Good Grief….

It’s been a while since I have posted. Hmmm. Getting lazy in my old age I guess. A quick update…we are in the get ready for the birthday party mode. Today Paul and grandpa planted a grapefruit tree and a Chinese fan palm tree. They worked in the garage and Paulie pressured washed one part of the house. It was a cloudy and overcast day, and of course with rain expected my head was moving in different directions.

Monday, we ordered the cake, bought party supplies and did some errands. I think we will have to order more cake. We are expecting about 100 people. Crazy. We have decided to move the party to the meeting hall with that many folks…they won’t all fit in our driveway! This way we have use of the kitchen and I can be sure we won’t be blowing any fuses at the house with Freddie’s equipment and the two coffee pots. Plus, it’s supposed to be in the upper 80’s so having air and ceiling fans will be cool. Now I don’t have to worry about the wind getting dirt all over the cake. I have been advised that I should get more cake. The full sheet cake only feeds about 75 people so I don’t want to get caught short. Now I can have the second cake say Happy Birthday Old Fart! LOL!

Monday evening we went to the park dance with grandpa. Bev’s son and daughter-in-law were there also and we had a nice evening getting to know them.

We are heading to Mexico tomorrow. It is Winter Texan appreciation day in Progresso. There will be free food, entertainment and local crafts people.
We will have to leave early like 8 am (geesh!) in order to get a parking space in the adjoining lots outside the border. I have been advised not to bring my scooter so I will have to take along some pain killers. I sure hope that doesn’t ruin my day. Hey, if somebody doesn’t get outta my way when I am on that thing, then that’s their problem right?

The weather has been really almost perfect. Sunshine everyday and in the 80’s. Nice cool breezes keep the heat in check. The fruit trees are all in bloom, the lilies are up and so are the spring flowers. Lots of folks have tomato plants that have fruit on them already. Paul bought three plants but we haven’t put them in yet. One is coming home with us in a container.
Well, I will try to post about our day in Mexico tomorrow.

Later

dee

OK just a little added note for Friday....


click on this link

http://www.myspace.com/marchingbackward

and you can hear Zack and Greg's latest composition...

They have renamed the band to Marching Backward....

Greg does the guitar and vocals, Zack is on the drum....Zack writes the lyrics and they both work on the music parts.

Just being a proud mom

hugs

dee

Friday...March 16th


I have very mixed up emotions today....

Today is our anniversary. 22 years and counting. If you can believe this, I have been married to Paulie for three times the number of years as both his previous, numbers one and two. I win. Gosh, where has all the time gone? Zack is 21 and just about on his own. (Pffft! to those of you who are counting backwards on your fingers....!) We are going back to Illinois to sell the house and have already reconciled ourselves to the fact we may come out with little or no profits. College costs and the early retirement scenario with the in laws has depleted the equity we would have recovered at sale time. Neither Paul or I have any regrets. The cost of nursing care for Catherine would have been over $110K if we had not put the addition on the house. And, after being in the nursing home for various times during her last months convinced me the care she received from her family, at home, in her own bed, was far superior to any she would have gotten in a nursing home. We made the decision to spend the money on the addition, fully aware that we would not get it out of the house. If there is one thing I would say "if I could do over...." it would have been to have stayed put and not moved around from house to house as many times as we did. I am not regretting it, we did what we did at those times because it was the best decision we could have made then, at that particular point in time. The old saying, hindsight is 20-20 is true. But if we had not made the changes we did when we did, we might not be going in the direction we are headed....wintering in the warm Rio Grand Valley with Gene, and planning to travel for the rest of the year. I am happy we will be able to do what we have dreamed of doing...roaming around the continent(!) in our Aluminum Asylum.

I am also grieving today. Paul and I lost a wonderful friend. Gay Leezer from our FMCA group, the Cenois Prairielanders, lost her battle with cancer. A lovely woman with a brave spirit and loving heart, she will be missed by all. Gay always had a smiling face and a twinkle in her eye. She had class and warmth, a quick wit and a practical candor about life that was typically Midwestern farm country. IF I had to chose someone to serve as a substitute mother if mine wasn't around to seek advice, Gay would be one I'd turn to. She was a wonderful cook and I think the entire club would have followed her to the ends of the earth for a sample of her cobblers...or anything that came out of her kitchen. She could produce miracles in that motorhome kitchen. My heart hurts for her husband Bud...they were married many many years. Rest peacefully dear Gay, we will miss you terribly. I will miss sitting with you around the campfire or at the Red Hat tea table and talking about anything that crossed our minds and there was never a time that I didn't learn something from you during these conversations. I shall cherish my memories.


**************************************************************

Wifi has reportedly been fixed. Baloney. It is spotty at best. Sorry I haven't written earlier but it is very frustrating to get a whole page written and then lose the connection. Whamo...there goes the time I spent wording my blog just right or coming up with something humorous about toenails. I should go back writing daily on my 'puter's Word, but I tend to get lazy...all I have to do is cut and paste. But, I hate the spell check on Word...why should that damm program worry about me making up my own words or if my sentence is a fragment or not grammatically correct. The only one I know reading this (and I am sure he doesn't) that is almost qualified to judge my grammar is Zack the English BA in the making. I recall in the Dilbert comic strip, the janitor is complaining to Dilbert that janitors were being fired and engineers were getting raises...Dilbert's response was "who told you that you'd find a job with a BA in English?". For some reason that cartoon made me laugh my butt off. At the time I thought of someone who had a BA in Political Science...it was funny then and still funny now, to me at least.

Well, the dish guy is here to switch out the cable to satellite and I have to get ready to go to McAllen to get a hair cut. The boys are playing shuffle board(I KNOW, I KNOW ....Geezer games) and should be back by 11. I hope Paulie will drive me...not to sure if I can do that by myself today. I am doing the two step when I walk which is not a good thing.

hugs

dee

Tuesday....

The park is having problems with their wifi...was supposedly fixed, is now worse than ever....

I will continue to try and post when I can

hugs

dee

Monday….the day after….

Our first dinner party last night was a success. The shrimp feast definitely is something we will do again. We had the garlic (Dennise’s version of) shrimp dejohne, fried and boiled shrimp, the colonel’s coleslaw (why waste the time when his is way better?) French fries, corn on the cob, French bread and of course, any beverage your little heart desired. We had cheese and crackers plus some chips for appetizers and sat around and shot the breeze for about 45 minutes before Paulie and I got to cooking. We had everything prepared ahead of time, and the two deep fryers preheated and ready to go. It did get a bit hot in the kitchen with both fryers, and the oven baking the shrimp, but it wasn’t too bad. When we get back in the fall we will have a ceiling fan installed in the kitchen. It really helps keep the heat down. Everyone (except me and the chef) had seconds and even thirds. So I guess everyone liked our cuisine. After some quick clean up, chef Paulie and I joined our guests on the patio and talked. Soon, Marion and Aloha who sold us the house stopped by to chat. Slowly as the hour grew late, everyone went home. It was a great first party. I’m glad everything went so well.

Of course, after helping clean house, food prep, cooking and serving yesterday, my day today was spent in the damm bed. Every bone in my body was screaming. There was a terrible rain storm that hit the valley, and some places east of here and South Padre Island had 8.5” of rain. Poor spring breakers…they must have gotten washed out to sea…its Texas universities week this week. Poor Texans!

As the days continue to march towards spring, more of our neighbors, Winter Texans as we are called, are heading home. Most of the Iowa folks have been putting off going home, along with the Minnesota and Wisconsin folks. Why go home to snow when the weather is absolutely perfect here? The Canadians are also leaving in dribs and drabs…they have a longer trip and most of them make lots of side trips so it takes them 4 to 6 weeks to get home. Paul and I will probably leave the first week of April. We figure we will take our time…may a week or so. The weather back in central Illinois has been getting better.

Zack has moved into his new room at Cougar Village apartments. For those unaware, Zack resigned his RA position. Apparently he had a misunderstanding about the time he was to give a presentation to the RA staff. He said he double checked with his boss to confirm the time and his boss goofed. (Being a former boss myself, bosses generally do not admit mistakes. It must have been the underling’s misinterpretation of the facts or instructions, right?) So rather than risk one more screw up after this major one, he decided to resign rather than make another small booboo (like missing a deadline on paperwork or some such minute thing) and get fired. He would not get a referral or be able to use his almost two years as an RA on his resume if he got fired. So to cut his losses (a typical Zack reaction) he resigned. Of course, leaving with only two months left irked the crap outta me (who can’t make it two months?) and his father. But, it is his decision and he was determined NOT to lose what he feels is a very good referral and part of his leadership skills on his resume, he took the road he felt most comfortable with. Now, the downside to his is he (I should say Paul and I) need to come up with $700 to pay for the balance of the board. The school will NOT allow him to live off campus; he was required to stay in University housing. Crap. To his credit, he went out and got not one job, but two jobs. He is a bouncer at a country western bar (good $) and he is also working at a putt putt miniature golf place inside Union Station in St. Louis. Kind of a far drive, but he is learning management skills as he will open the place and the owner is willing to work around his school schedule. He will be attending summer classes and already has an apartment lined up. This will be the place Greg will share with him for their senior year. It will cost about $400 per kid for rent and utilities…wait until they can’t access Cougarnet for free….that will be another amount they will have to come up with for high speed internet and of course, food. I will admit that both Greg and Zack can cook and have done plenty of experimentation in my kitchen. They both better learn not to be slobs and clean up after themselves according to my recollection. Plus they like steak…hmmm, wonder how many times they will be eating steak as poor college students. Hey nothing like real life to prepare one to grow up right? When I was 18 and living on my own, NOT going to school I had many a dinner of peanut butter and crackers. Paul remembers eating tomato soup made with water and oyster crackers and Kraft mac and cheese for 14 cents a box from an Aldi type store. Makes one appreciate things more I guess.

This week is doctor week for grandpa. Blood work as his new beautiful senorita doc thinks he may be borderline something. Then he goes to the urologist for a check and an appointment for this next PSA test/shot.

We are planning grandpa’s 90th birthday party for March 24th. We posted a RSVP so we know how much cake to buy. We will have a very popular valley singer here for entertainment. We will only buy the cake, everyone is bringing their own beverages and chairs. I hope we get lots of people…grandpa says that he has never had a birthday party. Right. He’s probably had so many, he can’t remember them all…he’s like the odometer on an old car…once it reaches 100,000 miles it turns back to zero! Like the guy on the cruise ship said…grandpa’s first job was busboy at the Last Supper. Tooooo funny.

Well, I am going to join Paulie out on the patio…the rain has cooled things down and its really beautiful outside.

Later,

Dee

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