain calls come in tagged "International". God forbid I answer those calls as they must be bouncing off one of the Mexican towers. All I need is Paulie to get INTERNATIONAL charges on the bill and my butt is toast. So, if you call me and it goes to voice mail, that is usually what is happening...your call has somehow been routed thru Mexico and I won't answer. Paulie doesn't have that problem nor does grandpa. Figures it would be MY phone. But I will try to call you back.

later....

dee

Sunday...the day of rest....

My butt, rest. Retiree's don't rest...we just party on. Just kidding. We actually are taking it easy today...we had a wonderful dinner party at Bev's last night. Best steak we've had since arriving in Texas. I thought this was the king of beef country. Baloney...give me corn fed beef from Nebraska or Iowa any day.

Thursday night we did go to karaoke. It was this dj's last night. He is a very large man whose name is Freddie Goldberg. No kidding. His mother was Hawaiian and his dad Jewish. He has a wonderful voice and does a good job managing the karaoke part of the job also. Anyways, it was his last night at the Llano Grande. He dressed up in woman's clothes and was quite funny. I think Paul got some pix so I can post them later.

Friday Paulie went to his shuffleboard thing. We are planning to do grandpa's taxes today or later tonight. We went out for a while to just get out in the nice weather and got more familiar with some of the area. Paul invited Uncle Ben for lasagna and we had a nice dinner. He stayed until grandpa and I had just one too many glasses of wine and there went the taxes. Saturday Paulie got up early and went to a dummy rummy tourney. What dummy rummy is I have no clue. I did some laundry and wiped down the bathrooms. It was 97 degrees today. It set a new record. It was kinda hot, but for much of the day the winds were strong and it didn't feel that hot though. Paul vacuumed and swiftered the floors then ran to the grocery store to get the bread we are supposed to bring. After taking showers, we all got dressed and went off to our dinner party. Bev has a beautiful covered patio with trellis boards covered with white lights and lots of candles. The sun had gone down and there was a wonderful cool breeze. Dinner was lovely and the company enjoyable.

This afternoon Paulie and I went to the pool and spa and then came home and ordered a pizza which although not Chicago style in ANY way shape or form, was acceptable.

We are searching for something to watch on TV since the old farts don't want to watch the Oscars.

It was another beautiful day in the valley...and it seems that it will stay warm and sunny for a while...maybe a shower on Wed.

Not much else going here. Wish I had something more interesting to write.

Later

dee

Good grief, its THURSDAY already!

My gosh, this retirement stuff is really exhausting! My butt is dragging. Running here there and nowhere, meetings, style shows, craft shows and classes, karaoke, a dip in the pool and then the hot tub...naps followed by happy hour, touring the park after dinner and being invited to have a "cocktail". I don't think I can keep this up much longer. Last night we had a three golf cart race but people started yelling so we just went to one of the occupants place and had after dinner drinks. Apple Pie Liqueur. Never heard of the stuff. Was like drinking a piece of apple pie for heavens sakes. Two and I was unable to get off the chair. It is made with 100% everclear I later find out. Jeez, that stuff'll kill your liver not to mention twice as many brains cells as a regular old Miller Lite! I've made Lemoncello now I can make Apple pie. Making my own hooch. Oh my gosh, how far I have fallen! Just kidding. I have one drink and because of the surgery, I am a cheap drunk. Like I wrote above, 2 drinks and I will fall out of the chair!

The Prince and I rearranged the furniture in our bedroom moving the bed to the opposite wall which gives us (sepecially me) more room to walk around the bed. The other night I got up to go to the bathroom and I lost my balance (so what else is new, its a given in the dark) and I fell backwards...well instead of the wall hitting my ass, it hit the window screen and I almost fell outta the house! I would have landed on the cement. No, that wouldn't do. So now we turned the bed and my side is by the door just a few feet from the bathroom. But the Prince does have more room to get around since the bed is on a longer wall. Such excitement. How will I ever go back to Rochester and our old life? Speaking of our old life.....

Grandpa is getting anxious for us to leave. That is really a problem....for HIM! Why should I go back home to ice and snow when its in the 80's and beautiful breezes make it seem like its 73 with the sun shining. Foolish man. We had planned to go to Perry GA for the FMCA rally on the 17th. Bah, its the same old same old at those conventions. I surely don't need to tour million dollar coaches and covet something I cannot have. I am perfectly satisfied with my Damon and with the changes we have made, it is perfect for us. We still need to decide what to do about a dinette but heck, the rig is perfectly fine for the Polish prince and myself. We have decided tho to leave that wicked cat Snickers here with grandpa. This way I won't have to worry about keeping a sheet on the couch to keep the hair off and then snatch it away when we show the house. Plus, it will help keep the floors a bit cleaner with no hair. Thank god that little fugly Pepi is staying here. He barks at EVERYTHING!
These old geezers don't like yappers. Perhaps they will vote Pepi off the island...well, one can hope anyways.

We have karoke this afternoon at Llano Grande Golf Club. They have great cheap food and beer is only five bucks a pitcher. Good for me, Paul and grandpa to have two beers which is our limit.

Will write more later.

love

dee

The pictures I promised....

This is our kitchen sunflower light....grandpa loves it...sorry its such a bad shot, but I really don't think I could EVER get a GOOD shot, LOL

Oooops...you'll have to turn your head on this one, I forgot to save it when I flipped it in the photo program....do you think I look fat? Maybe its the hat and you can't see that I really do have hair, and of course those EARS....


The view from the end of the driveway...don't bitch at me, Paulie took this one.



The rig in front of the mobile...


Grandpa's new golf cart...the dog sits in his bed next to him and they spin around the park together...



grandpa doing what he does best...relaxing....

Monday....Presidents Day

Gee, when I first started to work at the Franklin way back way in the old days, we used to get today off, just like the state and federal workers. It lasted all of three years for me before they took that away along with the managers cocktail party and gifts (bonuses) for managers. My gosh what has happened to the world? Take away president's day and shrimp cocktail over a nice gin and tonic with a hot little check in one's hand and what have you got in this world? Jeesh.

We made the mistake of going to the Sam's Club in McAllen today. Every geezer in the Rio Grande Valley must have wanted to get out in the sun and hey for a buck fifty you can get lunch there! I have never seen as many people up from Mexico either...just can't believe they come here to shop...I don't think prices at Sam's are all that good. Must be the selection of goods or perhaps they split stuff up.

After Sam's we went to a western wear shop and Paulie found hisself a cowboy hat. He looks good in it but he wouldn't let me take a pix just yet. I have tried several times to get some pix up on the blog but the wifi has sucked lately and they don't load. I'll try again at the end of this message.

Paulie made good hamburgers for dinner. Sometimes he does surprise me. I was quite disappointed with mom today...I called her and asked her if she'd by me one stinking little thing...and she turned me down flat. Flat. I found a goldwing trike(three wheeled) motorcycle for a mere $15,000. Jeesh. I told her I'd let Cecil ride it with me. She still said no. What a poop...

Well, one of my favs is on Prison Break, so I need to say goodby for now.

hugs

dee

Sunday...

It is a beautiful day, the sun is shining and it's nice and warm, supposed to be up in the mid 70's. After grandpa got back from church, we read the paper for a while and then decided to drive to Misson to take the River cruise on the Rio Grande. We were amazed that the place was jammed and we had to wait almost an hour to get on the boat! It was a very pleasant trip. I didn't get many photos...there was very little to photograph...well, there were all the empty inner tubes the illegals use to cross the river littered on the US side of the bank. Hmmmm. We did see some locals on both sides picnicking and enjoying the nice day. It was a nice trip, but as I said earlier a bit boring. The captain was pretty funny...he asked grandpa if his first job was a busboy at the last supper. I gotta remember that one it almost made me wet my pants. After the cruise, we had a tenderloin sandwich and a pitcher of beer at the Riverside club and listened to a couple of wannabe country western singers. The tenderloin was one of those giant suckers that took up the whole plate. Paul and I split one and grandpa almost ate his whole sandwich. Back home, we watched the playoff at the Nissan golf thingy and Mickelson chocked again. Not much on TV tonight and we don't get HBO from this cheap cable company, we have missed the last two episodes of Rome. Crap.

I think the weather is gonna be good this week so I'd like to maybe try to use the pool. We'll see I guess.

hugs

dee

Saturday...cleaning day.

Paulie and I cleaned today and did laundry. I get the good jobs of cleaning the bathrooms and Paulie does the vacuuming. I can't vacuum because of my fibro so he gets the easy stuff. As soon as we started, grandpa put on his hat and left with the fat little dog in the golf cart. He must think the house fairies clean his toilet and wash and fold his tidy whities? Hmmm...some old fart is gonna have a rude awakening when the house fairies go home soon.

We were invited to go to the Elks club for dinner by Uncle Ben and Bev. The two ladies we bought the house from were there also. It was western Karaoke night. (Do all these geezers think they missed stardom somehow in their past and are making up for lost time? They even bring their OWN Cd's for gosh sakes. Dear God save me!)
We did have a nice time tho....after a couple of pitchers. I guess I gotta loosen up a bit. Everyone ordered shrimp but I got a steak. It was pretty good. Pitchers are only like 5 bucks so we tipped a few.

We stayed late (9p.m. is late here) and went home to watch some TV. Paul immediately fell asleep on the couch and I decided to finish the book I have been reading...its the second book or the sequel Clan of the Cave bear. Its called the Valley of horses and is very interesting. I don't think I'd like to have lived in prehistoric times. Of course, there are so few people to piss you off, but ya gotta keep an eye on those damm cave lions.

later

dee

Friday Nite....

Well, The Prince and grandpa went to the geezer entertainment. Joe and Smoe or something like that. Most of the RGV entertainers go from park to park (RV and Mobile home parks) on a rotating basis. They are mostly retired musicians and church lady singers who do this simply because they still like to entertain. I do however, think some of these folks should quit the circuit...but smart assing aside, they do enjoy themselves and the geezers they entertain seem to enjoy them and their oldies. Just isn't my bag. I'd rather knit with my kitty in my lap! If I have to sing "God Bless America" one more time before a meeting or some type of entertainment begins I am gonna hurl. I don't dislike the song, don't get me wrong, but crap every time? A bit redundant I think. Kate Smith has nuthin' on me now.

Didn't do too much today other than a quick trip to Wally World. Of course I needed a set of ink cartridges for the printer which were out of stock. Figures. Paulie bought some office supplies. Kills me cause we have tons of this stuff back home. Oh well. We still haven't decided when or where we are going from here. Grandpa told me this morning he just loves his new place. I am glad. He went to play cards this morning. Then he drove to the grocery store or Wally's I'm not sure. Its good that he is feeling confident enough to drive locally. Its funny but I was just thinking he hasn't played possum since we moved in. Good. Gives him purposeful activities I guess.

Well, nothing exciting going on here in geezer village.

I am gonna look at the paper to see what's happening this weekend. I think there is something going on at the Texas Museum in Misson.

Hugs,

dee

Thursday....my favorite tv night...

Grandpa and Paulie went to Karaoke. I wasn't feeling too spiffy as I had a bad night spending most of it in the bathroom. 'Nough said in that department.
So, I have all evening with the big screen TV to myself. First, Ugly Betty. When I first heard the name of this show, I said, no way would I watch. Well, grandpa and I are hooked. It is really very funny and Betty is great. Then of course comes the Dr. McDreamy and Meredith saga, the Callie and George saga closely followed by the Christina and Burke story line. What else can be said about Greys Anatomy but one love saga, or sex saga after another. Oh, what great soap on nighttime TV! But my true fav show on Thursday is Men in Trees. I just love this show. I know, I am a pitiful soul who watches romance on TV. Boy am I pissed that Jack's ex girlfriend came back preggers with another man's baby and Jack takes her back, breaking Marin's heart. Pig. Men are pigs. Of course, so is Jack's girlfriend by the way. Only viewers will understand my pique'! I have heard an Internet rumor that Ann Heche and the actor who plays Jack are a real thing in real life...they left their spouses after the hot stuff on the set. OH, my. Well, it beats the crap outta this Anna Nicole bullshit. Like I CARE? When she was heavy, she said she wore a 12. My ass. I wear a 12 now and I don't look like she did for chrissakes! Ppfft!

I forgot to download photos today but will try tomorrow.

Not sure what is on the agenda tomorrow, but I gotta wash this grey outta my hair soon. It looks really freaky...I look like I am a poor imitation of Cruella Deville.

hugs

dee

Valentine's Day....for those of us who are married to cheap polish penny pinchers, its just another day.

I cannot believe that I haven't written for over a week. On Thursday I think we started the taxes. That took all day even with turbo tax. Alas, the years where we make a killing on our refund are over...forever I think. Even with all the out of pocket medical expenses we have, insurance premiums and that bottomless money pit named Zachary, we had to really dig deep just so that we didn't have to pay for gosh sakes. I also did Zack's taxes. Gee, wonder how long he thinks I am gonna play CPA for him. I also did his frickn' FAFSA. I swear. I have masters level classes along with a double BA and ya think I can do an FAFSA? *Sigh*. Why in God's good name do they try to trick you with the wording of these questions....? How do poor undereducated folks do these things...Ya think they pay to have them done?
Then, since I had to do this online, I KNOW I SAVED THAT SUCKER...but when I went back to finish, the file was gone, nada, blinko, stupido nofindo. OK, I have been a computer user since Al Gore invented the Internet and I NEVER forget to back up. I've had files corrupt or cause fatal errors, but I have NEVER forgotten to back up. You learn that lesson once and ONLY once. OK. Do the thing all over again.
I surely hope this brat child understands what I do for him. A nice thank you email would make MY day, yet that has yet to happen. He doesn't read my blog so this subtle little message will fall on deaf ears.

Friday was a kinda nice day so we spent it lounging around in the sun. Nice. This is what I was expecting. We also had a nice weekend, with sun and it was really nice to sit in the sun and soak up the rays.

Monday was shopping for toilets day. The ones here in the unit are quite low. We decided we would get the ADA height ones, which are 16.5 vs. 14 inches. Of course they one had one, so we will have to go back. We also had grandpa's car serviced and then we met our SKP Chapter 46 for lunch at a place called Mr. Gatti's. Glorified Chuckee Cheese. Jeez, it was nasty. McDonalds mcribs would have been preferable at least in my opinion. And you all know how much I detest Micky D's.

Tuesday was the lost day for me. The incoming storm from the north that is handing the entire country a blizzard is affecting my ears. Jeez, this crap never ends. I slept most of the day. How can a human being sleep for all that time? I mean I am gone, zoned, snorking away for hours. All the at wakes me is low blood sugar and to pee. The low blood sugar is nasty. I just stagger into the kitchen and find either a packet of sugar to swallow, peanut butter or a candy bar. The best of course if the PNB however that also takes the longest to work. If I can stop the shakes I will check my blood sugar. Yesterday at 2 pm it was 42. Yep 42. 20 is DEAD for chrissakes. I better talk to the doc about this. I have seen glucose tablets at the drugstore, I prolly should get some of those for these types of drops.

Wednesday. I have a Red Hat luncheon to go to today. Walking tacos...a small bag of doritos is crunched in the bag, then the top is snipped off and then you go down the line of taco stuff to add to your doritos bags. Not bad really. You can eat out of the bag or dump it on your plate like a salad. We then had some real margaritas and ice cream for dessert. I got alot of compliments on my dress.

Earlier today before the lunch, I needed to get some pantie hose. I went to the H.E.B. (the ONLY grocery store in South Texas besides Walmart). At 8 am it was JUMPING. They had tables and tables of Valentine's candy, flowers and the most beautiful fresh strawberry cakes....all with incredible prices. I have never seen so many people buying so much crap in my life! The kid in front of me in line had a small glass vase of 6 roses and baby's breath, and like 10 balloons...he spent $65! I guess Tejanos really get into Valentine's day.

I guess central Illinois really got hit with the snow. Some neighbors called and said their daughter was stuck with over 16" of snow in the driveway. Gee, and I'm complaining about 65 degrees. Sheesh! I will shut up now.

We are looking to do grandpa's taxes tomorrow. Oh joy. I can hardly wait.

Well, not much else happening around here. There are a few festivals this weekend we may check out.

I'll try to post some pix when I get up and find the camera and download 'em.

hugs

dee

Wednesday Hump Day

After getting up and dressed, I primp in the bathroom, have my protein, and then coffee. Grandpa had gone out to get the paper and of course, since we are now all addicted, several of those incredibly delicious Mexican sugar donuts. They are like nothing I've had...even not Krispy Kremes come close...even the fresh hot ones. They are very light, not too sweet and are like eating air puffs. Krispy Kremes are best eaten hot, these are good rock hard stale too. Crap. Another vice I will have to abstain from if I wanna continue to fit into my new 12 jeans. Finally got back into the goal jean size, and the devil throws me a curve ball.

We decided to go to McAllen to get the oil changed in grandpa's car. We get there and there is a couple hour wait. I had found two Asian markets in the phone book and Paulie had found an ad from a place called the Sun Market. All on 10th street. So we first stop at Staples and get the Turbo Tax we needed and found a map for McAllen. We've been here over a month and we still get screwed up in McAllen. The first market had gone out of biz and the second Asian market and the Sun Market were in the same strip mall. The Asian market had tons of stuff, but alas, not the copper wok strainer I have been searching for for weeks. Sun Market is an organic grocery store. All health food stuff but the most beautiful looking meat dept. They had fresh caught large shrimp for $5.99 per pound. And grapes for 99 cents a pound.
I also got some steel ground oats to make some "healthy" oatmeal. It cost 32 cents but the Polish Prince questioned me why I had to get it. Putz, putz, putz. We bought a few peppers and onions and then we went home. We will take grandpa's car in another day, and I will follow in the Vue. This way I can go where I want. I did see a restaurant supply place that may carry the wok strainer.

Grandpa has pretty much gotten his room done. I have never seen so many old clothes. I thought he had gotten rid of stuff. Most of this stuff won't fit him anymore...yanno those prostrate shots he gets is making his waistline grow. This from a man who can eat a pound of pasta at a sitting. Plus now Mexican donuts every morning. Too funny.

Today, grandpa came home and he took off his sandals and the socks he usually wears with the sandals (he fits right in here in geezerland believe me...). I now know what 90 year old toenails look like. I am going to try and convince him to WEAR the damm socks!!!! Eeeewwww.

OK, enough grossness.

hugs

dee

Tuesday evening....

Grandpa and Paul just got back from Karaoke. I passed today, not that I didn't want to go, I was still having stomach ickies from last night. So...they left at three and I laid down and slept til almost 7. Geesh, I slept the bestest part of the day away. It was beautiful and sunny today. Grandpa got his pix taken for the directory and Pepe was in it. Paul and I passed on the photo. Grandpa is gonna live here year round not us. The pix is really kinda cute...stupid dog takes better pictures than I do.

We went to the dollar store and spent 48 bucks. Not bad for all the stuff I got...cleaners, storage bags, hand soap, dishwasher soap...it they had it I bought it. I even bought two new scrubbie puffs...the ones we were using are just a bit shabby and almost down to nothing. The rest of the stuff I will get at Wally World.
Hopefully I can go BY MYSELF and actually LOOK at stuff instead of grab and run. I also want to go to McAllen to get to Staples and buy the Turbo Tax software we need to start doing the taxes. I need to do the taxes so I can do Zack's FAFSA for financial aide. This may just be the year he becomes an independent.

Not much else going on here. Will post more pictures when we find the camera that we put someplace we would remember it.

hugs

Dee

Tuesday morning....

We went to Bev's, Uncle Ben's lady friend's house for the pasta party last night. The place was jammed and the company was very nice. Uncle Ben had made the sauce with Paul earlier in the day. It was too spicy for me...good but it made me sweat for chissakes. Getting a hot flash from eating pasta is NOT good IMNSHO. I had to go sit outside for a while to cool off. The party was a lot of fun, but around nine I started to have some stomach rumblings (perhaps my intestines were being eaten by the spice in the sauce?) Paul took me home and I spent the rest of the evening in the bathroom.

I must confess that yesterday's rant was not quite accurate. I DID do a themed room...my kitchen on Walberta is done with fat chefs. You know, the fat french chefs and waiters serving wine and stuff? Well, fat chefs and pudgy waiters are infinitely better than the out of style and strickly tacky sunflowers. So there, my theme is at least "in".

We have an appointment at noon to have our pictures taken for the Rio Valley yearbook. They lose so many geezers every year that they have to keep track of who's still around come the next season....oh, that wasn't nice was it? Anyway, the residents bring their pets for the picture so I guess Pepi will be accompanying us. Wow, a professional portrait with a fat Chihuahua. I'll always treasure THAT moment.

Well, that's all about what's going on today. We are going to Karoke (again!) tonight well, let's say this afternoon...gotta get there early for a good seat. I will post more later.

hugs

Dee

Monday...the morning after the supertoilet bowl.

Oh my gawd. How embarassing. After the first 10 minutes I gave up and went to read a book. I am a jinx. I know this now. I swear off sports....again. No more Cubbies, no more Bears, no more Bulls, no more Fighting Illini, the Blackhawks have been out of my life since they changed from 6 teams to 6000 teams. I have embraced my late father's attitude..."who the **ck cares...I don't win any money, so why bother..." Zack was all bummed out too. Poor kid, thought he'd get to see what he missed when he was three months old...DA BEARS. Not that bunch of losers who couldn't tackle an old lady with a walker if she whupped 'em up side their dreadlocked heads. I am through I tell ya, I'm through!

OK now that's off my chest, what else happened yesterday? Oh, yeah, we have pretty much gotten grandpa settled in. I haven't been into his bedroom or bathroom, so I can't comment on any of that. He has more hemmorid cream than the staff of AARP. Plus stuff he hasn't used in thirty years. He said that he was gonna "clean house". OK, whatever. He has wash cloths older than Paul. Old Spice in a bottle that would prolly fetch thousands on ebay. Geesh.

He pretty much let me set up the kitchen. First thing I did was get rid of as much sunflower crap as possible. There are freakin' sunflowers everywhere...OMG...I feel like Dorothy in the poppy field. Only they don't make me sleepy they make my stomach TURN. No themed decor in my life I like to say. And I hate all the crap on the counters. Even the stupid canisters are sunflowers. Jeez, what was the problem here? They left tons of stuff...65 mugs, sunflower (what else) dishes, some as seen on TV appliances (we know all about them don't we?) and lots of old silverware. Sunflower towels, glasses, soup tureens and even a freakin' DANCING sunflower that changes colors! I am NOT making this up.

OK, that's the kitchen dilema. Now we move into the family room. Lions...tigers and more lions and tigers. Grandpa loves the decor. It makes my stomach twist in knots when I walk in. Furniture is fine. Every single knick knack including the freakin' giraffe and elephants are here. Right on top of the TV is a "majestic" lion in his prime looking at me when I sit down. Creepy and so stupidly fake. There are leapard prints, tiger prints and more tiger prints on the walls. And I saved the best for last...it is a baby tiger rolling in a field of freakin' sunflowers! All I need is a bear rug and some tusks forming an archway and pretty soon the Polish Prince will start to look like Clark Gable. Oh, did I forget the TREES? I thought they were taking all their knicky knacky stuff. Great. Well, I won't be here forever so I can go sit in my motorhome to get some rest for my eyes. I can't stop my head from revolving around each room as I enter it.

The living room is so-so. There is a real motorhome couch in there, so you can imagine that it doesn't have bottom sides. There are two older recliners of mismatched colors and some sort of antique looking arm chair with a step stool in front of it. There is a LILAC tree in the corner. Dear god. Someone save me. There is however a beautiful handmade Pakistani rug in there. Muted colors and the artisian wove his name into it. OK the rug can stay. Well, before I belittle any more, I must admit I have to go thru all my accumulated stuff when we get back home. That should be an eye opener in itself.

Well, I have to go get the rest of my clothes outta the motorhome. *Sigh*.

We are invited to Uncle Ben's for "real pasta, not that crap outta a jar". Should be interesting. Everyone will be drunk on the wine before we even sit down.

Later...

dee

Saturday....Moving day.

Well, I can't believe that I haven't posted since TUESDAY. Yikes. Paul got back from Springfield yesterday at 5:30 am and he sat across the street in the High School Parking lot for four hours and slept. The gate was locked and when he woke up it was open at 9 am. Of course Mr. "I don't fib" fibbed and said he was staying overnight at Rainbow's End in Livingston at the care center. Can you believe grandpa and I didn't kill each other in those three days? We got along really well, of course we were both trying hard.

We will begin moving grandpa's stuff into the mobile today. We will move the motorhome in front of the unit as the park allows three days to pack and unpack. Unfortunately, the coach batteries are freaking dead. Dead as they get. Can't get the jacks up either since the batteries are deado. Grrrrr. Paul, the ever so calm experienced RV'er is so pissy...he just may not be suited to this life if he lets normal things that go wrong make him crazy. So we are trickle charging the batteries so they should be up and running when we are ready to vacate our little campsite. I won't miss the traffic as we are on the main entrance road. 15 MPH is the speed limit....my ass. I thought about complaining but didn't want to cause any problems with grandpa moving in here.

The weather is still gloomy. It is supposed to warm up and sun to shine next week. OK. Out of the 6 weeks we have been here we've had about 6 days of nice weather. Everyone says its El Nino....it better be or I be heading back to Tampa. Of course, if we go to Florida, the hurricanes will come....we can't win.

Zack lost the winter hat I made for him so I decided to make him another with double stranded woolease as the pattern called for chunky worsted. I added a few stitches on to the pattern as his head is just a bit larger than most heads, and when I finished all I could do was laugh. This sucker will fit the incredible hulk. I can't wait for him to get it and try it on. He was in a lousy mood the other day so I called him to look for the hat in the mail and told him about how big it was. He needed the laugh I guess. The wind chill on campus is like 8 below. Shorts, Berkinstock sandal shoes and a wool hat. That's my son.

Well, I gotta help get ready to move the rig. Hopefully by the time we are ready and everything is stored away again, we can get it to start.

will update later I hope.

dee

Tuesday...Fly away day

Paulie got on his flight to St. Louis today. It is very quiet around here without him. Hmmm......

Sorry about not posting for a while. Not much is going on. We are just waiting for the ok to move into the new place. We will most likely stay here until at least the end of March...it is grandpa's birthday on the 31st yanno. The weather has been hit and miss around here, of course 64 is a whole lot better than the 8 Zack reported in Edwardsville. Paulie actually put on long pants for his trip. Grandpa and I made it back from Harlingen after dropping off the Prince...and hey, we made it home all by ourselves. Gee, ya think we can make it without the boss for a few days? We may not cook, but heck that's no biggie as far as I am concerned. I need to go to McAllen tomorrow to pick up a prescription for my fibro muscle relaxers. They really seem to help me sleep. I guess I will have to get my butt into the doc's when we get back in town and get the yearly script...they are pretty pricey as are the cymbalta. BUT, they work so that's what I hafta do I guess.

I am trying to keep my big mouth shut about the furniture in the new house. It'll take me awhile to get rid of some of the really fugly stuff. Problem is, the two pollacks think its fine and dandy stuff...it was FREE!

I am not sure how long it will take Paul to drive from Springfield back to here. It is like 1400 miles so for him I think he'll try it in two days. I made him promise me to stop when he gets tired but yanno he does fib every now and then.

I am currently working on Zack's denial for his lap band system surgery. These yahoo rat bastards at Cigna are truly the bane of my existence. They lay out the rules for surgery and say he doesn't meet the criteria....cripes he's done EACH thing they have demanded....well, he didn't lose any weight, but if that was the case as in all the diets he's tried (along with me and Paulie) he wouldn't NEED the freakin' surgery right? Dufus'....all of them, dufus'. Or is that dufi when they travel in packs?

Grandpa went to the dance last night by himself and seemed to enjoy himself. I am glad he will have made some friends here. Uncle Ben will go to MO in April but most likely be back by late summer. He likes it here too.

Wellllll....I just heard from the Prince, he has landed at STL and Zack is there waiting for him. They will drive to Springfield and stay at the motel 6 or whatever since the water is turned off at the house. It won't take long for him to pack up grandpa's car, there isn't that much room. Knowing him, he won't spend another $ on the motel so he'll be back on the road Wed night.

If anything exciting happens I will sure post it right away...don't hold your breath tho...this is the land of slow moving Tejanos and the rest of the population is over 89 so there ain't much going on. Well, if you count the ambulences coming in and out of the park or the fisticuffs at the club meeting about how the addresses should be posted in the directory...we do have a few things to observe.

hugs

dee

Friday nite...

The Polish Prince and grandpa have gone to the Friday night entertainment. Harmonica players. Oh wow. I guess I can miss that exciting performance. I am alone with the furkids and we are watching HGTV...how to sell houses...should learn something useful.

Here are a couple of pictures from the last few days...

Me and Uncle Ben at Rio Western Days....have my EARS always been that HUGE? God, how embarrassing....

Grandpa playing poker without his teeth......he kept winning too..

Pies pies and more pies.....

Horse races....hmmmmm.........

Paul in his gambler's hat...actually its mine and it was too small...and he wonders why I call him affectionately of course....fathead.

Thursday morning....

just checking with blogger to make sure I am still here.

You will NOT believe this.....

the sun is out....

Yes, that elusive bit of light we take for granted has decided to bless all of the old geezers down in the Rio Grande Valley and shine for a while. Who knows what tomorrow brings? I can actually see the street, the waters have receded. PTL.

Well, we are going to "Western Days" at the clubhouse this morning....gee this should be at least interesting if not sidesplitting funny. Promise to bring the camera.

More later.


dee

This has been one of the suckiest weeks since we have been gone....

As you may already have noted, I haven't posted for awhile....NOT MY FAULT.

Those boogers at blogspot lost my blog...canya believe that? It took three days of begging emails to get me back up and running.

I can't remember what we did the last few days...it is rainy and cold and the weatherman is a dufuss. I can get "I think we're in for some change...." at home from Gus the guesser on channel 20....I don't need the hispanic twang to tell me they don't have a clue what the weather is gonna be.

Well, here's a run down of our last couple of days...

Sunday....I stole the car and went to McAllen....oh my what a beautiful mall...makes Springpatch look like Progresso....the Mexican side. Paul watched the game. I am a jinx so I stayed away until the last seven minutes.
Monday....rain....watched TV and took naps.
Tuesday...rain...watched TV and took naps. Paul did laundry. Leftovers for dinner. Ick.
Wed....rain...went to McAllen and walked the mall. Paul went to the Elks lodge and got an order of spaghetti to go....we all ate off one meal...cheap dinner, 5 bucks.

The wifi here in the park only works when it feels like it. I have this metal pie pan with an external access thingy plugged into it hanging in the front of the windshield. Some folks actually have slowed down to gander at it.

I think I am going to go to Walmart this evening. I finally picked up my knitting...a pair of socks on size ones; can't see the stitches so I think I'll get some of of those dollar magnifying glasses.
I also lost my needle gauge and guessing needle sizes just doesn't work.

OH well...at least I am back up and running.

Rain tomorrow and Friday...maybe some sun expected on Saturday...yeah right. I am ready to go to Tampa...

hugs

dee

Saturday....day 6 the record breaking deep freeze in the RGV...

The rain, fog and cold makes one think they are in London, not 5 miles from the Rio Grande. I have been suffering with my meniere's since Thursday morning, thus no new postings on the blogger.

Good news...after two months we finally have the dish tv up and running. Paulie finally had to call in the dish guys to set up the dish correctly. It cost him $30 which just killed him. All I can say is thank goodness. I have set down the law tho....NO O'REILLY at 7 pm. No way am I gonna sit here and listen to that sexual pervert slam people who disagree with his right wing nazi politics...sorry if I offend some readers here...I have my own opinions and respect the rights of others to have differing ones, but that is one creep I just can't abide. 'Nough said...no more politics.

Since I have been mostly sleeping off the dizzies, spins and doing the two step all through the rig I don't have much to report on here. No wonder I have bruises and aches all over my ass and hips. Not to mention the shins...they look like some brat of a kid kept kicking me. Or, maybe its The Polish Prince getting his licks in while I am asleep.

Grandpa and Paulie opened up a checking account for him here in Westlaco. This way if he needs to write a check, he has some cash in an account. We have to have the car inspected, licensed and registered in Texas before he can get his drivers license...then I guess he will be a real Texan, not just a winter Texan. I think he is getting excited about the move here. Paulie atually talked him in to going to the entertainment last night and he seemed to enjoy it. I enjoyed my time alone. I was able to watch HGTV for the first time in months! Paul was off doing his favorite thing, laundry...such nice thing that he likes to do laundry.

Don't forget to check out the pictures of the new house, our cruise and the Belize zoo.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rocketmom1985

We may be making the trip to Mission this afternoon to see Big Joe and the Polka Band. No beer for me today...I think one glass would do me in the way I am feeling.

Will update more later....

dee

OK...here is the addy for my pictures.... look under Rio Valley House album
Also there are some photos from the cruise...think it is Kemel/cruise or something like that...blond moment yanno

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rocketmom1985

I hope this works....

dee

Wednesday January 17, 2007

A New House for Grandpa....

We met with the owners of the house here at Rio Valley Estates and finalized the deal. These gals know their biz...they had a contract and a list of stuff they were taking. And they went over each and every item they were leaving for us...we also went over tax info, homesteading, lot rent, etc, etc. They are leaving most of the furniture including the huge tv in the family room. I suppose that I should be grateful but honestly my taste is a bit different. Granted, I don't have to take my stuff and then shell out big bucks for new stuff....so, I guess I will just swallow my need to have things my way for awhile. The Polish Prince and I will only be here for the winter anyways, and all the kitchen stuff I will bring from Illinois. Plus I will have my artwork and photos and knicknacks and stuff so it will be ok for the time being.

Grandpa seems to be much more excited about this place than the other for some reason. I have a sneaking suspicion that he really likes one of the widowed ladies that sold him the place. She is just the right size for him....and she's Polish to boot. Golabki...polish cabbage rolls are dancing in his head I think...

Since I am having some problems with my wifi cutting out in the middle of doing stuff, I am going to post the web pages for pictures after I get them all uploaded (hopefully) tonight.

New photo on the blog. This is not a new picture...it was from last year, but it was the ONLY photo I have of me and Paulie without somebody else in it or one of us with a stupid look.

Not much else going on here...still cool, but it is going to warm up as the week progresses. Good. I need to get to the Mexican market for some more fresh pineapple, mangos and some juice oranges.

Hope you all are enjoying reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. I hafta be careful with my ...er, language since there are some folks who are unused to such things! And I have to be careful not to honk off anyone with my bitching...

Hugs

dee

Tuesday January 16, 2007

Reporting from the frozen tundra of the Rio Grande Valley….

OK so I exaggerate just a bit…but it is quite cold here. Of course, folks here are telling us Valley newbies this is just the most unusual thing they have ever seen/had here in the valley. I guess the Ziaja’s just had to show up for the aberrant weather. For those without a dictionary, that means unusual, abnormal or my favorite…deviant. Figures. Sunday evening we were sitting under our style setting palm trees enjoying the evening, and now we are sitting in the rig with the furnace on.

News on the purchase of grandpa’s new abode. He has rescinded his first offer on the Siesta Village unit and is in negotiations for the unit here at Rio Valley Estates. I think the ladies will be throwing in the golf cart so he is thrilled. Paul has been in contact with the other sellers (who swore up and down they wouldn’t cash the check until papers were signed, but the same day cashed the sucker…they must have skipped bible study to do so…that’s what they told us they were going to do the afternoon we left the check. Hmmmmm…) We attended the Spaghetti Feast this evening at the clubhouse. They did an excellent job as there were over 300 people in attendance and everyone had been served in less than 20 minutes. The pasta sauce wasn’t as good as the Elk’s sauce (which I have since been informed is a closely guarded secret here in Weslaco…) but it was edible. Paul said he saw huge cans of Ragu in the clubhouse kitchen yesterday so they must have used that as a base. I don’t have anything against canned sauce that is doctored up, but Ragu sucks. It was bland… I guess because anything too spicy wouldn’t appeal to all these geezers. But, we did have ice cream with a sugar wafer for dessert! Worth the wait…

Not much going on here in the park except the card and cribbage games. Not many of the walkers are out either. I gotta get out of the rig tomorrow or I am going to go nuts. There is an outlet mall near Harlingen that I am gonna make Paulie take me to.

I am still having problems with the wifi connections. I keep losing them I am going to make a home-made antenna like the one pictured here….

http://i1.tinypic.com/29krfoi.jpg

I already have the Belkin unit with the stand and the strainer should be easily found at Big Lots or Wally World. I am going to attach it to the TV antenna outside of the coach. It’s worth an experiment right?

Paulie made chili today for our dinner tomorrow. I had purchased a can of chili sauce when we visited the Tabasco plant on our trek through Louisiana. It has a bit of kick to it so I guess we all better take our tums before we eat. He also made some fresh salsa with the stuff we got from the Mexican market on Saturday. Oh, my…it was good. The jalapeño pepper was a bit much but it was still good. Next time we will ask for MILD jalapeños if such a thing exists. Our new fangled chopper works really well. At least the chef liked it…that’s all that counts I guess. Plus it has a juicer attachment and I am dying to get some fresh oranges to make juice….strained of that nasty pulp of course…no comments please, it’s MY juice.

Well, hopefully we will have some more exciting adventures to report tomorrow…but don’t hold your breath. The outlet mall is most likely not all that exciting.

Later,

dee

Monday January 5, 2007

Sorry about not posting for the last couple of days. The wifi provided by Rio Valley Estates seems to be having brain farts since Saturday morning.

Here’s a quick update of what’s going on here in the RGV.

It’s cold. Yep. The same cold that is making the entire nation shiver hasn’t let us off the hook, although it didn’t actually get cool until this am. Last night we were sitting outside after dinner and it was about 74. The wind was strong but it was quite pleasant out. The Polish Prince put up our two palm trees and we have had a steady stream of folks stopping by to admire them and ask where we got them. I told Paulie we were style setters, LOL!

We finally went to Luby’s Cafeteria for Sunday dinner. Not economical by any stretch, and that surprises me as there a many seniors who eat there. I had fish almandine which was divine. Paul had fried chicken (which is almost as bad as grandpa ordering a taco at DQ instead of one of the wonderful Mexican places surrounding us…) and grandpa had fried tilapia. It was all very good, and the portions were huge. Dinner for Monday!

We watched the Bears stumble their way past the Seahawks. Gosh, I hate watching sports…I get my heart broken over and over. Yesterday was not any different until the last two minutes. Hopefully they will play well against the Saints, but I am not getting my hopes up. Later in the day, Paul and I had found another double wide mfg home in this park, Rio Valley. Don’t know how we had missed it before, (or maybe they just put it up) but was on a corner on a street towards the back of the park. My first words upon entering were “oh crap…”! We have put down money on the other place but this place was truly a better fit for us. There are two bedrooms and two baths, a huge kitchen, utility room, a living room, family room and an insulated Texas room we could park the motorhome in. Damm, why didn’t we see this one first? We agonized over several units and finally decided on the unit in Siesta Village. Crap. Crap. Crap.


Saturday was a day for flea marketing…we went to three. The last one was the Mexican market…no non-Hispanic venders at all. It was mostly junk and Spanish language CD’s. Used clothing from 50 cents some of which looked like it was hooker wear, lol. We bought some grapefruits, cilantro, limes, jalapeño peppers and some roma tomatoes to make salsa. I am eating grapefruit like I am possessed. It is wonderful…nothing like a fresh grapefruit right off the tree!

Today, grandpa went to see the other place. He really likes it. Now, since we haven’t signed any contracts, we will cancel the other deal. It remains to be seen if we get the deposit back. Paul has decided to fly back to Springfield to get grandpa’s car, some kitchen stuff from the apartment and the rest of his clothes and perhaps his photos and TV. He will fly out of Harlingen on Tuesday the 30th. We have no idea how long it will take him to drive back to the RGV. This way, grandpa can move in and we can help him get settled. I believe the place just as the other, comes fully furnished except for a couple of antiques the owners want. They are leaving a 52 inch TV in the family room, the recliners and sofa and also the stuff in the living room. I think that stuff will be given away once Paulie and I get back but it is fine for grandpa right now. We will keep everyone updated. Zack can pick up Paulie at the airport in St. Louis and drive him back to the house. He can stay the night and head back to school early the next morning.

So that’s pretty much it. We didn’t do anything much today due to the cold and rain. It was a good day to make some plans, deal with the new mail that was just delivered and talk about what we need to do.

Later from the frigid valley….

dee

Friday January 12, 2007

RV Show and more Dish headaches

We decided to go to the RV show in Mercedes today and then afterward ride up to Harlingen to pick up our new Dish components at UPS. Even though Paul had specifically and repeatedly told the halfwit at Dish to make sure they sent the stuff to LOT 15!!!!! they did not do so. Customer service at its finest. We arrive at the RV show at around 11. So has the rest of the snowbirds in the RGV for cripes sakes. It was so crowded, you had to wait in LINE to get into some rigs. Then there are the stupid people who keep piling into the RV without regard to how many people are already in the damm thing! I can't tell you how many elboews I got in the ass, the back and boy it was very hot in the units. I was done after seeing about six. The vender area was jammed as well, and Paulie and I made an impulse purchase of a really kewl chopper/shredder/salsa making thingy....It will make the cook's life easier and that is important to those who eat his cooking!

It was only about 1:15 when we decided to get outta the crowds and head to Harlingen to find the UPS place. We had received the postcard indicating that "brown" couldn't deliver our packages without the lot number. Jeez. We find the place and can you believe the pickup counter is only open from 3 to 7? What a crock. How does "brown" stay in biz with such limited hours. Hmmmmm.

We decide to find a place to have a bite to eat. We head towards the airport thinking there would be a ton of places. Yeah, right. We tour MMA and the Iwo Jima memorial which was neat, but again I didn't bring my camera. We finally find a DQ and grandpa wants a taco. A taco from DQ wouldn't be my choice, but I have already determined the old man does this stuff to be goofy. If he wanted a taco, we would have gone to one of the bazillion Mexican places. Grrrr, I sometimes wonder about his grip on any level of sanity.

After we eat, we head back to UPS. There is a line of people waiting for these yahoos to open. Paul gets the two boxes which should have been deliver LAST WEDNESDAY and we head home. By now I have a headache so I decide to lay down for a while. Paulie works on setting up the dish again. He wakes me up for dinner which is leftover meatloaf, roasted peppers and some veggies he found in the fridge. He is NOT in a good mood. After setting up the dish, getting a signal at long last (we have been farting around with this stupid thing since we got out on the road THANKSGIVING for heaven's sake). So, he calls Dish to activate the system. He is told that the card is OLD and cannot be used...we need a new card. Can you believe this. Then the dufus tells Paul he didn't need the other parts. GRRRRR....dish network SUCKS. Now we have to wait another week to get the card can ya believe it? Paulie cannot talk about it he is so upset. I don't blame him. I think I am gonna write a letter to them and tell them that not one of the service reps we have talked to has given us any correct information. They must have an employee turnover problem...their reps are all idiots.

I am watching TV with Paul...grandpa passed out on the couch two hours ago. He and his dog are snoring so loudly...one of these days I am gonna tape them. They snore in tandem...first Pepi then grandpa.

Well, I think we are going to the Mercedes flea market tomorrow. Always like to look at the junk yanno?

later,

Dee

Wednesday January 10, 2007

Nuevo Progresso, Mexico

After breakfast, Paul took grandpa to get a haircut. They picked me up around noon and we decided to go to another flea market we had passed in Mercedes, the next town east of here. It was closed. Soooo, since we are so close to Mexico, we decide to go. We parked just outside the bridge for $1.50. Paulie put my scooter together and we set off across the international bridge over to Nuevo Progresso. The main street is chock full of vendors, cars, trucks and people. The sidewalks are very narrow and clogged with the vendors on each side. The variety of products is amazing...beaded purses, clothes, hats, belts, silver, blankets and chimeras and pottery. Amazing. Small children roam the crowd selling small packs of Mexican gum. Mothers with small babies sit on the sidewalks with paper cups extended for money. Each vendor tries to catch one's eye with their wares. Every other storefront is a dentist. Each dentist has a hawker outside the establishment with cards and flyers trying to get you to go in for a cleaning, a whitening or a crown. I bet there aren't this many dentists in Illinois....the whole state!

We find the Rose Garden, a tavern that grandpa wanted to take us to. It was basically an alley with tables and chairs. There were men selling peanuts at the entrance to the alley; several shoe shine guys lined one wall. They all wanted to polish my scooter. We are seated in the back. More small children, positively the cutest and most adorable kids I have ever seen wander in trying to sell gum. Paul and grandpa order Sol beer and I get a Margarita. What I am served is a glass of tequila that has been mixed into a slush with ice. Maybe they waved a lime over it...maybe not. A young man offered to polish my shoes and for a buck I say ok. He takes them and is gone for the longest time. Great...now I don't have any shoes. After a while he comes back with them and they really look good. We finish our drinks and head off to find a pharmacia and to buy some tequila. We decide to get something to eat and everyone recommended Arturo's. It is a very nice place with table cloths on the tables and waiters in fancy red jackets. Paul and I have the luncheon special which was a tamale, an enchilada, a taco, refried beans and rice. Grandpa orders the stuffed green pepper and a drink. Hmmmm, hope he can walk back across the bridge! After a nice meal, we are off again to find the tequila and pharmacy stuff. We find a store near the bridge heading out and I buy some penicillian and some macrobin in the event I get another bladder infection...I have one every couple of months yanno. Paul buys two bottles of tequila and one of vodka. After our purchases we head back through customs. It has been an interesting day in Mexico. Obviously the rest of Mexico isn't like this tourist trap.

We head back to the US and our rig. It is already 4:30 and happy hour has already been started. Even though the sun is out, the wind has picked up and it's a bit cool outside. We visit for a while before its time to go in. Since we have had a late lunch, we won't be doing dinner.

The RV show opens tomorrow in Mercedes at the fairgrounds so maybe we will head that way tomorrow.

Later...

dee

Tuesday January 9, 2007


Ok, ok, everybody wants DETAILS!

The home grandpa purchased is located in Siesta Village in Westlaco Texas. The park is for 55+ and is only manufactured homes, there are no RV's allowed. It is a beautifully kept park that has a pool and spa area, exercise room, billiards room, shuffleboard league and even a men's only club that serves drafts two for a buck while the menfolk play poker. There is a ballroom and they have breakfasts, potluck dinners and even soup and sandwich lunches. It is a very active community. It is in the southern part of Weslaco, approximately 3 or 4 miles from the boarder. There is a nice golf course that backs up to the park and the residents golf alot. Everyone seems to have a golf cart and each homeowner keeps their properties in pristine condition. Some of the landscaping is truly beautiful ...cactus and palm trees...many lots have stone/rock on the ground to eliminate having to mow what passes for grass hereabouts. We really like the front porch and think that we will have it screened in later this year. We will close on March 20th, so we will stay here until we have everything in order. Grandpa is going to go home and get his personal stuff and clothes. The only furniture he will take is the grandfather's clock , the rolltop desk and of course his TV. Paul and I will spend the spring months getting the house ready for sale and listed...I need to really downsize and declutter. I see lots of garage sales and "escape" sales in our future. No matter...we had been thinking about this for over a year now. The warm weather here in the RGV is appealing. However, if one plans to live in this area, they have to appreciate the Mexican culture. I say that seriously...all of the Hispanic people we have been in contact with have been friendly, and courteous. The economy here is heavily invested in "winter Texans" and they make a lot of effort to be cordial, helpful and accomodating. I had my hair cut today and the stylist was a beautiful young girl; she was just tickled that I had been referred to her from another customer I had met and admired her hair.

Well, that's all I can think of right now...I will post more later...

dee

Here are some pictures of the unit grandpa bought in Siesta Village, Weslaco Texas...

so now you all know....


......the rest of the story....!

Sunday January 7

Flea Market Frenzy....

After sleeping in this morning...OK, don't go there...I just needed the sleep yanno?

Grandpa had gone to a Spanish language church service which he really enjoyed and reported there wasn't a seat to be had.

We decided to go to the flea market at Victoria Palms and Paulie packed up my scooter. We split up once we got there and decided to meet in an hour near the music stage. Lots and lots of interesting junk. I didn't succumb to any temptation, altho I did splurge on a diet pepsi.

After meeting up at the alloted time, we decide to go to the other market across the street. Paul and grandpa went for the car and I headed across the street in the scooter. This flea market had new merchandise and in the center it was a farmers market with tons of fresh produce. I bought some orange and red peppers to make roasted peppers, some pretty wood roses which were scented, and then I splurged on a cowboy hat for myself. I also bought a set of T shirts for me and Paulie. I will have some pictures taken tomorrow of us modeling our shirts and me in my new hat. Promise.

Back at the rig we read the paper and watched football on TV. Paulie made hotdogs for dinner. ...one of those days where we don't want much but need to eat dinner.

While downloading pictures today I came across some photos I had taken when we went to South Padre Island with Barb and Arnie. Hope you enjoy them.

later

dee

Grandpa, me and a very slim and trim Barb...

A HUGE Texas steer visiting with the Polish Prince and me...I am far enough away not to get stuck with one of those monster horns, but the Prince is flirting with disaster...

HOWEVER...that frisky little nag behind Paulie decided his neck looked like something she wanted to sample...as you can tell from not only my body language, but my FACE...I am getting the hell outta dodge pronto...anything that has horns or huge teeth or feet cannot be trusted and I make tracks to get away....